Back Clinic Neuropathy Treatment Team. Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to peripheral nerves. This often causes weakness, numbness, and pain, usually in the hands and feet. It can also affect other areas of your body. The peripheral nervous system sends information from the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) to the body. It can result from traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, inherited causes, and exposure to toxins. One of the most common causes is diabetes mellitus.
People generally describe the pain as stabbing, burning, or tingling. Symptoms can improve, especially if caused by a treatable condition. Medications can reduce the pain of peripheral neuropathy. It can affect one nerve (mononeuropathy), two or more nerves in different areas (multiple mononeuropathies), or many nerves (polyneuropathy). Carpal tunnel syndrome is an example of mononeuropathy. Most people with peripheral neuropathy have polyneuropathy. Seek medical attention right away if there is unusual tingling, weakness, or pain in your hands or feet. Early diagnosis and treatment offer the best chance for controlling your symptoms and preventing further damage to the peripheral nerves. Testimonies http://bit.ly/elpasoneuropathy
The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
Neuropathy affects about 8 percent of individuals over the age of 55. Your nervous system is composed of 2 parts: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The nerves of your peripheral nervous system transmit messages between your central nervous system, that is your brain and spinal cord, along with the rest of the body.
These nerves regulate a massive range of functions throughout the body, such as voluntary muscle movement, involving the motor nerves, involuntary organ action, through the autonomic nerves, and also the perception of stimuli, involving the sensory nerves. Peripheral neuropathy, which is often simply referred to as “neuropathy,” is a state that happens when your nerves become damaged or injured, often times simply disrupted. It’s estimated that neuropathy affects roughly 2.4 percent of the general populace and approximately 8 percent of people older than age 55. However, this quote doesn’t include people affected by neuropathy caused by physical trauma to the nerves.
Types of Neuropathy
Neuropathy can affect any of the three types of peripheral nerves:
Sensory nerves, which transmit messages from the sensory organs, such as the eyes, nose, etc., to your brain;
Motor nerves, which track the conscious movement of your muscles; and
Autonomic nerves, which regulate the involuntary functions of your own body.
Sometimes, neuropathy will only impact one nerve. This is medically referred to as mononeuropathy and instances of it include:
Ulnar neuropathy, which affects the elbow;
Radial neuropathy, which affects the arms;
Peroneal neuropathy, which affects the knees;
Femoral neuropathy, which affects the thighs; and
Cervical neuropathy, which affects the neck.
Sometimes, two or more isolated nerves in separate regions of the body can become damaged, injured or disrupted, resulting in mononeuritis multiplex neuropathy. Most often, however, multiple peripheral nerves malfunction at the same time, a condition called polyneuropathy. According to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, or the NINDS, there are over 100 kinds of peripheral neuropathies.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
Neuropathy is medically defined as a disease or dysfunction of one or more peripheral nerves, accompanied by common symptoms of pain, weakness and numbness. The peripheral nerves are in charge of transmitting messages from the central nervous system, the brain and the spinal cord, to the rest of the body. Neuropathy can affect a wide array of nerves. It is also associated with numerous underlying medical conditions and it has been reported to affect approximately 20 million individuals in the United States alone. While physical trauma, infection or exposure to toxins can cause neuropathy, diabetes has been considered to be the most common cause for neuropathy.
Causes of Neuropathy
Neuropathies are often inherited from birth or they develop later in life. The most frequent inherited neuropathy is the neurological disease Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which affects 1 in 2,500 people in the USA. Although�healthcare professionals are sometimes not able to pinpoint the exact reason for an acquired neuropathy, medically referred to as idiopathic neuropathy, there are many known causes for them, including: systemic diseases, physical trauma, infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders.
A systemic disease is one which affects the whole body. The most frequent systemic cause behind peripheral neuropathy is diabetes, which can lead to chronically high blood glucose levels that harm nerves.
A number of other systemic issues can cause neuropathy, including:
Kidney disorders, which permit high levels of nerve-damaging toxic chemicals to flow in the blood;
Toxins from exposure to heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, mercury, and thallium;
Certain drugs and/or medications, including anti-cancer medications, anticonvulsants, antivirals, and antibiotics;
Chemical imbalances because of liver ailments;
Hormonal diseases, including hyperthyroidism, which disturbs metabolic processes, potentially inducing cells and body parts to exert pressure on the nerves;
Deficiencies in vitamins, such as E, B1 (thiamine), B6 (pyridoxine), B12, and niacin, that can be vital for healthy nerves;
Alcohol abuse, which induces vitamin deficiencies and might also directly harm nerves;
Cancers and tumors that exert damaging pressure on nerve fibers and pathways;
Chronic inflammation, which can damage protective tissues around nerves, which makes them more vulnerable to compression or vulnerable to getting inflamed and swollen; and
Blood diseases and blood vessel damage, which may damage or injure nerve tissue by decreasing the available oxygen supply.
Additionally, if a nerve suffers from isolated bodily injury, it can become damaged, resulting in neuropathy. Nerves may suffer a direct blow that severs, crushes, compresses, or stretching them, even to the point of detaching them from the spinal cord. Common causes for these injuries are automobile accidents, falls, and sports injuries.
Nerve damage can also arise from powerful pressure on a nerve, like from broken bones and poorly fitted casts. Prolonged pressure on a nerve can also cause neuropathy, as in carpal tunnel syndrome, which occurs when the median nerve at the wrist becomes pinched. Also, persistent physical stress could inflame muscles, tendons, and ligaments, placing substantial pressure on the nerves.
Numerous infections from bacteria and viruses can lead to neuropathy by attacking nerve tissues directly or indirectly, for instance:
HIV
Shingles
Epstein-Barr virus
Lyme disease
Diphtheria
Leprosy
In addition, various autoimmune disorders, in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys body tissue that is healthy, may result in nerve damage, including:
Peripheral neuropathy may result in several complications, as a result of disease or its symptoms. Numbness from the ailment can allow you to be less vulnerable to temperatures and pain, making you more likely to suffer from burns and serious wounds. The lack of sensations in the feet, for instance, can make you more prone to developing infections from minor traumatic accidents, particularly for diabetics, who heal more slowly than other people, including foot ulcers and gangrene.
