SLEEP MATTERS DECODE THE ROOT CAUSE OF YOUR ILLNESS

2nd Edition

Roger W. Washington, MD

with Scarlet B. Nickhol

C r e a t e S p a c e P u b l i s h i n g S I L I C O N V A L L E Y , C A

Lack of Sufficient SLEEP MATTERS: Decode the Root Cause of Your Illness 2nd Edition United States Copyright, 2015 © Roger W. Washington, MD All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

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Lack of Sufficient Sleep Matters: Decode the Root Cause of Your

Illness / Roger W. Washington —2nd Ed. ISBN 978-150713426 ISBN 1507713428

Contents

CHAPTER 7: A.C.C.E.L.E.R.A.T.E.D. — Are You an Energy Borrower?

.................................................................................................... 47

Index................................................................................................ 206

Acknowledgements My first thanks goes to my children, Jared and Maya, my parents,

Mary, Bill, and Cornelia (I was fortunate to have had three), my

Grandmother, Avis and my siblings Charles, Sue, and Delores for helping

me learn about love. I wish to thank my Aunts, Martha, Delores and Diane,

and my Uncle Abdulbari for loving and supporting me. A special thanks

goes to Reverend Stan Hampson for teaching me to recognize some of

the many faces of love.

I wish to thank all those who shared with me their story, not only my

patients/clients, my understanding family, my faithful friends, and my

thoughtful teachers, but also the interested acquaintances and strangers

who helped shape my understanding of the relation between sleep and

illness, and who all encouraged me by saying, “You have got to write that

book.” Thanks also to Dr. Chinmaya Bal who volunteered his time to

support the 1st Edition. And to my editor, creative designer, and marketing

maven Scarlet B. Nickhol, I can only say how in awe I am of your magic,

which makes this 2nd Edition a book I can be truly proud of. My gratitude

goes to my hard-working medical staff, especially Leilani, for helping me

create a successful medical practice that allows me to help heal our

clients.

Lastly, I wish to thank all the generous sponsors of the scholarships

that made my education possible.

The next best thing to curing cancer and heart disease is preventing it and, as it turns out, understanding what causes disease is simple.

Well, I've got a theory… …it's as simple as what goes up must come down.

―ROGER W. WASHINGTON, MD

47

CHAPTER 7: A.C.C.E.L.E.R.A.T.E.D. — Are You an

Energy Borrower?

We are going to closely examine features and signs of feeling the extra

energy that Energy Borrowers experience. It seems that everyone is capable

of energy borrowing to some extent and at certain times — even babies —

so we’re all culpable. Energy Borrowers are exceptional because they are

most capable among us and their experience of extra energy is more

extreme. By studying them, I learned about the general process of energy

borrowing. Most importantly, I noticed that the most critical factor is the lack

of sleep that goes along with the process. In this Chapter, we will take a

closer look at the features, signs and indications of the energy borrowing

experience.

As I describe the Energy Borrowers’ experience, you might benefit from

asking yourself to what extent do you feel the characteristics of a typical

Energy Borrower?

To date, there is no widely recognized word or phrase that describes the

phenomenon of experiencing extra energy. The term “night owl” is widely

used to describe those people who get extra energy and feel productive in

the late evening and midnight hours.

“Second wind” is often used to describe an increase in energy after a

period of lower energy. There is a phrase in Farsi that my Persian clients have

shared with me, “khabet parid,” which means “sleep flies away.”

However, the experience of having extra energy, with a renewed sense

of purpose and excitement for the task at hand, has not yet had a widely

recognized and accepted phrase attached to it. People have described it in

different ways to me. I've heard it described as "soldier mode," “go mode,”

“get it done mode,” “grinding, “on a mission,” “fired up,” or “in a zone.” One

of the best descriptions comes from a mother – “being a single mom.”

48 A.C.C.E.L.E.R.A.T.E.D — ARE YOU AN ENERGY BORROWER?

I call it being accelerated, which resonates with the Energy Borrowers

I’ve interviewed. It appears they can, by the exertion of the sheer force of

their will, make up their mind to get something done, and a peculiar change

in their body function occurs. They experience an increase in their energy.

However, a feeling of extra energy describes only one part of the changes

they experience. During my interviews with them, I found they have quite a

bit more in common than a feeling of extra energy, which has led me to

derive a composite for the extra energy experience — being

A.C.C.E.L.E.R.A.T.E.D..

