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What Is Erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. In the past, erection problems were simply called "impotence". Now, the term erectile dysfunction is more commonly used, and sometimes people simply use the initials ED. The word impotence may also be used to describe other problems that interfere with sexual intercourse and reproduction, such as:

• Lack of sexual desire
• Problems with ejaculation or orgasm.

Using the term ED makes it clear that those other problems are not involved.

Understanding the Penis and Erections

Hormones, blood vessels, nerves, and muscles must all work together to make an erection. The brain starts an erection by sending nerve signals to the penis when it senses sexual stimulation or arousal. Touching may cause this arousal. Another trigger may be something a person sees or hears. It may even be a sexual thought or dream. The nerve signals sent from the brain cause the muscles within the penis to relax and let blood flow into the spongy tissue within the penis. Blood collects in this tissue like water filling a sponge. As a result, the penis becomes larger and firmer, like an inflated balloon. The veins in the area then become closed off to keep blood from flowing out.

What Causes Erectile dysfunction?

There are a number of causes for ED. In older men, the cause of Erectile dysfunction is usually due to a physical problem, such as:

• Injury
• Side effects of drugs
• Disease
• Depression
• Psychology
• Action of an environment

Any disorder that causes injury to the nerves or impairs blood flow in the penis has the potential to cause ED. The incidence of Erectile dysfunction increases with age. About 5 percent of 40-year-old men and between 15 percent and 25 percent of 65-year-old men experience ED. However, it is not an inevitable part of aging.

Treatment Options for ED

Erectile dysfunction is treatable at any age, and awareness of this fact has been growing. More men have been seeking treatment and returning to normal sexual activity because of improved, successful ED treatments. Treatment options for ED include:

• Lifestyle changes
• Counseling
• Medications
• Vacuum device
• Implanted devices.

Statistics

Erectile dysfunction can be a total inability to achieve erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections. These variations make defining it and estimating its incidence difficult. Depending on the definition used, anywhere from 15 million to 30 million American men are affected by ED. According to the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS), for every 1,000 men in the United States, 7.7 physician office visits were made for ED in 1985. By 1999, the rate of visits for Erectile dysfunction had nearly tripled to 22.3. The increase happened gradually, presumably as treatments such as vacuum devices and injectable drugs became more widely available and discussing Erectile dysfunction became more acceptable. Perhaps the most publicized advance in Erectile dysfunction treatment was the introduction of the oral drug sildenafil citrate (Viagra^®) in March 1998. NAMCS data on new drugs show an estimated 2.6 million mentions of Viagra at physician office visits in 1999, and one-third of those mentions occurred during visits for a diagnosis other than Erectile dysfunction.

Summary

Key information about ED includes the following:

• Erectile dysfunction is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse
• It usually has a physical cause
• It is treatable at all ages
• Treatments for ED can include psychotherapy, drug therapy, vacuum devices, and surgery.

'Russian scam brides' is a never ending exciting subject of online publications. In this article, the burning questions and complaints about hot Russian brides are discussed.

Are Russian brides true or scam? Russian brides are TRUE! Unfortunately, there is always someone ready to empty the pockets of men who are overly eager for romantic adventures. Keep your eyes and ears open. Here are some stats about Russian scam brides: 0.1% of all applicants submitting their information to the Russian dating services are scammers.

Who are these Russian scam brides? They are a small group of people (they may not be even russian women) earning money this way on the Internet. They view relationships as more of a business enterprise. They send emails to all available singles through dating services. Just like email spamming, they are searching for their victims and following the rules of the game they play.

How can Russian scam brides be recognized?
Here are the top 4 early signs of scam.

• The letters a man receives are not specific. They tend to be generalized, not answering the exact needs of the given man. Direct questions about personal life are usually avoided, just some ready pieces of information.

• Scammers play to man's instincts. They write whatever he wants to hear and see: beautiful model - quality appearance (usually false), sexy photos, "special love" they mention after a few letters... If a given man considers this speed strange, it is. Until you met in person, any claims of love should be suspect.

