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Can OCD Cause Depression?

Many people are familiar with the term OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, but they may not be as familiar with the relationship between OCD and depression. But before we explore the link between the two conditions, we must understand what each entails.

OCD is a mental health disorder characterized by uncontrollable, recurring thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) that can severely impact a person’s ability to function in everyday life.

Depression, on the other hand, is a mood disorder that includes extreme persistent sadness, loss of interest, and a negative outlook on life. While OCD and depression are two different mental illnesses, they are often comorbid, meaning they can co-occur.

In fact, according to the International OCD Foundation, up to 50 percent of people with OCD also meet the criteria for major depression. This overlap suggests that OCD can lead to or increase an individual’s risk of developing depression.

How OCD Can Lead To Depression

There are many possible explanations for how OCD and depression might occur together. To begin with, the very nature of OCD means that patients are constantly in a state of high anxiety. Constant anxiety can be incredibly draining mentally and emotionally, increasing the risk of depression.

Second, the repetitive thoughts and behaviors associated with OCD can be very isolating. People with OCD are often ashamed and embarrassed by their thoughts and behaviors to the point that they become withdrawn from friends and family. This isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness and sadness, which can, in turn, contribute to depression.

People with OCD might also be more likely to experience depression because of how their illness affects their thinking. People with OCD often have destructive thinking patterns, which means they tend to see the worst-case scenario in every situation. For example, someone with OCD might be obsessively worried about getting a disease, even if they are healthy. This way of thinking can lead to a lot of anxiety and fear, which can eventually lead to depression. 

Additionally, OCD is a debilitating and disruptive mental illness that can interfere with many aspects of a person’s life, including work and relationships. This can lead to guilt, self-loathing, and hopelessness, culminating in depression.

Lastly, OCD – like many other mental illnesses- is associated with brain structure and neurochemistry changes. These changes can impact certain brain areas involved in mood regulation, setting the stage for depression.

The Impact of Comorbid OCD and Depression

A dual diagnosis of OCD and depression can be incredibly disabling, with many negative consequences for an individual’s health, well-being, and overall quality of life. 

And because both mental illnesses have overlapping symptoms – such as low mood, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and concentration (to name a few) – it can be challenging for doctors to diagnose and treat the conditions accurately.

This can lead to a lack of effective treatment, compounding the struggles that someone with OCD and depression might experience. To truly address the issues caused by both conditions, people with OCD need a comprehensive treatment regimen that addresses both disorders concurrently.

Understanding how OCD and depression interact is essential to helping those diagnosed with both illnesses. With the proper treatment and support, people with OCD and depression can manage their symptoms and reclaim their lives.

The Bottom Line

It is evident there is a strong link between OCD and depression. And while there are several possible explanations for this comorbidity, what is certain is that people with OCD are at a much higher risk of developing depression.

But despite the many challenges facing people with OCD and depression, it is possible to manage both disorders effectively with therapy, medication, and lifestyle modalities.

 

What Is CRPS?

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that most often affects one limb (arm, leg, hand, or foot) after an injury or trauma to that limb. Even though the injury itself may have healed, people with CRPS continue to experience pain, swelling, and other symptoms.

The pain often manifests as an intense burning sensation. Other symptoms of CRPS include:

  • Swelling
  • Numbness, tingling, or “pins and needles” sensations
  • Joint and muscle stiffness
  • Changes in skin texture and color
  • Abnormalities in nail and hair growth.
  • Decreased range motion
  • Muscle spasms
  • Increased sensitivity to touch, pressure, or temperature
  • Reduced pain threshold
  • Abnormal sweating 

CRPS can also lead to depression and other psychological problems, as well as affect a person’s ability to work or perform daily activities.

Types of CRPS

There are two types of CRPS: type I and type II. Type I CRPS, also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS), is the more common of the two. It is more likely to be triggered by a relatively minor injury or trauma that does not normally result in chronic pain, such as a sprain, strain, fracture, or even surgery. In this type of CPRS, there is no obvious nerve damage. On the other hand, type II CRPS (also known as causalgia) may occur after an illness or injury that causes nerve damage.

Causes of CRPS

The exact causes of CRPS are not yet fully understood, but it is thought to be the result of damage to nerve fibers in the affected limb. This damage can occur after an injury, forceful trauma, or surgery – causing the nervous system to malfunction.

As a result, the body’s pain control system becomes overexcited and sends pain signals to the brain that are amplified. The body responds by producing inflammation, which causes further nerve irritation, creating a vicious cycle of pain and other symptoms.

Treating CRPS

CRPS often requires a multifaceted approach to treatment that may include medication, psychological counseling, physical therapy, and interventional treatments.

