Major depressive disorder is a common occurrence seen in many people: about 17.3 million adults and 1.9 million children between the ages of 3 and 17 in the country are diagnosed with the disorder. Such a condition can lead to symptoms such as an irregular appetite, lack of energy, and trouble sleeping. Among other mechanisms to manage depression, following certain tips can also help an individual improve how they cope with the condition. Initiating treatments The first essential step for coping with major depressive disorder is initiating a treatment plan. A healthcare professional may recommend psychotherapy (talk therapy) to treat moderate to severe depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy is often the preferred option when it comes to tackling depression. Healthcare experts may recommend Rexulti® (brexpiprazole) for depression. The patient must take the tablet in combination with antidepressants as prescribed by the doctor. The dosage is also prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia (a common depression trigger) in adult and pediatric patients aged 13 years and older. Rexulti® can be taken once daily with or without food. Caplyta® (lumateperone) is another prescription known to tackle episodes of depression associated with bipolar depression in adults. The prescription is administered by itself or by combining it with lithium or valproate.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic or long-term condition of the brain and spinal cord, the two main parts of the central nervous system. The disease affects each individual differently, causing varied and unpredictable symptoms like weakness, vision problems, and bowel issues. It occurs when the immune system attacks myelin, the protective layer insulating wire-like nerve fibers. While there’s no known cure yet, there are multiple ways to manage multiple sclerosis: Treatment options Several treatments are available for multiple sclerosis. Doctors may prescribe the following treatments to help patients manage the disease. PONVORY® The FDA has approved PONVORY® (ponesimod) for treating relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, including relapsing-remitting disease, active secondary progressive disease, and clinically isolated syndrome. It can lower relapse episodes and the number of lesions and slow down disease progression. PONVORY® is thought to work by reducing the number of immune cells, called lymphocytes, in the blood. It’s an oral treatment usually taken once a day with or without food. Some common side effects include upper respiratory tract infections, elevated liver enzymes (abnormal liver tests), and high blood pressure. KESIMPTA® KESIMPTA® (ofatumumab) is an FDA-approved treatment for adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. It’s a monoclonal antibody that works by depleting some immune B cells, which have been thought to contribute to nervous system damage in the disease.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD), in most cases, develops as an uncommon side effect of specific existing neurological prescriptions. Patients develop visible facial symptoms, including lip smacking, rapid blinking, and tongue thrusting, among others. These symptoms are triggered due to basic involuntary muscle contractions as the brain releases excess dopamine when one has tardive dyskinesia. There is no cure, but read on to know the prescriptions, treatments, and suggested lifestyle changes for the condition: Prescriptions for tardive dyskinesia One of the primary treatment methods suggested by specialists is the prevention of the symptoms and minimizing the risk of progression. Several FDA-approved prescriptions have proven to be effective in managing symptoms. Ingrezza® Ingrezza® once-a-day capsules are approved for treating and managing motor control issues linked to tardive dyskinesia. Adults can take the daily dose as suggested by their healthcare providers to manage specific facial and body movements that are involuntarily triggered during the disease progression. It controls the brain’s release of dopamine, one of the primary hormones linked to motor control, to prevent uncoordinated movements. Several clinical trials conducted revealed that the symptoms were managed within a period of six to eight weeks with a daily prescription. Continued use further improved outlook and quality of life among those dealing with moderate to severe symptoms.

Migraines are unbearable headaches that can last for hours or even days. About 17.1% of women and 5.6% of men in the country suffer from the condition. There are various stages of a migraine attack, such as prodrome, aura, attack, and postdrome. A common trigger for migraines is osmophobia, where strong odors trigger the condition. Health experts say migraines are also triggered by genetics, bright lights, hormonal changes, and several other factors such as: Car exhaust The amount of vehicular traffic on the road ensures that one passes by hundreds of automobiles every day. They may even drive one to work and other destinations. However, this simple occurrence could be triggering migraine symptoms in an individual. Cars give out carbon monoxide (CO), which is an odorless, colorless gas and is a byproduct of engine combustion. Once inhaled, the gas can stay inside for several hours. Pesticides Pesticides can be chemical substances, biological agents like a virus, bacterium, antimicrobial, or disinfectants. They are created to prevent or eliminate pests that may damage crops and other vegetation in farms and other regions. However, properties in pesticides such as DDT, chlordane, and toxaphene can negatively impact the human body. These chemicals can trigger migraines that can last for hours.

Cancer is a term used to describe a group of diseases caused due to the growth and multiplication of abnormal cells in the body. Breast cancer is when this abnormal growth starts in the breast. Around one in eight women are at risk of developing the condition. The most common sign is a lump in the breast or armpit. Here are some treatments, nutritional choices, and lifestyle changes that can help manage breast cancer: Get the right treatment Unfortunately, there is no cure for breast cancer yet. The various available treatments focus on reducing this condition’s symptoms and slowing cancer’s spread. Popular options include oral therapies, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Here is a closer look at two well-known treatments: CAR T-cell therapy CAR-T cell therapy (chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy) is a form of immunotherapy that can help treat many different types of cancer. It uses the individual’s own immune cells to fight the harmful cells in the body. Immune cells, or T cells, are extracted from the patient’s blood and modified in a laboratory. The modified cells are then injected back into the bloodstream. They are now more capable of fighting the disease. Over the last few years, CAR-T cell therapy has progressed significantly.