• The majority of scams involve money. The man is usually asked for financial support: terrible financial situation, telephone fees, Internet expenses, etc. Scammers are always mercenary, they usually look for the man's sympathy, for "what you can buy for me" (it is their job!).

• Close attention should be paid to the huge age difference. In this case the chances of being scammed only increase. For the sake of justice it should be said that some real good girls are attracted by the older men (security, stability). However, it is not surprising that Russian scam brides are likely to be involved with much older men.

How to protect yourself from being scammed?
Here are the top 4 effective, simple and easy techniques that can help you avoid being scammed.

• Never send money to strangers. The majority of scams involve money for travel to the man's country. Take common sense precautions: send her the ticket rather than money if you want her to come visit you. Keep your purse in your pocket, it's difficult to get scammed as far as you do it.

• Check out the girl's incredibly beautiful appearance, the photo may be false. Ask her for more photos that are not made in the studio.

• Ask for the girl's personal information (postal address, telephone, etc.) and see her reaction. Does she ask for gifts? It's wonderful! Find an agency that delivers flowers and gifts with photo confirmation. Scammers hate this, they love anonymity. This way will be verified not only her appearance but also her postal address and telephone number .

• A travel to Russia should be born in mind to meet your pretty Russianwoman and her family. If the intentions are serious, of course. Thus the majority of burning questions will be answered and the initial information verified. And may be even more...

Remember, 99,9% of pretty Russian girls are real. They want to find love and build a family in spite of unfavorable demographic situation in Russia. The rewards of finding a suitable Russianwoman outweigh the risks. Use these simple precautions and you will be safe from Russian scam brides.

If it is not confined to arthritis relief specifically, it is definitely relevant, and it will help because it gives us good and relevant complementary info on the subject. I hope very much that it's interesting to you and all the others looking for information concerning arthritis relief.

Spine arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, infectious arthritis, and/or juvenile arthritis may be caused by years of harmful movements. Harmful movements lead to abnormal joint pressure and cause painful gout arthritis, arthritis in hands, neck arthritis, and/or foot arthritis for example. Fortunately, arthritis diets, arthritis exercise, and/or arthritis medication have been effective in arthritis relief. Arthritis research, arthritis societies, and arthritis doctors have contributed scores of arthritis information to support this claim.

Retrained arthritis movements, natural diets for arthritis, arthritis information, and/or exercises for arthritis allow arthritis sufferers to monitor arthritis pain. Monitoring arthritis pain is recommended by arthritis associations as a way to learn more about arthritis, and provide some sort of arthritis help, arthritis pain relief, and/or arthritis treatment.

Arthritis Cure

There Is Much You Can Do While Waiting on an Arthritis Cure

Unfortunately, there is no known arthritis cure. However, there is much you can do to manage your arthritis. Research has shown that patients of any disease have less pain and are able to cope better when they take an active role in fighting off the ravages of their illness.

The most important thing you can do is to try and keep a positive outlook. You should never give up hope that an arthritis cure will be found. You should always stay educated on the latest research and reports. You can subscribe to many newsletters which will give you the newest updates on the search for an arthritis cure. It is easy to get down emotionally when you have arthritis. When you do not feel well, it can affect every aspect of your life. It is important you recognize when you are having a bad day and you do things which lift your spirits.

Kick your ego to the curb and pick up an assistive device if you need one. There is nothing wrong with having a cane around when you need one. Canes can help take the pressure and stress off of an inflamed knee or foot.

Try to maintain good posture when you can. While good posture may be the last thing on your mind when you have arthritis, it can go far in keeping your ligaments and muscles healthy. Who wants to have a pulled back when they are coping with arthritis?

You may want to explore alternative therapy and/or natural dietary supplements. While these should never be looked upon as an arthritis cure, they can do much to help you maintain your health. You can do them in conjunction with your prescription medication. You should also tell your doctor when you are trying new methods for arthritis treatment.

One of the most important things you can do is to rest when you need to. You know when you have reached your limit. There is nothing wrong with sitting down and relaxing. Do not push yourself beyond your limits. If you do, it will only aggravate your joints.