Medications

There are a number of different medications that can be used to help manage the pain associated with CRPS. These include over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, as well as prescription medications such as NSAIDs, opioids, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants. Your doctor will work with you to determine which medication or combination of medications is best for you based on your unique situation.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is another common treatment for CRPS. Physical therapy can help to increase mobility, strengthen muscles, and improve function. A physical therapist can also teach you stretching and exercises that can help to increase pain tolerance.

Psychological Therapy

Living with chronic pain can take a toll on your emotional and psychological well-being. As such, psychological therapy can be an important part of treatment. A therapist can help you learn to cope with the emotional aspects of chronic pain and develop healthy coping strategies.

Interventional Treatments

There are a number of interventional treatments that can be used to treat CRPS. These include nerve blocks, surgery, and electrical stimulation. Ketamine infusion therapy has also shown great promise in providing long-term remission from chronic pain.

The Bottom Line

CRPS is a complex and potentially debilitating condition that requires a multifaceted approach to treatment. While there is no cure for CRPS, there are a number of effective treatments available that can help improve symptoms and quality of life. If you think you may have CRPS, talk to your doctor about the best treatment options for you.

 

Types of IV Vitamin Therapy

Vitamin therapy has become many people’s go-to for optimizing their health, recovery, and general performance. IV vitamin therapies can target a wide range of health goals, and choosing which is best for you comes down to knowing the ingredients. For those looking for supplemental health options in the Chicagoland area, Renew Ketamine and Wellness Center has premier options for IV vitamin therapy. 

For athletes, IV vitamin therapy can help with everything from rehydration to reducing inflammation and speeding up recovery. For everyone else, IV vitamin therapy is a convenient and streamlined way to ensure your body has everything it needs to meet life’s demands and then some.

What is IV Vitamin Therapy?

IV vitamin therapy is a quick and convenient way to deliver vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients directly into your bloodstream through an IV. Intravenous (IV) vitamin therapy is a way to deliver high concentrations of vitamins and minerals directly into the bloodstream. By bypassing the digestive system, IV vitamin therapy allows rapid absorption of higher doses of the vitamins and minerals than if the person got them through food or supplements.

  • The infusions are delivered into a vein through a small tube
  • Depending on the size of the dose, the infusion may take anywhere from 20 minutes to a few hours

One of the most important figures in IV vitamin therapy, Dr. John Myers, developed the first and most well-known popular IV infusion in 1954 to help with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, fibromyalgia, fatigue, and migraines, to name a few. The Myers’ cocktail, named after Dr. John Myers, consists of magnesium, calcium, B vitamins, and vitamin C. This infusion has shown significant health benefits in many clinical trials allowing scientists to build off of his research to develop a wider array of vitamin infusions. 

Why IV Vitamin Therapy?

Any vitamin taken by mouth is absorbed with about  50 percent efficacy in the digestive tract. If, however, the vitamin is given through an IV, it’s absorbed at about 90 percent. This alone is a large reason many people are choosing IV vitamin therapy. With the spreading knowledge that our foods and soils are increasingly nutrient-depleted, health-minded individuals are searching for non-traditional ways to take care of their bodies. 

Several factors affect our body’s ability to absorb nutrients in the stomach. Factors include age, metabolism, health status, genetics, interactions with other products we consume, and the physical and chemical makeup of the nutritional supplement or food. Higher levels of the vitamins and minerals in your bloodstream lead to greater cell uptake.

What Type of Person Should Use IV Vitamin Therapies?

All types of people can benefit from IV vitamin therapies. In an interview with Healthline, Dena Westphalen, PharmD says, 

“Vitamin infusions are being used for a wide variety of health concerns. Conditions that have responded positively to the Myers’ cocktail treatment include asthma, migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, muscle spasms, pain, allergies, and sinus and respiratory tract infections. A number of other disease states, including angina and hyperthyroidism, have also shown promising results to IV vitamin infusions. Many people are also using IV vitamin therapy for quick rehydration after an intense sporting event, such as running a marathon, to cure a hangover, or for improved skin clarity.”

Types of IV Vitamin Therapies

Muscle Recovery Drip 

This infusion includes: B-Complex • Glutamine • Lysine • Carnitine • Arginine • Citrulline • Ornithine • Magnesium Chloride

The Muscle Recovery Drip is designed to speed your recovery after a hard workout. This unique blend both wards off fatigue and gives your body the necessary nutrients to build muscle and endurance. 

Immunity Boost Drip

This infusion includes: Vitamin C • B-Complex • Zinc 

The Immunity Boost Drip is all in the name. This particular ratio of vitamins and minerals helps your body prepare for incoming infections and illnesses. Stay ahead of the fight with Immunity Boost Drip.

