JustCare

Tag: Sleep

  • Seven questions for women to ask about meds

    Seven questions for women to ask about meds

    Each year, an estimated 4 million Americans rush to the doctor or the ER in response to an adverse reaction to a prescription drug. So while medications can save or improve your life, they also cause side effects and need to be taken judiciously.

    Women should weigh the risks and benefits of each drug.

    1. What is the lowest effective dose?
    2. Can this cause dependency or a rebound effect?
    3. What is the shortest amount of time I need to be on this drug and do I have to wean myself off of it?
    4. What are the potential side effects, such as weight gain, low libido, liver or kidney problems?
    5. What if I’m planning to get pregnant or have an unplanned pregnancy?
    6. Will alcohol or other meds exaggerate or block this med’s effect?
    7. Should I make lifestyle changes or consider alternative therapies?

    When a medicine is needed, the benefits are obvious and can even be life-saving. With every medicine comes side effects, however. Here are some particular side effects associated with drugs commonly used by women.

    Birth Control/Oral Contraceptives: Pills, patch, ring, injection: Ask about weight gain, moodiness, breast tenderness, swelling, dizziness and the risk of blood clots. Birth control can alleviate PMS symptoms, prevent acne, and reduce cramping and menstrual pain. Newer methods use 3rd and 4th generation hormones, which can have a slightly higher risk of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis. Ask about the symptoms.

    Sleep Aids: Drugs in this category can cause drowsiness in the morning, difficulty waking up, mental impairment, headache, dizziness and nausea. There is often a rebound effect, meaning the symptoms can worsen when you stop the medicine. You may need to stop this drug in increments; many people find it difficult to return to a normal sleep pattern.

    GERD/Indigestion/Acid Reflux Drugs: Many of the drugs in this category block the ab-
    sorption of vitamins and calcium. There is often a rebound effect, meaning the symptoms can worsen when you stop the medicine. Ask about anemia, bone density and if vitamin supplements are needed.

    Antidepressants/Anti-anxiety Medication: It’s best to work closely with a psychiatrist and include talk therapy. Ask about weight gain, tremors, constipation, sweating and low libido. Stopping these meds can prove difficult and should be conducted under a doctor’s care.

    ADHD Drugs: Stimulants are commonly used to address ADHD. These can trigger cardiovascular issues, appetite loss, restlessness and aggression. Studies indicate that stimulant use in adolescents, whose brains are still developing, might affect their prefrontal cortex and brain plasticity (ability to switch between functions).

    This post originally appeared on the Medshadow Foundation site. For more information from the Medshadow Foundation, click here.

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  • Help spot depression in the men you love

    Help spot depression in the men you love

    According to the National Institute for Mental Health, six million men in the U.S. are depressed. But, men are half as likely as women to seek help for their depression or any mental health problem, putting them at greater risk of suicide. Older men are at greatest risk of not being treated for depression and have the highest suicide rates. Help spot depression in the men you love.

    Depression is a disease of the brain that generally can be treated through talk therapy and medications.  Eighty percent of cases are treatable. If left untreated, however, depression often leads to suicide.

    Depression in men may go undetected and untreated for many reasons. Classic signs of depression include feeling sad, worthless or severely guilty. But, research suggests that men are more likely to feel pain or anger or to be irritable. They might also experience sleep problems, inability to concentrate, lack of energy or lack of interest in activities.

    Men are more likely to conceal their depression than women and address it with drugs and alcohol. In addition, doctors may fail to diagnose depression in older men, focusing instead on their physical chronic conditions, such as heart disease or stroke. Experts believe that’s why men are three and a half times more likely to commit suicide than women.

    That said, twice as many women experience depression as men.

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