Depression is a serious mental health condition that can lead to several health problems, including stroke. A new study has found that adults who exhibit symptoms of depression are at an increased risk of having a stroke.
If you are concerned about your mental health or are experiencing symptoms of depression, it is important to get help from a qualified professional. Stroke can be a debilitating and life-threatening illness, so it is essential to take steps to protect your health.
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The study published in Neurology examined 10,797 adults with an average age of 65 who had no history of stroke at the start of the study. All participants were followed for 12 years. During the follow-up time, 425 people had a stroke. They were matched with 4,249 participants who did not have a stroke but were similar in gender, age, ethnic or racial identity, and other health conditions.
All participants were required to take a survey every two years asking if they had experienced symptoms of depression in the past week. These symptoms included feeling sad, feeling lonely, restless sleep, or if everything felt like an effort. The more symptoms the participants had, the higher their scores.
Researchers found that people with a stroke and those without had roughly identical scores six years before a stroke. However, about two years before the stroke, the scores of people who had a stroke started increasing. Following a stroke, depressive symptoms also increased for this group and were found to stay high for ten years after a stroke. In comparison, those who did not have a stroke remained roughly the same throughout the study.
“Depression is not only a post-stroke issue, but also a pre-stroke phenomenon,” said study author Maria Blöchl, PhD. “Whether these pre-stroke changes can be used to predict who will have a stroke is unclear. Exactly why depressive symptoms occur pre-stroke needs to be investigated in future research. Also, the study underscores why doctors need to monitor for symptoms of long-term depression in people who have had strokes.”
Brain Health
Brain health can be affected by depression and other factors, so it is vital to take steps to help it function at its peak potential. If depression, stress or other environmental factors are left untreated, it can lead to cognition problems which can affect memory, concentration, and overall brain function.
However, The Smart Pill can help to enhance cognitive function and memory through 9 ingredients that help to support, nourish, and maximize brain health. These include ginkgo biloba, huperzine A, bacopa extract, rosemary extract, and a B vitamin complex. This unique formula helps boost circulation, fight free radicals, and provide nutritional support to assist with brain function, helping with mental health.
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
