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· Arousal · Hearing · Posture · Sleep · Vision
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The Cause of Internet and TV Addiction? www.causeof.org |
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Other Suggestions
Misconceptions · Indoor Air Pollution: Ions: Misconceptions
Vitamins "The following vitamins have shown positive antioxidants effects: · Other Suggestions: Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamin A · Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is a water-soluble compound that fulfills this role, among others, in living systems. Important sources include citrus fruits (like oranges, sweet lime etc.), green peppers, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, strawberries, raw cabbage and tomatoes. · Vitamin E (tocopherol) is fat soluble and similarly protects lipids. Sources include wheat germ, nuts, seeds, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, vegetable oil and fish-liver oil. · Selenium: It is best to get selenium through foods, as large doses of the supplement form can be toxic. Good food sources include fish, shellfish, red meat, grains, eggs, chicken and garlic. Vegetables can also be a good source if grown in selenium-rich soils. Several food additives (including ascorbic acid and tocopherol-derived compounds) are used as antioxidants to help guard against deterioration of food. (see: preservative)"
Melatonin · The Brain: Melatonin: Effects: Antioxidant Effects
Bilirubin
Related Topics · Arousal: Allergies: More Information: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: Detoxification · Other Suggestions: Vitamins and Minerals
· The Brain: Frontal Lobes: Pseudodepression
What is Humidification? "Humidification is not necessary for all patients; however, adding a humidifier to your system may resolve symptoms experienced by some people: · Nasal congestion, dryness, or tenderness · Mouth breathing (commonly referred to as 'mouth leak') · Dry throat"
Things to Avoid: Mouth Breathing "If you breathe through your mouth, you may develop a dry throat. By breathing through your mouth, you bypass your nose, which is responsible for two-thirds of humidification. This means that you've tripled the humidification workload of your upper airway. If you add positive airway pressure on top of that you may start to experience stronger symptoms. Even if you're only exhaling through your mouth, you are still losing valuable moisture because you aren't allowing your nose to recover the moisture your body invested in the air as you 'inhaled' it."
"A 1997 study found that nasal symptoms cause mouth breathing and that mouth breathing causes nasal symptoms. Because one symptom causes another, a vicious cycle can develop. For example, some congestion leads to mild mouth breathing that can worsen the congestion that causes more severe mouth breathing."
"Breathing exercises may help strengthen the muscles that inflate and deflate the lungs, but they do not directly improve lung function. Still, breathing exercises decrease the likelihood of lung complications after surgery in heavy smokers and others with lung disease. Such exercises are particularly helpful for sedentary people who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or those who have been put on a ventilator." The Merck Manual: Chapter 40: Section 4
Chronic Sinusitis Symptoms "The most frequent symptom of chronic sinusitis is postnasal drip…" "Another common symptom of chronic sinusitis is nasal congestion or blockage. You may be aware of decreased air passage on one or both sides of your nose. Nasal congestion may extend to the Eustachian tubes. This results in ear fullness and occasionally impacts hearing. While some people with chronic sinus infections become run-down and fatigued, fever is uncommon."
Sinusitis and Dry Eye Dry Eye Syndrome: Related Conditions
Examples of Distractions Some people put stickers, fluffy animals, or other distractionson or near their computer monitor.
Changing your Focus, Accommodation At your own discretion, if it's not necessary at the moment to be looking at your monitor, spend a few moments focusing on the distraction. Allow only your peripheral vision to perceive the monitor. When using a computer, turning on a television may be helpful in drawing your attention away. Turning on a television may also help to reduce eyestrain, as it interferes with concentration.
Reducing Vigilance, Orienting Response Choose an image or an item which is familiar and comforting, such as flowers. Don't choose an image of something which will increase your vigilence and orienting response such as food or a picture of someone who you find attractive.
Changing Your Desktop If you are using the Windows operating system you can change the background of your desktop. If you are using Internet Explorer you can set a new background picture for your desktop by right-clicking an image, and then clicking the command 'Set as Background' or 'Set as Wallpaper'.
· TechTV: Change Your Desktop Wallpaper
Dual-Brain Psychology Because of how the retinas behind the eyes are attached to the hemispheres of the brain, looking to the left may stimulate your right brain, while looking to the right may stimulate your left brain. More information can be found on the page: Dual-Brain Psychology
Overexposure to images that are familiar and comforting may cause your brain to release an excess of endorphins. More information can be found in the section: Endorphin Addiction: An Excess of Endorphins and in the topic: Theory of Perceptual and Cognitive Pleasure (Dr. Irving Biederman)
When using a computer, some people have a tendency to support their head with one hand while using a mouse with the other hand.
