Sunday, December 25, 2011

Light Therapy for Depression with LightSoundTherapy

For solutions to depression using Light Therapy please visit http://www.lightsoundtechnology.com/light-therapy-products-for-pain-relief

After reading this article, please visit the above website for a safe, affordable, home based solution that is F.D.A. approved, and for home and clinical use. We have been in the light therapy business for over 20 years with the vision of my mother for help with humans and animals with their pain relief issues, stress issues, and skin care issues. If you have any questions or concerns with pricing please call us. Our team of wellness professionals will do everything for you to get the solutions and results that you are looking for.


January 6, 2011, 4:15 PM
Light Therapy for Depression
By RONI CARYN RABIN
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/06/light-therapy-for-depression/

A light box provides artificial light to ease depression.
Antidepressants like Prozac and Paxil are widely used to treat depression, but a much less costly alternative called bright light therapy, in which a patient sits under an artificial light for a set period of time each day, is not. Light therapy is typically recommended for seasonal affective disorder, the “winter blues” brought on by shorter days and limited sun. Some psychiatrists prescribe it for this condition, often as a last resort when patients fail to respond to drugs.

One reason light therapy hasn’t been used in more people with depression is that there aren’t many good clinical trials of the therapy in depressed patients without seasonal affective disorder. There isn’t much money to be made from the treatment — all it involves is a one-time purchase of a special lamp. The upside is that it has few, if any, side effects (though, doctors note, it should always be done in consultation with a physician).

Now a new, carefully designed randomized controlled trial — of the kind considered the gold standard in medicine — suggests bright light therapy deserves a closer look.

The study was small, involving only 89 patients ages 60 and older, but the results were remarkable. Compared with a placebo, light therapy improved mood just as well as conventional antidepressant medications, said Dr. Ritsaert Lieverse, the paper’s lead author and a psychiatrist at the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam.

“The effect sizes we found in this study are comparable to those reported for antidepressants, so I think efficacy is of comparable magnitude,” Dr. Lieverse said in an e-mail.

The report was published this week in The Archives of General Psychiatry.

Participants were evaluated at the beginning of the study using the Hamilton Scale for Depression, a questionnaire that doctors use to assess the severity of depression. They were then randomly assigned for three weeks to either bright light therapy or a dummy red light used as a placebo for comparison.

Since depression is often accompanied by poor sleep and other symptoms suggestive of circadian rhythm disruption, the scientists also examined markers of circadian function. The theory is that bright light therapy may act to elevate mood by activating the brain’s so-called circadian pacemaker, a structure called the suprachiasmatic nucleus. As part of the study, researchers assessed sleep quality and measured patients’ melatonin, a hormone critical for sleep-wake cycles, and urinary cortisol and salivary cortisol levels, measures of stress.

Dr. Lieverse said bright light therapy may also work by targeting depression-associated neurotransmitter systems that regulate serotonin and dopamine.

After three weeks of treatment, 43 percent of the patients who received bright light therapy had improved scores on the depression scale, compared with 36 percent of those who were assigned to the placebo treatment.

Treatment was then stopped, and patients were evaluated again three weeks later. Interestingly, those who had received the light therapy continued to improve, with 54 percent now having an improved score on the depression scale, while improvement declined in the placebo group, to 33 percent.

Those who got the active treatment were also sleeping better; their urinary and salivary cortisol levels dropped compared with the placebo group, and their melatonin levels increased steeply in the evenings in comparison to the placebo group.

Bright light therapy is already indicated for specific conditions like certain sleep disorders, jet lag, Alzheimer’s disease and postpartum depression, Dr. Lieverse said, but should be considered for major depression because of its benefits, especially the apparent lack of adverse side effects.

“Light therapy is now evolving as an effective depression treatment not only to be used in seasonal affective disorder,” he said.

For solutions to depression using Light Therapy please visit http://www.lightsoundtechnology.com/light-therapy-products-for-pain-relief/

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Light Therapy for Depression and S.A.D. solutions

SAD Light Therapy Products Blog

Why should I buy a SAD light therapy light?
You’ve probably heard of the term SAD light before, but what is a SAD light therapy light really for and what are the benefits of using one? SAD lights are increasing in popularity and demand due to their versatile and natural healing properties. SAD lights have been proven to help increase energy, attain a better night’s sleep, improve mood or mindset, and enhance overall well being.

