Sleep and depression

Without a doubt, sleep and depression are correlated. Sleep is a natural process that is absolutely necessary for good mental health. In medical parlance, there is a high degree of comorbidity between mood disorders (particularly depression) and sleep disorders but the direction of causality can go either way. In other words, sometimes the sleep disorder is caused by the depression and sometimes the depression is caused by the sleep disorder. But before we go further, let's examine depression and sleep individually.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has a rather comprehensive way to define depression using their Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). But to the layman, we can all understand depression as a debilitating low mood accompanied by loss of self-esteem and loss of enjoyment in activities that once brought pleasure. Depression varies in both intensity and type. For example, it can exist on its own (unipolar depression) or it can exist as part of a person's bipolar disorder.

Similarly, sleep disorders are also officially recognized and categorized. Sleep is a complex process that is divided into several stages and is crucial for a person's well-being. In today's stressful world, it's not uncommon for the natural sleeping process to be thrown off balance. Essentially, any sleeping pattern that is not only abnormal, but also severely disrupts a person's normal day-to-day functioning can be considered as a sleep disorder. Broadly, sleep disorders can be categorized as hypersomnia, sleep apnea, circadian rhythm, insomnia and parasomnia. There are also other sleep disorders and some that are not specifically specified ('not otherwise specified' or nos for short).

So how do these two seemingly different set of disorders affect one another? Well, let's take the example of a person having unipolar depression. Occasionally, a person having depression would have hypersomnia, that is excessive sleeping or feelings of sleepiness. There have been some theories that have been put forward to explain this, but it's quite easy for anyone to understand this phenomenon. A person going through a major depressive episode would often be utterly drained of energy and motivation. The body's desire to sleep is simply a reflection of a lack of energy. Yet, there are some who would argue that it's not just a lack of energy but actual exhaustion. This is because the depressed patient will often have negative self-talk repeating endlessly in his

Depression and the baby blues

Having endured a long labor and perhaps a difficult delivery, maybe even a c-section you will feel totally exhausted. You will most likely feel an uncontrollable urge to close your eyes and sleep. If you're lucky, you may get a few hours sleep and perhaps even start to feel a little 'normal' again. Some mother's experience a feeling of euphoria, particularly new mothers, however, as many as 80% of new mothers experience a case of the baby blues. In some cases this can last for several weeks.

Baby blues is not something that a new mother can control. The first thing to remember is that no one is to blame. It is not baby's fault. It is not dad's fault (well perhaps not) and it is certainly not mum's fault. The most experienced and committed mothers can get the baby blues. In fact just because you have never had the baby blues before does not guarantee you wont get them this time.

What Exactly Are The Baby Blues

The birth of your baby has started a rapid change in your body and in your life. Your emotions now have to learn how to deal with these changes. There are dramatic hormonal changes, milk will start to flow in your breasts, and your womb will start the contracting stage in an attempt to return to its normal state. You now have to adapt to not having a large stomach. Not only that, a part of you has gone. What was once a living thing moving, kicking and perhaps even hiccuping inside you has now gone. Instead, you have this little bundle of joy that only communicates by crying, even at 4am in the morning.

Is it any wonder with all these changes that, at times, you are going to feel a little down? You're not the first or last mother to experience this. The emotional letdown you experience during the first few weeks is common after birth. Just remember that your emotional state has a physical origin and is made worse by the challenging circumstances that you and your body have to adjust to.

What Are The Symptoms

Every woman who experiences the baby blues does so in a different way. The most common symptoms include:

* Anxiety and feeling nervous
* Sadness and feelings of loss
* Stress and tension
* Impatience and/or a short temper
* Bouts of crying or tearfulness
* Mood swings
* Difficulty concentrating
* Trouble sleeping or excessive tiredness
* Feeling lethargic - not able to do normal household duties

What Should I Do

If you experience any of these symptoms then your first call should be the doctor. Baby blues (also known as post partum blues) is a common problem