A.C.C.E.L.E.R.A.T.E.D. is an acronym I’ve created with each letter

representing features of the experience my clients agree are characteristic

of their Energy Borrowing experience. I want to emphasize extra energy is

only one feature. I do not think it is even the critical feature, but it is the one

that resonates strongest with those I have interviewed.

Now it is your turn, Gentle Reader, to see whether you may have

experienced some of the A.C.C.E.L.E.R.A.T.E.D. features, and if you agree it

played a role in you becoming sick.

A

ACTIVE

My clients have described how they feel their

minds become more Active than usual. The

sense that one’s mind is more active is

extremely common. Almost all the Energy

Borrowers describe extra energy as your mind

being more alert, awake, and active than

usual.

C

CONFIDENT

The first of the “C”s represents that Energy

Borrowers report feeling more Confident with

a heightened sense of optimism. There’s an

expectation of a positive outcome, and this

confidence inspires you to take on tasks that

ordinarily would seem daunting.

Lack of Sufficient SLEEP MATTERS 49

You feel so positive and optimistic, there’s the

certainty you can accomplish what you’ve set

out to do and whatever obstacles arise will be

overcome. It is as if Energy Borrowing makes

you so single-minded, thoughts of failure are

excluded from your mindset. Because of this

confidence, it seems you are more willing to

take risks. Whereas, others might naysay you

and suggest you are likely to fail, while

ACCELERATED, you will usually respond with a

defiant “I’ll show them what I can do.”

C

CREATIVE AND CLEVER

The second “C” represents a sense of feeling

more Creative and Clever than usual. Clients

have described how it feels, as if from their

subconscious, as ideas come to them to

potentially solve problems they’ve been

struggling to solve.

E

EXTRA ENERGY

The first “E” stands for the Energy Borrowers’

increased sense of Energy. I believe them

when they say they have a sense of extra

energy, but I also believe the First Law of

Thermodynamics which implies there can be

no extra energy.

If you feel energy beyond what you are

accustomed to experiencing, it is almost

certainly being siphoned from somewhere

else within your own body. Therefore, I

conclude it’s your perception of having more

than your usual amount of energy and this

makes you feel as if you have both increased

psychological energy and physical energy.

50 A.C.C.E.L.E.R.A.T.E.D — ARE YOU AN ENERGY BORROWER?

The increased psychological energy comes in

the form of increased motivation and ability

to initiate tasks and remain focused to see

them through. The increased physical energy

is in the form of physical stamina, as in the

ability to function well without being

distracted by sleepiness, fatigue, hunger, or

thirst. Even pain is less of a distraction while

you are ACCELERATED.

L

LESS

The “L” in ACCELERATED signifies Energy

Borrowers’ feeling they can get by with Less

need for sleep, as well as less need for food

and water. You can stay up later than usual,

feeling focused and clear-headed. You might

wake up earlier than usual, with fewer hours

of sleep, yet feel ready to go.

I believe ACCELERATED is the same feeling

you commonly experience in the late evening

when, after feeling somewhat tired and

drowsy earlier in the evening, you recognize a

feeling of increased alertness and awareness.

It is often called a second wind, when sleep

flies away, an aspect of being ACCELERATED

we’ve all experienced at some time in our life.

E

ENTREPRE-NEURIAL

The second letter “E” is for Entrepreneurial.

By entrepreneurial, I mean Energy Borrowers

feel an increased ability to cleverly bring

together people and resources in order to

solve problems or acquire more resources.

Moreover, when ACCELERATED you tend to

Lack of Sufficient SLEEP MATTERS 51

feel a sense of heightened pleasure and

satisfaction from the process of acquiring

those resources. It is the excitement and

exhilaration that goes along with acquiring

the new thing.

Numerous clients described how they feel

when they are ACCELERATED as "I love to

shop” or “I love to hunt.”

While I could presume they’re describing

frivolous activities, I suspect they’re

describing a passionate, exhilarating, perhaps

a primal activity. Just as hunting and gathering

was the focus of our ancestors, the focus of

our modern ACCELERATED Energy Borrowers

is acquiring money and personal property.

R

RANDY

RISK-TAKING

The “R” stands for Randy and Risk-taking; that

is, Energy Borrowers have described feeling

frisky and more interested than usual in

sexual experiences. Also, they describe

feeling less inhibited so as to feel brave

enough to do something about it. During this

time, you take more notice of the people you

find attractive and are more willing to take

the actions necessary to make a connection.

Women will dress more provocatively. Men

will put themselves in positions to see and be

seen. It is at this time you are more willing to

engage in risky behavior and more willing to

flirt. However, heightened sexual energy is

only one aspect of the experience.

