Mental Health includes an individual’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how one thinks, feels, and acts. It helps determine how an individual handles stress, relates to others, and makes choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
Over the course of one’s life, one may experience mental health problems, thinking, mood, and behavior can be affected. Many factors contribute to mental health problems which include:
Biological factors, i.e., genes or brain chemistry
Life experiences, i.e., trauma or abuse
Family history of mental health problems
Experiencing one or more of the following can be an early warning of a problem:
Eating or sleeping too much or too little
Pulling away from people and usual activities
Having low or no energy
Feeling numb or like nothing matters
Having unexplained aches and pains
Feeling helpless or hopeless
Smoking, drinking or using drugs more than usual
Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
Yelling or fighting with family and friends
Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
Having persistent thoughts and memories that can’t get out of your head
Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
Thinking of harming oneself or others
Inability to perform daily tasks like getting to work or school
These problems are common, but treatment can help an individual get better and recover completely.
Serotonin, also known as the “happy chemical”, is a substance associated with mood, happiness, and well-being as well as a variety of other structures and functions in the human body. Scientifically referred to as 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT, this essential substance is commonly found in the brain, blood platelets, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Serotonin is another “chemical messenger” that controls mood and movement. It also helps to regulate and manage our circadian rhythm, or the human body’s sleep-and-wake cycle. Serotonin also controls appetite, cognitive, autonomic, and motor functions.
Serotonin is produced by a biochemical conversion process in the brain that involves several components of proteins, including tryptophan and its chemical reactor, known as tryptophan hydroxylase. Most scientists believe that this essential substance is a neurotransmitter while some scientists believe that serotonin is a hormone. The “happy chemical”, As previously mentioned above, is produced in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood platelets, and brain as well as in the central nervous system (CNS). In the following article, we will discuss the role of serotonin and its effect on overall brain and mental health.
What is the Role of Serotonin?
According to research studies, serotonin may play a fundamental role in a variety of brain and mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias, and even epilepsy. Moreover, this substance is produced by the brain and body for appetite and digestion, including bowel movements, bone health, sex, and sleep. Serotonin is also a precursor to melatonin, another important chemical that helps regulate and manage our circadian rhythm, or sleep-and-wake cycle. Abnormal “happy chemical” levels can cause various other health issues.
Abnormal serotonin levels have been associated with other health issues, such as heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and osteoporosis, a disease that weakens the bones. This essential substance ultimately plays a much bigger role in the central nervous system (CNS) and in the general structure and function of the human body, including the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Serotonin is also associated with cell division, bone metabolism, liver regeneration, and breast milk production. As a neurotransmitter, serotonin sends signals between brain cells or neurons. Serotonin affects the brain and body in several ways.
Mood: Serotonin affects mood, anxiety, depression, and happiness. Certain drugs and/or medications can considerably increase serotonin.
Bone density: Scientists have associated excess serotonin in the bones with osteoporosis. But, further research studies are still required.
Clotting: Serotonin causes blood clots, which are released by blood platelets after an open wound. Then, the essential substance will send signals between the brain cells, or neurons, to cause vasoconstriction, or narrowing of the blood vessels, to reduce blood flow and produce blood clots.
Nausea: If we consume something harmful, the gut produces serotonin to increase bowel functions and movements, often in diarrhea. When serotonin is produced in the brain after consuming something harmful, it can stimulate a certain region in the brain which causes nausea.
Bowel function: Serotonin regulates and manages bowel functions and movements. It also helps control our appetite while we are eating.
Sexual function: Serotonin seems to affect sexual function. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) increase serotonin levels in people with depression, but between 20 and 70 percent of people who take them experience a range of symptoms associated with sexual dysfunction.
Serotonin and Mental Health
Serotonin, also known as the “happy chemical” ultimately helps naturally control your mood. According to a research study in 2007, people with depression as well as other brain and mental health issues generally have abnormal serotonin levels. Serotonin deficiencies have also been associated with anxiety and insomnia. Another research study in 2016 evaluated how a group of mice lacking serotonin autoreceptors inhibited serotonin secretion. Without these autoreceptors, the group of mice had increased serotonin levels. Scientists found that this group of mice also demonstrated less anxiety and depression.