The Health-Care Effects of Tomato

With bright color and attractive appearance, tomato has become one of the favorite foods in people's daily diet. In fact, the nutrition contained in tomato is as excellent as its appearance, and it can be used to prevent and treat some small diseases. Firstly, beautify the skin: Peel the fresh and ripe tomato, remove the seeds, and then mash it. Apply the mashed tomato on the skin 2 to 3 times every day, which can make the skin smooth, and has an excellent cosmetic and anti-aging effect.
What's more, it can also cure skin diseases caused by fungal infection. Secondly, prevent cancer: Tomato not only is very nutritious, but also has strong effects in clearing away heat and toxic material, as well as inhibiting pathological changes. As a result, eating 1 or 2 fresh and ripe tomatoes every day can play an anti-cancer effect. Thirdly, treat ulcer: If you suffer from mild peptic ulcer, you can mix tomato juice and potato juice together, then drink one glass of the mixed juice every morning and evening. If you drink this kind of mixed juice for 10 times successively, then the ulcer will recover. Fourthly, bring down a high fever: Mix tomato juice and watermelon juice together, then drink it every half an hour. After some time, the high fever will be brought down. Fifthly, cure bleeding gums: Wash the tomato clean and eat the raw tomato as a fruit for a month consecutively. In such a case, it can cure bleeding gums. Apart from the above-mentioned diseases, tomato is also very effective to prevent and treat high blood pressure, anemia, hepatitis, heat stroke, and so on. Although tomato has so many health-care effects on human body, there are some notices you should pay attention to when eating tomatoes. Firstly, do not eat tomato and cucumber at the same time. Secondly, do not eat tomato when taking heparin, dicoumarol and other anti-clotting drugs. Thirdly, do not eat tomato when you are in an empty stomach. Fourthly, do not eat unripe tomato. Fifthly, do not eat the tomato which has been cooked a long time in high temperature. In a word, tomato is very beneficial for human health. The large content of nutrients (such as lycopene) contained in it not only can meet the essential needs of human body, but also can help people prevent and treat some kinds of diseases. As long as we pay more attention to these notices when eating tomatoes, we can get satisfactory effects.

Selecting the Proper Drinking Water

TOTAL drinkable water dwindled. Of all the water, only 1 percent of a decent drink and when consumed will endanger health. So how do I choose a clean and healthy water?


Water is the source of life because water is not replaced by other substances. That is why, water is part and parcel of living things. The provision of clean drinking water as part of clean living and healthy behaviors (PHBS), needs to get serious attention from the public, including to reduce the incidence of infectious diseases.



Data from USAID in 2008 stated, the availability of clean water in Indonesia had reached 49 percent in 2007, with half the population still rely on other sources of drinking water from surface water, dug well water, river water, rain water and unprotected, mostly contaminated by faecal coliforms.



It is said by the hydrogeological experts from UPN "Veteran" Yogyakarta, Prof. Dr. Sari Bahagiarti, the amount of fresh water on earth only 4 percent, with only less than 1 percent is water that can be consumed.



"Hard to imagine, 6.7 billion people in the world gaining 0.62 percent drinkable water," he said in the event panel discussion entitled "Management of Water Resources" in Jakarta some time ago.



Drinking water quality and drinking water must be aesthetically acceptable, not cloudy, not tasteless, odorless undesirable, does not contain high amounts of dissolved particles, and does not contain germs and heavy metals that can cause health problems.



"Taking into account supplies of clean water and adequate, it is important to avoid diseases caused by water pollution," he explained.



Nutrition experts from Siloam Semanggi Specialist Clinic, Dr. Samuel Oetoro MS SpGK say, among the organs of the human body, blood and brain is the most high water content, respectively 95 percent and 90 percent. So, about 80 percent of the human body consists of water.



"The role of water is essential for humans, can even be included with the body's need for other nutrients," said a doctor who was familiarly called Sammy this dr.



Samuel explains, for one day, the amount of water released by the body to normal conditions, such as through urine, perspiration, and respiratory tract is about 2 liters. So, water is needed to replace fluids in the body, or the same amount should be balanced, even more. Without water we would die faster than without food.



