Doctor Column

Four Major Sleep Disorders

Sleep, like food, is a basic human necessity. In 2020, the U. S. Census Bureau counted 258.3 million adults living in the United States. A startling “one third of U. S. adults report that they usually get less than the recommended amount of sleep,” says the CDC.

Understanding How Sleep Works: Non-REM Sleep and REM Sleep

Healthy sleep is as essential to our wellbeing as is a healthy diet. A massive one third of American adults get inadequate sleep described as less than seven hours of sleep per night In the mid-20th century, many scientists thought the brain to be fundamentally dormant during sleep. Recent studies paint a picture. of the brain’s vibrant activity.

The Liver: How It Looks and How It Works

The liver is the largest internal organ in the body. It weighs 3 to 3.5 pounds and is located mainly on the right side of the body below the lungs and diaphragm. It extends approximately from the right fifth rib to the lower border of the rib cage. The sickle shaped falciform ligament separates the liver into the much larger right lobe and a smaller left lobe.

Ten Key Differences Between Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are chronic conditions that damage the body’s ability to metabolize sugars; that is, break down sugars from our diet into glucose. Consequently, blood levels of glucose become and remain elevated unless treated with diet, lifestyle changes and medications. We need the energy of glucose in our cells for our bodies to function.

Hypercalcemia or High Calcium Levels, and the Parathyroid Glands: What Are They? What Do They Do?

Linda, a 52 year old homemaker, complained of being “tired all the time.” Over the past few years, besides being tired, she experienced trouble concentrating, mood swings, loss of appetite, and forgetfulness. She thought it was connected to the “empty nest syndrome” after her daughter got married, and she was left alone in her apartment. All that changed after she fell and hurt her back.

Intense Exercise for Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson Disease (PD) is a disorder of muscle coordination, not muscle weakness. It accounts for approximately 80% of movement disorders and it is the second most common neurodegenerative brain disease trailing only Alzheimer’s. This condition happens when nerve cells (neurons) in part of the brain called the substantia nigra die and don’t produce enough dopamine.