It is not yet clear what exactly causes depression and other brain and mental health issues, but scientists believe that it may be associated with an imbalance of neurotransmitters or hormones in the brain and body. Normally, once a neurotransmitter has transmitted its neural impulse is reabsorbed into the body. SSRIs prevent the serotonin from being reabsorbed, leading to higher levels of serotonin in the synapses. In recent research studies, scientists have also found that gut bacteria may help produce serotonin and that most serotonin can actually be found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Furthermore, scientists believe that most serotonin in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract may stimulate the vagus nerve, the long nerve that connects the gut and brain.
Serotonin, also known as the “happy chemical”, is a substance associated with mood, happiness, and a variety of other structures and functions in the human body. Scientifically referred to as 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT, this essential substance is commonly found in the brain, blood platelets, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It ultimately helps to regulate and manage our circadian rhythm, or the human body’s sleep-and-wake cycle. Serotonin also controls appetite, cognitive, autonomic, and motor functions. Most scientists believe that this essential substance is a neurotransmitter while some scientists believe that serotonin is a hormone. In the following article, we will discuss the role of serotonin and its effect on overall brain and mental health.�- Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight
Serotonin, also known as the “happy chemical”, is a substance associated with mood, happiness, and well-being as well as a variety of other structures and functions in the human body. Scientifically referred to as 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT, this essential substance is commonly found in the brain, blood platelets, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Serotonin is another “chemical messenger” that controls mood and movement. It also helps to regulate and manage our circadian rhythm, or the human body’s sleep-and-wake cycle. Serotonin also controls appetite, cognitive, autonomic, and motor functions.
Serotonin is produced by a biochemical conversion process in the brain that involves several components of proteins, including tryptophan and its chemical reactor, known as tryptophan hydroxylase. Most scientists believe that this essential substance is a neurotransmitter while some scientists believe that serotonin is a hormone. The “happy chemical”, As previously mentioned above, is produced in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood platelets, and brain as well as in the central nervous system (CNS). In the following article, we discussed the role of serotonin and its effect on overall brain and mental health.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.�
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
References:
McIntosh, James. �Serotonin: Facts, Uses, SSRIs, and Sources.� Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 2 Feb. 2018, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232248.php.
Konkel, Lindsey. �Serotonin: What to Know: Everyday Health.� EverydayHealth.com, Everyday Health Media, 15 Aug. 2018, www.everydayhealth.com/serotonin/guide/.
Scaccia, Annamarya. �Serotonin: Functions, Normal Range, Side Effects, and More.� Healthline, Healthline Media, 26 Mar. 2019, www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/serotonin.
Neurotransmitter Assessment Form
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The following Neurotransmitter Assessment Form can be filled out and presented to Dr. Alex Jimenez. The following symptoms listed on this form are not intended to be utilized as a diagnosis of any type of disease, condition, or any other type of health issue.
Additional Topic Discussion: Chronic Pain
Sudden pain is a natural response of the nervous system which helps to demonstrate possible injury. By way of instance, pain signals travel from an injured region through the nerves and spinal cord to the brain. Pain is generally less severe as the injury heals, however, chronic pain is different than the average type of pain. With chronic pain, the human body will continue sending pain signals to the brain, regardless if the injury has healed. Chronic pain can last for several weeks to even several years. Chronic pain can tremendously affect a patient’s mobility and it can reduce flexibility, strength, and endurance.
Neural Zoomer Plus for Neurological Disease
Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate neurological diseases. The Neural ZoomerTM Plus is an array of neurological autoantibodies which offers specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus is designed to assess an individual�s reactivity to 48 neurological antigens with connections to a variety of neurologically related diseases. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus aims to reduce neurological conditions by empowering patients and physicians with a vital resource for early risk detection and an enhanced focus on personalized primary prevention.
Food Sensitivity for the IgG & IgA Immune Response
Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate health issues associated with a variety of food sensitivities and intolerances. The Food Sensitivity ZoomerTM is an array of 180 commonly consumed food antigens that offers very specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. This panel measures an individual�s IgG and IgA sensitivity to food antigens. Being able to test IgA antibodies provides additional information to foods that may be causing mucosal damage. Additionally, this test is ideal for patients who might be suffering from delayed reactions to certain foods. Utilizing an antibody-based food sensitivity test can help prioritize the necessary foods to eliminate and create a customized diet plan around the patient�s specific needs.
