Sneaky Depression Triggers as You Age

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="post hentry" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <h2 class="post-title entry-title" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 4px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <br /></h2> <div class="post-header" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="post-header-line-1" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> </div> <div class="post-body entry-content" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" trbidi="on"> <img alt="fortieth birthday cake candles" class="slide_image" height="335" id="slide_image1" name="slide_image1" src="http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/depression_triggers_and_aging_slideshow/getty_rf_photo_of_birthday_candles.jpg" style="border: 0px; float: left; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; height: auto; margin: 66px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; width: 620px;" width="493" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span><h3 style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">Midlife Can Make You Miserable</span></span></span></h3> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Feel like middle age is closing in on you? You're not alone. A 2008 study of data from 2 million people found that midlife depression spans the globe. In the U.S., it peaks at around age 40 for women and 50 for men, and usually starts to lift in the 50s. Why? People may learn to adapt to their strengths and weaknesses and value life more, the researchers say.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">Depression Trigger: Overload</span></span></span></h3> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Squeezed between the demands of children, aging parents, marriage, and your job? Feeling sad, worthless, and guilty? Women tend to shoulder more of the "sandwich generation" burdens -- and up to half become depressed as a result.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Solution: </b>Make sure you're caring for yourself, too. Exercise, get enough rest, eat healthy, see friends, and get help -- for caregiving demands and depression -- if you need it.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trigger: Low Vitamin B12</span></span></span></h3> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you're feeling lethargic or depressed, too little vitamin B12 may be to blame. If you're older, you're more at risk for the B12 blues because you may not have enough stomach acid to release B12 from food.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Solution:</b> Ask your doctor to measure levels of B12 in your blood. If it's low, talk to your doctor about diet, oral supplements, or an injection to see what might be right for you.  </span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trigger: Changes in Sex Drive</span></span></span></h3> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">As men age, their bodies produce less of the important sex hormone testosterone. Low testosterone levels can cause depression, as well as erectile dysfunction (ED) -- trouble getting or keeping an erection -- and a decreased interest in sex. </span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Solutions: </b>Ask your doctor to test the levels of testosterone in your blood. If it is low, ask your doctor about replacement therapy and other treatment options. </span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="scintigram of abnormal thyroid" class="slide_image" height="335" id="slide_image5" name="slide_image5" src="http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/depression_triggers_and_aging_slideshow/getty_rm_photo_of_abnormal_thyroid.jpg" style="border: 0px; float: left; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; height: auto; margin: 66px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; width: 620px;" width="493" /></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trigger: Thyroid Disorders</span></span></span></h3> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Depression can be one symptom of an underactive or occasionally overactive thyroid. And if you are older, it may be the only symptom. Or it may appear with a subtle symptom. In the case of overactive thyroid, it could be accompanied by heart flutters, tremors, or fatigue. An underactive thyroid can cause constipation or fatigue. That's why this very treatable problem is often mistaken for bowel or nervous system disorders in older people.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Solution:</b> See your doctor, especially if a close relative has thyroid disease.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trigger: Achy Joints</span></span></span></h3> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Living with a condition that causes chronic pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, increases the chance of having depression. In fact, people with chronic pain are three times as likely to have depression or an anxiety disorder. And depression can make pain worse.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Solution:</b> Exercise, meditate, or listen to music. An hour of classical music a day has been shown to ease arthritis pain <i style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and</i>depression. If the depression or pain doesn't lift, talk to your doctor.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="older couple looking at the sunset" class="slide_image" height="335" id="slide_image7" name="slide_image7" src="http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/depression_triggers_and_aging_slideshow/getty_rm_photo_of_couple_watching_sunset.jpg" style="border: 0px; float: left; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; height: auto; margin: 66px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; width: 620px;" width="493" /></span></div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trigger: Perimenopause and Menopause</span></span></span></h3> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hormone fluctuations, hot flashes, and life changes related to perimenopause and menopause can make your mood plummet. If you have trouble sleeping, a history of depression, or PMS, mood swings or depression may worsen during this transitional period.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Solutions:</b> For mild depression, try self-calming skills such as yoga or deep breathing. Do things that make you feel better, such as exercise or going out with friends, or find a creative outlet. For more serious, long-lasting symptoms of depression, prescription medication or talk therapy can help.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trigger: The Empty Nest</span></span></span></h3> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If your child has left home, an "empty nest" can make <i style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">you</i> feel empty. Going through menopause or retirement at the same time may make it harder.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Solutions:</b> Try to see it as an opportunity. Reconnect with your spouse, other family members, and friends. Pursue hobbies and interests you didn't have time for before. Give yourself time to adjust. If your mood doesn't lift in a few months, talk to your doctor.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trigger: Type 2 Diabetes</span></span></span></h3> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do you feel too listless to check your blood sugar regularly? Are unpredictable blood sugar levels making you feel out of control? Depression is a common and dangerous complication of many chronic conditions, including diabetes. Depression also may keep you from taking good care of your diabetes.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Solution:</b> Talk to your doctor if you've been depressed for more than two weeks. Talk therapy, medication, and better diabetes control can help you manage both conditions. Depression is serious and if left untreated can be life threatening.</span><img alt="alcohol in glass" class="slide_image" height="335" id="slide_image10" name="slide_image10" src="http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/depression_triggers_and_aging_slideshow/getty_rf_photo_of_bottle_of_alcohol.jpg" style="border: 0px; float: left; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; height: auto; margin: 66px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; width: 620px;" width="493" /></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trigger: Drinking</span></span></span></h3> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">About 1 in 4 older people who drink heavily has major depression. Some older people <i style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">start </i>drinking more because of stressful events, such as retirement or a spouse's death. Yet alcohol problems are often mistaken for other age-related issues.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Solutions:</b> A combination of medications can treat both alcohol dependence and depression. Individual or group therapy can also help deal with issues that may trigger drinking.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trigger: Poor Sleep</span></span></span></h3> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Insomnia and other sleep disruptions, which are common as we age, are closely related to depression. Insomnia can be a sign that you are depressed, and if you have insomnia but aren’t depressed, you’re at higher risk of developing mood changes. Obstructive sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome also have been linked to depression.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Solutions:</b> Talk to your doctor about possible reasons for your sleep problems and get treatment for them. Learn good sleep hygiene habits, such as regular bedtime hours. Exercise early regularly and avoid caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine, which interfere with sleep. Prescription medication may also help.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <br /></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> From: www.amazingnewsnetwork.com</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;">SIMILAR ARTICLES</span></div> </div> <div id="related-posts" style="border: 0px; 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Sneaky Depression Triggers as You Age

