Thyroid.

Thyroid supplementation, a’ la Broda Barnes, MD, in his book Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness, and many other authors, must be geared to the adrenal status of the patient: low adrenal, use little thyroid. I always use the cup of coffee rule of thumb. If a patient can drink a pot of coffee before bed and sleep easily, one can give higher doses of thyroid. If the patient sips a cup of coffee and is awake for two days, or is obviously very sensitive to any stimulation, one should start with 1/16^th of a grain of thyroid or less, and increase by 1/16^th grain every few days or week.

A grain of thyroid is an old apothecary measurement that is roughly equivalent to 60 mg. The patient who can stand stimulation can be started with ½ grain and increase to two grains after two to four weeks. Overdose of thyroid, due to insufficient adrenal cortical reserve, causes adrenalin symptoms such as anger, nervousness, fast heart rate and insomnia, and in cardiac patients: angina. But, it can also create more calmness, great energy, improved emotional tolerance and relief of fatigue and fibromyalgia by improving nutrient absorption and mitochondrial status. 

Mitochondria are the energy manufacturing plants of our cells. They make ATP, the body’s energy currency. Each of our 100 trillion or so cells has 1,000 to 4,000 mitochondria. Thyroid increases the size and number of mitochondria. I have used a brand that has less additives and more T₃ (the active thyroid in the human body) than other brands for 36 years. If a patient has high reverse T_{3 (}which blocks regular T₃₎ or other high autoimmune problems, I have to substitute with L-thyroxine (T₄) and/or T_3. I avoid Synthroid, it is not bioidentical and may block L-thyroxine. I also test everything on EAV (ElectroAcupuncture by Vol), which was developed in the late 1930’s in Germany to make sure the dosage and hormone are compatible with the patient. 

Guaifenesin.

Fibromyalgia can arguably be looked at as an energy deficiency syndrome in the musculoskeletal system. Both deficiency and toxicity issues are usually present. R. Paul St. Amand, MD, a UCLA endocrinologist, makes a good case for phosphate retention in the muscles and ligaments as the root cause of fibromyalgia. In his book, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia, he recommends increasing dosages of guaifenesin, the cough expectorant, which theoretically removes the phosphates. It has many successful patient responses but requires a diet avoiding salicylates, which involves more than 1,000 different foods and herbs, and inhibits patient compliance with his regimen. Committed patients have had moderate or good success with his program but progress is usually gradual and aggravating, especially early on in the therapy, requiring careful titration of the guaifenesin.

At the risk of forgetting one of the hundreds of things that can cause CFS and/or Fibromyalgia, here are a few of the more common causes that I see. One needs to have an extremely broad outlook on medicine. The causes can range from genetic defects, parasites, heavy metal intoxication, dental pathology, chronic sinus infection, chronic tonsil infection, circulatory damage/sticky blood, coagulation defects, multiple hormonal deficiencies, allergy, psychological issues, grief and loss, inherited weakness, leaky gut, parasites, digestive disturbances, Candida, toxic liver, chronic viruses, Lyme, musculoskeletal issues, autoimmune diseases, immune system weakness, endobiontic (fungi that normally occur in our blood) disturbance, other chronic diseases, chronic pain, surgical stress, acupuncture meridian dysbalances, scars, need for the proper homeopathic remedy (especially for miasms and inherited constitutional weakness),  overwhelming environmental stress in the home or work place, physical or sexual abuse, the standard American diet (SAD), nutritional depletion, amino acid deficiencies, organic acid dysbalance, old injuries impeding full recovery, neurotransmitter deficiencies either stress induced or drug induced, toxicity from pesticides, herbicides, volatile organic hydrocarbons, PCB’s and other industrial waste, plastics, solvents, fire retardants and many more.

Far infrared sauna and sweating therapy is one of the only ways to rid the body of the hundreds of chemical toxins we all carry, according to Sherry Rogers, MD in her excellent book Detoxify or Die. EAV devices such as BioMeridian, Vega, Asyra, LSA/Zyto with LED, Laser Energetic Detoxification, Autonomic Response Therapy/Kinesiology can help to unravel this very complex landscape. Regular laboratory testing is also important to diagnose or confirm diagnoses. Many great labs are deep into this process and are very important to the success in treating chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.

References:

1. Barnes, Broda, M.D. Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness. Harper Collins Publisher, 1976.
2. St. Amand, R. Paul, M.D. What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia. Warner Books, 1999.
3. Rogers, Sherry, M.D. Detoxify or Die. Prestige Publishing, 2002.

For More on this Topic:

Read Part I of the Series

Read Part II of the Series

Peripheral neuropathy, vertigo, anxiety, autism, chronic pain and fatigue …Call the chiropractor? Perhaps. A chiropractic neurologist? Even better. Randall Gates, D.C., D.A.C.N.B., of Power Health Rehab and Wellness in Reno, is just that. “It’s basically personal training for your brain,” he says. “Sometimes that will include chiropractic adjustments. I am a chiropractor by training, but just as within any profession there are post-graduate degrees to get advanced certification.”

With an undergrad in Biology from California State University, Chico, this Grass Valley native went on to pursue a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) at the Life Chiropractic College West in the San Francisco Bay Area; Gates graduated in 2009 as valedictorian of his class. Amidst his chiropractic studies, Ted Carrick, a renowned chiropractic neurologist, visited the school and gave a presentation. “I was frankly blown away,” says Gates. He immediately began taking extra classes on the weekends in addition to his regular training. By mid 2010, Gates passed the exam to become a Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Neurology Board (D.A.C.N.B.) and has been living his dream at Power Health for the past two years.

“I absolutely love it,” says Gates. “I work very long hours, but it doesn’t bother me because I love what I do. Anytime you start getting patients better–who were told that they can’t get better–and see them get excited about getting over conditions that they didn’t think they could have any progress with…it’s incredibly rewarding.”

About 25 years ago, brain training past adolescence was hardly even considered. “The notion was that once your brain had developed, it was relatively unchangeable,” says Gates. “Your brain can actually change, grow new connections and become more powerful; not that you grow more brain cells, but they can get stronger.” This idea is commonly referred to as neuroplasticity. “We can excite the areas of the brain that have been damaged and see if we can get those areas working again.”