Furthermore, muscle atrophy may cause you to develop particular physical disfigurements, such as pes cavus, a condition marked by an abnormally high foot arch, and claw-like deformities in the feet and palms. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Sciatica
Sciatica is medically referred to as a collection of symptoms, rather than a single injury and/or condition. Symptoms of sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, can vary in frequency and intensity, however, it is most commonly described as a sudden, sharp (knife-like) or electrical pain that radiates from the low back down the buttocks, hips, thighs and legs into the foot. Other symptoms of sciatica may include, tingling or burning sensations, numbness and weakness along the length of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica most frequently affects individuals between the ages of 30 and 50 years. It may often develop as a result of the degeneration of the spine due to age, however, the compression and irritation of the sciatic nerve caused by a bulging or herniated disc, among other spinal health issues, may also cause sciatic nerve pain.
Abstract Objective: The purpose of this case report is to describe a patient with chronic, multisite muscle fasciculations who presented to a chiropractic teaching clinic and was treated with dietary modifications.
Clinical features: A 28-year-old man had muscle fasciculations of 2 years. The fasciculations began in his eye and progressed to the lips and lower extremities. In addition, he had gastrointestinal distress and fatigue. The patient was previously diagnosed as having wheat allergy at the age of 24 but was not compliant with a gluten-free diet at that time. Food sensitivity testing revealed immunoglobulin G�based sensitivity to multiple foods, including many different grains and dairy products. The working diagnosis was gluten neuropathy.
Intervention and outcome: Within 6 months of complying with dietary restrictions based on the sensitivity testing, the patient�s muscle fasciculations completely resolved. The other complaints of brain fog, fatigue, and gastrointestinal distress also improved.
Conclusions: This report describes improvement in chronic, widespread muscle fasciculations and various other systemic symptoms with dietary changes. There is strong suspicion that this case represents one of gluten neuropathy, although testing for celiac disease specifically was not performed.
Introduction:�Muscle Fasciculations
There are 3 known types of negative reactions to wheat proteins, collectively known as wheat protein reactivity: wheat allergy (WA), gluten sensitivity (GS),�and celiac disease (CD). Of the 3, only CD is known to involve autoimmune reactivity, generation of antibodies, and intestinal mucosal damage. Wheat allergy involves the release of histamine by way of immunoglobulin (Ig) E cross-linking with gluten peptides and presents within hours after ingestion of wheat proteins. Gluten sensitivity is considered to be a diagnosis of exclusion; sufferers improve symptomatically with a gluten-free diet (GFD) but do not express antibodies or IgE reactivity.1
The reported prevalence of WA is variable. Prevalence ranges from 0.4% to 9% of the population.2,3 The prevalence of GS is somewhat difficult to determine, as it does not have a standard definition and is a diagnosis of exclusion. Gluten sensitivity prevalence of 0.55% is based on National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2009 to 2010.4 In a 2011 study, a GS prevalence of 10% was reported in the US population.5 In contrast to the above 2 examples, CD is well defined. A 2012 study examining serum samples from 7798 patients in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database from 2009 to 2010 found an overall prevalence of 0.71% in the United States.6
Neurologic manifestations associated with negative reactions to wheat proteins have been well documented. As early as 1908, �peripheral neuritis� was thought to be associated with CD.7 A review of all published studies on this topic from 1964 to 2000 indicated that the most common neurologic manifestations associated with GS were ataxia (35%), peripheral neuropathy (35%), and myopathy (16%). 8 Headaches, paresthesia, hyporeflexia, weakness, and vibratory sense reduction were reported to be more prevalent in CD patients vs controls.9 These same symptoms were more prevalent in CD patients who did not strictly follow a GFD vs those who were compliant with GFD.
At present, there are no case reports describing the chiropractic management of patient with gluten neuropathy. Therefore, the purpose of this case study is to describe a patient presentation of suspected gluten neuropathy and a treatment protocol using dietary modifications.
Case Report
A 28-year-old man presented to a chiropractic teaching clinic with complaints of constant muscle fasciculations of 2 years� duration. The muscle fasciculations originally started in the left eye and remained there for about 6 months. The patient then noticed that the fasciculations began to move to other areas of his body. They first moved into the right eye, followed by the lips,�and then to the calves, quadriceps, and gluteus muscles. The twitching would sometimes occur in a single muscle or may involve all of the above muscles simultaneously. Along with the twitches, he reports a constant �buzzing� or �crawling� feeling in his legs. There was no point during the day or night when the twitches ceased.
The patient originally attributed the muscle twitching to caffeine intake (20 oz of coffee a day) and stress from school. The patient denies the use of illicit drugs, tobacco, or any prescription medication but does drink alcohol (mainly beer) in moderation. The patient ate a diet high in meats, fruits, vegetables, and pasta. Eight months after the initial fasciculations began, the patient began to experience gastrointestinal (GI) distress. Symptoms included constipation and bloating after meals. He also began to experience what he describes as �brain fog,� a lack of concentration, and a general feeling of fatigue. The patient noticed that when the muscle fasciculations were at their worst, his GI symptoms correspondingly worsened. At this point, the patient put himself on a strict GFD; and within 2 months, the symptoms began to alleviate but never completely ceased. The GI symptoms improved, but he still experienced bloating. The patient�s diet consisted mostly of meats, fruit, vegetables, gluten-free grains, eggs, and dairy.
At the age of 24, the patient was diagnosed with WA after seeing his physician for allergies. Serum testing revealed elevated IgE antibodies against wheat, and the patient was advised to adhere to a strict GFD. The patient admits to not following a GFD until his fasciculations peaked in December 2011. In July of 2012, blood work was evaluated for levels of creatine kinase, creatine kinase�MB, and lactate dehydrogenase to investigate possible muscle breakdown. All values were within normal limits. In September of 2012, the patient under- went food allergy testing once again (US Biotek, Seattle, WA). Severely elevated IgG antibody levels were found against cow�s milk, whey, chicken egg white, duck egg white, chicken egg yolk, duck egg yolk, barley, wheat gliadin, wheat gluten, rye, spelt, and whole wheat (Table 1). Given the results of the food allergy panel, the patient was recommended to remove this list of foods from his diet. Within 6 months of complying with the dietary changes, the patient�s muscle fasciculations completely resolved. The patient also experienced much less GI distress, fatigue, and lack of concentration.
Discussion
The authors could not find any published case studies related to a presentation such as the one�described here. We believe this is a unique presentation of wheat protein reactivity and thereby represents a contribution to the body of knowledge in this field.