Still explained Sammy, the impact of lack of fluids when a person, including dehydration which can be fatal if not immediately ditangani.Kekurangan 2 percent of water will cause a sense of thirst, fatigue, weakness, interfere with concentration and thinking ability.



Loss of 4-6 per cent water, the body will experience severe weakness, pale, dry mucous membranes, decreased urination, and become restless. If the water shortage as much as 12 percent, then consciousness is not responding, no urination (anuria), the face looks gray, decreased blood pressure, rapid pulse and slow, all of which can be fatal.



In terms of quality, meaning that the source of drinking water must meet three standards of measurement, namely physical, chemical, and biological. From the physical aspect, the source of drinking water is aesthetically acceptable as colorless and no undesirable odor, no taste, and not muddy.



From the aspect of chemistry, materials drinking water should not contain high amounts of soluble particles and heavy metals (eg Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Ag) or toxic substances such as hydrocarbons and detergents. While the biological aspects, drinking water should not contain germs or microbes, especially Entamoeba coli bacteria.



Hydrogeological experts from Gajah Mada University, Dr. Ir Heru Hendrayana said that during pengalirannya, ground water through many processes that make the ground water contains various minerals and eventually have a different quality in each place.



"Be Smart choose drinking water quality and is known from where the water comes, such as selecting proper drinking water that has not been much influenced by various human activities," said Heru.

Vitamin C & Herbs Can not desist Flu?

IN a sign of a cold, do you immediately take vitamin C or drink a cup of hot herbal tea, such as ekinasea (Echinacea)? Both were allegedly unable to combat the symptoms of flu.

Vitamin C and herbs ekinasea can not ward off the common cold. However, researchers have different opinions about this one. Dr. Seth Feltheimer of New York-Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia Medical Center stated, there are no consistently positive reviews for Vitamin C or ekinasea. "I think I want to say that vitamin C and ekinasea useful, but can not," he said, as quoted from NYdailynews , Thursday (12/23/2010).

Ekinesea offers warmth for the body is cold to prevent sneezing and runny nose. In fact, according to a study from the American College of Physicians, this herb is mentioned as a way to prevent flu with only "minimal effect". While Joy Lindquist, health coordinator of the cancer center of Long Island College Hospital, said that vitamin C and ekinasea effective if taken at the first sign of flu.

"The reason they are not effective in some people is a special case. If you adopt a poor diet, do not maintain personal hygiene, and not enough rest, do not expect them to work," he said.

Lindquist ekinasea recommend 6-8 tablets per day, along with 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C. He does not recommend high doses of vitamin C. "Your body will absorb too much. And if you eat too much, it will be in vain," he said. The results stated that the tablet ekinasea opposite does not reduce the severity of flu symptoms and shorten the duration of cough is only approximately 70-20 hours. In fact, this study concludes, in most cases, ekinasea not useful.

Flu Prevention
ENT Specialists Lenox Hill Hospital, Dr. Jordan S. Josephson believes that taking vitamin C can help reduce the severity of colds, but the researchers are still analyzing whether vitamin C is really effective. "More in-depth studies are needed," he said. As a form of flu prevention, Dr. Jordan said, good diet, adequate rest, and taking a multivitamin.

"In this season, especially, is important for the body enough rest. Also, it is important to maintain body fluids, so drink more water," he advised. One of the other supplements that should be consumed is zinc.

"There is some evidence that the tablets of zinc can shorten the duration of the flu. But, tablet zincunpleasant taste and side effects can cause diarrhea, nausea, and flatulence, "he said.

Rarely Breakfast Trigger Heart Disease?

Leaving home with an empty stomach can increase the risk of heart disease.The conclusion that emerges through the study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.


Research by a team from the University of Tasmania that track the long-term dangers of skipping meals. This reinforces previous research showing positive effects of breakfast for the heart.

The study involved 2184 participants who were followed for 20 years. The result, too often skip breakfast could lead to increased cholesterol and fat deposits around the abdomen. The condition is clearly a major factor in the increased risk of heart disease.