Skin Glow IV Drip

This infusion includes: Vitamin C • B-Complex • Zinc

The Skin Glow IV Drip works similar to the Immunity Boost Drip. However, a crucial difference in the vitamin-mineral ratio shifts the focus of this vitamin therapy. Skin Glow keeps your skin hydrated and cellular division to a minimum, reducing the visible signs of aging.

Energy Lift Drip 

This infusion includes: B-Complex • Magnesium • Chloride • Vitamin C • Glutamine • Lysine • Carnitine • Arginine • Citrulline • Ornithine • Taurine

The Energy Lift Drip fights burnout with a mix of high-caliber vitamins and crucial compounds. Whether it’s long work hours, jet lag, or general stress, your body needs help combatting the wear-and-tear of high-speed life. Give it the leg up it needs not just to catch up but to stay ahead. 

NAD+ Infusions

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a coenzyme present in almost all cells of the body. NAD+ is essential in metabolic function, slowing the aging process, promoting athletic function, and boosting brain repair/function. 

Administering a high dose of NAD+ straight into the bloodstream, compared to other routes (i.e., oral), will provide a faster, more effective outcome that quickly optimizes the body’s NAD+ levels.

Try Renew Ketamine & Wellness Center

If you want to give the most to your body and get the most out of it, you may want to consider one of our highly effective IV vitamin therapies. Contact us now!

 

 

Can Men Get Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that’s characterized by widespread pain in the bones and muscles, fatigue, and subsequent mental health issues. Fibromyalgia is believed to be more common in women than men, but when men develop the condition, they may not have the same symptoms as women.

There has not been extensive research on men with fibromyalgia, given that the number of women with this condition is significantly higher. The ratio of women versus men with this condition is 9 to 1.

Because it is widely believed that fibromyalgia is a female condition, men may not be able to receive a fibromyalgia diagnosis very quickly. However, some experts think that about 1.5 million men in the United States suffer from the condition.

Risk Factors Of Fibromyalgia

Some people are more likely to develop fibromyalgia than others. However, gender seems to be the leading risk factor, with women having a higher risk of developing the condition. Other risk factors include:

  • Having a history of rheumatic diseases like lupus.
  • Having a history of personality or depressive disorders.
  • Having a relative with fibromyalgia.

Symptoms Of Fibromyalgia

It is widely believed that women experience more severe fibromyalgia symptoms than men. However, in reality, both genders may suffer the severity of the symptoms equally.

Men may not feel too obligated to consult a doctor as women. They may feel shy or stigmatized as lazy when they say they’re experiencing fibromyalgia symptoms such as tiredness, fatigue, and pains.

Also, a man’s inability to get diagnosed or receive the support he needs affects the rest because he plays a significant role in the home. Symptoms of fibromyalgia in men can either be mild or severe. They may be different in people, and they include:

  • Pain and tenderness
  • Fatigue
  • Morning muscle stiffness
  • Irritable bowel symptoms
  • Brain fog
  • Headache
  • Depression

Treatment And Outlook

Fibromyalgia can be treated with both medication and self-care. The condition does not have a specific treatment that can cure it completely. However, the medicines available can cause fantastic relief in the symptoms. When the proper treatment is administered, it improves sleep problems and reduces the severity of the other symptoms, including fatigue and muscle pains.

Self-care

Self-care is also part of the treatment for fibromyalgia. People with the condition ought to engage in more self-care activities. Men need to stop certain habits and make some lifestyle changes. This can help to relieve and improve symptoms. Lifestyle changes include:

  • Getting enough sleep: One of the symptoms of fibromyalgia is fatigue. Getting enough sleep can ensure that you get enough rest so that you reduce fatigue.
  • Exercising: Exercising can be uncomfortable and painful initially, but constant physical activity can reduce pain and make you more fit over time. A good exercise session can improve your mood too.
  • Eating a healthful diet: Eating a balanced and healthy diet can improve your health and relieve fibromyalgia symptoms.
  • Managing stress: Another method of self-care is managing stress. You can relieve stress by engaging in exercise and meditation and purposely avoiding stressful tasks. Therapy is also an excellent way to manage stress.

Conclusion

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread pain all over the body. If left untreated, this chronic pain can lead to depression. Fortunately, ketamine therapy works as effectively as antidepressants and pain relievers, when administered at the proper dose. 

Through its interaction with the neurotransmitter glutamate and the NMDA pain receptor, ketamine therapy has the ability to relieve pain symptoms and reverse the damage that depression and chronic stress can have on the brain. Contact us today to learn more.