Power Health takes a lot of time to diagnose a possible healing regiment for new patients, time that a regular practitioner may not have. “Most of our patients remark that the initial exam is one of the most thorough exams they have ever received,” says Gates. “With any new patient we go through a 17-page history, general physical exams, I do a quite in-depth neurological exam–we try to figure out which part of their nervous system is not working properly. From there we typically do one to three trial treatments to figure out if we can make a change. Realistically, we can’t help everybody.”

When he’s not helping others, Gates does a lot of work on himself. “I love Olympic lifting and power lifting,” he says. No big deal. “I played football and track in high school, some track in college, lifting was just always a hobby. It’s quite a stress relief.” To relax he enjoys spending time with his wife and their dog, Bailey. Being close to the mountains he loves and going out to the Sierra Valley to take it all in. “I think it’s one of the most beautiful places on earth,” he says. “I really like the natural surroundings.”

In case you’re wondering, Gates goes to the chiropractor just like anyone else. “I get adjusted at least once a week,” he says. “We actually have four chiropractors at Power Health, so I get adjusted by one of the other three. They’re fantastic doctors.” So fantastic that with over 25 years of operations, Power Health is attracting patients from North Carolina, Arkansas, even Germany. Some patients have actually moved to Reno for prolonged treatments at Power Health.

Gates looks forward to an innovative career with Power Health, and sees its potential at an even larger scale. “I’d like us to become a center point for alternative-type treatments, and expand so that we can help more people,” he says. “We’re all given skills. If we can apply and hone our skill to their max abilities, to serve humankind, this world would be a better place.”

The latest research into particle physics is proving that everything in our physical world, including the matter that makes up our bodies, is composed of infinitely small particles, vibrating at infinitely high frequencies. The specific frequencies that they vibrate at have everything to do with how our senses interpret that information, and how we (our bodies) interact with it.

Common medical therapies (prescriptions, treatments, etc.) usually lag 20-30 years behind the cutting edge research on the true nature of reality. This includes the theories about how our bodies function and create “health” or “dis-ease.”

What if I told you that technology exists right now that has taken the pursuit of health into alignment with the latest research in particle physics and electro-acupuncture. It does!

This is based on the original work by Reinhard Voll, M.D., a German physician who, in the 1950’s, was one of the first European doctors to realize that he could combine the ancient knowledge of acupuncture meridians with the latest in electronic testing equipment. This information was combined with facts learned from the growing science of lie detector equipment by Dr. Vaughn Cook, an Oriental Medical Doctor, to create this cutting edge technology.

It is not used to diagnose any disease. It is used to find incoherent (out of balance) responses to different digital challenges given to the body via the GSR (galvanic skin response). This is the electrical skin resistance in the palm and fingers of the hand.

Our conscious mind (the “thinking” part) is capable of processing about 2000 bits of information per second…pretty incredible, right. But, at this moment, your subconscious mind is handling about 400,000,000 (400 million!) bits of data per second. This technology enables the doctor to tap into the autonomic or subconscious mechanisms to ask your body what’s going on, and make sense of it all. Yes, it can actually ask your body which supplements or medications it prefers, and which have the best chance of helping it heal before you take anything!

Again, to be clear, this equipment does not diagnose any disease. But, when used by a trained medical practioner, it can be very helpful in finding which organs and/or glands are out of balance, and then determining what substances can be used to restore them to balance.

Recently, a hospital study in China was conducted that showed a correlation of 87 percent between the results of Zyto’s technology and organ/lab diagnosis by a licensed physician.

This exciting new technology is available for use today to better help people attain vibrant and radiant health more easily and efficiently than ever before.

References:

1. Klotter, Jule. Bioenergetic devices and Functional Medicine, Townsend Letter, January 1^st, 2009.

2. www.ZYTO.com

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is surprisingly common. The prevalence of occurrence is approximately 10 percent of the “adult” population. The diagnosis is often vague, but essentially RLS is:

1. Characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs, particularly at night when lying or sitting down.

2. May be accompanied by symptoms of “skin crawling,” tingling, or a sense of pressure in their calf muscles.

3. Symptom relief when moving around

4. Waking up in the middle of the night with these symptoms again.

If symptoms occur more than twice a week, and result in severe disruption of sleep patterns and marked daytime symptoms, the case is severe and requires immediate investigation and intervention.

The causes of RLS are varied. Often, the “cause” is a combination of two or more of the following components:

1. Genetic, especially if appearing before the age of 30.

2. Secondary variations that are reversible (pregnancy, kidney failure, and anemia’s).

3. Associated conditions that exacerbate RLS and must be treated to resolve the condition (spinal cord compression, peripheral neuropathy, iron and B-12 anemia’s, kidney failure, iron deficiencies).

There are many lifestyle factors that make RLS worse. Central nervous system stimulants and depressants must be evaluated in a thorough history, and be reduced or eliminated for maximum recovery.

The mechanism of RLS is primarily dysfunction of a part of the brain called the basal ganglia. It controls neurological output from the brain and allows our central nervous system to be calm relative to body movements. When the basal ganglia is not functioning properly, excessive movement while at rest occurs in the body. A very well known and severe manifestation of poor basal ganglia function is Parkinson’s disease. RLS is a less severe manifestation of the same brain dysfunction.

The medical approach is to treat with dopamine medications, to calm down the basal ganglia and benzodiazapines to keep the patient asleep. The approach is typically successful, but the side effects of long term use of these medications can often create psychiatric side effects, and can damage internal organs.

There are other approaches. Functional medicine treats the body as a whole and evaluates all components–musculoskeletal, neurological (i.e. basal ganglia), and metabolic (i.e. anemia’s, iron deficiencies, diabetes, etc)–that contribute to destabilizing the basal ganglia itself, and thus allowing the excess movements to occur. Neurologically, other parts of the brain (cerebellum and frontal lobes) “fire” on the basal ganglia and cause it to work properly. If they are not functioning correctly, they need to be, and can be, “strengthened” through specific brain exercises. As they strengthen and function better, the basal ganglia calms down and can recover; so does the RLS.

The brain needs proper nutrients to function well. Those patients are evaluated metabolically for indicated nutritional and dietary changes, or herbal/botanical support that will allow the frontal and cerebella lobes to function better, and do their job in correcting the basal ganglia and subsequently the RLS. The advantage of the functional model: no medications, no long term side effects, and an individualized operating manual for that patient to follow, to control the condition permanently.

It is a very effective approach for those individuals interested in non-drug, cause-based alternatives if the medications don’t work or if side effects, present and future, are an issue.

References:

1. Watts RL, Koller WC. Movement Disorders Neurological Principles and Practice. 2nd ed. McGraw-Hiull Companies, Inc. 2004.