Gut Zoomer for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate gut health associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). The Vibrant Gut ZoomerTM offers a report that includes dietary recommendations and other natural supplementation like prebiotics, probiotics, and polyphenols. The gut microbiome is mainly found in the large intestine and it has more than 1000 species of bacteria that play a fundamental role in the human body, from shaping the immune system and affecting the metabolism of nutrients to strengthening the intestinal mucosal barrier (gut-barrier). It is essential to understand how the number of bacteria that symbiotically live in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract influences gut health because imbalances in the gut microbiome may ultimately lead to gastrointestinal (GI) tract symptoms, skin conditions, autoimmune disorders, immune system imbalances, and multiple inflammatory disorders.
Formulas for Methylation Support
XYMOGEN�s Exclusive Professional Formulas are available through select licensed health care professionals. The internet sale and discounting of XYMOGEN formulas are strictly prohibited.
Proudly,�Dr. Alexander Jimenez makes XYMOGEN formulas available only to patients under our care.
Please call our office in order for us to assign a doctor consultation for immediate access.
If you are a patient of Injury Medical & Chiropractic�Clinic, you may inquire about XYMOGEN by calling 915-850-0900.
For your convenience and review of the XYMOGEN products please review the following link. *XYMOGEN-Catalog-Download* All of the above XYMOGEN policies remain strictly in force.
Modern Integrated Medicine
The National University of Health Sciences is an institution that offers a variety of rewarding professions to attendees. Students can practice their passion for helping other people achieve overall health and wellness through the institution’s mission. The National University of Health Sciences prepares students to become leaders in the forefront of modern integrated medicine, including chiropractic care. Students have an opportunity to gain unparalleled experience at the National University of Health Sciences to help restore the natural integrity of the patient and define the future of modern integrated medicine.
Waking up tired even after getting six or more hours of sleep?
Under a high amount of stress?
If you are experiencing any of these situations, then it might be due to your melatonin and cortisol levels affecting your body and circadian rhythm.
Across the world, millions of people have trouble sleeping. In the United States, there are roughly about 50-70 million people who have a poor quality of sleep. When a person has slept for less than eight hours, they become tired, and many problems can come to them, especially if their lives are hectic. With a hectic lifestyle and poor sleep, it can cause the body to have low energy to get any task done, the cortisol stress hormone will be raised, and diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes can cause problems that can be chronic if it is not treated.
In functional endocrinology, melatonin and cortisol are hormones that the body produces naturally. The cortisol hormone or the stress hormone helps the body be in a state of “fight or flight” mode, which can be a good thing for anyone who is doing a project or going for a job interview. Although when cortisol hormone levels are high, it can lead the body to have complications like inflammation, chronic oxidative stress, and high blood pressure.
The Melatonin Circadian Rhythm
With the melatonin hormone, this hormone tells the body when it is time to sleep. Sometimes though, people do have a hard time sleeping, and taking melatonin supplements can actually relax the body and thus making the person fall asleep. Since the pineal gland produces melatonin from the brain, it can also be found in the eyes, the bone marrow, and the gut to relax the body and making the person fall asleep naturally. Some studies show that the circadian rhythm of the pineal gland that is producing melatonin. By doing this, the research shows that the administration of melatonin can:
One: induce sleep on individuals who have trouble falling asleep.
Two: inhibits the body to wake up naturally from the circadian pacemaker.
Three: shift the circadian biological clocks to increase sleep intake when a person is trying to sleep at an earlier time to get the full eight-hour benefits of sleep.
When a person is working at a 9 to 5 job, they are rising with their bodies and relaxing their bodies after a hard day at work. Studies found out that the melatonin and cortisol hormones help regulate the 24-hour pattern of the body’s function and responses tremendously. With the body’s hormone production cycle, it can be disturbed if the person is staying awake late at night or sleeping during the day. When this happens, the person can get disruptive disorders like mood swings, dizziness, be irritable and depressed, and have metabolic disorders. Not only that, but the body’s immune system and its endocrine system can also be damaged as well, causing the body to be a host to infections and diseases.
There have been more studies on the circadian rhythms in the body, as the studies show how people who work in the night shift have been associated with a vast number of adverse health problems that attack the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal system as well as disturbing the metabolic system. Anyone who has worked the night shift has to change their sleep schedule and adapt to the rapid reorientation in their sleep/wake schedule to go to work and do their job. Since everyone is working at a shift schedule, it can be stressful and can affect a worker’s body performance as well as affecting melatonin and cortisol secretion.