Skipping breakfast can also trigger increased levels of insulin in the blood, which is an early marker of diabetes.

This study shows, the greatest increase in risk upon those who always skip breakfast when still a child. And, bad habits that continue into adulthood.

Habit usually skip breakfast are also followed by a penchant for sweet snack foods, less exercise, and non-fulfillment of intake of fiber, vitamins, and minerals properly. A nutritionist, Catherine Collins, said, skipping breakfast is a sign of an unhealthy lifestyle

Tips On Controlling Diabetes

If you have diabetes then you know how important it is to try to keep it under control as best as you possibly can. There are many ways you can manage diabetes, and many things that you can do on your own. If you are on any kind of medication, you should be taking it every time you need to. Even if you are on a fixed income, there are many pharmaceutical companies that can supply you with medication at no cost to you, and the forms are pretty simple and straight forward.


If you are planning a trip, make sure that you plan ahead, and order more medication if needed. Be sure to bring along some kind of insulin pen, that doesn't need to be refrigerated, and travels well. Make sure that you have enough test strips, and make sure that the batteries for your monitoring equipment are fully charged, but bring extras from home in case you are on an extended stay.

Just because you have this disease, doesn't mean you can't eat at restaurants, but you have to be smart about your food choices. Read the ingredients closely, and try to stick with low calorie choices. You can have as many vegetables as you like, but should you choose to order a salad, make sure that you order the dressing on the side, then you can just dip the salad into it instead.

Enjoy your meal slowly, and try to take home any leftovers. You can also avoid over eating by ordering half meals if possible. Make sure that you monitor you levels, thirty minutes before eating, and an hour after meals. Also be careful that you are eating when you are supposed to, because if you aren't eating properly, this could lead to further problems later on.

Get regular exercise;  a good cardiovascular work out can be in simple forms, such as walking or riding a bike. It is important that you get at least thirty minutes of exercise a day, whether at a gym, or at home. You need to maintain your weight and eat a healthy diet to prevent heart disease. Read the food labels when buying at grocery stores, check the calorie contents, what the portion sizes are, and stick to these to the letter.

There are many other valuable resources to help you manage your diabetes. You can find many helpful tips and information on the internet, as well as from your doctor. Make sure that you talk with your doctor before you change your diet or exercise routines, and keep in touch with him about your blood sugar levels, as well as your A1c hemoglobin number. This is important in case they need to up your medication dosage, or adjust it in other areas.

You don't have to let diabetes control your life, as long as you are doing what you need to do. Be informed about your diabetes, educate yourself, and those around you who may try to tempt you with things you know are bad for you. One last thing, people with this disease tend to have foot problems due to poor circulation, so you need to check your feet often, like with a mirror, after your bath or shower.

Why Not Allowed Drugs with Drink Milk?

Drugs or antibiotics are taken orally can be effective for a person if consumed and absorbed by the body. Oral medication must be absorbed from the digestive tract to get into the bloodstream and then sent to the area who are sick or have infections to treatment.

There are various factors that affect the body's ability to absorb medications very well, including the relative acidity in the stomach, the presence or absence of nutrients fat or other nutrients, as well as whether there are certain elements in the body such as calcium.

As quoted from Everydayhealth, some medications such as antibiotics that contain tetrasiklik family would react with the milk. Calcium found in milk will bind drugs or antibiotics that prevent the absorption of the drug in the body.

In addition there are good medicine consumed after meals or after meals, this is due to food intake can affect drug absorption. Therefore becomes very important to follow the instructions for use are printed on the bottle or packet of drugs, as well as the criteria people should always ask the pharmacist for the drug is consumed.

And what about other beverages such as coffee, tea or juice?

Other beverages such as coffee, tea or juice generally contains various compounds such as caffeine that might react with the drugs consumed thus affecting absorption.

For that community is always recommended taking the drug by using a known white water does not contain anything, so it does not affect the absorption of the drug. Also water can help dissolve the drugs consumed in the stomach so that the absorption process for the better and easier.