The pharmacological treatment of depression

Article Abstract:

There are subgroups of patients with depression, in the same way that there are subgroups of patients with high blood pressure. Neither of these diseases represents a single condition with a specific cause nor is there a single treatment. Diagnosis of depression is based on several standardized criteria. The distinction between major depression and bipolar depression (manic-depressive illness) is important because the treatments are different, and the wrong treatment can aggravate the condition. The symptoms of depression are discussed, and the prognoses for different types are given. Response to treatment is believed to be dependent on biochemical and physiologic findings, although there are no definitive biologic markers of depression, and no biologic measures of the effectiveness of treatment. The use and the potential side effects of antidepressant drugs, including the tricyclics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and newer agents, are discussed. Electroconvulsive therapy is highly effective when used to treat delusional depression, but there is less agreement about its use for other conditions. When drugs cannot be used, or when the patient is unresponsive to medication, electroconvulsive shock may be effective for severe depression. During the next few years it is likely that several new drug treatments will become available for depression. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Drug therapy, Depression, Mental, Depression (Mood disorder), Antidepressants, Electroconvulsive therapy, Electroshock, Antidepressants, Tricyclic, Tricyclic antidepressants, Monoamine oxidase

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Medical disorders of alcoholism

Article Abstract:

Alcoholism has adverse effects on many organs and physiological processes. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause malnutrition, because alcohol often replaces more nutritious sources of energy and inhibits the function of some digestive organs. Metabolically, alcohol may lead to the build up of acetaldehyde which slows cellular metabolism and protein synthesis, and can cause cell death. Alcohol also increases levels of cytochrome P-4502E1 which converts various drugs to toxic substances. Alcoholism may also increase the risk of hepatitis, heart disease, gastritis, and cancers of the respiratory and digestive tracts. Repeated alcohol consumption causes the build up of fatty cells in the liver which may become fibrous and cause cirrhosis. Less alcohol may be required to cause the same adverse effects in women than in men. Treatment of alcoholism may involve both psychological treatment and administration of drugs to curb complications. More effort should be made to prevent organ damage in earlier stages of alcoholism.

Health aspects, Complications and side effects, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Alcohol poisoning, Alcoholic myopathy

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