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Gut Dysfunction Follows Head injury

March 24, 2018 By Deborah Leave a Comment

Robert Silverman, DC has written a compelling article describing how xrays photo It’s an interesting concept considering how many people have delayed recovery of this common, but not well-understood condition. So how does this occur?

First, we need to know that traumatic brain injury (TBI) is something that does not just occur with football players. It can happen in a car accident, slipping and falling, or impact with any contact sport. Immediately following a head injury or several weeks after the event, a patient may experience a variety of symptoms. These can include headaches, vomiting, lethargy, and irritability. TBI can also have long-term effects on the musculoskeletal system, gastrointestinal tract and the immune system. These problems sometimes takes months to emerge from the initial accident.

After a head injury, the brain becomes inflammed. We are not sure why, but this leads to inflammation in the gut. It also happens very quickly…within hours. This gut inflammation increases intestinal permeability which allows large, immunogenic (substances that are able to produce an immune response) dietary proteins and bacterial toxins into the bloodstream. Inflammation in the bloodstream follows which keeps the blood-brain barrier (BBB) open and fuels the inflammation in the brain. The intestinal mucosa is the most nutrient-dependent, toxin vulnerable organ in the body. So when the intestinal villi are destroyed due to inflammation after a TBI, then it compromises the patients ability to absorb important nutrients for healing and repair. Also, the compromised BBB allows entry of more circulating substances that provoke the immune system, fueling the neurological inflammation. It’s a double whammy!

Knowing what structures are breaking down in the gut is important. Blood tests for certain bacterial toxins such as Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and distending toxin-B (CdtB) are recommended to determine the state of a patients gut health. The sooner you test the better, because delays identifying this cycle results in greater neurological tissue damage and reduced quality of life.

Reference: Silverman, R. “Gut Dysfunction Frequently Follows Traumatic Brain Injury”. Holistic Primary Care, Spring 2018, p. 8

Filed Under: Featured, Wellness

Bacteria Might be the Cause of Colon Cancer

March 11, 2018 By Deborah Leave a Comment

lab specimen photo

 

In 2011, investigators discovered that a bacteria known as Fusobacteria, is often found in colon cancer tissue. Even though the bacteria may be an innocent bystander, it might also be a causative agent for colon cancer, much the same way as Helicobacteria pylori can be for gastric carcinoma.

In a new multicenter study, researchers pooled over 500 cases of colorectal cancer and confirmed that fusobacterial DNA was found in nearly 50% of primary tumors. They also found that this bacteria and it’s proteins were primarily in malignant cells rather than in non-malignant cells. This bacteria was cultured from primary and metastatic tumors.

Also, human colon cancer cells that were positive for fusobacterial DNA often grew into tumors when implanted in mice. When cells from those tumors were transplanted into other mice, they retained their bacterial DNA and grew into new tumors. When mice with tumors containing fusobacteria DNA were treated with metronidazole, an antibiotic to which fusobacteria are sensitive, tumor growth decreased. This did not occur with other antibiotics to which the bacteria was not sensitive.

This study suggests that such tumors might be prevented and treated by antimicrobial agents. More studies are needed, but this and more studies may lead to breakthroughs in cancer treatments.

Bullman S et al. Analysis of Fusobacterium persistence and antibiotic response in colorectal cancer. Science 2017 Dec. 15; 358:1443.

Filed Under: Featured, Wellness

Sinus Infections- What You Should Know

February 25, 2018 By Deborah Leave a Comment

illness photo

 

When we feel miserable with a sinus infection, we just want a magic pill to make the symptoms go away. Some people expect to go to their doctor and get an antibiotic for treatment. This can be a bad idea if it’s not the cause of the infection. We live in a time where antibiotic resistance is a big problem. Handing out antibiotics for treating colds that are due to viruses, is the main reason for this resistance problem. So here are some things to know…

The correct term is actually, “rhinosinusitis.” This is when the mucous lining in the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity become inflammed. It effects 1 in 7 adults each year in the U.S. It causes swelling and blockage of the normal openings that drain mucous. It also decreases the function of cilia (small hair-like structures) which are responsible for sweeping out mucous and debri from the nasal cavity.