For example, a right handed person may use a mouse with their dominant right hand, while supporting their head with their subdominant left hand. This may exacerbate mixed dominance. For more information about mixed dominance please visit the Cross Dominance page.
Improvements in Cognitive Function "What we found so fascinating was that exercise had its beneficial effect in specific areas of cognitive function that are rooted in the frontal and pre-frontal regions of the brain," said James Blumenthal, Duke psychologist and study principal investigator. Other cognitive functions that were measured by the team -- attention, concentration and psychomotor skills -- did not appear to be affected by the exercise program. Interestingly, the researchers noted, different regions of the brain are responsible for these abilities." Aerobic Exercise Improves Cognitive Functioning Of Older Men And Women
"Just 10 minutes of exercise improved mood, increased vigor, reduced feelings of fatigue, and helped participants feel more clear-headed…20 minutes of exercise cleared people's heads better than 10 minutes." WebMD: Just Minutes of Exercise Can Pump You Up
Aerobic Exercise and Hyperactivity Suggestions: Arousal: Aerobic Exercise for Hyperactivity
Treating Depression Depression/Low Arousal: Aerobic Exercise
"The fifteen degree incline resulted in the highest level of quadriceps and hamstring activity."
Exercises for Posture
Exercises for Muscle Tension
Exercises for Knee Strength and Flexibility "The following exercises can be performed two or three times a week to strengthen leg muscles and create muscle balance. Do these after your walk (or other aerobic exercise) when muscles are warmed up. DO NOT lock your knees." Exercises for Knee Strength and Flexibility
· Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Possible Causes: Abnormal Glucose Metabolism
Try to schedule the times that you use the computer for the hours when you will be fully awake.As you become tired, you are more likely to become dissociated or habituated while sitting in front of a TV or a computer monitor.
Temporary Insomnia Causes · "A single stressful event · A period of emotional stress · Illness · Temporary pain · Disturbances in the sleeping environment (noise, light, strange bed, etc.) · Upsets in the normal sleep pattern, such as jet lag"
Some Causes · "Psychiatric conditions, such as depression or anxiety · An underlying medical condition [i.e. breathing problems, psychiatric illnesses, chronic pain, hormonal conditions, cardiac conditions, stomach and digestive conditions, urinary conditions, other medical conditions such as diabetes] · Stimulants [e.g. Nicotine, coffee, tea, chocolate, and other caffeine-containing products, alcohol, decongestants, stimulant medications including methylphenidate (such as Ritalin)] · Acute or chronic stress · Chronic pain [e.g. fibromyalgia] · Some medications [i.e. high blood pressure medications, hormones, respiratory medications, steroids, other medications, such as diet pills, some antidepressants, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medications, phenytoin, levodopa, and quinidine] · A different sleep disorder [e.g. Sleep apnea, periodic limb movements, abnormalities in the circadian rhythm, Restless legs syndrome, Narcolepsy] · Poor sleep habits [e.g.
Depression Arousal: Depression/Low Arousal
Hypoglycemia Hypoglycemia: Functional Hypoglycemia (FH)
Proprioception Neurodevelopmental Delays: Problems with Proprioception
Differentiation "Difficulty ‘turning off’ obsessive compulsive thoughts and actions" Neurodevelopmental Delays: Problems with Differentiation
Circadian Rhythms "Your circadian rhythm is your body's 'biological clock,' or 24-hour cycle. The 24-hour circadian rhythm controls functions such as:
Circadian Rhythms: Problems "Your circadian rhythms can be affected by light or darkness, which can make your body think it is time to sleep or wake up."
"Your internal clock might get thrown off track and you might find yourself going to bed too early and then rising too early, or, in contrast, staying up and rising too late." WebMD: Insomnia: Sleep Disorders
Circadian Rhythms: Melatonin
Serotonin
Purpose Keep a checklist to remind yourself of the conditions that you are at risk for (e.g. light sensitivity, convergence insufficiency, etc.), and your plan for treating these conditions. Keeping a list can be helpful for avoiding backsliding.