This case illustrates an unusual presentation of a widespread sensorimotor neuropathy that seemed to respond to dietary changes. Although this presentation is consistent with gluten neuropathy, a diagnosis of CD was not investigated. Given the patient had both GI and neurologic symptoms, the likelihood of gluten neuropathy is very high.
There are 3 forms of wheat protein reactivity. Because there was confirmation of WA and GS, it was decided that testing for CD was unnecessary. The treatment for all 3 forms is identical: GFD.
The pathophysiology of gluten neuropathy is a topic that needs further investigation. Most authors agree it involves an immunologic mechanism, possibly a direct or indirect neurotoxic effect of antigliadin anti- bodies. 9,10 Briani et al 11 found antibodies against ganglionic and/or muscle acetylcholine receptors in 6 of 70 CD patients. Alaedini et al12 found anti-ganglioside antibody positivity in 6 of 27 CD patients and proposed that the presence of these antibodies may be linked to gluten neuropathy.
It should also be noted that both dairy and eggs showed high responses on the food sensitivity panel. After reviewing the literature, no studies could be located linking either food with neuromuscular symp- toms consistent with the ones presented here. There- fore, it is unlikely that a food other than gluten was responsible for the muscle fasciculations described in this case. The other symptoms described (fatigue, brain fog, GI distress) certainly may be associated with any number of food allergies/sensitivities.
Limitations
One limitation in this case is the failure to confirm CD. All symptoms and responses to dietary change point to this as a likely possibility, but we cannot confirm this diagnosis. It is also possible that the�symptomatic response was not due directly to dietary change but some other unknown variable. Sensitivity to foods other than gluten was documented, including reactions to dairy and eggs. These food sensitivities may have contributed to some of the symptoms present in this case. As is the nature of case reports, these results cannot necessarily be generalized to other patients with similar symptoms.
Conclusion:�Muscle Fasciculations
This report describes improvement in chronic, widespread muscle fasciculations and various other systemic symptoms with dietary change. There is strong suspicion that this case represents one of gluten neuropathy, although testing for CD specifically was not performed.
Brian Anderson DC, CCN, MPHa,?, Adam Pitsinger DCb
Attending Clinician, National University of Health Sciences, Lombard, IL Chiropractor, Private Practice, Polaris, OH
Acknowledgment
This case report is submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Advanced Clinical Practice in the Lincoln College of Post-professional, Graduate, and Continuing Education at the National University of Health Sciences.
Funding Sources and Conflicts of Interest
No funding sources or conflicts of interest were reported for this study.
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disorders: consensus on new nomenclature and classification.
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secondary immunoglobulin E sensitization to soy and wheat in
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3. Vierk KA, Koehler KM, Fein SB, Street DA. Prevalence of
self-reported food allergy in American adults and use of food
labels. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007;119:1504�10.
4. DiGiacomo DV. Prevalence and characteristics of non-celiac
gluten sensitivity in the United States: results from the
continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
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From acute pain, to chronic pain and neuropathic pain, when painful symptoms begin to affect you or a loved one, it becomes a priority to seek medical attention immediately to diagnose the source of the pain and begin treatment. But with so many types of injuries and/or conditions, it may often be difficult to know the exact cause without properly understanding the different types of pain and why they could affect you or a loved one.
What are the different types of pain?
Knowing how pain is defined can be beneficial in learning how to control it even better. For the purposes of study and medical clinic, pain is usually divided into three categories:
Acute Pain is Often Temporary
Pain related to tissue damage, or pain that lasts less than 3 to 6 weeks, is known as acute pain. This is the type of pain caused by a needle prick or by a paper cut. Other cases of acute pain can include:
Touching a hot stove or iron. This pain can cause an instant, intense pain with a virtually simultaneous withdrawal of the entire body part. More of the annoyance, a few moments after the initial withdrawal and pain, another kind of pain, is very likely to be experienced.
Smashing one’s finger with a hammer. This pain is similar to that of touching a hot stove in that there’s immediate pain, withdrawal, and then a “slower” aching pain.
Labor pains. The pain during childbirth is acute and the cause is identifiable.
When pain persists, it becomes even more affected by other influences, which may increase the individual’s risk of developing chronic pain. These impacts include such things as the pain signal continuing to get to the central nervous system after the tissue has healed, lack of exercise (physical deconditioning), a person’s thoughts regarding the pain, as well as psychological conditions, such as depression and anxiety.
Chronic Pain Continues After Tissue Heals
The term “chronic pain” is normally used to describe pain that lasts over three to six months, or beyond the stage of tissue recovery. This kind of pain might also be termed “chronic benign pain” or “chronic non-cancer pain,” based on the circumstance. (Chronic pain due to cancer is more of an acute or acute-recurrent kind of pain since there’s continuing and identifiable tissue damage. There’s also chronic pain because of an identifiable cause, which will be discussed subsequently). For the purposes of the discussion, the term “chronic pain” will be used.
Chronic pain is usually less directly linked to recognizable tissue structural and structural problems. Chronic back pain without a clearly ascertained cause, failed back surgery syndrome (continued pain after the surgery has fully healed), and fibromyalgia are all cases of chronic pain. Pain is a lot less well understood than acute pain.
Chronic pain can take many forms, but is often put in one of two of these main types of its own:
Pain with an identifiable cause, such as an injury. Structural spine conditions, such as spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease, may lead to ongoing pain until they are successfully treated. These conditions are the result of a diagnosable problem. Spine surgery may be regarded as a treatment alternative, if the pain caused by these types of ailments has not subsided after a couple weeks or months of nonsurgical remedies. This pain may often be considered as long-term acute pain, rather than chronic pain.
Persistent pain with no identifiable cause. When pain persists after the tissue has healed and there isn’t any obvious cause of the pain which may be identified, it is often termed “chronic benign pain.”
It appears that pain can establish a pathway in the nervous system in some cases, getting the problem in and of itself. To put it differently, the nervous system may be sending a pain signal although there is no tissue damage. The system misfires and generates the pain. The pain is the disease rather than a symptom of an injury.
Neuropathic Pain Differences
In a third type of chronic pain, neuropathic pain, no signs of the initial injury remain along with the pain and may even be unrelated to an observable injury or illness. Certain nerves continue to send pain messages to the brain even though there’s no ongoing tissue damage or condition which could be causing the symptoms.
Neuropathic pain could be placed in the chronic pain group, but it has a different feel than chronic pain. The pain is referred to as severe, sharp, lightning-like, stabbing, burning, or even cold. The individual may also experience numbness, tingling, or weakness. Pain may be felt from the spine, down to the arms/hands or even legs/feet.
