acid and reflux is a common problem among adults but babies can get their own version of it called infant acid and reflux which is just as uncomfortable for them. Find out how serious this is and what you can do if your baby has it. Although many sufferers of persistent heartburn report episodes of GERD occurring at night while lying down there are others who report more occurrences during the day especially after eating a large meal or a meal high in acid or fat content. Some gastroenterologists suggest that sleeping with the head of the bed elevated approximately six inches can help to prevent nighttime acid and reflux.

Dealing with heartburn and indigestion can be a painful experience. In addition to having your chest feel like it is on fire acid indigestion can ultimately cause more serious medical conditions such as Barrett’s esophagus. Why let something as common as heartburn endanger your life when natural heartburn home remedies have been proven to be safe and effective. Keep reading to discover what you can do from the comforts of your own home that will help you get rid of heartburn naturally.

Heartburn and acid and reflux is caused by stomach juices flowing into the esophagus. The lining of the esophagus gets irritated and this creates a burning sensation.

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Heartburn begins as a burning pain behind the breastbone and it then usually radiates upward to the neck. There is often a sensation of food coming back into the mouth and is accompanied by a sour or bitter taste in the mouth.

If you are pregnant and experiencing signs and symptoms of heartburn you should know that pregnancy can be an acid and reflux cause. Even if you have never had acid and reflux nor the signs or symptoms of this condition being pregnant alone can be an acid and reflux cause.

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The holiday season is fast approaching and soon we will all be indulging in rich food celebratory drinks late nights and general festivities. Or at the very least stressing out as we try and pull it all together with family members flying in groceries to be purchased and parties to be planned.

While we often hear many adults complaining about acid and reflux we don’t think about how acid and reflux in children could be a problem. Find out if your child may have heartburn and what you should do about it.

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80 percent of heartburn sufferers report symptoms at night. 75 percent of heartburn sufferers say nighttime heartburn awakens them during the night or prevents them from sleeping. 40 percent say that their nighttime heartburn symptoms affects their ability to work the next day.

Heartburn is an eating disorder. During heartburn person feels a burning sensation behind the Sternum or Epigastrion.Most people will experience heartburn at some point in their life. The unfortunate ones like myself experience it more frequently. I am not one to rely on prescription medications for every ailment which is why I am looking to try home remedies for heartburn instead of a pill or tablet.

Although you see over-the-counter and prescription heartburn remedies touted in TV ads every day many people have found that the best medications for acid and reflux are things that you may already have on hand. People claim that simple ingredients and diet changes have cured their acid and reflux problems. If you’re one of the people who suffer from occasional bouts of heartburn yet hate pumping chemicals and drugs into your body then maybe one of these home remedies might be the answer for you.

Heartburn is a common problem for many pregnant women. It tends to mostly occur in early pregnancy although some women suffer from it for most of their term. Heartburn during pregnancy occurs when progesterone is released into a woman’s system when she becomes pregnant. Progesterone makes the muscle between the stomach and the esophagus- also known as the cardiac sphincter muscle- relax.

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Heartburn is caused when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) which is located between the esophagus and stomach is weakened or opens inappropriately. This allows acid and other stomach contents back into the esophagus causing irritation.

In 90% of cases curing gastroesophageal reflux can be done with a simple GERD remedy. Here are 4 natural acid and reflux remedies that have been shown to treat GERD.

Most people have stomach acid and reflux at some time in their lives either as heartburn or acid regurgitation. When refluxed stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus it causes a burning sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn. The burning pressure or pain of heartburn can last as long as 2 hours and is often worse after eating.

One of the most annoying and painful conditions a person can have is severe heartburn. For some people it is so bad that it doesn’t matter what they eat they still get heartburn. Most of these people have never tried any natural remedies to help cure the problem.

This article has been written for people who are looking for a possible cure for anxiety. Some people have been struggling with anxiety disorder for many years. They are exhausted and frustrated because they have tried many different anxiety treatments that have not helped them. Some individuals may even think they can never get rid of the anxiety.

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Heartburn begins as a burning pain behind the breastbone and it then usually radiates upward to the neck. There is often a sensation of food coming back into the mouth and is accompanied by a sour or bitter taste in the mouth.

A no-incisions surgery. A no-incisions remedy. How do the remedy and surgery both rebuild the barrier that is causes your heartburn. Discover 5 tips that will help you control your acid and reflux naturally under .The biggest challenge I faced when I used to suffer from heartburn was my anxiety about the possible side-effects of antacids and proton pump inhibitors. Do you also have the same concerns?

It is believed that acid and reflux occurs in as much as 50% of pregnancies. When you consider that gaining weight along with eating extra spicy and fatty foods are a cause for anyone to suffer from heartburn it wouldn’t be surprising if all pregnant women had acid and reflux. After all besides the inevitable weight gain just how much ice cream with pickles and peppers can one person eat without getting reflux?

Heartburn can arise from several causes. The medical condition pyrosis or commonly known as heartburn results from a reflux of the acidic contents of the stomach. This acidic regurgitation burns the inner walls of the esophagus and the sufferer experiences a searing or burning pain. Since this pain is felt around the chest area people often mistake it for the onset of a heart attack.

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While lifestyle habits can worsen your heartburn symptoms and increase the number of heartburn episodes heartburn is a medical condition with biological causes.

If you are a constant heartburn sufferer then you don’t need to be told how uncomfortable distressing or acutely painful your problem can be. I know it can affect your whole life…

Medical terminology defines a headache as a condition of the head of an individual that presents pain within the head. Due to the intensity of discomfort and nagging levels of pain that are associated with such malady sets suffering individuals in a desperate search of alleviation for home remedies for headache. Of any pain in conjunction with all encompassing ailments headaches rank among the highest reported complaints where discomfort is associated.

The cause for heartburn varies from individual to individual. Therefore t is important to identify the cause before attempting any cure.

What is the difference between a reflux natural treatment and antacids? Discovering this answer is the best way to cure your acid and reflux.

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Heartburn is caused when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) which is located between the esophagus and stomach is weakened or opens inappropriately. This allows acid and other stomach contents back into the esophagus causing irritation.

Cymbalta the brand name for Dulexotine is used for major depressive disorders. This is indicated in generalized anxiety disorder. This is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. This also alleviates pain in diabetic neuropathy and fibromyalgia. One important precaution to be taken with administration of Cymbalta and safety measure is administration of antidepressant may increase suicidal thoughts in adolescents. In case of worsening symptoms of depression the physician should be immediately consulted. While on this medication proper supervision of the patient must be ensured by family members or the caregivers. The unusual behaviors may be associated with thoughts of suicide, anxiety, agitation, panic attacks and sleeping problems along with irritation, hostility, aggression, impulsiveness, restlessness, or extreme hyperactivity. Persons who are already taking Mellaril, have uncontrolled narrow angle glaucoma or have recently been administered with monoamine oxidase inhibitor should not be given Cymbalta. Before using Cymbalta you should disclose your medical conditions such as kidney or liver problems, glaucoma, diabetes, seizures, or if you have bipolar disorder. Cymbalta can have a worsening effect if you have a type of glaucoma or the control of blood sugar in some patients with diabetes. You should disclose your alcohol intake or habits to the physician. You should also intimate if you are taking any medicine for migraine. In case you are taking any NSAID for pain relief such as Aspirin or blood thinners then use with Cymbalta may pose a risk of bleeding. In case of pregnancy or breastfeeding this medicine should be avoided.

Use of Cymbalta is commonly associated with side effect of nausea. The other side effects encountered could be dryness of mouth, drowsiness, decreased appetite and increase in sweating. As this causes drowsiness and dizziness one should avoid profuse outing such as driving a car or other such activities which requires alertness. One should immediately consult with the physician if any adverse effect is prolonged and caused discomfort after administration of this medicine.

Cymbalta is a well known drug and at the same time it is widely considered as the best option for most of the strange diseases that you might come along. It is always advised to buy these drugs at CanAmerica Global, as you can save a lot of time and money. You can click here to Buy Cymbalta.

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Did you ever believe you were too aged for breakouts? Whether is it doesn’t adult or teenage create, acne can make people afraid to look out in public, uneasy in social gatherings, avoid mirrors without exceptions and wear tons involving make-up to mask ones own unsightly scars. Your small children might have even asked you, at one stage, why you have those dots on your are up against. Clearly, acne carries sentimental ramifications which, not only lower self-esteem, but may also lead to social disengagement, anxiety and even unhappiness.

Differences between adult in addition to teenage acneDid you know that males and females are equally afflicted with acne through the teenage years, but women have twice second hand smoke of men in adulthood? Acne in adults can be either persistent acne which can be childhood acne that never went away or late-onset pimples that appears for the first time. Late-onset is less common, while persistent acne makes up 70 to 80 per cent of acne sufferers. Most acne in adults is concentrated on the lower portions of the face, around the chin, mouth and jaw sections while acne in adolescence includes broader sectors of the face. Adult acne may very well be more challenging to heal, which is not unusual, given the fact which adult skin is far more sensitive, less elastic together with heals slower than teen skin. Unlike juvenile acne, which tends to come to be oily, adults typically have dehydrated skin which can be more problematic for parents since acne medications can be notorious for producing uncomfortable side effects of irritation and dryness. The already moisture lacking adult skin cannot afford to find even drier. There is usually a misconception that teenagers only get acne; consequently, adults may be more embarrassed to research treatment. Acne can be socially crippling to get an individual – person, adult or teen. Still, unlike a woman, a man doesn’t possess the luxury of covering up his acne by means of make-up. There is also a perception that adults generally accept acne being part of life as opposed to teenagers, with their inclined egos, may be more traumatized by acne compared to adults. This is never the case as research ensures that adults with acne scars lacked self confidence, avoided eye contact, tended being reserved, tried to conceal their face by hairstyling and usually kept your head down.

The origin on the pimpleThe starting point within the formation of a blemish is hormones. Androgens, enjoy testosterone, stimulate the glands inside the skin to produce engine oil. A blocked pore is resulting from too much oil and also the accumulation of skin cells that can not be shed off. This blockage is a breeding ground for Propionibacterium acnes bacteria naturally associated with the skin, which ends up in the release of uncomfortable skin chemicals. Our immune system then comes to the rescue to help us fight off this bacteria; this inflammatory response is what creates that unattractive redness, swelling and pus, then voila`, a pimple is born!

6 Dos of Natual skin care1. Always moisture as adult skin typically on the dry facet.2. Wash the face twice on a daily basis to remove excess oils with mild facial solutions.3. Wear an oil-free the minimum SPF 30 sunscreen even within the winter to reduce skin color scars.4. Follow some sort of low-fat, high fiber diet together with lots of vegatables and fruits.5. Use oil-free solutions.6. Reduce stress, reside hydrated, exercise and get hold of regular sleep.

6 Don’ts of Beauty1. Vigorously scrub your skin which will aggravate acne.2. Pick or squeeze pimples.3. Rest your chin or cheek in your hands.4. Wear make-up if you really don’t need to.5. Eat foods you are sure that trigger your acne.6. Get lazy using your skin; keep up good skincare.

Acne medicationsThere differ formulations of products: treatments, gels, solutions and lotions. Creams are usually used for sensitive and dry skin because they tend to be less irritating and not as much drying. Gels are intended for oily skin since they have perhaps a better drying effect but will result in more burning and tenderness. Solutions help oily skin consequently they are mainly used with antibiotic skin products. Lotions can be intended for dry and oily epidermis and their advantage is that they can be easily spread in larger areas of the body if needed for again, chest and neck acne breakouts.

Mild to moderate acne: benzoyl peroxide, salicylic chemical p and alpha-hydroxy acids (lactic chemical p and glycolic acid).- Start with lower strengths then move up unless you see improvements within times.- May take 2-3 weeks to see any benefits.- Causes slight dryness and irritation (use an oil-free moisturizer).- Can bleach clothing so make certain your skin is dried out before touching any wash cloth.

When all else breaks down…Visit a dermatologist. Sometimes, none of the above treatments will be effective and stronger medications are essential. Since adult-onset acne may not always respond to the common acne products, it might be wise to see some sort of skin specialist who focuses primarily on skin care and growth hormones.