Ways To Support Cortisol and Melatonin
Surprisingly though, there are ways to lower cortisol levels and make sure that melatonin levels are working correctly for the body to function. For cortisol levels to be lowered, a person should do meditative practices, find an enjoyable hobby, and, most importantly, try deep breathing exercises to relax the body from unwanted stress. With deep breathing exercises, it can help the body to release any tension that a person is holding, and the muscles in the body began to relax, and the blood starts to flow. With the melatonin levels, they work together with the body’s circadian rhythm and make sure the body knows when it is time to wake up, sleep and eat. The melatonin hormone can also help regulate the body’s temperature, blood pressure, and hormone levels to make sure it is functioning correctly. When there are high levels of these systems, it can cause the body to develop chronic illnesses and harm the body in the process.
Research shows that melatonin hormones can bind to neurological receptors in the body, thus promoting relaxation. Since melatonin binds to neurological receptors, it can also reduce nerve activity and dopamine levels to make the eyes heavy, thus making the person fall asleep.
Conclusion
With the body being able to naturally produce melatonin and cortisol levels to make sure that the body does not get overly stressed throughout the entire day. Since melatonin is partnered with the body’s circadian rhythm, the body knows when to stay up and fall asleep. Since everyone has a hectic schedule, it is essential to take time and relax and get on a healthy sleep schedule so the body can be healthy and functioning. Some products are here to make sure that the endocrine system is functioning properly and supporting the adrenal glands and sugar metabolism.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
References:
Cajochen, C, et al. �Role of Melatonin in the Regulation of Human Circadian Rhythms and Sleep.� Journal of Neuroendocrinology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Apr. 2003, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12622846.
James, Francine O, et al. �Circadian Rhythms of Melatonin, Cortisol, and Clock Gene Expression during Simulated Night Shift Work.� Sleep, Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC, Nov. 2007, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2082093/.
Monteleone, P, et al. �Temporal Relationship between Melatonin and Cortisol Responses to Nighttime Physical Stress in Humans.� Psychoneuroendocrinology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1992, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1609019.
Raman, Ryan. �How Melatonin Can Help You Sleep and Feel Better.� Healthline, Healthline Media, 3 Sept. 2017, www.healthline.com/nutrition/melatonin-and-sleep.
Zamanian, Zahra, et al. �Outline of Changes in Cortisol and Melatonin Circadian Rhythms in the Security Guards of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.� International Journal of Preventive Medicine, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, July 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3775223/.
By informing individuals about how the National University of Health Sciences provides knowledge for future generations who want to make a difference in the world. The University offers a wide variety of medical professions for functional and integrative medicine.
If you are experiencing any of these situations, then your mind-body connection might be unbalanced.
Throughout history, there have been studies and theories that the mind and body are separate. This theory has been accepted by many; however, there is so much evidence showing the mind, and the body having a bidirectional relationship in the body like the gut system that sends signals to the brain and vise versa. Since each organ sends its signals to the brain, the endocrine system sends out signals to the brain in the form of hormones, which can alter the person’s perception of the world through their eyes.
With that in mind, neuroplasticity has shown people that when they are in their environment, it can be altered the physical make up of the environment. Many modern scientists have acquired very sophisticated tools that can monitor the body’s brainwaves, the microbes, and many other factors that can change the body’s mind. Since stress is a full-body response, it can be both a good thing and a bad thing for the body. Good stress in the body gives the “fight or flight” response while the bad stress can become chronic and can lead the body to be dysfunctional. So the idea of having the mind and the body being a separate function seems to be a bit outdated but also informational.
By exploring the science and psychology of the mind-body disconnect, researchers can see how a person�s hormones can affect their perception of the world. By diving into the body, researchers can also see how stress can produce any visible changes in the brain as well.
How Experiences Alters the Mind
Many experiences can alter the mind. Whether it be good experiences that can be used in the work atmosphere or it can be bad experiences like being traumatized from horrible events. Studies show that trauma can alter the mind and depend on the situation. Even though the damage that is caused by trauma can be healed if it is minor. In some cases, it can scar a person even though the physical damage is healed. The mental damage is affected as a person can relive the traumatic experience that they encountered.
With good experience, they can be useful to a person if the damage has minored. If a person accidentally hurt themselves from any activities, they know not to do that again. Although if a person practices on specific activities and get better at it with time, it becomes a skill they can use. Sometimes a person can have a set of specific skills that are beneficial when they are working in the job they are in. So depending on the experiences that a person is dealing with, it can be either good or bad, but their brains will remember it.
