Can Depression Be Cured?

Depression is a medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.

Depression is different from being sad. So, can depression be cured?

Although depression can be cured with time, it depends on the type and severity of the depression.

The first step towards getting over this disease is to have a better understanding of its causes.

Symptoms

There are many types of depression. Major depressive disorder(MDD) is the most common form of depression. Symptoms include:

Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
Feeling fatigued
Changes in weight or appetite
Sleeping issues
Trouble in making decisions, thinking, and concentrating

Usually, symptoms persist for at least two weeks before a person is diagnosed with MDD.

Medications

Antidepressants can alleviate the symptoms of depression. They help you feel better and prevent relapses.

It is important to note that antidepressants do not cure depression but merely alleviate the symptoms.

They work by generating more serotonin in the brain.

Moreover, it takes at least 4 to 6 weeks to work. So, you have to take the medications regularly.

Lifestyle Changes

Besides taking medications, certain lifestyle changes can also be made.

One way is to avoid alcohol. Alcohol is a temporary fix people use to escape from reality and it does not treat the underlying problem.

Another way is to remain physically active and maintain a balanced diet. Regular exercise increases endorphins which will help to relieve depression.

Getting enough sleep may help your body to recover itself both mentally and physically.

Other than managing your lifestyle, getting consultation and treatment from the right healthcare professionals can also help.

Importance of Treatment

Taking medications while maintaining a healthy lifestyle help to combat depression.

It is important to take medications as a short-term relief measure while working on longer-term lifestyle changes.

Here at Mayflax, we provide drugs for almost every ailment. We also provide fast and efficient delivery. You can click here to know more about our service.

REFERENCES

June 29, 2021July 21, 2021

How Lifestyle Is Linked With Heart Disease

Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in Malaysia for both men and women?

Those who have the conditions listed below should pay attention to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Health Conditions Which Increase Risk of Heart Disease

High Blood Pressure

Uncontrolled blood pressure can affect the heart and lead to heart disease.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition when blood glucose is too high.

High cholesterol level

High cholesterol level increases the risk of plaque formation, forcing your heart to pump harder.

Obesity

Obesity means you have excess fat in your body. Excess weight usually worsens health conditions.

One of the ways to live a healthy lifestyle is to have a healthy diet. Having a healthy diet would prevent obesity, high blood pressure and uncontrolled diabetes.

Hence, it is important to live a healthy lifestyle that would reduce the risk of heart disease.

You can also maintain a healthy lifestyle by maintaining the following behaviours.

Behaviour That Increases Heart Disease

Physical inactivity may cause you to have high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

Excess consumption of alcohol also may increase the risk of getting heart disease and increase blood pressure. Besides, alcohol also contains a fatty substance called triglyceride which may increase the risk for heart disease.

Is Heart Disease Hereditary?

Genetic factors may contribute to high blood pressure and heart disease. Heredity following an unhealthy lifestyle would compound the risk of getting heart disease.

The risk of getting heart disease also increases as you age.

If you fall in the high-risk category of getting heart disease, you should focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and talk to your doctor.

If you need to procure heart medications, try Mayflax. Mayflax has over 25 years of experience in supplying pharmaceutical products. You can sign up here or find out more about us here.

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June 21, 2021July 21, 2021

Osteoarthritis: Signs & Symptoms, Complications and Prevention

Osteoarthritis affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage, cushioning the ends of the bones, wears down over time.

Although this disease can damage any joint, the most commonly affected joints are the knees, hands, hips, and spine.

Signs & Symptoms

Signs & symptoms of osteoarthritis may develop slowly and worsens over time. Examples include :

Pain: During movements, the affected joint might get hurt.

Swelling: Inflammation around the joint causes this condition.

Loss of flexibility: The joint is unable to move.

Crepitus: Grating, crackling as well as popping sounds sensation occurs due to presence of air under the skin or joint. Roughening of the normally smooth surfaces inside the joint consequently, cause this sensation.

If you have any of the symptoms above, make an appointment to see a doctor.