Stronger topical products: tretinoin (Retin-A), adapalene (Differen) in addition to azelaic acid (Azelex).- Sunscreen is often a must since these treatments increase your skin’s level of responsiveness to sunlight.- Applying excessive will surely cause flaky, scaly, waterless lizard-looking skin; more does not work faster and a small amount goes further.- Do not give high on the medicine because you believe that it is not working; you need at least 3 months to discover results.- Avoid the eye and lip area plus the creases near the nostril because those are sensitive areas and they are more prone to drying and peeling effects of the medications.- Stay away from direct sunlight and avoid sun-tanning during use of these medications.- Apply during the night time before bed, not each morning.- Make sure to wait till your face is completely dry in advance of applying.- If you will need to remove unwanted facial hair, especially of the lip area, use caution since waxing could easily peel off skin leaving a sore mark for many days; threading and tweezing are preferred when using these products.- Burning, irritability, redness and stinging are common side effects.- If too much dryness occurs originally of use, it is okay to employ every other day and every third day then slowly increase usage to help you daily.

Antibiotics: clindamycin and erythromycin current solutions are applied on the skin. Oral antibiotics which include tetracycline, minocycline and erythromycin could also be used but only under some sort of physician’s supervision. Side effects might include rashes, diarrhea, stomach ticked-off, yeast infections, bacterial unbalances and sun sensitivity. Oral antibiotics must provide for months to eliminate acne and the use of birth control pills to avoid pregnancy, you must use an added form of contraception during antibiotic use avoiding pregnancy; antibiotics make contraception medications less effective, so you might end up with an unplanned positive pregnancy test understand what use a second reliable back-up approach to prevent pregnancy while taking antibiotics.

Hormonal treatment: women who do not respond to medicated skin area products and antibiotics may profit by oral contraceptive pills to stabilize the hormones, since many with hormonal acne use around their periods. Mild complications which go away in time to come may be breast pain, bloating and nausea. Anti-androgens are often prescribed by a specialized, lowering androgens in your system thus producing less bad acne outbreaks. However, blood tests are crucial before treating acne by using any hormonal medications, so don’t forget to consult with a specialist.

Severe acne: Oral higher doses of Vitamin A good, such as isotretinoin (Accutane), may be used for severe acne with a great deal of scarring. This is a potent medicine and used as a last resort. It is totally critical for women don’t get pregnant while using this medication because there’s an extremely high chance for severe birth blemishes. Before treatment, women of childbearing age really need two negative pregnancy tests. Females must be on two separate options effective birth control in month prior to employ, during use and for one month after discontinuing employ. Since it is unknown whether anyone taking isotretinoin can trigger birth defects, it is advised to never impregnate a woman. Moreover, anybody taking this medication must be carefully monitored and get hold of periodic blood tests.

It is normal to feel frustrated because you feel like you are inclined through puberty yet again. Do not expect results overnight. Acne treatments take months to operate, not days. Your skin may look rather more serious for the first few weeks before seeing improvement as blemishes below the skin start coming out and about. Sometimes, you might have to utilise multiple treatments before determing the best one. Do not just keep waiting around for the acne to clear up naturally, especially if you are generally suffering with it for many years; take the extra time and experience a dermatologist because you will be just one step nearer to clearer skin.

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Anxiety treatment for pregnancy women is very important to avoid premature labor and low weight infant births, if not taken seriously may lead to even more complications. Careful monitor and treatment should be given to the patient and the use of natural remedy is highly recommended for its’ less side effect and long term result. However, all treatment should be under the advice and monitor of doctor to minimize the chances of severe problems.<h2>THE PROBLEM</h2>Panic and anxiety during pregnancy is common. Anxiety attacks in pregnant women can have a physical as well as psychological aspect. This happens because during pregnancy, a women’s hormones go haywire, blood sugar levels fluctuate rapidly and there is lot of action going on inside your body as you breath, digest, feed your child, probably every system in your body is affected. Is it any wonder then, that you get anxiety and panic attacks? So, there is a physical issue and a psychological issue as well. If a women with light panic and anxiety might amplify the problem during pregnancy due to the imbalance hormones, fluctuate blood sugar levels, and every system in your body will be affected, such as your breath, digestion, feed to your child, and much more. All these problems will lead to more severe anxiety attack, and this is just the physical part. Sufferer will developed an anxiety mindset from the physical problems, and feed even more anxiety feelings to the body, if not monitor carefully, after some time, it will became severe anxiety attack, and that is very bad for both mother and baby.<h2>MEDICINES</h2>When choosing medication for anxiety during pregnancy, it is important to consult a trained doctor for an effective treatment with a safety profile.You should consult a qualified doctor with a safety profile when seeking medication for anxiety during pregnancy, because you want to secure your baby and your own safety.

Prozac (Fluoxetine) and Tricyclic antidepressants are the common medicines used for anxiety treatment in pregnancy. These medications are effective and research indicates that there is no increase in risk of major congenital malformation in infants or any serious complications during pregnancy. Not much study has been done on the safety of other serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including paroxetine, sertraline, and fluvoxamine, therefore it is best to rely on your doctor’s advice for these.The effects of benzodiazepines (such as Klonopin, Valium, and Ativan) during pregnancy have been found to be controversial. Some reports suggested that there may be increased risk to the child if the medicines were taken in the first trimester. However, recent studies suggest that the risk may be lower during the second and third trimesters.Higher doses of Benzodiazepines have also been reported to show side effects in newborns, like, floppiness, breathing problems, sedation and benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms like disruption, sleep seizures and irritability.<h2>THE BEST TREATMENT</h2>Herbal or natural medicines for anxiety treatment in pregnancy have been used for centuries. However, there are a variety of medicines and treatments, so it is advisable to consult your therapist before use.Relaxation or relaxing your mind is necessary whenever you get the feeling of being anxious or stressed. Find a cool and quiet place to sit or lie down and just relax. Train your mind to stop worrying and relax. Think of calm, enjoyable and pleasant thoughts. Use deep breathing techniques to multiply the effects of this exercise and you will love the resultant peace.Going through therapy from a qualified trained therapist is very important, and you will find more effective to help your situation. Anxiety treatment in pregnancy is not easy, to avoid any mishaps, you should always seek help from the therapist that can analyze and de-escalate your concerns, therapist is proven to give better confidence and relaxation to a pregnant women with anxiety disorder.Light exercise and breathing fresh air is good for pregnancy, it helps to keep you focused and relief from anxiety.Pregnant women can take help from support groups for naturally effective empowerment and recovery during anxiety treatment in pregnancy. Support groups involve persons with similar problems which makes it easy to open up and discuss solutions. A trained facilitator in the group facilitates discussions.<h2>CONCLUSION</h2>Pregnancy is a very exciting moment for most of the women; however, it is also a time for anxious, worries and apprehensions that would greatly amplify existing problems and cause anxiety disorder. Anxiety treatment in pregnancy is a very challenging task as the treatment may affect the child inside. That’s why most doctors and therapist will prefer natural treatment over strong medication.Visit Native Remedies for more natural treatment.

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Buddy Chase writes regularly about health related topics. I hope you enjoy this article.

A lot of instances it may perhaps not lead to any challenges since our bodies is a superb machine and out physique compensates for the gravity by strengthening the discs of our backbone. Undergoing standard inversion also can increase height by staying away from shrinkage of the backbone, improves circulation in the brain and upper entire body by means of the support of gravity, relieves anxiety due to enhanced circulation and heightens psychological alertness. A bit of assistance prior to undergoing inversion, check with your physician for a physique analysis. Inversion is definitely contraindicated to individuals with situations this sort of as glaucoma, hypertension, enhanced brain pressure and heart disorder and pregnancy.The inversion table performs on the pendulum theory and whatever stop the most excess fat is on is the stop that will tilt. The table is adjusted to the height of the individual and when he will get on the table, leaning back and raising and lowering the arms can command the volume and fee of inversion. There is a strap, or tether, that can manage the maximum inversion sought after. The simple fact that the inversion table is principally sought by people today who endure back again pain is not surprising. The lower in blood flow diminishes the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the area and also diminishes the release of waste from the spot. So the issue can preserve compounding itself. If a disc is ruptured or ballooning out producing ache, the ache can be excruciating.Working with the inversion table will allow the muscle tissues in the back again to have a mild stretch promoting improved circulation, makes it possible for the discs concerning the vertebra to have the strain introduced and move back again into a more standard position, and permits the spinal column to realign alone if a single of the vertebra has moved somewhat. Even when the back again ache is relieved, typical periods on the inversion table is highly recommended to preserve the back muscle tissue and spine from the deteriorating effects of gravity.The volume of inversion picked is absolutely individualized. Even normal short intervals of two-5 minutes of inversion time can promote the back again pain relief and rest. Some people want to invert a bit longer, up to fifteen minutes.People today with a background of specified conditions this kind of as great blood pressure, heart challenges, stroke or any other medical issue, such as pregnancy, that might be affected by improved stress while in inversion ought to test with their health care provider previous to using an inversion table.Inversion gives the wanted decompression into the backbone, there are lots of inversion tables and chairs to pick out from. But by examining inversion table reviews, composed by popular individuals, like you and I, you will uncover inversion therapy gains that your medical doctor may possibly have never advised you about. These are the testimonials from folks going through relief from spinal pain just after working with gravity inversion:

One more consumer of an inversion bench identified that his pinched nerve has been relieved of pain right after only four days of utilizing the inversion bench for just five minutes a day.A particular person with pinched nerves felt that soon after gravity inversion, his back again didn’t harm him as very much.

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* disrupt the normal routine of the pregnant mother.
* cause loss of sleep and poor appetite in mother.
* affect the health of the unborn baby.

Fears and anxieties associated with pregnancy are about :

* Miscarriage or losing the pregnancy.
* Excessive nausea and vomiting.
* Physical changes that occur in the woman’s body during preganancy and after delivery.
* Coping with the pain of labour and delivery.
* Health and well being of the baby.
* How to look after the baby, especially in first time mothers or working mothers.

An anxious woman may :
* be quite unlike her usual self.
* laugh or cry over nothing
* be forgetful
* not concentrate on anything for very long
* have severe depression or anxiety.

Tips to cope with such anxieties and fears :
* Female bodies are made to accommodate labour and delivery, so there is nothing to panic about.
* Discuss your anxiety and fears with your spouse, friends, relations and elderly female members of the family.
* Attend ante natal classes and group discussions to remove the misconceptions and apprehensions related to pregnancy and delivery.

Consult a physician when the anxiety
* is severe and lasts longer than few hours.
* disrupts the normal routine of the pregnant woman.
* affects sleep and appetite of the pregnant woman.

Symptoms
Great worry, fear and anxiety over trivial ailments.
Fear of death or of the future.
Restless; does everything in great haste.
Music is unbearable, makes her sad.
Depression with dreams of impending evil.
Very emotional.
Weeps easily
Easily discouraged
Likes sympathy.
Fearful in evening, of being along, of ghosts.

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Hyla Cass, M.D.

Postpartum depression (PPD) Postpartum Anxiety (PPA) have become a national epidemic in the United States, affecting 15%-20% of all new mothers, or about 600,000-800,000 women annually. (1) It is now estimated that over 30 million Americans are on antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications. (2) The majority of this 30 million are women who have one or more children. The chance of suffering from PPD increases with each successive child. (3)

The most common medical treatment for postpartum depression is SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) antidepressant drugs. Postpartum Anxiety Disorder is most commonly treated by the benzodiazepine family of drugs like Valium, Ativan, Xanax, and Klonopin. Combination reuptake inhibitors for both serotonin and norepinephrine (SNRIs) are also commonly used in postpartum depression. In the case of postpartum psychosis, antipsychotic drugs are used and are immediately necessary. Many women are now given samples of SSRIs as they are leaving the maternity ward. Most medical sources believe that PPD is caused by an imbalance of brain chemistry and that pharmaceutical intervention is the treatment of choice. While a certain percentage of women suffering from PPD do need pharmaceutical assistance, these are far fewer than are actually receiving them. Recent Meta-studies show this to be true.  While it is clear that some women with PPD do need and benefit from pharmaceutical intervention, it is our experience that an integrative approach yields the best results.

