January Blog and Health News

Scheduling Stuff:  I will be closed Friday January 22nd and Saturday January 23rd.  Marty is having surgery.  (Friday will most likely be all day but we don't have the schedule yet.  February and March will bring some seminar activity but should only affect Saturday's.  I will keep you posted.

Happy New Year to everyone.  I do hope it was a safe holiday season.  Marty and I enjoyed a week of vacation visiting family in snowy Michigan (2 feet deep) and almost did not make it back due to lake effect snow (11 inches the night before we left).

HEALTH and NUTRITION NEWS

• The Mediterranean Diet is considered one of the more healthy diets for cardiovascular health.  However, most peiople do not get enough olive oil which has polyphenols which enhance its healthy effects.  The diet mainly consists of abundent plant foods, olive oil, fish, red wine and other substances rich in fiber, fruits and vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids.
• Ginko biloba apparently has protective effects from radiation.  So if you plan on getting yourself nuked soon stock up on the ginko.
• Higher vitamin D levels in older women seems to ensure longer survival.
• Catechins in tea help promote fat loss in overweight individuals.
• Lower vitamin D levels before menopause predict hypertension and predicts higher heart and stroke related deaths in blacks.
• Researchers estimate that 40% of Americans are deficient in vitamin B12. 

FROM CHIROPRACTIC AND MEDICINE

• Macromastia (large breasts) leads to numerous problems for women.  Complaints of neck and upper back pain, thoracic outlet syndrome, low back pain, headaches and muscle aches and pains are common.  Soft tissue deformity from bra straps undoubtedly damages the underlying fascia and muscles as well as the skin.  A recent study showed that reduction mammaplasty (breast reduction) decreased back compressive loads by 35% and improved dysfunction and pain related to travel.  Now, good luck on getting an insurance carrier to authorize it as medically necessary.
• Headaches:  The International Headache Society (IHS) has classified headaches into two broad categories, primary and secondary. Primary headaches are headaches with no known organic cause and are classified into 4 groups 1) migraine 2) tension-type 3) cluster and 4) other primary headaches (1). The subject of this paper, episodic tension-type headache (ETTH), is one of three sub-categories of tension-type headache. The others being chronic tension-type headache and probable tension-type headache.  Treatment/Prevention:  stress/tension, menstruation, weather, TMJ problems, trigger points, and water deprivation have been implicated as well as, to a lesser extent, sleep deprivation, frequent traveling, consumption of alcohol, withdrawal from caffeine, smoking, hunger, glare, relaxation after stress, exhaustion and odors.  Treatment includes avoiding triggers as well as treating problems such as mechanical neck joint dysfunction, TMJ problems and trigger points.  These problems can be effectively treated with manipulative therapy and soft tissue therapy or physiotherapy.
• Chiropractic care is being expanded to include more Veterans and military facilities.  DCs are highly qualified to take care of the many non-surgical soft tissue and joint problems resulting from carrying heavy field packs and the stresses and strains of combat. 
  
  
  

Holiday schedule update

I goofed looking at the days.  We will be closed Christmas Eve day (Thursday) since we are normally only open in the morning.

December News/Holiday Schedule

Happy Holidays from Marty and myself. (In Norwegian, Gladelig Jule and Godt Nytt Ar).

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:  we will be CLOSED from 12/25/09 to 1/2/10.  We will also close at 4:00 PM on Christmas Eve.  We will be taking a week off and visiting my family in Michigan (Marty is obviously not a yankee).

HEALTH CARE NEWS:

• Breast Biopsies:  A new test called "Elastography" looks at the flexibility of breast tissue and may reduce the need for biopsies.  Breast ultrasounds spot more cancers.
• Boost your immune system with the following:  elderberry, button mushrooms, acai berry, oysters, watermellon, cabbage, almonds, grapefruit, wheat germ, low-fat yogurt, garlic, spinach, tea (black or green), sweet potatoe and broccoli.
• Lung Cancer:  90% of lung cancers are caused by tobacco use with over 4000 cancer causing chemicals in tobacco smoke.  Other causes:  passive smoke, asbestos, radon gas, air pollution, familial predisposition, lung diseases.  This is a cause close to me since my father died at 46 of lung cancer-he was a lifelong smoker.  What a waste-he never got to see most of his grandkids.  There are two main types of lung cancers:  small cell and non-small cell.  Small cell cancers are about 20%.  Non-small cell (adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, mixed) make up 80%.  Small cell are aggressive and metastasize readily.  Other types are less common.  What are the symptoms:  chronic cough, blood in the sputum, repeated bronchitis/lung infections, breathing difficulty, unexplained or rapid weight loss and/or fatigue.  IGNORING SUCH SERIOUS SYMPTOMS WON'T MAKE IT GO AWAY!!!  I have heard way too often "I don't want to get checked out because I'm afraid of what they might find."  Early detection is what determines whether you will survive or not.  Quit smoking now and improve your chances of living to see your kids grow up and your grand kids as well.  If you stop soon enough you may not have to drag around an oxygen bottle either.  Brutal?  Yup!  But there are a lot of ways to get help:  medications, hypnosis, acupuncture.  Trying to quit is not quitting.  You must become a non-smoker in your mind or you will always find excuses to light one up.  As to the dippers - the word is leukoplakia-pre-cancerous cells.  Cancer of the mouth or lip is a really unattractive way of dying as well.  I've seen leukoplakia in the mouths of 20-30 year olds.  All I can say is incredible.  The mind set that IT WON'T HAPPEN TO Me means you expect to die young enough that you won't get cancer.  Spare your loved ones the agony of watching you die a horrible death-figure out a way to quit.  If this section upsets or offends you, I apologize for making you aware of the realities of tobacco abuse.
• DEPRESSION:  That last section probably depressed some of you.  Sorry.  The holiday seasons are often a time when people experience depression.  There could be many reasons:  loss of a loved one who won't be there for the first time, illness, missing family, financial worries (especially in this economy), loss of job, less sunlight, break up of a relationship, stress, to name a few.  There are many things you can do to help lessen depression.  Connect with family and friends-new media like facebook, myspace, twitter, etc., offer social media contact readily.  Find a new interest or hobby.  Avoid environments that are depressive. Get out doors as much as you can.  Don't spend beyond your means.  If times are tough for you, remember "this too will pass."  If your depression becomes overwelming, seek medical help.  There are many anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications that can help you get over tough times.  Some need to be on such medications permanently due to altered brain chemistry.
• CELL PHONES:  On again, off again.  Another study out now suggests that cell phones don't lead to cancer.  Use an ear piece if you are worried-it will make you a safer driver anyway.
• STEM CELLS:  stem cells may actually be able to repair damaged hearts.

FROM THE WORLD FUTURE SOCIETY:  Some pressing issues we need to address in the next decade.

• How do we deliver inexpensive and reliable health care to a rapidly aging population?
• How does a civilization maintain economic growth and prosperity in the wake of overdevelopment, misuse of wealth, and profligate exploitation of resources?
• Will the Internet bring democracy and freedom to the people of the world who live under authoritarian rule? Or will nondemocratic regimes appropriate the power of information technology to spy on their own citizens?
• What’s the best method for educating our children for an ever-more competitive and demanding economic environment?

November Blog

OK.  Some scheduling notes.  I will be closed SATURDAY 11/7/09 and will close early at 5 PM on FRIDAY 11/6/09 to catch a flight to Houston.  Also, I will be closed on the Thanksgiving weekend Thursday, Friday and Saturday as I am going to California to see my grandsons and daughter.  Have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving.  I will be back the following Monday normal hours.

Alternative Health/Nutrition News:

• Energy Supplements:  boosting one's energy usually requires different approaches.  You can use stimulants, boost metabolism, or increase calories.  Stimulants in general work.  However, there's the down side of crashing when they wear off.  Many work no better than a cup of coffee or tea.  Metabolism boosters work if you are deficient or in certain conditions.  However, things lkie C0Q10, carnitine, etc. May be of little use to boost metabolism.  They do work in a sense by boosting the energy process.  Increased calories work but only short term.  They can increase your blood pressure and blood sugar.  This can cause your insulin to spike.  Energy drinks as an example are high in carbs especially sugars and  there is the issue of how effective they are vs. the complications (weight gain,  diabetes, etc.).  Several combine caffeine and sugars to really light your fire-then you crash.
• Future Medicine:  medical tourism is getting noticed.  When one can get an operation by American Doctors for $30K including transportation which would cost $400K here.  It's projected to be a $40 billion business.  Remote devices may be able to monitor your health via the internet.  Nanotechnology will allow us to fix our organs from the inside out by repairing sick cells.  ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE will become mainstream.  37% of US hospitals now integrate complementary and alternative services with conventional procedures.  Video games may be used to improve mental health.  The internet will help put medical specialists within reach (one doctor has already dictated complicated surgery from 3500 miles).  New artificial skin could be rapidly produced.  CENTANARIANS are on the rise.  Us older folks, at least the ones who live to 100 will continue growing quickly and move from 1 in 10K to 1 in 5K of the population.  Professions in general and in healthcare will become hyperspecialized.  The hottest healthcare jobs:  home health aides, personal and home care aides, and veternary techs.