It is thought that harm to the motor or sensory nerves in the peripheral nervous system can possibly cause neuropathy. If the cause can be discovered and reversed, treatment may enable the nerves to heal, relieving the pain. But the pain can be harder to manage, and require more aggressive therapy, if medical care for the pain is postponed.
Treatment for neuropathic pain varies significantly in the procedures used for different kinds of back pain. Opioids (such as morphine) and NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or COX-2 inhibitors) are usually not effective in relieving neuropathic pain.
Drugs made for epilepsy or depression (anticonvulsants or antidepressants) often lessen the symptoms, and topical medications are sometimes valuable. If other approaches and medications do not offer sufficient aid, spinal cord stimulation, nerve block injections, and pain pumps might be considered for pain.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Wellness
Overall health and wellness are essential towards maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating a balanced nutrition as well as exercising and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.
Pesticides are some of the most harmful substances found in our environment today. The primary function of these chemicals is to eradicate unwanted insects, plants, molds and rodents. They are also utilized in a variety of settings, including homes and schools.
Chemicals referred to as insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and bactericides are all different forms of pesticides. This includes: bug bombs, ant spray, mosquito spray, mosquito fogging, termicides, flea and tick spray, lice treatments, bee and wasp spray, weed prevention, weed abatement, crop spraying and rodent control. Individuals with allergies, asthma or nerve damage may have already be affected by the pesticides in the environment.
The Risks of Pesticides
Prolonged exposure to pesticides has been previously associated with poor mental development, autism and ADHD. One research study even determined that pesticides may be capable of inducing some of the core characteristics of pervasive development disorders or autism. Further experimental and observational research data suggested a connection between parental pesticide exposure and physical birth defects, low birth weight and fetal death.
A research study conducted on mothers living in California’s Central Valley also concluded that children born to moms who had been increasingly exposed to organochlorine insecticides, such as DDT, dieldrin and heptachlor, applied within 500 meters of the home during days 26 and 81 of gestation, were 7.6 times more probable of being diagnosed with autism. Furthermore, in 2012, Dr. Philip Landrigan, MD, and Director of Children’s Environmental Health Center, or CEHC, listed organochlorine pesticides as one of the top 10 environmental contributors suspected of developing autism in children.
Pesticides and Children
Unfortunately, children are known to be considerably more sensitive to the hazards of pesticides. Scientific evidence has shown that the human brain isn’t fully formed until the age of 12. Because of this, childhood exposure to pesticides can tremendously impact the development of a child’s central nervous system. Children have more skin surface for their size than adults and they have not fully developed their immune system, nervous system or detoxifying mechanisms, which makes them less capable of fighting the introduction of harmful pesticides into their delicate systems.
In addition, many of the activities which children engage in, such as putting objects into their mouth, playing in the grass, even playing on the carpet, can increase their exposure to pesticides. With the increased exposure to these dangerous substances and chemicals and the lack of bodily development to combat the hazardous effects of pesticides, a substantial number of children may be suffering from exposure to these pesticides.
Allergies & Asthma Associated with Pesticides
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, determined an 18 percent increase in food allergies over a 10 year period of time. Dr. Elina Jerschow, MD and allergist, stated that there may be a strong connection between this increase and exposure to pesticides.
A research study published in the United States established that pesticides may double the risk of developing asthma. Researchers from another study conducted in Spain declared that pesticides are capable of directly damaging the bronchial mucosa and may increase the risk of developing asthma, can aggravate the condition in those who already have it and may even trigger asthma attacks.
Pesticides and Food Allergies
A new study also concluded that people who were exposed to higher levels of various of the common weed-killing substances were more likely to develop food allergies. These chemicals are known as dichlorophenols, or DCPs, They are created by the breakdown of common pesticides, including chlorinated chemicals utilized to purify drinking water. These are also utilized in air fresheners, moth balls, deodorizer cakes in urinals and certain herbicides sprayed in crops. “They’re quite common,” stated researcher Elina Jerschow, MD, an allergist at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, N.Y.
Researchers believe that the increased rate of food allergies in the United States can be directly correlated to the overuse of pesticides in the environment. A 2008 study conducted by the CDC, or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, determined an 18 percent increase from 1997 to 2007. In addition to past studies, data gathered by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, or NHANES, analyzed levels of pesticides and other chemicals in the urine of 2,211 individuals who participated in the study. A majority of participants had detectable levels of DCPs in their urine and more than 50 percent of them showed sensitivity to at least one food, such as peanuts, milk or eggs, as well as to environmental allergens such as ragweed or pet dander. Those with the highest levels of dichlorophenols displayed the greatest food sensitivities.
Pesticides are Neurotoxic
These harmful substances and chemicals were once designed to function as nerve gasses for chemical warfare, meaning that they were originally designed to kill living things. When it was discovered that they were also capable of killing people, these were then used in smaller doses to eliminate insects, weeds and other small organisms.
Pesticides work by seeking out lipids, or fats, making the brain the primary target organ of the hazardous material due to its abundance of fats. Also, these substances can inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Acetylcholine is the main neurotransmitter found in the brain, it is what Dr. Sherry Rogers calls the primary happy hormone. It is the basic chemical which helps the brain, nerves and muscles function properly.
Pesticides can affect the production of this hormone. Acetylcholine also controls the body’s stress response system, commonly known as the fight or flight response. When pesticides inhibit acetylcholinesterase, then high levels of acetylcholine begin to build up, triggering the body to remain in the fight or flight state. This results in the constant release of norepinephrine, adrenaline and cortisol, which can eventually develop high levels of anxiety, increased heart rate, nervousness, insomnia, irritability and can ultimately cause the adrenal glands to burn out. They can also interfere with the conversion of tryptophan into serotonin, our natural antidepressant, which can lead to insufficient levels of serotonin, often resulting in depression.
Various research studies from previous years have determined that pesticides considerably increase the risk of developing Parkinson�s disease. At the University of California, the study concluded that a dangerous substance called maneb, increases the chances of developing Parkinson�s by up to 75 percent. When more than 90,000 licensed pesticide applicators and their spouses were followed closely, their risk of developing Parkinson�s was found to be 2.5 times higher while a study in the Archives of Neurology found that you�re twice as likely to develop Parkinson�s if you use pesticides.
