&#39;Love Hormone&#39; May Buffer Kids From Mom&#39;s <b>Depression</b> - Health <b>...</b>

FRIDAY, Dec. 9 (HealthDay News) — Children born to mothers with postpartum depression are at increased risk for mental health problems, but a hormone called oxytocin may reduce the risk, according to a new study.

Oxytocin, which is produced naturally in the body and has been associated with feelings of love and trust, may help protect kids from the negative effects of maternal depression, the researchers found. A synthetic version of the hormone is available as medication.

In the study, Israeli researchers looked at 155 mother-child pairs. By the time they were 6 years old, 60 percent of children born to mothers who were consistently depressed for the first year after giving birth had mental health problems, mainly anxiety and conduct disorders.

Among the 6-year-old children whose mothers did not have postpartum depression, only 15 percent had mental health problems, the investigators noted.

The study also found that children born to mothers with extended postpartum depression were less verbal and had lower levels of playfulness and creativity, less engagement with their mothers, diminished social involvement, and less empathy for the pain and distress of others.

These children and their mothers also had disordered functioning of the oxytocin system, as shown by lower levels of oxytocin in their saliva and a variant on the oxytocin receptor gene that increases the risk of depression, according to study leader Ruth Feldman, a professor in the psychology department and the Gonda Brain Sciences Center at Bar-Ilan University, and colleagues.

Among the children born to depressed mothers, the 40 percent who did not have mental disorders by age 6 had normal functioning of the oxytocin system and normal levels of oxytocin in their saliva.

The study was slated for presentation Thursday at the annual meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, in Hawaii.

“We found the functioning of the oxytocin system helps to safeguard some children against the effects of chronic maternal depression,” Feldman said in a college news release. “This study could lead to potential treatment options for postpartum depression and methods to help children develop stronger oxytocin systems.”

Because this study was presented at a medical meeting, the data and conclusions should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

More information

The Nemours Foundation has more about postpartum depression.

– Robert Preidt

SOURCE: American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, news release, Dec. 8, 2011

Last Updated: Dec. 09, 2011

Copyright © 2011 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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<b>Depression</b>, Disability Can Follow ICU Care: Study - Health News <b>...</b>

FRIDAY, Dec. 9 (HealthDay News) — Depression and new physical problems are common among patients released from the intensive care unit after treatment for a potentially deadly condition called acute lung injury, a new study finds.

The findings may also apply to ICU patients with other types of disease or injury who get hooked up to breathing machines, according to the researchers.

“When people are discharged from the ICU, we tend, understandably, to focus on their physical health, but our data tell us we need to focus on their mental health, too,” study leader Dr. O. Joseph Bienvenu, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said in a Hopkins news release.

“Depression can make recovery much more difficult. Identifying depressive symptoms early — and treating them — could make a real difference in how patients fare physically in the long term,” he added.

The researchers looked at the depression levels and physical abilities of 186 survivors of acute lung injury three, six, 12 and 24 months after they became ill. Physical abilities included whether people could perform basic tasks of daily living such as shopping, preparing food and using the telephone.

Forty percent of the patients developed depressive symptoms during the two years of follow-up, even though they had not previously experienced such symptoms.

In addition, 66 percent of the patients developed new physical impairments during the follow-up period.

The average age of the patients in the study was 49, and they should be in the prime of their lives, the researchers noted. Instead, many had become disabled and unable to return to work.

The researchers will continue to follow these patients to find out if the depression symptoms and physical impairments persist beyond the initial follow-up of two years.

The study was published Dec. 9 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

More information

The Society of Critical Care Medicine has more about ICU care.

– Robert Preidt

SOURCE: Johns Hopkins Medicine, news release, Dec. 7, 2011

Last Updated: Dec. 09, 2011

Copyright © 2011 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

View the original article here

<b>Depression</b>, Disability Can Follow ICU Care: Study - Health News <b>...</b>

FRIDAY, Dec. 9 (HealthDay News) — Depression and new physical problems are common among patients released from the intensive care unit after treatment for a potentially deadly condition called acute lung injury, a new study finds.