 

 

Does IV Vitamin Therapy Work?

The human body is around sixty percent water.  This means that, to run at its most efficient, the body has to receive the right nutrients and vitamins. An increasingly popular treatment option for hydration, IV vitamin therapy is one of the most rapid and effective routes of administration. Continue reading to learn more about IV vitamin therapy.

What Is IV Vitamin Therapy?

IV vitamin therapy refers to a procedure whereby an intravenous catheter is inserted into your arm or hand, and medicine, vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients are dispensed into your bloodstream. Some people receive IV therapy because of a medical need, while others seek faster absorption of vitamins into their system than what would be expected of taking vitamins orally. While vitamins are delivered intravenously, the exact delivery mechanism is available for ketamine therapy.

Who Benefits The Most?

IV vitamin therapy is used in many circumstances. Some athletes are known to use it following a grueling sport or event to replenish low levels of vitamin D. This may be helpful for rehydration, building muscles, strengthening bones, and potentially reducing the risk of inflammation.

IV vitamin therapy may also help reduce symptoms related to:

  • Osteoporosis “causes bones to become weak and brittle — so brittle that a fall or even mild stresses such as bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. Osteoporosis-related fractures most commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine.”
  • Asthma is a condition where someone’s airways get inflamed, narrow, and swollen and create extra mucus, making it hard to breathe.
  • Migraines are a severe kind of headache of differing intensity, often paired with nausea and sensitivity to sound and light.
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome is “a serious, long-term illness that affects many-body systems. Another name for it is myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.”
  • Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition resulting in pain over your body, fatigue, and other indicators. Someone with fibromyalgia can be more pain-sensitive than someone who doesn’t have it. This is referred to as abnormal pain perception processing.
  • Allergies happen as your immune system responds to a foreign substance — like pollen, bee venom, pet dander — or a food that doesn’t trigger a reaction in most others.
  • Sinus and respiratory tract infections.

Does IV Vitamin Therapy Work?

Dispensing vitamins and minerals intravenously, rather than through fruits, vegetables, or oral supplements, allows nutrients to be absorbed much quicker by the body and other means of delivery. 

According to ongoing studies, there is some evidence that IV vitamin therapy is beneficial. Many hospitals, medical centers, and medical professionals offer such therapy and ketamine. The Mayo Clinic, for instance, describes the procedure as targeted “for administering medication or nutrition. Infusion therapy reduces medical expenses and decreases time spent in clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes, so you can spend more time doing the things you love.”

According to a clinical trial currently underway, IV vitamin infusion therapy means inserting an IV line into your vein (generally in your arm) to dispense a high concentration of antioxidants, amino acids, liquid vitamins, and minerals into the bloodstream. The therapy may only comprise one vitamin or a mixture of nutrients.

A quick infusion of nutrients has apparent benefits in certain situations and for certain patients, particularly some undergoing kidney disease or cancer treatment. The idea behind IV vitamin therapy is that dispensing specially formulated cocktails of nutrients via an IV can help replenish, fix, and cleanse your body faster than drinking water or eating healthy, for instance.

Possible side effects

The threat of infection is concerning. In one study, the U.S. National Institutes of Health said infection “was the most common side-effect but rarely required in-patient treatment.” Other side effects may include itchiness or redness at the spot of needle insertion.

What Are The Alternatives?

Ketamine therapy is primarily delivered intravenously and offers similar benefits to specific health conditions as IV vitamin therapy. But there are other ways to get more vitamins into your system.

The most popular method, of course, is to eat healthy foods rich in vitamins and minerals. This includes:

  • Nonfat and low-fat dairy
  • Dairy substitutes
  • Broccoli
  • Dark, leafy greens
  • Sardines
  • Bananas
  • Cantaloupe
  • Raisins
  • Nuts
  • Fish
  • Spinach
  • Legumes
  • Whole-grain foods
  • Apples
  • Strawberries
  • Black beans
  • Peas
  • Almonds
  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Carrots
  • Oranges
  • Tomatoes

Your healthcare provider may suggest exercise as another way to replenish vitamins in your body (vitamin B2, thiamin, and riboflavin).

Final Thoughts

More research is needed to say whether there’s value in IV vitamin therapy, but it’s worth asking your healthcare provider about its pros and cons and if it’s right for you. People with certain health conditions may benefit, but arming yourself with knowledge will help you make the right choices.

Research into the exact benefits of IV vitamin therapy is still ongoing, but we know that it is an effective way to administer nutrients and hydration throughout the body.Renew Ketamine & Wellness Center is Chicagoland’s leading ketamine infusion center, offering innovative treatments for depression, anxiety, psychiatric disorders, and chronic pain conditions. Contact us today to learn more.

