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Feeling Depressed, Burning Sensation In Torso And Losing Weight. Could It Be Indigestion Or Acidic?
Question: Hi my mother is 83 and has been unwell for a few years , she lost a lot of weight and h ad numerous tests' everything came back normal. It now seems to be depression tha t is the cause. The main problem is that when she goes to bed she gets woken up with a burning sensation in her torso and sometimes this goes down her legs and feet, her heart races sometimes too. This keeps her awake from about 2am, and she's very tired in the morning and feels sick. As the day goes on she's much better. Her GP said on Monday she had suppressed anxiety and needs to speak to a councillor. Also the GP said for her to take Omeprazole as the burning could be indigestion or acid, in my opinion it is not. What do you think it is?
Hello,
Thanks for your query.
I appreciate your efforts for medical consultation in so much distress.
From your query it appear that your mother is suffering from anxiety and depression.
Other symptoms of anxiety and depression which may or may not be present in her case: nervousness, restlessness, mild irritability, excessive worry regarding own health, tremor, muscle spasm (lead to pain), heaviness in body, easy fatigability, headache, sleep disturbance (specially early morning awakening), palpitation and dry mouth. In depression cases, it usually more severe in morning, and improve as day progress.
Anxiety and depression occur due to neurotransmitters imbalance in brain most commonly involving serotonin neurotransmitter. She may need treatment with psychiatrist to treat your anxiety. It is not clear if she received any treatment in past, but believe me people life changes after treatment.
In drug treatment two types of medicine used. For immediate relief of anxiety benzodiazepines group of medicines are used and for long term relief most commonly SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are used. SSRI takes around 3-4 weeks to show its effect. Non drug treatment like cognitive behaviour therapy (form of psychotherapy) also takes weeks to show its effect.
All these process is complex. I have just simplified it to make you understand it.
Apart from above advice following simple measures will help her:
-Decrease worrying about symptoms as they will cure after treatment.
-Healthy diet: Milk and fruits in diet.
-Daily morning walk and breathing exercise.
I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. In case of any doubt, I will be available for follow ups.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Thanks for your query.
I appreciate your efforts for medical consultation in so much distress.
From your query it appear that your mother is suffering from anxiety and depression.
Other symptoms of anxiety and depression which may or may not be present in her case: nervousness, restlessness, mild irritability, excessive worry regarding own health, tremor, muscle spasm (lead to pain), heaviness in body, easy fatigability, headache, sleep disturbance (specially early morning awakening), palpitation and dry mouth. In depression cases, it usually more severe in morning, and improve as day progress.
Anxiety and depression occur due to neurotransmitters imbalance in brain most commonly involving serotonin neurotransmitter. She may need treatment with psychiatrist to treat your anxiety. It is not clear if she received any treatment in past, but believe me people life changes after treatment.
In drug treatment two types of medicine used. For immediate relief of anxiety benzodiazepines group of medicines are used and for long term relief most commonly SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are used. SSRI takes around 3-4 weeks to show its effect. Non drug treatment like cognitive behaviour therapy (form of psychotherapy) also takes weeks to show its effect.
All these process is complex. I have just simplified it to make you understand it.
Apart from above advice following simple measures will help her:
-Decrease worrying about symptoms as they will cure after treatment.
-Healthy diet: Milk and fruits in diet.
-Daily morning walk and breathing exercise.
I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. In case of any doubt, I will be available for follow ups.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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