The findings may also apply to ICU patients with other types of disease or injury who get hooked up to breathing machines, according to the researchers.

“When people are discharged from the ICU, we tend, understandably, to focus on their physical health, but our data tell us we need to focus on their mental health, too,” study leader Dr. O. Joseph Bienvenu, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said in a Hopkins news release.

“Depression can make recovery much more difficult. Identifying depressive symptoms early — and treating them — could make a real difference in how patients fare physically in the long term,” he added.

The researchers looked at the depression levels and physical abilities of 186 survivors of acute lung injury three, six, 12 and 24 months after they became ill. Physical abilities included whether people could perform basic tasks of daily living such as shopping, preparing food and using the telephone.

Forty percent of the patients developed depressive symptoms during the two years of follow-up, even though they had not previously experienced such symptoms.

In addition, 66 percent of the patients developed new physical impairments during the follow-up period.

The average age of the patients in the study was 49, and they should be in the prime of their lives, the researchers noted. Instead, many had become disabled and unable to return to work.

The researchers will continue to follow these patients to find out if the depression symptoms and physical impairments persist beyond the initial follow-up of two years.

The study was published Dec. 9 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

More information

The Society of Critical Care Medicine has more about ICU care.

– Robert Preidt

SOURCE: Johns Hopkins Medicine, news release, Dec. 7, 2011

Last Updated: Dec. 09, 2011

Copyright © 2011 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

View the original article here

Natural Cures For Depression - Health

If you are suffering from mild to moderate depression, conventional antidepressants may not be your best option because of their side effects. Over the last few years more and more natural cures for depression have been shown to be effective in alleviating depression symptoms, so taking natural remedies for depression is a credible alternative.

The most effective natural remedies for depression include antidepressant herbs, essential oils, selected vitamin and mineral supplements and physical exercise.

Herbal tinctures

Herbs for depression are best taken as a tincture. Herbal tinctures such as St John's wort, rose, vervain or oats have been shown to be beneficial for mild depression. You can buy these tinctures ready-made from herbal shops or make your own.

Take up to 2ml of your chosen tincture (tincture strength 1:2) diluted in some water, 2-3 times a day. When taking St John's wort avoid excessive exposure to sun or UV light. If you are taking any other medication, consult a specialist before taking the tincture.

Essential oils

Essential oil mixes specifically formulated for depression can be used as massage oils or put on the space between the nose and upper lip. Never apply essential oils neat on the skin. Always mix them with a base or carrier oil.

Mix 15 drops of geranium, 10 drops of bergamot and 5 drops of lavender essential oil in two tablespoons of base oil such as avocado, grapeseed, apricot kernel or sweet almond. Alternatively, use 15 drops of geranium, 12 drops of nutmeg and 8 drops of neroli oil. For chronic depression 3 drops of osmanthus oil and 3 drops of jasmine oil will bring relief.

You can also use any of the above mixes in a bath. Sprinkle your preferred mix into the water and swish around to disperse the oils. Soak in the bath for about 15 minutes.

Essential oils can also be poured on a tissue or handkerchief to sniff or used in a vaporiser. Use fewer drops of each oil for this.

Exercise

Vigorous exercise helps to counter depression. Exercise that increases your heart rate at least three hours a week (or 30 minutes a day) may help boost your body's natural mood-enhancers. Exercise in natural surroundings is particularly beneficial as contact with nature and green spaces has a positive effect upon mental health. Gardening is an ideal activity of this sort.

Mindfulness meditation and the traditional Chinese exercises of Chi Gong and Tai Chi can also be employed to relieve depression. In addition, a type of controlled breathing with roots in traditional yoga (Sudarshan kriya yoga) can provide relief for depression. The program involves several types of cyclical breathing patterns, ranging from slow and calming to rapid and stimulating. Overall, exercise is a more effective treatment for depression than antidepressants, with fewer relapses and a higher recovery rate.

