Insomnia

Serotonin and Depression: A Different Perspective

In continuation of our previous discussion, I'd like to begin with the strong correlation between depression and serotonin levels.

Does that mean that everyone who is depressed needed to take medication to increase serotonin? No. However, as a naturopathic physician, I always want to look at all the variables that impact a health condition before I decide on a treatment plan.

The Impact That Restless Leg Syndrome Has on Sleep

What is Restless Leg Syndrome?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines restless leg syndrome as “a disorder in which there is an urge or need to move the legs to stop unpleasant sensations.” The patient will feel discomfort if she keeps her legs still. Found more often in women than men, restless leg syndrome occurs in middle age to older adults. Stress and emotional upset will also exacerbate the symptoms.

Insomnia How To Get Some Sleep – Part 2

Today I will continue to look at insomnia and possible ways to correct the body’s circadian rhythm by focusing on balancing cortisol levels.

As you know our circadian rhythms are responsible for ou

Insomnia How To Get Some Sleep – Part 1

In the last blog I talked about the circadian rhythm which are responsible for our “sleep and wake cycles”. These rhythms are responsible for our ability to have a restful and restorative night sleep.

Sleep and Circadian Rhythms

Sleep is one of the most important components for health and wellness. Sleep impacts our weight, nutrition, ability to handle and manage stress. Sleep directly impacts our energy level, fatigue ability to focus and concentrate. Sleep improves our immune function and can quicken our ability bounce back from an illness and so much more.

Sleep Deprivation Can Lead To Weight Gain

Yes, there is sometimes a link between weight gain and sleep deprivation.

Late Bedtime Linked to Increased Waistline

Sleep deprivation has been shown to decrease appetite, food cravings, and food consumption – sounds like the perfect way to shed a few pounds sans the sweat of actual exercise. Unfortunately, it's not quite that easy.

Viagra and Other Ways to Lower Stress

Pfizer, Inc. (the big pharmaceutical company) is unrolling a program on Thursday to help those without insurance to continue certain medications for free for up to a year.

Sleep More, Weigh Less

Lots of weight loss products promise miracles. One in particular that I recall says a magic pill lets you lose weight while you sleep. Now, groundbreaking new studies are revealing that you don’t even need a mystical (and questionable) potion to lose weight while sleeping; what women in particular need is sleep itself for effortless weight loss. (Do you know of an easier way to lose weight than indulging in lots of restful sleep?)

With Cancer, Looking to the Future as a New Godmother

The no sleep thing is starting to show! It seems that every night I get up around 1am and like a zombie head towards the computer, start researching, blogging, reading message boards, etc.