Health, Diseases And Conditions.
S.a.d. and the winter blues - every year as many as ten million americans, approximately 6 percent of the population, fall prey to this insidious disease. The" Winter Blues" which has also been called" The Hibernation Response" is actually a milder form of S. It quietly robs you of your energy, your zest for life and overall health.
Because of unstable or high levels of melatonin and lowered levels of serotonin, we suffer mood changes, decreased energy and among other things, an inability to concentrate. - d. (seasonal affective disorder) and usually temporary but no less painful. Although it can affect anyone, SAD is more prevalent in the northern climates or in areas that experience a large number of cloudy days. It' s responsible for a variety of symptoms including overeating and oversleeping. Women are found to experience it 3 times more than men and it may be inherited. I don' t know about you but I don' t need any more reasons to overeat and sleep too much!
Feelings of hopelessness, low self - esteem, a general lack, poor memory of interest or even suicide are not uncommon with this disease. - these symptoms are in sharp contrast to classic depression symptoms where sufferers experience an inability to sleep and loss of appetite. Because of the shortened days of winter, we receive less natural light. Most of us are naturally less active in the winter and it' s likely no coincidence that SAD affects us at this time of year. This can raise the levels of melatonin in our bloodstream, making us feel sluggish or tired. Though we can do nothing about the seasons, we can take measures to help lessen the effects of SAD.
Exercise. - be proactive and attack the disease by using some simple but effective steps to help ward off an attack. One of the best ways to stem the onslaught of this disease is to get exercise, first thing in the morning if you can. If you can, take walks at least 3 times a week. Studies have been done which show that serotonin levels in the body rise with increased activity and this increased production can last for several days. Take the kids sledding or skating, maybe even take up a new hobby, skiing for instance.
If you can' t go outside to exercise, try finding a comfortable spot near a window or slider and exercise indoors. - the activity and exposure to what sunlight that is available will not only help with symptoms but with your overall health. Nobody wants to stare at a wall while they' re sweatin' to the oldies! Diet. The important thing is to remain active. Diet is another important factor.
Eat foods high in protein and low in fat. - you' ve heard it before: what you put into your body has a huge affect on the way you feel, physically and emotionally. Cut down on the sugary junk food. You don' t need to stop altogether but you' ll find that by eating less, you' ll crave it less. Sure it makes you feel better while you' re eating it but are the long - term effects worth it? Slowly replace that ice cream with yogurt a couple times a week. You' ll not only feel better, you' ll feel better about yourself because you' re taking an active role in your long - term health.
Instead of munching down that bag of chips, try eating unsalted nuts while watching the game of the week. - you can also eat foods high in carbohydrates. This clears the system of all the amino acids except tryptophan which then goes to the brain where it' s converted to serotonin. These foods help by triggering insulin to be released into the bloodstream. Whole - grain breads, cereal, rice, fruit and crackers are all high in carbohydrates. Studies also show the use of light boxes to be effective. Light Therapy.
The production of melatonin in the pineal gland, located near the center of the brain, is actually stimulated by darkness - this aids in sleep at night. - it works by having an intense bright light enter the eye where it hits the retina and is transmitted to the pineal gland. The introduction of bright light, even artificial light is beneficial because this production is suppressed by light. This increased light not only slows the production of melatonin, it increases the production of serotonin. Tryptophan is found in foods that are high in protein which makes a high protein diet so important. Serotonin, is synthesized from, like melatonin the amino acid tryptophan.
An increased serotonin level is beneficial in so many ways. - it helps you fall asleep at night and gives you a general sense of well being. It decreases sensitivity to pain by increasing the pain threshold. Increased alertness and concentration as well as a( natural) decrease in appetite are other benefits. These devices, known as dawn simulators, gradually fill your bedroom with light, simulating the rising sun. There have also been studies to suggest that if we use light to wake us in the morning instead of an alarm clock, our body will reward us with better health and sense of well being. You' ll wake up naturally refreshed and your eyes will already be adapted to room light.
Medicine. - i know personally, i would rather wake up slowly, quietly and naturally than to be startled from my slumber. In the event that the self - help methods have not relieved the winter blues it' s developed into full - blown S. D. , there are other avenues for the afflicted. SSRI( Selective Serotonin Re - Uptake Inhibitors) There are a handful of medications that operate under the widely held belief that low serotonin levels are at least part of the cause of S. These medications are part of a family of drugs known as Selective Serotonin Re - Uptake Inhibitors( SSRI) . This in effect, "rations" the serotonin and gives the body time to build up more.
They slow the process of" using" the available serotonin in the body. - ssris help the body use what small amounts of serotonin it does produce. Seasonal Affective Disorder need not claim you as its victim. With continued treatment, your natural serotonin levels begin to rise, and use of the medicine can be reduced or stopped altogether. When winter rolls around and you begin to feel the effects of this disease, there are things you can do to help yourself. With a diligence and an honest effort on your part, you can lessen its effects and increase the likelihood of having a great winter! Your health and well being are your responsibility.