While you wait for an arthritis cure try to keep a positive outlook, kick your ego to the curb and stay educated. You can explore other treatment options for arthritis and incorporate them into the health regimen your doctor has dictated. If you do these things, you will be surprised at how much better you feel, both physically and mentally.

Worries and anxieties are part of our life. The difference between us is our response to any event. The cause may be common, but the response may vary widely. Some anxiety and worry is good. Otherwise we cannot save ourselves. Fear is one of our defense mechanisms. It is fear of death that stops us walking on a highway. Fear, worry and anxiety are related. Let us examine and quiz ourselves about our anxiety response. Too much anxiety can stop us from working. How to quiz ourselves about our anxiety response? Let us find out.

We are said to feel anxiety when we are apprehensive about future and fear what may happen. All of us experience lot of anxiety when we are to go for a surgery. Such events create maximum anxiety. Should every situation make us feel anxious? The answer is no. Are you an anxious person? Do you experience more anxiety then your friends in the same situation? If yes, it is time that you rethink about yourself.

Quiz yourself about anxiety. For example, you may to get up early than usual and reach for a very important appointment or work. Few of us will have no anxiety about that, but some of us will not be able to fall asleep because of anxiety. They are worried that they may not get up early and not reach in time. This anxiety causes more damage than benefiting us. Such common anxiety must be eliminated. Quiz yourself about different situations and compare your anxiety response with others. If you are responding with higher level of anxiety, reduce it with conscious effort.

Some of the drugs listed below can affect certain functions of the body, resulting in bad side effects. However, drugs that lower blood pressure have proven effective over the years. The benefits of using them far outweigh the risk of side effects. Most people who've taken these drugs haven't had any problems.

Diuretics - Some of these drugs may decrease your body's supply of a mineral called potassium. Symptoms such as weakness, leg cramps or being tired may result. Eating foods containing potassium may help prevent significant potassium loss. You can prevent potassium loss by taking a liquid or tablet that has potassium along with the diuretic, if your doctor recommends it. Diuretics such as amiloride (Midamar), spironolactone (Aldactone) or triamterene (Dyrenium) are called "potassium sparing" agents. They don't cause the body to lose potassium. They might be prescribed alone but are usually used with another diuretic. Some of these combinations are Aldactazide, Dyazide, Maxzide or Moduretic.

Some people suffer from attacks of gout after prolonged treatment with diuretics. This side effect isn't common and can be managed by other treatment. This is because of hyperurecemia caused by diuretics.

In people with diabetes, diuretic drugs may increase the blood sugar level. A change in drug, diet, insulin or oral antidiabetic dosage corrects this in most cases. Your doctor can change your treatment. Most of the time the degree of increase in blood sugar isn't much. Impotence may also occur in a small percentage of people.

Beta-blockers - Acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Mepressor, Merol), nadolol (Corgard), pindolol (Visken), propranolol (Inderal) or timolol (Blocadren) may cause insomnia, cold hands and feet, tiredness or depression, a slow heartbeat or symptoms of asthma. Impotence may occur. If you have diabetes and you're taking insulin, have your responses to therapy monitored closely.

ACE inhibitors - These drugs, such as captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Zestril or Prinivil), may cause a skin rash; loss of taste; a chronic dry, hacking cough most common side effect; and in rare instances, kidney damage.

Angiotensin II receptor blockers - These drugs may cause occasional dizziness.

Calcium channel blockers - Diltiazem (Cardizem), nicardipine (Cardene), Nifedipine (Procardia) and verapamil (Calan or Isoptin) may cause palpitations, swollen ankles edema, constipation, headache or dizziness. Side effects with each of these drugs differ a great deal.

Alpha blockers - These drugs may cause fast heart rate, dizziness or a drop in blood pressure when you stand up i.e postural hypoteson

Combined alpha and beta blockers - People taking these drugs may experience a drop in blood pressure when they stand up.

