Pain Awareness month originated in 2001 when a coalition of members from The American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)  sought to establish a time of the year to focus on individuals who experience chronic pain in any region of their body, subsequently impacting their daily lives. The purpose of Pain Awareness Month is to recognize the many different forms of pain and areas of persistent pain we or loved ones experience and how we can manage this kind of pain as it progresses throughout our lives.

Common Sites for Persistent Pain

The most common sites of pain and chronic pain in adults include:

• headache.
• post-surgical pain.
• post-trauma pain.
• lower back pain.
• pain associated with cancer.
• arthritis pain.
• neurogenic pain (pain caused by nerve damage)
• psychogenic pain (pain that isn’t caused by disease, injury, or nerve damage)

Causes of Chronic Pain

There can be many causes of chronic pain, including: 

• chronic fatigue syndrome: characterized by extreme, prolonged weariness that’s often accompanied by pain.
• endometriosis: a painful disorder that occurs when the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus.
• fibromyalgia: widespread pain in the bones and muscles.
• rheumatoid arthritis: a long-term autoimmune disorder that primarily affects joints, typically resulting in warm, swollen, and painful joints. Pain and stiffness often worsen following rest.
• CRPS: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that most often affects one limb (arm, leg, hand, or foot) typically after an extreme injury.
• inflammatory bowel disease: a group of conditions that causes painful, chronic inflammation in the digestive tract.
• interstitial cystitis: a chronic disorder marked by bladder pressure and pain.
• temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ): a condition that causes painful clicking, popping, or locking of the jaw.
• vulvodynia: chronic vulva pain that occurs with no obvious cause.
  

Pain Prevalence in Women vs. Men

Men and women can be prone to different pain sites, longevity, and severity. According to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), women generally report experiencing more recurrent pain, severe paint, and longer-lasting symptoms of pain than men. Doctors suspect different reasons for this statistic is related to higher occurrences of extreme changes in hormone levels in women vs men, endometriosis diagnosis on the rise, and more painful conditions that show a greater prevalence in women like migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and osteoarthritis. 

Although women do report a higher level of pain and more instances of persistent pain than men, they are less likely to seek help or treatment.

 Ketamine Infusion Therapy could be the solution for your persistent pain. Don’t put off scheduling a free consultation if you are struggling with chronic pain, or other conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and OCD. We’re here for you, and we would love to discuss your treatment options. 

Disclaimer

Red River Ketamine Wellness Center does not provide specific medical advice for individual cases via our website. Red River Ketamine Wellness Center does not endorse any medical practices, individuals, or professional services obtained through information provided on our website, articles on the site, or any links on this site.

Use of the information obtained via our website does not replace medical advice given by a qualified medical provider to meet the medical needs of our readers or others.

While content is frequently updated, medical information changes rapidly. Information may contain inaccuracies or typographical errors and/or be out of date. For questions or concerns, please contact us at albert007rn1@gmail.com. 

Resources:

The CDC: https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-pain

The IASP: www.iasp-pain.org

Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-pain#causes

The post September is Pain Awareness Month appeared first on Red River Ketamine Wellness Center.

No one wants to open up about something sad and heavy like depression, but you should not give in to the thought that you are all alone in how you feel. After all, it is estimated that 15% of the adult population experiences depression at some point in their lifetime.

Although recovery is difficult, you must know, even when it is hard to believe, that recovery IS possible! You are more capable than you give yourself credit for, even in cases where depression is severe and stubbornly persistent. 

Here are four ways you can combat depression each day. 

Mood-boosting activities 

So, what’s the secret to success? Every day, you must build on doing normal, mental health-boosting activities. You may not have much energy, so start small. Draw on all your reserves, and choose one activity, and commit to completing it daily for a week. The next week, try doing one activity in the morning and one in the afternoon or evening. Continue to increase from there. 

The first step is always the hardest one. What boosts your mood may not boost someone else’s as much. You may have other ideas for your personal mood-boosting list, but here are some suggestions to get you started:

• Spend time outdoors walking, hiking, or just enjoying nature (even 15 minutes of daily sunlight is a great mood booster!) 
• Dance to your favorite music 
• Prepare a healthy meal
• Call a family member
• Meet a friend for dinner or coffee
• Attend a class at the gym 
• Pick up a new or old hobby
• Express yourself creatively through writing, music or art

Keep stress in check

Depression worsens with stress or stress can trigger a new cycle of depression. So, in return, get a grip on stress by determining what triggers stress. Is your current job too overwhelming? Are you in a relationship that is not going well? Are you struggling with financial difficulties? 