52 A.C.C.E.L.E.R.A.T.E.D — ARE YOU AN ENERGY BORROWER?

Clients also describe being more willing to

take risks. You find yourself more willing to

start a project you’d been intending but were

held back by worry about the consequences

or what others might think. While

ACCELERATED, you are feeling more

confident and invulnerable, and therefore,

more carefree concerning the consequences

of your actions. You are more willing to take

risks; might be more apt to re-arrange the

furniture in an interesting new way, paint the

room an unusual color, or move to a new

house. You might apply for a promotion or

change jobs. It is during this time you might

even have the gumption to pack up and move

to a new location offering richer

opportunities for a fresh start.

A

ARTICULATE

The second “A” stands for Articulate in that

the ACCELERATED Energy Borrowers feel

more talkative and glib. You feel a heightened

sense of being able to make yourself

understood. It is when feeling ACCELERATED

you are more willing and eager to share ideas

and feel more capable of swaying others with

the power of your words. You are more likely

to call a friend, even engage strangers in

casual conversation.

T

TITANIC

The “T” stands for Titanic or strong from an

increased sense of being capable when

energy borrowing. You have the sense of

being able of carrying on despite hardship.

Lack of Sufficient SLEEP MATTERS 53

E

ENTHUSIASTIC

EMPATHETIC

The third letter “E” stands for Entertaining,

Enthusiastic, and Empathetic, the feeling

while ACCELERATED you have an increased

ability during this time to sway people's

thoughts and feelings by using humor, the

power of your voice, or the strength of your

ideas. At this time, it feels easier to be socially

engaging with others, to make a joke, or to

say something humorous.

By Empathetic, I mean you feel an increased

sense of connection with others which you

find fulfilling in some way. When you laugh

with others, it is more enjoyable than usual.

When others are sad, the ACCELERATED

Energy Borrower readily relates and feels

touched, but not necessarily in a negative,

debilitating way. It is more like you have a life-

affirming kind of moment and say: I

understand we’re all just human and in this

together, but isn't life grand.

In general, the emotional excitement of

others becomes more tangible than usual and

feels sharper in a fulfilling, satisfying way.

Conversely, the emotional excitement while

ACCELERATED is perceptible to the people

around you. The general term for this kind of

interaction is charisma; when you are feeling

ACCELERATED, you sense you have more

charismatic appeal, and it can be quite

exhilarating.

54 A.C.C.E.L.E.R.A.T.E.D — ARE YOU AN ENERGY BORROWER?

D

DETERMINED

The “D” stands for more Determined, as in

ACCELERATED Energy Borrowers are not likely

to be deterred or distracted from the goals

which you have set your mind to accomplish.

Not every Energy Borrower experiences all the features of

ACCELERATED. Moreover, Energy Borrowers tend to relate to some aspects

of the ACCELERATED experience more than others. Some features they do

not experience at all, however…

I have interviewed enough people over the years to

be certain the A.C.C.E.L.E.R.A.T.E.D. experience is

common.

My patients identify with it, and most agree it may

have played the starring role in their becoming ill.

Lack of Sufficient SLEEP MATTERS 206

206

Index

A.C.C.E.L.E.R.A.T.E.D, 48 abdominal migraine, 158,

159, 160 ACCELERATED/CRASHED

Cycle, 89 adolescent boys, 119 adolescent girls, 119 AIDS, 166, 195 allergies, 35, 135, 136, 169,

172 allodynia, 75, 76, 100, 147,

149, 156, 161 Alpha females, 65, 69 Alpha male, 65 anxious mood, 103 asthma, 169, 170, 171, 172 B.U.R.N.E.D., 96, 97, 98,

104, 108, 134 Baby Deep Sleep, 23 battle fatigue, 96 Bill Clinton, 55, 57, 204 birth control pills, 127 Blue Death, 60, 62 Body builders, 118 brain, 22, 23, 24, 38, 43, 70,

71, 73, 75, 78, 81, 102, 103, 105, 107, 108, 109,

110, 113, 116, 120, 136, 141, 143, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 155, 156, 161, 186, 188, 204

breast cancer, 44, 127, 128, 129, 203, 204

C.R.A.S.H.E.D, 83, 85, 87, 104, 108, 156

caffeine withdrawal headache, 126, 134, 156, 157

can-do people, 7, 10, 60,

146, 176, 177 Central Sensitization, 122,

147, 148, 155 CEOs, CFOs, COOs, 64 chemical fear, 106, 109, 112 Chinese-Americans in