2. Fernandez HH et al. A Practical Approach to Movement Disorders Diagnosis and Surgical and Medical Management. Demos Medical Publishing. 2007.

Written By Michael Gerber, MD, HMD |

Adrenal support dosing has a very long therapeutic curve. It is nice to start with sleeping eight to nine hours per night, and to enjoy occasional vacations when the stress is off. Reducing stress at the work place, at home and with the kids is important, but how to resolve the stress of estranged spouses bent on revenge, sick relatives, crazy siblings battling over the inheritance, financial collapse and loss of drive to do anything is much more difficult. These people need adrenal help.

I always begin adrenal support with good nutrients important for the adrenal gland, especially good sea salt such as Cheltic salt, or Real Salt. When the adrenals are weak, you leak salt and minerals. Some low adrenal patients take ½ tsp of sea salt in water in the morning and after lunch to improve their energy. Vitamin C, B vitamins (pantothenic acid, B5), vitamin A, chromium, EFA’s (essential fatty acids such as fish oil and primrose oil) and good sources of cholesterol, such as egg yolks, butter and animal protein if possible, are all important. Vegans need to lead a less stressful life and supplement if they are stressed (B12 at least). Of course the liver makes cholesterol, but many livers are very toxic and all the adrenal hormones are made from cholesterol, which can only be consumed from animal sources. Acupuncture, psychological counseling, chiropractic, musculoskeletal therapies, energetic support, color puncture and every body balancing, stress reducing therapeutic modality can help the adrenals to rebuild.

My very favorite adrenal support over the last 36 years is an adrenal complex shot with B12 (hydroxycobalamin) and folic acid. I have it compounded with hydrocortisone 2 mg per cc, DHEA .2mg per cc, pregnenelone .2 mg per cc in a sesame or cotton seed oil base for its time-release properties, with one mg of B12 and 10 mg of folic acid. An average sized woman usually responds well to 1 ½ cc of adrenal complex, smaller women 1 cc, and larger women and men 2 cc plus 1 cc of B12 and 1 cc of folic acid.

This is an old feel-good shot that has been around since the 1950’s from Hollywood, (thank you Alan Nittler, MD and Gary Gordon, MD.) I learned this therapy from Dr. Nittler in 1975 in Santa Cruz, California, and from his book A New Breed of Doctor. He used adrenal cortex extract in those days, but it is no longer available, and this adrenal complex bears a rough equivalency to that product. This shot gives a week of blood sugar stability for most patients and can be done weekly, two or three times per week or daily, depending on the needs of the patient and reducing the frequency of dosing as the patient gets better. Remember that the normal adrenal cortex makes 30 mg to 200 mgs of hydrocortisone per day.

Low dose adrenal support is frequently very helpful for energy, sleep, headaches, gastritis (heart burn) and anti-anxiety qualities, and does not suppress the hypothalamic, pituitary adrenal axis. This intramuscular, time-release shot is given in the upper-outer quadrant of the hip. Isocorts or other oral adrenal tissue support are always great; be careful of whole adrenal extracts as they may contain some adrenalin, which may be too stimulating for some sensitive people.

Adrenal rebuilding, adaptogenic herbs are great, such as Cordyceps, Rodiola rosea, Ashwaganda, Maca, Eluthrococcus senticosis (Siberian Ginseng) and many more.  Importantly, some patients are so adrenal-depleted that they really need hydrocortisone tablets a’ la William McK. Jeffries, MD a co-discoverer of hydrocortisone in 1949.

In his book The Safe Uses of Cortisone he presents many cases of successful treatment of adrenal deficient patients with 5 mg of cortisol (hydrocortisone/Cortef), four times per day, or 10 mg four times per day when ill. Some patients prefer 10 mg AM and noon, or some variation of this dosage regimen. Cortisol can also be compounded in a time-release preparation, which needs to be dosed less frequently and is more convenient for patients. It is interesting that even when adrenal-fatigue patients need larger doses of Cortef to maintain normal energy levels they don’t appear Cushingoid (puffy, moon faced), and they feel great.

References:

Solutions Specialty, Henderson, NV, 702-792-3777.

Nittler, Alan H., M.D. A New Breed of Doctor. Pyramid House Publisher. New York, NY, 1972.

Jefferies, William Mck., M.D., F.A.C.P. Safe Uses of Cortisone. Charles Thomas Publisher. Springfield, Illinois. 1981.

The traditional approach to cancer therapy (slash, poison, burn) is increasingly being called into question because of its toxicity, destruction to quality of life, and poor success rates–two percent with a five year survival for full dose chemotherapy patients, according to the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Fortunately, people are becoming less and less willing to accept when the oncologist says “there is nothing else available,” and they are becoming more and more informed about alternatives.

Again, there are many scientifically-based therapies available that are far less toxic and more effective, especially when combined intelligently with certain conventional treatments. You can read about such therapies as IPT, UBI, Oxidative therapies, and high dose IV Vit C in the archives of this magazine.

The term “Integrative Oncology” means integrating or combining the best of conventional and alternative medicine to provide better outcomes. Unfortunately, the term has also been adopted by some big cancer treatment institutions to mean chemo, radiation and surgery combined with massage, meditation and yoga. This is a joke, and a gross misuse of the term, as well as very misleading to the patients.

Integrative Oncology means combining conventional and alternative “medical” therapies. Anything less is untrue.

Also, very misleading to the public is the total devotion to information published in supposed “peer-reviewed” medical journals.

“Peer-reviewed research published in medical journals gets the golden star of approval from medicine and in the media, yet many, if not most of the findings are incredibly misleading”, this, a quote from Dr. Marcia Angell, former editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine. In her book, The Truth about Drug Companies: How They Deceive Us and What to Do About It, she exposed many examples of why medical studies often cannot be trusted and said flat out, “Trials can be rigged in a dozen ways, and it happens all the time.”

There are some journals that are not supported by advertising money from drug companies. One such journal is “Alternative Medicine Review.” In an article published way back in 1999, a review was made of a number of valid studies that found the use of a number of different vitamins, trace elements, anti-oxidants and fatty acids, in combination with chemotherapy and irradiation, “prolonged the survival time of patients compared to the expected outcome without the composite oral therapy.”

Still today, cancer patients are routinely told by their oncologists, “stop taking all your supplements before starting therapy.”

