Category: Blepharospasm

Photophobia: When the Eyes Have Extreme Light Sensitivity

photosensitive sunglassesEveryone is sensitive to light to some degree, but light sensitivity, or photophobia is an abnormal intolerance for light. Discomfort can be experienced from light sources such as sunlight and fluorescent or other artificial lights. It may cause the person with light sensitivity to squint or to have to close their eyes. It can cause pain and/or tears. In some cases, this may be accompanied by a headache.

The brighter the light, the greater the discomfort. Generally people Continue reading “Photophobia: When the Eyes Have Extreme Light Sensitivity”

Sleep and Stress Reduction Encourage Weight Loss

Are you ready to sleep away those extra pounds?

A new study from Kaiser Permanente’s Center for Health Research in Portland describes how high levels of stress and inadequate sleep can keep people from losing weight, even when they are following a diet.

Study authors say that those who get 6-8 hours of sleep and moderate the stress in their lives are most successful when they try to lose weight.

The study included 472 obese adults who both reduced their caloric intake by 500 calories and exercised 3 hours per week.  The researchers found that proper amounts of sleep and healthy stress levels at the beginning of the trials were predictive of optimal weight loss.

“People who are healthy and vital tend to be healthy and vital not because of any one factor, but because of many. And the factors that promote health — eating well, being active, not smoking, sleeping enough, controlling stress, to name a few –promote all aspects of health,” said study author Dr. Charles Elder.  Story via HealthFinder.gov

Reducing stress will positively impact a number of health conditions – everything from blepharospasm (eye twitches) to peptic ulcers.