LIGHT THERAPY ENLIGHTMENT

LIGHT THERAPY ENLIGHTMENT
BY REGINA ANN LEDFORD RN, BSN, RPSGT
Light therapy, when combined with behavioral sleep therapy modalities, is an invaluable tool to track circadian rhythm disorders, sleep is as basic to holistic health as nutrition and exercise. Many articles have been written that tout sleep disorders, whether behaviorally, or physiologically medicated, affect every single individual, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity culture, social standing, educational level or health status. Unfortunately, many Americans consider sleep to be merely a quiet time of resting, a luxury, or comfort measure. , rather than a biologic necessity. In reality, sleep is a very active period of growth cell regeneration, memory consolidation, physiologic recuperation, hormonal regulation, and psychological re-grouping. Even with the knowledge gained in the sleep sciences over the past one half century, there is a epidemic of sleeplessness that adversely affects the physical, social and mental health of the afflicted and those around them. Contributing to this epidemic is a class of sleep disorders known as circadian rhythm sleep disorders treatments. For fortunately for patients affected these disorder treatment options are available including behavioral recommendations and light therapy.
DISTURBANCES IN CIRCADIAN RHYTHM
Circadian rhythm disorders include variants that range from a time lined jet lag possibility noted only during an annual family vacation to life altering medical conditions that affect sleep-wake homeostasis on a daily basis. Year round jet lag disorder, shift work disorder, delayed sleep phase disorder and advanced sleep phase disorder are four of the best known disorders.