Vitamins and minerals

People suffering from depression often have low vitamin B levels. By eating a healthy diet and taking vitamin supplements that contain folic acid and vitamins B6, B12 and B6 you can correct any deficiencies. Taking vitamin D together with calcium supplements or 100 mg of selenium per day will also improve your mood.

Make sure you get enough iron. A lack of iron can make depression worse. Let a health professional check your iron levels. Also balance your fats. Depressed people may have lower omega-3 fatty acid levels, so increase your intake of oily fish high in omega-3 fatty acids. Take 10g of omega-3 fatty acids per day.

Depression is a complex disease. A low mood can be improved with natural cures for depression as described above but for severe depression you should always consult a health professional.

Monika Ruthe is a complementary therapist and the creator of an online information resource on natural healing remedies. To discover the best natural remedies for a variety of common ailments and how to use them visit http://www.naturalhealingremedies.biz/

View the original article here

Suicide Risk Among Pregnant Women And New Mothers - Health Care Professionals Should Be Aware

Suicide Risk Among Pregnant Women And New Mothers - Health Care Professionals Should Be Aware@import "/css/pagelayout.css";@import "/css/default.css";@import "/css/defaultnews.css"; Your MNT
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Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Also Included In: Depression;  Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 01 Dec 2011 - 9:00 PST

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A study published online in General Hospital Psychiatry shows women at risk for suicide may be easier identified, by increasing screening of expectant and new mothers for major depression and conflicts with intimate partners.

Researchers say that even though only a small percentage of women who commit suicide are pregnant or new mothers, because this group of women commonly frequently use the health care system, they could offer significant opportunities for providers to intervene if the risk factors are better understood.

Leading researcher author Dr Katherine J. Gold, assistant professor of family medicine at the U-M Medical School states:

"We have a more complete picture now of who these women are and what led up to these tragic events. These deaths ripple through families and communities and cause a lot of sorrow and devastation."

Researchers from the University of Michigan evaluated suicide data from the unique National Violent Death Reporting System that was introduced in 2003, that links multiple sources of information and provides investigators with details, such as demographic data, mental health, pregnancy status, substance abuse status and precipitating circumstances.

The findings revealed that over half of the women who committed suicide had a known mental health diagnosis, the largest one being mood disorder, which affected 95% of women and almost half were known to being in a depressed mood before their suicide.

Senior researcher Dr Christie Palladino, an obstetrician and gynecologist with Georgia Health Sciences University's Education Discovery Institute explains:

"Previous research has shown that depressive disorders affect 14-23 percent of pregnant and postpartum women and anxiety disorders affect 10-12 percent. We've known that major depression is a factor in suicide for a long time. But this data tells us, for example, that pregnant and postpartum women had a much higher incidence of conflicts with intimate partners than their counterparts."

Researchers also observed that postnatal women seemed to have a higher tendency of being identified with a depressive mood in the two weeks before their suicide compared with other women.

Significantly, they also discovered many parallels with no substantial variations in terms of pregnancy status, such as 56% of all suicide victims had a known mental health diagnosis, 32% had tried to commit suicide before, and 28% had a known alcohol or substance abuse issue at the time of death.

Gold comments: "Depression and substance use are risk factors for everyone, including pregnant and postpartum women."

The findings showed that although suicides amongst pregnant, new postnatal and non-pregnant women shared a very similar level of education and marital status, Hispanic women had a much higher tendency of committing suicide during pregnancy (10%) or during the first year after pregnancy (9%) than women who were not pregnant (4%).

The researchers are aware that their study has some inherent data limitations, as their sample of 2,083 suicides amongst women aged between 15-54 years only included data from 17 states where data was available, and obviously it was not possible to interview victims to obtain a full examination of their mental health condition or check for unreported cases of domestic violence and other precipitating factors.

According to Gold:

"As a society, we tend to avoid talking about suicide. But it's important to try to understand and talk about risk factors if we are going to address suicide from a public health perspective."

