Sleep | Central Illinois Natural Health Clinic

Just Tired – or Is It Something More?

For decades, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has been recognized as a condition that is exactly as its name suggests: chronic (long-lasting) problem with fatigue (tiredness, lack of energy). It has been difficult for people with CFS to receive proper diagnosis and treatment, since the cause or causes are unknown, and there have been no lab tests or other objective studies to identify it with certainty. The condition is now known as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS,

So THAT’S Why They Call It a Cold!

A hundred years ago, doctors might have called it “coryza.” Today, they speak of URI (upper respiratory infection) or viral rhinitis. You probably call it the common cold. Any way you label it, though, you’re in for five to ten days of sniffling, sore throat, and miserable fatigue.

Why “cold”? Before the dawn of our understanding of infectious organisms,

Is Your iPad Killing You?

Regular readers and patients know the importance of a good night’s sleep to health. Low quality sleep, and getting fewer than seven hours of sleep per night, have been associated with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, as well as shorter lifespan. Two recent studies highlight some of the hidden thieves of sleep in our modern world.

Another Secret to a Smaller Waistline

There has been a lot of speculation about the increasing rates of obesity over the last few decades. Many of the causes of this phenomenon are well known, and I have covered them in past articles: the move from whole foods to more processed foods, a decrease in physical activity with the rise in technology,

Are You Missing This Important Supplement for Childhood Behavioral Problems?

Behavioral problems in children often start during the preschool years. Making sure that kids have a healthy, balanced diet, as well as plenty of physical activity, can make a big difference in kids’ behavior. One “supplement” that is becoming more overlooked these days is one of the foundations of health in naturopathic medicine: sleep.

Recent research from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City (1) examined almost 9000 preschool aged children,

Ladies, Improve Your Sleep Quality 800% With This Simple Fix

In the dog days of summer, “women of a certain age” probably know well the difficulty of getting a good night’s sleep, especially when dealing with postmenopausal hot flashes. The benefits of sleep cannot be overstated in terms of our overall health. Inadequate sleep can lead to diabetes, obesity, elevated blood pressure, and even certain types of cancer.

Are You at Risk for Pneumonia with this Medication?

One of the foundations of health is a good night’s sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to consequences including obesity, aggravation of pain conditions like fibromyalgia, poor memory, and even increased risk of cardiovascular disease. With all the benefits of getting a good night’s sleep, it might be tempting to do whatever it takes to correct sleep problems —

Did You Enjoy that Extra Hour of Sleep this Weekend?

Welcome back to standard time, folks… did you remember to set your clocks back this weekend?
One more question: did you notice it was much easier to adjust to the time change this weekend than to the switch to daylight savings time in the spring? It seems logical, since we “gained” an hour of sleep on Saturday night.

So Obvious, It’s Revolutionary

One of my main recommendations for folks who are having trouble sleeping is a simple one: Turn out the lights. I’ve heard folks say they “can’t” fall asleep without surfing the web right before bedtime, or having the TV on in the bedroom. But late night exposure to light suppresses the body’s natural production of melatonin,

If You’re Not Getting Enough of This, You’re Just Inviting Chronic Disease

If you’re a reader of my articles, you might think the “This” I’m referring to is my favorite supplement — exercise. While that’s true, this time, let’s focus on that other foundation of health: sleep.

A recent study added to the evidence that inadequate or disrupted sleep induces metabolic changes in the body that can lead to diabetes and weight gain.

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