Postpartum depression (PPD) is characterized by a major depressive episode that begins within four to six weeks following delivery, as per international diagnostic criteria. Recurrence rates for PPD are high, with 40% of affected women experiencing depression again in their lifetime and nearly 50% facing another episode in subsequent pregnancies. Symptoms of PPD encompass fatigue, irritability, anxiety, lack of pleasure, feelings of helplessness, sleep and appetite disturbances, indifference towards life events, low self-esteem, and feelings of incompetence as a parent, among others. PPD is considered a multifactorial condition influenced by both environmental and genetic risk factors for depression.
Risk factors for PPD include:
- Previous depression.
- Adverse life events.
- Lack of social support.
- Socioeconomic position.
- Personal and family psychiatry history.
- Stressful experiences (such as trauma).
- Specific pregnancy-related factors.
- Intimate partner violence (IPV) occurring close to or during pregnancy also elevates the risk of postpartum depression.
The impacts of PPD are significant and extend beyond the affected individual. They include poor attachment between the mother and newborn, potential stunted growth and low weight in the child, disrupted breastfeeding, and adverse effects on the infant’s cognitive, emotional, and social development. There is also an increased risk for psychiatric disorders in the child during infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Women of color and those with lower incomes are more likely to suffer from postpartum depression and may face barriers to accessing treatment (Gopalan et al., 202).
The four-stage process to regain control
Women experiencing PPD often undergo a four-stage process in an attempt to regain control:
- In the initial stage, mothers grapple with intense worries, persistent obsessive thoughts, and difficulties focusing.
- In the second stage, women feel a sense of loss of their “regular selves,” describing a robotic feeling while caring for their infants. Withdrawal may occur, and thoughts of self-harm or suicide may surface.
- The third stage involves women planning strategies to overcome PPD, such as seeking help from healthcare providers, engaging in prayer, or finding comfort in support groups.
- In the final stage, women regain control of their thoughts and feelings as despair lifts.
Six Healthy Lifestyle Practices to Alleviate Depression SymptomsCauses of Depression
Depression can arise from a multitude of factors, such as genetic, environmental, psychological, and biochemical ones.
Risk factors for depression
A person is more likely to experience depression if they have trauma, significant life changes, stress, a family history of depression, physical illnesses (like diabetes, cancer, or Parkinson’s disease), or as a side effect of certain medications.
Diagnosis of major depression disorder
A minimum of two weeks must pass with some of these symptoms and signs being presented almost daily to be diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder:
Common symptoms of depression
The common symptoms of depression include.- Persistent sadness,
- Hopelessness,
- Pessimism,
- Emptiness,
- Lack of energy,
- Feeling guilty or unworthy. The lack of interest or pleasure in pastimes,
- Alterations in appetite that result in either weight gain or loss,
- Slower speech, movement, or thought.
- Increased fidgeting
- Difficulty focusing, thinking coherently, or making decisions
- Suicidal thoughts, suicidal attempts, thoughts of death, or self-harming behavior
Lifestyle Practices to Alleviate Depression Symptoms
- Self-care. Practice stress-reduction techniques like tai chi or meditation. Get enough sleep, exercise, and eat a balanced diet. For the most part, adults require 7 to 9 hours of sleep. Refrain from using recreational drugs and alcohol, as these can exacerbate symptoms and complicate the treatment of depression.
- Educating family and friends about depression: They can assist you in identifying early indicators that your depression might be relapsing.
- Maintain your treatment regimen. Continue taking your medication and attending therapy sessions even after you feel better. Sudden medication discontinuation may result in withdrawal symptoms and a relapse of depression. If necessary, work with your physician to modify your medication or dosage to adhere to your treatment plan.
- Make modest, achievable goals: realistic goals to increase motivation and self-assurance. During the first stages of care, you might want to walk, have lunch with a friend, or make a bed. Gradually increase your goals as you get better.
- Identify the warning signs: Determine what triggers your depression, and if you notice any unusual changes in your feelings, thoughts, or behavior, speak with your doctor or a mental health professional. Keep a journal of your daily emotions, feelings, and reactions to identify trends and identify the things that lead to depression.
- Seek support. Maintaining relationships with people is crucial, especially during difficult times or periods, regardless of whether you receive support from family or a support group.