SAD lights were originally created to help people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD, hence the name SAD light. SAD is a condition in which a person feels depression-like symptoms during the long winter months when sunlight is at its lowest, it is often referred to as the “winter blues. ” People who suffer from SAD often report difficulty concentrating, low energy or fatigue, loss of interest in daily activities, moodiness, sleeping in excessive amounts, and weight gain. Even though SAD is mainly a seasonal disorder, people who work in spaces without windows or in places of darkness may experience SAD symptoms year round.

Life without the healing effects of the sun can be grim; the sun is a very powerful natural antidepressant. The light emitted from the sun helps to assist the body in producing serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is the mood-lifting chemical responsible for creating a happy and balanced state of mind. On the other hand, Low levels of serotonin have been linked to depression and depression-like feelings.

Whether the dark days of winter or an enclosed workspace contribute to your lack of sunlight, a SAD light can help. SAD lights are able to help produce serotonin in the brain just as the sun, but without the health risks of the sun, SAD lights either filter out or do not emit ultraviolet light and are considered safe and effective. SAD lights function by emitting a balanced spectrum of light from fluorescent tubes within the SAD light box. As the light is emitted from the light box, a person should sit in fairly close proximity (1 to 2 feet) from the light box while the light is then absorbed into the body. Many people enjoy their SAD light time each day by choosing to read, write, or just relax while sitting in front of the light box.

Even though SAD lights were created to help people who suffer from SAD, research has shown that anybody can reap the countless benefits associated with the light absorption from a SAD light. SAD light therapy can even help to enhance sleep/wake cycles by regulating the internal body clock to help assist with mild sleeping disorders. The time is now, make SAD light therapy a part of your plan to boost your mood, get better sleep, and enhance your lifestyle.

The Well Beam from http://www.lightsoundtherapy.com is a perfect compliment for the struggles with S. A. D. It combines the 'blue, red, and IR' spectrums to make sure that you are getting the best results for the solution for your wellness. It also comes with 'sound therapy' to further enhance your experience by also decreasing stress and tension in the mind. The wellbeam is also great for skin issues, sleep issues, and acne as well.
http://hubpages.com/hub/Light-THerapy-Blog

SAD Light Therapy Blog

SAD Light Therapy Products Blog

Why should I buy a SAD Light Therapy Light?
You’ve probably heard of the term SAD light before, but what is a SAD light therapy light really for and what are the benefits of using one? SAD lights are increasing in popularity and demand due to their versatile and natural healing properties. SAD lights have been proven to help increase energy, attain a better night’s sleep, improve mood or mindset, and enhance overall well being.

SAD lights were originally created to help people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD, hence the name SAD light. SAD is a condition in which a person feels depression-like symptoms during the long winter months when sunlight is at its lowest, it is often referred to as the “winter blues. ” People who suffer from SAD often report difficulty concentrating, low energy or fatigue, loss of interest in daily activities, moodiness, sleeping in excessive amounts, and weight gain. Even though SAD is mainly a seasonal disorder, people who work in spaces without windows or in places of darkness may experience SAD symptoms year round.

Life without the healing effects of the sun can be grim; the sun is a very powerful natural antidepressant. The light emitted from the sun helps to assist the body in producing serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is the mood-lifting chemical responsible for creating a happy and balanced state of mind. On the other hand, Low levels of serotonin have been linked to depression and depression-like feelings.

Whether the dark days of winter or an enclosed workspace contribute to your lack of sunlight, a SAD light can help. SAD lights are able to help produce serotonin in the brain just as the sun, but without the health risks of the sun, SAD lights either filter out or do not emit ultraviolet light and are considered safe and effective. SAD lights function by emitting a balanced spectrum of light from fluorescent tubes within the SAD light box. As the light is emitted from the light box, a person should sit in fairly close proximity (1 to 2 feet) from the light box while the light is then absorbed into the body. Many people enjoy their SAD light time each day by choosing to read, write, or just relax while sitting in front of the light box.

Even though SAD lights were created to help people who suffer from SAD, research has shown that anybody can reap the countless benefits associated with the light absorption from a SAD light. SAD light therapy can even help to enhance sleep/wake cycles by regulating the internal body clock to help assist with mild sleeping disorders. The time is now, make SAD light therapy a part of your plan to boost your mood, get better sleep, and enhance your lifestyle.

