Surprising Reasons Doctors Prescribe Antidepressants

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Flora Umukoro

Antidepressants may be useful for treating depression and anxiety, but those conditions are not the only reasons that a doctor might prescribe them. Providers of live-in home care in Tracy explain other reasons doctors might prescribe antidepressants for seniors.

Pain Management

Though they are not formally approved for pain relief, there is evidence to suggest that antidepressants can relieve pain. Antidepressants can stop pain because they affect nerve fibers and keep pain signals from being transmitted to the brain. After a few weeks of daily use, pain caused by fibromyalgia and diabetic neuropathy may dull considerably.

Sleep Issues

Health issues that come with aging can make it difficult for seniors to sleep. Regular sleep medications may cause problematic dependencies and may become less effective over time. Antidepressants such as mirtazapine, doxepin, and trazodone are useful for helping seniors to get a good night’s sleep. These antidepressants affect certain brain chemicals and hormones that cause drowsiness.

Quitting Smoking

Since seniors have a higher risk of cancer and breathing problems, it is essential for them to abstain from smoking. Certain antidepressants can halt nicotine cravings because they are also nicotinic antagonists, which inhibit nicotinic receptors. Bupropion is a popular medication that is marketed as Zyban for smoking cessation, though it’s essentially the same drug as Wellbutrin that is marketed for depression.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Roughly 10 percent of elderly people are afflicted with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which causes a variety of gastrointestinal issues. A low dose of a tricyclic antidepressant, such as desipramine or amitriptyline, affect the nervous system and can calm IBS symptoms. The drug prevents the body from triggering waves of diarrhea, and the blocking of pain signals helps seniors who constantly experience stomach distress.

While antidepressants require a prescription from a medical professional, there are other resources that help seniors manage chronic conditions such as insomnia, IBS, diabetes, and more. Home Care Assistance professionals tailor flexible care schedules to meet our client’s individual needs. Whether your loved one needs round-the-clock in-home care in Tracy or a few hours of companionship each week, our experienced caregivers will help. To learn more about our services and schedule a free consultation, call (209) 650-8500 today and speak with a friendly Care Manager.