Depression Archives

Is Your Emotional Health Undercutting Your Physical Health, or Vice Versa?

Mar 24, 2023 · UHN Staff · Aging & Independence

When you’re very nervous you might feel knots tighten in your stomach and have trouble taking deep breaths. But then you receive good news, and soon you’re breathing easier, feeling energized, and the knots have disappeared. The relationship between your emotions and your physical health—often referred to as the mind-body … Read More

Dementia, Depression, and Vitamin D: Can This Important Nutrient Boost Memory and Mood?

Feb 22, 2023 · UHN Staff · Aging & Independence

Vitamin D may be most strongly associated with bone health and muscle strength, but the nutrient is involved in numerous functions throughout the body, too. For example, vitamin D supports the immune system and helps regulate heart function and blood pressure. Studies also suggest that vitamin D may help protect … Read More

Ask the Doctor March 2023

Feb 22, 2023 · UHN Staff · Aging & Independence

DEPRESSION AND DEMENTIA Q: Does having depression as an older adult raise the risk of developing dementia? A: There is a strong association between severe depression in older adults and an increased risk for dementia. That risk appears to be greater compared with people who have mild depression. Many studies … Read More

Ask the Doctor February 2023

Jan 24, 2023 · Maurizio Fava, MD · Aging & Independence

THYROID HORMONE AND MEMORY...MOOD SWINGS IN OLDER ADULTS...BENEFITS OF PETS Q: I’ve read several times that one of the complications of thyroid disease is memory loss. What is the connection? A: Thyroid hormone is involved with the metabolism of every organ, including the brain. So in the case of hypothyroidism … Read More

6 Answers to Important Questions You May Have Before Starting Antidepressants

Jan 24, 2023 · UHN Staff · Aging & Independence

It’s estimated that more than one in 10 Americans take or have taken antidepressant medications, and those numbers appear to be climbing. But unlike many commonly used drugs, antidepressants aren’t as well understood by the general public. So if your doctor suggests you could benefit from taking an antidepressant, it’s … Read More

News Briefs February 2023

Jan 24, 2023 · UHN Staff · Aging & Independence

New Alzheimer’s Drug Shows Modest Success, but Adverse Events Are a Concern Lecanemab, the experimental drug that reduces levels of amyloid-beta protein in the brain, appears to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD,) according to an 18-month study published late last year in the New England Journal of … Read More

Dark Chocolate

Jan 19, 2023 · Lori Zanteson · Aging & Independence

The Folklore. What better time of year to treat your Valentine (and yourself!) to the ultimate gift that’s both from and maybe even for the heart—dark chocolate. Dating back to 2000 BC, long before it represented romance and indulgence, the Mayans enjoyed it as a fermented drink mixed with spices … Read More

Anti-Inflammatory Foods:  Eat to Help Fight Inflammation

Jan 19, 2023 · UHN Staff · Aging & Independence

Inflammation is a hot topic these days. With so many people suffering from chronic diseases, we are all looking for ways to reduce our risk. It turns out that diet is a major risk factor for inflammation and chronic disease. This fact has many people asking, “What anti-inflammatory foods should … Read More

The Psychology of Food Choices

Jan 19, 2023 · Denise Webb · Aging & Independence

A salad or a cheeseburger? A fruit bowl or chocolate cake? A milkshake or a diet soda? There are many factors that determine which food you would choose, and the decision-making process is far more complicated than many of us even realize. Some food choices are deliberate, while others are … Read More

Get Help for Depression, and Get Your Life Back

Jan 19, 2023 · Dawn Bialy · Aging & Independence

Some women don’t talk about their depression because they think “mental problems” are a sign of weakness, and they feel embarrassed or ashamed. But if you have depression, it’s not your fault, and you didn’t do anything to cause it. Depression is a disease, just like asthma, heart disease, or … Read More

Depression

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