A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; further: Inspection (viewing). Skin, mucous membranes and sclerae (white part of the eye). Inspection and palpation (palpation) of the thyroid gland [due topossible cause: hypothyroidism (hypothyroidism)?] Auscultation (listening) of the heart. Examination … Depression: Examination
2nd order laboratory parameters – depending on the results of the medical history, physical examination, etc. – for differential diagnostic clarification Small blood count Inflammatory parameters – CRP (C-reactive protein) or ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)Note: hsCRP (high-sensitivity CRP) is significantly elevated in patients with major depression compared with healthy controls. Urine status (rapid test for: … Depression: Test and Diagnosis
Therapy goals Goals of drug therapy for depression are, in addition to mood elevation, activation or, if necessary, attenuation (depending on the exact symptoms). The goal of acute therapy for unipolar depression is to relieve the patient’s suffering, to treat the symptoms of the current depressive episode and to achieve the greatest possible remission (permanent … Depression: Drug Therapy
The following factors influence depression in old age: Aging process – the altered brain metabolism favors depression. Drastic, stressful experiences – serious illness, financial problems, deaths, etc. Loneliness Depression as a concomitant disease, for example in dementia Alzheimer’s disease Micronutrient deficiency – a too low serum concentration of vitamin B12 and folic acid. Continuous medication … Depression and Aging
Respiratory System (J00-J99) Influenza (flu) Pneumonia (pneumonia) Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E90). Diabetes mellitus (diabetes). Hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism) Hypothyroidism (hypothyroidism) Cardiovascular system (I00-I99) Apoplexy (stroke) Liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts-pancreas (pancreas) (K70-K77; K80-K87). Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), unspecified. Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99). Diseases from the rheumatic form such as chronic polyarthritis. Psyche … Depression: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis
The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by depression: Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic disorders (E00-E90). Obesity (obesity). Diabetes mellitus type 2 Gestational diabetes (pregnancy diabetes) Malnutrition (malnutrition) Malnutrition Factors influencing health status and leading to health care utilization (Z00-Z99). Suicide (suicide) Skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00-L99) Herpes zoster … Depression: Complications
There are numerous classifications or divisions of depression. They are divided into: Psychogenic depression – neurotic or reactive depressive disorders. Endogenous depression – dispositional, that is, inherited. Somatogenic depression – organic, physical, or caused by other underlying diseases. Another classification is based on the assumed cause of the depression: Primary depression – depression that has … Depression: Classification
Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification. Cardiovascular diagnostics Exercise ECG (electrocardiogram during exercise, that is, under physical activity/exercise ergometry). Cardio-computed tomography (cardio-CT) – early detection of coronary vascular calcification. Doppler sonography of the vessels supplying … Depression: Diagnostic Tests
Depression may indicate a deficiency of the following vital nutrients (micronutrients). Vitamins B3 (niacin) and B6 (pyridoxine) and C. Mineral calcium and the trace element zinc Within the framework of micronutrient medicine (vital substances), the following vital substances (macro- and micronutrients) are used for the prevention (prevention) of depression. Folic acid Omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic … Depression: Micronutrient Therapy
To prevent depression, attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Diet Trans fatty acids – significantly increase the risk of developing depression. Malnutrition and undernutrition Micronutrient deficiency (vital substances) – see Prevention with micronutrients. Consumption of stimulants Alcohol (woman: > 40 g/day; man: > 60 g/day). Drug use Amphetamines (indirect … Depression: Prevention
The following are the symptoms of a depressive episode: Main symptoms Depressed, depressed mood Loss of interest and joylessness Lack of drive, increased fatigability (often even after small efforts) and activity limitation Additional symptoms (according to ICD-10 (see chapter F32 there): Decreased concentration and attention Decreased self-esteem and self-confidence Feelings of guilt and feelings of … Depression: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs
Pathogenesis (development of disease) Depression is a mental illness, but it is often unrecognized or misrecognized. The cause has not yet been identified with certainty, but there are probably several causes that influence each other. It is assumed that depression has a genetic component as well as a psychosocial burden. Furthermore, it is assumed that … Depression: Causes