Postpartum Anxiety Disorder is mostly treated

The most common Postpartum Depression symptoms  include the following:

1. Persistent feelings of despair and/or anxiety;
2. Loss of energy and low levels of daily functioning;
3. Sleep and eating disturbances;
4. Inability to focus, concentrate or make decisions;
5. Feelings of worthlessness, shame and guilt;
6. Feelings of indifference and/or resentment towards the baby;
7. Intrusive negative thoughts and/or obsessive worries–in the most serious cases, this includes thoughts of harming oneself or the baby;
8. Reduced sex drive;
9. Loss of joy and appreciation for life;
10. Irritability or excessive anger.

The literature generally outlines several types of postpartum disorders that have special features beyond the typical symptoms of depression. These include:

1. Postpartum Anxiety Disorder (PPA). Here, the primary symptoms are excessive nervousness, hyper-vigilance, racing thoughts and in some cases outright panic. Panic attacks are especially frightening–sufferers often believe they are dying, as they experience shortness of breath, dizziness and a pounding chest.

2. Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Most often, this takes the form of obsessive thoughts or worries about the baby and may be accompanied by compulsive behaviors such as constantly checking if the baby is breathing, constantly washing to protect the baby from germs, etc. The most disturbing type of obsessive thoughts are those in which the mother envisions harming her baby in some way. These thoughts are unwanted, intrusive and terrifying to the mother. It is important to emphasize that, except in extremely rare instance of psychosis (see below), these thoughts are not accompanied by any actions. Nonetheless, the mother may be so frightened by her own thoughts that she avoids the baby and consequently neglects her. It is terribly difficult for new mothers to acknowledge having such thoughts, and as a result, many suffer in isolation.

3. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD can occur in response to a real or perceived traumatic childbirth or because of unresolved past trauma–sometimes sexual in nature–triggered during childbirth. A woman who experiences PTSD is likely to have recurring, memories, dreams or even flashbacks of the traumatic labor/birth. She will be hyper-vigilant and startle easily, and will likely suffer from sleeplessness, irritability, poor concentration and apathy. Women who have experienced a particularly traumatic childbirth often show symptoms of both PTSD and PPD.

4. Postpartum Psychosis. This is the most extreme and rarest of all postpartum disorders. When it occurs, the mother loses touch with reality and her symptoms may include extreme disorientation (e.g., not knowing who she is), delusional or paranoid thinking, and visual or auditory hallucinations. The few, tragic cases where mothers have harmed their children while in a psychotic state have received enormous media attention. As a result, many people inaccurately associate PPD with psychotic symptoms and dangerous behavior. This constitutes yet another reason why women fail to get help–they want to avoid being labeled with such a stigmatized disorder.

Article Premise: Fully Replenishing a New Mother’s Postpartum Nutritional Reserves Has Been Largely Ignored and Should  be An Integral Part of Treating Postpartum Depression.

Foundations of A Nutritional Approach to PPD
The human body is entirely formed from nutrients. Every muscle, organ, gland, bone, cell, and fluid is composed entirely of nutrients (environmental toxins notwithstanding). All of the neurotransmitters, hormones, biochemical structures, and metabolic pathways are formed from nutrients.

No other normal physiological process uses up and drains more vital nutrients from a postnatal woman’s body than the process of being pregnant, giving birth, and caring for a new infant which may include breastfeeding. The fact that a mother’s body donates all the nutrients required to form her baby’s body is too often overlooked when it comes to the medical treatment of PPD. Not only does the placenta literally rob the mother’s body of all the key nutrients required to make a baby’s body, but the placenta itself is formed from nutrients taken from the mother’s body. This is the main reason that many postpartum women become nutritional drained and this nutrient depletion syndrome can lead to postpartum depression and anxiety disorder.

Other factors that may contribute to a drain of a new mother’s nutrient reserves are loss of blood during the birth process, sleep deprivation, breastfeeding, returning to work too soon, and the immense extra energy required to take care of a new infant with intense needs. If a pregnant woman’s or new mother’s nutrient reserves are too low, she is much more vulnerable to experiencing PPD and PPA because all of the body’s normal metabolic processes are entirely dependent upon nutrients. The preponderance of extremely poor quality pharmaceutical prenatal vitamins significantly adds to the tendency of nutrient depletion.

Rarely is there is any mention that the body’s production of neurotransmitters is completely dependent upon their nutritional precursors. (4) Nor are the causes of these nutritional precursor deficiencies discussed. Additionally, the interdependent relationship between hormones and neurotransmitters is rarely taken into consideration by most physicians when considering treatment for PPD and PPA. The nutritional requirements of mitochondrial function, the importance of liver function from Western and Eastern perspectives, and some individual nutrients like Omega 3 fish oils, pharmaGABA, L-theanine, SAMe, inositol, magnesium, and the herb St. John’s Wort can also be of great assistance in treating PPD and PPA. These will be briefly discussed.

An integrative approach to treating PPD may include nutritional therapies, bio-identical hormone replacement, moderate exercise, a nutrient dense diet, proper rest, psychological counseling/support, stress reduction techniques, elimination of caffeine, alcohol and other addictive drugs, and if needed, pharmaceutical intervention.

Neurotransmitter Nutritional Precursors

Serotonin and Tryptophan

The amino acid L-Tryptophan is required for the body to produce serotonin. Ninety-five percent of the serotonin in the human body is produced in the intestinal tract. Approximately five percent is produced in the brain. The serotonin produced in the intestinal tract is unavailable to the brain because serotonin cannot pass through the blood- brain barrier. L-Tryptophan also does not easily pass through the blood-brain barrier and requires a carrier protein to ferry it into the brain. The consumption of simple sugars changes brain neuron cell membrane amino acid selectivity, allowing tryptophan to enter the brain more easily. Hence, the craving of sweets is often a sign of serotonin deficiency.

Serotonin has been referred to as the brain’s mood elevating and tranquilizing chemical. Inadequate serotonin levels are linked with depression, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and weight gain. Serotonin mediated depression usually contains an element of anxiety. Serotonin is considered an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Its functions include:

- Inhibiting Glutamate excitability over diverse regions of the CNS
-Stimulating its own receptors on GABA neurons prompting GABA to perform its inhibitory function
- Inhibiting the release of the Catecholamines: Dopamine, Norepinephrine, and Epinephrine.

A comparison of the effects of optimal serotonin levels to low serotonin levels to reveals the following contrasts:

1) Hopeful/optimistic—————-Depressed
2) Calm—————————Anxious
3) Good-natured——————–Irritable
4) Patient————————–Impatient
5) Reflective/ thoughtful————–Impulsive/Reactive
6) Loving /Caring——————–Abusive
7) Able to concentrate—————-Short attention span
Creative/focused——————Blocked/scattered
9) Moderate carbohydrate intake——–Excessive carbohydrate intake
10) Good sleep and dream recall——–Insomnia and poor dream recall

Tryptophan is converted to its metabolite, 5- Hydroxy-Tryptophan (5-HTP) which is then converted to serotonin. Niacin, iron, and folic acid are required for L-Tryptophan to be converted into 5-HTP. The body also requires pyridoxal-5-phosphate along with 5-HTP in order to produce serotonin. Magnesium and riboflavin (B2) are required for the conversion of pyridoxine (B6) into pyridoxal-5-phosphate. Deficiencies in any of these nutrients can limit the production of serotonin. Numerous double-blind studies have shown 5-HTP to be as effective as antidepressant drugs with fewer and milder side effects and most times better tolerated. (5-11)

From Martin Hintz, M.D. –Neuro Research

 A number of significant factors contribute to low L-Tryptophan levels in many people, especially postpartum women whose bodies are providing the proteins needed to form another human body, these include excessive levels of cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. The ratio of L-tryptophan to other amino acids available in most foods is quite low.

An overabundance of the adrenal gland hormone cortisol (a very common occurrence in stressful psychological and physiologic states) adversely affects serotonin production and sensitivity in four different ways:

1. Excess cortisol significantly decreases the number of serotonin (5-HT1A) receptor sites. (12)
2. Excess cortisol suppresses serotonin receptors. (13, 14)
3. Excess cortisol increases serotonin reuptake. (15)
4. Excess cortisol, causes tryptophan oxygenase (TO) to metabolize tryptophan into kynurenine, leaving less tryptophan to become serotonin. (15,16)

If cortisol levels are too low in the amygdala, serotonin no longer has an Inhibitory effect on Glutamatergic activity, suggesting that cortisol plays a key role in maintaining Serotonergic-mediated modulation. (16,17) This may be another factor involving insomnia in PPD.

Added to the reasons that serotonin deficiencies are growing more common and contributing to PPD is a stress-related overabundance of the catecholamines. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine also deplete serotonin because the inhibitory monoamine neurotransmitter serotonin is supposed to balance these three excitatory monoamine neurotransmitters. The more stress a person experiences, the more the body increases the production of the catecholamines in an attempt to respond to this stress. This requires a postpartum body to produce even more serotonin – though deficiencies in nutrient precursors may interfere with its production.

The use of 5-HTP as a nutritional precursor to serotonin has significant advantages over tryptophan. 5-HTP easily passes directly through the blood-brain barrier without the need for a carrier protein, allowing for an easier conversion into serotonin in the brain. Sublingual forms of 5-HTP work more quickly. Dosage varies from 25 mg per day to 300 mg per day or more.

A deficiency of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), which is required for serotonin synthesis, is often found in premenopausal female patients with depression. (18) Replacing B6 in cases of deficiency is an important aspect of PPD treatment that may enhance serotonin production in the brain. (19) The use of the vitamin B6 metabolite, pyridoxal-5-phosphate, instead of B6 is suggested especially when magnesium and/or riboflavin deficiencies are suspected or confirmed. There is some controversy whether it is best to supplement 5-HTP and pyridoxal-5-phosphate together or take them separately, adhering to a two-hour wait period. Our clinical experience indicates that it fine to supplement them together. Many products including a combination of 5-HTP and P-5-P are available.

Some controversy exists regarding the simultaneous use of SSRIs and serotonin nutritional precursors. The pharmaceutical companies seem adamant about avoiding this and often mention the possibility of Serotonin Syndrome, a dangerous condition generally brought about by combining serotonin enhancing medications, especially MAO inhibitors, with medications, herbs, or nutritional precursors that also enhance serotonin activity. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome may include nausea, headache, agitation, diaphoresis, hypertension, tachycardia, and hyperthermia that can go over 104 F. This appears a remote possibility at best when just using 5-HTP or using 5-HTP in combination with one SSRI medication. (20)

SSRIs appear to not only keep serotonin in the neuron synapses longer by inhibiting reuptake, but also by pulling the nutritional precursors for serotonin from the storage vesicles and reuptake ports. In fact, in our clinical experience, many women with PPD do better when taking 5-HTP and P-5-P along with their SSRIs than taking SSRIs alone. Serotonin precursor deficiencies may be the reason that SSRIs don’t work for some, work and then stop working for others, and why it is not unusual for a woman with PPD to have been prescribed two or more different SSRIs over time. The SSRIs do not give a net increase of serotonin so they need enough available serotonin in order to have enough to re-uptake.

Dr. Dean Raffelock- catacholamine chart

The catecholamines are predominantly energizing and mood elevating when produced at appropriate levels. Synthesis of the catecholamines occurs in the CNS, adrenal medulla, and peripheral sympathetic neurons. Norepinephrine and dopamine act primarily as neurotransmitters in the CNS. Epinephrine acts primarily as an adrenal hormone to mobilize energy.

The catecholamines influence most organ systems. When levels are excessive they are catabolic and can lead to the body metabolizing its own nerve, muscle and bone tissue. Low levels can lead to depression, fatigue, and weight gain.

Dopamine: Dopamine is the catecholamine precursor for norepinephrine and is found both in the CNS and adrenal medulla. Its functions include motor function and posture, cognitive function (attention, focus, working memory and problem solving), and pleasure sensations. Dopamine can act either as an inhibitory or excitatory neurotransmitter in response to incoming afferent signals.