For some people, conventional therapy is the right way to go. I always tell my patients, “Follow the path with heart and the one you believe in, that will give you a much greater chance of a positive outcome.” People need to realize that they do have choices. The Oncology of the New Millennia is here, right now.

References:

1. Lamson, Davis W., MS,ND, Altern Med Rev, 4(5), 1999,304-329

2. Weijl, NI, Cleton FJ, Osanto S, Free radicals and antioxidants in chemotherapy induced toxicity, Cancer Treatment Review, 1997, 23:209-240

The secret to a healthy immune system is simple, and actually not too difficult; but all the same, it does take daily discipline. Let’s look at some myths and focus on the area that will keep you healthier.

An immune system is a system of biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease by identifying and killing pathogens and tumor cells. It detects a wide variety of agents, from viruses to parasitic worms, and needs to distinguish them from the organism’s own healthy cells and tissues in order to function properly. Detection is complicated, as pathogens can evolve rapidly, and adapt to avoid the immune system and allow the pathogens to success- fully infect their hosts.

The immune system, an amazing protectio­n mechanism, is inside your body. It is designed to defend you against millions of bacteria, microbes, viruses, toxins and parasites that would love to invade your body. To understand the power of the immune system, all that you have to do is look at what happens to anything once it dies. That sounds disgusting, but it does show you something very important about your immune system.

Does Being Cold Make You Sick?

Almost every mother has said, “Wear a jacket or you’ll catch a cold!” Is she right? So far, researchers who are studying this question think that normal exposure to moderate cold doesn’t increase your susceptibility to infection. Most health experts agree that the reason winter is “cold and flu season” is not that people are cold, but that they spend more time indoors, in closer contact with other people who can pass on their germs.

Adopt Healthy-living Strategies.

Your first line of defense is to choose a healthy lifestyle. Following general good-health guidelines is the single best step you can take toward keeping your immune system strong and healthy. Every part of your body, including your immune system, functions better when protected from environmental assaults, and is bolstered by healthy-living strategies such as these:

Don’t smoke

Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in saturated fat

Exercise regularly

Maintain a healthy weight

Control your blood pressure

If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.

Get adequate sleep

Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly

Get regular medical screening tests for people in your age group and risk category

Check Your Nervous System.

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls your heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, pupil size, sweating, immune system, mucus production, caliber of the airways, blood sugar levels, certain adrenal hormone levels, and many digestive functions. All of these are controlled ultimately by the center nervous system (CNS), which is made up of your brain and spinal cord and nerves. If any of the communication is blocked or decreased, due to a subluxations or pinched nerve, your system cannot work at its optimum level.

Things to Do If You Happen To Get Sick.

Don’t over-exert yourself

Keep your stress levels down

Drink lots of water

Try taking Juice Plus, doTerra essential oils, probiotics and other herbs

If your body is not responding within a timely manner, see your M.D. in order to rule out other problems, or the need of antibiotics.

References:

www.Science.howstuffworks.com

www.Lifehack.org

www.Health.harvard.edu

www.Mdwellnessmd.com

Do you often feel that you are a professional dieter? You’ve tried them all, lost weight (or didn’t), then stopped eating or drinking what was part of “the program” and within a few weeks to a few months put back on all the weight–and then some.

Multiple sources indicate that at any given time over 50 percent of Americans are on a diet. It is estimated that dieting is over a $50 BILLION per year industry.

Obviously the current one-size-fits-all protocols (both with fad diets and at “medically supervised” weight loss centers) are not the answer. That which causes you to gain weight is also what’s stopping you from losing it. If you “eat right,” exercise every day, and can’t lose weight or keep it off, there are reasons for that. Those reasons are different for each individual.

There are seven major reasons why people can’t lose weight, and/or keep it off. Usually, it’s a combination of three or more of the following

Thyroid dysfunction (misdiagnosed or poorly managed)

Liver/Gastrointestinal imbalances/dysfunctions

Adrenal Gland abnormalities

Poor blood sugar control

Brain imbalances

Hormone imbalances

Inflammation

Human beings all generally look the same externally, but internally (metabolically and neurologically) individuals are as different as night and day. One size diet plans do not fit all. That’s why all methods work for some people–but no method works for all, unless that method takes that person’s unique metabolic blueprint into account. If all of the “Big 7” are not properly evaluated and managed in overweight individuals on weight loss programs, failure of the weight loss effort is assured because long term weight loss is a result of proper individually balanced metabolisms; not drugs, vitamins, protein shakes, or herbs.  Here is why.

Thyroid hormones regulate many aspects of our metabolism (thyroid evaluation and treatment is substantially more complex than measuring your TSH). Thyroid clearly affects how many calories we burn and how much you weigh. A properly functioning thyroid is essential to losing weight (It is estimated that as many as 70-90 percent of the thyroid problems are undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or mismanaged).

Abnormal liver dysfunction. When the liver loses its ability to detoxify and filter out toxins in the body the body has to create other ways to stop the excess toxins from affecting your system. So it creates more fat cells–these fat cells are created to have a place for excess toxins to be stored so they don’t harm your body. As long as the liver is not detoxifying these chemicals those fat cells are not going away.

Dysfunctioning adrenal glands. These glands produce a chemical called cortisol. This chemical has a huge impact on your waistline due to effects on blood sugar control and excess triglyceride production (the “fat” deposits around your belly are triglyceride deposits). Common symptoms of adrenal fatigue or imbalances are difficulty sleeping, inflammation, fatigue, dizziness, and weight gain (abnormal adrenals and liver also negatively affect thyroid function). These delicate interactions of the body’s systems make it difficult for many people to lose weight on any one size fits all “diet.”

Blood sugar is important to weight gain/loss on many levels. The most obvious example is diabetes, and the fact that most diabetics are overweight. But hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) as well as “pre-diabetes” (metabolic syndrome, syndrome x) all effect central weight control mechanisms in the brain. If blood sugar isn’t managed (without drugs), the weight lost will never stay off.

The brain is huge to weight loss. This is the most misunderstood mechanism of all, as to why people can’t lose weight. The hypothalamus sense when one is full as well as when one is hungry. This function is controlled by leptin, a hormone that tells the brain that we are full. Leptin only operates when the thyroid, liver, adrenals, and blood sugar are normal. So taking leptin is not a solution to weight loss, but fixing the hypothalamus with some auto-sensory exercises and balancing the metabolism is. Relating to the brain and the cause of the hypothalamic imbalances: concussions, inactivity, inflammation, emotional stress. That old concussion or whiplash, or that divorce, may be affecting your present day inability to lose weight.