Central agonists - Alpha methyldopa (Aldomet) may produce a greater drop in blood pressure when you're in an upright position (standing or walking) and may make you feel weak or faint if the pressure has been lowered too far. This drug may also cause drowsiness or sluggishness, dryness of the mouth, fever or anemia. Male patients may experience impotence. If this side effect persists, your doctor may have to change the drug dosage or use another medication.

Clonidine (Catapres), guanabenz (Wytensin) or guanfacine (Tenex) may produce severe dryness of the mouth, constipation or drowsiness. If you're taking any of these drugs, don't stop suddenly, because your blood pressure may rise quickly to dangerously high levels.

Peripheral adrenergic inhibitors - Reserpine may cause a stuffy nose, diarrhea or heartburn. These effects aren't severe and no treatment is required other than to change the amount of drugs taken. If you have nightmares or insomnia or get depressed, tell your doctor. You should stop using the drugs.

Guanadrel (Hylorel) or guanethidine (Ismelin) may cause some diarrhea, which may persist in some people. This side effect usually becomes less of a problem if you continue treatment.

These drugs reduce blood pressure more when you stand. Consequently, you may get dizzy and lightheaded and feel weak when you get out of bed in the morning or stand up suddenly. If you notice any of these reactions - and if they persist for more than a minute or two - sit or lie down and either reduce or omit the next dose of the drug. If symptoms continue, contact your doctor.

When you're taking guanethidine, don't keep standing in the hot sun or at a social gathering if you begin to feel faint or weak. These activities cause low blood pressure. Male patients may experience impotence. Contact your doctor if this occurs. These drugs are rarely used unless other medications don't help.

Blood vessel dilators - Hydralzine (Apresoline) may cause headaches, swelling around the eyes, heart palpitations or aches and pains in the joints. Usually none of these symptoms are severe, and most will go away after a few weeks of treatment. Minoxidil (Loniten) is a potent drug that's usually used only in resistant cases of severe high blood pressure. It may cause fluid retention (marked weight gain) or excessive hair growth.

Physicians prescribe antibiotics for more than half of children with sore throat, exceeding the expected prevalence of strep throat, and used nonrecommended antibiotics for 27 percent of children who received an antibiotic prescription, according to a study in the November 9 issue of JAMA.

Pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat) accounts for 6 percent of visits by children to family medicine physicians and pediatricians, according to background information in the article. The most common manifestation of acute pharyngitis is sore throat. The main bacterial cause of sore throat and the only common cause of sore throat warranting antibiotic treatment is group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS). GABHS are cultured from 15 percent to 36 percent of children with sore throat. To improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce unnecessary antibiotic treatment, it is recommended that a GABHS test be conducted prior to treating children with an antibiotic. Penicillin is the recommended antibiotic, but acceptable alternatives include amoxicillin, erythromycin (for penicillin-allergic patients), and first-generation cephalosporins.

Jeffrey A. Linder, M.D., M.P.H., of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, and colleagues conducted a study to determine the change in the rate and type of antibiotics prescribed to children with a chief complaint of sore throat, and the frequency of GABHS testing.

The researchers used data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) from 1995 to 2003. The study included an analysis of visits by children aged 3 to 17 years with sore throat to office-based physicians, hospital outpatient departments, and emergency departments (n = 4,158), and of a subset of visits with GABHS testing data (n = 2,797).

The researchers found that physicians prescribed antibiotics in 53 percent of an estimated 7.3 million annual visits for sore throat and nonrecommended antibiotics to 27 percent of children who received an antibiotic. Antibiotic prescribing decreased from 66 percent of visits in 1995 to 54 percent of visits in 2003. This decrease was attributable to a decrease in the prescribing of recommended antibiotics (49 percent to 38 percent). Physicians performed a GABHS test in 53 percent of visits and in 51 percent of visits at which an antibiotic was prescribed. GABHS testing was not associated with a lower antibiotic prescribing rate overall (48 percent tested vs. 51 percent not tested), but testing was associated with a lower antibiotic prescribing rate for children with diagnosis codes for pharyngitis, tonsillitis, and streptococcal sore throat (57 percent tested vs. 73 percent not tested).