Risk Factors

As you get older, you are at a higher risk of osteoarthritis. Women, however, are more likely to get it.

Moreover, being obese adds stress to the joint and thus, may increase the risk this disease.

This disease can also be hereditary.

Complications

Over time, osteoarthritis may worsen. Joint pain and stiffness might become severe enough to make daily tasks difficult. Hence, this may cause some people to be unable to perform daily tasks.

Can It be Prevented?

Osteoarthritis can’t be fully prevented. However, you can try reducing the risk by reducing stress on the joints. For example:

Maintaining a healthy body weight

Extra weight can cause stress on the joints. Additionally, extra fat will also cause changes in the cartilage.

Control your blood sugar

High blood sugar level increases the risk for osteoarthritis.

Be active every day

Exercise not only can prevent joint problems by keeping joints from getting stiff, but it can also keep muscles strong.

In a nutshell, prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis are possible. Here at Mayflax, we provide various types of drugs for various diseases. Contact us here to get to know us better

REFERENCES

February 19, 2021January 29, 2022

Factors That Affect Blood Pressure

Factors That Affect Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is also known as hypertension. It is abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries, which are the blood vessels that carries blood from the heart to the whole body.

In about 95 percent of cases, the cause of hypertension is unknown and affects many individuals who do not know they have the condition. These cases are classified as essential hypertension. However, high blood pressure is the main risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and eye problems. When blood pressure level is increased, the heart and arteries have to work harder than normal to pump blood through the body. Thus, overload may lead to thickens the muscles of the heart and arteries or damages artery walls.

As a result, damage to the heart caused by the extra work and a lack of oxygen causes heart disease. When blood pressure is high, the artery and blood vessel walls may be damaged over time. This leads to dangerous complications and life-threatening.

Besides, many factors such as genes, kidney disease, some medications, and lifestyle can affect blood pressure. Lifestyle factors play a key role in balancing our blood pressure.

However, there are some known key factors that increase your risk:

1. Age

Age is one of the factors that contribute to high blood pressure. Our arteries are stiffening with age. Sixty percent of people above 60 years of age likely to have high blood pressure.

2. Exercise

Physical activity elevated the cardiac output and therefore the blood pressure. The recommended, resting after exercises is about 20 to 30 minutes for the following exercise to reduce it.

3. Stress

Stress will stimulate the sympathetic nervous system which increases the cardiac output and vasoconstriction of the arterioles, thus, increasing the blood pressure reading.

4. Sex

Usually, after puberty, females have a lower blood pressure than males of the same age.

These differences are thought to be caused by hormonal variation. Women in general after menopause have a high blood pressure than in the past.

5. Medication

When, medications or drug that alter one or more of the previous prescription it can be one of the factors that changed blood pressure, including caffeine, diuretics that reduce blood volume, narcotics, analgesia and specific antihypertensive agents.

6. Obesity

Hypertension may be predisposed to childhood and adult obesity. Also, obesity increases the risk of developing high blood pressure by 6% over the next four years. The greatest risk is extra body fat.

7. Inheritance

Hypertension tends to occur in families. You are at higher risk of having high blood pressure if you have a close relative. In some families, genetics are strong for both parents who have high blood pressure. However, the inheritance pattern is unknown.

8. Drinking Alcohol

Researchers have concluded that there is a strong link between binge drinking alcohol and high blood pressure. Regular heavy or binge drinking can also cause significant increases in blood pressure, sometimes extreme enough to cause a stroke. However, alcohol may also have an impact on the efficacy of blood pressure-lowering drugs.

9. Smoking

Whether you smoke or people close to you do, the effects can be damage to the heart. Your heart will not work properly as before. Moreover, smoking causes your blood vessels to shrink which making your heart work even harder.

10. Too much salt

Salt, or sodium chloride, has been used to flavor and preserve foods for thousands of years and is also found in a wide variety of foods.

When sodium increases in our blood, the blood vessels will retain water and try to balance the sodium concentration. As a result, this extra water increases the volume of blood in vessels that cause high blood pressure.