The Difference Between Dualism and Monism
There has always been a philosophical debate on the mind and body. There are different ways to look at the mind-body connection, as many researchers have debated whether the mind is part of the body or that the body is part of the mind. Thus the difference between Dualism and Monism has different views on the mind-body connection.
Dualism is defined as being born out of the body as a physical object, and the mind or the consciousness is being constructed. The origins of dualism started with the Cartesian ways of thinking, where people started to argue that there was a two-way relationship between the mental and physical substances in the body. Surprisingly, the belief of the physical and mental systems are compartmentalized and not inter-related like what some people think.
French philosopher Ren� Descartes stated that the mind interacts with the body through the pineal glands and that the mind controls the body. He also summed his thoughts with one of his famous statements: �I think therefore I am.� With this statement, it tells researchers that the mind is a nonphysical and non-spatial substance that is being identified with consciousness and self-awareness in the body.
With monism, it is defined as a material point of view and that all humans are just merely complex physiological organisms. There is another type of monism known as phenomenalism. It also goes by subject idealism, and the concept of this monism is that the mind and the body are two separate entities. With each type of monism, the concepts always seem to be the same, which shows that each type of monism seems to ignore either the mind or the body. It is always one or the other, never together at the same time.
How Stress Hormones Influences the Brain
When it comes to stress and hormones, there has been a lot of scientific advancements on how the stress hormone affects the brain in the body. Since hormones have been found to alter the hippocampal neurons with stress hormones, they can give the body the burst of energy that it needs. Although, if there is a long-term activation of the stress hormone can wear the brain down and kill the brain’s cells. If someone has any psychological disorders that cause prolonged stress, it can impair cognitive function, and the results can be enhanced emotionally.
Conclusion
With the mind-body connection, they can send signals to each other and make sure that the human body is functioning correctly. When there is prolonged stress in the body, it can disrupt the signals and cause the body to dysfunction. The next article will be discussing how stress can rewire the brain in the body. Some products can help the body by supporting the endocrine system as well as helping the body to relieve temporary stress.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
References:
Perry, Bruce D., et al. �Childhood Trauma, the Neurobiology of Adaptation, and �Use?Dependent� Development of the Brain: How �States� Become �Traits.�� Semantic Scholar, 1 Jan. 1995, www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Childhood-trauma%2C-the-neurobiology-of-adaptation%2C-Perry-Pollard/1d6ef0f4601a9f437910deaabc09fd2ce2e2d31e.
Team, Biotics Education. �Stress – The Mind-Body Connection Part 1.� Biotics Research Blog, 9 Dec. 2019, blog.bioticsresearch.com/stress-the-mind-body-connection-part-1.
Woolley, C S, and P A Schwartzkroin. �Hormonal Effects on the Brain.� Epilepsia, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1998, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9915614.
If you are experiencing any of these situations, then your hippocampus might be lowered than usual.
The Hippocampus
In the brain, there is an S-shaped structured located in the inner folds in the temporal lobe called the hippocampus. The hippocampus is a complex brain structure that has a layer of densely packed neurons, and its primary function involves how humans learn and how their memory works. The hippocampus is part of the limbic system as well since it works the feeling and reacting function in the body. The limbic system is situated at the edge of the cortex and includes the hypothalamus and the amygdala.
These structures help controls the body�s different functions like the endocrine system and the �fight or flight� reaction response. With the hippocampus helping humans process what information they are learning, this structure can retrieve two kinds of memories that are important; they are declarative memories and spatial relationship memories.
Declarative memories: These are memories that are related to facts and events a person experience. It includes examples like how to memorize speeches or line in a play that a person is doing.
Spatial relationship memories: These memories involve pathways or routes that a person must learn. An example of this is transportation drivers like cab drivers, bus drivers, and truckers who have to learn the routes in the places they are going to. So they use spatial memory and practice their routes many times until they have it in their memories. The spatial relationship memories are stored on the right side of the hippocampus.
Sadly though, the hippocampus can be damaged by neurological diseases like Alzheimer�s disease and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). When it is damaged, a variety of conditions can affect the hippocampus�s ability to do its job for the brain, thus making the individual suffer from retaining information.
Hippocampus Conditions
Several conditions can cause problems to the body when the hippocampus is damaged. This is known as hippocampus atrophy, where the neurons and neuronal volume in the hippocampal that is a loss.