Reduce Exposure to Harmful Substances & Chemicals
Utilizing a water filtration system that removes pesticides from drinking water and purchasing organic foods can help tremendously reduce your exposure to pesticides. Then, not using pesticides in your own garden to eliminate weeds or insects is another improvement. Additionally, be sure to check with your child’s school to determine which chemicals and/or substances they are utilizing themselves and find out their schedule. These could potentially be a trigger to your child’s allergies or asthma.
Chronic Illnesses Associated with Pesticides
Medical professionals and scientists are well aware of the health impacts the wide use of pesticides in the world can cause, turning it into a big concern globally. Most individuals aren’t aware of the dangerous amounts of harmful substances and chemicals they are being exposed to on a regular basis and many don’t even have a concept of the hazardous consequences these can have on our own health and wellness.
There is a huge body of evidence on the relation between pesticide exposure and the following chronic diseases and conditions:
Cancers (varying types)
Diabetes
Parkinsons
Alzheimer
ALS
Asthma
COPD
Atherosclerosis (plaquing of arteries)
Coronary Artery Disease
Kidney disease
Lupus
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Hashimoto disease
Hypothyroidism
Endometriosis
Birth defects
Infertility
Depression
Anxiety
According to the World Health Organization, between 1 million and 25 million individuals experience poisoning due to pesticides each year. It is estimated that as many as 20,000 people in the United States will develop cancer each year from pesticides found on their food.
How to Further Reduce Exposure to Pesticides
Consume organic products. Conventionally farmed fruits and vegetables have high concentrations of pesticides, both externally and internally within the meat of the fruit or vegetable.
Do not utilize any substances or chemicals in your home or yard to eliminate weeds and insects. Use non-toxic and healthy alternatives for pests.
Remove your shoes before entering your home. This can be an essential practice because shoes are known to pick up pesticides everywhere you go. When you track them into the house, their potency increases and they become more toxic.
Avoid places where you know pesticides are constantly sprayed. Golf courses can be especially toxic.
Stay away from agricultural/farming areas.
It�s important to understand that any substance or chemical that is designed to kill a living creature or plant, regardless of how small it is, will be harmful to all living things. There is no safe level of pesticide. A variety of healthcare professionals as well as other health specialists can inform you further on the subject matter. Be sure to speak to who it may concern regarding the issues associated with pesticides and your health.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic care is an well-known, alternative treatment option utilized to prevent, diagnose and treat a variety of injuries and conditions associated with the spine, primarily subluxations or spinal misalignments. Chiropractic focuses on restoring and maintaining the overall health and wellness of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, a chiropractor, or doctor of chiropractic, can carefully re-align the spine, improving a patient�s strength, mobility and flexibility.
Interesting Facts About Peripheral Neuropathy That You Need To Know
Almost everyone is well aware of what peripheral neuropathy means as well as its symptoms. However, many people will be surprised to know that tingling sensation, numbness and pain aren�t the only symptoms experienced by people with peripheral neuropathy. The symptoms of this condition are subjective to the type of nerve that is being affected. The three main types of nerves include motor, sensory and autonomic nerve; each having its own symptoms.
People diagnosed with diabetes must be very careful when it comes to taking all the necessary precautions of peripheral neuropathy. According to top researches, estimates of 70 percent of diabetic patients tend to develop one or more symptoms of neuropathy. While some of the medications may help improve the condition of neuropathy, many medications have the tendency to worsen the situation. Moreover, medications to treat other diseases like cancer are likely to cause nerve damage that leads to peripheral neuropathy.
It is essential for people with this condition to not take the simple symptoms like numbness lightly as it can cause some serious problems with time. For example, if you are feeling a sensation of numbness on your feet then you will not realize it if you even step on a broken glass. For this reason, you must never ignore even the simplest of the symptoms as it can lead to severe results. You must visit www.neuropathycure.org for more details.
Unfortunately, there is no treatment of peripheral neuropathy that can completely diminish the matter. The treatments of medication and therapy can only contain the symptoms as well as improve the condition so that the individual suffering can be relived from intense pain and agitation. For this reason, you must not get your hopes up with the prescribed medical treatment.
This entry was posted in Health.
The Four Big Myths About Neuropathy
Can you recall the first time you were told you might suffer from neuropathy?
Chances are unless you already knew someone who suffered from neuropathy � you didn�t know much about the condition. You�ve likely learned quite a bit about the condition since then � but you no doubt came across false or misleading information along the way.
The truth is, there are still a lot of misleading rumors and false information about neuropathy out there. In fact � you may be surprised to learn that some of the information you�ve picked up over the years may not be completely true.
I�ve encountered a number of half-truths and misleading facts over the years. While some are harmless, others can send you down the wrong path or prevent you from getting the best treatment for your nerve damage. To help dispel these myths, I�ve put together a list of four half-truths, misleading rumors, and other misconceptions about neuropathy that a lot of people still believe.
Myth #1 � Nerve Damage is Irreversible:
You may have been told at some point that your nerve damage is irreversible. The truth is, it largely depends on the cause and severity of your nerve damage. No one case is the same � but for many people, their nerve damage can in fact be slowed and even reversed. This is especially true for those suffering from diabetic neuropathy or nerve damage resulting from a vitamin B12 deficiency.
For those with diabetic neuropathy, managing blood sugar is the single most effective step one can take to both slow and reverse nerve damage. For those whose neuropathy was a result of a vitamin B12 deficiency, replenishing the body�s B12 reserves can both repair and regenerate damaged nerves.
Of course, those with diabetic neuropathy or a B12 deficiency aren�t the only ones who can hold on to the hope of reversing their nerve damage. With the right treatment, I�ve seen individuals with various different causes of their neuropathy experience nerve regeneration and a reduction (and even elimination) of their symptoms.
Myth #2 � Only people with diabetes develop neuropathy
While it�s true that around 70% of people with diabetes will also develop neuropathy, it isn�t the only cause of nerve damage. There are a number of other causes, affecting people from all walks of life. A list of known causes of neuropathy include:
There is no prescription medication on the market that �cures� neuropathy. In fact, many of the neuropathy drugs on the market today were originally intended for other medical conditions, such as epilepsy.
Rather than cure neuropathy, the prescription drugs on the market today are designed to mask the pain. They act as a volume knob, temporarily turning down the pain levels � but eventually wearing off. As such, the user never gets permanent, lasting relief.
