LIGHT THERAPY- AN EFFECTIVE REMEDY FOR SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD)

Light, like every other thing in this world, is meant for a purpose; not only is it the indirect source of providing essential nutrients to our body but has also been researched to be a major factor affecting our mental well-being. Human moods are said to be very well influenced by the impact of sunlight. The glee on every other person's face on a bright sunny day after prolonged cold days is no surprise. It comes in naturally and has been the subject of study by many medical practitioners since ages.

Light deprivation is usually experienced by people living in areas where the nights are longer and colder than the days. Statistics show that as much as 10% of the population in the north show symptoms of lethargy or lassitude due to the lack of exposure to sunlight. Moreover it has also been found out that women as compared to men are more likely to get affected by almost a 3:1 ratio1. When at a milder stage, light deprivation can be termed as ''Winter Blues''; a condition that results in restrained energy levels, depression and slower reflex actions. Not that the list ends over here, but the incremented cravings for sweet and carbohydrate rich foods makes the patient put on weight, hence adding up to the complexities. A more pronounced form of the just mentioned condition is what we term as Seasonal Affective Disorder aka SAD. With double the level of depression, it is usually accompanied by lack of concentration and even memory loss!

But as the adage goes, ''Necessity is the mother of invention''; there arose the need of producing artificial light, as much effective as the full spectrum sunlight, to serve people being deprived of the natural blessing and useful light boxes came into being! What a light box or more specifically a light therapy box does is that it mimics outdoor sunlight in a way that it contains high output fluorescent bulbs, shielded by a filter that acts as a UV light protector. The light box is then positioned carefully so that it is tilted and placed a little above your eyes, minimizing any unpleasant glare. The patient is then exposed to this artificial light for a time duration that depends on the demand and lifestyle of the affected person. Usually for a beginner, a 15-20 minutes' exposure is said to be enough, however the span may be extended when needed.

Light from a light box when hits the retina in the eye, gives the brain a stimulus to release certain ''active hormones'' that bring about a biochemical change in the body lifting your mood and reducing the symptoms of SAD. Not only does light therapy aid in resolving core SAD issues, it improvises one's wake-sleep cycle as well. This add-on benefit has its' roots lying in the research made by scientists that SAD is related to an imbalance in the body's natural circadian rhythms or the body's inner clock. The latter term is responsible for governing the timing of our sleep. Hence when we repeatedly try to sleep out of sync with our circadian rhythm, depression occurs; a continued condition like this might even lead to SAD. Light therapy, however, alleviates every affected person of such prevailing conditions.

To sum up, Light therapy is a simple, effective and medically recognized way to beat these symptoms and live a normal, healthy life.

Reference

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About the Author:

Allen Anderson is a content writer at TrophySkin.com. Trophy Skin provides BlueMD, one of the best light therapy products for acne treatment. It provides a powerful, safe, effective and affordable blue light therapy which is approved by FDA and the American Academy of Dermatology.

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Further Benefits of White and Blue Light Therapy

Other than skin conditions such acne, bright light therapy is also becoming popular as a proven and effective way to combat depression and other related conditions
Medication has traditionally been the best way to treat the symptoms or the root causes, of several disorders such as SAD, major depression and mood swings associated with the weather. In recent years, extensive studies by leading experts and institutions have been conducted on a trial basis and most, if not all, have found overwhelming evidence that light therapy - which has several variations including laser, sunlight / white light, red light and blue light therapy - is highly effective in curing such conditions as SAD, non-seasonal major depression and mood disorders related to physiological changes (for example, in pregnancy). Light therapy is also time-effective; meaning that where common medication and / or psychiatric help may take several months or even years, this therapy shows noticeable results within a week.

Binge Eating disorder 'Bulimia Nervosa' connected to depression
This is a form of disorder which causes an unnecessary high intake of food in a very short time (it is very like getting the munchies; however it is an eating binge with no apparent reason). Studies have revealed that Bulimia may have a cause and effect relationship with depression, specifically with SAD, as many people who have this disorder have these eating binges at the onset of season changes and this condition is often accompanied by depression and is often followed by purging, fasting and heightened activity as well as lack of sleep. This is a condition which is very difficult to detect, even at close quarters, however many cases of overeating and obesity have been connected with psychological reasons before.

