Dr. Valentine's blog » Parenthood http://blog.valentinemedcenter.com/blog Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:03:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v= en hourly 1 Why So Sad? http://blog.valentinemedcenter.com/blog/why-so-sad/ http://blog.valentinemedcenter.com/blog/why-so-sad/#comments Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:13:27 +0000 Dr. Valentine http://blog.valentinemedcenter.com/blog/?p=107 Depression is much more than just sadness. It can take over your blog symptoms-of-depressioneveryday life. It can affect your ability to work, eat, sleep, socialize and enjoy yourself and creates a constant feeling of hopelessness.
Causes
Depression is a mental issue as well as a biological issue. The causes of depression are complex. People sometimes never know what triggered the depression.
Some causes of depression include:
• Biochemical/biological – abnormalities in the level of neurotransmitters in the brain
• Personality – people who are negative, overly needy, worrisome, have a hypersensitivity to things like rejection and who have low self-esteem have a better chance of developing depression.
• Hereditary – some depression is passed down through generations. However, it is not always true. If some people in a family are depressed, it does not mean that everyone will develop depression. Also, someone might be the first person to have depression in a family.
• Situations – difficult or traumatic situations can throw off the neurotransmitters in the brain and cause depression. Also, episodes of extreme happiness, like childbirth (postpartum depression), can cause an imbalance of neurotransmitters.
• Medical conditions – chronic diseases that can be fatal or debilitating (i.e. cancer, heart disease) can cause depression.
• Medications – some medications can throw off the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain.
• Substance abuse

Symptoms
• Feelings of sadness, helplessness, hopelessness
• Change in sleeping patterns (sleep too much or can’t sleep)
• Lack of concentration
• Easy tasks become difficult
• No control over negative thoughts
• Change in eating habits (loss of appetite or increase in appetite)
• Irritable and short-tempered
• Thoughts of suicide
A person may not develop every symptom on the list. If the symptoms last two weeks or longer, a person has clinical depression. A person suffering from depression needs to see a doctor immediately to get his or her life back on track. A doctor can perform a test to determine whether or not a patient has depression and can recommend a therapist for treatment.
A person needs to especially seek help when thoughts of suicide arise.
After treatment, about 2/3 of people recover and are able to return to their daily lives after a few days or weeks depending on the patient.

DEPRESSION FACTS
• DEPRESSION AFFECTS 19 MILLION AMERICANS ANNUALLY
• CAN AFFECT ANYONE
• MORE COMMON IN ELDERLY PEOPLE THAN IN YOUNG PEOPLE
• CONTRIBUTES TO ½ OF ALL SUICIDES

Have you ever been affected by depression? If so, please share you inspirational story on how you overcame it.

]]> http://blog.valentinemedcenter.com/blog/why-so-sad/feed/ 0 THE PILL – PRO’S AND CON’S http://blog.valentinemedcenter.com/blog/the-pill-pros-and-cons/ http://blog.valentinemedcenter.com/blog/the-pill-pros-and-cons/#comments Thu, 28 May 2009 20:43:18 +0000 Dr. Valentine http://blog.valentinemedcenter.com/blog/?p=55 Developed and introduced to the public in 1960, the birth control pill completely has been credited with changing the role and independence of women in today’s world by opening the channels of communication about female sexuality.  Today, there are controversies surrounding the use of the birth control pill and would like to debunk those myths today.

 

How they Work

 

 

THE BEST WAY TO NOT GET PREGNANT IS TO NOT HAVE SEX. PERIOD.

But if you decide you want to become sexually active, protect yourself- wisely.

The birth control pill is an effective form of contraception if taken properly (everyday around the same time of day).   Taking a medicine the same time everyday can be difficult.  Be honest with yourself about yourself!  If the pill is not for you, there are other options…

 

Birth control is essentially synthetic forms of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.  When estrogen levels peak, your body knows to release an egg and begin the process of ovulation.  The pill keeps these hormones level, thus prohibiting the release of an egg.  If there is no egg, then your body cannot get pregnant.  Birth control pills also make the lining of your uterus unable to support the implantation of a fertilized egg.

 

Pros

Despite the obvious benefit of preventing an unexpected pregnancy, many birth control pills cause other benefits such as clear skin, and lighter, less painful menstrual cycles.  They can also give women a chance to prepare themselves for a planned pregnancy by becoming healthy and quitting bad habits, such as smoking. 

 

Cons

Birth control pills can have some negative effects.  There is an increased risk for blood clots in women who smoke or have diabetes.  They can also have some irritating side effects such as bloating, water retention and nausea.  One of the most off-putting side effects reported is weight gain, though most doctors maintain that this is just a myth and that with diet and exercise, this is not an issue.

 

Some helpful tips

Despite the wide use of birth control, The Center for Disease and Control Prevention still claims that almost half of the pregnancies that occur in the U.S. are unexpected and another study claims that nearly a third of the women who begin birth control will stop within the year, usually do to financial or insurance issues.

 

Unfortunately, this is something that I deal with in my office every day, especially in young girls.  If you are under the age of 18 and are considering becoming sexually active (or already are), I suggest that you have a conversation with a health professional or a responsible adult to discuss your options.  Most doctors would be happy to discuss options with you over the phone if you are unable to come into the office.

 

For women over the age of 18 who are considering using birth control pills, I suggest trying a generic brand to cut the cost.  They are just as effective and sometimes less than half the price.  Finally, for parents of young women, it is important to begin this dialogue early.  If you suspect that your child may be sexually active, it is important to talk to them about protection and try not to seem judgmental.  It is more important for them to receive the protection they need for their decisions than to make a mistake that could have been prevented.

 

Here are some places in the New Orleans area where you can find advice and prescriptions for birth control pills:

 

Planned Parenthood

4018 Magazine St.

8200 Hampson St.

 

Family Planning Clinic

3308 Tulane Ave.

 

St. Vincent’s Maternity Clinic

1510 Veterans Blvd.

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