The Well Beam from http://www.lightsoundtherapy.com is a perfect compliment for the struggles with S. A. D. It combines the 'blue, red, and IR' spectrums to make sure that you are getting the best results for the solution for your wellness. It also comes with 'sound therapy' to further enhance your experience by also decreasing stress and tension in the mind. The Wellbeam is also great for skin issues, sleep issues, and acne as well.
http://hubpages.com/hub/Light-THerapy-Blog

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Light therapy and sound therapy for Depression Blog

www.lightsoundtechnology.com has light therapy products and sound therapy that is safe, inexpensive, easy to use in the comfort of your own home, with over 20 years of expertise with a team of experts that provide solutions to your wellness issues. We are committed to being the company that is here to help any of the 51 million Americans who lack health coverage, and the 87 million Americans who woke up with some form of pain today (ama.org). If you have any questions or issues, please call us and together we will find a solution for you!

Light Therapy for Depression and Sleep Problems

The production of the hormone melatonin, a sleep regulator, is inhibited by light and permitted by darkness. To some degree, the reverse is true for serotonin, which has been linked to mood disorders. Hence, for the purpose of manipulating melatonin levels or timing, light boxes providing very specific types of artificial illumination are effective.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):

People with seasonal affective disorder go into depression like states during the winter months. This is seen in places where the amount of daylight is very less in these seasons (countries near the North Pole, for instance). The cure for these people is full sunlight. So, light boxes which replicate sunlight conditions are used for these patients. These use artificial illumination to re-create the fully lighted atmospheric conditions that are normally present in sunlight.

While full sunlight is preferred for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), light boxes may be effective for the treatment of the condition. The United States Food and Drug Administration has not approved the use of light boxes to treat SAD due to unclear results in clinical trials, but light therapy is still seen as a possible form of treatment for SAD. Direct sunlight, reflected into the windows of a home or office by a computer-controlled mirror device called a heliostat, has also been used as a type of light therapy for the treatment of SAD.
It is possible that response to light therapy for SAD could be season dependent.

Dr. Normal E. Rosenthal's seminal 1985 paper defining Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) was the first to describe application of bright artificial light in the treatment of winter depression. Rosenthal's hypothesis was that lengthening the daily photoperiod (in effect mimicking summer day length in the northern latitudes) would effect a remission of winter depressive symptoms.

Non-seasonal depression

Light therapy has also been suggested in the treatment of non-seasonal depression and other psychiatric disturbances, including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and postpartum depression.. A meta-analysis by the Cochrane Collaboration concluded that "For patients suffering from non-seasonal depression, light therapy offers modest though promising antidepressive efficacy".
Circadian rhythm sleep disorders

Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS):

People suffering with Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS) have problems sleeping and often end up falling asleep way past midnight and thus have difficulty waking up in the morning. In these cases the light must be provided as soon as the patient wakes up. Light therapy is useful for the people suffering from DSPS because it causes dawn simulation.

Chronic CRSD

In the management of circadian rhythm disorders such as delayed sleep phase syndrome, the timing of light exposure is critical. For DSPS, the light must be provided as soon after spontaneous awakening as possible to achieve the desired effect, as shown by the phase response curve for light in humans. Some users have reported success with lights that turn on shortly ''before'' awakening (dawn simulation). Morning use may also be effective for non-24-hour sleep-wake syndrome, while evening use is recommended for advanced sleep phase syndrome.

Other Benefits of Bright Light Therapy

Increasingly, light therapy is being used to reset our body clocks - sometimes along with melatonin and sometimes on its own-no matter how or why they've been put off track. Scientists are discovering that light therapy may have potential for treatment of several other disorders in addition to that of SAD. Another area where bright light therapy has proven itself beneficial is in the area of sleep disorders. Advanced sleep phase syndrome (ASPS) is characterized by premature sleep onset and early morning awakening. Future applications of bright light therapy may well include any area where a disease or syndrome recurs seasonally, shows winter exacerbation, or plausibly is related to insufficient or ill-timed outdoor light exposure regardless of the season.

* Early Morning Insomnia
* Night-owl insomnia
* Jet Lag
* Productivity Enhancement
* Bulimia
* Late-shift drowsiness
* Nonseasonal depression
* Prolonged menstrual cycles

You can find out more about how the light therapy machines at www.lightsoundtechnology.com and www.lightfortherapy.com can possible be a solution to any depression issues that you have. Call us to see how we can help you.
http://hubpages.com/hub/Light-THerapy-Blog