There’s more–inflammation, autoimmune problems (Hashimoto’s, Rheumatoid arthritis, MS, etc) all can destabilize the above mechanisms as well as hormonal imbalances in both men and women.

Long term weight loss for those who have genially tried, and are unable to lose and keep it off, is due to one or a combination of the above seven metabolic/neurologic imbalances. It’s not about drugs, and for the above affected people it’s not even about exercise. It’s about a thorough evaluation of the above metabolic/neurologic mechanisms, and a specifically tailored protocol for that individual and following that protocol for life. There is no easy way out.

References

1. Bramas, Rick A.C.E., Grisanti Ron DC, MS. 2 Days to Fitness. Sequoia Publishing, 2010.

2. Kharrazian, Datis, DHSC, DC, MS. Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms When My Lab Tests Are Normal? Morgan James Publishing, 2010.

We all know what it feels like to be doing well and experiencing good health. As we age it seems that it becomes more challenging to stay in this place or experience this place for extended periods of time. Because of our fast speed of life we tend to take care of the “squeaky wheels” in our life. The symptoms of “disconnect” begin to become manifest and result in that sense of feeling off, low energy, constantly anxious, and a slew of other problems reflective of a health-in-crisis state.

Let’s talk about the chemistry of stress for a moment. Your body chemistry changes fundamentally every time you react stressfully. Stress often times starts in the mind and travels directly to the adrenals to initiate the fight or flight response. Heart starts pounding, breathing changes, glucose is released into the blood, the muscles tense, the eyes dilate, and the blood thickens. The average adrenaline rush of a commuter stuck in traffic releases enough glucose into the blood to keep her running for one mile. And where does all of this extra energy and increased alertness come from? The answer is from a diversion of energy from the body’s normal repair and maintenance jobs such as digesting, cleansing, and rejuvenating. So every moment you spend in a stressed out state speeds up the aging process in your body. It’s stressful just thinking about it. And unfortunately what ends up happening is the body goes out of balance and symptoms of fatigue and aging begin to show up in larger and more troublesome ways.

Symptoms are the bodies attempt to communicate that something isn’t right. The more we refuse to listen or acknowledge the needs of our bodies the larger volume of our symptoms turn up. Symptoms are a blessing in disguise and offer the pathway necessary to better care for ourselves. Most people would rather ignore the symptoms than listen to what their body is trying to express. So many of us are addicted to stress and have forgotten how to relax and be fulfilled at the same time. Mindfulness techniques like meditation can be instrumental in breaking this cycle of stress addiction.

Every choice made to build our health and vitality acts as an investment to our health reserve. Our health reserve is what allows us to stay healthy through stressful times and reflects how much we’ve invested into it via our attitudes and action steps. Establishing a health reserve can be thought of as creating a 401(k) for our well being and insuring a quality aging experience. As one ages it becomes more important to be able to adapt and recover from the demands of a stressful lifestyle. These faculties are naturally strained as we go through life but there’s no reason that they shouldn’t be in good working order.

Change is an inevitable consequence of being alive. A Taoist once remarked that change is just gushing life. Sometimes the gush is welcoming like friendly rapids and other times its intense like spring run-off through a steep canyon. Life happens and things don’t always go our way. Part of the challenge is learning to live with grace so that when we encounter resistance we don’t add to it with our own attitudinal friction.

There are several areas that work symbiotically to create a health reserve that has enough staying power to withstand the tough, stressful times of our lives. Exercise, nutrition, a positive mental attitude, spiritual practice, detoxification, and body work all work in concert to enhance your health reserve.

As we embark upon another year in our life we can prioritize a commitment to our own health and well-being with the intention of increasing the quality of our own lives and those lives that are intimately connected to our own. None of us exists separate from each other though the world likes to paint a picture of fragmentation. Get connected, be inspired, and enjoy the experience of being human.

Written By Michael Gerber MD, HMD |

The most frequent chronic complaint is fatigue. Patients never feel right; many can’t get out of bed and are also usually depressed, anxious and suffer from insomnia, poor memory and concentration and frequently dizziness. The origins of chronic fatigue are truly vast. Recently, a 32 year old, four foot ten, 95 pound young woman presented with a history of sexual abuse, loss of both parents, her mother was very stressed during her pregnancy, she was on disability with RSD (reflex sympathetic dystrophy-referred pains all over the body) fibromyalgia and multiple drug regimen failure; she had asthma, globus hystericus, gastroparesis and gastritis (heart burn). I knew I had my work cut out for me. Building trust with a totally fearful, energy-less girl, with absolutely no self esteem and no money, is an art form. One has to go with their best and least expensive therapy, which also gives gentle results quickly. Incidentally, her globus hystericus (lump in the throat) was immediately and permanently relieved with one treatment of Neural Therapy, using injections of procaine and Spascupreel from Heel, in intradermal wheels (bubbles) in the skin. Likewise, the gastroparesis (very slow empting stomach and digestion) abated with the overall therapy as well.

The History

In addition to an extended regular history and physical, it is also important if your practitioner has learned to do Chinese pulse and facial diagnosis, German iridology, tongue diagnosis, root canal and amalgam evaluation, scar and musculoskeletal dysbalance evaluations. If one shoulder is three inches higher than the other, it tells you something. Dietary history is a big deal. For many patients, it is a game changer to avoid fluoride toothpaste, tap water, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, table salt, milk, frequently gluten, soda, gum, fast food, soy, coffee creamers, non organic everything, stomach acid blockers, statin drugs, cigarettes, microwave ovens, aluminum cooking utensils, excessive alcohol, and so many other environmental toxins. I just started a new patient a couple of months back who looked at me absolutely incredulously when I told her that there were over 300 different neurological  syndromes associated with aspartame (NutraSweet) ingestion, up to multiple sclerosis. She was consuming eight to 10 diet sodas with five Xanax through the day, “just like my mother did”. Her husband was nodding his head through the entire visit, as she had terrific fatigue, anger and little memory.

Low adrenal and thyroid always mean poor metabolism. “When your adrenals are weak, you leak,” is one of my favorite platitudes. Low adrenal hormones cause wasting (loss) of sodium, chloride, and according to some authors, neurotransmitters (brain chemicals controlling mood and memory). Thyroid weakness causes hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) and inability to absorb minerals and proteins. Getting these two organs back on track has an immediate normalizing effect on our miraculous organism.

