Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are among the most widely prescribed medications in the United States, primarily for managing depression. While SSRIs emerged as antidepressants during the late 1970s, it drastically revolutionized the therapeutic practice regarding other psychotrophic agents for various mental illnesses by establishing them as effective yet a good tolerated alternate for antidepressive agents earlier produced. At present, they are often the first pharmacological therapy for depression along with other mental health conditions.

SSRIs, are a type of antidepressant medication designed to alleviate symptoms of depression by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical neurotransmitter which plays a critical role in mood regulation, memory, sleep, digestion, and sexual function. Often, scientists termed the chemical as the "feel-good" chemical because its release is closely associated with happiness and emotional well-being. Low levels of this chemical have been associated with mood disorders, including depression.

SSRIs are able to work because they selectively inhibit the reabsorption, or reuptake, of serotonin into nerve cells in the brain. The higher level of serotonin that becomes available promotes the betterment of mood and diminishes anxiety. Older antidepressant classes were found to cause many side effects. That's why this new generation is often used and appreciated by both the patients and doctors themselves.

How Do SSRIs Work?

The mechanism of SSRIs is hidden in their name- selective serotonin reuptake inhibition. When serotonin is released by neurons, it transmits signals to other neurons before being reabsorbed. SSRIs block this reabsorption process, making more serotonin available in the brain. This increase in serotonin levels is thought to help regulate mood and enhance responsiveness to complementary treatments, such as CBT.

Conditions Treated by SSRIs

While SSRIs are primarily prescribed for depression, their benefits extend to several other mental health and medical conditions, including:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): The reduction of excessive and persistent worry.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): The reduction of intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors.

Panic Disorder: The management of sudden episodes of intense fear and physical symptoms.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): The processing and coping with traumatic experiences.

Social Anxiety Disorder: Increasing comfort in social interactions.

Bulimia Nervosa: Controlling binge-eating and purging behaviors.

SSRIs are also prescribed off-label for disorders such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and symptoms of menopause. They can also be used to treat premature ejaculation and other forms of chronic pain.

Potential Side Effects of SSRIs

As with any medication, SSRIs have the potential for side effects. Most people tolerate them well, but some may experience symptoms, especially during the first few weeks of treatment. Common side effects include:

• Nausea and indigestion
• Headaches
• Drowsiness or insomnia
• Dry mouth
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Sexual dysfunction (e.g., decreased libido, difficulty achieving orgasm)

Most side effects subside as the body becomes accustomed to the medication. However, patients should contact their healthcare provider if symptoms do not subside or worsen.

Precautions and Contraindications

SSRIs are not appropriate for everyone. People with specific medical conditions or situations need to exercise extreme caution or avoid these medications altogether. These include:

Pregnancy: Most SSRIs are considered safe during pregnancy, but some, such as paroxetine, carry risks, including birth defects, postpartum hemorrhage, and withdrawal symptoms in newborns.

Drug Interactions: SSRIs can interact with other medications, including blood thinners, NSAIDs, and certain supplements.

Preexisting Conditions: People with liver disease, seizure disorders, or bipolar disorder should discuss potential risks with their doctor before starting SSRIs.

Risks of Untreated Depression During Pregnancy

For pregnant individuals, untreated depression poses significant risks, including poor prenatal care, preterm birth, and developmental issues for the baby. A thorough discussion with a healthcare provider can help weigh the benefits and risks of continuing SSRIs during pregnancy.

Starting and Managing SSRI Treatment

When beginning an SSRI, patients are typically started on the lowest effective dose to minimize side effects. Gradual dose adjustments may follow, based on the patient’s response and tolerance. Regular follow-up appointments with a healthcare provider are essential to monitor progress and address any concerns.

One of the challenges with SSRI treatment is that its effects are not instant. The mood and symptoms might take weeks to show significant improvement. Abrupt discontinuation of SSRIs results in withdrawal symptoms, dizziness, irritability, and flu-like sensations. Patients should always consult their doctor before stopping or changing their medication.

SSRIs have changed the landscape of treatment for depression and other mental health disorders. These drugs have brought hope and relief to millions of people all over the world. Although not free of risks and side effects, the benefits often outweigh them if used appropriately. This is because SSRIs increase serotonin levels in the brain, restoring balance to emotions and quality of life. As with all medication, informed discussion with a healthcare provider is critical in ensuring safe and effective treatment.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2393-14-333

Antidepressant during pregnancy and postpartum hemorrhage: a systematic review

Safety of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Pregnancy: A Review of Current Evidence, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40263-016-0338-3

Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, https://doi.org/10.1159/000516031

Prenatal exposure to antidepressants and increased risk of psychiatric disorders, https://www.bmj.com/content/358/bmj.j3950

California made it news for a disease that has no vaccination. This is the human metapneumovirus or the HMPV. While some of the symptoms of this virus are similar to that of any common cold or influenza like cough, fever, nasal congestion or shortness of breath, there are several symptoms that are unique to the disease.

Unique Symptoms Of HMPV - The Virus Without Vaccine

Unlike mild common colds, HMPV often presents with a high-grade fever, particularly in children. Some of the other symptoms also include persistent coughing, including dry or productive and may persist for a long duration.

Furthermore, it could cause wheezing, difficulty in breathing, which could also lead to severe lower respiratory tract illness like bronchiolitis or pneumonia. In children and older adults, it could also cause severe or often fatal bronchiolitis or rapid-onset pneumonia.

In infants, it could also exhibit irritability, poor feeding, or dehydration.

