Nearly all living mammals and plants have a circadian rhythm.  This twenty-four hour cycle affects how we sleep, eat, and work.  It also has an effect on how we relate with each other on a casual or intimate level.  There are clear patterns of brain wave activity, hormonal production, cell regeneration, and other biological activities linked to this daily cycle. Many of us, however, have difficulty adjusting to the change of light and dark even though the twenty-four cycle remains fairly constant.

Although our days are lengthening, many of us are still affected by the change of light and dark hours especially in the northern states.  Some of my Alaska friends have said that although their sleep cycle was not affected, the adjustment to the long nights was at times a challenge.  They also shared that adjusting to the long summer days was easier than the long winter nights.  The time from late autumn through winter could bring on a disorder called Circadian Rhythm Disorder.  This condition appeared to be related to the change of light exposure and delay in the affected individual’s circadian rhythm. 

Seasonal affective disorder is a type of mood disorder that is characterized by recurring episodes of depression and the onset and remission seem to be related to the changing of seasons. This condition would most commonly begin in autumn or winter and disappear by spring. While some related this condition to “post holiday blues,” many related it to the adjustment to the changing light and dark hours in a twenty-four hour day.  

The most common sleep disorder is insomnia and may be particularly disabling in the elderly. Although medications have been an aid, some seniors found that behavior therapies have had a more lasting effect.  The drawback is number of sessions, time, and expense.

Some of the natural remedies for insomnia are drinking a nutmeg tea or rubbing a drop of nutmeg oil on the forehead.  Another treatment has been a glass of grapefruit juice.  Grapefruit juice has been associated with side effects with some medications, so check with your healthcare professional. 

One of the most effective natural treatments for insomnia is a warm glass of milk with one-half teaspoon of nutmeg or a teaspoon of honey.  The National Institute of Mental Health states that a warm glass of milk contains Tryptophan, Tryptophan is an important amino acid that triggers Seratonin.  Seratonin is a neurotransmitter that is important in conducting nerve messages from and to the brain, including the sleep process.  Increasing Seratonin is a natural choice for a good night’s sleep because it helps you wake refreshed the same time everyday and does not have a “drug hangover.”

Health and happiness.

John

I have encouraged every patient, client, and friend to consider four factors when taking any medication.  That includes prescriptions, OTC products, and herbs.  Yes, herbs are the first medications used to treat diseases and symptoms.  Side effects with herbs are infrequent but can be noticeable, even serious, in combination with prescription medications.  Checking with your healthcare provider is encouraged.

The four factors are the following:

!.  The type of medication. Understand why a medication is taken and the side effects and risks when taking that medication.  Sometimes a powerful medication can also contain the potential for profound side effects. 

2. The dosage amount and frequency of taking the medication.  Making sure the dosage is the correct amount will help reduce the risk of overdosing or under dosing.  Once a day, twice a day, or three times a day?  Following the frequency of the medication can help keep the medication level in the body at the proper amount. 

3.  The time of day taking the medication.  Some medications tend to work more effectively in the morning, midday, or evening.  For example, melatonin is most effective when taken midday or late afternoon when the melatonin level is lowest, not in the evening or bedtime.

4.   This is the most important factor – you.  Monitoring how the medication is working, side effects, changes in behavior, such as eating and sleeping habits, and energy level, are all indicators of how well the medication is working   Other factors can be changes in blood pressure, body temperature, blood sugar, and oxygen level of the hemoglobin.  Report any changes that are not expected to your physician or healthcare professional.  These changes could be dangerous or even life threatening.

My example is a friend who went to her physician for her monthly checkup for her medication.  When she had the prescription filled, the first clue was the large increase in  cost.  The second was the change in dosage.  The third was the frequency.  Instead of three times a day, the new prescription was a time release of one time a day.  The fourth was the dosage; one-third the amount of her previous dosage. 

This particular medication was most effective for her when one dose was taken in the morning and two doses taken at bedtime.  The direction of this new medication was to be taken in the morning only.  By evening she had less than half the medication in her system and by morning the medication was completely gone.

By early morning she began to experience debilitating pain, increased, pulse rate, and changes in mood.  Taking the medication brought little relief.  During the week she became more irritable and had a lower attention span and productivity on her job. 

Instead of contacting her doctor, she continued taking the prescription for the entire month feeling that her doctor was reducing her dosage and trying a new version of the medication.  That was a mistake.  She realized that if she had contacted his office the problem would have been discovered and corrected.

On her next office visit she related her changes in physical and emotional state and questioned why he modified her prescription.  In one minute her doctor discovered that the medical assistant pushed the wrong prescription on the computer screen.  This is not an uncommon occurance in a busy doctor’s office, but her month of discomfort was unnecessary if she had contacted her doctor. 

My message is this.  Taking responsibility for your own health and wellness is the first and most important priority.  Whether taking a prescription medication, OTC medication, or herb, monitor for any positive and negative changes.  A wise physician told me forty years ago that for every positive attribute to a medication, there are two negatives.

What will help make the new year a better one? Take responsibility for your own health and stay on top of potential problems.  Watch your weight, exercise daily, eat better, and laugh a lot.  Reduce your stress, rid bad habits, and appreciate each day.  You never know what great gifts are just around the corner.

Health and happiness for 2012.

John