Norepinephrine (noradrenaline): CNS norepinephrine mediates mood regulation, drive, ambition, learning and memory, alertness, arousal and focus. Clinically, there is often an inverse relationship between norepinephrine (excitatory) and serotonin (inhibitory). When serotonin is low, norephinephrine may be over-upregulated, resulting in “fight or flight” responses leading to anxiety and/or panic attacks. Over-expression of CNS norepinephrine is clinically associated with anxiety, aggression, irritability, mania or bipolar disease, immune suppression, and hypertension; low norepinephrine is associated with atypical depression, with symptoms of fatigue, hypersomnia, hyperphagia, lethargy and apathy.
(21,22)

Epinephrine (adrenaline): Epinephrine synthesis is dependent upon norepinephrine being converted into epinephrine by methylation.
Hans Selye (1974) described the three phase s of the “General Adaptation Syndrome” to stress (23):

Phase I: Alarm reaction: high epinephrine/high cortisol

Phase II: Resistance: high cortisol/low DHEA, variable epinephrine

Phase III: Exhaustion: depletion of cortisol, epinephrine and DHEA
Adrenal exhaustion is a major factor in depression related to chronic or severe stress.

A woman suffering from PPD should be closely questioned about her symptoms; SSRIs are routinely given to women who have functional hypoadrenia involving the adrenal cortex and/or medulla, or low thyroid function (discussed below). Low glucocorticoid and/or catecholamine levels can cause the symptoms of fatigue, malaise, and depression. (24,25)

Many women with PPD require pharmaceuticals and/or nutriceuticals that address deficiencies in both serotonin and the catecholamines. Nutritional therapies for catecholamine balance include:

§ DL-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine, the amino acid precursors for epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. DL-phenylalanine also helps to increase endorphins, which are mood-elevating. Many PP women diagnosed with bipolar disorder will respond well to high dose DL-phenylalanine therapy (26), along with serotonin precursors and high-dose (6 grams per day) omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oils. (27)

§ L-cysteine, sulfur, iron, and folate, required for conversion of L-tyrosine into L-dopa.

§ Pyridoxal-5-phosphate, required for the conversion of L-dopa into dopamine. Copper and vitamin C are required to convert dopamine into norepinephrine. Pridoxal-5-phosphate, B12, and folic acid are required to convert norepinephrine into epinephrine.

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

GABA is the most important and widespread inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Low levels of GABA are particularly important to look for when anxiety and insomnia are included in the symptom display of PPD/PPA. GABA is essential for balancing excitatory neurotransmitters and hormones such as cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and glutamate. Too much excitation without adequate GABA inhibition can lead to: (28)

- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Panic Attacks
- Seizures

GABA’s job clinically is to induce relaxation, calmness and aid sleep. Where there are glutamate receptors (powerful excitatory neurons), there will be GABA receptors nearby. GABA allows only the most important excitatory signals to pass by and dampens or quenches extraneous excitatory signals when GABA levels are adequate.

Benzodiazapines (Valium, Klonopin, Zanax, Ativan, etc.) and sleep pharmaceuticals like Ambien and Sonata work on GABA receptors, as does moderate alcohol consumption. L-theanine, lactium (milk peptides), L- glutamine, taurine, and bio-identical progesterone can act as nutraceutical/hormonal GABA agonists. The drug Gabatril is a GABA re-uptake inhibitor as is Valerian extract. A newer nutriceutical product called pharmaGABA seems to yield more effective results than synthetic GABA.

From a Chinese Medicine perspective, serotonin and GABA would be Yin (relaxing, harmonizing, cooling, nurturing, moisturizing, inhibitory) and the catecholamines would be Yang (energizing, mobilizing, warming, excitatory, drying). From both Eastern and Western perspectives, it is important to balance these opposing groups of brain chemicals to obtain balance. A woman with PPD who now has more energy but can’t sleep is just as unhappy as a woman who now can sleep but who is even more lethargic than before treatment.

Balancing neurotransmitters is key. Balancing neurotransmitters and hormones is clinically even more effective.

Hormone-Neurotransmitter Interactions

The relationship between neurotransmitters and hormones in PPD is often overlooked. Neurotransmitters and neuropeptides are required in order to mediate hypothalamic production of releasing hormones, enabling the pituitary gland to properly conduct the hormonal orchestra. The hypothalamus is considered a key part of the mid-brain, the “emotional brain,” so there is little wonder why imbalances in neurotransmitters and hormones can adversely affect emotional states.

Thyroid hormones. The catecholamines and thyroid hormones are closely related in many of their functions. L-tyrosine, along with iodine, is the precursor for thyroglobulin and thyroid hormones T-3 and T-4. A depression with no anxiety, with the predominant symptoms of exhaustion and difficulty stringing multiple positive thoughts together, is most often associated with low adrenal (29) and/or thyroid function (30-32) and generally doesn’t respond well to SSRIs or serotonin nutritional precursor therapy.

It is well known that low thyroid function can cause physiologic depression and fatigue. Giving T3 induces a rise in serotonin, and in animals with hypothyroidism, serotonin synthesis is reduced. (33) T3 appears to desensitize presynaptic Serotonin autoreceptors. (34) Conversely, the diurnal peak of TSH, observed during the physiological circadian rhythm, is serotoninergic dependent. (35)

Thyroid function and serotonin function are interdependent both clinically and bio-chemically. Optimal thyroid function is dependent on optimal serotonin levels. Optimal serotonin balance is dependent on optimal thyroid function. TSH increase is dependent on adequate serotonin stimulation of hypothalamic TRH, allowing TSH to rise. (36) Suppressed TSH currently may more appropriately represent low serotonin states than any real assessment of true thyroid function. The thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3) augments and accelerates the effects of antidepressant drugs. Fluoxetine + T3 are better at desensitizing 5-HT hypothalamic autoreceptors than either alone. (37-39)

Estrogen: A growing body of evidence points to estrogen’s importance in serotonergic function. (40) Estrogen inhibits serotonin reuptake. (41,42) Estrogen treatment is shown to selectively enhance serotonin (5-HT1A-mediated) responses in the hippocampus (43,44) Estrogen increased the firing activity of 5-HT (serotonin) neurons in both male and female rats. (45,46) In short, estrogen appears to be nature’s SSRI.

Presently, there is a great deal of controversy regarding estrogen HRT. The HERS study and WHI studies have stirred the controversy without making the important distinction between bio-identical and pharmaceutically altered estrogens; neither is any distinction made between progesterone and progestins. The clinician is encouraged to become very well versed in this area regarding risks versus benefits of HRT. Many women with PPD can benefit from low-dose bio-identical estrogen HRT if indicated and potential benefits outweigh risks.

Progesterone: Bio-identical progesterone has a known anti-depressant/anti-anxiety effect. Throughout pregnancy, the placenta produces copious amounts of progesterone, increasing blood levels to many times pre-pregnancy levels. Post-partum, this supply is suddenly gone, along with its soothing effects on the mother’s nervous system.
Allopregnanolone is synthesized by the reduction of progesterone via the enzymes 5-reductase and 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3-HSD). Allopregnanolone is one of the most potent known modulators of GABA receptors. (47,48) Allopregnanolone has behavioral and biochemical characteristics similar to ethanol, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines. (49,50)

Bio-identical progesterone can be very helpful for women with PPD with anxiety and insomnia. Using the  PharmaGABA and bio-identical progesterone simultaneously is often very helpful to relieve anxiety and sleep issues.

DHEA: DHEA increases the firing activity of serotonin neurons. (51) DHEA also increases dopamine and norepinephrine synthesis via mRNA for tyrosine hydroxylase. (52) Because of this, DHEA can be helpful in some forms of PPD. DHEA also inhibits GABA and is therefore a GABA antagonist. (53) Clinically, if the use of DHEA causes insomnia and irritability, most likely the patient is GABA deficient and this should be addressed before continuing to supplement DHEA.

Testosterone: increases serotonergic neuron firing in the raphe area, increasing mood. (54)

Mitochondrial Function

from Metametrix Lab- Ion Panel Booklet

Inefficient mitochondrial function can limit ATP production, lower energy and contribute to or cause physiological depression. More than 90% of all cellular oxygen consumption is used to fuel mitochondrial metabolism. Mitochondria must transfer huge numbers of electrons to produce energy. Mitochondrial dysfunction can affect all organ systems, including neurons and glands.

Dietary fats, carbohydrates , and proteins all need to be converted into acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl CoA) before entering the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain. The nutritional precursors required for fatty acids, glycerol, and cholesterol to enter the Krebs cycle and generate ATP are riboflavin (B2), L-carnitine, niacin, and biotin. Thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), biotin, and alpha-lipoic acid are required for carbohydrates and proteins to enter the Krebs cycle in the mitochondria.

Within the Krebs cycle, cysteine and iron are needed to convert cis-aconitate to isocitrate. Niacin, magnesium, and manganese are required to convert isocitrate into alpha-ketoglutarate. The amino acids glutamine, histidine, arginine, proline and glycine are needed to form alpha-ketoglutarate. Thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, and alpha lipoic acid, are needed to convert alpha-ketoglutarate into succinyl-CoA. The amino acids isoleucine, valine, and methionine are needed to form succinyl-CoA. Magnesium is required to convert succinyl-CoA into succinate. Riboflavin is required to convert succinate into fumarate. The amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine are needed to form fumarate. Niacin is required to convert malate into oxaloacetate.

All these nutrients are required to produce 36 units of ATP per molecule of acetyl CoA in the Krebs cycle. A significant deficiency of any of these key nutrients can cause mitochondrial dysfunction and contribute to fatigue and depression.

Niacin and coenzyme Q10 are required for oxidative phosphorylation (electron transport chain, or ETC). Normally, the ETC produces another 3 units of ATP in the mitochondria in addition to the Krebs cycle’s 36. A significant deficiency in either of these can also reduce ATP production and contribute to a physiologic depression.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is often overlooked in the treatment of PPD. A study done with postpartum women showed that a comprehensive postnatal nutrient program, including many of the Krebs cycle/oxidative phosphorylation nutrients, relieved many postpartum symptoms including mild to moderate PPD.

Liver Detoxification

NUTRITION: A FUNCTIONAL APPROACH-Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D

For many centuries, Chinese medicine has correlated liver meridian dysfunction with anger, irritability, and depression. From this perspective, suppressed anger often leads to depression. Concepts such as rising liver heat and stagnant liver Qi are used to depict how faulty liver meridian function could dramatically affect emotional states. When the flow of electrons within a meridian is up or down-regulated, the organ dependant upon that meridian will become dis-eased. Many practitioners of Chinese medicine are taught to consider the liver the “seat of the emotional body” because of this strong correlation of liver dysfunction with negative emotions.

In the Orient the term “hot liver” is used to depict someone who has anger issues. The English use the “liverish” to describe one who is irritable. From a Western medicine point of view, most clinicians are aware how an alcoholic’s liver cirrhosis can first cause irritability and eventually depression.

In the past two decades much more information has come to light regarding phase one and phase two liver detoxification pathways. These pathways greatly contribute to the body’s ability to excrete exogenous and endogenous toxic chemicals. Environmental toxin levels (xenobiotics) are ever on the rise and require that the liver play a very important role in their excretion.

Added to this burden of detoxification are the internal production of increased stress hormones and other body chemicals that require excretion. All of these chemicals require that the liver have adequate nutrients to facilitate their excretion.

Phase one liver detoxification consists of oxidation, reduction, or hydrolysis. The cytochrome P450 system mixed function oxidases perform the most important beginning function of detoxifying these exogenous and endogenous toxins. Phase I liver detoxification requires an adequate supply of nutrients, enzymes, and antioxidants. This list includes riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, folic acid, cobalamin, glutathione, phospholipids, carotenes, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, flavonoids, vitamin E, selenium, copper, zinc, manganese, CoQ10, and nutrients contained in thiols, pycnogenol, and silymarin.

Phase II liver detoxification consists of conjugation pathways in the hepatocytes. Amino acid conjugation (binding) of toxins requires glycine, taurine, glutamine, ornithine, and arginine. Sulfation requires sulfur-bearing amino acids or elemental sulfur. Sulfation is required to break down and package estrogens, DHEA, thyroxine, cortisol, catecholamines, melatonin, ethyl alcohol, bile acids, tyramine, cholecystekinin, cerebrosides and others. Glucuronidation requires magnesium and B6 to break down estrogens, other steroids, melatonin, and many xenobiotics.

Methylation requires B12, B6, and folic acid to break down and eliminate catecholamines, histamine, and many drugs and xenobiotics. Glutathione conjugation helps to detoxify heavy metals and numerous xenobiotics. Glutathione requires glutamate, glycine, and cysteine or N-acetyl-cysteine plus selenium and vitamin C for its formation. Acetylation, another detoxification pathway, requires B2, B5, molybdenum, and vitamin C in order to do its function.Sulfoxidation transforms toxic sulfite molecules into usable sulfates.