References:

1. Joseph M Helms, MD. Acupuncture Energetics – A Clinical Approach for Physicians. Medical Acupuncture Publishers. Berkley, California.

2. Peter Dosch, MD . Manual of Neural Therapy according to Huneke (Regulating Therapy with Local Anesthetics. Haug Publishers. Heidelberg, Germany, 1984.

A host of new and ongoing research studies confirm that sensitivity or allergies to gluten is a serious health issue. In fact, the rapidly emerging volume of research and well-documented, peer-reviewed medical, neurological, endocrine, rhuematolical, GI and nutritional journals, is overwhelming in its confirmation of the condition, and the importance of its implication to overall health. Not just gut health, but even more so, brain and neurological health.

Yet, while counseling patients with these conditions on how gluten allergies and their cross sensitivities effect tissue damage and symptoms, and the need to eliminate these substances from their diet, the functional nutrition clinician frequently runs into resistance. Confusion and misunderstanding will often cause the patients to not accept the dietary recommendations with confidence, or at all. Even after the patient has definitely tested positive for the gluten allergy or sensitivity, there is often resistance; the patient’s recovery is doomed to fail before it begins.

The most common reasons for the confusion and resistance are:

“My doctor says ‘It’s a Hollywood fad’,” or “There is no such thing as a wheat sensitivity”, “It [the fad] will go away like everything else.”

Gluten sensitivity is not a fad, and it’s not going away anytime soon. In fact, research would suggest its understanding is more likely to explode. Try an online “Google” or “PubMed” search on “gluten and women”, “gluten and mood swings”, “gluten and the brain and nervous system”, “gluten and metabolism”, “gluten and bone loss”, “gluten and blood sugar,” or even “gluten and behavioral disorders,” and it may become difficult to deny the connection between gluten and Celiac disease. One would also find a plethora of medically-reviewed studies and journals relating gluten as an influence or trigger to schizophrenia, seizers, neuropathies, ADHD and autistic spectrum disorders, Alzheimer’s, MS, migraines, nutritional anemias, bone loss, depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue, diabetes, fibromyalgia, and more. The data on this topic is substantial.

“My doctor tested me for it–I don’t have it.”

Straight and simple: the standard testing technology of blood serum, saliva, fecal, and endoscopic biopsy, is just not good enough yet. Most doctors use the blood test, and serology alone does not provide enough data to rule out the allergy or sensitivity. Only HLADQ2 or HLADQ8 genetic testing is close to 100 percent accurate. This test can be found online and performed at home, or by an informed chronic pain physician. If you test positive for gluten sensitivity, the test is highly unlikely to be incorrect.  It is not yet embraced by the medical model, but it is performed in CLIA certified labs, the same labs that certify all medical diagnostic testing.

If you do any test, and you test positive, then you are gluten sensitive. “But, I tested positive, stopped eating gluten, and I don’t feel any better!”

Or, maybe you felt better for a while, but it (your symptoms) came back. Then there is something else in addition to the gluten sensitivity that is occurring in your system. A partial list of “something else”–mostly cross sensitivity allergens and metabolic imbalances–includes: any other food or environmental allergens, bacterial infections, viral infections, yeast, mold, drugs, chemicals (think cleaning fluids), tobacco smoke, artificial sweeteners, blood sugar, thyroid or adrenal imbalances, and once again—unfortunately–more, much more. This is a big part of the dilemma.

Are you really off gluten?

Sure doc, at least most of the time. Unfortunately, gluten is variably symptomatic, depending on the patient. Some patients (Group one: 30 percent) are lucky and experience immediate responses to gluten exposure (I.e. Celiac patients). But most (Group two: 70 percent) gluten sensitive people are not immediately reactive to gluten exposure; and in most cases, are not even aware that gluten exposure may be triggering their neurological symptoms (anxiety, depression, fatigue, brain fog, numbness and tingling in hands and feet). The confusion for each is different.

Group one, who reacts to gluten immediately, may not do so after no exposure for months and then think they can eat it again because their gut is healed. This does not mean you can eat it again, ever. You must remove it 100 percent from your diet, as damage will reoccur in your gut and probably more subtly in your nervous system and thyroid. Removing it 100 percent is not easy because gluten seems to be in almost everything. If you have a proven sensitivity–regardless of the gluten sensitive group you belong to–it is destroying your gut, and some other part of your body EVERYTIME you eat it! Your thyroid, brain or joints, it could be affecting any or all of them. The obvious problem is in group two individuals, as many of them do not realize that gluten exposure is contributing to their symptoms. Both groups must avoid all gluten and its cross sensitivities permanently, or ultimately suffer the consequences. It is not an easy challenge.

Permanently does not mean being gluten free most of the time or “I’m gluten free all week, except for my Mrs. Fields chocolate chip cookie on Saturday night.” The scientific data is clear, one exposure to gluten (as small as ½ piece of wheat toast per month) can stay in your system from four days to eight months, making every exposure reactive for a long time. This reduces the ability for you to “heal” or feel symptomatic relief by 60 to 70 percent, or even no relief at all.

Deciding to go off gluten is not a simple lifestyle change. It requires certainty that you are not giving up all of your favorite foods for something that is not proven. You need the certainty of positive test results–for both primary gluten sensitivities and cross sensitivities, and possible immune stimulators (a whole other subject)–to know what should and should not be in your body. You need to know which foods contain gluten. You need to know all factors that will sabotage your efforts and interfere with causative correction and reduction of your gluten related symptoms, or you will quit the diet and remain ill. And why wouldn’t you? It’s not a fun diet until you start feeling normal, then and only then is it worth it.

If you are contemplating going gluten free, get a Functional Medicine workup first. Do the genetic test. Find out about any cross sensitivities and immune stimulators you may be taking that are interfering with your recovery. Have your thyroid, adrenals, gut and brain checked out. Going gluten free is no joke.  Find a coach, and do it right. Good luck.

References:

1. Hadjivassiliou M, et al. 2002. Gluten sensitivity as a neurological illness.  J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 72: 560-3

2. Hansen D, et al.  Clinical benefit of a gluten-free diet in type 1 diabetic children with screening-detected celiac disease: a population-based screening study with 2 years’ follow-up.  Diabetes Care. 2006 Nov;29(11):2452-6

3. Kalaydijian AE, et al. 2002.  The gluten connection: the association between schizophrenia and celiac disease.  Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2006 Feb; 113(2):82-90.