"In conclusion, we found that physicians prescribed antibiotics less frequently over time to children with sore throat. However, the overall antibiotic prescribing rate continues to exceed the expected prevalence of GABHS, and physicians continue to select unnecessarily broad-spectrum antibiotics. Unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions are not benign: they increase the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, expose patients to adverse drug events, and increase costs. Perhaps unique among upper respiratory tract infections, clinicians have good, objective criteria in the form of GABHS testing to guide the antibiotic treatment of children with sore throat. Limiting antibiotic prescribing to children with a positive GABHS test result is a feasible goal for primary care physicians and an important step toward judicious use of antibiotics overall," the authors write.

What exactly do we have against the Bird Flu virus if it does materialize into a sudden threat? The governments of some countries have been claiming that they are stockpiling vaccines already. However how can that be possible when the vaccine we so dearly need is still under development.

The truth is that governments are sponsoring companies to help them create the appropriate vaccine faster. There is one company out there that has a vaccine, although it needs to be taken in large doses of two, a month apart. They are still trying to make ways to keep the dosages smaller.

If the bird flu pandemic hits today there will be just enough vaccines for eleven percent of the whole U.S. population. The vaccine is estimated to be developed around 2 years time. So we should just make sure that the virus does not become a pandemic during that time.

The stockpiling rumors of vaccines have just been said to calm down the general population. Especially those those are really panicky people. The reality is that Tamiflu is the one being stocked up.

Tamiflu is just an anti-viral prescription drug. Tamiflu works because it has antiviral properties. However, when the outbreak occurs, there still won't be enough to help a lot of people. Tamiflu is supposed to be taken everyday. If a place does stockpile 100,000 pills, it will only be good for a thousand people for a hundred days. If a country does stock up, can you also imagine how costly a pill would cost?

The Tamiflu is really not that effective anyway on the H5N1 strain anyway. There are other antiviral pills made of more powerful herbs. They also don't require prescription and cheaper.

One of the best things to do is keep you well-informed. Try to learn about other herbs that have anti-viral properties as well. This will help prevent people from going on a panic when the outbreak does occur and the pills are insufficient. That can be prevented if the people stock up on herbs.

It is important to remember that we need to take charge of our own health. Remember to live a healthier lifestyle to help keep our immune systems stronger. This helps us be less adverse to the risk of the bird flu virus or any kind of flu virus.

As of the moment, people need to be getting worried about the H5N1 strain. This is because the virus is slowly affecting more people from various areas around the world. As of yesterday, the H5N1 strain has reached Africa.

Maybe sooner or later or possibly never, this virus may or may not hit. However, at least we did come prepare for the next big pandemic that could hit us.

If you've got a fungal nail infection, you'll no doubt be searching for a nail fungus treatment. Among your options, you will find prescription drugs, over the counter medications, and various natural or home remedies. Whatever you choose, resign yourself to a long period of treatment - some of these remedies take quite a long time to work, if they work at all.

Before you buy, however, make sure that you really need a nail fungus treatment: abnormal nails can have other causes, such as bruising, bacterial growth, or psoriasis. A nail that is infected with fungus is typically thickened, and becomes yellow or brown. It may be crumbly, and it may lift away from the nail bed (the soft tender tissue under the nail). A proper diagnosis is important and can save you money, so see your physician.

Fungal infections usually appear in the toenails first, but can spread to the fingernails later, so unless you have been putting off treatment for a while, it's likely to be a toenail fungus treatment that you need. First, you should learn how to make conditions inhospitable for the fungus, to hasten its departure and discourage it from returning after the treatment is finished. Fungi flourish on dead tissue - dead skin cells and the keratin in nails - and will settle in and cause fungal nail infections when conditions are moist. So keep your feet clean and dry. Towel your feet carefully after bathing, making sure you dry between your toes. You can even use a hair dryer to make sure your feet are completely dry.