Mothers in the U.S have a high toxic burden that is evidenced by the levels of toxins in mother’s milk. (55) If the liver is too burdened and unable to perform its many tasks of detoxification, this may contribute to PPD.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Deficiencies and PPD

A deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids has been linked with depression. (56-59) Numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of fish oil supplementation in depression. (60,61)

The human brain is 60% fat. The quality of fats that compose neurons significantly influence brain function including moods. A relative deficiency of flexible omega-3 fatty acids compared to the more rigid omega-6, saturated, and cis-trans fatty acids impairs the function of cell membranes and their ability to selectively allow passage of molecules in and out of neurons. The brain is composed of and uses more fatty acids than any other body structure. DHA – referred to by Allport as the “queen of fats” (62) – is responsible for the fastest cellular movements. As the primary structural and cognitive fat of the brain, DHA also affects moods.

A developing fetus’ brain, nerves, eyes, skin, and cellular membranes all require omega-3 oils, especially DHA. The placenta selectively removes omega-3 oils from the mother’s blood stream via the placenta often leaving the mother significantly deficient in these essential oils. (63,64). The recommended dose for omega-3 fish oils when treating PPD is 6-12 grams per day.

Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort):

Over twenty-five double-blind studies have shown the herb St. John’s Wort to produce as good or better results compared to SSRI drugs with significantly fewer side effects. (65-71) In Germany, where hypericum is a prescription drug and covered by insurance, over 20,000,000 take this herb for depression. One of the benefits of taking St. John’s Wort is an increase of serotonin. (72)

SAMe (S-adenosylmethione):

SAMe is a methyl donor in the production of monamines, neurotransmitters, and phospholipids such as phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine. SAMe serves as a precursor for glutathione, coenzyme A, cysteine, taurine, and other essential compounds. SAMe is involved in converting methionine into sulfur and is important in homocysteine metabolism.

When compared with other antidepressants, SAMe tend to work faster and more effectively with virtually no negative side effects. In fact, SAMe has beneficial side effects including improved cognition, slowing of the aging process, improved joint function and less pain, and liver protection. (73)

Normally the brain synthesizes adequate SAMe from the amino acid methionine. Supplementing SAMe in depressed patients increases serotonin and dopamine levels, improves membrane fluidity, and improves the binding of neurotransmitters to receptor sites (74,75). Numerous double-blind studies demonstrate the efficacy of SAMe for depression. (76-78) The suggested dose of SAMe to treat depression ranges from 400-1600 mg a day.

Inositol

Depressed patients have lower brain levels of inositol. (79) Inositol is useful in maintaining healthy serotonin metabolism, and by doing so helps treat many conditions like depression, agoraphobia, panic disorder (80-82), and obsessive compulsive disorder (83).
Research shows that taking 6-12 grams of inositol per day for 4 weeks significantly improves mood and reduces the severity of depression. (84-86) Inositol can be safely used with antidepressant medications. (87)

L-Theanine

L-theanine is known to increase levels of GABA and has an anti-anxiety effect as well as improving cognitive function. (88) L-theanine may also normalize dopamine levels which are often depleted by various stresses. (89) L-theanine significantly reverses glutamate-induced toxicity. (90)

Integrating High Quality, High Potency Prenatal and Postnatal Nutrient Systems into Preventing and Treating Postpartum Depression and Anxiety 

Clinically it is imperative that higher quality, higher potency, more comprehensive prenatal an postnatal nutrient systems be utilized in the treatment and prevention of postpartum depression. It is common knowledge in many 3rd world countries that the postpartum recovery period is 24 months because this is the amount of time women are told to wait between pregnancies to replenish their bodies and avoid many postnatal health problems. These women have more community and extended family support too which significantly reduces the incidence of PPD.

Most prenatal vitamin supplements are inadequate to fully supply developing baby and mother with the potency and quality of nutrients required to fuel pregnancy and the postpartum periods. These are highly nutrient dependent process.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial done on a comprehensive postnatal nutrient program called After Baby Boost showed excellent results, improving 14 common postpartum symptoms including postpartum depression, anxiety, insomnia and mood swings. Parameters measured were breast tenderness, concentration, cramping, depression, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, irritability, joint inflammation and pain, mood swings, nervousness, palpitations, sweating, temperature changes (hot or cold), vaginal dryness, and water retention.

After Baby Boost contains high-potency vitamins and minerals including CoQ10, alpha lipoic acid, 2 grams of fish oils with 3 antioxidants to prevent rancidity, and nighttime minerals (calcium and magnesium citrate). The placebo used was a leading prenatal vitamin.

After Baby Boost significantly outperformed the prenatal vitamin in all 14 symptom categories, indicating that most postpartum women require more comprehensive, higher potency nutrient replenishment than prenatal vitamins provide. (91)

Obstetricians rarely stress the importance of a high-quality, nutrient dense diet. Nor do they prescribe high quality prenatal vitamins.  Women are often told, “you are eating for two now, so eat whatever you want.” In actuality, only 300 extra calories are needed per day during pregnancy. It is important that these be nutrient-dense calories. Unrestricted eating of carbohydrates contributes to obesity and can contribute to metabolic diseases including physiologic depression and even, diabetes of pregnancy.

Integrative PPD Treatment

It is hoped that the reader becomes more aware of this simple concept: A baby’s body is entirely composed of the nutrients donated by its mother’s body. Because all physiologic processes and chemicals (neurotransmitters, hormones, metabolic pathways, etc.) are nutrient dependent, nutritional deficiencies can often be the fundamental cause of PPD. While antidepressant drugs are necessary for some, the longer-term solution often requires a well-thought-out integrative approach that includes (1) replenishing nutritional reserves through dietary supplements,(2) psychotherapy and/or  childbirth/PTSD therapies such as EMDR, (3)adequate sleep (often very difficult with a new infant), (4) moderate exercise, (5) deep belly breathing/meditation, (6) community support, (6) a nutrient dense diet, and (7) drug therapy when necessary

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46. Robichaud M, Debonnel G. “Oestrogen and testosterone modulate the firing activity of dorsal raphe nucleus serotonergic neurones in both male and female rats,” J Neuroendocrinol 2005 Mar;17(3):179-85.

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49. Kaura V, et al. “The progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone potentiates GABA(A) receptor-mediated inhibition of 5-HT neuronal activity,” Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2007 Jan 15;17(2):108-15.

50. Sinnott RS, Mark GP, Finn DA. “Reinforcing effects of the neurosteroid allopregnanolone in rats,” Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2002 Jul;72(4):923-9.

51. Robichaud M, Debonnel G, “Modulation of the firing activity of female dorsal raphe nucleus serotonergic neurons by neuroactive steroids,” Journal of Endocrinology 2004;182:11-21.

52. Charalampopoulos I, et al, “Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and allopregnanolone directly stimulate catecholamine production via induction of tyrosine hydroxylase and secretion by affecting actin polymerization,” Endocrinology 2005 Aug;146(8): 3309-3318.

53. Shen W, et al. “Pregnenolone sulfate and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate inhibit GABA-gated chloride currents in Xenopus oocytes expressing picrotoxin-insensitive GABA(A) receptors,” Neuropharmacology 1999 Feb;38(2):267-71.

54. Robichaud M, Debonnel G. “Oestrogen and testosterone modulate the firing activity of dorsal raphe nucleus serotonergic neurones in both male and female rats,” Journal of Neuroendocrinology 2005;17(3):179-185.

55. Landrigan PJ (ed.) “Chemical Contaminants in Breast Milk,” Environmental Health Perspectives 2002 June; 110(6):A313-A315.

56. Bruinsma KA, Taren DL. “Dieting, essential fatty acid intake, and depression,” Nutrition Rev 2000;58(4):98-108.

57. Hibbeln JR. “Fish consumption and major depression,” Lancet 1998;351(9110):1213.

58. Logan A. “Neurobehavioral aspects of omega-3 fatty acids: possible mechanisms and therapeutic value in major depression,” Altern Med Rev 2003;8(4):410-425.)

59. Mamalakis G, Tornaritis M, Kafatos A. “Depression and adipose essential polyunsaturated fatty acids,” Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2002;67:311-318.

60. Mischoulon D, Fava M, “Docosahexanoic acid and omega-3 fatty acids in depression,” Psychiatr Clin North Am 2000;23:785-794.

61. Puri BK, Counsell SJ, Hamilton G, et al. “Eicosapentaenoic acid in treatment-resistant depression associated with symptom remission, structural brain changes and reduced neuronal phospholipid turnover,” Int J Clin Pract 2001;55:560-563.

62. Allport S. The Queen of Fats: Why Omega-3s Were Removed From the Western Diet and What We Can Do To Replace Them, University of California Press, Berkeley, CA: 2006.

63. Kendall-Tackett K. “A new paradigm for depression in new mothers: the central role of inflammation and how breastfeeding and anti-inflammatory treatments protect maternal mental health,” Int Breastfeed J 2007;2.

64. Stoll A. The Omega-3 Connection, Free Press, New York, NY: 2002

65. Halama P. “Efficacy of the Hypericum extract LI 160 in the treatment of 50 patients of a psychiatrist,” Nervenheilkunde 1991;10:305-7.

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67. Harrer G, Hubner WD, Podzuweit H. “Effectiveness and tolerance of the hypericum extract LI 160 compared to maprotiline: a multicenter double-blind study,” J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 1994 (7 Suppl 1);S24-8.

69. Hubner WD, Lande S, Podzuweit H. “Hypericum treatment of mild/moderate depressions with somatic symptoms,” J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 1994 (7 Suppl 1):S12-4.

70. Kasper S, et al. “Superior efficacy of St John’s wort extract WS® 5570 compared to placebo in patients with major depression: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial,” BMC Med 2006.

71. Vorbach EU, Hubner WD, Arnoldt KH. “Effectiveness and tolerance of the Hypericum extract LI 160 in comparison with imipramine: randomized double-blind study with 135 outpatients,” J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 1994 (7 Suppl 1);S19-23.

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74. Bottiglieri T, et al. “Cerebrospinal fluid S-adenosylmethionine in depression and dementia: effects of treatment with parenteral and oral S-adenosylmethionine,” J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1990;53(12):1096-8.

75. Bottiglieri T. “Ademetionine (S-adenosylmethionine) neuropharmacology: implications for drug therapies in psychiatric and neurological disorders,” Expert Opin Investig Drugs 1997;6(4):417-26.

76. Kagan BL, et al. “Oral S-adenosylmethionine in depression: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial,” Am J Psychiatry 1990;147:591-595.

77. Mischoulon D, Fava, M. “Role of S-adenosyl-L-methionine in the treatment of depression: a review of the evidence,” Am J Clin Nutr 2002 Nov;76(5): 1158S-1161S.

78. Rosenbaum JF, et al. “The antidepressant potential of oral S-adenosyl-l-methionine,”Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 1990 May;81(5):432-436.

79. Bersudsky Y, et al. “Epi-inositol and inositol depletion: two new treatment approaches in affective disorder,” Curr Psychiatry Rep 1999 Dec;1(2):141-147.

80. Belmaker, R. H. et al. “Manipulation of inositol-linked second messenger systems as a therapeutic strategy in psychiatry,” Adv Biochem Psychopharmacol 1995;49: 67-84

81. Benjamin J, et al. “Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of inositol treatment for panic disorder,” Am J Psychiatry 1995;152 (7):1084-6.

82. Palatnik A, et al. “Double-blind, controlled, crossover trial of inositol versus fluvoxamine for the treatment of panic disorder,” J Clin Psychopharmacol 2001;21(3): 335-339.

83. Fux M. “Inositol treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder,” Am J Psychiatry 153(9): 1219-1221.

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85. Levine J, et al. “Double-blind, controlled trial of inositol treatment of depression,” Am J Psychiatry 1995;152(5):792-794.

86. Levine J. “Controlled trials of inositol in psychiatry,” Eur  Neuropsychopharmacol 1997;7(2):147-55.

87. Levine J, et al. “Combination of inositol and serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of depression.” Biol Psychiatry 1999;45(3): 270-273.