Written by Petra Rattue
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Additional References Citations Visit our pregnancy / obstetrics section for the latest news on this subject. “Mental Health, substance use, and intimate partner problems among pregnant and postpartum suicide victims in the National Violent Death Reporting System”
General Hospital Psychiatry, doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2011.09.017

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Alliance Of Community Health Plans Report Demonstrates That Enhanced Services And Higher Quality Benefits Lead To Improved Health

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Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 01 Dec 2011 - 0:00 PST

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Community health plans are partnering with physician practices to initiate a range of care management programs for people living with chronic diseases; these programs have resulted in decreased emergency room (ER) use, improved health and lower costs. The findings, released by the Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP), are part of a report that is a comprehensive look at the way community health plans partner with providers to improve care.

Care management is the coordination of care and services for chronically ill patients who require complex, one-on-one and personalized care, and is emerging as a foundation of patient-centered medical care. At many ACHP plans, a plan-employed care manager works with a medical practice to coordinate services for patients living with long-term, chronic diseases, through activities such as patient education, referral to community resources and agencies, help navigating health care systems and coordination of information among multiple providers. Innovative health plans, including Geisinger Health Plan, Group Health Cooperative and Independent Health have launched care management initiatives in partnership with medical practices, resulting in improved patient experiences.

"Improving how we care for those living with chronic disease is a national priority and requires that we understand not only the role physicians and practices play, but also how health plans can help advance and integrate care," said ACHP President and CEO Patricia Smith. "With this report, we demonstrate the critical role community based health plans play as a partner in improving the delivery system."

ACHP also found significant cost savings when reviewing results from its members' care management programs, primarily due to prevention of avoidable hospitalizations and ER visits. Between January and July of this year, for example, Group Health Cooperative reported total cost savings of more than $2.5 million for patients in its case management programs.

In this report, which notes the evolution from disease management to care management approaches that address the "whole person" including social, environmental or financial barriers to good health, ACHP focused on five key themes that could be adapted more broadly to replicate the positive results found in the care management work of community health plans: Physician Partnerships. A plan-employed nurse working within a provider's practice - whether a plan-affiliated or networked practice - allows patients to view the nurse more as an extension of the physician, therefore improving the patient's experience of truly coordinated care. Face-to-Face Encounters. Personal meetings with a care manager can be used to confirm a doctor's instructions, answer medication questions or learn how to use a medical device. Multidisciplinary Teams. Involving social workers, geriatricians and others in a care management program can help patients and families access specialized services they need. Appropriate Use of Technology. Technologies can increase communication with a patient or speed the delivery of health information to a care manager. This enables a more seamless support system for patients seeing a range of providers or accessing multiple services. Community Mindedness. Familiarity with their local communities helps health plan nurses connect patients to community based organizations that can provide, for example, necessary nutrition, housing, financial, social and home health services. ACHP released its care management report along with a companion Care Management Handbook for health plans looking for greater detail on integrating care management programs. The care management documents are part of a new ACHP series on delivery system reforms, Health Plan Innovations in Patient-Centered Care. The series looks to fill the existing gap in the literature when it comes to identifying ways community based health plans can partner with medical practices and communities to keep patient needs front and center as well as deliver high-value care. Papers on the role of health plans in innovative primary care delivery and transitions of care will follow this first installment on care management.

"The right care and high quality benefits can yield healthier, more satisfied patients; further, enhanced care management services offer the potential of reduced costs" Smith said. "In an era of tight budgets, people think that the only way to reduce costs is to trim services, but our analysis of community based health plans providing care management finds this is not the case."

Additional References Citations Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our primary care / general practice section for the latest news on this subject. Alliance of Community Health Plans Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

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Suicide Risk Among Pregnant Women And New Mothers - Health Care Professionals Should Be Aware

Suicide Risk Among Pregnant Women And New Mothers - Health Care Professionals Should Be Aware@import "/css/pagelayout.css";@import "/css/default.css";@import "/css/defaultnews.css"; Your MNT
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Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Also Included In: Depression;  Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 01 Dec 2011 - 9:00 PST

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A study published online in General Hospital Psychiatry shows women at risk for suicide may be easier identified, by increasing screening of expectant and new mothers for major depression and conflicts with intimate partners.