Most (>80%) infections are due to viruses, which originate from the common “cold”. We catch these colds from direct contact by touching a surface with the virus on it and then touching our face, wiping our nose or mouth. The other way it is spread is through airborne droplets that occur when someone coughs.

In the first 3-4 days of illness,  you can’t tell a viral or bacterial infection apart. Symptoms are similar which includes nasal congestion, runny nose, loss of smell or taste, post nasal drip, sore throat, tooth and facial pain/pressure, fatigue, headache, bad breath and fever. Thick green mucous does not mean it is a bacterial infection needing antibiotics. This can be viral or it can indicate that the infection is coming to the end of its cycle and almost cleared.

During the first 7-10 days, it is best to do nasal washes with saline which you can make on your own, using 1 cup of warm filtered water and adding 1/4 tsp of sea salt and 1/8 tsp of baking soda. You can also use this solution for gargling if you have a sore throat. Decongestants are also helpful with nasal swelling and post nasal drip. You can try a homeopathic remedy or use over-the-counter Sudafed. Drink lots of water, get rest and fresh air. Exercise is fine as long as you are not running a fever. Try to avoid sugar, alcohol and coffee which can compromise the immune system.

So when to think about antibiotics? If your symptoms worsen over 10 days or you improve after the first few days and then your symptoms come back much worse. Also, predominant sinus pain on one side and discharge that looks like pus are times when you should see your practitioner.

Always wash your hands and cover your mouth with your arm or a tissue, (rather than your hands) when sneezing or coughing. Try to stay away from sick people if you can. There are some people that need to be referred to a specialist if symptoms continue to worsen after maximum treatment.

Aring, A et al. Current Concepts in Adult Acute Rhinosinusitis. American Family Physician. July 15, 2016 Vol. 94. Number 2

 

Filed Under: Featured, Wellness

The Most Important Thing You Can Do For Your Heart…Relax

February 11, 2018 By Deborah Leave a Comment

relax photoIts American Heart Month and I feel like I will be telling readers what they already know…We know what NOT to do.

  1. Don’t Smoke
  2. Don’t be a Slug…Exercise- 30 minutes at least 5 days per week.
  3. Don’t eat processed foods that you typically find out of a box.
  4. Don’t eat too much sugar. Find out how much you eat daily and cut back. Granola bars and smoothies = Lots of sugar!!
  5. Don’t drink alcohol, or at least make it a rare thing.
  6. Don’t ignore your weight. If the pounds have been creeping up, do all of the above and get tested for food allergies.
  7. Don’t be so Stressed out!  This is probably the hardest for most of us. Chronic stress leads to high blood pressure (by the way, the new guidelines are to keep blood pressure below 120/80). It also leads to insomnia. When we don’t sleep, we gain weight, raise our risk of diabetes, arteriosclerosis, cancer and dementia. Plus we feel tired, depressed, irritable and people don’t want to be around us. Then you feel isolated which is an independent risk factor of heart disease. It’s a vicious cycle.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      So find ways to relieve stress. Know that you will survive. It will be OK. Take some deep breaths and stay in the moment. See if you can perceive the situation differently. Are you being triggered from a fearful story from the past that still needs healing?  Take a walk…ideally in nature, learn to meditate, do yoga or tai chi. Knit or learn a hobby. And if nothing else…talk to a close friend who will listen, or meet with a therapist and get some perspective. It will add years to your life.

Filed Under: Featured, Wellness

New Risk Factor for ADHD

January 30, 2018 By Deborah Leave a Comment

pregnant woman photo

 

Anti-inflammatory medications have been known to be harmful to the developing fetus. Many pregnant women instead have used acetaminophen (Tylenol) for fever or pain relief. Recent research has shown an increase in the risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children from prenatal acetaminophen exposure. The question is whether this is due to acetaminophen exposure or parental ADHD.

To answer this question, researchers compared data from a Norwegian registry of approximately 113,000 children born between 1999-2009 (including 2246 with ADHD) with data on maternal and paternal ADHD symptoms, pre-pregnancy use of acetaminophen, and conditions for acetaminophen use. These were the results:

1. When mothers used acetaminophen for < 7 days during pregnancy, they had a slightly lower risk for ADHD in their children.

