Depression
09 June 2008
Depression in North America
Clinical depression is the leading cause of disability in North America. The World Health Organization anticipates that by 2020, clinical depressions will be the second leading cause of disability worldwide. Heart disease is expected to continue being number one.
Interestingly, almost twice as many females as males report or receive treatment for clinical depression. However, recent history is showing a lessening of this imbalance. This difference seems to disappear after the age of 50-55. The theoretical causes and risk factors of clinical depression are broadly classified into two categories Physiological and Sociopsychological.
One common sociopsychological cause is life experiences. This includes job loss, long term unemployment, rape, divorce and intimate dysfunction. As the instances of these causes increase in North America, the cases of depression rise as well. A few of the physiological factors prevalent in North America include dietary, medical conditions and even the quality of sleep. The increase in depression in industrialized countries is linked to the reduced amounts of omega-3 fatty acids found in intensively farmed and processed foods.
A deficiency in magnesium levels can cause depression as well as an excess of omega-6 fatty acids. Certain illnesses including cardiovascular disease, prominent in North America, may contribute to depression. Some prescription drugs such as hormonal contraceptives and steroids may also play a roll in causing depression. Abnormal sleep architecture has been found in many people suffering from major depression. This results in entering REM sleep sooner than normal, along with emotionally charged dreams.
Older Cat Care
07 June 2008
Health Care for Older Cats
It may be hard for a pet owner to notice a pet cat getting older. Outside, pet cats may show the same things- playing with toys around the home, taking naps sprawled on a favorite spot inside the home, snuggle up with you on the sofa. But inside, it might be a whole different thing. And health care for cats as they get old may change a little bit.When caring your aging cat, there are some things that a concerned pet owner should know about. When a cat approaches somewhere between the ages of eight or twelve years, this is the equivalent of a human being approaching middle age. This will be the time that your pet cat may be needing a bit of extra attention.Most veterinarian generally estimate that cats start their geriatric years when they reach twelve years. This will be the time that caring for your pet cat would have to change to accommodate the needs that aging brings.A major part of caring for older pet cats involve feeding them. As cats get older, their digestive systems do not function as efficiently as before. Aging cats may need to eat smaller and easily digestible meals in a day rather than just two square meals. Try also to make sure that you give your cat a variety of food to eat to ensure that it gets a well balanced diet.
There are also a number of cat food now available as food for the different life stages of your pet cat. There is cat food that is specially formulated for older cats as well as for the less active ones. The best advice in feeding your aging pet cat would be to ask your vet about the nutritional needs of your cat.When cats age, they also start to lead a less active lifestyle. Whereas cats enjoy playing around and hunting during their younger years, older cats seem to prefer spending more time quietly around the home. This would be a benefit for some pet owners since they no longer have to worry about their once playful cat overturning and breaking things around the house. But this sedentary lifestyle would not be good for the cat.Even though your pet cat would you may still need to keep them active since the exercise would help keep them healthy. Try to have them active as often as possible to keep them active. As they age, cats may also need to have their vaccinations up to date. Older cats have a less efficient immune system and may need vaccinations to keep them protected from diseases.Dental problems may also become a concern for old cats when they become prone to having loose teeth, tartar buildup, and sore gums. This can have a big effect on your pet cat's well-being. Dental problems may be the reason why they are not eating well. A regular dental check up might be needed as part of health care for old cats.