Taking too much salt can cause high blood pressure. The maximum recommended intake of salt is less than 6 grams per day.

Tips to help improve blood pressure

Figure 1. Tips to improve blood pressure.

Reduce salt intake

Eat enough potassium

Consume a balanced diet
Maintain a healthy body weight
Be physically active
Limit alcohol intake
Don’t smoke

What Is the Blood Pressure Range?

A blood pressure reading is 120/80. The top number “120” is called the systolic, and bottom number “80” is called the diastolic. The ranges are:

Normal: Less than 120 over 80 (120/80)
Elevated: 120-129/less than 80
Stage 1 high blood pressure: 130-139/80-89
Stage 2 high blood pressure: 140 and above/90 and above
Hypertension crisis: higher than 180/higher than 120

Steps to measuring blood pressure

Figure 2. Steps to measuring blood pressure

In summary, hypertension is one of the main risk factors for the development of heart disease and stroke. Our blood pressure is influenced by several factors. So, we need to stop smoking, stay active, eat balance diet and limit the intakes of salt and alcohol to reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Not just all that, medication also important to treat who are diagnosed with this disease.

At mayflax, we provide pharmaceutical products to a clinic and hospital. We also serve hypertension medications. Thus, by dealing with us, you will be able to enjoy a large selection of pharmaceutical products at affordable prices.

If you want to know more about us, you can contact us or sign up here.

References:

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Raihan Ridzuan

Raihan Ridzuan, Bachelor of Science (Hons) Pharmacology, is Customer Relationship Executive of Mayflax, one of the nation’s leading healthcare and marketing company.

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February 17, 2021January 29, 2022

Depression and Anxiety During a Pandemic: 9 Common Tips

Depression and Anxiety During a Pandemic: 9 Common Tips

The pandemic has caused a mental strain on many people around the world. And for those living with anxiety and depression, the impact is severe.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major effect on our lives. Many aspects of everyday life, including mental health, have been affected. The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting our physical, economic, and mental well-being. As a result, many people face struggles that can be frustrating, daunting, and cause adults and children to have strong emotions.

However, social distancing and stay-at-home orders are very challenging, especially for people living with mental illness, COVID-19 exacerbates feelings of depression and anxiety.

Thus, during the Movement Control Order (MCO), with the limited movement, closed borders, and roadblocks, some individuals easily get heightened temperament and irritability at home.

Dr. Robert Leahy an attending psychologist at New York-Presbyterian said: “This is the perfect storm for depression and anxiety,”.

All data and statistics are based on the short article “Prevalence of Anxiety, Stress, Depression among Malaysian Adults during COVID-19 Pandemic Movement Control Order”.

Therefore, the prevalence in a score of Stress 70% (Mean=2.02), Anxiety 67% (Mean=1.71) and Depression 42.3% (Mean=2.28). There is a significant prevalence of psychological health problems among adults during adverse events due to the COVID-19 Pandemic Movement Control Order.

In the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, it’s easy to felt hopeless and despair. But these tips can help to improve your mood and ease your mental health problem.

1. Keep a schedule

Schedule your day with useful things. At the end of the day, check everything and make a list of things to do for the next day, so you can look forward to things.

Furthermore, create a set of goals for the week and month. This is the right time to set short-term and long-term goals.

2. Sleep well

Prioritizing sleep is not always easy when you are in a state of mental health. Stress, Anxiety, and Depression can affect the quality of your sleep.

Therefore, poor sleep can also lead to depression. Fixed your daytime habits and sleep routine can help improve how well you sleep at night and reduce the symptoms of depression.

Finding relaxing activities such as reading, writing a journal, or listening to slow music can cause your brain to slow down before bed.

3. Connect with others

Just because we are isolated does not mean we have to completely isolate ourselves. Make a list of friends to contact whenever you feel bored and lonely. Always stay connected with others !

Set a regular time each day to contact others, and schedule virtual get-togethers on online platforms to talk or share your problem and maybe even play games. Stay in touch with friends, family, and especially the mental health care team if you are diagnosed with anxiety and depression.

