Medical

What is depression and what can I do about it? By Laura Goldman   Sadness, feeling down and having a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities are familiar feelings for all of us. But if they persist and affect our lives substantially, the issue may be depression. Depression is the  main cause of disability  worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It can affect adults, adolescents, and children. In this article, learn what depression is and what causes it. We also describe the types, their treatments, and more. Definition A person with depression may experience persistent sadness. Depression is a mood disorder that involves a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It is different from the mood fluctuations that people regularly experience as a part of life. Major life events, such as bereavement or the loss of a job,  can lead to  depression. However, doctors only consider feelings of grief to be part of de

Everything you need to know about hypertension Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure. It can lead to severe health complications and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and sometimes death. Blood pressure  is the force that a person's blood exerts against the walls of their blood vessels. This pressure depends on the resistance of the blood vessels and how hard the heart has to work. Almost  half of all adults  in the United States have  high blood pressure , but many are not aware of this fact. Hypertension is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including  stroke ,  heart attack ,  heart failure , and  aneurysm . Keeping blood pressure under control is vital for preserving health and reducing the risk of these dangerous conditions. In this article, we explain why blood pressure can increase, how to monitor it, and ways to keep it within a normal range. Management and treatment Lifestyle adjustments are the standard, fir