Go get yourself some anti depressants you say? Now although I do agree with and absolutely stand behind the use of such medications, they are not always the answer.

Certain SSRI’s and many other anti depressants, not to mention atypical antipsychotic medications (AAP), have side effects such as weight gain, glucose intolerance and metabolic changes. Ugh!!!

It really comes down to lifestyle changes.I strongly believe you need to modify your life in conjunction with medications if needed. Also, one anti depressant is totally different from another. Find what works for you. I have said this a bazillion, as my kids say, times before… Be your own advocate. Be persistent, in their face, ask questions and demand to be listened to. Remember to say please and thank you though ’cause us nurses are really big on that, haha.

Here is a tidbit of research out of the Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, China that goes along with the whole lifestyle change idea…

“Lifestyle intervention and metformin alone and in combination demonstrated efficacy for antipsychotic-induced weight gain. Lifestyle intervention plus metformin showed the best effect on weight loss,” the authors conclude. “Metformin alone was more effective in weight loss and improving insulin sensitivity than lifestyle intervention alone.”

via Center for the Advancement of Health and JAMA and Archives Journals

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Depression.. Weight Gain.. Diabetes- How Do We Stop This?

Researchers have discovered a new congenital heart disease

This is very scary; however, with the new research brings new hope both for the children involved and diabetics. It has been long been known that one theory of type 2 diabetes is that reduced formation of glycogen in the muscles is the cause of reduced insulin sensitivity and increased blood sugars. So… this research could help in identifying further treatments and bring about a whole new batch of studies to provide us with a cure for diabetes. Gosh, science is so amazing!

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Congenital Heart Disease And Diabetes

Researchers found that depression alone, and not lifestyle factors like being overweight, can trigger Type 2 diabetes in adults 65 and older, a population with a high prevalence of diabetes and depression.

Researchers measured depressive mood and thoughts at a particular point in time as well as over the long term. By doing this, they were able to get a more conclusive and accurate view of depressive symptoms.

By measuring depressive symptoms before diabetes developed, researchers were able to investigate the causal effect between mood and diabetes.

We know that high stress hormones like cortisol can decrease insulin sensitivity and increase fat deposits around ones waist. The ol’ spare tire if you will. Oh joy!

“When you’re depressed or under stress your body is trying to keep glucose in the bloodstream because it needs it for immediate energy. So, it’s blocking insulin action. And you may even be producing more glucose because your body thinks it needs the sugar,” Carnethon said.

The bottom line is that doctors need to take depressive symptoms in patients, especially over 65, very serious. Seeing what it could lead to, it would be both health and cost effective.

via Daily India

Archives of Internal Medicine

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Depression Alone Can Trigger Type 2 Diabetes