88. Nathan PJ, et al. “The neuropharmacology of L-Theanine(N-Ethyl-L-Glutamine): a possible neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing Agent,” Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy: Innovations in Clinical and Applied Evidence-Based Herbal Medicinals 2006; 6(2).

89. Mason R. “200 mg of Zen; L-theanine boosts alpha waves, promotes alert relaxation,” Alternative & Complementary Therapies 2001 Apr 7:91-95.

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91. Blum J et al., “A randomized double-blind clinical trial investigating fourteen postpartum symptoms comparing After Baby Boost comprehensive postnatal nutritional system vs. a leading prenatal vitamin as placebo.” 

Female Infertility Treatment – Medical Options

Depending on if your preactioner can find a definite scientific cause for you infertility, different courses of treatment may be offered to you.  Fertility drugs are prescribed to cause ovulation, hormone balancing drugs are prescribed to even out hormone imbalances and surgery is often recommended to correct physical conditions such as endometriosis.  The adverse effects of drug therapy have resulted in some true horror stories for the women seeking a female infertility treatment.  Most women that I have spoken to, chose to cease their drug therapy despite the possible benefits, because they felt that it was doing them more harm than good.

Other women have found that in attempting to talk about nutritional, emotional and psychological factors as affecting their infertility, with their doctors; they experienced cool responses.  It seems that a lot of the medical community preoccupies itself with treating the symptoms of female infertility, rather than the causes.

If you are seeking to address your personal female infertility treatment from a more holistic point of view, then there are many practitioners of alternative medicine (including those that specialize in infertility, conception and pregnancy) that address all aspects (physical, nutritional, emotional and psychological factors)of female infertility treatment.

Female infertility treatment – alternative treatments

Many women have been able to overcome their infertility problems using techniques that range from changes to their diet and exercise regime, to keeping away from exposure to certain chemical and environmental influences.  Here are some of the alternative female infertility treatments that have proven successful for other women:

* Nutrition for Fertility – you body requires certain vitamins and minerals in order for it to function to the best of its ability.  Other dietary factors such as eating highly processed food (e.g. fast food, bleached sugar and flour) can affect how well your body functions.  For example vitamin B6 (found in high quantities in garlic, tuna, banana, celery and cabbage, to name a few) has been attributed to balancing the estrogen/progesterone balances in women.  Lisa Olson, in her literature on fertility, conception and pregnancy, describes in great detail how you can change your diet as a female infertility treatment.
* Exercise for Fertility – Women that exercise strenuously tend to experience irregularities in their ovulation and in some cases stop having their periods all together.  Too much exercise can put lots of stress on a woman’s boy and reduce body fat levels below what is required for pregnancy to occur.  If you partake in a lot of strenuous exercise, ease off for a while and give your body a chance to recover.Just as being underweight and over-exercised can reduce your fertility, so can being overweight and not active enough.  In fact research suggests that being overweight can double a woman’s chances of being infertile.  If you have a weight problem and are you are trying to get pregnant, loosing some weight will make you healthier, your lifestyle better, and improve your chances of conception.
* Understanding your Fertility – Another step in female infertility treatment is ensuring that you are familiar with your ovulation cycle and fertility period.  When you can be certain that you are having intercourse during you 12 hour ‘window’ of fertility, you maximize your chances of conceiving.  There are many methods that you can use to learn about your ovulation and fertility.  Once you learn to recognize the signs, you will be able to pinpoint the best time to get pregnant.
* Take a Holiday to boost your Fertility – There have been anecdotal reports that show that some women who had been diagnosed as infertile, have in fact conceived while they were on holiday.  Many women undergoing female infertility treatment experience high levels of stress and anxiety, and while they are relaxing on holiday they get pregnant.  When your mind and body get a chance to take a break from the stress and pressure, you relax and sometimes that is just what nature needs in order to be able to take its course.

When seeking female infertility treatment, keep in mind that although modern medicine is still learning about all of the causes and cures of female infertility, it is still important to utilize all that science has to offer that can contribute to your health and wellbeing.  Where ever possible combine the best of all world – doctors, nutrition, alternative and natural treatments, as well as emotional and spiritual health.

What are fertility problems?

Infertility can be defined as the failure to achieve pregnancy after regular unprotected sex (without the use of any contraception) for at least a year.

‘Primary’ infertility means failure to achieve a first pregnancy, ‘secondary’ infertility means failure to achieve a subsequent pregnancy.

Primary infertility is an extremely common problem, affecting more than one in seven (15 per cent) couples attempting their first pregnancy. Among those experiencing difficulty with conception, a male fertility problem is considered important in around 40 per cent of couples. In 15 per cent of couples it will be solely a male fertility problem and in around 25 per cent, there will be a problem in both partners.

Why do men get fertility problems?

There are several causes of fertility problems in men. They include : -

* obstructive problems (blockages in sperm-carrying tubes)
* testicular injury and disease
* varicocele
* sperm disorders
* genetic disorders
* (problems with erection) and ejaculation
* hormonal problems
* general medical disorders that reduce fertility
* drugs that reduce fertility
* environmental toxins and radiation.

Obstructive problems

A blockage in a sperm-carrying tubes has many potential causes.

The most common are outlined below : -

* Groin surgery (including hernia repair and fixation of undescended testicles).
* Trauma to the scrotum sack covering the testicles (even fairly minor sporting injuries).
* Infection (particularly chlamydia, gonorrhoea and tuberculosis).
* Previous vasectomy (a form of contraception that involves tying the sperm-carrying tubes).

Some men have congenital (present at birth) absence of the vas deferens on one or both sides. The vas deferens is the tube that conducts the testicular component of semen to the urethra, which then carries semen through the penis to the outside world.

About 10 per cent of men with an obstructive cause for their infertility will have this problem. The seminal vesicles (where other semen components are made) are often absent too.

Another rare obstructive cause is Berry-Perkins-Young syndrome, in which sufferers have a chronic chest disease (bronchiectasis), chronic sinusitis and obstructive infertility.

Testicular injury and disease

A blow to the testicles, which may occur in sport or during a fight, can cause swelling of the testicles, or bleeding in or around them. This probably causes the blood supply to the testicles to fail, resulting in permanent damage to the sperm production mechanism.

Torsion of the testicles (twisting of a testicle on its cord) can have a similar effect if it is not treated very quickly with surgery. Viral infections can cause inflammation of the testicles (orchitis, which usually appears as painful swelling of the testicles) and failure of sperm production.

Mumps is the best-known cause, but is not the only one. Mumps will only affect fertility if it causes orchitis and, even then, only rarely. Undescended testicles (cryptorchidism) are another common cause of failure of sperm production. Male infants and children are routinely examined to identify this problem, as future fertility can only be preserved if surgical treatment to fix the testicles in the scrotum is performed in early childhood. Even surgery in infancy does not guarantee future fertility.

Varicocele

A varicocele is a dilation of the testicular veins in the spermatic cord that leads from the testicles to the abdomen. The role of this condition in causing infertility is uncertain and highly controversial. Varicoceles occur in 15-20 per cent of fertile men and 30 to 40 per cent of men with fertility problems. They can occur on either or both sides, but are far more common on the left.

They are best identified when the man is standing up and are often described as feeling like ‘a bag of worms’. Experts suggest that the varicocele either heats up the testicles or impairs their blood supply resulting in a build-up of body waste products, thus affecting fertility. The co-existence of other risk factors, such as smoking, with varicocele seems to have a greater effect on the risk of infertility.

Sperm disorders

Disorders of sperm numbers, movement and shape are common in men with infertility. Prolonged abstinence from ejaculation can affect sperm motility. Modern techniques can identify structural and biochemical abnormalities within the individual sperm.

Genetic disorders

Problems with chromosomes (packages of genetic material) occur in about 2 to 20 per cent of infertile men and can affect their fertility in two ways:

* chromosome disorders can affect the development of the testicles. These are usually disorders of the sex chromosomes, by far the most common being Klinefelter’s syndrome. In this disorder, instead of having 46 chromosomes, including one X and one Y chromosome (46XY), the man has an additional X chromosome (47XXY).
* chromosome abnormalities can disrupt cell division and sperm production.

Problems with erection and ejaculation

Problems with sex are the principal cause of infertility in about 5% of couples.

This can be due to : -

* erectile dysfunction (inability to attain or maintain an erection adequate for intercourse)
* premature ejaculation
* failure to ejaculate
* inability to achieve vaginal penetration for other reasons.

Hormonal problems

Testosterone deficiency can reduce fertility and may be caused by problems with testicular testosterone production, or problems with the pituitary gland or hypothalamus in the brain, which control testosterone production. Overproduction of prolactin (hyperprolactinaemia), a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, may also reduce fertility.

General medical disorders that reduce fertility

There are several conditions that may reduce fertility : -

* Fever: influenza (flu), pneumonia, or even a severe cold can cause a high fever, which will adversely affect sperm production and quality. These changes usually recover over a few weeks.
* Diabetes: in the longer term, diabetes can cause problems with erection and ejaculation through causing damage to the function of the ‘automatic nervous system’.
* High blood pressure: hypertension (high blood pressure) can cause problems with erection, either directly or as a side effect of medication.
* Coronary artery disease: coronary artery disease can cause problems with erection. This could be due to generalised hardening of the arteries, in the penis as well as the heart, or to drugs used in the treatment of heart problems.
* Neurological disorders: multiple sclerosis, stroke, and spinal cord injury and disease can all cause problems with erection and ejaculation.
* Kidney disease: chronic renal failure, which results in a build up of waste products in the body, can adversely affect sperm quality and fertility. It can also cause erection problems.
* Cancer: cancers that affect the genital tract or endocrine (hormone-producing) systems may directly reduce fertility. Otherwise, drugs and radiation used to treat cancer may severely reduce sperm production or even stop it altogether. Stress (see below) may also have an effect.
* Alcoholism: alcohol is toxic to sperm and overuse of alcohol can reduce sperm quality and fertility.
* Stress: stress causes several hormonal changes in the body that can affect fertility. Stress can have many causes, including anxiety over fertility problems.

Environmental toxins and radiation

Several media reports have highlighted research studies showing that sperm counts are falling and that male fertility is declining, possibly because of environmental pollution. A similar number of studies have shown no change whatsoever, but these do not make such good headlines and often fail to be reported in the media.

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For some people though, surgery and other thorough medical treatments are necessary especially if the condition is brought about by a primary illness. Hence, it is very important that you seek professional help to know if it is a single disease or if it is coupled with a more serious case.

Once you experience tinnitus or swishing or ringing in ears, treatment varies. This is so because remedies or treatment should be based on the cause of the noise or sound. The most common causes of tinnitus are as follows:

• Hearing loss, which is actually normal especially if a person ages.

• Ear infection or excess wax in the ear.

• Ear trauma

• Exposure to loud noises like high-intensity music (loud sounds could really damage the hearing system)

• Overuse of aspirin, quinine and aminoglycoside antibiotics, a potent anti-infection drug

• Other underlying or main health issues such as Meniere’s disease, anemia, overactive thyroid and acoustic neuroma

• Pregnancy could also be a cause of ear noises or sounds

For those diagnosed with hearing organ damage, treatment is not ruled out as necessary. Patients are just usually reassured that tinnitus is a single disease and not a by-product of any other serious issue. And while some causes, like pregnancy, could give just a temporary case of tinnitus—meaning, the condition will go eventually away– the others entail some appointment with your otolaryngologist or ear, nose and throat specialist.

For those people who are experiencing severe swishing and ringing in ears, the following could be recommended by doctors:

• Antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication

• Use of maskers and other ear devices that can mask the sounds coming from the outside

• If patients are bothered by the swishing and ringing in their ears at night, a fan, radio and other sound-producing machines could relieve the problem.

• If the ear condition worsens because of stress, relaxation methods are advised.

• Less caffeine intake, as the said substance could worsen the symptoms

• Avoiding aspirin and other drug that cause tinnitus

• Protecting the ears from harsh and loud noises that could bring about hearing loss—a condition that could just make tinnitus even worse.

• A method called Biofeedback could also help relieve or diminish the irritating sounds in the ears. This treatment method uses monitors that can furnish patients with psychological information that they are not normally aware of. By adjusting their thinking based on the mental processes that they see on the monitor, they get to control the body activities that are involuntary by nature.

So if you are one of those people who are experiencing those disturbing sounds, it’s time to pay your doctors a visit to get the medical attention that you need.