Should we throw away our medicines after the ‘Best Before’ or Expiry date?Introduction
One of man’s best inventions is drugs, especially disease-specific ones. Drugs are substances other than food, which can prevent, relieve the symptoms, or cure an abnormality or disease. Globally, the cost of drugs has soared over the years, resulting in a situation whereby low-income earners are unable to buy branded medications. In underdeveloped and developing countries where food and drug agencies have poor capacity to perform their regulatory functions optimally, we tend to see the proliferation of substandard or fake drugs. So many times, this ugly trend is energized by not just greed but by the market demands for affordable medications.
Why Medication exceeds expiry date
To mitigate the challenge of not being able to buy drugs, when necessary, people from resource-limited settings stack up some essential medications in their homes, which eventually exceed the best before or expiry dates on them. Sometimes, doctors could change a patient’s prescription because of reactions, allergies, or inability to purchase the drug, which could result in leftover drugs that eventually exceed the expiration date. Also, big pharmacies and patent-drug stores cannot sell all their stock, leading to the expiration of some drugs. This situation has raised many questions about the safety of these drugs after their expiration or beyond the “best before” date. Because of the importance of drugs and the health risks involved when taken wrongly, people have always consciously discarded unused drugs when it’s past the expiration date, even one day.
How Safe is a drug after the expiry date?
The debate about drugs being safe after their expiration date has persisted over the years, as many people still hold the opinion that pharmaceutical companies deliberately label their drugs with short shelf lives to guarantee steady patronage. Eventually, most of these unused drugs are discarded. The context that drugs can still be safe for a long time after expiration has gained several affirmations. In a recent study by Benjamin Davido and others titled ‘Efficacy of Expired Antibiotics: A Real Debate in the Context of Repeated Drug Shortages’ published in MDPI Journal “Antibiotics”, it was reported that when appropriately stored in line with the expected conditions, no expired antibiotics tested failed to be potent after one year of expiration. In another study by Sushil Sharma and others, titled ‘A study to investigate the chemical potency, physical stability, and efficacy of analgesic agents over a period of two years post their expiry date’ published in the “Medical Journal Armed Forces India”, it was seen that drugs such as Diclofenac, Piroxicam, and Ibuprofen retained their stability, analgesic efficacy, chemical active ingredients and by implication their potency up to a duration of two years after expiration.
Important factors to consider
However, the issues of proper storage and handling can play a big role, especially in the tropical climate of West Africa and other geographical regions. Hence, people in the tropics may have to rely on their capacity to store their drugs in the required condition in deciding whether to use a drug past the expiration date or not.
Conclusion
This article doesn’t advocate for the use of expired medication but to reduce anxiety about accidental use. It is essential to understand factors that impact drug stability.
(Written by Ebenezer Dic-Ijiewere PhD.)
NB: Always consult your healthcare professionals regarding expired medications to ensure medication safety and effectiveness.
Contributing factors to the High Obesity Rates Among African American WomenResearch reports that American women are disproportionately affected, with the highest obesity rates among all groups in the U.S. About 80% are classified as overweight or obese.
Disparities in weight loss
Research indicates that African American (AA) women tend to lose less weight compared to their Caucasian counterparts.
Contributing Factors
The contributing factors to the disparities are;
- Limited access to nutritious food
- Inadequate health insurance
- Lack of safe spaces for physical activity
Barriers to Weight Management
Challenges that hinder weight management efforts include:
- Personal beliefs
- Limited time
- Family dynamics
- Lack of motivation
- Financial constraints
Cultural Influence on Body Image
Cultural norms within the AA community, which often embrace larger body sizes and promote a positive body image, can also influence health behaviors. While fostering a positive body image has psychological benefits, it may reduce motivation to maintain a healthy weight. In Black culture, obesity and being overweight are often considered acceptable and carry little to no stigma. Cultural perspective may partially explain why general health promotion efforts are less effective in this community. The study reports that many Black female students aim to embody the culturally valued “thick and curvy” figure, consuming specific foods to shape their bodies while avoiding activities that might result in weight loss.
Why it may be difficult to seek care
A deep-rooted distrust of the healthcare system makes it difficult for many AA women to seek medical advice or treatment.
Physical inactivity as a health risk factor
Underestimating body weight can reduce engagement in healthy behaviors, such as regular physical activity. Physical inactivity is a major contributor to non-communicable diseases and mortality, emphasizing the need to address these issues within the AA community.
