What to do about side effects of antidepressant medications?






There are various treatment options for depression including therapy and medication. Antidepressant medications can be extremely helpful to the recovery and healing process of someone suffering from depression. However, sometimes medications that are meant to help may cause unpleasant side effects. The most common symptoms my patients report include headache or upset stomach. These typically improve after a few days and go away within a few weeks. If such side effects remain, you should discuss other options with your doctor / psychiatrist. He or she can try a different medication or treatment option; just be sure to stay in touch with your physician to find the best treatment choice for you.





If the side effects seem intolerable, you may be tempted to stop taking an antidepressant or to reduce your dose on your own. Don't do it. Stopping your antidepressant suddenly may cause your symptoms to return and could cause an unpleasant withdrawal-like reaction. That’s why it’s so important to talk to your doctor.



The Mayo Clinic provides a wonderful resource with practical tips for coping with some of the most common side effects of antidepressant medications that includes explanations for the side effects. For example, sometimes people may gain weight because of fluid retention or lack of physical activity, or because appetite returns or improves when depression symptoms ease up. The resource also presents coping strategies such as cutting back on sweets and sugary drinks, avoiding fast food, and getting regular exercise most days of the week – since exercise is also known to help with depression.





Find more tips at Mayo Clinic online.

Use The Color Method For Healthy Eating Everyday

It is essential that we eat 5 or more servings of fruit and vegetables each day as part of a plan for healthier living. It is important that we eat those with the deepest hues of color as they provide us with a wide range of vitamins, minerals, fiber and photochemical that our body's need to maintain good health and energy levels. They will also protect us against the effects of aging and may well reduce the risk of cancer or heart disease. So in order to ensure that you are healthy eating everyday you should include the colors of health in order to do this.

Colors of health are all about colors, blue/purple, green, white, yellow/orange and red and the colors of fruits and vegetables which promote good health. So when planning your meals for each day or when dining out then think color. So to ensure that you have variety in your diet may it 5 a day the Color Way!

1. Blue/Purple
These color foods help to beat the effects of aging as well as lower the risk related to some forms of cancer, are good for maintaining your urinary tracts health, help you with your memory functions. These foods contain varying amounts of health promoting phytochemicals such as anthocyanins and phenolics. You can get blue/purple everyday from such foods as Blackberries, Blueberries, Dried Plums, Purple Figs, Purple Grapes, Purple Cabbage, Eggplant (Aubergine), Purple Peppers and Potatoes (purple fleshed) are to name but a few.

2. Green
These can help to lower the risk from some cancers as well as improve the health of your vision and keep both your bones and teeth strong. They contain varying amounts of potent phytochemicals such as lutein and indoles and you can get green everyday from such foods as Avocados, Green Apples, Green Grapes, Kiwifruit, Artichokes, Asparagus, Broccoli/Flowers, Green Beans, Green Cabbage, Celery, Cucumbers, Peas and Spinach are just some.

3. White
This helps to promote a healthy heart as well as keeping cholesterol levels that are already healthy the same and will lower the risk related to some forms of cancer. Again these types of foods contain varying amounts of phytochemicals and this includes allicin which is found in the onion family. You can get all the health benefits you need each day from white foods such as Bananas, Dates, White Nectarines or Peaches, Cauliflower, Garlic, Ginger, Mushrooms and of course Onions.

4. Yellow/Orange
Including these foods in your diet will ensure that your heart remains healthy, your vision stays healthy and your immune system is healthy and working correctly and yet again these can lower the risk related to some forms of cancer. These color fruits and vegetables contain varying amounts of anti-oxidants such as Vitamin C as well as carotenoids and bioflavonoids (which are 2 forms of phytochemicals). You should include such orange/yellow fruits and vegetables such as Yellow Apples, Apricots, Melons (Cantaloupes), Yellow Figs, Lemons, Mangoes, Nectarines, Oranges and Yellow Beets, Carrots, Yellow Peppers, Pumpkin and Sweet Corn are a few foods to be found in this color group.

