News for May, 2009

Folic acid may help reduce risk of heart defects in newborns

caring health folicacid 150x150 Folic acid may help reduce risk of heart defects in newbornsThe B vitamin folic acid has long been touted for its ability to reduce the occurrence of neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly when taken by the mother before and during . Now it is being credited for possibly reducing babies’ risk for , according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

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Australian group to screen expectant mothers for postpartum depression

postpartumdepression 150x150 Australian group to screen expectant mothers for postpartum depressionDepression initiative BeyondBlue is working in conjunction with the Australian government to push routine testing for expectant mothers to gauge their risk for suffering from postpartum depression, according to TheAge.com.au.

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Coming off antidepressants can take months of effort

hand holding pills1 150x150 Coming off antidepressants can take months of effortNews of frustrating and sometimes serious side effects to can be enough to motivate one to wean oneself off the medication. New reports show SSRIs have been linked to suicidal thoughts, a Parkinsons-like condition known as Tardive Dyskinesia, and serious birth defects in infants born to women who took SSRIs during . But coming off is not always easy and if done improperly can cause uncomfortable withdrawal effects, also known as SSRI discontinuation syndrome.

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