Health Articles — fatigue

The Pain–Depression connection

Posted by Melissa Callaghan on

Serotonin plays a major role in modulating pain perception as well as depression.The majority of Serotonin is produced in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Serotonin regulates many areas including appetite, food intake, mood, attention span, focus, anger, aggression, memory and even motility in the GIT. If the GIT isn’t working properly then many other functions won’t work properly eg loss of appetite, constipation, irritable bowel. Poor diet, stress, alcohol all lower serotonin leading to anxiety and depression. Gastrointestinal upsets and anxiety/depression and pain often go hand in hand.Chronic Pain and depression – (Chronic = long term, more than 6 months)Biologically, depression has been...

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Nutritional deficiencies in children

Posted by Melissa Callaghan on

  ____________________________________________________________________________   Children and Food Nutritional deficiencies can express themselves in many different forms. Some signs and symptoms can include but aren't limited to:anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, behavioural outbursts, skin conditions eg eczema, hives, itchy eyes and ears, unexplained fatigue, mouth problems eg cracking around edges, ulcers, rashes, diarrhoea or constipation, bloating, lack of appetite even overeating and cravings, excess sweating, frequent infections, restless, fidgety, pain in legs, obesity. The most common signs of nutrient deficiencies that I see in my clinic are temper and fussy eating. The major reason for nutritional deficiencies is poor diet.  However, there are other reasons. ...

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