Many people don’t realize the importance of building and maintaining strong and healthy bones until their bones begin to weaken. Bones protect vital organs and store important nutrients and minerals. However, common diseases like osteoporosis, which affects about 10 million people in the country, can make the bone weak and more likely to break. Fortunately, osteoporosis and other diseases that affect the bone can be managed and even prevented with these simple tips: Treatment options For women with osteoporosis, an excellent treatment option is EVENITY®. The FDA has approved it to treat osteoporosis in women after menopause. Those looking for an effective bone strengthening treatment must know that EVENITY® works in two ways to treat osteoporosis: it boosts the body’s natural ability to form new bone and reduces bone loss simultaneously. It’s one of the only treatments to target these two critical aspects of bone health simultaneously. Studies conducted on EVENITY® found that it helps build new bones rapidly and reduces the risk of spine fracture in 12 months. It consists of two shots (single dose) given under the skin monthly by a healthcare provider. Like every other treatment, EVENITY® comes with certain side effects. The most common side effects are joint pain and headaches.

Maintaining bone health becomes increasingly important with age, as the risk of developing bone-related issues, along with fractures and bone collapse, increases as one gets older. Experts suggest that taking up balance and stability exercises can help older adults limit and prevent falls, which may lead to injuries. However, certain diseases can cause bone loss. So here are a few health conditions that could affect the bones, along with common symptoms and treatment options. Osteopetrosis This condition is also known as the Marble bone disease or the Albers-Schonberg disease. It is characterized by increased bone density, making the bones extremely heavy and brittle. They also become weak and incapable of supporting the body. Not only does osteoporosis affect the bones, but it also attacks the bone marrow, which is crucial for fighting infections in the body. This marrow is also responsible for carrying oxygen and helping control bleeding in the body. Symptoms: Fractures, deafness, facial nerve paralysis, low blood cell production, and loss of the cranial nerve function that can lead to blindness are common symptoms of osteopetrosis. Treatment options: The doctor may recommend hormone therapy for both men and post-menopausal women as a treatment option. Some other invasive therapy options as well, which can be prescribed by the doctor if necessary.

Hyperhidrosis, also known as excessive sweating, is a condition where an individual sweats excessively, not necessarily due to heat or exercise. The sweating may be so severe that it drips through clothes, becoming a source of embarrassment. Thankfully, several treatments help reduce sweating and other symptoms, and surgical interventions are also available for severe cases. But it is necessary to know the reason behind it. Below are a few causes of hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating: Pregnancy A primary cause of hyperhidrosis is pregnancy. During pregnancy, blood flow increases throughout the body, making women feel warmer and causing excessive sweating. Hormones also tend to fluctuate significantly during gestation, which is a trigger for perspiration. It is more common in the first and third trimesters and can also occur postpartum or after delivery when hormones begin to settle down. Menopause Menopause is another reason why a woman’s hormones fluctuate. Hot flashes are the most familiar symptom during this time, caused due to ever-changing levels of estrogen in the body. The fluctuation of this hormone suddenly causes the individual to feel warm and sweat excessively. Nighttime sweats are pretty common in the perimenopausal period. Eating non-spicy food, sitting under a fan, or dressing in light layers help reduce the discomfort associated with extreme sweating caused by menopause.

Although sugar is essential, people deem it unhealthy. That is because not all sugars are the same; natural sugars like fructose and lactose found in fruits, vegetables, and dairy products are healthy. These sugars are found in small amounts and contain healthy doses of fiber and calcium. However, added sugars in most processed foods can often lead to health troubles, as they have no nutritional value. Here are ten signs you’re eating too much sugar: Increased hunger and weight gain Although sugar satisfies the taste buds, it does not fill our stomachs. Processed foods rich in sugar generally lack protein, fiber, and healthy fats, and our body burns through this sugar quickly, making us feel more hungry and snacky. Consumption of extra calories may result in weight gain. High sugar intake also disrupts metabolism and the ability to process lipids and cholesterol, affecting hunger patterns and weight gain. Frequent urination Persistently high blood glucose makes the kidneys work overtime to filter and absorb the additional sugar. When the kidneys cannot keep up, the excess sugar goes into the urine, taking along fluids from the body’s tissues. This can cause dehydration. As a result, one might feel frequent urges to drink more fluids, which results in frequent urination.

Eczema is a condition that leads to red, dry, and scaly patches of skin on the body that itch. It affects roughly 31 million people in the country in different age groups and can be caused due to allergens or genetics. Various treatment options help tackle this skin disorder, and individuals can also try home remedies to manage symptoms and keep their skin healthy. Here are some types of soaps that can trigger eczema flare-ups: Soaps with harsh cleaners One of the things that can trigger and worsen eczema is a harsh chemical or cleaner. Unfortunately, most soaps are often filled to the brim with harsh cleansers, which could be terrible for those suffering from eczema or other skin conditions. The only way to avoid this is to steer clear of such soaps. One method to identify products with harsh chemicals is to keep an eye on the label. Look for words like parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and even triclosan. Avoiding soaps with harsh chemicals will help protect the skin barrier, retain natural proteins, and maintain moisturizing factors to prevent dryness and eczema breakouts. Instead of harsh chemicals, one should use soaps with a pH-balanced formula. Fragranced soaps Fragranced soaps are also best avoided with eczema.