Intense debilitating headaches, termed migraines, have a profound effect on everyday life. The National Headache Foundation indicates that personal relationships, jobs and daily habits are adversely affected by constant migraines. According to the...
Tricyclic antidepressants, or TCAs, were among the first drugs marketed in the U.S. to treat depression. Their use continues despite the introduction of several other groups of antidepressant medications. TCAs, like all prescription...
Although tricyclic antidepressants were commonly prescribed because of their effectiveness, many doctors now tend to prescribe selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressants first, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, tricyclic...
Chronic muscle pain, also known as myofascial pain syndrome, causes pain that is centered around sensitive areas of the muscle called "trigger points." This results in the spread of pain throughout the muscle. Common treatment for lasting muscle...
The number of people afflicted with Alzheimer's disease in the United States is expected to swell to 13.2 million. There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease according to the the Alzheimer's Society. Present medications can only reduce or delay the...
If you have a problem such as a herniated disc in your spinal column, it may put pressure on your sciatic nerve. This nerve connects your spine down through your body from the lower back to your feet at the rear of your legs. Sciatica is the...
Several classes of drugs are used as medicine for depression. These drugs are often referred to as antidepressants. Depression is the most common mood disorder that is treated with antidepressants, although they may also be used to treat anxiety,...
Depression is feeling sad or down for a long period of time, usually 3 months or more. Antidepressants are medications used for the treatment of depression. They correct the imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain to improve symptoms of...
Minor depression is a lesser form of depression, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). People with minor depression have two to four depression symptoms, compared to five or more symptoms in major depression, which last for at...
Antidepressants are medications for treating anxiety and depressive disorders. They work by interfering with the neurotransmitter levels in the brain, thus improving the patient's mood and decreasing the symptoms of the mood disorder. Multiple...
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, depression is one of the most treatable psychological disorders, with 80 to 90 percent of those treated showing some relief from their symptoms. Pharmacological treatment is one...
Millions use sleeping pills to get to sleep every night. In fact, over 20% of older Americans use some kind of sleeping pill, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (they do not define a range for "older"). Knowing the benefits and...
Major depressive disorder is a mood disorder characterized by depressed mood or loss of interest in activities accompanied by insomnia or sleeping too much, fatigue, changes in appetite or weight, feeling hopeless or worthless, difficulties with...
Depression is a mood disorder in which patients experience immense sadness, irritability and self-blame. When the symptoms are left unchecked, they can escalate to thoughts and attempts of suicide. For some patients, the symptoms of depression are...
Depression is a psychological disorder characterized by extremely low or sad moods that affect both physical and social activities. It is commonly believed that depression may be caused by an imbalance of chemicals, such as serotonin,...
Depression generally is treated by a combination of psychotherapy and medications. Many different types of medications are available to treat depression, and the first one prescribed may not be right for you. It may take several trials of...
Depression is a serious condition that demands treatment. The combination of antidepressants and psychotherapy is most effective for treating depression, as reported in the May 18, 2000, issue of "The New England Journal of Medicine." Despite...
Fighting depression often involves both psychotherapy and various medications to control or alleviate symptoms. Such medications have been available to the general public since the late 1950s and early 1960s. In the decades that have followed, new...
Medications for depression are divided into major classes including tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. These medications are available...
Medication is often used to manage the symptoms of an anxiety disorder. Antidepressants, anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) and beta blocker medications are given most often, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). However, according...
Adult attention deficit disorder is a condition characterized by hyperactivity and impulsiveness, says MedlinePlus. Typically, ADD is found in children but this condition can also extend through adulthood. This condition appears to have a genetic...
Ginkgo biloba is an herb that has been extensively studied and researched throughout the world. Ginkgo has been used for centuries in traditional Eastern cultures, often to treat circulatory disorders and to improve memory. The ginkgo tree is the...
Over 10 million people in America suffer from bipolar disorder, according to the National Alliance of Mental Illness. This disorder produces alternating, recurring episodes of mania and depression and usually requires lifelong treatment....
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for determining the safety of a drug for its labeled usage based on data from clinical trials. Numerous drugs across several classes have been approved for the treatment of depression. The...
In a given year, depression affects nearly 10 percent of Americans over the age of 18. Its effects can be devastating, leading to disability, chronic illness and even suicide. Depression is, however, highly treatable, with 80 to 90 percent of...
Most antidepressants work by manipulating the way certain chemicals in the brain function, but each type may act in a slightly different way or affect different brain chemicals. Antidepressants are put into specific classifications depending upon...
An antidepressant is the generic term for several classes of drugs used to treat various mood disorders--most commonly depression. Antidepressants do not have dependency risks, and second- and third-generation drugs have fewer side effects than...