What ways can you improve these problems? If it’s money, consider meeting with a finance coach or listening to some podcasts on finances to make a plan to budget or manage debt. Have a relationship problem? Is it time to move on or consider counseling? If it’s work, is it time to consider cutting back some hours or finding a new position? 

Another way to combat stress is to practice relaxation techniques. Yoga, deep breathing, and meditation are all ways to relax. There are dozens of apps and music playlists available that may help. 

Seek support and care for others 

When we aren’t doing well, we focus on our cloud of depression. When we feel needed, however, we are able to refocus and have a more positive outlook. Some activities that may help include volunteering, visiting a nursing home, or adopting a pet. 

Consider joining a support group for depression too. Not only will it help you step out of isolation, but there is great comfort in discovering you are not alone in your struggles. A support group helps you find and give encouragement, learn how to cope, and release the heavy feelings you carry through sharing your experience. 

Support your health

Those with depression tend to sleep too little or too much. Try to get the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep per day. Try to establish a good sleep schedule as well which includes a routine bedtime and waketime. 

Exercise is also a powerful tool in fighting depression. Research shows that regular exercise may be as effective as medication in relieving depression symptoms. It also helps to prevent relapses once you’re well.

Shoot for at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. Even ten minute increments can be very beneficial. Pair up with someone if you struggle with consistency when exercising. Having a partner to encourage and hold you accountable is powerful.

Last, but certainly not least, consider your diet. What you eat directly impacts the way you feel. Certain foods can negatively impact your mood such as sugar, alcohol, caffeine, trans fats, and foods with high levels of hormones or chemical preservatives.

Do you think you may have depression, but you’ve never been diagnosed? Is your current depression treatment not helping? We would love to visit with you. Learn more about the symptoms of depression and the treatment we provide at rrkwc.com/depression-treatment-in-lawton-ok/. 

Disclaimer

Red River Ketamine Wellness Center does not provide specific medical advice for individual cases via our website. Red River Ketamine Wellness Center does not endorse any medical practices, individuals, or professional services obtained through information provided on our website, articles on the site, or any links on this site.

Use of the information obtained via our website does not replace medical advice given by a qualified medical provider to meet the medical needs of our readers or others.

While content is frequently updated, medical information changes rapidly. Information may contain inaccuracies or typographical errors and/or be out of date. For questions or concerns, please contact us at albert007rn1@gmail.com.

The post Depression: Taking it One Day at a Time appeared first on Red River Ketamine Wellness Center.

Many treatments exist for depression, including medication and therapy, that can provide relief and enable recovery. The medications available are safe and generally effective. However, these treatments are not effective for all patients. Treatment-resistant depression affects 30% of those who seek treatment.

In addition, traditional antidepressants (SSRIs) take multiple weeks to start working. Patients may need to try multiple drugs and combinations to find effective treatment. This can lead to many months of trial and error, with no promise that an effective drug will be found. Some of these drugs may even increase suicidal ideation. These delays and side effects make treating depression even more difficult.

Other options including electroconvulsive therapy, deep brain stimulation, and transcranial stimulation exist. However, these treatments are not entirely effective either and can cause cognitive side-effects.

This reality has led to the need for new treatment options for depression. Over the last decade, research into a drug called ketamine has revealed its potential as a fast-acting treatment for depression. Ketamine was first developed as an anesthetic and has been approved by the FDA for this use since 1970.

A brief history of antidepressants

Antidepressant medications targeting the “monoamine” neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine and (nor)epinephrine) have existed for over 50 years. The first SSRI discovered was fluoxetine, also known as Prozac. Fluoxetine was discovered from the allergy medication diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which happens to have SSRI activity.

The discovery of fluoxetine supported the hypothesis that depression is caused by a lack of monoamines. However, research since then has not supported this idea. It is more likely that these drugs cause “downstream” changes that reduce depression symptoms.