In a recent study conducted at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, patients suffering from a combination of SAD and associated Bulimia were treated using bright light therapy (which may involve the use of White, Green or Blue light lamps). In this study, it was observed that after about a fortnight worth of treatment (using 10,000 LUX bright light for half-hour sessions every day) the therapy not only reduced the occurrence of binge eating episodes but greatly reduced the intensity and frequency of the previously regular periods of depression. It results are inconclusive as to the relationship between bulimia and SAD, however, it shows that both are effectively treated at the same time using bright light therapy.

Bright light and Premenstrual Syndrome

Recent clinical testing has also revealed that light therapy in the phase preceding menstruation can provide relief from pre-menstrual depression as well. The test-treatment has been conducted in the luteal phase just before the onset of menstruation and results have shown significant improvements in the mood of the tested subjects and have also shown a reduction in the physical tension associated with menstruation. This treatment involves no drugs, and is beneficial for women who suffer a higher degree or depression, stress and physical tension in the premenstrual period and do not respond well or have suffered side effects (including weight gain) due to PMS medication.

Blue light therapy is a very good option when considering light treatment as it is safe (when eye protection is used) and contains no UV elements at all (which are found in full-spectrum white light). This type of therapy can be conducted in the comfort of your own home, using portable blue, green or white light devices for hourly or half-hourly sessions every day around the premenstrual period.

References:
Wikipedia[dot]com
Depression[dot]about[dot]com/od/sad/a/beyondsad.htm
www[dot]sciencedaily[dot]com/releases/2008/01/080103101121.htm About Author:

Allen Anderson is a content writer at TrophySkin.com. Trophy Skin provides BlueMD, one of the best light therapy products for acne treatment. It provides a powerful, safe, effective and affordable blue light therapy which is approved by FDA and the American Academy of Dermatology.

Examine the important tips about light therapy

As per definition, diabetic neuroplasty pain is the pain you feel when our peripheral nerves are damaged due to continual high haemoglobin diabetes levels. Therefore anodyne therapy or infrared light therapy is required along with light therapy. In general, hurt is necessary in revealing something is bad with your body. Once the cause is localized and get free of it, your pain will be relieved too. When it comes to diabetic neuroplasty pain, the central culprit is the persistent high haemoglobin sugar amount; and the explanation begins from here. The increase of haemoglobin glucose levels is, at the equal time, one part of pain relieve option.
Neuroplasty is a sickness that has afflicts millions of person all over the world. This is a terrible illness that has affected a lot of people so greatly so that several aids and anodyne therapy have been carefully implored. In fact, a number of pharmaceutical companies have devoted their investigate endeavours into searching the finest infrared light therapy or light therapy for neuroplasty. Neuropathy is a situation that denotes the damage of the nerves of the peripheral nerves system. This damage can be applied to several of damages including illness of the nerves, and other effects of systemic sickness. There are mostly four kinds of neuroplasty. The most common is peripheral polyneuropathy.
infrared light therapy or light therapy affects the feet and the legs. Some of the expression of this disease includes self changes, sensory changes, and varying combinations of weaknesses. While the amount of the manifestations varies from human to human, the symptoms are totally dependent on several circumstances. These circumstances include motor, sensory, type of nerves affected, and the site of the nerves in the physical structure. Some of the mostly general symptoms of neuroplasty are spasms, cramps, and physique weaknesses. In addition, prickling, deadness, and loss of equilibrium can also be accomplished. So anodyne therapy is required.
As the reason of nerves harm in light therapy or infrared light therapy is Ischemia or significant reduce of blood deliver. When there is better haemoglobin movement, additional nutrients will be transfer to the damaged tissues and healing will take place. Before, it is believed that nerve affected in neuroplasties is irreversible. Nitric oxide is free from the red blood cell during the anodyne therapy and it achieve by dilating the haemoglobin vessels to allow extra haemoglobin flow in the area being surveyed. Fresh haemoglobin vessels will be produced to promote better circulation and nerve regeneration will occur. When the nerves heal, the affected person will recover their sense of equilibrium and skill and will increase their feelings back so incidence of falls will decrease.

