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Blue Ridge Region physicians of Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital and Sentara RMH Medical Center answer your health and wellness questions What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Seasonal Affective Disorder

(SAD), also known as the “winter blues,” is a type of seasonal depression that occurs at about the same time each year. Symptoms typically start in the fall and continue through the winter months, due to less sunlight and shorter days. However, SAD also can occur in the spring or early summer months.

Symptoms of SAD tend to be mild at first, but can become more severe as the seasons progress. Individuals experiencing SAD may notice that they:

• feel sad or depressed most of the day

• feel sluggish or irritable

• have lost interest in activities they once enjoyed

• have low energy and trouble sleeping

• have experienced changes in appetite or weight

• have difficulty concentrating

• have withdrawn from social interactions

SAD is extremely common, with more than 3 million cases per year in the United States, and can last several months or years. Occurring more often in women than in men and typically beginning in young adulthood, SAD is experienced more often by those living in northern areas, due to shorter winter daylight hours. The condition can run in families and is more common in people who have experienced other mental illnesses.

If you are experiencing any of the common symptoms of SAD, see a healthcare provider to discuss treatment options and get evaluated for other potential underlying issues. Treatments for SAD vary greatly, and you may need a combination of treatments to get the best results. Your healthcare provider will be able to discuss which treatments are best for you. A few common remedies include:

• Light therapy: Keeping your house well lit and sitting closer to bright windows at home and work can help.

• Talk therapy

• Medication

• Vitamin D: You can increase vitamin D levels in the body via exposure to natural sunlight or through a supplement.

• Meditation

• Yoga

• Practicing music or art therapy

Not much research has been conducted to determine whether SAD is preventable. However, if you find a solution that works for your symptoms, starting those therapies or treatments before the beginning of the fall season might help reduce the overall effects of SAD.

What is Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition in which the liver has become fatty without an excessive intake of alcohol, is now the most common chronic form of liver disease. Fatty liver develops when your body produces too much fat or doesn’t metabolize fat efficiently, causing an accumulation over time. In people who don’t drink an excess of alcohol, the cause of NAFLD isn’t totally clear. However, there are a few known risk factors for the disease:

• Being overweight and obese

• Type 2 diabetes

• High cholesterol and triglycerides

• Polycystic ovary syndrome

• Sleep apnea

• Certain genes

To diagnose fatty liver, your doctor will review your medical history, perform an exam, run lab work on your liver enzymes, and conduct an ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan.

NAFLD is sometimes called a “silent” liver disease, since many people who have it don’t experience any noticeable effects. However, symptoms may include:

• Abdominal pain

• Yellow skin and eyes

• Mental confusion

• Fatigue

• Weakness

• Nausea, weight loss or loss of appetite

• Swelling in the abdomen and legs

When NAFLD goes unchecked, it can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, and then liver failure or liver cancer. The condition does tend to worsen over time, so if you are diagnosed with NAFLD, be sure to follow your doctor’s treatment plan, which can help reverse the effects of the disease.

The best way to avoid or reverse NAFLD is to maintain a healthy weight, limit alcohol consumption, exercise regularly and properly take any prescribed medications.

When you meet with your healthcare provider to discuss NAFLD, here are a few important questions to ask: • How much damage has my liver suffered?

• How long will it take to reverse the liver damage?

• Can you connect me with a nutritionist to learn more about eating healthy?

• What is a healthy weight for me?

• Based on my lifestyle and medications, do you see anything that is contributing to fatty liver disease?

• What signs and symptoms of complications should I watch out for? complications should I watch out for?

If you are diagnosed with NAFLD, be sure to take it seriously. Modest weight loss, regular exercise and a healthy diet can help your liver function efficiently and effectively.