4. Find simple sources of joy.

Encourage yourself to do things that will boost your mood throughout the day. Try to listen to uplifting music and dancing around if you can as long as can make you happy all day long.

Alternatively, you can watch funny videos or favorite sitcoms on TV, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube. Spending time in nature such as walking in the park, or playing with your kids or a pet also can relieve stress.

5. Eat a mood-boosting diet

In times of stress, people always find “comfort foods” such as unhealthy fats, sugar, and refined carbs to release their stress and depression. Therefore, drinks too much caffeine and alcohol also can adversely affect our mood.

Moreover, wholesome foods, fresh food such as salmon, codfish can increase your intake of mood-enhancing nutrients.

6. Stay informed and limit social media usage.

Nowadays, the government always announces information that constantly changes regarding SOP. It is important to stay up-to-date but not to overconsuming sensationalistic news or unreliable social media coverage. This makes your mind full of negative thought and fear.

Limit how often you check the news or social media and limit yourself to reputable sources. Thus, healthcare professionals also recommend not checking the news at least one hour before bedtime.

7. Exercise

Importantly, physical activity is good for mental health. Scientific research has shown that exercise, especially in particular aerobic exercise, can be beneficial for depression and anxiety.

Exercise will release good hormones and lowers your stress hormones. Since covid-19, you cannot go to the gym or fitness studios, try online broadcasts, YouTube workouts, or use the equipment at home to exercise.

Besides that, you can go running or cycling as long as you stay a safe distance away from others who are passing by.

8. Continue treatment or services from mental health professionals

If you are undergoing therapy, taking medication, or both before coronavirus started, make sure to keep up with your treatment regimen. Almost all psychiatrists or mental health professionals are now used online practices like video calls.

Alternatively, you can try an online therapy platform like WhatsApp video, Zoom, Webex, and others.

9. Practice gratefulness and mindfulness

During challenging times, be grateful and mindful can help to cope with anxiety and depression.

“When we take note of the good things in our lives, it bumps up the feel-good hormones of serotonin and dopamine,” said Serani.

As we know, practicing mindfulness meditation is very popular for overcoming depression, anxiety, and stress adds Guttentag.

Also, you can start the practice by taking a few minutes to sit or lying down and try to focus on your breathing. Besides, train your mind to get rid of negative thoughts and feelings to stay away from you.

Counseling and hotlines mental health services in Malaysia

If you are struggling to cope, there are many ways to get help. Contact a healthcare provider if the sign of anxiety, and depression get in the way of your daily activities for many days and also if you are in crisis, immediately get help such as:-

Call 999
Talian Kasih at 15999
Befrienders (main suicide hotlines in Malaysia): 03-7627 2929/ 03-79568145
Malaysian Mental Health Association: 03-2780 6803
People Psychological Solutions : 017-899 2207
HELP University’s Centre for Psychological and Counselling Services (CPCS): 03-2096 1212
The Mind Faculty KL: 03-2780 6803
HumanKind Community Counselling (victims of physical and sexual abuse): 012-300 5453
Soul Mechanics: 010-252 1734 (Gia) / 019-395 9211 (Devi)
MentCouch Psychology Centre: 03-2712 9372

Depression and anxiety are soaring and there are many fears that we will face an epidemic of mental health.

COVID-19, make life very difficult for everyone, but they may pose an even bigger challenge for people with depression. Depression is a serious mental health condition that can give a huge impact on people’s lives.

However, depression can be treated. Even in this pandemic, it is important to continue to seek treatment and stick with it until you get cured.

Therefore, there are self tests that you can answer to check whether you have anxiety or depression, if the score tells you are having these mental health issues you need to see the doctors who specialize in psychiatry to diagnosed your disease. We cannot simply just do the test only. These self tests ask some important questions that can help you to know where you are at so you can make a sooner plan for feeling better.

References:

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Raihan Ridzuan

Raihan Ridzuan, Bachelor of Science (Hons) Pharmacology, is Customer Relationship Executive of Mayflax, one of the nation’s leading healthcare and marketing company.

