Pet Therapy

Animals are amazing creatures.They have demonstrated widespread ability to improve the health and well-being of people of all ages, including those with acute and chronic medical conditions, and those with psychiatric illnesses and developmental challenges.Numerous formal programs have emerged in which animals are used specifically to reach therapeutic goals, and the areas in which animals are so utilized include psychotherapy,physical and occupational therapy.

Most of us are familiar with assistance dogs for the visually impaired,but there are also hearing-assist dogs and specially-trained assistance dogs for Parkinson's patients. Great danes are found to be particularly good for Parkinson's patients because they are sweet-natured,gentle,big,strong,and responsive. It is also believed that dog's have a very acute sense of smell and have been used to help in detecting an oncoming seizure. Prior to the seizure,the brain shows increased electrical activity that a dog can sense the same way they sense an oncoming thunderstorm.

Other animals such as horses,sheep,pigs,chickens,and birds have been helpful in assisting emotionally disturbed children towards developing trust and becoming more responsible. Studies have found that all lot of these children harbor deep sorrow and intense rage and as a group, have not experienced a lot of positive touching.It has been found that the animals provide a kind of non-threatening touch and provide nurture they badly need.

Hippotherapy is the technical term for therapy with horses. Riding a horses involves a person's pelvis to tilt up,sideways,forward and back.This movement has been found useful for people with physical or neurological handicaps because it helps them reacquaint their muscles that leads to improve strength,muscle control and eye-hand coordination.

Other therapeutic programs have utilized llamas to interact with autistic children.Because the hands of autistic children tend to be sensitive, stroking a llama spine to feel the difference between soft fur and firm bone structure has helped these children in developing sensory integration.

Numerous studies have been conducted showing the role of pets in treating chronic conditions.Chronic pain disrupts normal functioning and reduces activity levels which can often be accompanied by depression and anxiety.Pets have been reported to have a powerful anti-anxiety effect that helps to improve pain thresholds. When bonding with an animal, feeling of acceptance,pleasure,nurturing and love can be stimulated. These feelings cause changes in brain chemistry that help release positive mood-altering biochemicals such as dopamine,beta-endorphing,prolactin,phenylethylamine and oxytocin.

Study after study has shown the benefits to health and well-being of pet owners. They are a source of companionship,nurturing, and affection. We are greatly attached to our pets for good reasons....our pets are a life-affirming,life-enhancing aspect of what it means to be alive and well. I have two cats: Charlie and Sam.

Sleepless Nights

Sleep is extremely important in order to maintain good health. Getting the restorative sleep that we need helps us to repair damage done to our bodies during the day. It does so by allowing the body to replenish every cell, boost the immune system, regulate metabolism, improve cognitive function, eliminate toxins and free radicals, balance hormones, maintain cardiovascular health and create neurotransmitters.

Causes of insomnia and sleep disorders are:

Drugs: Prescribed drugs for blood pressure, cholesterol, weight loss, hormone replacement therapy, oral contraceptives, steroids, bronchodilators, over-the-counter pain and cold relievers, and decongestants.

Physical problems: Sleep apnea, asthma, COPD, congestive heart, pain-related disorders such as arthritis, nerve disorders such as Parkinson's, MS and restless leg syndrome.

Hormonal Imbalances: A high level of thyroid hormone to adrenal hormone imbalances as well as fluctuating female hormones during peri-menopause or menopause all can have their cause on a sleepless night.

Hypoglycemia: Drop in blood sugar below 50 can cause levels of adrenaline, glucagon, cortisol and growth hormones to rise, all of which can stimulate your brain and keep you awake. A good rule of thumb is to finish your dinner at least 3 hours before bedtime, refrain from overeating and keep bedtime snacks small. Stick with the low glycemic index foods such as eggs, meats, poultry, fish and non-starchy vegetables to help hormone levels low especially cortisol. It has been found that cortisol levels respond to our food intake and depending on the glycemic index of a meal, our cortisol levels can remain elevated into the night disrupting REM (rapid eye movement) causing one to wake up non-refreshed.

Caffeine: Coffee, tea, chocolate and colas, especially in the evening, can be too stimulating. Also alcohol and smoking can affect your sleep later during the night.

Nutrient Deficiencies: Lack of B vitamins, protein and magnesium as well as other mineral imbalances can affect sleep. Studies have found that thiamin, riboflavin, niacinamide, folate, pyroxidin (B6, one of the nutrients that enhances the body's conversion of tryptophan to melatonin) and B12 play a role in healthy sleep pattern.

Allergies: Certain foods and chemical exposures can affect sleep quality. These include anything from mercury, chemical solvents, pesticides and household cleaning agents to refined sugars, pasteurized milk, peanuts and gluten.

Persistent Stress: Persistent stress is the most common cause of insomnia and it all depends on how you handle the stress. Your brain maintains a "circadian clock" which regulates levels of adrenal hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline of which control patterns of body temperature,brainwave activity and hormone production. Normally, these circadian rhythms and your adrenal glands work together to keep cortisol- a wake up hormone low at bedtime so you can sleep. Cortisol should rise to it's daily high for you to wake up. But this internal clock can be easily upset with ongoing stress of almost any kind. Even perceived stress can be detrimental to your sleep cycle because your body interprets it as an emergency and will operate on survival mode keeping you alert, prepared and wide awake.

Erratic Hours, Rotating Shift Work and Jet Lag: All disrupts your circadian rhythm and disturbs the secretion of melatonin- a hormone produced by the pineal gland that helps regulate sleep. Unfortunately, modern society has TV, computers and artificial light which keeps us working and stimulated at night.

Inactivity: Regular exercise can help release tension and stress thus promotes better sleep. But do not overdue it on the training and or exercising at night which can lead to sleep disorders. For this reason, it is best to exercise early in the day.

These are just a few possible causes to insomnia and sleep disorders of which is a serious concern due to a range of physical symptoms from potential disruption of metabolism, cognitive and neurotransmitter function, immunity and overall hormone balance.