Articles Tagged ‘insomnia’

Drugs & Clinical Trials | By December 09, 2008 | By Sajid Surve, DO | 1 Comment

Beating the Biological Clock – Clinical Trials of Tasimelteon

Drugs and Clinical Trials Category The Lancet recently published clinical trial data from a Harvard study which compares the experimental new drug tasimelteon to placebo in treating jet lag. The medication works by binding to the same receptor as melatonin, and activating it as a direct agonist.

Melatonin is a neurotransmitter produced by the brain that is believed to play a pivotal role in the regulation of our “biological clock” or circadian rhythm. Melatonin levels fluctuate in the bloodstream throughout the day, and surge during the nighttime hours when it is dark outside and our bodies are inclined to sleep. The trouble with melatonin is that it falls under the FDA category of supplements and nutraceuticals, and is therefore largely unregulated in terms of potency, manufacturing process, and quality of ingredients. Studies are hard to conduct and successfully repeat for this reason as well. Read more →

Sleep Deprivation, Behavior, and the Young | October 01, 2008 | 2 Comments

These days, sleep is often seen as an expendable resource. With so much work to do and limited time to accomplish tasks, going to sleep later and waking up earlier seems so natural. For some people, lack of sleep was used to prove toughness and stamina. It was common for physician trainees to boast (in some cases complain) about getting little sleep. However, studies showing suboptimal patient care when residents are sleep-deprived have resulted in shorter working hours and mandatory time off after a number of hours at work. Read more →

Sleep Disorders Demystified | September 23, 2006 | 2 Comments

Sleep is one of our most enigmatic functions. The uncertainties of why we sleep and the utter necessity of sleep are being incessantly investigated. Based on what we do know, it is fairly safe to assume that sleep is certainly vital to our well-being. The necessity of sleep can be determined by each one of us by simply observing and evaluating the effects on our body after just one sleepless night. Read more →

Living with a Brain Disorder: Sophie, 11-15, Generalized Anxiety Disorder & Depression | June 05, 2006 | 2 Comments

Interviewee: Sophie, age 11-15, from illinois was diagnosed with “Last year in April, I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and clinical depression at the North Shore Wellness Center”.

Before I was depressed/had anxiety, I was living a full, happy life. I had lots of friends, took dance classes and studied the piano, and was generally a very normal, very happy person.

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Living with a Brain Disorder: Paula, 16-20, Anorexia Nervosa, Depression, Insomnia | April 17, 2006 | 1 Comment

Interviewee: Paula, age 16-20, from Ohio was diagnosed with “Anorexia Nervosa in January 2002 at Children’s Hospital in Omaha, NE Moderate depression and insomnia in November 2004 at Physician’s Clinic in Omaha, NE”.

Anorexia often prevents the accepting of lunch or dinner invitations, going to places with friends where food is likely. General daily interactions are often tense and uncomfortable, usually focusing on how to best please the other person.

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Living with a Brain Disorder: Kelly, 41-45, Bipolar, PTSD, Anxiety, Insomnia, Fibromyalgia | April 02, 2006 | 2 Comments

Interviewee: Kelly, age 41-45, from Washington was diagnosed with “BiPolar 1 with rapid cycling-PSTD-Anxiety-Insomnia-Fibromyalgia. With Psychiatrist and Rumatologist in February 2000″.

I have done alot of research online and reading books and from my Psychiatrist. I have learned how to tell when I am going Manic and what to do and when I am going into deep depression and know what to do and If I get suicidal I call my Psychiatrist or a friend.

… Read more →