The Pharmaceutical Blues

Feeling a little down in the dumps?  If you mention it to your medical doctor, perhaps you will receive a prescription for an antidepressant medication, most commonly an SSRI, such as Paxil or Lexapro.  While these medications can be very helpful in cases severe clinical depression, they are often over-prescribed these days.  Side effects are common, such as sleep disturbances and weight gain, which increase your risk for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.  In fact, a 2009 study found an 84% increased risk of diabetes for people taking antidepressant medications for 2 years or more.  This length of treatment is not uncommon; for while these drugs were originally designed to be used only for 6 weeks to 6 months, many patients find it difficult to discontinue them, and so essentially remain on the prescription forever. 

How does the naturopathic approach to depression differ?  Natural antidepressants include aerobic exercise, the herb St. John’s wort, and omega-3 fats from fish and fish oil.  Naturopathic medicine also seeks the cause of illness rather than just treating symptoms.  A thorough history, in combination with lab testing, may reveal physical issues that contribute to depression.  These can range from thyroid or adrenal problems to poor blood sugar control to menstrual cycle difficulties.  A recent animal study even suggested that probiotic supplements may improve moods.  Any of these issues is best addressed from a holistic point of view.

Looking at life circumstances is important also.  Mind-body techniques, such as meditation, Sedona Method, or Emotional Freedom Technique, can be useful to deal with everyday stressors.  A referral for counseling is often very helpful.  Sometimes, in our perfection-seeking society, we just need a reminder that sad moods are a normal and appropriate response to life’s changes and losses.

If you are at all thinking about harming yourself or others, seek urgent medical attention.  For mild to moderate depression, naturopathic care is just what the doctor ordered.

Are You Tired of Feeling Tired?

Fatigue is one of the most common complaints that brings folks into the doctor’s office.  When we don’t have the energy to do what we want to do in life, it can be frustrating and depressing.  How do we get that vivacious feeling back again?

First of all, go easy on the coffee.  Drinking lots of caffeinated beverages often backfires, because it becomes less effective over time.  Also, it can disrupt your sleep patterns, just leading back to more tiredness. 

Natural “magic bullets” are often ineffective:  whether it’s 5-Hour Energy, acai berry, or whatever the newest product is this week, these promises are much more about marketing than science.  Any temporary boost they provide is likely due to placebo effect.

Focus on the basics of lifestyle first:  get some form of exercise, even if you don’t feel like it.  Over time, this will improve your energy level.  Stick to whole, natural, nutrient-rich foods.  Junk foods that are high in sugar and added fats sabotage your vitality.

One of the principles of naturopathic medicine is to find and treat the cause, not the symptom.  Fatigue can be due to any number of factors, and visiting a doctor with a holistic point of view can help provide some answers.  The most basic (and often overlooked) cause of fatigue is poor quality sleep.  This in turn may be due to anxiety, sleep apnea, shift work, or other health issues.

Some lab work can determine if there is a physiological reason for your fatigue.  Problems with the thyroid or adrenal gland are common.  Anemia affects some folks, and needs to be addressed beyond just iron supplements – there’s often an underlying cause that needs to be explored.  Blood sugar issues may be a culprit as well, whether it’s too low or too high.  Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complex disorder that often needs an individualized approach.

All of these issues can be addressed in an integrative fashion – with cooperation between conventional and natural treatments.