Medical News:

• Use of ACE inhibitors may cause some liver toxicity (hepatotoxicity).
• Low doses of naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, Naprelan) may increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal uclers.  MY NOTE:  If you are using an NSAID on a regular basis the risk for ulcers is increased signficantly.  I personally think this is under reported due to people taking meds like over the counter prilosec, tums, etc. to mask the stomach complaints.  My alternative is an anti-inflammatory diet (cut out the red meats and complex carbs) plus boswellic acids and fish oils.  To my patients with arthritis I recommend Osteo-biflex (glucosamine + boswellic acids or 5-loxin) and fish oils to control inflammation.
• From the American Heart Association, "Diabetes tends to lower "good" cholesterol and raise triglyceride and "bad" cholesterol levels, which increases the risk for heart disease and stroke."
• Some Key Health Tests for Women
• Breast cancer exam
• Cervical cancer exam
• Skin cancer exam
• HIV screening
• Cholesterol screening
• Blood pressure
• Bone density testing
• Washing your hands.  Men and women react differently to signs suggesting they wash their hands.  Women tend to respond better to signs telling them the risk factors of not doing it.  Men reacted better to be told the disgusting consequences like:  soap it off or eat it later.   Interesting.
• Complications of Diabetes on the small blood vessels (microvascular):  Diabetes has considerable effects of the small vessel circulation and can cause problems with the kidneys, eyes and extremities due to accelerate atherosclerosis.
• Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a major concern.  This causes loss of sensation in the toes and fingers.  In the feet, it can lead to things like ulcers and gangrene left untreated.  It is the result of a progressive loss of nerve fibers.  It may give a "stocking and glove" appearance.  It can also affect the nerves to internal organs (autonomic nerves) and affect the gastrointestinal tract, bladder and blood vessels.  Symptoms can be sensory or motor related and can affect awareness of touch, temperature, vibration (one of the earliest things to be lost), proprioception (balance or position sense).  Lack of awareness of one's extremities can lead to undetected injuries.  An ingrown toenail for example could become infected and gangrenous.  Loss of nerve supply to a joint can also cause destruction of the joint (Charcot joint).
• Diabetic vascular complications can also lead to erectile dysfunction.
• Diabetic retinopathy can lead to progressive loss of vision and blindness.  Microaneurysms occur and fats and protein exudates leak into the retina.  Damage to the macular leading to macular edema also leads to blindness.
• Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of kidney failure.  These changes occur slowly over time and may show up as increased albumin in the urine, decreased glomerular filtration rates and hypertension.

Going Green: 

• compact florescents (CFLs) can save significantly on electrical bills.  They are a bit more expensive upfront than florescent bulbs but will usually pay for themselves in a few months.  
• Window blankets can be used to keep the heat in during the winter and the cold out during the summer.  Essentially, these are made by getting the foil type insulation that comes in rolls with the bubbles between layers (air barrier).  To make the blanket more attractive you can sew on a covering of cloth.  Velcro can be used to attach the blanket over windows during the day in summer and during the day or at night in winter.  It forms a reflective barrier, reflecting internal heat back in and external cold out.  The blankets can be removed and put on easily with the velcro.
• Sealing doors and windows with weather stripping will help keep leaks down and cold air and critters out.  It reduces your electric bills.  Sealing leaky areas such as switches and outlets also helps.

October addendum

My office, Alternative Chiropractic Solutions, is a sponsor of Gabriel Tavarez's Midland Fitness 12-week your best body challenge. We have fliers in the office. It begins October 3rd and gives a 12 week nutrition and exercise program to help lose weight. You get a free Best Body Orientation, 10 group fitness training sessions, and a complete 12 week Transformation System including exercise and nutition programs to follow on your own with their help.  They do require a $55 charitable donation to St. Jude's Children's Hospital at Orientation to participate. Go to http://www.yourbestbodychallenge.com/ for more information.