What if there was a therapy that offered the same regenerative, healing effects of stem cells, without the moral dilemma of using human fetuses or frozen embryos.

Amazingly, there is just such a treatment option available. It was pioneered by a Swiss physician, Dr. Paul Niehans, over 90 years ago, using pre-term animal tissues. He discovered that not only are these “cross species” tissues effective, but the pre-term tissue does not trigger an allergic reaction in humans.

If you have ever heard of the “rich and famous” going to Europe for “rejuvenation” treatments, this is it! People such as Dwight Eisenhower, Pope Pius XII, Charlie Chaplin, Pablo Picasso and Joseph Kennedy are among those who took advantage of this therapy.

Unfortunately, there is little known about it in this country because the vast majority of the 330 books, monographs and articles published on it since 1983 have been in languages other than English. There tends to be a very arrogant attitude in the field of medicine in this country, looking down on any research not published in this country.

Conditions such as liver failure, kidney failure, congestive heart failure, and severe degenerative nervous system diseases, have all been helped by this therapy. There are even cases of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus that have been “cured” by this treatment in Germany.

Studies in Europe show that radioactively tagged pancreas cells from prenatal sheep for example, injected intramuscularly, concentrated in the pancreas within 72 hours. The cells themselves just seem to know where to go.

In Germany, Franz Schmid edited an English language version of Cell Therapy in 1983, a 450 page volume that updated the extensive literature and research into the use of embryonic and/or fetal or placental cell suspensions in isotonic salt solutions. Aside from presenting some truly amazing cases of reversals of Down’s syndrome in children, this book described 117 conditions and diseases in which cellular therapy had been found useful, and detailed the combinations of cellular suspensions used.

It was not until 1986 that a California institute published, The Biochemistry of Live Cell Therapy, the first publication in English, which attempted to explain some of the actual scientific mechanics of this overlooked form of treatment.

Of the hundreds of thousands of injections given in Europe during the nine decades of live cell therapy history, it is notable that so few fatalities or significant side effects had been noted. Dr. Kuhnau, who used this therapy for nearly 40 years, always insisted that no significant side effects, let alone fatalities, had ever been reported.

Despite having found favor with some of the major figures of the 20th century, and being found to be legitimate and legal, it is still considered “dubious or experimental” by the monopoly-oriented US media and medical establishment. However, people can investigate and avail themselves of this valuable therapy option.

References:

1. Schmid, Franz. Cell Therapy. Ott Publications. Thoune, Switzerland, 1983.

2. Bradford, RW, et al. The Biochemistry of Live Cell Therapy. The Bradford Foundation. Chula Vista, CA, 1989/1990.

3. Kuhnau, WW. Live Cell Therapy: My Life with a Medical Breakthrough. Artes Graficas de BC. Tijuana, Mexico, 1983.

The last article looked at the therapeutic importance of vitamin A and cod liver oil. This month, I would like to address other vitamins, minerals and dietary issues that are especially important for children.

Insomnia and Constipation

From infants to toddlers and older children, sleep disorders and slowed down bowel are quite common. Causes are biological, and certainly these problems are aggravated by milk-based and soy-based formulas. We suggest whey-based formulas or goat milk formulas, as they cause fewer incidents of ear infections, mucous formation, colds and constipation. Remember cow’s milk protein, casein and lactalbumin, is four and a half times longer than human mother’s milk protein, and is meant for baby cows. It causes inflammation in the intestines, which gives a leaky gut and lets large proteins enter the blood stream and overwhelm the liver, and eventually the adrenal gland. If your child has purple, puffy areas under the eyes (allergic shiners) or a blue color to the whites of the eyes (liver wind in Chinese medicine), consider allergic reaction to foods, especially milk, sugar and wheat.

If a child is not having several bowel movements per day, one of the very best supplements is liquid calcium and magnesium. Magnesium, of course, is in milk of magnesia and Epsom salts; it is a laxative and calmative. It kills two birds with one stone. Before bedtime, give one tsp to toddlers and two tbsp to older children, for an effective correction to both insomnia and constipation. The liquid we use is a pleasant, mint flavored liquid that is generally well accepted by children. It is also great if the kids get some sugary treats at home or school, and then become hyperactive and irritable; it frequently calms them down in a few minutes. If magnesium supplementation causes diarrhea, simply back down the dose and adjust to the child’s needs. It’s impossible to get enough magnesium from a standard American diet (SAD) without supplementation.

Vitamin C is also great for kids. We give from 250 mg to 1 gram or more per day to children, to help with constipation and treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. We use vitamin C drink, which is a good tasting, lemon, citrus drink and Honeyvite; it has all the major vitamins and minerals, and can be taken in water or fruit juice. Especially when sending kids into the toxic wasteland of schools with other sick kids, toxic cleaning materials, plastics, formaldehyde in the rugs and many other toxins in the child’s learning environment.

Remember, a goat that weighs 150 lbs. makes 13,000 mg of vitamin C every day in its liver. How much vitamin C does a 150 lb human make? NONE. Only primates, guinea pigs, fruit bats and man make no vitamin C. All the other millions of species make their own vitamin C. We all need to supplement vitamin C. We are all suffering from mild scurvy, including our children. Vitamin C is a universal detoxifier and also acts as an antihistamine and laxative. The highest concentration of vitamin C in the human body is in the adrenal gland (stress gland) and secondarily in the brain.

References:

1. Briggs D.Sc.,Ph.D., Michael. Vitamins in Human Biology and Medicine. CRC Press, Inc. Boca Raton, Florida 1981.
2. Bralley, Ph.D., C.C.N., J.A. and Lord Ph.D, Richard. Laboratory Evaluations in Molecular Medicine. The Institute for Advances in Molecular Medicine 2001.

For more info, contact the Gerber Medical Clinic at (775) 826-1900.

& Randall Gates, D.C., D.A.C.N.B. |

Strokes, also known as cerebrovascular accidents, are one of the leading causes of death and disability in this country, with approximately 795,000 individuals suffering from a stroke each year. These tragic and life altering events result from a disruption of appropriate amounts of blood flow to areas of the brain.

There are numerous warning signs of an impending stroke, some of them including sudden confusion, trouble speaking, trouble understanding, numbness or weakness of the face or part of the body, difficulty walking, dizziness, lack of balance or coordination, and severe headache without a definite cause. If you or a loved one ever experiences one or more of these symptoms, urgent and immediate evaluation at an emergency room can be a life saving event.

