Archive for September, 2010

When the sky is gray and shorten the days of our morale is unharmed. Anyone can be affected by the loss of light in the off season. It’s now or never to chase away the blues or depression seasonal transition with the help of light therapy.

A quarter of the population finds her life turned upside down by the rhythm of the season, while 2 or 3% of people suffering from severe depression due to this time of year. Only since the mid-80s, researchers began looking for reasons for this depression. A person with SAD tend to their increased appetite can see, have a preference for sugar and have an excessive need for sleep. Since the symptoms of depression differently than normal, Dr. Marc Hebert researcher and professor at the University of Laval Robert-Giffard, it is considered necessary to treat patients differently. Instead of them a percription antidepressants he praised a healthier: exposure.

eye: window to the brain

“Contrary to what is thought by many people, the eye is not an outside body, but an extension of the brain,” says Dr. Hebert. All matches between the two ears, but it is extremely difficult study of the organs in vivo study of the eye consists of an interesting window.

If the brain seems to be affected by lack of light, we do not know what some people are more susceptible than others. It is through the analysis of the retina, multidisciplinary, led by Dr. Hebert, a researcher in neuroscience opthalmologyof psychologists and psychiatrists resulting Learn more about the role of light on the brain. “Many patients think neuropsychiatrist the eye, the vision of the person who is not affected,” he said (…) we can neurotransmitters present studyin the eye, and we can see the results after four weeks of light therapy sessions. “

serotonin and dopamine are the two most common neurotransmitters that have directly to do with humor. If it can begin a chemical imbalance of neurotransmitters depression.

light therapy

light therapy, phototherapy or lux therapy consists of exposure to bright light at eye height of 5000 to 10,000 lux (light units), under controlled conditions. By comparison, the regular lights that we have at home or the office only 100 to 150 lux.

The advantage of this treatment is that it can be done at home. A light therapy lamp costs about $ 250. Some pharmacies offer free and 1 month. Rents deducted if the person decides to buy the lamp. It is better to have a lamp specifically designed for this purpose rather than to buy it yourself, says expert (he is a danger to the eyes and skin).

a light box can be diverse, since the user can actively during meetings. Dr. Hebert personally every time a lamp uses at work at his desk. He also suggests people bring to the table while they eat breakfast or eat when they read a new book. The person must keep your eyes open, but do not seek to hold the light. The person can then carry out their activities, while exposed to light. You can even required sessions of exposure and the intensity of the light through his own energy, which changes every month of each year. After one hour per day, the benefits usually about a week later show. Of course, it is first recommended to choose a doctor if the problem relates to the person who is so sad to be consulted.

skeptical

Despite its advantages, the light treatment or scepitcs in the medical community. “There are psychologists and psychiatrists who do not believe it,” said Dr. Marc Hebert. They were surprised that a number of patients responded in the same way in light therapy sessions. In fact, it seems that the treatment for about 70% of the People with SAD works. An advantage of this treatment is the possibility it offers everyone the possibility of the Blues before the arrival of autumn to anticipate.

“We know that the treatment of light therapy works for people affected by winter depression, but we do not yet know the mechanical action theraputic” said Dr. Marc Hebert, who specializes in the topic since 1992. We note that the biological response to therapy, we concluded that it would not enable a placebo effect, but a reality effect light. “

cinema Québec, a person raise “more opportunities, in a good mood and mind if the level of melotonin (sleep hormone) is not too high for the day” helps exposure to light, the amount of mealtonin . NGOs point out the sport, even if it is sad, because the light is always greater than the light we see in the doors. Although Russian Academy of Medical Sciences have shown that physical activity has positive results, that the light therapy for people suffering from seasonal affective disorder.

If the idea of being exposed to light can discourage artificail, nothing prevents you to change your habits and enjoy the summer sun or winter. You should know that the sun produces 100 000 lux during the summer, but the light intensity is lower in winter, while 20 000 Lux average. Statistics show that every day during the summer of exposure during the day is about 2 hours for the winter, only 30 minutes. Never forget that the sun’s intensity is activated about 25 times stronger than a light.

Here you will find all the information you need to bright light on its own website: Solvital

SAD