Why neurasthenia occurs

Neurasthenia - one of the most common diseases of modern representative of the genus homo sapiens, which is associated with a permanent stay of most of us in a negative psychogenic atmosphere. Fast pace of life, high intensity labor process, a constant build-up of professional requirements to experts, often appearing emotionally stressful situations (exams, inspections, personnel certification for compliance with the post, the annual, half-yearly, quarterly reports and more), the unstable economic situation and uncertainty tomorrow together have a serious psychological burden.

These circumstances may be jeopardized by insufficient wages, tensions in the working team, family problems and other personal issues. Therefore there is nothing surprising in the fact that among the "popular" disease of the civilized population neurasthenia is one of the leading, most often neurotic manifestations highly affected residents of large cities.

Unfortunately, neurasthenia - is one of those pathologies, against which there is no immunity Immunity - types and characteristics in children in adults As the cause of the disease lies in the depths of the human brain. In fact, neurotic under appropriate conditions can be absolutely each of us. Among these conditions is the increased leading and long-lasting production capacity, mainly related to mental work. Of course, each person is individual, so the maximum intensity and duration of the load, we can withstand without consequences for the nervous system, each of us is different. In this regard, much depends on the type of the human nervous system. For example, a person with unstable character are more prone to neurasthenia, than people with steady and stable nervous constitution.

Manifestations

What is the manifest neurosis? The first signs that you should pay attention to include diffuse headache, dizziness Dizziness - if the ground is slipping from under his feet   and sleep disorders. This headache occurs more and more frequently, do not have a specific location, and covers almost the entire upper half of the head and is oppressive in nature, so that this symptom was aptly titled "neurasthenic helmet." Vertigo also has its own characteristics: the patient does not lose a sense of balance and objects around him, "whirl", but he is still a feeling of instability of the environment, which is based on a kind of "inside" and reinforced with a load on the nervous system, whether the execution of official duties or manifestation of emotions Emotions and culture: how to decipher the emotional code . Sleep disorders are manifested difficulty in falling asleep, shallow sleep, frequent awakenings, negative dreams Dreams: how to understand our dreams   (including nightmares), whereby the patient can not relax and recover.

It is very important from the point of view of the correct diagnosis of neurasthenia is a sign of the fruitfulness of the work is low .  In the initial stages of development of neurasthenia is due to the fact that the patient loses the ability to focus on getting the job, his attention is scattered by the objects surrounding background, his annoying and distracting the slightest noise, moves employees, phone calls, passing trucks outside the window, and so on .  The sounds and smells of bright light or overly neurotic not only hinder, but are able to make him an inappropriate response, up to an emotional breakdown and conflict in the working team .  Naturally, colleagues, seeing this human condition, start to avoid contact with him .  In the course of solving a problem because of the attention to the patient raskontsentratsii neurasthenia forced frequently interrupted, causing the performance of the work may take a long time .  In turn, this can cause a note from management that even a strong blow to the emotional state of a person who because of their disease tends to exaggerate any troubles and deeply worry about it .

With the development of the clinical picture of neurasthenia to the added fatigue, increasing deterioration of attention and memory, depression, and somatic symptoms on the part of the cardiovascular, digestive and urinary systems.

Treatment should be symptomatic and tonic, it is important to comply with the regime of the day, but the greatest effect has psychotherapeutic influence.

Zhiguli Andrew

How are serotonin and depression

Many scientists believe that serotonin imbalance affects the mood, so that this can lead to depression. Among the possible problems of low production of serotonin cells in the brain, lack of cell receptors of serotonin, the inability to reach serotonin receptors, the lack of tryptophan. According to the researchers, if there is one of these biochemical problems are possible consequences of such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, panic, anger attacks.

One theory on the development of depression is that the regeneration of marrow cells - a process which takes place by means of serotonin throughout our lives. Depression, according to this theory, occurs when cells are suppressed, which may occur due to stress How to beat stress? Create an oasis . Antidepressants, which are designed to increase the level of serotonin contribute to the emergence of new brain cells, which in turn allows you to get rid of depression.

Although the notion that a lack of serotonin plays a role in causing depression is widespread, there is no way to measure its levels in the brain. Therefore, there is no reliable data on the level of serotonin in the development of depression or mental disorders. You can measure the level of serotonin in the blood - and it turns out to be lower in people who suffer from depression - but the scientists can not say whether reflects the level of serotonin in the blood of its level in the brain.

In addition, scientists do not know is whether the fall in the level of serotonin depression, or vice versa, depression causes a drop in serotonin levels.

Antidepressants that affect serotonin levels - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and noradrenaline (SIOZSiN) - reduce the symptoms of depression Depression - a little more than a bad mood But their mechanism of action is not fully understood.

Can diet affect the level of serotonin

Can, but only indirectly. Unlike, for example, the calcium level in the blood which can be increased by eating foods rich in calcium, there are no products that directly would increase the level of serotonin. However, some products may increase the level of tryptophan, an amino acid, which is produced from serotonin.

Protein-rich foods such as meat or poultry, contains large amounts of tryptophan. It is also found in dairy products, and nuts. However, oddly enough, the levels of serotonin and tryptophan are reduced immediately after a meal rich in protein. Why is this happening? The blood is too much tryptophan and other amino acids, they seem to vie for something to get into the brain. But there gets only a small amount of tryptophan and serotonin levels are not increased.

However, if you'll use food rich in carbohydrates, it triggers the release of insulin The principles of action of insulin - the science of saving lives . This in turn causes an amino acid in the blood absorbed into the cells of the body, but not the brain. The only exception is tryptophan. It remains in the blood in large quantities and can freely get into the brain, therefore, increase the level of serotonin.

It can still help sufficient amount of vitamin B-6, which affects the level of tryptophan is converted into serotonin.

Does exercise increase the level of serotonin

Exercises improve mood. Studies show that regular exercise can be as effective in treating depression as medication or psychotherapy. Previously it was thought that the necessary regular classes for a few weeks to notice the influence of this depression, but recent studies show that even forty-minute workout is enough to have an immediate effect on mood.

The exact mechanism of the effect of sport on mood is not yet clear. Some scientists believe that exercise affect the level of serotonin, but the precise evidence of this yet.

What is serotonin syndrome

Antidepressants SSRIs are generally considered safe. However, there are rare side effects - serotonin syndrome, which can occur when serotonin levels in the brain rise too much. Usually this happens when simultaneously using two or more drugs that affect serotonin levels.

For example, if you are taking medication for migraine triptans and SSRIs for depression at the same time, resulting in serotonin levels can be significantly higher than the normal range. The same can happen if you are taking food supplements Food additives - basic classification   SSRIs, such as those containing St. John's wort.

Problems may arise at the beginning of the medication or with increasing dosage. It is also possible the emergence of serotonin syndrome when combined with SSRIs to older antidepressants known as MAOIs. Finally, the syndrome can cause drug - ecstasy or LSD.

The syndrome manifests itself in a few minutes or even hours after taking the drug, symptoms include restlessness, hallucinations, increased heart rate, fever, sweating, loss of coordination, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and pressure surges.

Although this is a rare complication, it is dangerous and requires emergency medical assistance. Treatment involves the abolition of the drug, dropper, receiving muscle relaxants and drugs that block the production of serotonin.