 

Can PTSD Cause Suicidal Ideation?

If you have post-traumatic stress disorder, you know the challenges that accompany it. Mood swings, bad dreams, flashbacks, and sometimes even trouble functioning in daily life. Many of the symptoms go away, but for some people, they don’t and get worse – sometimes leading to suicidal ideation.

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health issue that can affect anyone in any age group, but it only happens after someone goes through or sees a life-threatening circumstance. These kinds of events result in normal reactions to stress, but the symptoms often go away on their own, and most people begin feeling better within a few weeks or months. Educating yourself about PTSD symptoms and treatment options may help you get better and fight off suicidal ideation. 

What Are The Symptoms?

PTSD symptoms are divided into four categories. Many of these can be treated with ketamine therapy.

Reliving the event, which may include:

  • Flashbacks and reliving what happened numerous times. This may result in physical warning signs like shaking, a racing heart, or perspiring
  • Bad dreams
  • Scary thoughts, which can even make you feel as if you’re going through the traumatic event again

Avoidance, including:

  • Staying away from persons, locations, or anything which is a reminder of what happened
  • Avoiding talking or even thinking about what happened
  • Feeling numb

Negative changes in what you believe or feel, such as:

  • Feelings of fear, guilt, or being ashamed of what happened. These are all common feelings linked to suicidal ideation.
  • No longer having an interest in things you used to enjoy doing
  • Having problems remembering what happened

Hyperarousal symptoms, including:

  • Feeling anxious or edgy
  • Having problems concentrating or sleeping
  • Being easily startled or experiencing angry outbursts 

What Is Suicidal Ideation?

Suicidal ideation is when a person talks or has ideas about death and suicide. There are two kinds to be aware of: passive suicidal ideation and active suicidal ideation.

According to Prof. James Overholser of Case Western Reserve University, passive suicidal ideation is known for thoughts or talking about dying or death, but without actively making a detailed plan to follow through on such thoughts. Active suicidal ideation is the opposite – where you have an intent to harm yourself and look for ways to do it.

PTSD & Suicidal Ideation

According to the National Center for PTSD, part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, researchers have found “that suicide risk is higher in persons with PTSD.” It makes sense, then, that symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder could drive a person to suicidal ideation and – tragically – end their own life. Studies also have identified suicide risk in people with PTSD, especially in the form of upsetting trauma memories, anger, and lack of impulse control. Suicide risk also increases if you have PTSD and have problems coping with stress and, for instance, can’t express feelings in a healthy manner.

At the core of the discussion are risk factors of suicide manifesting not only in someone with PTSD, but in others with a wide range of physical and mental health problems. If you’re in the throes of suicidal ideation – either talking about suicide, or actively planning to end your own life – there are risk factors you should watch for.

PTSD is often combined with other mental health conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and many others, all of which can lead to suicidal ideation. One study by the U.S. National Institutes of Health reported that people with depression and PTSD “show greater social, occupational, and cognitive impairment, report higher levels of distress, and are more likely to attempt suicide.”

PTSD symptoms may worsen and lead to suicidal ideation because of other risk factors, like other medical problems, environmental stressors in their personal life and elsewhere, a history of personal or family mental health problems or suicide attempts, and childhood abuse.

Diagnosis & Treatment

PTSD symptoms and suicidal ideation are best dealt with by a medical professional specializing in diagnosing and treating either condition. With care and time, you can learn to identify warning signs before they get out of control – many of which subside over time. If your symptoms worsen and they begin affecting your quality of life, seek immediate medical attention.

Once diagnosed, there are many kinds of treatment that can help. Psychotherapy is the go-to treatment, but another popular option is ketamine infusion therapy. Ketamine treatment is normally available through licensed specialty clinics but ask your healthcare provider for more information.

 

Can Anxiety Cause Back Pain?

Sometimes, anxiety and stress can be a pain – literally – in your back. In fact, physical discomfort in your back is a common side effect of anxiety, but sensations of both mental and physical pain can often be treated. Pain has multiple causes, but the symptoms can often be treated.

WHAT IS ANXIETY?

Everyone experiences anxiety as part of everyday life. You’re worried about a big presentation at work. You’re not sure you rented enough tables and chairs for a family event. But these and other symptoms of anxiety often resolve themselves. But when they don’t and begin interfering with your quality of life, you may be experiencing the first signs of something far worse – an anxiety disorder. Fortunately, many symptoms can be treated with therapy, including ketamine.