It hampers the social, personal and professional life of women. Women tend to suffer from depression twice as more as their men counterpart. These kind of depressions are a great risk to the mental health, especially among young women. It mainly happens in women as they are in general more emotional than their male counterpart. They pile up loads of emotions in their mind without venting them.

Symptoms

There are several symptoms which can predict whether a woman is under depression or not. When depressed she does not find any interest in activities she enjoyed before. She starts blaming herself for everything and can also have suicidal tendencies. She may feel unwanted.

Depression is usually accompanied with disturbed sleep, change in diet, low concentration and difficulty decision making, impatience and irritation and weakness.

Causes of depression

Women generally suffer from similar kind of depressions. Some of them are explained by the experts as psychological, biological, social causes:

Biological causes include the problem of premenstrual problem such as itchiness, bloating, weakness etc which disturbs their lives. Problem of pregnancy and unproductiveness, issues like unwanted pregnancy, or miscarriage can lead to depression. Some women suffer from the postpartum depression when they experience baby blues.

Social causes include the problem of role strain which means playing different roles at same time, physical and mental abuse, lack of status and power in society, dissatisfaction in relationships and poverty.

Psychological causes include the problem of coping mechanism, stress response, puberty and body image which creates depression in women.

Women suffering from medical illness unable to fulfill her physical needs can result in depression. Any kind of financial crises, imbalance in relationships or any stressful act leads to depressive disorder.

Besides this there are other types of depression which include major depression – the most common depressive disorder. Less severe depressive disorder is dysthymia. Another type of depression is manic-depressive illness which is not very common.

Treatments available

Various treatments are available for depressions, which include Antidepressant medications, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), Psychotherapy.

Women should consult a doctor about the cause of their depression. Birth control medicines and hormone substitution therapy are also very effective in solving your biological problems.

Interpersonal therapy and cognitive-behavior therapy are really effective in improving personal relationship and making them healthy. This reduces the creation of negative thoughts in your mind.

Women suffering from depression must try and be practical. Don’t let negative thoughts come to the mind and make sue you get proper treatment. Go for physical examinations. Make sure you exercise regularly as exercise is the best medicine for your depression.

They tend to flush out your negative radiations and give you positive vibes. Taking regular well balanced nutritious diet also helps in lowering down the depression level. If you are suffering from depression don’t wait to act.

Acid reflux is one of the most widespread problems babies face. Babies with acid reflux frequently suffer from an array of conditions from modest to more serious levels such as recurring spitting up abdominal pain and sleeplessness. Learn to help your child with acid reflux.

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Are you sick of antacids not working and interested in a heartburn home treatment? Learn how to cure acid reflux with these 9 tips.

Do you suffer from anxiety attacks? Do you wonder if there is a natural anxiety cure? I know how you feel and I really want to help you writing these rows with a few important tips that can help you get rid of anxiety and panic attacks forever.

If you are reading this article then you are probably pregnant and suffering from heartburn. The first thing you should know is that the heartburn is the most harmless pregnancy symptom although it can and will make these 9 months much harder for you.

It is important to note that acid reflux is a complicated issue and the result of many internal factors. Most acid reflux remedies are not effective cures in themselves. That said acid reflux home remedy when properly selected and applied can reduce most of the symptoms of acid reflux.

The best heartburn and reflux remedy is to change your lifestyle and your diet but always try to locate the root cause behind this problem before taking any medications or trying to find a home relief. If you take wrong medicines it can also aggravate this problem even further.

What are some of the herbal remedies for arthritis and how do you consume them? Get an insight here!

Those who suffer from panic attacks experience an overwhelming feeling of terror which can strike repeatedly and with little warning. For most it is impossible to predict when a panic attack will happen and that leads to constant fear and worry about the next attack. The key to stopping these attacks is learning to break this cycle of fear of the next attack

Do you suffer from anxiety or panic attacks and are looking for a natural cure?

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If you are suffering with panic attacks you will know how debilitating they are. Anyone who has experienced a panic attack will generally say that it is one of the most intensely frightening upsetting and uncomfortable experiences of a person’s life. With this article you can learn how to manage your attacks

Does a panic attack sufferer require medication to be cured from having future panic episodes? Is there a natural panic attack remedy such as taking certain herbs vitamins and certain foods that are better and safer than pharmaceuticals? An equally important question is what role therapy and counseling should play in helping people cope with panic attacks and be cured? And finally must a panic attack sufferer spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars going to therapy or is there a less expensive but equally effective alternative

Nocturnal panic attacks are much more difficult to diagnose than regular panic attacks due to the fact that they often get confused with bad dreams. There are plenty of folks who are troubled with nocturnal panic attacks and are completely oblivious of it. Except of course for the symptoms that they fail to recognize

How to identify whether you are having a panic attack? Most people feel tightness in their chest. However there are several symptoms that indicate a panic attack. Each symptom may vary from one person to other. Here is a list of certain distinguishing factors that define a panic attack

Do you need help for panic attacks? Panic attacks and Anxiety is a common condition in today’s society and getting help for them is vital. Here are the best 3 ways you can get help for panic attacks

Panic attacks typically reach maximum intensity within one to three minutes once they begin. They then diminish gradually over the next thirty minutes sometimes taking up to a few hours to fully dissipate. It is common for a person to go to an emergency room the first time they have a panic attack because they are ‘shocked’ at what is happening. The fear of the unknown of what is happening makes that first panic attack even more scary. Subsequent attacks may occur several times a month or rarely and can be as severe as the initial attack. However when a person at least becomes educated about panic attacks the next time they have one they can do some encouraging self talk

Panic attacks can be extremely frightening but fortunately are physically harmless. Unfortunately the attacks are serious psychological conditions which are affecting more and more people and are no respecter of persons. Most experts believe that panic attacks results from a sudden rush of adrenaline causing the heart to

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The great debate is over should panic attack sufferers take medication or a natural cure for panic attacks. Here my reasons about why I personally believe that it is more effective to go with a natural holistic approach instead of taking medication for anxiety panic attack symptoms and the reasons why it is better for anxiety attack panic treatment

Did you just feel a slight pain in your chest? are you feeling dizziness? or rapid heartbeat? or feeling faint or sick? if all these symptoms are positive then chances are you just suffered a mild panic attack

Panic attack forums are a good place to seek for guidance and self-help apart from continuing with regular medical treatment. Panic attacks must not be taken lightly. In fact if you have one panic attack per week then it is crucial that you consult a doctor immediately otherwise it might develop into an anxiety or panic disorder. Though panic attacks remain a mystery the physical symptoms accompanying them are too painfully clear. People who suffer from panic attacks complain of palpitations shortness of breath nausea dizziness confusion lack of coordination and so on. This is not a rare problem and many victims often discuss problems and possible solutions on the many panic attack forums on the Internet

You wake up in the middle of the night your heart pounding you can’t catch your breath you’re confused and you think you’re dying. It’s a nocturnal panic attack. What you can do to end these attacks and get your sleep back

Panic attacks are more common in daytime. Studies show that 90% of panic attack sufferers go through their ordeal within their busy hours. Ordinarily that will be within office hours where the stress level is at its peak level

Panic attacks though quite frightening to the victim pose no real threat and are actually fairly common among the general population today. It is estimated that 10% of the people in the United States and the U.K. suffer panic attacks sometimes on a daily basis

Graves’ disease is named after the Irish physician who described several cases in the London Medical Journal in 1835. In some cases, Graves’ disease goes into remission or disappears completely after several months or years. Similar antibodies may also attack the tissues in the eye muscles and in the pretibial skin (the skin on the front of the lower leg). There’s also a genetic influence contributing to Graves’ disease and it can run in families. In the case of Graves’ disease, the body sees the thyroid gland as the foreign object and produces antibodies that attack the thyroid gland. This will often (but not in all cases) cause the thyroid gland to become over active. Graves’ eye disease is currently believed to be due to a similar autoimmune reaction. Graves’ disease can have an effect on many parts of the body such as the nervous system, eyes, skin, hair/nails, lungs, digestive system, muscles/bones and reproductive system. Although many patients with Graves’ disease have redness and irritation of the eyes at some time, less than 1% ever develop enough inflammation of the eye tissues to cause serious or permanent trouble. Patients who have severe eye symptoms may benefit from visiting an eye doctor. Graves’ disease is rarely fatal, and people seldom get extremely ill because of it.

Causes of Graves’ disease

The common causes and risk factor’s of Graves’ disease include the following:

An autoantibody (called thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin, TSI) that acts like thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and that causes the thyroid gland to produce excess thyroid hormone.

Toxic multinodular goiter.

Toxemia of pregnancy.

Iodine excess.

Discontinuation of antithyroid medication.

Excessive thyroid medication given to hypothyroid sufferers.

Symptoms of Graves’ disease

Some sign and symptoms related to Graves’ disease are as follows:

Muscle weakness.

Heat intolerance.

Blurred or double vision.

Nervousness & irritability.

Weight loss.

Increased appetite.

Dislike of hot weather.

Itching.

Weak leg muscles.

Lighter menstrual flow.

Nervousness.

Sweating.

Increased eye tearing.

Infrequent or absent menstrual periods.

Treatment of Graves’ disease

Here is list of the methods for treating Graves’ disease:

Your doctor will prescribe either methimazole (Tapazole) or propylthiouracil (PTU) pills. These drugs act to prevent the thyroid from manufacturing the thyroid hormone.

Anti-thyroid drugs which inhibit production or conversion of the active thyroid hormone.

Surgical removal of most of the thyroid gland is the other alternative for severe cases of Graves’ disease.

Fevers are treated with cooling measures and antipyretics.

Another medication, propranolol, is a beta-blocker that helps relieve the symptoms of Graves’ disease including rapid heart rate, tremor, sweating and anxiety.

Radioactive iodine therapy: This is an alternative if drug treatment fails.

Iodinated contrast agents can also provide effective treatment for hyperthyroidism of any cause.

There are various signs and symptoms that precede acute anxiety and panic attacks. These signs and symptoms create hazardous circumstances which can result in the sufferers of acute anxiety and panic attacks being examined for disease after disease while being told again and again that nothing is wrong with them. Realization and diagnoses of acute anxiety and panic attacks only occur after all the other potential illnesses have been ruled out by which time a whole lot of time and resources have been wasted

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Unless you know the facts you may mistake the chest pains that normally accompany panic attacks for a heart attack. Every year thousands of people having chest pain difficulty breathing pain or numbness in the left arm and tingling throughout the body end up in a hospital emergency room

Panic attack symptoms that lasts for a while is one of the most distressing conditions a person can experience panic attack symptoms can closely mimic those of a heart attack. Usually most people who have one attack will have others and when somebody has repeated attacks with no other apparent physical or emotional cause or feels severe stress about having another attack he is claimed to have panic disorder

It can range from shortness of breath to sweating and nausea. The whole world becomes detached. Have you experienced any of these anxiety panic attack symptoms before? Learn how to recognize anxiety panic attack symptoms and tips for what to do when panic attacks

There are many common symptoms of panic attacks. When an individual experiences a panic attack various symptoms occur that can leave that person in a state of devastation. Generally these attacks last as little as five minutes and can be as long as a half an hour

If you or someone you love is suffering with panic attacks then use these 3 simple steps to get some quick help. Help for panic attacks is essential especially when you find yourself making life decisions based on your fear of having another panic attack

Panic attacks can be defined as frightening yet very harmless episodes from the physical aspect. These attacks are likely to trigger at any given point of time or might be caused when a person has been exposed to several unpleasant events or accidents. Such attacks might shoot up and have very high intensity as well. But in some cases the intensity might not be severe but the symptoms might last longer than usual. Now you know what panic attacks are literally

Zoloft can have some severe negative side effects such as insomnia, mood irregularities, aggressive or hostile thoughts, impulsive reactions to things around etc. The doctor must be informed immediately of such developments and action must be taken to relieve these symptoms. Sometimes psychotherapy can be recommended. SSRI antidepressants can create serious or critical lung troubles in newborn babies whose mothers are on this course of treatment during pregnancy.But stopping the medicine in between the course is dangerous as it may cause relapse in depression. The doctor must be expressly consulted before any action is taken.

Zoloft must not be taken if one is consuming medicines such as pimozide or an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid .Grave and even fatal effects can result when these medicines are combined with Zoloft. A period of 14 days must pass after stopping an MAO inhibitor prior to taking Sertraline.