Many individuals often discount the symptoms of a stroke as just not feeling well, or they do not want to bother anyone by being examined. Unfortunately, on the contrary, these individuals often do not realize the importance of these symptoms and their potential life altering impact. Therefore, never hesitate for yourself or a loved one to go to an emergency room if experiencing the warning signs of a stroke, as it could save your life.

Emergency room physicians and Medical Neurologists specialize in identifying and treating the area of the brain affected by a stroke.  In fact, there are Medical Neurologists whose entire practice is dedicated to treating patients with cerebrovascular accidents. Prompt evaluation and treatment by these health care professionals saves lives. Some stroke victims come away without any permanent side effects, while others are left with significant disabilities, some of which include paralysis, weakness, difficulty walking, difficulties speaking and understanding verbal communication. Once a patient is cleared as being stable by their Medical Neurologist, they will often be discharged to a rehabilitation program.

In the past, stroke rehabilitation focused on showing the stroke victim strategies and coping mechanisms for using their unaffected limbs and uninvolved areas of their body. With this rehabilitation, the patient would be able to get through their day to day lives with their handicaps and disabilities. However, the latest research regarding the brain opened up an entirely new paradigm regarding rehabilitation for not only victims of strokes, but also other patients who suffered from brain damage as a result of such things as traumatic brain injury, subdural hematoma’s, and tumors (after they were taken out).

This new paradigm is termed neuroplasticity. Through neuroplasticity, neuroscience researchers have demonstrated the ability of the brain to create new connections, and even grow new brain cells (neurons) in certain areas of the brain. With this knowledge, new therapies have been created, targeted at the affected area of brain injury, to help strengthen the damaged area and make it stronger. With this being said, there can be limitations, in that if areas of the brain are dead as a result of a brain injury from a stroke, then odds are that the function in this area of the brain is not coming back. However, the areas surrounding dead areas of neurologic tissue are often working, but not working well because of the dead neuron’s lack of activity. It is with these cells that not only their function can return, but also they can in certain circumstances assume the function of their neighboring cells. For the stroke patient this translates into a more complete recovery.

The chiropractic neurology approach to treating patients who have incurred strokes is to use neuroplasticity to the patient’s advantage. Some of the new, non-drug patient specific therapies used include specific exercises on one side of the body, mirror therapy, and sensory motor exercises designed to target areas of the brain that are still able to recover their function. With this exciting field, patients are learning that there are aspects of their disability that can be restored, thus enhancing the abilities of the patient to perform their normal daily activities.

In addition, the functional metabolic approach promotes a functional perspective in evaluating an individual’s laboratory markers, which consists of using more specific laboratory normal values to evaluate a patient’s potential for recovery. The medical profession is more than competent in their efforts to create strategies that identify individuals who are more likely to suffer from a vascular accident, such as a stroke. The functional metabolic approach attempts to take it one step further by utilizing even more stringent normal parameters for laboratory markers. With this, patterns or trends in the patient’s laboratory work may become clear as to why an individual may have developed or be developing atherosclerosis, which could have lead to the stroke. By evaluating laboratory tests in this fashion, attempts are made to identify what may have been the underlying cause of the stroke and what natural non-drug steps can be taken to enhance patient recovery and prevent further reoccurrence.

If you or someone you know has suffered from a stroke, and have been discharged into a rehabilitation program, getting evaluated from a neurological and metabolic perspective, and utilizing these cutting edge therapies, should be your first step. Undergoing a treatment program that focuses on treating physiological dysfunction and not the disease, can produce life changing effects for stroke patients.

References:

1. http://www.strokecenter.org
2. http://www.strokeassociation.org
3. http://www.carrickinstitute.org
4. Antonov, I., Kandel, E. R. & Hawkins, R. D. Presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and metaplasticity during intermediate-term memory formation in aplysia. J. Neurosci. 30, 5781-5791 (2010).

For more info, contact Dr. Rutherford or Dr. Gates at (775) 329-4402, or visit online at www.PowerHealthReno.com.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medical treatment that enhances the body’s natural healing process and strengthens the immune system. The treatment takes place in a clear, acrylic chamber, and patients breathe 100 percent oxygen at pressures greater than sea level atmospheric pressure (the air we breathe contains only 21 percent oxygen). This pressurization allows for a higher concentration of oxygen to reach the tissues of the body, and accelerates the body’s natural healing process.

Approved by the American Medical Association and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this form of therapy has been used for more than 30 years as a treatment for a variety of medical conditions.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy works to speed the body’s ability to heal itself. It does this by increasing the level of oxygen in the blood and by increasing the pressure within the chamber.  Specifically, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can deliver oxygen directly to injured tissues; leads to the formation of new blood vessels; preserves damaged tissues; speeds the healing of wounds; reduces swelling; stimulates the formation of new bone tissue; and decreases the negative effects of toxic substances like carbon monoxide.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a non-invasive and painless treatment. Patients watch TV, listen to music, or simply rest during therapy sessions. Visible through the clear acrylic walls of the chamber, certified hyperbaric technologists are present throughout every step of the process and patients can speak to them at any time through a two-way intercom. As the eardrum responds to changes in pressure, patients may experience a sensation of fullness in the ears during certain stages of the treatment. The feeling is similar to the sensation felt while flying in an airplane. Before treatments begin, each patient listens to an introduction and treatment overview, including several easy methods for avoiding ear discomfort.

The FDA currently authorizes hyperbaric oxygen therapy for treatment of the following medical conditions: problem wounds such as from diabetes; bone infections; radiation tissue damage; compromised skin grafts and flaps; traumatic crush injuries; gas gangrene; so-called “flesh eating” infection; limb salvage, reattachment and amputations; carbon monoxide and cyanide poisoning and different types of diving injuries.
The number of treatments depends on each patient’s specific injury, illness or condition. Toxic exposure patients (such as carbon monoxide) only need one to two treatments, while most wound-healing patients may require 30 to 40 treatments for maximum benefit. The average hyperbaric oxygen session lasts approximately 90 minutes. Patients allow an additional 30 minutes for preparation and departure time. Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial health insurance plans cover all the conditions listed above. The amount of treatment approved by insurance varies according to plan benefits.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can speed the body’s ability to heal itself. Many conditions respond when conservative management has not worked. It is non-invasive, painless and may help in your condition.

References:

1. www.fda.gov

For more info, contact Renown Medical Center at (775) 982-4268, or visit online at www.renown.org