Next, you must choose between prescription drugs, over-the-counter treatments, and home remedies for nail fungus. The most commonly prescribed antifungal drugs for toe nail fungus treatment are terbinafine (Lamisil), itraconazole (Sporanox), and fluconazole (Diflucan). These oral medications are the most effective drugs because they attack the fungus from within, but they are expensive and all of them come with the possibility of side effects. There is a topical nail fungus treatment, a nail lacquer called ciclopirox (Penlac), which can only be used if the infection is not too advanced.

Over the counter nail fungus treatment usually consists of oils, creams or lotions that are applied topically to the infected nail. Because nails are very thick and resistant to the penetration of these substances, these treatments do not tend to work very well, especially as toenail fungus treatment - they simply do not reach the fungus where it is growing under the nail.

Home remedies for toenail fungus treatment tend to have the same disadvantages as the over the counter treatments but some people swear by them. Topical home remedies will probably work best if the nail is thin and soft, or if the nail has been soaked to soften it, and possibly filed down. Popular home remedies include vinegar, Vicks Vaporub, Tee Tree Oil, DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide), PineSol, and oregano oil. There is even an exotic acidophilius beer soak toenail fungus treatment in which acidophilus bacteria are added to a mixture of dark beer and vinegar, and the feet are soaked for 30 minutes daily for at least a month. Some people also recommend a natural remedy imported from the Czech Republic: Saprox Natural Antifungal Treatment.

One of the most promising new nail fungus treatments is a product called Leucatin, which is an internal and topical solution that can effectively destroy nail fungus and prevent it from reoccurring by naturally boosting your body's anti-inflammatory and anti-infection abilities.

Although people will see different results from different toenail fungus treatments, you are bound to find one that works for you. Talk to your doctor to see what he or she recommends. And if nothing works, you may have to choose the most extreme nail fungus treatment of all - surgical removal of the nail and infected tissue. Ouch.

Ads: anti fungal medicines

DURHAM, N.C. -In a surprising finding, patients with coronary artery disease who take commonly used antidepressant drugs may be at significantly higher risk of death, Duke University Medical Center researchers have found.

Even after controlling for such factors as age, degree of heart disease and severity of depression, the researchers found that heart patients taking antidepressant medications had a 55 percent higher risk of dying. Previously, Duke researchers reported that the presence of depression is an important risk factor for heart patients. This new finding of the risk from anti-depressants raises issues about the optimal way to treat depression in cardiac patients, the researchers said.

According to Duke team leader Lana Watkins, Ph.D., the researchers believe their findings add further support for the potential role oft non-pharmocological approaches to treating depression, such as exercise, in reducing the risk of death in depressed heart patients. She said that physicians caring for heart patients who are taking antidepressants should monitor patients closely.

Watkins added that the design of the study prevents definitive conclusions regarding the effects of antidepressant drugs. In the current observational study, patients were not randomized to receive an antidepressant or a placebo drug, therefore characteristics of the patients, such as more likelihood for their depression or their medical condition to worsen, may be responsible for the effects, she said.

Randomized placebo-controlled trials are needed to not only replicate the Duke findings, but to better understand whether antidepressant use is identifying patients likely to have more severe or worsening depression or worsening medical disease during the follow-up period, Watkins added.

"This finding that antidepressant use was an independent risk factor for mortality in patients with coronary artery disease was quite unexpected," said Watkins, who presented the results of the Duke study March 4, 2006, at the annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society in Denver. The research was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

"We were surprised since anti depressants, particularly the newer class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), have been generally considered safe," Watkins said. "However, even after taking into account many patient variables, as well as the type of antidepressant, the risk still remained. So there is something important going on here that we don't fully understand."

During the past decade, cardiologists and physicians have gained a greater appreciation that depression should be considered as an important risk factor for patients with coronary artery disease, said the researchers. For this reason, they have increasingly prescribed antidepressants for these patients; however, this increase in use has not been accompanied by conclusive scientific data on the effects of antidepressants - especially SSRIs - on mortality.

