Letters to the Editor


Regarding Insomnia Article in the Spring 2005 Issue of Holistic Primary Care

I would like to bring to your attention a few errors in the article on insomnia in the Spring 2005 issue of Holistic Primary Care.

Unfortunately, the classification of the stages of sleep was not correct. Very simply, and briefly, sleep can be divided into two states, non-REM (NREM) and REM. NREM is further divided into four stages (1, 2, 3 and 4). Stage 1 occurs at the interface between sleep and wakefulness and lasts 1 to 7 minutes. Stages 3 and 4 are also known as “slow-wave sleep” although high voltage, slow waves only comprise 20 to 50% of stage 3 sleep. Stage 4 sleep is not, as described, “the smallest portion of a night’s sleep: it is the first phase to occur once someone falls asleep”. On average, stage 1 comprises 2 to 5% of sleep, stage 2, 45 to 55%, stage 3, 3 to 8%, stage 4, 10 to 15% and REM 20 to 25%. REM sleep is not given a “stage” designation.

Sincerely,
Yehia Y. Mishriki, MD, FACP
Professor of Clinical Medicine
Penn State University College of Medicine

Regarding Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention

Your publication is so enlightening! I would like to share with you an observation which just may help others.

I have attended several meetings on Alzheimer’s Disease recently. These events are sponsored by pharmaceutical houses, and not surprisingly, the emphasis is on drug treatment. I am more interested in prevention of this condition. “Use It or Lose It,” it has been said. So, how does one keep his/her brain stimulated?

Recall bodily representations on pre-post central gyri, and how much area the hands-fingers and face-mouth occupy. Is it not then reasonable to suppose that to keep using fingers and mouth will keep the brain stimulated? Yes, playing the piano or cello would be nice, but then quilting with friends, which involves the fingers in making something beautiful and practical, while chatting about neighbors, would possibly be an AD prevention double-whammy! I wonder what is the AD-free longevity in communities where group quilting is still done? Are there any statistics on that? If not, well, this is a great project for research!

Sincerely,
Yasuo Ishida, MD
St. Louis, MO

 
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