Not only that, but some independent studies have shown most of the common neuropathy prescriptions on the market today to be �largely ineffective�. In one study published by the Cochrane Library in 2015, researchers found that only 1 in 10 patients taking anti-seizure medications for nerve pain experienced a reduction in pain. And of the 10% that did have a reduction in pain, the reduction was minimal.
Myth #4 � Tingling, Numbness and Shooting Pains Are the Only Symptoms of Neuropathy
While these are the most common symptoms associated with neuropathy, there are many other problems that can manifest themselves if you�re suffering from nerve damage. Depending on the type of nerves that have been damaged, your symptoms could range from tingling sensations in the hands or feet to heartburn or indigestion.
Your peripheral nervous system has three types of nerves: sensory, motor, and autonomic. Each has a different function and the symptoms of your nerve damage will vary depending on which of these nerve types was damaged. In some cases only one type of nerve may be damaged, while in others multiple nerve types may have been compromised.
Common Symptoms of Nerve Damage (based on nerve type):
Sensory:
Pins and needle-like pain (sharp, painful sensations)
Tingling or numbness
Extreme sensitivity to touch
Motor:
Loss of balance
Muscle weakness
Loss of muscle control (i.e. difficulty gripping things, difficulty walking)
Cramps or twitching
Autonomic:
Dizziness when standing
Abnormal heart rate
Shortness of breath
Excessive sweating
Lack of sweat
Digestive problems
Bladder problems
Vision Problems
While there are many other myths and misleading facts floating around out there � these are four of the ones I�ve encountered most often in my years helping people suffering from neuropathy. Some of them can be more harmful than others � depriving the person that has fallen for them of the real information that could make a difference in their life.
What myths or misleading information have you been told over the years � only to discover the truth later on?
Many people enjoy spending quality time in the comfort of their own homes. As a matter of fact, a majority of Americans devote up to 90 percent of their time indoors but unfortunately, this may actually be causing more harm than good. According to a 2009 research study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, the average household contains over 500 toxic chemicals.
Further evidence from this study and several others also determined that the indoor air of a home and/or apartment is as much as 5 times more polluted than outdoor air. Some of these indoor pollutants can even be up to 100 times greater than outdoor pollutant levels. The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, has announced that poor indoor air quality is one of the leading risks to public health.
The indoor air we often breathe in can be a dangerous combination of cleaning chemicals, air fresheners, insecticides and pesticides as well as plastics and furnishings. With so many questionable pollutants swirling in the air around our homes, “you definitely may need to take any measure, whenever possible, to lower your exposure to these unhealthy chemicals,” stated Phil Brown, PhD, director of the Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute at Northeastern University in Boston.
In addition, reducing contact with these pollutants and chemicals can bring about some helpful benefits. Depending on the individual’s sensitivities, they may experience fewer allergy and asthma symptoms as well as less frequent headaches and skin irritations. According to Phil Brown, you may even lower your risk of developing infertility and cancer.
How to Improve Indoor Air Quality
While others would advice you to get rid of carpeting and trash old furniture, environmental health experts have found low-effort, high-impact ways to substantially decrease a household’s toxic indoor air load, ultimately boosting your overall health and wellness. The following have been ranked and listed from easiest to most difficult tasks for improving your indoor air quality. Trying a couple or more of these can really help cleanse the air of your home:
Avoid starting your car’s ignition while it’s still in the garage. Carbon monoxide fumes emitted from car exhaust have almost the same specific gravity as that of air. Because of this, carbon monoxide is able to rapidly travel along air currents and right into your home. Make sure to point your car exhaust out towards the garage door and always open the garage door first before starting your car’s ignition.
Leave your shoes at the door. Leaving footwear behind at the door can prevent a variety of toxic chemicals from being tracked into your home, including road sealants, pesticides and lead dust, to name a few.
Crack the windows. Increase ventilation by opening a few windows for at least 5 to 10 minutes per day, making sure to particularly open those found on opposite sides of the house to encourage cross circulation. Windows can be left open for longer periods of time if the weather permits.
Bring a part of nature inside your home. Along with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America, or ALCA, NASA conducted a research study regarding the benefits of plants on indoor air quality. They reported that household plants were capable of removing up to 87 percent of indoor air pollutants in approximately 24 hours. Its recommended to utilize about 15 to 18 considerably sized houseplants in 6 to 8 inch diameter containers for an 1,800 square-foot house to benefit from the air cleansing capabilities of plants indoors. Below are some examples of houseplants you can use:
Air Purifying Houseplants (Pet Owners Beware: these are poisonous to cats and dogs)
The Feston Rose plant (Lantana): eliminates formaldehyde
Devil�s Ivy (pothos, golden pothos): eliminates formaldehyde
English Ivy: eliminates benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde
Snake plant: best for filtering formaldehyde, ammonia and xylene
Rubber plant: eliminates VOCs, bioeffluents
Dracaena (corn plant): eliminates formaldehyde
Peace Lily: removes VOCs, formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, toluene and xylene.
Detoxifying Plants (Safe for cats and dogs)
Areca Palm: removes toluene and xylene
Money Tree Plant: filters benzene, formaldehyde, toluene and xylene
Spider plant: removes formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide, toluene and xylene (safe for pets)
Bamboo Palm: removes formaldehyde, xylene and toluene
Variegated Wax Plant: filters benzene and formaldehyde
Liriope (lily turf): filters ammonia, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene
Boston Fern: removes formaldehyde, xylene and toluene
Dwarf Date Palm: eliminates xylene, toluene and formaldehyde
Phalaenopsis (moth orchids): remove xylene and toluene
Gerber Daisey: removes trichloroethylene (dry cleaning chemical), and benzene
African Violets: removes formaldehyde, xylene and toluene
Avoid using toxic cleaning chemicals. Most commercial cleaning supplies can drastically increase VOC, or volatile organic compound, levels in your home. VOCs found in these products have been associated with asthma, headaches, neurological disorders and cancer. The Environmental Working Group, or EWG, has an extensive list on household cleaning products, ranging from lowest to highest toxicities.
Do not use non-stick cookware, such as Teflon and Calphalon. According to the EWG, non-stick pots and pans can emit toxic fumes within 2 to 5 minutes when heated on a stove top. Safer alternatives to these include stainless steel and cast iron cookware.
Toss out the dryer sheets. Most dryer sheets can actually coat clothes with chemicals like quaternary ammonium compounds, many of which have been linked to the development of asthma, as well as acetone found in nail polish remover. Plus, without the extra chemical cover, your towels will be much more absorbent than they were before ditching the dryer sheets.
