Category Archives: Brain Function

It is estimated that one in five adults experiences sleep deprivation, a condition categorized by the inability to get enough sleep. On average, our bodies require seven to eight hours of sleep, and numerous studies have shown the consequences associated with too little sleep. The causes of sleep deprivation can range from voluntary behavior – ...click here to read more

How much sleep did you get last night? Six, seven, maybe even up to nine hours? When we get minimal amounts of sleep it makes sense to wake up tired, but when we have prolonged amounts of sleep and still wake up tired, then we have a problem. If you’re getting many hours of shut-eye ...click here to read more

Talk therapy has been found to be an effective form of treatment for mental health as well as treating mental disorders such as schizophrenia. A recent study revealed that over two million people in America have a diagnosis of schizophrenia and primary treatment involves the use of medications. The same study also revealed the benefits ...click here to read more

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mood disorder that can put a strain on relationships. BPD is divided into three groups known as cluster A, cluster B and cluster C. Cluster A is when individuals are odd or eccentric and involves symptoms like paranoia or schizotypal personality. Cluster B are those who are highly dramatic, ...click here to read more

Sleep deprivation and kidney disease have been found to increase the risk of each other. New research was conducted on women and found that those who slept five hours a night or less had a 65 percent higher risk of developing kidney disease. To complete the study researchers examined the sleep habits of thousands of ...click here to read more

The holiday season, although a joyous time, can be difficult for someone with a social anxiety disorder, which can worsen anxiety, stress and depression. With the upcoming Thanksgiving festivities right around the corner (November 26th, in case you forgot), some of us are rushing around to get things done, while others are dreading the whole ...click here to read more

A serotonin deficiency can cause depression and mood disorders. Serotonin is a chemical naturally found in the body that carries signals between nerves. It is produced in the brain and the intestines; in fact, about 80 to 90 percent of it can be found in the gastrointestinal tract. Serotonin has long been thought to be ...click here to read more

Insomnia, parasomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have been found to increase the risk of cancer. It has long been known that insomnia, parasomnia and sleep apnea are associated with many other ailments, but little research has associated these sleep conditions with the risk of cancer. Researchers aimed to explore the relationship between sleep problems ...click here to read more

Hearing loss can be caused by noise or through aging – this much we know. But research suggests that serious sleep conditions could also rob you of your precious hearing. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes a person to stop breathing numerous times throughout the night. It has been tied to conditions such as ...click here to read more

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that commonly affects people during the winter months. As the daylight decreases over the winter, people will feel a depression that goes away during the spring and summer. Women are more likely to experience seasonal affective disorder, along with individuals who live furthest from the equator ...click here to read more

You may have heard that if you want to improve brain function you need to exercise. Brain specific exercises – like crosswords, sudoku and puzzles – can definitely help to boost brain function, but physical exercise has been shown to boost brain health even more. There is abundant research to support running, walking and other ...click here to read more

Sleep is an integral part of our health as it improves memory, helps repair damage and removes brain toxins. Remember the tale of the young princess who pricks her finger on a cursed spindle and falls into a deep sleep, which she can’t be woken from until she is kissed by her true love? Although ...click here to read more

If you’ve ever strained your back lifting something heavy or trying to rearrange your furniture, you know how bad back pain can be. Or maybe you live with chronic back pain… You’re all too familiar with the agony it can bring and the roadblocks it creates in everyday life. Maybe you’ve been advised to “slow ...click here to read more

Managing the psychotic disorder schizophrenia in the elderly is important but also faces many challenges. Anyone at any age can experience schizophrenia, but age can be a large factor in the effectiveness of treatment. For example, antipsychotic drugs can pose adverse effects in the elderly, even though they can have minimal side effects in younger ...click here to read more