2. When mothers used acetaminophen for >7 days during pregnancy, they increased the risk for ADHD in offspring in a dose-dependant manner.

3. Pregnant mothers’ use of acetaminophen for >29 days more than doubled the risk for ADHD regardless of why women were taking this medication.

4. Maternal acetaminophen use before pregnancy was not associated with an increased risk of ADHD in offspring. Pre-pregnancy use was used as a control which strengthens the argument that acetaminophen exposure, not maternal ADHD symptoms explains the findings.

5. Paternal pre-conception use of acetaminophen for >29 days was also associated with a higher risk for ADHD in offspring!

I think the most surprising finding was that the father’s use of acetaminophen prior to conception increased the risk for ADHD in offspring. This medication may influence spermatogenesis (the process of sperm cell development).

This is another risk factor for developing ADHD. Women should limit their use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and find other ways to reduce pain. Mindfulness and yoga are a few ways to help tolerate the stress of parenting. ADHD is primarily determined by genetic factors so no woman should feel guilty about their prenatal acetaminophen use. I’m sure we will continue to find other risk factors as well as advances in treatment of this complex condition.

Ystrom, E et al. Prenatal exposure to acetaminophen and risk of ADHD. Pediatrics 2017 Nov; 140:e20163840.

Wolraich ML. An association between prenatal acetaminophen use and ADHD: The benefits of large data sets. Pediatrics 2017 Nov; 140e20172703.

Filed Under: Featured, Wellness

There’s a new Shingles Vaccine

January 7, 2018 By Deborah Leave a Comment

 

It’s a new year…and with that comes new advances new medical breakthroughs. A new vaccine to prevent against Shingles was approved last month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This really looks to be a breakthrough, so much so as Dr. William Shaffner, preventative disease specialist at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine claims that with this new vaccine “the immune system of a 70-or 80-year-old responds as if the person were only 25-30.”

The new vaccine Shingrix, has been shown through international studies to prevent more than 90% of shingles cases, even at older ages. This is a big deal considering that the current shingles vaccine, Zostavax only prevents about half of shingles cases in those over age 60, and is far less effective among elderly patients. The effectiveness of Zostavax drops from 64% for people in their 60’s to 38% for those in their 70’s. Immunity starts to wane 5 years after receiving the vaccine. After 11 years the protection is close to zero! Whereas the new Shingrix vaccine prevented 90% of shingles in those 70 to well past 80.

doctors and nurses photoMost older Americans have acquired shingles (varicella zoster virus) through childhood chickenpox, whether they knew they had the disease or not. The virus stays dormant and then erupts later in life. Different types of stressors are known to increase the risk of eruption, but the risk rises sharply after age 50. Getting shingles is hardly benign. Besides a very painful rash, it threatens to cause vision problems and lingering and debilitating nerve pain, called postherpetic neuralgia, that sometimes lasts months, even years after the initial rash fades.

What makes this new vaccine better?

1. It provides better protection against shingles from the start.

2. It’s protection lasts longer. So far, it remains effective for at least 6 years or longer.

3. It may protect people with compromised immune systems. Those with a weakened immune system due to chemotherapy or transplants, or H.I.V. or taking steroids may be able to get the vaccine where the old vaccine was off limits.

Problems?? First, Shingrix requires 2 vaccines given at least 2 months apart. Second, it tends to be more painful and cause more swelling and redness in the arm for up to 2 days. For those over age 70, 8.5% can experience fatigue, fever or achy joints for 1- 2 days. Lastly, it will be pricier. It may be covered depending on your insurance and medicare coverage.

Is it worth the discomforts or price?  Compared to weeks or years of shingles and its complications…it’s a small price to pay.

Read more….

No Excuses, People: Get the New Shingles Vaccine – The New York Times: “”

Filed Under: Featured, Health

20 things you can stop worrying about (because they won’t matter in the long run) – Hack Spirit

December 31, 2017 By Deborah Leave a Comment

meditation photo

These 20 things are a great way to start the New Year.

