See 4 Health Problems Linked to Depression

Even if you're already dealing with depression, keep an eye on these related health issues that are linked to the condition. Some are exacerbated by depression. Others are the result of long-term depression. In some cases, it's not clear whether depression causes the health concern or vice versa, but being aware of these associations can help you escape their effects.

1. Chronic Pain
The link between chronic pain and depression is unclear,
and there is some controversy about which comes first.
What has been proven is that chronic pain can exacerbate
depression and severe depression can make you more
susceptible to pain.

Researchers have found a link between higher levels of
cytokines, molecules that facilitate intercellular
communication, and depression. Cytokines can trigger an
inflammatory response and, therefore, pain. While
additional research is needed to clarify the relationship
between pain, inflammation and depression, exercise, talk
therapy and medication can help.

2. Heart Disease
Depression is considered a risk factor for heart disease, an
increased risk of having a heart attack, and higher chances
of death after a serious cardiac event. Unfortunately, even
milder forms of depression have been associated with
ischemic heart disease, which is caused by diminished
blood supply to the heart muscle.

Scientists aren't sure exactly how this occurs, but one clue
may be found in the inflammation caused by depression,
which can lead to thickening and stiffening of arterial walls
—a precursor to heart disease. The good news is that early
diagnosis and treatment of depression, particularly in
women, can prevent these negative effects.

3. Dementia
In older people, the link between depression and dementia
is significant. A meta-analysis of this correlation, published
in 2013 in the British Journal of Psychology, supports this
link, with researchers noting that depressed people over age
50 are more likely to develop dementia, including
Alzheimer's disease.

How does this happen? The exact mechanism hasn't been
defined yet, but one hypothesis is that changes in blood
vessels that impact brain matter cause and further both
depression and dementia.

Depression is not a part of normal aging, and you can help
older friends and family members by keeping a watchful
eye for symptoms and asking medical caretakers to take
these signals seriously. It's never too late to seek help.

4. Sleeping Problems
Insomnia, like other chronic health problems, can increase
one's risk of depression because it affects your day-to-day
life, energy levels, and ability to focus or enjoy things.

Depression can also cause sleeping patterns to change,
causing you to sleep excessively or not very much at all—
both of which are actually bad for your health. These sleep
disruptions may be due to chemical changes in the brain
that come along with depression. In addition, the same
stress and anxiety that can heighten or even trigger
depression can make it difficult to drift off to sleep each
night.

Depending on whether you're sleeping too much—or not
enough—the solutions for getting more restful sleep will
vary. There are a variety of drug-free techniques that can
help you improve your sleep, as well as medical
interventions that can help.

Depression is devious; it can make nearly any health
problem worse because it often saps your energy and
motivation to care for yourself. And many chronic illnesses
are accompanied by an increased risk of depression as
patients adapt to the potential limitations and lifestyle
changes a new diagnosis requires.

The faster you can get treatment for depression, the better.
Too many people suffer needlessly without ever getting
proper diagnosis or treatment. If you're listless, having
trouble sleeping, feeling helpless or hopeless, or simply not
up to pursuing your usual interests, ask a physician for
help.

Culled from sparkpeople