5. Red
It is essential that you include red in any healthy eating plan everyday to help maintain a healthy heart, your memory functions, and your urinary tract health and also help to lower the risk of getting some forms of cancer. These foods contain specific phytochemicals with have health promoting properties and include lycopene and anthocyanins. In order to get reds in to your diet every day include such fruits and vegetables as Red Apples, Blood Oranges, Cherries, Red Grapes, Cranberries, Beets, Red Peppers, Radishes, Red Onions, Red Potatoes and Tomatoes in your diet. Please visit onto this site solutionhealth.org [http://solutionhealth.org] for more tips in health solution.

Healthy Daily Habits - How To Eat Salad Every Day

When it comes to eating healthy, the first food that many people think of is salad. Eating a salad every day can significantly increase the quality and quantity of nutrients that you consume. It is a great way to get in your recommended servings of vegetables, and a salad with some healthy protein is more filling than many people realize. Unfortunately, people who are trying to eat healthier tend to associate salads with drudgery and denial since they often don't venture beyond the established realm of iceberg lettuce, cheese, and ranch or Italian dressing. Fortunately there are many options for those wanting to eat salad every day without getting bored or burned out eating the same thing over and over.

When it comes to salads, the key to keeping it interesting is variety. Eschew iceberg lettuce for healthier romaine or red leaf lettuce. Even better, try baby spinach or mixed salad greens. And don't forget the add-ons. A handful of dried cranberries, a few slices of mandarin orange, or an ounce of nuts or sunflower seeds can turn a salad from boring into amazing. If you want to up the protein content of your salad try adding grilled chicken breast or a hard-boiled egg. If you are struggling to get enough healthy fats into your diet, slice an avocado onto your salad and sprinkle with lemon juice and a pinch of sea salt.

Although it is easy to get used to eating green salads, don't forget that there are other types of salad out there. You can try fruit salad for a refreshing side dish. Bean salads are full of protein and very inexpensive to make. A taco salad can be healthy with baked whole wheat tortilla chips and salsa. Even a pasta salad can be healthy if you are careful. Make sure you use whole wheat pasta and add at least as many vegetables as pasta. Use a homemade dressing instead of a processed one. These variations on a simple green salad will help you to eat more salads without getting bored with any particular combination.

When it comes to salads, the biggest obstacle to a healthy salad is the dressing. Most commercial dressings are full of hydrogenated oils and corn syrup. They can have hundreds of calories per serving, and oftentimes the serving sizes are only a tablespoon or two. If you must buy prepackaged dressings read the ingredients carefully and choose one that is natural. If you can gather a few basic ingredients like olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and salt, then you can make your own salad dressing. This is fast and easy to do, and you can make enough dressing for many salads for less than the cost of a bottle of processed salad dressing.

Lastly, don't forget to think way outside of the box. Many people who dedicate themselves to eating a salad every day actually drink green smoothies to help them accomplish this. A green smoothie is a homemade smoothie that is roughly 60% fruit and 40% leafy greens. If you are interested in finding out more about green smoothies a quick internet search will tell you everything that you need to know about drinking your vegetables.

Green Smoothies For Everyday Health

Of late, green smoothies have become really popular, mainly because of the many benefits to be derived from having them. The content of these smoothies make them most delicious, as well as most tasty. A green smoothie contains both fruits and vegetables - the fruits give it its sweet taste and the nutrients come from both fruits and vegetables.

Begin drinking green smoothies at least twice a day, for increase in energy levels and overall feeling of better heath. Also, if you happen to be overweight, by constant intake of these healthy smoothies, losing weigh will be a 'snap' - as you will be consuming less of the undesirable, unhealthy foods which you would have normally consumed.
Great for kids too!

Green smoothies are a great way to get children to eat healthy. The fact that it is packed with vitamins and minerals and comes with a lovely taste does wonders for the children who try to avoid their vegetables.

Illness? What illness?
A daily smoothie also acts as a preventative measure for illnesses. Persons who consistently drink green smoothies on a daily basis, have reported total relief from chronic conditions they have experienced for years. The highly nutritious content of a green smoothie directly contributes to faster healing and better mental performance.

Therefore, consuming green smoothies is a sure way to experience increase health benefits. Just by adding one glass of green smoothie to your daily diet, can result in astounding results. When the body is provided with the natural food which it requires, it can heal itself easily.

Smoothies are sought after because of their health benefits, as well as their taste. They will also be sought after for a very long time to come. These are best had in the mornings, as they tend to set a positive pace for the rest of the day. Having a daily, all-natural green smoothie, is also very good for diabetics; as it acts as a stabilizer for blood sugar.

