Depression not only affects your mood, it also has a negative impact on your physical health. Depression can cause a series of physical events leading to other diseases, both acute and chronic. Depression is often unrecognized or under-treated, and it is important to recognize that it can have a negative effect on the body.
Heart Disease
Depression can affect heart health. Patients with depression can experience increased inflammation of the blood vessels that leads to heart attack from blood clots. Individuals with existing heart disease can experience worsening symptoms. For patients with heart failure, depression leads to more hospitalizations and can increase the chances of having a second heart attack.
Pain
Depression can cause pain and make pain worse. Individuals who suffer from depression might complain of headache or back pain that has no physical basis. Researchers are not certain why depression causes this pain, but it is thought to be linked to the limbic region of the brain, where we experience pleasure. The same pathway that leads to depression also influences pain---both conditions share the same chemical messengers.
Sleep
Depression can interfere with sleep. Poor quality of sleep is linked to a variety of health conditions that decrease quality of life and increase the risk of developing other chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, alcohol abuse and shortened lifespan. Difficulty falling asleep, awakening frequently and inability to sleep are signs of poor sleep quality that are linked to depression. Some people with depression sleep too much, making it difficult to keep up with family and other activities of daily living.
Sexual Dysfunction
Depression can also lead to sexual dysfunction that can further destroy psychological and physical well-being for men and women. Patients who take medications to treat depression have higher incidences of sexual dysfunction that include lack of sexual interest and enjoyment. Obtaining an erection may become difficult in the presence of treated or untreated depression.
Immunity
Disorders of the immune system are also associated with depression. Depression causes systemic inflammation that affects the entire body by sending out harmful chemicals known as cytokines, which in turn lead to autoimmune disorders such as Crohn's disease, arthritis and psoriasis. Inflammation associated with depression has also been implicated for the development of many diseases including cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Also, infections occur more frequently in patients who suffer from symptoms of depression.
Appetite
Depression has an effect on appetite that can lead to poor nutrition or undesirable weight gain. Either overeating or undereating can occur. Medications taken to treat depression can also affect appetite as a side effect.
Focus on Treatment
Depression affects the body in a variety of ways that can have long-term health consequences, making treatment an important focus for avoiding chronic illness associated with depression symptoms.