Cleanse your dry cleaning. Make sure to remove the bags and air out your clothes in the garage or outside for a day or two to remove some of the solvent, called perchloroethylene, which can adhere to the fibers of your dry cleaning. Inhaling this chemical can trigger eye irritation and vision problems, headaches, dizziness and respiratory complications, according to the Environmental Working Group. You could also go to a green cleaner. Simply make sure they use liquid carbon dioxide or the wet-cleaning method, since other eco-alternative can be just as toxic.
Eliminate other possible volatile organic compounds or VOCs. Exchange your vinyl shower curtain out for one made of cotton, nylon, polyester, EVA or PEVA plastic. In a 2008 research study, vinyl curtains were found to release approximately 108 volatile organic compounds. These chemicals can become gaseous at room temperature, resulting in symptoms of nausea, dizziness, headaches, and eye or throat irritation. These can also be found in a majority of paints. Make sure to look for cans labeled with low or zero VOCs.
Pass on the pesticides. Coming in contact with some pesticides can be harmful to your well-being. Some formulations may lead to eye, skin and nerve damage, causing symptoms of nausea and headaches. Instead, try switching to natural agents in order to get rid of those pesky pests. Diatomaceous earth can be used to kill ants and flees, cedarcide can be used to kill fleas and boric acid can be used to kill cockroaches, ants and termines.
Avoid using plastic containers and never expose them to heat. Although plastic containers and/or water bottles are reported to be BPA free, there are still numerous other chemicals found within the plastic containers. Bisphenol A, or BPA, was replaced with bisphenol S, or BPS, however, Scientific American has determined that this compound is even more toxic than its predecessor, which affects our hormones. In addition, chemicals from plastic containers are more likely to leach out when heated in a microwave or when they’re left in a hot car. Exposure to acidic and oily foods can also cause chemicals in plastics to seep out of the containers.
What is in Your Indoor Air?
According to the American Lung Association, some of the most common pollutants and chemicals found in your indoor air at home and/or apartment can include: asbestos; bacteria and viruses; paint products; carbon monoxide; cleaning supplies; formaldehyde; lead; mold; radon; residential wood burning; and tobacco smoke. These contaminants can cause various health risks, such as: headache; dizziness; weakness; nausea; anxiety; cancer; heart disease; stroke; asthma and respiratory diseases.
If your home has carpeting, furniture and commercial household cleaners, you can assume you have some degree of indoor air pollution. The American Lung Association developed these questions to help you determine sources of your chemical pollution in your home or apartment.
Do you permit smoking indoors?
Is your house/apartment carpeted?
Can you see or smell mold?
Does the humidity of your home regularly rise above 50%?
Do you have an attached garage?
Do you store paints, solvents, gas containers, lawn mowers in your garage, basement, home?
Do you use air fresheners?
Do you use pesticides in or around your home?
Do you have your home tested for Radon?
Chance are you have answered yes to one or more of these questions. Start taking steps to clean up the air in your home. It�s the single best thing you can do for yourself, children, family and pets. Your body will thank you.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic care is an well-known, alternative treatment option utilized to prevent, diagnose and treat a variety of injuries and conditions associated with the spine, primarily subluxations or spinal misalignments. Chiropractic focuses on restoring and maintaining the overall health and wellness of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, a chiropractor, or doctor of chiropractic, can carefully re-align the spine, improving a patient�s strength, mobility and flexibility.
A research study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in September 2015 demonstrated that nearly 50 percent of adults in the United States may have pre-diabetes or diabetes.
Approximately 9 out of 10 people may have undiagnosed pre-diabetes while 1 out of every 4 people may have undiagnosed diabetes. Statistics from the Center for Disease Control also revealed that about 30 percent of all individuals with pre-diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years.
While these statistics have become dangerously alarming in the United States, the increasing issue of pre-diabetes and diabetes cases in adults has been growing throughout the world. Over the last decade, for instance, Great Britain has seen a drastic rise in both pre-diabetes and diabetes cases as well. According to a BBC News report, approximately more than one-third of British adults have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, as compared to a 2003 report, where only 11.6 percent of British adults had been diagnosed with pre-diabetes. By 2011, the amount of individuals diagnosed with the conditions had almost tripled to about 35.3 percent.
Pre-diabetes is medically characterized as having a fasting blood sugar of 100-125 mg/dl or a hemoglobin A1C of 5.7-6.4 percent. Researchers medically defined diabetes as having a fasting blood sugar greater than 126 mg/dl or a hemoglobin A1C > 6.5 percent, a measure of long term glucose control.
Health Complications Related to Diabetes
A majority of the complications associated with pre-diabetes and diabetes can develop gradually over time. Individual�s who�ve had the condition for an extended period of time, and who also maintain less control of their blood sugar levels, may have a higher risk of suffering other complications commonly associated with type 2 diabetes. If these issues are not treated accordingly, they could eventually lead to disabling or even life-threatening complications.
Common complications associated with pre-diabetes and diabetes include:
Skin and tissue infections: Damage to blood vessels and nerves can affect the proper circulation and blood flow to the skin. This can result in the death of skin cells which may lead to a variety of changes in the skin as well as in other important structures of the body.
Foot damage: The Improper blood flow and circulation as well as damage to the nerves in the feet can increase the risk of experiencing a variety of foot issues. If left untreated, these foot complications, such as cuts and blisters, can develop into serious infections which can often heal poorly. Severe infections may ultimately require toe, foot or leg amputations.
Eye damage or retinopathy: Diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the retina which can potentially lead to blindness. This complication of the condition also increases the risk of other serious vision conditions, such as the development of cataracts and glaucoma.
Kidney damage or nephropathy: The kidneys are made up of millions of tiny blood vessel clusters, known as glomeruli, which function by filtering waste from the blood. Type 2 diabetes can damage these blood vessel clusters, affecting their normal function to properly filter the blood. Severe damage to the glomeruli can lead to kidney disease or kidney failure which may require dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage: Increased blood sugar levels can injure the walls of the capillaries, tiny blood vessels which nourish the nerves, particularly those found in the legs. Peripheral neuropathy can cause pain, tingling and burning sensations and numbness along the upper and lower extremities. If this type of nerve damage is left untreated, the symptoms mentioned above may worsen, resulting in loss of strength and balance as well as the complete loss of feeling in the affected limbs. A majority of people with advanced stages of peripheral neuropathy experience chronic symptoms of pain and they may be unable to walk without the help of a cane or walker. Some people may need to use a wheelchair. Nerve damage can also affect the nerves of the digestive system, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. For men, peripheral neuropathy may lead to erectile dysfunction.
