ARE YOU DEPRESSED ?

Yes you may be depressed if you have the following complaints .

   Agitation

   Restlessness

   Dramatic change in appetite ,   weight gain or loss

   Hopelessness and helplessness

   Lack of concentration

   Suicidal thoughts

   Difficulty to sleep or excessive   sleeping

AT LEAST FIVE OF THE SYMPTOMS SHOULD BE PRESENT FOR ATLEAST TWO WEEKS

                                                    
                                                          
 WHAT ARE RISK FACTORS FOR DEPRESSION

  

   Loneliness

   Lack of social support

   Stressful life experiences

   Marital disharmony

   Financial strain

   Early childhood trauma or abuse

                                                Family history of
                                                depression

                                                 Unemployment

                                                     

  

 HOW TO PREVENT YOURSELF

  Making supportive relation
  Practicing regular exercise
  Eating healthy diet
  Practicing relaxing techniques
  Keeping yourself busy
  Improving attitude
  Positive thinking

                                                   

                                                                                                         

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE : A SILENT KILLER

Hypertension is a silent killer because most of the times it is not evident until and unless it is severe .

Are you at high risk of having hypertension

Yes if you

  Are African American

  Are obese

  Are often stressed or anxious

  Eat too much salt in your diet

  Have a family history of high blood   pressure

  Have diabetes

  Smoke

EFFECTS OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

If your blood pressure is high you are at risk of all these conditions .

Heart attack

Failure of the kidneys

Failure of the heart      

Damage to eyes and loss of vision

Stroke

PREVENTION OF HYPERTENSION

You can reduce your risk of being hypertensive by taking these simple measures

Reduce salt intake to less than 5 g/day

Moderate fat and alcohol consumption

Weight reduction

Regular exercise

Avoid stress

Do not smoke