Other symptoms, which could resemble common cold like symptoms are:

• cough
• fever
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• body ache
• headache

What Is Happening In California?

As per the public database WasterwaterScan Dashboard, high levels of HMPV were detected across Northern California cities. The highest levels were reported in Redwood City, whereas elevated levels were found in San Francisco Bay Area and Napa's Wine Country. What's more dangerous is that this virus is without a vaccine.

The good news is that in other parts of country HMPV remains lower. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that data from October 2025 shows the cases are trending up, especially during winter and spring.

Read: Virus Without Vaccine Hits California; No Need To Worry, Say Public Health Officials

Dr. Matthew Binnicker, director of the Clinical Virology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, as reported by The Independent said, "In the late winter, early spring, it can account for five percent to 10 percent of all the respiratory infections that we diagnose in the United States. So it's definitely out there." Experts explain that other viruses like HMPV or influenza get a chance when COVID is quieter.

What Is HMPV - The Virus Without Vaccine?

HMPV was first discovered in 2001 and is part of the Pneumoviridae family along with the Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

HMPV most likely spreads from an infected person to others through:

• the air by coughing and sneezing
• close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
• touching objects or surfaces that have the viruses on them, then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes

In the US, HMPV circulates in predictable patterns each year, typically beginning in winter and lasting through spring.

Who Are At Risk Of HMPV?

People at risk include:

• elderly people
• children
• people with comorbidities

"The HMPV is not deadly, and there is no evidence of mortality or a severe transmission rate," former Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) scientist, Dr. Raman Gangakhedkar, told IANS, during the virus's outbreak in India in 2025.

“The virus may cause pneumonitis-like illness, but the mortality rates are almost unknown so far. HMPV has a global prevalence of about 4 per cent,” he added.

Smoking has been long recognized as one of the worst habits a person can have, and Dr Jeremy London agrees with this statement. Dr. London, a cardiovascular surgeon, in a recent interview with Mel Robbins revealed that his number one advice as a heart doctor is to avoid smoking.

“I cannot come up with one single thing that does as much damage to every organ in the body as smoking cigarettes. And look, it's incredibly addictive and I know that and I pass no judgment because I know how difficult it is.”

He explained that in his practice he has dealt with chronic smokers for years and still believed that it is the single most dangerous thing one can do to themselves.

Also Read: Why Is It Harder For Women To Quit Smoking?

How Does Smoking Affect Other Organs?

Emphasizing how this one habit affects all organs in our body, Dr London mentioned the well-known link between lung cancer and smoking.

However, there are many more chronic diseases associated with the rest of the body that can develop due to smoking apart from lung conditions, according to the American Lung Association.

Here is what you should keep an eye out for:

Heart Disease

Also Read: 3 Science-Backed Methods To Quit Smoking For Good

Asthma

Reproductive Health

Vision Loss

Lung Cancer

Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, accounting for nearly 90 percent of all cases. Although medical treatments have improved, the five-year survival rate remains low. Quitting is the most effective way to lower your risk of this deadly disease.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Other Cancers

Fasting for three hours before bed can significantly improve heart health and reduce the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) as well as other chronic conditions, an Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology study suggests.

While many believe that diet plans such as intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating can help reduce their weight, researchers at Northwestern University have found that not eating three hours before going to sleep can reduce overnight blood pressure by nearly four percent, heart rate by five percent and strengthen overall heart rhythms.

This can help reduce overall strain on the heart which lowers risks for conditions like hypertension and CAD. Additionally, the scientists also discovered a drop in blood sugar levels, improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.

Participants who underwent glucose tests also showed better insulin release which tend to stabilize during the day. Additionally, an improved heart rate also lowered nighttime cortisol, which helped in metabolic balance.

Dr. Phyllis Zee, director of the Center for Circadian and Sleep Medicine and chief of sleep medicine in the department of neurology at Feinberg and corresponding author said of the results: "It's not only how much and what you eat, but also when you eat relative to sleep that is important for the physiological benefits of time-restricted eating."

The study authors also noted: "Extending overnight fasting duration by three hours in alignment with sleep improved cardiometabolic health in middle-aged/older adults by strengthening coordination between circadian- and sleep-regulated autonomic and metabolic activity.

"This sleep-aligned time-restricted eating approach represents a novel, accessible lifestyle intervention with promising potential for improving cardiometabolic function."

Coronary Artery Disease: The Silent Killer

Despite being as a common heart disease, coronary artery disease (CAD) develops over years and has no clear signs and symptoms apart from a heart attack. The illness begins due to a buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances known as plaque in and on the artery walls.

Over time, this can cause narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries and block the supply of oxygen-rich blood to heart which can lead chest pain (angina), shortness of breath and ultimately, heart attacks.

Typically, those above the age of 45, having a biological family member with heart disease, lack of sleep, smoking, consuming saturated fats along with other autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can increase the risk of developing CAD.

Treatment options may include medicines and surgery. Eating a nutritious diet, getting regular exercise and not smoking can help also prevent CAD and the conditions that can cause it.

Nearly one in 10 Indian adults suffer from CAD and about two million people die from the disease annually. Apart from this, about 18 to 20 million American adults aged 20 and older are also affected about the disease.

Strokes: A Rising Crisis In India

One in seven stroke patients in India are young adults aged below 45 years, with hypertension leading as the major risk factor, according to a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 identified hypertension, air pollution, tobacco smoking, high cholesterol, increased salt intake, and diabetes as the leading risk factors of stroke.

Incidence of stroke is increasing significantly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially in India, due to population growth, aging, and greater exposure to risk factors.