· Upper Back Rows (with bands) (recommended in the section Posture: Rounded Shoulders)
· Sensory Processing: Neurodevelopmental Delays: Laterality: Problems with Ear Dominance
Eyestrain · Vision Suggestions: Bates Method: Maximize the Effect of the Bates Method
I have personally found some forms of meditation to be helpful in reducing stress. Stress can cause your brain to release endorphins. Meditation is also recommended as an adjunct to the Bates method. Some people warn against meditation because it heightens your senses, thus allowing you to more easily perceive flicker, but I believe that the benefits outweigh the caveats. More information about meditation can be found in the research topic: Brainwaves
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) What is OCD? "A neurologically based disorder where individuals experience compulsions to engage in perseverative behaviors (handwashing, food rituals, lining up objects, ) which are tied to obsessive thoughts. Usually the person engages in the ritual to temporarily relieve feelings of anxiety. Children may particularly engage in ritualistic behaviors at bedtime." Autism Spectrum Resource Center
Suggestions Neurodevelopmental Delays: Interhemispheric Integration
Nutrition "Nutrition is an integral component of oral health. The links between oral health and nutrition are many. Oral infectious diseases affect diet and nutritional status. Likewise, nutrition and diet may affect the development and progression of diseases of the oral cavity." AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)
"The effects of periodontal infection can alter the capacity of the tissues to utilize available nutrients; therefore, the potential for healing and repair is modified." AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)
Diet "A diet low in nutrients can diminish the body’s ability to fight infection. Gum disease is an infection. A well-balanced diet benefits your oral health as well as your overall general health. · Diseases that interfere with the body’s immune system, such as leukemia and AIDS, may worsen the condition of the gums. · Adults should consume at least three servings of calcium each day. The relationship between calcium intake and gum disease is likely due to calcium’s role in building density in the bone that supports your teeth. Calcium is necessary for healthy bones, teeth, muscle contractions and other body functions. · In addition to calcium, research has shown that not getting enough vitamin C may put you at increased risk for gum disease. · A balanced diet contains proteins, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, and fiber. · Nutrient-dense foods include whole grains, fruits and most vegetables." AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)
Types Tooth Decay "Diet and nutrition have a direct influence on the progression of tooth decay, a preventable oral infectious disease." AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)
Gum Disease "Proteins, vitamins, and other nutrients are essential to the health of the periodontal tissue, just as they are to the health of the tissues throughout the body." AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)
Diabetes "Poorly controlled diabetes is associated with an increased risk of several dental diseases and conditions. Xerostomia (dry mouth) and its consequent reduced salivary flow increase the risk of tooth decay, altered sense of taste, and burning mouth syndrome." AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)
HIV Infection "Nutrition intervention and education should be components of the total health care provided to persons living with HIV. Persons with HIV infection are at risk for oral diseases with accompanying nutritional and systemic consequences." AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)
Oral Cancer "The most consistent dietary findings on the role of diet and nutrition in the cause of oral cancer are the protective effects of increased fruit consumption and the cancer causing effect of alcohol intake." AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)
Medications "Medications used to treat the oral and systemic manifestations of HIV infection, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases may also have notable side effects on a person's ability to eat, digest, and absorb adequate diet." AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)
Dry Eye Syndrome
· The Brain: Frontal Lobes: Self-Control
The Four Agreements "The ideas behind the 'agreements' are straightforward-four simple ways to change your everyday thinking and the way you interact with others." Book Review: The Four Agreements
Aerobic Exercise Other Suggestions: Exercise: Aerobic Exercise
Affirmations and Visualization "Using affirmations (positive statements that we repeat to ourselves in a positive way) and visualization together is like a 'double whammy' for creating belief in your desired goal. One or the other alone will work, but by using the two together, your success will come easier and faster. Affirmations, through repetition, reach your subconscious mind and leave a deep impression. Repeated statements work as if they were creating a groove in a record. The more the repetition, the deeper the groove, and the more long lasting its effect. With affirmations you choose statements to repeat over and over again throughout the day, positive statements that are beneficial to you. You can use affirmations to plant positive seeds in your subconscious concerning any area of your life, such as health, success, happiness or even prosperity and wealth."
Negative Thinking · Research Topics: Similarities with ADD: Negative Thinking
It's generally a good idea to avoid too much stimulants.
What are Stimulants? Examples of Stimulants "Stimulants such as nicotine, found in tobacco products, and caffeine are the two most widely used stimulants. Stimulants are often referred to as 'uppers.'"
"Over 80% of stimulants prescribed are for weight loss, such as Preludin.® Stimulants such as Ritalin® are prescribed for childhood hyper-kinesis, MBD (minimal brain dysfunction), and narcolepsy (a rare sleep attack disorder.)"
"Amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine, and caffeine are all stimulants."
Effects of Stimulants The category of stimulants also covers several groups of drugs that tend to increase alertness, energy, and physical activity. They produce what is often called a 'rush,' by stimulating the central nervous system.
"Some people use stimulants to counteract the drowsiness or 'crash' feeling caused by sleeping pills or alcohol. This up/down cycle is extremely hard on the body and dangerous."
Some Conditions Affected by Stimulants Hypoglycemia People with hypoglycemia should avoid stimulants.
ADD Stimulants may be beneficial for some types of ADD, and detrimental for others. Similarities with ADD: Symptoms: Attention Similarities with ADD: Types: Overfocused ADD
Beta Brainwaves
More Information about Stimulants Caffeine
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