Dr. Riggs' October Blog on Health

Chiropractic, Alternative Healthcare, Medical, Nutrition News:

COLON CANCER. As one of the leading causes of deaths (# 2) and striking more than a million people every year, it is important to prevent it. I recently underwent this rather personal experience as a preventative, which I should have done some time ago. Although many thing colonoscopy is highly accurate, a recent study fount a 60-70 percent mortality risk decrease. Prevention is the key. Too many people have advanced forms of cancer by the time it is detected which seriously limits their treatment options. Advanced form survival rates have improved from less than 9 months to about 24 months but the progress is not enough. Some low-cost nutritional options may provide prevention benefits. Plant polyphenols such as resveratrol, curcumin (spice), EGCG, quercetin, fish oils,, vitamins and trace elements (E, D, selenium) may significantly reduce or eliminate cancer changes. Chemoprevention, nutritional supplements and health lifestyle adjustments can help reduce the risk. Foods that help colon health include:
• Plant based: polyphenols-berries, tea, grapes/wine, olive oil, chocolate/cocoa, walnuts, peanuts, pomegranates, and most other fruits and vegetables. Powerful members include-curcumin, Resveratrol, quercetin, green tea, EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate).
• Foods fueling colong health: garlic, cruciferous vegetables and sprouts (broccoli).
• Cancer fighting nutrients: Vitamins E, D, calcium, Folate, B6, B12, selenium, omega 3 fatty acids (DHA, EPA).

SCIATICA, NEURITIS, NUMBNESS, TINGLING, ARM PAIN, LEG PAIN, THORACIC OUTLET, CARPAL TUNNEL, and PLANTAR FASCIITS. For Radiating Neck and Back Pain, are drugs and surgery the only solution? It depends. For cases, where herniated discs or bone spurs are pressing on the nerves or spinal cord surgery may be necessary. Given the risks, however, surgery should always be a last resort once non-surgical conservative methods have been tried. Nerve problems can cause pain, weakness and dysfunction.

What are the options? Traditional medical options include medications for pain and inflammation, physical therapy, and epidural steroid injections. Conservative options include manipulation therapy (chiropractic), traction, nutritional anti-inflammatory methods, rehab, and where possible release or mobilization of entrapped nerves (nerve mobilization or neurodynamics).

How does nerve release or mobilization work? Determining the cause is important. If certain problems are found such as a herniated disc, degenerative disc, or thoracic outlet syndrome for example, appropriate treatment for the condition is in order as well as specific treatment for the nerve. Isolation of whether the nerve is failing to glide, slide or stretch as needed determines the approach. Nerve tension tests and standard orthopedic and neurological tests and maneuvers to determine the cause help the clinician determine the appropriate method of treatment. Combined treatment methods may be necessary such as exercises, clinician intervention, manipulation, strengthening, and structural correction to achieve the best outcome. Normally, such problems develop gradually and may take some time to resolve. Scar tissue and adhesions may need to be resolved and healed. In my practice, centralization of the pain and symptom relief are key indicators as to patient progress. If we can move the pain, or other radiating symptoms such as numbness and tingling, towards the spine, progress is being made. Treatment progress can be slow and frustrating for the patient in the beginning. Nerves do not heal fast when traumatized. However, the risks are much less and the costs are significantly lower with less invasive methods. If you would like more information, give me a call at 432-570-8792 or e-mail me at aikidoc1@yahoo.com and I’ll gladly answer your questions.

Now if the plantar fasciitis/heel spurs threw you as to how that could be nerve pain, here’s an answer. Sometimes it is due to inflammation of the nerves on the inside of the arch and mimics the pain from a spur. Another words, it can be misdiagnosed as due to a spur, even with an x-ray showing a spur. The treatment will fail if the nerve is inflamed.