The neurotransmitter glutamate has become one of the central focuses of antidepressant research. Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain that is essential in many processes in the brain.

Glutamate also plays an essential role in memory and learning and is part of the process called long-term potentiation, which allows the brain to build and change its connections.

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that was first approved by the US FDA in 1970. Since then, it has become a common anesthetic for veterinary use. It is also still used as an anesthetic for human patients.

At doses lower than those used for anesthesia, ketamine acts as a dissociative psychedelic. These effects are unique from traditional serotonergic psychedelics like LSD. As a recreational drug, ketamine has a high risk of addiction, unlike classical psychedelics.

Ketamine is functionally similar to the anesthetic phencyclidine (PCP) and the cough suppressant dextromethorphan (DXM.) Both of these drugs are also used recreationally due to their dissociative psychedelic effects.

These drugs are not only addictive but can be physically and mentally harmful when abused. Due to these risks, there are some concerns about using ketamine in depressed patients. However, the doses and frequency used for depression are far below those seen in abusers.

Research done on abusers of ketamine also provides unique insight into the risks of repeated ketamine use. This makes it easier to know the upper limit of safe use.

Ketamine is an FDA approved drug with a long history of use in humans. Therefore, it is seen as a relatively safe option for depression treatment. Additionally, since ketamine has already gone through the FDA approval process, it can already be used in a clinical setting. Most drugs take many years to make it to market, and providing a new option for treatment-resistant depression can save lives.

Why is Ketamine Used for Depression?

Ketamine has been found to be extremely effective at treating depression. Unlike classical antidepressants, ketamine acts within hours, rather than weeks. A single dose can provide symptom relief for weeks to months.

Ketamine has been found to be particularly effective at treating depression that has not responded to other medications or therapies. This rapid action is similar to ECT (electroconvulsive therapy.) However, ketamine does not cause many of the cognitive side-effects associated with this therapy.

Other recreational psychedelics have also shown promise as antidepressants. However, these drugs operate through an entirely different mechanism than ketamine. “Classical” psychedelics work by activating serotonin receptors in the brain. This is the same system targeted by many classical antidepressants such as Prozac and Lexapro.

Ketamine, on the other hand, blocks glutamate receptors. Glutamate is the primary “excitatory” neurotransmitter. It is also deeply involved in the memory forming process of long-term potentiation.

Much like other antidepressants, the reason ketamine is effective at treating the symptoms of depression is not well understood. However, ketamine provides a safe, rapid acting and relatively long-lasting treatment for depression. This shows great potential to improve the lives of depressed people and prevent suicides.

Is Ketamine Therapy Legal?

The use of ketamine to treat depression has been legal since ketamine was first approved in 1970. It can be prescribed for depression as an off-label use. As researchers have explored ketamine’s effectiveness for depression, clinics have begun to offer this treatment. However, due to its off-label use, it is generally very expensive and not covered by insurance.

On March 5th of 2019, the FDA approved a preparation of ketamine for the treatment of depression. This drug is delivered as a nasal spray of a form of ketamine called esketamine.

Esketamine is slightly different from the ketamine used in anaesthesia. Ketamine is a chiral molecule, meaning it usually comes as a mix of mirrored molecules. Esketamine is stereo specific, meaning all of the molecules are “right handed,” rather than being a mix of two “mirrored” molecules. Watch a video about stereoisomerism here.

Synthesizing this drug is more expensive than standard ketamine, but it may provide better results. The administration of ketamine through a nasal spray may also be less effective than IV ketamine. New treatment options will likely become available as research continues.

The Future of Ketamine Therapy

Though a form of ketamine is now available for the treatment of depression, more research is still needed. Research into the most effective way to administer the drug, the associated risks and related treatments is essential. This new treatment option could provide relief for the millions of people struggling with depression.

If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, seeking treatment can be life-changing. There are resources available regardless of your financial circumstances. The National Alliance on Mental Illness provides information about treatments as well as financial and legal support. If you are struggling with depression or other mental health issues, reach out to these resources as soon as you can. There are confidential, free, 24/7 resources available.

By Casey Hofford, Earth.com Contributing Writer

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Africa Studio

Original article: https://www.earth.com/news/how-ketamine-is-used-to-treat-depression/

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