Midlife Can Make You Miserable Feel like middle age is closing in on you? You're not alone. A 2008 study of data from 2 mil...

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Eat Walnuts

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="story-featured-image" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); float: left; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 15px; width: 368px;"> <img alt="Walnut" class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="202" scale="0" src="http://www.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Walnut-360x202.jpg" style="border: none; float: left; margin-right: 10px; padding: 4px;" width="360" /></div> <div id="nrelate_flyout_placeholder"> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Walnuts are in season and they provide essential vitamins and minerals required by the body. They are also an excellent source of protein that is healthier than other sources of protein such as meats. Walnuts can be eaten alone or put into breads. Here are some nutritional benefits of walnuts:</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <strong style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Fibre</strong></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Like all nuts, walnuts contain fibre. Research shows that one cup of chopped walnuts contains 7.8 g of fibre. Adult men should consume 30 to 38 g of fibre a day, while adult women should consume 21 to 25 g of fibre a day. Fibre helps keep the stomach full longer; since it takes longer to digest and may help prevent diabetes. Walnuts can be added to oatmeal, tossed into salads or baked into breads or other bakery items.</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <strong style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Vitamin E</strong></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One cup of chopped walnuts contains 0.82 mg of vitamin E. Adult men and women older than the age of 19 should consume 15 mg of vitamin E a day. Vitamin E is responsible for immune function, helps prevent cataracts, may help prevent some types of cancer and is linked to a decrease in heart attacks. Vitamin E has also been used as part of a treatment regimen in cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <strong style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Omega-3 fatty acids</strong></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats that can be found in all types of nuts, including walnuts. They are considered to be an essential nutrient since humans must get this nutrient from food sources. Omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce the risk of developing heart disease, arthritis and cancer. They are also responsible for healthy brain function and helping the foetus of a pregnant mother develop healthy vision and a healthy nervous system. A deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids can result in dry skin, poor memory, depression and fatigue.</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <strong style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Health benefits of eating walnuts include:</strong></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <strong style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cardiovascular benefits</strong></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Walnuts have been evaluated for their benefits in the heart and circulatory system and their favourable impact on vascular reactivity. In order to respond to different stimuli in a healthy way, many aspects of the cardiovascular system must be functioning optimally. These aspects include: ample presence of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients, proper blood composition, correct balance in inflammation-regulating molecules, and proper composition and flexibility in our blood vessel walls. Walnuts have favourable impact on these aspects.</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <strong style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Treatment of type 2 diabetes</strong></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Although type 2 diabetes is thought of as a problem primarily related to blood sugar control and insulin metabolism, persons diagnosed with type 2 diabetes typically have health problems in other related systems, and are at special risk for cardiovascular problems. An important part of the goal in designing a diet plan for persons with type 2 diabetes is lowering the risk of future cardiovascular problems. Consumption of walnuts increases flexibility in the response of the cardiovascular system and provides significant benefits in this area for persons with type 2 diabetes. It has also demonstrated better blood fat composition in persons with type 2 diabetes.</span></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <strong style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Anti-cancer benefits</strong></div> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wide variety of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients are found in walnuts, and they have anti-cancer benefits. The antioxidant properties of walnuts help lower risk of chronic oxidative stress. The anti-inflammatory properties help lower risk of chronic inflammation. It is precisely these two types of risk, that, when combined, pose the greatest threat for cancer development.</span></div> <div> <br /></div> </div> </div>

Eat Walnuts

Walnuts are in season and they provide essential vitamins and minerals required by the body. They are also an excellent source of prote...

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