Researchers say that even though only a small percentage of women who commit suicide are pregnant or new mothers, because this group of women commonly frequently use the health care system, they could offer significant opportunities for providers to intervene if the risk factors are better understood.

Leading researcher author Dr Katherine J. Gold, assistant professor of family medicine at the U-M Medical School states:

"We have a more complete picture now of who these women are and what led up to these tragic events. These deaths ripple through families and communities and cause a lot of sorrow and devastation."

Researchers from the University of Michigan evaluated suicide data from the unique National Violent Death Reporting System that was introduced in 2003, that links multiple sources of information and provides investigators with details, such as demographic data, mental health, pregnancy status, substance abuse status and precipitating circumstances.

The findings revealed that over half of the women who committed suicide had a known mental health diagnosis, the largest one being mood disorder, which affected 95% of women and almost half were known to being in a depressed mood before their suicide.

Senior researcher Dr Christie Palladino, an obstetrician and gynecologist with Georgia Health Sciences University's Education Discovery Institute explains:

"Previous research has shown that depressive disorders affect 14-23 percent of pregnant and postpartum women and anxiety disorders affect 10-12 percent. We've known that major depression is a factor in suicide for a long time. But this data tells us, for example, that pregnant and postpartum women had a much higher incidence of conflicts with intimate partners than their counterparts."

Researchers also observed that postnatal women seemed to have a higher tendency of being identified with a depressive mood in the two weeks before their suicide compared with other women.

Significantly, they also discovered many parallels with no substantial variations in terms of pregnancy status, such as 56% of all suicide victims had a known mental health diagnosis, 32% had tried to commit suicide before, and 28% had a known alcohol or substance abuse issue at the time of death.

Gold comments: "Depression and substance use are risk factors for everyone, including pregnant and postpartum women."

The findings showed that although suicides amongst pregnant, new postnatal and non-pregnant women shared a very similar level of education and marital status, Hispanic women had a much higher tendency of committing suicide during pregnancy (10%) or during the first year after pregnancy (9%) than women who were not pregnant (4%).

The researchers are aware that their study has some inherent data limitations, as their sample of 2,083 suicides amongst women aged between 15-54 years only included data from 17 states where data was available, and obviously it was not possible to interview victims to obtain a full examination of their mental health condition or check for unreported cases of domestic violence and other precipitating factors.

According to Gold:

"As a society, we tend to avoid talking about suicide. But it's important to try to understand and talk about risk factors if we are going to address suicide from a public health perspective."

Written by Petra Rattue
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Additional References Citations Visit our pregnancy / obstetrics section for the latest news on this subject. “Mental Health, substance use, and intimate partner problems among pregnant and postpartum suicide victims in the National Violent Death Reporting System”
General Hospital Psychiatry, doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2011.09.017

Source: University of Michigan Health System Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

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Petra Rattue. "Suicide Risk Among Pregnant Women And New Mothers - Health Care Professionals Should Be Aware." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 1 Dec. 2011. Web.
1 Dec. 2011. APA
Petra Rattue. (2011, December 1). "Suicide Risk Among Pregnant Women And New Mothers - Health Care Professionals Should Be Aware." Medical News Today. Retrieved from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/238527.php.

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Infection (UTI)UveitisVaculitis (Angiitis)Vaginal CancerVaginismusVaginitisValley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis)VaricoceleVaricose Eczema (Stasis Dermatitis)Ventricular FibrillationVertigoVesicoureteral Reflux (VUR)Vitamin B12 DeficiencyVocal Cord Paresis (Paralysis)Von Willebrand DiseaseVulvar Cancer (Vulval Cancer)VulvodyniaWartsWater On The Knee (Knee Effusion)Water Retention (Fluid Retention)Wegener's GranulomatosisWernicke-Korsakoff SyndromeWest Nile Virus (WNV)Wheat AllergyWhipple's DiseaseWilliams SyndromeWilms’ Tumor (Nephroblastoma)Wolff-Parkinson-White SyndromeYellow FeverYipsZollinger-Ellison Syndrome

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