Risk Factors for Uterine Fibroids Among Black WomenUterine fibroids (UFs) represent the most prevalent non-cancerous tumors among women of reproductive age. Symptomatic fibroids can lead to significant health issues and are the primary reason for hysterectomies in the United States and globally, contributing to substantial socioeconomic impacts and affecting over 70% of women of reproductive age (Langton et al., 2024). African American women tend to develop fibroids approximately 10 years earlier than White women in the US and bear a disproportionate health burden from these tumors
Black women experience UFs at higher rates, with an earlier onset, more severe symptoms, and faster disease progression compared to other groups.
According to Sithembinkosi Ndebele (2024), 85% of participants were non-Hispanic Blacks. Black participants had a higher likelihood of a UF diagnosis, and the following risk factors were reported contributing to the high prevalence of UFs in Black individuals:
- Socioeconomic Status: Lower socioeconomic status is reported to increase the rates of UFs.
- Adverse Environmental Exposures: Increased exposure to environmental pollutants is associated with a higher prevalence of UFs.
- Chronic Stress: Experiences that increase chronic stress are significant contributors.
Lifestyle and socioeconomic factors, closely tied to neighborhood characteristics, further influence UF prevalence. These factors include:
- Body Mass Index (BMI): A higher BMI correlates with a higher risk of UFs.
- Alcohol Use: Regular alcohol consumption is positively correlated with UF diagnosis.
- Income and Occupation: These factors influence access to healthy food and healthcare.
Prevalent Barriers to obesity within the African American population.As we know, obesity stands as a significant health concern affecting the lives of African Americans. It is imperative to grasp the barriers that contribute to the rising rates of obesity within this population.
Obesity is characterized by excessive body fat accumulation influenced by environmental and genetic factors and poses various health risks, including specific cancers, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. Omondi & Freysteinson (2023) estimated annual medical expenses related to obesity issues in the United States to be around $147 billion. Research reveals that obesity prevalence is notably high among African Americans, with rates around 49.6%, surpassing non-Hispanic Whites at 42.2%. Mainly, obesity rates are higher among African American women, reaching 56.9%, compared to 41.1% among African American men (Lofton et al., 2023).
Access to nutritious foods is limited for African Americans, who often consume less nutritious diets with high levels of added sugars and fried foods. Multiple obstacles hinder healthy eating habits, including limited knowledge, the cost of nutritious foods, time constraints for meal preparation, reliance on transportation to access stores, and communication barriers with healthcare providers regarding dietary habits.
Similarly, opportunities for physical activity are restricted, exacerbating the obesity issue. Reduced physical activity levels and increased sedentary behaviors like gaming or screen time have been associated with higher body mass index (BMI). African Americans facing obesity encounter various challenges in engaging in physical activity, including a lack of awareness regarding effective exercise methods, limited access to affordable exercise programs, inadequate facilities, transportation limitations, and health concerns.
References
Omondi, H., & Freysteinson, W. M. (2023). Understanding Obesity in African American Women Using Leininger’s Theory. Nursing Science Quarterly, 37(1), 71–75. https://doi.org/10.1177/08943184231207383
Lofton, H., Ard, J. D., Hunt, R. R., & Knight, M. G. (2023). Obesity among African American people in the United States: A review. Obesity, 31(2), 306–315. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.23640
Seven ways to create a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of othersOur connections with family, friends, and colleagues are crucial. Individuals who have strong social connections and supportive relationships are more likely to adopt healthy lifestyles and effectively cope with stress, anxiety, and depression, especially during difficult times. A supportive network of family members, close friends, and colleagues provides a sense of belonging and emotional support.
Ways to create meaningful impacts are;
1.Showing kindness: Providing a listening ear, checking in on them, offering assistance, or simply sharing a smile can profoundly influence the overall well-being of others.
2. Promoting physical activity: Encouraging others to participate in physical activities such as organizing sports events, walking or running together, or engaging in group activities can enhance physical and social well-being.
3. Spreading awareness and education: Educating others about healthy lifestyle choices, including proper nutrition, exercise, and stress management, can empower them to make positive life changes.
4. Promoting a healthy diet: Sharing recipes, discussing healthy eating habits, organizing cooking classes, and advocating for nutritious foods can encourage healthier dietary choices.
5. Supporting access to healthcare: Being present for others during difficult times is crucial and can significantly improve their lives. Providing transportation to healthcare facilities encourages them to seek professional help when needed, and assisting with paperwork can make access easier.
6. Advocating for policy changes: Supporting policies and initiatives that promote public health, such as mental health services, water regulation, and access to healthcare, can have a broad impact on the well-being of entire communities.
7. Assisting those with chronic illnesses: Offering understanding and support to individuals with chronic health conditions can help them manage their conditions and enhance their quality of life.