When the fears of the world drag you down, return to the present moment and practice self-compassion and remember the love that shines through you. Let go…surrender…and trust that the universe has your back.

Find strength in these daily practices that they inspire you to take action from a place of true power.

Be well…

20 things you can stop worrying about (because they won’t matter in the long run) – Hack Spirit: “”

Filed Under: Featured, Health

Top 10 Health Breakthroughs of 2017

December 28, 2017 By Deborah Leave a Comment

 

Here are the Top 10 Health Breakthroughs of 2017:

10. We can Unlearn Chronic Pain- Two studies confirmed through brain imaging demonstrated that pain that persists long after a physical injury has healed, is a type of learned behavior. This behavior can be “unlearned” through a variety of non-medical interventions. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is one such technique.

9. Gut Health and Degenerative Diseases- A growing body of evidence points to an intimate relationship between the gut and the brain. Researchers have discussed recent findings that support a link between the gut (microbiome) and the brain, specifically neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.  Gut microbes of mice with Alzheimer’s-like pathology and healthy controls found that diseased mice treated with probiotics had decreased gut inflammation and boosted memory performance.

8. Sugar is worse than you think. According to newly released historical documents, the sugar industry funded animal research in the 1960’s that looked at the effects of consuming sugar and the risk of heart disease. They then buried the data when it suggested that sugar could be harmful. We now know that sugar promotes obesity, diabetes and heart disease. We also know how addictive it is.

7. Cancer and the Microbiome- We are discovering how environmental factors influence the cross-talk between the gut microbes, intestinal epithelium and our immune system. This is especially true when cancer is present. Now we are manipulating this gut bacteria to improve the activity of anticancer drugs.

6. 3-D Spinal implants- These implants are made from titanium and their rough surfaces and porous structures help them integrate more completely into the body. This 3-D printing technology allows bone to hold onto an implant for people with spine deformities.

5. New Drug for Ovarian and Breast Cancer- The drug Zejula, is a new type of drug called a PARP inhibitor. It allows cancer cells that were damaged by chemotherapy to not be able to repair themselves to cause a reoccurrence. No new drug for ovarian cancer has been approved in the US since 2006.

4. Genetic Advances- Physicians can now find cancer in its earliest stages by detecting DNA from tumors in the blood, even before symptoms appear.

3. DNA Edits to Eliminate Disease- Scientists have successfully edited DNA in human embryos for the first time this year to remove a genetic mutation that causes death. This raises the possibility that families could soon prevent their children from developing life threatening inherited diseases such as Huntington’s, Tay Sach’s, and Cystic Fibrosis.

2. Bioelectronic Medicine-Electroceuticals (devices that use a current to treat ailments) are helping patients who haven’t responded to traditional treatments for epilepsy, Parkinson’s and more. It’s a battery powered device that could be embedded in the skull and connected to the part of the brain that is “glitchy”. For epilepsy, It would function as a cerebral pacemaker and stabilize the misfiring neural links that cause seizures.

1. Personal Robots- Health care robots are now available in patients’ homes to help people manage chronic illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis, late-stage kidney disease and congestive heart failure. This robot helps monitor medication use, motivates patients to follow doctors’ instructions and connect people with their doctors or pharmacists.

Wishing You a Health Happy New Year!

Filed Under: Featured, Health

Health and Happiness this Holiday Season

December 24, 2017 By Deborah Leave a Comment

dove and olive branch photo

As we approach the end of 2017, let us reflect on the year with compassion, forgiveness and truth. Yes, we had many challenges this year with the division of a country with differing political views that may have been filled with frustration, fear and anger. But we also found a hidden deep strength within our country that demonstrated a strong position of “enough” that translated to demonstrations, contacting our local representatives, more women running for office, and expressing our views on social media. Yay!!

So this Christmas season, let us not forget who we are. We are not “what happens around us” as much as “what happens within us” in a way in which we listen to our intuition and stay present to determine how we can make a positive difference for ourselves and the greater good. Stay true to who you are and embody humility and connection with others.

Be that light and shimmering beacon of love. Lean toward the potential positive outcomes rather than all that you expect can go wrong. Choose to seek creative solutions. All the answers are within you. You just have to listen to that inner voice more than the outward loud and misguided voice that we hear everyday.