California, 176 Cholera, 167 chronic pain, 161 Colic, 158 Deep Venous Thrombosis

(DVT), 38 diabetes, 3, 4, 68, 176, 177,

178, 185, 191, 192, 193, 197, 203

Lack of Sufficient SLEEP MATTERS 207

Diabetes in India, 177 Dr. De-Kun Li, 43 Dr. Lin, 61 Dr. William Dement, 24 dyshidrotic eczema, 172 Energy Borrower, 15, 27, 47,

53, 55, 56, 57, 59, 65, 80, 103, 133, 137, 143, 144, 145, 146, 152, 153, 167, 177

Epstein-Barr, 90 estrogen, 79, 95, 116, 117,

118, 119, 121, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 156

extra energy, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 21, 27, 28, 29, 30, 47, 48, 49, 62, 70, 71, 73, 81, 93, 94, 101, 104, 115, 116, 203

firefighters, 63 First Law of

Thermodynamics, 11 formication, 75 general anesthesia, 40 Genes, 3 Germs, 2 glutamate system, 102 gout, 172 hangover, 100 headache, 120, 133, 135,

136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 143, 144, 147, 148, 149, 153, 156, 158, 159, 162

Herpes, 165 histamines, 136 HIV infections, 196 hormone replacement

therapy, 127

Human Growth Hormone (HGH), 22

hygiene theory, 169 idiopathic, 90 immune system, 3, 11, 16,

29, 36, 43, 168, 169, 172, 196

Influenza, 165, 167 insomnia, 69, 86, 105, 106,

107, 109 insulin resistance, 68, 181,

182, 183, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), 160

jet lag, 40 kidney stones, 172 Lack of Sufficient Sleep

(LOSS), 17, 55, 168, 172, 181, 185, 203

late phase insomnia, 69, 102, 119, 144

lupus, 172 Mediterranean diet, 175 melatonin, 44, 77, 102, 107,

110 menopause, 125 metabolic syndrome, 187 migraine headache, 133, 135 migraine model, 150 minimum amount of healthy

sleep, 24 miscarriage risk, 43 Moro reflex, 70 multiple sclerosis, 172 night owls, 69 Nurses’ Health Study, 127 obese, 179 Overtired, 73 overtired child, 101

208 INDEX

physiologic reflex, 143 placebo effect, 108 police officers, 63 Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

(PCOS), 187 Premenstrual Dysphoric

Disorder (PMDD), 122 Premenstrual syndrome

(PMS), 119 Prevention, 172 Problem Solving Sleep, 23 psoriasis, 172 PTSD, 96 registered nurses, 127, 128,

129, 130 restless leg syndrome, 75 rheumatoid arthritis, 172 Rok, the caveman, 111 rosacea, 172 seborrhea, 172 second wind, 14, 50, 63, 66,

67, 69, 71, 74, 103, 115, 116, 144

seizures, 14, 90, 204 Sex hormones, 117, 118 Sick-Qs, 13, 14, 17, 83, 96,

133

Siesta, 175 sinus headache, 135, 138 sleep longer than usual, 108 soft urge to sleep, 76, 77 soldiers in combat, 63 steroids, 156 stress, 4, 7, 8, 9, 13, 33, 34,

40, 43, 45, 60, 96, 105, 109, 139, 150, 153, 166, 168, 172

suicide, 96, 148, 203 Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

(SCN), 81 tension headache, 139, 141,

153, 155, 160, 163 Terrible Twos, 101 testosterone, 79, 116, 117,

118, 119, 156, 187 Trigeminal Neuralgia, 156 Tuberculosis, 167 Tumultuous Teens, 102 Type A behaviors, 44 Washington Sleep LOSS

Principle, 17, 18, 126, 133, 135, 138, 156

will power, 43, 103, 116, 138 William James, 109

Lack of Sufficient SLEEP MATTERS 209

209

About the Author ROGER W. WASHINGTON, M.D.

A Stanford School of Medicine graduate and Academy of Family

Physicians Fellow, Roger W. Washington has answered the

question “Doctor, why am I sick?” for 30 years. In his first book,

Lack of Sufficient SLEEP MATTERS, Dr. Washington discovers

and decodes the root cause of illness discovered in California’s

Silicon Valley, where sacrificing sleep is the norm. Son of a nurse

and hospital attendant, and father to Jared and Maya, Dr.

Washington chose the all-encompassing medical training of a

family practitioner to become a more effective healer as well as to

realize his passion for teaching the principles of illness prevention.

Learn more at www.SleepMattersTheBook.com

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