About the Author

Get practical information on light therapy. Visit http://www.anodynetherapy.com/ to know more about anodyne therapy and  infrared light therapy

Advantages of infrared light therapy

As per definition, anodyne therapy pain is the hurt you suffer when our peripheral nerves are damaged due to continual high haemoglobin diabetes levels. In general, hurt is necessary in revealing something is wrong with your body. Once the culprit is localized and gets rid of it, your hurt will be relieved too. When it comes to diabetic light therapy and infrared light therapy, the central cause is the persistent high blood sugar amount; and the solutions begin from here. The optimization of haemoglobin cellulose amount is, at the same time, one fraction of hurt relieve option.
Anodyne therapy is a disease that has afflicts many of people all over the world. This is a dreadful illness that has affected a lot of people so much so that several aids and treatments have been carefully implored. In reality, a quantity of pharmaceutical industries have dedicated their investigate endeavours into finding the finest treatment for neuropathy. Infrared light therapy is a situation that denotes the damage of the nerves of the peripheral nervous system. This damage can be attributed to a lot of causes including diseases of the nerves, and other effects of systemic disease. There are basically four patterns of neuropathy. The most widespread is peripheral light therapy.
Peripheral anodyne therapy affects the feet and the lap. Some of the manifestations of this illness include self changes, sensory modifications, and varying solution of weaknesses. While the degree of the manifestations varies from person to person, the symptoms are totally depending on some factors. These factors for infrared light therapy include motor, sensory, kind of nerves affected, and the site of the nerves in the body. Several of the most common symptoms of light therapy are spasms, cramps, and muscle weakness. In addition, tingling, deadness, and loss of equilibrium can also be experienced.
So the reason of nerve damage in diabetic anodyne therapy is Ischemia or major decrease of blood deliver. Even there is better blood circulation, extra food will be transfer to the damaged tissue and curing will take place. Earlier than, it was thought that nerves damages in neuropathies are permanent. Nitric oxide is free since the red blood cells through the treatment and it acts by dilating the blood vessel to let extra blood flow in the area being treated. New blood vessel will be shaped to support better movement and nerves regeneration will take place. When the nerves cure, the affected person will recover their logic of equilibrium and skill and will gain their sensation back so incidence of fall will reduce. So these types of disorder like light therapy, infrared light therapy can be cared by therapy.

About the Author

Find practical information on a infrared light therapy. Visit http://www.anodynetherapy.com/ to be on familiar terms with more about anodyne therapy and infrared light therapy.

Seasonal Affected Disorder and Light Therapy

For most people who suffer from seasonal affected disorder the use of a light box helps to bring rapid relief to the symptoms of SAD, however is you have been using light therapy for 2 weeks and have not noticed any benefits then consult your doctor and consider using antidepressant alone or in combination with light therapy.
Seasonal affected disorder (SAD) tend to be a result of a reduction in sunlight during the winter months of the year and can have a major impact on the quality of a suffers life, but it is a treatable disorder and many people find relieve from the symptoms of winter depression through the use of light therapy.

This type of therapy has proven to be extremely effective in the treatment of seasonal depression with the light boxes coming in different types. The most common light boxes emit a light at 10,000 lux (intensity of light emitted) and are generally used for 15-30 minutes daily. Light emitting diode (LED) boxes that emit a blue light are also becoming popular.

Although these devices are a safe and effective method for treating SAD many people discontinue the using this form of treatment because of the time and commitment required or because they get bored or restless when using the light box.

Here are a few tips on using light therapy and getting the most from each session.

1. Make yourself comfortable. Make sure the room is at a comfortable temperature and the chair you sit in is comfortable and relaxing.

2. Keep busy. When using a light box you do not need to sit motionless and stare at the light (do not stare directly at the light) for 15-30 minutes or more each day, if you do this you will soon become bored with light therapy and the box will soon end up in a corner unused.

When using the light box keep yourself occupied to avoid becoming bored. Remember you only need to look in the general direction of the box and while doing this you can read the morning paper, watch television, eat a meal, surf the web or even exercise.

3. Keep a routine. Most people find using a light box at certain times more effective than at others times and for many people this time is first thing in the morning. Once you know which time of day is best for you then stick to the same time daily and make the use of the box a daily routine.

For most people who suffer from seasonal affected disorder the use of a light box helps to bring rapid relief to the symptoms of SAD, however is you have been using light therapy for 2 weeks and have not noticed any benefits then consult your doctor and consider using antidepressant alone or in combination with light therapy. Find out about depression symptoms in women and male depression, the types of depression, symptoms and how to treat depression with antidepressant medication or with natural antidepressants. Visit www.depressionanxietycure.com to find out more.