Let go of control and the fear of not being in control and allow hope to help us move through our problems and choose to perceive them a different way. Surrender to hope and watch the miracles happen.

Wellcast wishes you a hopeful, happy, and healthy wondrous New Year!   Peace ??

Filed Under: Featured, Health

Birth Control Pills Still Linked to Breast Cancer, Study Finds – The New York Times

December 10, 2017 By Deborah Leave a Comment

 

Some of you may have seen this report on TV or scanned through it while reading the paper. It is worth discussing because the concerns lie in not just birth control pills but in any device containing synthetic Progestin, which is different than Progesterone (not synthetic).

This Danish study followed 1.8 million women of childbearing age for more than a decade drawing data from national prescription and cancer registries. During that time, over 11,000 cases of breast cancer were found. The researchers concluded that women using hormones experienced a 20% increase risk of developing breast cancer compared to nonusers. In other words, for every 100,000 women using hormonal birth control, there are 68 cases of breast cancer annual, compared to 55 cases a year among nonusers. The risk also increased with age and varied by formulation. Limitations in the hormonal birth control study include the fact that physical activity, breast feeding and alcohol consumption which can influence breast cancer risk were not accounted for.

The link between birth control pills and breast cancer has always been somewhat controversial. But this is the first study that looked at the risks associated with current low dose birth control pills and devices in a large population. These devices include Progestin implants (Nexplanon) and intrauterine devices (IUD) that release Progestin. The research suggests that the hormone Progestin may be raising breast cancer risk. Thats an important thing to remember because the thought has always been that estrogen causes cancer. And this is not the only time that Progestin has been implicated in the risk of breast cancer.

One of the most popular studies that shed some light on this subject was the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Trial. This study evaluated the use of conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the form of oral conjugated estrogens and oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). There was quite a shock over the negative outcomes of this study which included increased cardiovascular and cerebrovascular (stroke) disease, breast cancer, and thromboembolic events (blood clots). We finally dug deeper in the research to find some of the causes.

The first potential cause is the oral ingestion of estrogen. When you take estrogen in a pill form it is presented to the liver in a much more direct concentrated way. The liver synthesizes certain proteins such as clotting factors, sex hormone binding globulin and thyroid-binding globulin. What does that mean?? It means oral estrogen, whether it be a birth control pill or oral HRT stresses the liver and produces inflammatory proteins and more clotting factors. Of course this is dependent on the amount of estrogen consumed. Synthetic hormones also produce unfavorable metabolites that have the potential to change DNA that raises breast cancer risk.

The second issue is progestin (synthetic) vs natural progesterone. There are many studies that indicate that medroxyprogesterone acetate is detrimental to cardiovascular function. A popular study known as the Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestin intervention (PEPI) trial, found that at the end of 3 years, oral estradiol increased HDL (good cholesterol) by 7%, but this increase was reduced when MPA was added. Oral progestins also under go a substantial first-pass effect on gut and liver metabolism. Is it the progestin metabolites themselves that increase the risk of breast cancer or the fact that progestins turn on estrogen receptor expression that allows more estrogens to be shunted down “bad” pathways?

Women who stayed on these hormones for 10 years or more experienced a 38% increase in their risk for developing breast cancer compared to nonusers. In contrast, there was no increase in breast cancer risk for those using hormones for less than 1 year. That being said, these types of birth control methods in general are safe, effective and accessible options for many women. Perhaps women can change to a different form of non-hormonal birth control, such as an IUD without hormones (Paraguard), condoms or a diaphragm.

Talk to your doctor or practitioner about the pros and cons of different types of contraceptives. A hormonal birth control method may be fine for now, but you may want to reassess its use as you get older or if you have been using a hormonal form for more than 10 years.

Birth Control Pills Still Linked to Breast Cancer, Study Finds – The New York Times: “”

Filed Under: Featured, WomensHealth

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A Little About Me

Debbie is a board certified family nurse practitioner with an emphasis on women's health. During the past 22 years she has worked in women's health and family practice with a focus on the integration of conventional and alternative therapies.

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