Cardiovascular disease: Pre-diabetes and diabetes also dramatically increases the risk of developing a variety of cardiovascular problems, including coronary artery disease with chest pain or angina, heart attack, stroke and narrowing of arteries, or atherosclerosis. Individuals with diabetes are more likely to experience heart disease or stroke.
Hearing impairment: Individuals with diabetes have double the risk of experiencing hearing loss and other auditory complications than adults without the condition.
Alzheimer�s disease: According to various research studies, type 2 diabetes has been linked to the development of Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer�s disease.
Risk Factors Leading to Diabetes
Pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes can develop due to a variety of risk factors. Knowing these factors can help individuals be more aware of their chances of developing the condition in order to help them take the necessary precautions to prevent diabetes from developing.
Several risk factors contributing to pre-diabetes and diabetes include:
Weight: Excess weight and obesity can cause the development of insulin resistance, one of the most common reasons behind pre-diabetes and diabetes in adults.
Inactivity: Sedentary individuals who engage in less exercise and physical activity can be at greater risk of developing the condition. Physical activity and exercise helps control weight, utilizes glucose as energy and improves insulin sensitivity.
Family history: A person�s risk of developing pre-diabetes or diabetes can increase if a parent or sibling has the condition. Although Type 2 Diabetes is not hereditary, it can develop due to lifestyle habits. Your family history can help predict the probability of developing diabetes.
Race: Research published in JAMA revealed that African-Americans, Hispanics, American Indians and Asian-Americans are at higher risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes.
Age: The risk of developing pre-diabetes and diabetes does increase with age. This is generally believed to be due to inactivity associated with aging, loss of muscle mass and weight gain. However, pre-diabetes and diabetes has also dramatically increased among children, adolescents and younger adults over the past several years.
Gestational diabetes: A woman who developed gestational diabetes while pregnant, may have an increased risk of developing pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. If you gave birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds, 4 kilograms, you may also be at risk of developing diabetes.
Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS: For women, having polycystic ovary syndrome, a common condition characterized by irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth and obesity, can also increase the risk of developing diabetes.
High blood pressure: Having blood pressure of over 140/90 mm Hg, or millimeters of mercury, has been associated to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
High cholesterol and triglyceride levels: Individuals with low levels of high-density lipoprotein, HDL or good cholesterol, their risk of developing pre-diabetes or diabetes is generally higher. Triglycerides are another type of fat carried in the blood. People with high levels of triglycerides can be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Consulting a doctor at this point is important as they can inform you on what your cholesterol and triglyceride levels are.
Preventing Diabetes
Diabetes has become one of the most common diseases of the 21st century, most of which can lead to peripheral neuropathy. Although there are many factors behind this type of nerve damage, such as the use of medications and drugs, approximately 66 percent of all people with diabetes will develop peripheral neuropathy over time.
Fortunately, you can avoid developing pre-diabetes, diabetes and ultimately, peripheral neuropathy, by making some simple lifestyle changes. While changing the regular diet you are used to can be challenging, taking such a task slowly can help ease the daunting change. For instance, you can try changing one thing about your diet today. Whether it involves giving up soda or skipping sweets after dinner, this small change can be effortless for many. Now try doing this for 30 days. It will be difficult at first but it will get progressively easier.
For people who already developed diabetes as well as some of the common complications associated with the condition, keep in mind that both type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy can be reversed with the right lifestyle changes as well. By addressing your diet and other lifestyle habits, such as the amount of exercise you participate in and how much sleep you get, the condition and its complications can be tremendously improved. In one 10-year long study of 70,000 diabetes-free women, researchers found that women who either slept less than five hours a night or more than nine hours each night were 34 percent more likely to develop diabetes than women who slept seven to eight hours each night.
In addition, getting the appropriate amount of vitamin D on a daily basis can also help improve diabetes. Evidence demonstrated that vitamin D can be extremely beneficial for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Taking vitamin D supplements if you�re not spending the necessary amount of time out in the sun can in turn help provide the required nutrients and minerals.
In conclusion, diabetes is considered to be one of the most prevalent conditions today, where nearly up to 50 percent of people have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Many factors can often increase the risk of developing the condition but diabetes can be prevented as well as reversed. If you�ve been diagnosed with diabetes or you suspect you may have the condition, make sure to seek professional care to receive proper diagnosis and treatment.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic care is an well-known, alternative treatment option utilized to prevent, diagnose and treat a variety of injuries and conditions associated with the spine, primarily subluxations or spinal misalignments. Chiropractic focuses on restoring and maintaining the overall health and wellness of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, a chiropractor, or doctor of chiropractic, can carefully re-align the spine, improving a patient’s strength, mobility and flexibility.
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There are 3 known types of negative reactions to wheat proteins, collectively known as wheat protein reactivity: wheat allergy (WA), gluten sensitivity (GS),�and celiac disease (CD). Of the 3, only CD is known to involve autoimmune reactivity, generation of antibodies, and intestinal mucosal damage. Wheat allergy involves the release of histamine by way of immunoglobulin (Ig) E cross-linking with gluten peptides and presents within hours after ingestion of wheat proteins. Gluten sensitivity is considered to be a diagnosis of exclusion; sufferers improve symptomatically with a gluten-free diet (GFD) but do not express antibodies or IgE reactivity.1
A 28-year-old man presented to a chiropractic teaching clinic with complaints of constant muscle fasciculations of 2 years� duration. The muscle fasciculations originally started in the left eye and remained there for about 6 months. The patient then noticed that the fasciculations began to move to other areas of his body. They first moved into the right eye, followed by the lips,�and then to the calves, quadriceps, and gluteus muscles. The twitching would sometimes occur in a single muscle or may involve all of the above muscles simultaneously. Along with the twitches, he reports a constant �buzzing� or �crawling� feeling in his legs. There was no point during the day or night when the twitches ceased.
Discussion
The authors could not find any published case studies related to a presentation such as the one�described here. We believe this is a unique presentation of wheat protein reactivity and thereby represents a contribution to the body of knowledge in this field.
This report describes improvement in chronic, widespread muscle fasciculations and various other systemic symptoms with dietary change. There is strong suspicion that this case represents one of
