| Use of modified spectacles and light bulbs to block blue light at night may prevent postpartum depression. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 19329259 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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In 2001 it was discovered that exposing the eyes to light in the blue end of the visible spectrum suppresses the production of the sleep hormone, melatonin. New mothers need to get up during the night to care for their babies. This is the time when melatonin is normally flowing. Exposing their eyes to light can cut off the flow. It may also reset their circadian (internal) clock. On subsequent nights the melatonin may not begin flowing at the normal time making it difficult to fall asleep. Over time, disruption of the circadian rhythm plus sleep deprivation may result in depression. Women suffering postpartum depression were enrolled in a small clinical trial. Some were provided with glasses and light bulbs that block blue light. Others were equipped with glasses and light bulbs that looked colored but did not block the rays causing melatonin suppression. Those with the "real glasses" recovered somewhat more quickly than those with the placebo glasses and light bulbs. The hypothesis that should be tested in large scale clinical trials is that the risk of postpartum depression can be reduced when a new mother avoids exposing her eyes to blue light when she gets up at night to care for her baby. In the meantime, all new mothers may benefit from using glasses and light bulbs that block blue light when getting up at night to care for their babies. |
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Authors:
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Shoshana Bennett; Martin Alpert; Vilnis Kubulins; Richard L Hansler |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article Date: 2009-03-28 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Medical hypotheses Volume: 73 ISSN: 1532-2777 ISO Abbreviation: Med. Hypotheses Publication Date: 2009 Aug |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2009-05-27 Completed Date: 2009-08-05 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 7505668 Medline TA: Med Hypotheses Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 251-3 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Postpartum Support, International P.O. Box 60931, Santa Barbara, CA 93160, USA. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Depression, Postpartum
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prevention & control* Eyeglasses* Female Humans Lighting* |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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