KNOW THE SYMPTOMS

  • Feeling restless, on-edge, or wound-up 
  • Being easily tired
  • Having trouble thinking or your mind goes blank
  • Being easily irritable
  • Experiencing muscle tension
  • Sweating
  • Experiencing heart palpitations, a fast heartbeat, or a quickened heart rate
  • Trembling or quivering
  • Experiencing sensations of smothering, shortness of breath, or choking
  • Having feelings of imminent doom
  • Having feelings of loss of control
  • In the case of a phobia, you could experience irrational or unnecessary worry about confronting the dreaded situation or object 
  • Having a dry mouth
  • Experiencing heart palpitations
  • Feeling nauseous 

FACTS ABOUT ANXIETY DISORDERS

  • Generalized anxiety disorder affects 6.8 million adults or 3.1% of the U.S. population, yet only 43.2% are receiving treatment.
  • If you suffer from panic disorder, you’re unfortunately a member of a club of six million U.S. adults.
  • Social anxiety disorder is thought to affect 15 million U.S. adults.
  • Specific phobias – like the fear of spiders, heights, or crowded rooms – have been diagnosed in about 19 million U.S. adults.
  • About two million U.S. adults suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder, long thought of as the soldier’s disease, affects far more people than just military veterans. It’s believed to affect nearly 15 million U.S. adults.
  • The World Health Organization estimates that almost 300 million people suffer from depression, including about 16 million U.S. adults.

If you experience the symptoms of anxiety or a more serious anxiety disorder, talk to your healthcare provider about treatment options, like psychotherapy or ketamine infusion therapy.

CAN ANXIETY CAUSE BACK PAIN?

Stress can affect your body in many ways, from headaches and mood swings to your weight. However, people sometimes overlook a much-maligned side effect of stress – and that’s neck and back pain. Over the course of years, recurring episodes of stress can result in musculoskeletal problems in these areas of your body.

What are other common causes of back pain?

  • Lifting boxes, intense physical activity, or even poor sleeping habits can give you a sore back. Any of these activities could mean you sprained or strained one or more of countless tendons and muscles in your back, leading to tightness and spasms.
  • Inflammation is an element of your body’s organic immune reaction but can still trigger feelings of discomfort, heat, and soreness. Lingering inflammation due to an injury or disease can lead to chronic soreness in your spine and back. 
  • Arthritis is a kind of long-term inflammation that can harm joints all over your body, including your back. We often equate arthritis with stiffness and swelling. 
  • Osteoporosis resulting in loss of bone mass, particularly in the hip, spine, and wrist. It can sometimes trigger painful fractures. 
  • Problems with the discs in your back, which are tissues acting as natural cushions and separating the bony backbones of your spine. If these discs shift out of place, swell, or are injured, they can become uncomfortable and even incapacitating. 
  • Fibromyalgia. We’re still working to comprehend the aches and discomforts of fibromyalgia, but most agree that it’s triggered by malformations in the nervous system.

DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

Symptoms of anxiety and more serious anxiety disorders are normally diagnosed by a medical doctor or mental healthcare specialist. An examination may include checking for an underlying medical problem that is triggering your symptoms or delving into your personal and family history of anxiety and mental illness. In some cases, your symptoms will be measured against criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders before the final diagnosis.

Once a diagnosis has been made, you and your healthcare provider can talk about treatment options. Depending on your health, the severity of symptoms, and other factors, your doctor may recommend different therapies.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Anxiety affects millions of people; while the symptoms may naturally fade for most, that isn’t always the case for others as warning signs morph into a far more serious anxiety disorder. But the facts of your illness shouldn’t control your life. Contact us today to learn more about treatment options.

 

Can RLS Affect Your Arms?

Your skin crawls, you have trouble sleeping, and you’ve been told your legs make odd jerking movements when you’re at rest. It’s possible you’re experiencing early warning signs of a condition called restless legs syndrome, but something else has bothered you – similar pain and sensations in both of your arms.

What is RLS?

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is an ailment triggering an overpowering desire to move the legs, usually resulting from a painful sensation. It typically happens during the evening or nighttime when you’re seated or lying down. Movement can ease the unpleasant feeling but only temporarily.

Restless legs syndrome, also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, can sometimes affect the upper limbs, too. It disrupts sleep and daily activities.

Causes of RLS

According to some studies, restless legs syndrome has been identified as a genetic syndrome that can pass from a parent to a biological child. More than 90% of people with RLS have a biological relative with the condition. These patients are known to get symptoms early, before age 45, compared to someone with RLS without the genetic link.

Other potential causes include low iron levels, depression, and diabetes.