For her study, Watkins prospectively analyzed the clinical data of 921 Duke University Hospital patients receiving a cardiac angiography procedure to determine the extent of blockage in their coronary arteries. Of the total number of patients, just under one in five (19.4 percent) were taking an antidepressant; with SSRIs being taken by 66 percent of those patients.

During their hospitalization, patients were given the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), a commonly used depression screening test. In general, patients with a BDI score of 10 or higher are considered depressed. In the Duke study, those patients who were not taking antidepressants had an average BDI score of 7, while those on antidepressants had an average score of 11, a statistically significant difference.

The patients were followed over an average of three years, and during that time 21.4 percent of the patients who were taking antidepressants had died, compared to 12.5 percent for those not on antidepressants.

After adjusting for such factors as age, gender, heart pumping strength, smoking history, degree of other illnesses, heart procedures, BDI score and education, the researchers found that patients taking antidepressants had a 55 percent higher risk of dying. The difference between SSRI and non-SSRI use - 61 percent vs. 49 percent - was not statistically significant.

Watkins said the future studies are needed to uncover the reasons responsible for depression's negative effect on mortality. Also, she said, researchers do not fully understand the physiological effects of SSRIs on patients with coronary artery disease.

While physicians do not know why there appears to be a link between depression and increased risk of mortality, there are a number of theories, said Watkins. Depression has been linked to supression of the immune system, as well as alteration of the aggregation properties of blood platelets. It has also been linked to other such cardiovascular risk factors as insulin resistance, hypertension, obesity, increased cigarette smoking, alcohol abuse and physical inactivity, she noted.

In April, Duke investigators will begin enrolling depressed patients in a randomized trial testing the abilities of exercise and SSRIs to impact such physiological markers of coronary artery disease as platelet aggregation, heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity, or the ability of blood vessel walls to respond appropriately to changes in blood pressure.

Itchy, watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing are all common symptoms which a vast majority of us experience as allergy symptoms at specific times throughout the year. Many individuals do everything in their power to avoid allergies including changing their diets, staying indoors or taking vitamin supplements. These may contribute to fighting allergies, but there is another effective way to do so. Immunotherapy or allergy shots are gaining popularity. Getting an allergy shot can be scary for some people, so we thought it would be best to fully explain allergy shots and address some common concerns.

How Do They Work?

Allergy shots contain a small amount of the substance which you are allergic to. If you are allergic to pollen, a small amount of pollen would be added to the shot. The amount is small enough so that it does not cause you to suffering from allergy symptoms, but enough so that you body gets used to fighting the allergen. Therefore, the next time your body comes in contact with that substance, it will be familiar with fighting it off and you will most likely not suffer from allergies.

Are Allergy Shots Safe For Everyone?

Although most people will have positive results from allergy shots, they are not right for everyone. Allergy shots are not recommended for individuals suffering from severe heart problems, asthma or other respiratory problems. Also, children under the age of 5 should not be exposed to allergy shots for safety reasons.

What Is The Procedure?

Once you have decided that you would like to get allergy shots, you will receive a shot 1 or 2 times a week for about 6 months. Afterwards, your maintenance shots will require you to get one shot a month, year round for about 3-5 years. Once you have received allergy shots on a regular basis for a couple years, you can discuss it with your doctor and they may tell you its okay to stop getting them at that point.

What Are The Side Effects?

Although allergy shots are effective for many individuals in eliminating allergy symptoms, certain individuals may experience some harmful side effects. Some people may experience feelings of shock when the shot is initially injected, others may feel light-headed or nauseated. For this reason, doctors are required to keep patients in their office for at least 20 minutes after receiving each shot in order to ensure the patient's safety.

Some people swear by allergy shots while others criticize the effects or claim they don't work effectively. If you are considering receiving immunotherapy, contact your doctor to discuss. Your doctor will give you more insight in order for you to determine if this is something you really want to do.

Harold Miller used to suffer from allergies until he took it upon himself to get educated. While Harold still has the occasional bout, he has learned many ways to improve his allergies and as a result enjoys serving as a contributing editor - a site dedicated to providing information on air purifiers, information about allergy relief, dealing with dust mites and more.