by Tess Thompson

Over 20 million adults in the U.S. are suffering from depression, and many of them have explored the use of antidepressant medication to help alleviate their symptoms. Not all people who suffer from depression choose to use medication; oftentimes, therapy alone is enough to successfully treat the condition. But those who do are faced with a variety of options — including herbal ones.

Antidepressants are more widely used to treat serious depression than mild depression. There are several kinds of antidepressants, all of which work slightly differently. One common type is the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). This type of medication specifically targets the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is essential in monitoring mood. Commonly prescribed SSRIs include Prozac, Paxil, Luvox and Zoloft.

Another kind of antidepressant is the monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). MAOIs are usually only recommended to patients with atypical symptoms, and are not usually the first type of antidepressant prescribed to a person. If a patient is not responding to other types of antidepressants, a doctor may recommend an MAOI. MAOIs work by reducing the amount of monoamine oxidase in the brain. Monoamine oxidase is the substance that breaks down neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepenephrine, which help regulate mood. Reducing the amount of monoamine oxidase in the system can help restore brain chemical balance. Nardil and Parnate are examples of MAOIs.

While prescription antidepressants can work for some patients, they also produce an alarming amount of side effects in many cases. Sexual dysfunction, nausea, diarrhea and headaches are just a few of the commonly reported side effects. Even more disturbingly, these medications can also cause thoughts of suicide, particularly in younger patients.

Many who are fed up with the side effects of antidepressants (or who simply don’t want to risk them in the first place) turn instead to natural remedies for depression. Some remedies have proven to be so effective that they outsell prescription medications in some markets. St. John’s Wort, for example, is one of the herbal treatments for depression that works so well that in Germany, it outsells many major prescription antidepressants. St. John’s Wort is believed to boost serotonin levels in the brain, naturally lifting spirits and alleviating feelings of depression.

There are many other natural ingredients that are effective in treating depression, including passion flower, ginko biloba, and kava kava, among others. You should always consult a doctor before beginning or ending any prescription medication, and if you decide to pursue the option of treating depression naturally, remember to give the medication time to take effect. Whatever choice you make, patience and perseverance in exploring the options on your list of depression medication will ultimately lead you to a happier, healthier life.

Should you use an antibiotic to treat acne?

In persistent cases of acne that do not respond to topical treatment, an antibiotic alternative is usually exercised by doctors. An antibiotic is a drug, synthetic or natural, that kills bacterial proteins while inhibiting bacterial growth alongside.

If it was limited to this action, antibiotics would be the most preferred treatment for numerous bacterial disorders including acne. However, antibiotics cannot differentiate between bacterial proteins and cellular proteins that are part of the body cells. And this is what causes the negative effects of antibiotics, commonly known as side effects.

Tetracycline is the most common and the first-use antibiotic for acne. It is a broad spectrum antibiotic and also the least expensive. Tetracycline and its derivative, Doxycycline, are taken on an empty stomach or at least two to three hours after meals as food restricts absorption of the drug. Minocycline, another tetracycline derivative, on the other hand is easily absorbed and can be taken with food.

Tetracycline has the least side effects. But over time, there has been an increased antibiotic resistance towards the drug and it does not seem to work as well these days. This necessitated the development of its derivatives. Doxycycline makes the skin sensitive to sun requiring sun protection every time you go out. Both the derivatives also tend to cause gastrointestinal problems.

Erythromycin is a microlide antibiotic with an antimicrobial spectrum that is wider than that of penicillin. It acts on the protein synthesis of bacteria and slows bacterial growth. The gastrointestinal upsets like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain that it can cause are extremely disturbing.

Taken over long periods some antibiotics may cause toxicity including liver toxicity. These antibiotics should also not be ingested during pregnancy. Some antihistamines and antacids may interact with other antibiotics making it imperative to consult a doctor. On the other hand, herbal antibiotics such as garlic, aloe and fruit based mild acids do not have any side effects.

Acne affects two third of all adolescents one time or the other and a considerable proportion of adults as well. An oily skin or a bacterial invasion on a sensitive area is the main causes behind the outbreak. Topical creams do not have the same effect on every one due to difference in types of skin. The urgency for seeking treatment is obvious since if not capped immediately, the infection can spread over a larger area.

Acne is an inflammatory disorder of the skin. The approach to acne treatment may either be direct or indirect. Topical ointments and drugs form the major part of the direct treatment modalities. There is a strong belief that the hormonal changes that occur at puberty are responsible for occurrence of acne.

When the level of testosterone increases the body secretes hormone like substances to fight the inflammation caused by it. Immune system health and acne are thus interrelated and a strong immune system can effectively prevent acne. A healthy lifestyle that avoids junk food, regular exercise and herbs for strengthening immune system are natural means of preventing and fighting acne.