Risk Factors & Other Disorders

RLS can develop at any age, though it typically worsens with age and is more common in women than men. It sometimes is present in people with other conditions, including:

  • Peripheral neuropathy, or damage to the nerves in the feet and hands, sometimes triggered by diabetes and alcoholism.
  • Iron deficiency.
  • Kidney failure, which may accompany iron deficiency and anemia. Malfunctioning kidneys mean iron supplies in the blood may decrease. This can cause or worsen symptoms of RLS.
  • Spinal cord conditions, like lesions on the spinal cord due to damage or injury. Spinal block, where anesthesia is applied to the spinal cord, can increase the chance of RLS.
  • People diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease take particular medicine called dopaminergic agonists, which may increase the chance of developing RLS.
  • Periodic limb movement disorder is often paired with RLS. It’s known for leg muscles that contract and jerk dozens of times during sleep.

Can RLS Affect Other Body Parts?

People who report symptoms of restless legs syndrome in their legs have also been diagnosed with a related condition known as restless arm syndrome (RAS). According to a study by the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), “In RAS, the arms are predominantly affected with little or no involvement of the legs.” It’s worth noting that diagnosing RAS in patients with restless legs syndrome is complicated.

Another NIH study called RAS “very rare, with very few cases” recorded in contemporary research. Still, efforts to diagnose restless arm syndrome are lacking, particularly in cases of mild or transient forms of the condition.

In the few reported cases of RAS, the pain appears to be contained in either or both arms, from just below the elbow all the way to the fingertips. Like restless legs syndrome, temporary relief may be possible through arm movements.

Symptoms of either condition may be treated in several ways, including ketamine infusion therapy from a licensed specialty clinic. Talk with your healthcare provider to see if this is a good option for you.

For someone with restless arm syndrome, it’s not unusual to complain of any of the following sensations:

  •  The skin feels like it’s crawling or tingling
  •  Unplanned, jerky arm movements, often when trying to sleep or while resting
  • An uncontrollable desire to move the arms

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, strange sensations and jerky movements in the arms may be a precursor to, or even the first warning sign of, restless legs syndrome.

Diagnosis & Treatment

If you think you have restless legs syndrome or sensations affecting your arms, see a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment options. In most cases, your medical professional will use criteria developed by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group:

  • You have a strong, often irresistible desire to move your legs, generally paired with uncomfortable sensations
  • Your symptoms begin or worsen during resting moments, like when you’re sitting or lying down
  • The symptoms are partly or momentarily relieved by motion like walking or stretching
  • Your symptoms worsen at night

Treatment from a Specialty Clinic is an Option

If you have RLS, your healthcare provider may recommend store-bought pain relievers, prescription medicine, exercise, or lifestyle changes to reduce the discomfort. Another option is ketamine infusion therapy from a specialty clinic, which may keep the symptoms at bay with continual treatment. 

 

Ketamine Used to Treat Substance Abuse Disorder

What Is Substance Abuse Disorder?

According to experts at the Mayo Clinic: “Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person’s brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine also are considered drugs. When you’re addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes.”

Many cases of substance abuse disorder can be treated with ketamine therapy.

Know the Symptoms

  • Using or consuming larger quantities or over extended periods than initially planned.
  • Frequently wanting or ineffectively attempting to limit or control the use of alcohol or drugs.
  • Spending considerable time acquiring, using, or recuperating from using drugs or alcohol.
  • Craving or having an intense urge to use alcohol or drugs.
  • Constant drug or alcohol usage restricts work, school, or home responsibilities.
  • You keep using alcohol or drugs even when you’re aware of the relationship issues and harm it causes to others.

What Are the Risk Factors?

“Risk factors can increase a person’s chances for drug abuse, while protective factors can reduce the risk.” Several factors, including: influence the chance that someone will fall victim to substance abuse

  • Family history
  • You had parents or parental figures who had favorable attitudes towards such behavior
  • Lack of monitoring by parents or authority figures
  • Parental substance use
  • You associate with others who are substance abusers
  • Absence of strong personal relationships
  • Childhood abuse
  • Existing mental health issues

Indicators to Watch For

If you or someone you know has a substance abuse problem, there are indicators to watch for:

  • Problems at school, work or socializing in general
  • A plethora of physical health issues which are readily apparent
  • Lack of concern over personal appearance and hygiene
  • Noticeable changes in behavior, such as secrecy, unusually high need for personal space and boundaries, or sudden changes in behavior and relationships with family and others
  • Money issues related to acquiring favored drugs, alcohol, or other substances which are regularly abused

Ketamine Used to Treat Substance Abuse Disorder

Ketamine is a medicine-first synthesized as an anesthetic in the 1960s and gained approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for human and animal use in 1970. It was field-tested on wounded U.S. troops in Vietnam. Since that time, people have discovered many of its other medicinal uses, including treating conditions like substance abuse disorder.