Avoid consumption of alcohol, which can aggravate some side effects of Zoloft. Zoloft can create side effects that may prejudice your judgment, thinking or actions. Exercise caution and care while driving or any activity which requires to be alert and awake.

Inform the doctor of any regular use of other drugs that cause drowsiness (cold or allergy medicine, sedative pain killers, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, and medicine for epileptic episodes or seizures and panic attacks). They may increase the sleepiness and lethargy effected by Zoloft.

Take the medicine only as directed by your medical practitioner. Do not self medicate in case of any sudden signs of distress. Always consult with the doctor.

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“What is the essence of a woman?” This is one of the questions the judges asked during the 1994 Miss Universe competition. One contestant, Sushmita Sen, gave such a wonderful answer that she won the Miss Universe title that year. According to her, the essence of a woman is being a mother to a child and teaching him (or her) about sharing, caring and loving. Indeed, one of the main and most important roles of any woman is being a good mother to her children.

However, not every woman is blessed with the ability to bear a child.

Pregnancy is one stage in life that almost every woman will undergo. Women, with their unique anatomy and physiology, are naturally built to be capable of producing life. For some reason, however, some women are not able to do this. This situation leads to various negative effects on a woman’s relationship with her partner and her self-concept. In response to this concern, different treatments or medications are already available for women to consider. However, some, if not all, of those treatments have certain disadvantages or side effects.

Based on a discussion about infertility posted at About.com, infertility can be caused by three main reasons.

Those involving a woman’s anatomy are classified under structural issues, which can be problems occurring in the fallopian tube, uterus or cervix caused by blockage, fibroid or insufficient opening.
Another possible cause concerns the physiology of pregnancy — a bio-mechanical issue. Scar tissues that can cause blockage within the uterus and fallopian tube can hinder a woman from getting pregnant.
Finally, infertility can originate from a primary problem with ovulation and is thus called an ovulatory issue. Hormonal abnormalities, the effect of some medications and other health problems can harm the functioning of the ovary and cause ovarian failure.

A woman’s inability to get pregnant can be very stressful not only to herself but also to her partner. Because it is expected of her to bear children, not being able to do so is considered a failure on her part. The pressure imposed on her by her partner and other people may add up to her stress and anxiety. She may start blaming herself for this situation and develop a concept of herself as someone who is “damaged.” Her partner, on the other hand, may feel both disappointed and helpless faced with this problem. The stressfulness of their problem can cause negative changes in their mood and attitude. If the stress and anxiety of having this problem will not be dealt with properly, it can lead to frequent fighting between couples and possibly cause them to separate or divorce.

Despite the initial feeling of helplessness, couples may still find encouragement in seeking possible solutions to a woman’s infertility. Nowadays, medications like clomiphene citrate, follicle- stimulating hormone, and human menopausal gonadotropins are available in the market to stimulate ovulation in a woman. These treatments, however, have potential side effects which include multiple birth incidence, headaches or blurred vision, depression and mood swings, pelvic discomforts and ovarian cysts. Solution for structural and mechanical issues that cause infertility can be resolved mostly through surgery.

Another approach based on oriental medicine is also currently recognized as an effective treatment for female infertility. Methods included under this approach include acupuncture and herbal medicine. The goal of acupuncture is to open the blocked energy that prevents fertilization. This is also believed to help restore the balance among organs especially in the endocrine system. On the other hand some herbal plants when ingested can increase the chances of pregnancy. These forms of treatment, however, can take a long time covering a period of approximately three to twelve months before it can be effective.

With all available options as treatment for infertility nowadays, women may still fulfill their yearning for motherhood. Despite the disadvantages or side effects of some medications, it is through careful consideration that women or couples should decide what to undergo. If, despite all alternatives, pregnancy is still not possible for some women, this does not necessarily mean losing their essence. After all, motherhood is not just attained biologically.

Now you can try an alternative natural treatment called Pregnancy Miracle by Lisa Olson to reverse infertility Nasturally.The pregnancy miracle is a guide that can help infertile women get pregnant naturally without the help of medication or a doctor’s help. In another word, it is a completely natural treatment for helping women conceive quickly.pregnancy miracle promises to help women learn how to reverse infertility and get pregnant even with problems such as endometriosis, tubal obstructions, uterine fibroids, and ovarian cysts or ‘lazy ovaries.’ The system detailed in Pregnancy Miracle has no side effects and is 100% Natural.

Perimenopause is the part of a woman’s life ranging 2-8 years before the actual menopause, caused by the beginning of hormone levels to change going up and down, creating fluctuations in the menstrual cycles. This stage usually appears in a woman’s life between the ages of 40 and 50. The menstrual changes may appear in some cases in the late 30′s once the hormones levels start dropping and the fertility naturally declines, while for others, those signs appear only in the late 40′s.

Post menopause represents the part of life that starts one year after the last menstrual period, when the hormones levels remain low and stop fluctuating, and symptoms usually subside. From this point on, a woman can enjoy a life free of menstrual bleeding and birth control concerns.

Causes of menopause
Together with body aging, the egg supply of a woman ages too. So the ovulations are rarer, causing variations in the hormones production. Eventually, there won’t be enough progesterone and estrogens in the body for the menstruation, so it will stop. This is the natural cause for menopause.

Menopause may also have unnatural causes like: oophorectomy (surgical removal of the ovaries), radiation therapy in the abdominal area or chemotherapy.

The symptoms of menopause
Along with the perimenopause, irregular menstrual cycles appear and can cause heavy menstrual bleeding. Among the symptoms of the menopause we encounter hot flashes, insomnia, cloudy thinking, headaches, heart palpitations, mood swings, irritability, depression, and anxiety. The symptoms may appear even before the menopause and last a while after the transition is completed. Also the symptoms do not appear to all women with the same intensity, for some women it may be a difficult challenge while others can pass through it without noticing many changes.

Most of the symptoms of the menopause are caused by the variation of the hormones released in the body or by their low levels. Yet, if the main cause is the fluctuation, the symptoms will improve or disappear after the settlement of the levels. In some cases the symptoms like hot flashes can last a longer time after the menopause is reached. If the symptoms are caused by the lack of the needed quantity of hormones, as in the case of vaginal dryness, they can be easily treated.

The recognition of the actual stages of the menopause

The perimenopause and menopause don’t need tests to be recognized. A woman and her doctor can tell when the perimenopause has begun by the variation of the physical and emotional symptoms and the irregularity of the menstrual cycles.

Women aging around 40 years are most probably at perimenopause if there are variations of the menstrual cycles, and irregular bleedings. Yet, a specialist should be consulted because in some cases there is the possibility for those symptoms to caused by other factors as pregnancy complications or infections.

If the menstruation has been missing for one year, a woman has reached menopause.

Is treatment required?
Because menopause is a natural process encountered in every woman, it doesn’t require medication. The consequences of the menopause, as well as those of aging, will affect a woman’s body and will make necessary some slight changes in the lifestyle, like: changing the diet into a more appropriate one – healthier – make physical and mental exercises on a regular basis, reduce the factors of stress, reduce caffeine, alcohol and tobacco use.

If a woman considers that a lifestyle change is not enough help for relieving the menopause symptoms, she can turn to therapy: hormone therapy, hormone replace therapy, blood pressure medicine, antidepressants or alternative supplements. In this case, it is best for every woman that turns to this kind of treatments that there are always possible risks and side effects. Therapies based on hormones can cause health problems like cancer, heart conditions or blood pressure. The chances for a woman on therapy to develop complications are not known and cannot be found out from statistics. Before starting a treatment, any woman must consult a specialist.

Economists still cannot agree on what caused the Great Depression. Most however have agreed that it was a combination of events and decisions that came into play that caused the Great Depression.

It has been suggested that people who tend to get depressed may have inherited a subtle chemical abnormality in their brain. This might make them more sensitive or susceptible to one or more of the life events mentioned above.

Symptoms:

• Persistent sad, anxious or empty feelings

• Feeling constantly pessimistic

• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness

• Loss of interest in hobbies or activities

• Tiredness and loss of energy

• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions

Causes

Traumatic Factors

o The loss of a loved one or death of a parent during childhood increases the chance of a person developing depression in later life.

o Being abused, neglected or abandoned during adolescence.

o Traumatic experiences, such as moving away, divorce from a partner, losing a job and a family or friend break up.

Trigger Factors

o Unemployment

o Loss of a parent, sibling or partner

o Absence of someone to talk to and confide in

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression is a type of depression that a mother experiences immediately after childbirth. It is more serious and lasts longer than ‘baby blues’.

Postpartum depression occurs in approximately 10 percent of childbearing women.

The symptoms of postpartum depression include:

• Feeling sad or down often

• Frequent crying or tearfulness

• Feeling restless, irritable or anxious

• Loss of interest or pleasure in life

• Loss of appetite

• Less energy and motivation to do things

• Depressed mood—tearfulness, hopelessness, and feeling empty inside, with or without severe anxiety.

• Loss of pleasure in either all or almost all of your daily activities.

Causes

The rapid hormonal changes that accompany pregnancy and delivery may trigger depression. After childbirth, women experience a big drop in estrogen and progesterone hormone levels. Thyroid levels can also drop, which leads to fatigue and depression. These hormone dips—along with the changes in blood pressure, immune system functioning, and metabolism that new mothers experience—can all play a part in postpartum depression. It has been theorized that women who are more sensitive to these hormone imbalances develop postpartum depression.

How is postpartum depression treated?

Therapy, support networks and medicines such as antidepressants are used to treat postpartum depression. Psychotherapy has been shown to be an effective treatment and an acceptable choice for women who wish to avoid taking medications while breastfeeding.

• Antidepressant medicine, which effectively relieves symptoms of postpartum depression for most women. Since breast-feeding is also important for your baby, talk to your doctor and your baby’s doctor about an antidepressant medicine you can use while breast-feeding. Certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants are considered relatively safe for use while breast-feeding.

Treatment for Postpartum Depression can be as varied as the symptoms. Common approaches include:

• Creating a supportive environment for the mother

• Self-Care

• Support groups

• Counselling

• Psychotherapy

• Medication

Vitamins and Minerals for Treatment

When thinking about what herbs for infertility actually work, you may want to consider what some experts are saying about natural treatments, including vitamins and other such substances. In a new study cited in OBGYN News, a group of Harvard researchers found that 79% of infertile couples had a lower-than-average intake of foods high in antioxidants – like fruits and vegetables.

In one study published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Medicine, doctors found that after one week of daily doses of 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C, sperm counts rose by some 140%. If you’re thinking of trying some herbs for infertility, consider something with a vitamin C supplement.

More recently, a study published in the Archives of Andrology showed the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium improved the ability of sperm to swim : a skill necessary to reach the egg.

Homeopathic Herbs for Infertility

There are some great homeopathic remedies that include herbs for infertility, and some are actually catching the attention of traditional doctors. ‘In research published in the journal Reproductive Biomedicine Online, a group of German doctors show that some natural remedies may work for men. The authors show that sperm quality and function improved with the intake of complementary food supplementation using either a combination of zinc and folic acid, the antioxidant Astacarox, or an energy-providing combination containing (actyl)-carnitine (Proxeed). The latter two also boosted the success of intrauterine insemination and spontaneous pregnancy rates.’ These substances are common in homeopathic herbs for infertility.

Moreover, in the journal Fertility and Sterility doctors reported that men with fertility problems who took a daily dose of 66 milligrams of zinc and 5 milligrams of folic acid for nearly six months saw a 74% increase in their sperm counts.

Even more recently, studies published in the journal Fertility and Sterility revealed that both L-carnitine and L-acetyl carnitine improved sperm in a number of areas key to fertilization.

The following remedies are considered potent herbs for infertility in women:

sepia 6c: used to treat irregular or absent ovulation

sabina 6c: recommended for women who have suffered recurrent miscarriage

aurum:used when lack of sex drive and depression are thought to be the cause of infertility

silica: this remedy is used to boost a woman’s weakened immune system

phosphorus:used to treat stress as well as emotional anxiety that can accompany infertility

The following remedies are considered potent herbs for infertility in men:

sepia 6c is used to treat low sex drive

medorrhinum: this homeopathy treatment is believed to help treat impotence