The benefits seem indeed to be endless. Persons have experienced elimination of bloating and constipation, fast hair growth as well as glowing, radiant skin. Many persons will soon find that there is no need to spend so much money on make-up, as the smoothie provides the real natural beauty which is sought through cosmetics. This result is facilitated as a result off the elimination of toxins within the body.

One should be careful when making the smoothie. The balance should be right so that the taste of the green veggies is masked by the sweeter taste of the fruit. There should be enough fruits to retain the sweetness and enough vegetables to provide the needed greens.

The consumption of green smoothies automatically eliminates the craving for processed food. One will also notice that all mood swings will eventually disappear when green smoothies become a daily intake. The greens and fruits in this smoothie contain the strongest food source of alkaline, which neutralize the acids in the blood.

Transform An Everyday Menu Into A Healthy Heart Disease Diet - You Should Not Ignore Fish Oil!

The number of people who have heart disease is increasing by the day: hence, it is not surprising that a lot of people are looking for effective heart disease diets that are not only delicious but healthy as well. With the plethora of healthy diets that are available now, the task may not be as hard as you think. There are certain things that you may do in order to transform any diet into healthier ones. With these tricks under your belt, your search for the best heart-friendly menu should be very easy.

Transforming your regular menu to a heart disease diet can be easily done through minor substitutions. Spot the heart-threatening foods that you usually take in and simply use healthier alternatives to replace them. For example, instead of using high-fat meat, like pork for example, you can choose to go with a less fatty alternative. Substitute pork recipes with equal amounts of lean meat. Even better, you can replace meat with tofu alternatives; they are less fatty and healthier as well.

It will also do you well if you not only avoid fatty foods, but if you also minimize the amount of oily foods that you take in as well. Since heart problems are mainly caused by high levels of cholesterol and oil in one's diet, eliminating foods that are rich in carbohydrates will help you minimize the bad effects of any heart condition. Substituting oily foods with greens and other vegetables will also keep your heart healthy.

Since inflammation is a main symptom of any heart condition, people who are suffering from heart problems will benefit from regularly eating foods that reduces inflammation. Some foods have natural anti-inflammatory properties that do not only minimize the internal symptoms of the condition but the other external ones as well. A good heart disease diet will not only be filled with these types of foods, but it will also fully incorporate them with the other types of heart-friendly components.

One of the best components of a healthy heart disease diet is fish oil; fish oil is filled with Omega 3 fatty acids that do not only control the inflammation, but also lower bad cholesterol (LDL). Fish oil also reduces triglycerides and high blood pressure; it is also proven to tackle other factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease such as plaque build-up and narrowing of the arteries.

Your Everyday Health and Fitness Play A Big Part In Preventing Heart Disease Problems

If you are worried about heart disease then one of the things that you can do to improve your health is to try to do bit more activity. Even just walking instead of taking the car to the store can be very good. You do not have to wear some bright colored clothes that do not fit and rush off to the gym just to get a bit fit. Even a bit of gentle activity can be good for you. But if you are thinking of undertaking a new fitness program then it is a good idea to talk to your doctor before you begin. The heart and stroke foundation recommends that most people do around half an hour of activity every day. It is quite easy to make getting fit, fun and this is a great idea as you are more likely keep going if it is fun, rather than just something to get you fit. Even something quite gentle like gardening can be very good for you.

Walking is a wonderful way to get fit, even more so if you do not just walk in the city. If you get into the hills for some hiking, then it is a really great hobby. But as with all types of physical activity it is a good idea to see you doctor first especially if you have had problems with heart disease. One easy way to start yourself walking more is to get off the subway or bus a few stops for home. That way you will get used to walking more and you can gradually make it further if you want too.

Cycling is also a very good type of activity that is good fun as well. It is a great thing to do on weekends and it means that you can go a bit further afraid than if you are just walking. You can even get some exercise at work. If you work in a building where you have to take the elevator then try walking. It is a very simple way to get some activity without really trying. If you are worried about heart disease and want to take some exercise to get fit then there are a lot of great ways to do it. But make sure that you see your doctor before you begin any new program, especially if you have had heart disease or think that you may be prone to it.