The medicine is primarily dispensed in low doses intravenously when treating mental illness and other conditions. According to one study reported in Frontiers in Psychiatry, ketamine has shown promise in these areas: “These results suggest that ketamine may facilitate abstinence across multiple substances of abuse and warrants broader investigation in addiction treatment.”

Substance abuse disorder is often influenced by mental illness, with depression being one of the most common mental illnesses experienced by someone battling substance abuse issues. How does it work? 

Ketamine may work to repair or strengthen faulty neurotransmitters in the brain responsible for perceptions of pain and mood and emotional regulation, so quickly in fact that it’s been cited as a better option than certain antidepressants.

Ketamine blocks the NMDA receptors, which play an essential role in mood stability, and delivers serotonin directly to the brain by hindering the NMDA receptors, effectively lowering depression symptoms quickly, often within a few hours.

Unlike other medicine, fewer doses of ketamine are needed and can last several days or longer. The U.S. National Library of Medicine concluded in one study that “ketamine shows great promise as a treatment for various addictions, but well-controlled research is urgently needed.”

Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosing substance abuse is never easy, often because of symptoms that overlap with other conditions. The best person to offer diagnosis and treatment options is a medical or mental health professional specializing in substance abuse. If the abuse is related to a medical condition, the condition may be treatable and thereby reduce substance abuse from happening. A mental health professional may also identify triggers for your illness, such as a personal or family history of mental illness and other risk factors.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicine to make substance use less palatable and recommend psychotherapy or ketamine therapy.

Final Thoughts

If you think you’re experiencing substance abuse disorder, talk with a medical or mental health professional for diagnosis and to learn about treatment options. With time and care, you can regain control of your life.

 

How to Help Someone with Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain is a debilitating chronic pain condition characterized by burning, shooting, or stabbing pain. It is caused by nerve damage resulting from injury, disease, or an infection that affects the nerves.

The damage to the nerves causes them to misfire, sending pain signals to the brain even when there is no actual injury or damage present. Neuropathic pain can take a toll on a person’s physical and mental health, making it difficult to cope with day-to-day life.

Helping Someone with Neuropathic Pain

Watching someone close to you struggle with pain on a daily basis and not being able to do anything to help ease their pain can be heart-wrenching. But there are things you can do to help them better cope and manage their pain.

Encourage Them to Seek Professional Help

If your loved one is dealing with neuropathic pain, the first thing you should do is encourage them to seek help from a doctor or pain specialist. Without proper treatment, neuropathic pain can worsen over time and lead to extensive nerve degeneration.

A doctor will be able to properly diagnose the cause of the pain and develop a treatment plan to help manage the pain and treat the underlying cause. In most cases, a treatment plan will include a combination of medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes.

Educate Yourself about Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain is a complex condition and can be different for everyone. It is essential to educate yourself about the condition and work on being a better source of support for your loved one.

There are a variety of online resources available that can help you learn more about neuropathic pain, its causes, and the available treatment options. The more you know about the condition, the better equipped you’ll be to help your loved one manage their pain.

Encourage Them to Adopt Healthy Lifestyle Habits

Healthy lifestyle changes can go a long way in managing neuropathic pain and preventing further nerve damage. Encourage your loved one to stick to healthy habits like eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and abstaining from alcohol and smoking.

You can also join them on their journey to better health by making healthy lifestyle changes together.

Be There for Them Emotionally

Neuropathic pain can be incredibly frustrating. Your loved ones may feel like they are the only ones struggling or like no one understands what they are going through. It’s vital to be there for them emotionally, whether that means being a shoulder to cry on or just listening to them vent about their pain. 

Offer Practical Help

Neuropathic pain can make it difficult to complete everyday chores like cooking, cleaning, or running errands. If your loved one is struggling, offer to help them around the house or with errands. Taking over some of their responsibilities for even a day can give them a much-needed break to focus on managing their pain and taking care of themselves.

Be Patient

Managing neuropathic pain is a gradual process. There will be good days and bad days. Be patient with your loved one as they explore different treatment options and work toward managing their pain.

Watch Out For Signs of Depression

The psychological strain of living with chronic neuropathic pain can lead to depression and anxiety. If you notice your loved one withdrawing from activities or close friends, or if they seem more irritable and moody than usual, these could be signs of depression. Encourage them to talk to a professional about their feelings or seek treatment if needed. 

Look After Yourself

Caring for someone with a chronic condition is physically and emotionally demanding, and you can burn yourself out if you’re not careful. Make sure to take time for yourself, do things you enjoy, and connect with a support system of your own.

 

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