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August 14, 2020July 19, 2021

Easy treatment for headaches

Source from Healthline.com

Headache is defined as a pain arising from the head or upper neck of the body. The pain originates from the tissues and structures that surround the skull or the brain because the brain itself has no nerves that give rise to the sensation of pain (pain fibers). Several types of headaches exist, with tension headaches being the most common. Cluster headaches are painful and happen in groups or “clusters,” while migraines are a moderate-to-severe type of headache.

Keeping hydrate : The body need certain amount of fluid for it to properly function and by drinking too little, it may lead you to develop a headache. Researchers have found that the common cause of migraines and tension headaches mostly come from chronic dehydration. This can be relieved by drinking enough water which shown to relieve symptoms in dehydrated individuals within 30 minutes to three hours – depending on their state.

Cr. LuAnn Hunt

Cr. Annie Spratt

Taking magnesium : A study suggests that treatment with 600mg of oral magnesium citrate per day helps in reducing the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. Headaches could be cured with prescribed medicines and can be prevented with consuming food that have high content of magnesium such as pumpkin seed, broccoli and certain amount of beans.

Limiting alcohol intake : Evidence shown that alcohol can trigger migraines in about one-third of individuals who experience frequent headaches. It also cause tension and cluster headaches in many people. Alcohol is a vasodilator, which widens blood vessels and allows more flow of the blood which may cause headaches in some people. The body could lose fluids and electrolytes from frequent urination as alcohol also acts as a diuretic which can cause or worsen headaches.

Cr. Giovanna Gomes

Cr. Gregory Pappas

Getting enough sleep : Sleeping less than you required can be detrimental to your health and may even cause headaches in some people. It is found that people who has sleep deprivation had more frequent and severe headaches but getting too much sleep has also been shown to trigger headaches. It is advised to have a minimum of 6 hours sleep a day, depending on the individual.

Practice yoga : One of the ways to relieve stress and improve your overall quality of life would be relaxing with yoga. A study was conducted and it showed that the effects of yoga therapy on 60 people with chronic migraines were reduced more than those who received conventional care alone.

Cr. Kiki Vega

Cr. Peter Secan

Having caffeinated liquid : Drinking beverages with caffeine such as tea or coffee may provide relief for a headache. It improves mood, increases alertness and constricts blood vessels. It also helps increase the effectiveness of common medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen which are used to treat headaches with mindful caffeine intake.

Exercise : Increasing your activity level is said to be one of the simplest ways in reducing headaches. A study which involved 91 people in 40 minutes of indoor cycling, three times a week was effective in reducing headache frequency than practicing relaxation techniques.

Cr. Jenny Hill

Cr. Dominik Martin

Sip some ginger tea : Ginger root has many beneficial compounds, including antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances and they also helps reducing nausea and vomiting, which usually are the common symptoms associated with severe headaches.

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Symptoms

Medications

Lifestyle Changes

Importance of Treatment

REFERENCES

Health Conditions Which Increase Risk of Heart Disease

Behaviour That Increases Heart Disease

Is Heart Disease Hereditary?

REFERENCES

Signs & Symptoms

Risk Factors

Complications

Can It be Prevented?

REFERENCES

Factors That Affect Blood Pressure

1. Age

2. Exercise

3. Stress

4. Sex

5. Medication

6. Obesity

7. Inheritance

8. Drinking Alcohol

9. Smoking

10. Too much salt

Tips to help improve blood pressure

What Is the Blood Pressure Range?

Steps to measuring blood pressure

References:

You might also like

Depression and Anxiety During a Pandemic: 9 Common Tips

1. Keep a schedule

2. Sleep well

3. Connect with others

4. Find simple sources of joy.

5. Eat a mood-boosting diet

6. Stay informed and limit social media usage.

7. Exercise

8. Continue treatment or services from mental health professionals

9. Practice gratefulness and mindfulness

Counseling and hotlines mental health services in Malaysia

References:

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