Rocks in your Kidneys?

Kidney stones are an increasing problem in the United States. 100 or so years ago, when our nation's diet was primarily made up of whole, unprocessed food, kidney stones barely existed. Now that most American's food consumption is lower in fiber, high in fat, sugar and junk, kidney stones are fairly common. Kidney stones are made up of 80% calcium salts. It is important to avoid animal fats from meat products as animal fat causes the body to excrete calcium. The same with too much dairy products. The extra calcium ends up in the urinary tract. What most people do not know is that sugar is a major culprit in producing kidney stones. Sugar causes an increase in the hormone insulin. High levels of insulin pulls calcium out of the bones and sends it to the kidneys. Stay away from all sources of refined sugar. Soft drinks are the worst offender because they are high in sugar, plus they contain phosphorous, which has been linked to kidney stone production.

Thought for the Week: " You only live once, but if you work it right, once is enough." ----- Joe E. Lewis

Carpels In The Wrong Place?

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) occurs when the small opening at the base of the wrist (the space between the wrist bones and the forearm bones), becomes inflammed or intruded upon by misalignment. CTS usually affects people who use their hands a lot with repetitive motion. Computer workers, musicians, laborers, casino dealers and writers are all occupations that have over-wrist use in common. CTS symptoms are usually numbness, pain and weakness of the hand or wrist. In some cases, carpel tunnel syndrome may be caused by a vitamin B-6 deficiency. Sucessful correction of CTS often comes from chiropractic care, acupuncture and or osteopathic care. Surgery should almost always be avoided as the CTS surgery has a very high failure rate.

Thought for the Week: " The most damaging lie is that freedom of symptoms means health." ----- Reggie Gold, D.C.

Coughing up a Storm?

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi in the lungs. Bronchitis causes a dry cough that over time turns productive (wet). Bronchitis usually occurs after a cold, sinus inflammation or flu. The productive part of the cough is the body's way of expelling infected mucus from the lungs. Bronchitis usually lasts about about two to three weeks and is mostly likely caused by a virus, so antibiotics are not helpful. The number one thing to do for bronchitis is rest. Hot soup always helps break up the mucus. Vitamin C taken in 3 or 4 dosages throughout the day fights viruses and infections. Astragalus helps to strengthen the lungs and increases immune system function. It is very helpful with bronchitis, but not to be taken when fever is present. Licorce root (DGL) helps to reduce coughing.

Thought for the Week: "It must be remembered that physicians of today treat the sick, but they must also learn how to examine well persons to prevent them from getting sick."---Charles Mayo, MD. Of the Mayo Clinic Mayos.

The beauty of Chiropractic is that we help to get sick people well and then keep well people healthy.-----------Me (Dr. J.)

“Are You Making These Common Mistakes Concerning Your Children’s Ear Infections?”

I have been caring for children in my practice since 1990. Over the years, children’s health information has changed rapidly. One day the experts are saying a certain drug or treatment is safe, the next day they are saying it is dangerous and should be avoided. The saddest thing I have learned is that most doctors do not have the time or maybe even the interest to read the latest research on drugs and treatments for even the most basic of conditions. Take ear infections for example, most leading pediatricians and researchers, like Lawrence Palvesky, MD., from the Beth Israel Medical Center’s, Health & Healing Center in New York and Charles Shubin, MD., director of pediatrics at Mercy Family Care in Baltimore do not recommend the use of antibiotics. According to the doctors, most ear infections aren’t really infections, but are actually inflammations. The earaches that are infections, most of the time are viral in nature. Antibiotics do not treat inflammation or viruses! Even the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta Georgia, says that 90% of upper respiratory infections, including children’s ear infections, are viruses and antibiotics do not treat viruses.

A recent paper in the medical journal Pediatrics (McCormick 2005) reported that antibiotics for non-severe ear infections have no benefit and are as effective as doing nothing. Progressive pediatricians are holding off on antibiotic treatment and allowing the body to heal itself naturally or with the help of natural care.

What about the worry of a ruptured ear drum? In the old days, the fear of an untreated ear infection was that a child could lose their hearing due to an eardrum rupture. According to Richard Rosenfield, MD., director of otolaryngology at Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn New York, a ruptured ear drum from an ear infection is not a big deal. He says, while it may be unpleasant (it only occurs in 5-10% of ear infections), Dr. Rosenfield compares it to a pimple popping. “The pus comes out and the child usually feels much better. Unless it happens often, it has no effect on hearing.”

The number one mistake that most parents make concerning ear infections is that they ask the doctor for an antibiotic or they take an antibiotic prescription without questioning the doctor as to what type of care would be best for the child or if the doctor feels the child can get better without one.

The number two mistake is that many parents do not know about natural remedies to ease a child’s earache while the body takes the time to heal itself. The proper use of olive oil and mullein oil can ease most ear discomfort, while herbs like children’s Echinacea and vitamin C can help give a boost to your child’s immune system. Most importantly, gentle non-force, light touch chiropractic care, has been shown to loosen stiff neck muscles. Neck muscle tension tugs on the tubes in the ears, preventing the fluid from draining properly. Improper fluid drainage is a common cause of reoccurring ear infections. Chiropractic care also improves nerve flow to the ears, helping to stimulate healing. Cranial-Sacral Therapy, a technique developed by osteopaths and utilized by most chiropractors is another gentle way of helping the body rid itself of many child-hood aliments including ear infections.

The number three mistake is that most parents do not have this information to talk to their doctors about. The sad thing is that unnecessary antibiotics given to a child today can break down the healthy bacteria in other areas of the body, leading to different illnesses. It is not uncommon for a child who has repeat ear infections and repeat antibiotic therapy to develop a lower respiratory infection and then be diagnosed as having asthma, followed by a whole new set of drugs and treatments. A merry-go-round of trips to the doctor, more medications and new illnesses can lead to a life time of chronic ill health.

The number four mistake is that preventative health and wellness care are often ignored until there is a symptom or illness. Proper nutrition, adequate rest and exercise, along with regular chiropractic care can keep your child healthier to begin with and less susceptible to illness.

Hole in Your Stomach?

Peptic Ulcers are little eroded holes in the stomach lining caused by gastric juices. Gastric juices are made up of hydrochloric acid and are designed to digest the food we eat. Under normal conditions there is a protective mucous layer in the stomach that can withstand the onslaught of gastric juices. When the mucous layer is weakened, the acid erodes the stomach lining, producing an ulcer. The three main causes of a weakened mucous layer are: 1. stress ( stress causes an increase in gastric juices) 2. anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen 3. poor dietary habits, including junk food, soda pop, too much caffeine and alcohol. Healing an ulcer would involve ridding the body of these three contributors. In addition, Vitamin K has been shown to repair damage to the mucous layer, so eat lots of leafy green vegetables. Cabbage juice heals ulcers and a diet filled with acidolphilus, found in yogurt has also been proven beneficial.

This weeks Thought for the Week, comes from Hippocrates. " Diseases are crises of purification, of toxic elimination. Symptoms are the natural defenses of the body. We call them diseases, but in fact they are the cure of diseases."