The top 10 diseases that affect men
• Heart attack and cardiac arrest
• Hypertension
• High cholesterol
• Strokes
• Diabetes
• Lung cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Prostate disease
• Testicular disease/cancer
• Depression

Other Health and Nutrition News:

• National cancer institute reports that CoQ10 may slow tumor growth and help in cancer treatment. Animal studies have found it boosts the immune system and helps fight certain infections and cancers; it protects the hearts of animals given anticancer drugs that damage the heart; it may stop cancer cells from growing. It may also help cardiac endurance.
• Miscellaneous: DHEA helps improve bone density; vitamin D improves brain function; vitamin E lowers prostate cancer risk; magnesium decreases blood pressure.; stroke risk is lower among tea drinkers. green tea extract helps fight leukemia; B vitamins may help autism; high triglycerides are tied to diabetic nerve damage; ginger reduces nausea in cancer patients.
• Inflammation plays a central role in cardiovascular disease, obesity and metabolic syndrome (LEF).
• Micronized diosmin may help with lower leg circulatory problems such as chronic venous disease, lymphedema, venous leg ulcers, and improve varicose and spider veins. They also help hemorrhoids.
• The Mediterranean diet helps control diabetes.
• A new brain trauma sign appears to be an early indication of brain trauma. It has been noticed in athletes and is a fencer like position. After the person has been knocked out and they hit the ground their hands assume a position as if they are in a fencing stance with one hand forward to the other. This may be more reliable than some of the other neurological examinations.
• The European Journal of Cardiology recently recommend that low dose aspirin as a primary preventative was not recommended for prevention of cardiovascular events due to potential complications.
• The CDC is urging vaccination for H1N1 (formerly know as swine flu) due to its continuation throughout the summer and the large number of cases in the southeast. Here’s the website: http://www.flu.gov/.

To prevent the flu the CDC recommends:
• Cover your cough
• Wash your hands frequently
• If you have a fever, stay home for at least 24 hrs after that fever has ended
• Get a vaccine when it becomes available

From the FUTURIST
10 Forces Driving Business Futures:

• China emergence as world's largest economic power
• Global Demographic and migration shifts
• Energy and water shortages
• Managing waste, reusing products
• Falling Education standards, less-skilled thought leaders
• Brand relationships intensify
• Instant gratification shopping
• On-demand media
• Customization, personalization, and community experiences
• Youth rules

Disclaimer:  The above blog is produced purely for information purposes and its not intended for recommendations for treatment.  Please see your health care provider on any health issues.

September Health Blog

Natural Health News:
Optimists live longer. Speaking of living longer-a recent study shows both men and women in the US are now living longer.

• Foods that help lower cholesterol: fatty fish, walnuts, oatmeal, and oat bran, and foods fortified with plant sterols or stanols. Green tea may also lower your bad cholesterol.
• Gentle and regular exercise can help fibromyalgia and arthritis patients get their lives back
• Fibromyalgia symptoms: Muscle aching all over or at specific points (neck, back, knee, shoulder); multiple tender/trigger pints (11/18 locations). Risk factors include other inflammatory diseases (lupus, Sjogren's, rheumatoid arthritis). female (80% women), ages 20-50. No known cause.
• Vibration may help with muscle stiffness, shaking and sleep in Parkinson's patients. Charcot and later Tourette found that vibration helped many Parkinson's patients but this fact was lost as a possible treatment later. A recent study in Germany found significant positive benefits. Tremor and rigidity scores improved by 25 and 24% with whole body vibration (WBV)
• Thunder God Vine (Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F) may help with rheumatoid arthritis.
• Mediterraean Diet plus exercise-may help keep Alzheimer's at bay.
• Psoriasis may be treated at home with Ultraviolet lamps.

10 Things Not to Do with Swine Flu

1. Don't expect a season flu shot to protect against swine flu.
2. Don't expect a face mask to protect you.
3. Don't hold or attend a swine flu party
4. Don't forget planning
5. Don't forget to clean with household disinfectants
6. Don't get complacent
7. Don't panic
8. Don't leave home if you have flu like symptoms
9. Don't rush to the ER. The CDC recommends a trip for any of the following- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, Sudden dizziness, Confusion, Severe or persistent vomiting, Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough. Having a high fever for more than three days is another danger sign, according to the WHO.
10. If you are a parent, don't forget to teach your kids swine flu protection

Risk Factors For Osteoporosis:

1. Lactose intolerance
2. Asthma
3. Rheumatoid Arthritis
4. Beast cancer
5. Anorexia
6. Diabetes

5 common causes of pelvic pain

1. Uterine Fibroids
2. Menorrhagia (vaginal bleeding)
3. Uterine prolapse
4. Endometriosis
5. Chronic Pelvic pain.