Alzheimer�s Disease
Alzheimer�s disease is when an individual begins to lose their memory. When the hippocampus is damaged, it can cause a dissociation between the cortexes and leads to information registration failure. Studies show that when Alzheimer�s disease is progressing, the hippocampus will lose its volume, and it will become harder for an individual to function in their daily lives.
Epilepsy
When a person has epilepsy, it might be due to a damaged hippocampus. Research shows that around 50 to 75% of patients with this disease may have hippocampal sclerosis, and in case they have died, they have medial temporal lobe epilepsy. More research states that the mechanics of hippocampal sclerosis in epilepsy can be related to the development of inflammation on the uncontrolled local hippocampus and blood-brain barrier damage.
Hypertension
When the hippocampus is damaged, hypertension can happen to a person. Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure, and it can lead to severe health complications to the body. Even though the causes of hypertension are still unknown, the risk factors from hypertension can include:
Environmental factors like stress or a lack of exercise
Hormone activity
Blood plasma
Studies show that hypertension and other risk factors are being increasingly viewed as a putative factor that is leading to hippocampal atrophy.
Cushing�s Disease
Cushing�s disease or Cushing syndrome is when the body is exposed to high levels of cortisol for a long time. Studies show that when there is a loss of cellular volume to the corticosteroid�s levels in the body and it could be responsible. When there is too much cortisol being produced in the body, it is one of the signs of Cushing syndrome. Some of the other signs include:
Weight gain
Fatty tissue deposits around the midsection, face, upper back and between the shoulders
Pink or purple stretch marks
Thinning, fragile skin that bruises easily
Slow healing cuts, insect bites and infections
Acne
Muscle weakness
Cognitive difficulties
Loss of emotional control
Since stress does play a role in the endocrine system and the neurological system, there are nearly 80 years of research on how much focus has been on the various levels of the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis and the hormones it produces. It shows that glucocorticoids as the mediators for the stress effects on the hippocampus and being the contributing factor for stress-associated psychopathologies.
Conclusion
The hippocampus is located in the temporal lobe of the brain. This S-shaped structure can be easily damaged due to stress and other neurological factors that can affect the entire body and its systems. When harmful factors affect the hippocampus, it can lead the hormones that are producing to become imbalanced and cause dysfunction. Some products are here to make sure that the endocrine system is functioning properly and supporting the metabolic system, the gastrointestinal system, as well as making sure the hormones are balanced.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
References:
Anand, Kuljeet Singh, and Vikas Dhikav. �Hippocampus in Health and Disease: An Overview.� Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, Oct. 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3548359/.
Dresden, Danielle. �Hippocampus: Function, Size, and Problems.� Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 7 Dec. 2017, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/313295.php.
Felman, Adam. �Hypertension: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments.� Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 22 July 2019, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150109.php.
Kim, Eun Joo, et al. �Stress Effects on the Hippocampus: a Critical Review.� Learning & Memory (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.), Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 18 Aug. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4561403/.
Team, Mayo Clinic. �Cushing Syndrome.� Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 30 May 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cushing-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351310.
If you are experiencing any of these situations, then it might be the weather that is affecting your mood and your body.
The Weather
Does the weather forecast make anyone smile? Whether it is nothing but bright, sunny skies and warm temperatures or gray, overcast skies with threats of rain and thunderstorms, the weather can affect a person’s joints and cause them pain. The old saying “Feel it in my bones” comes to play when environmental conditions can affect the physical body. Research has indicated that these effects are not just skin deep, but the weather can affect a person�s mood and emotional health. They found that patients experience increased joint pain in response to a decrease in pressure and indicating that low atmospheric pressure conditions exacerbate joint pain.
Lots of people are affected differently by different weather patterns. There are no hard-fast rules regarding the influence of how the weather affects people�s moods. The research suggested that high humidity may increase sleepiness and can negatively affect concentration and focus on a person. While rising temperatures can help lower anxiety and skepticism mood scores in a person. Since humidity is the most significant predictor since it implicates for school and office performances are being discussed and highlights the importance of humidity as a weather variable.
Some individuals love to sit out in the sun and soak up every ray while basking in the heat. Others instead prefer to let themselves stay indoors surrounded by air conditioning and feeling so much better in the colder weather with less sunshine.
Types of People Affected By The Weather
Studies have researched that there were four distinct types of people, especially in children and their mothers that were identified when it comes to the weather and their moods. They are:
Summer Lover
Unaffected
Summer Haters
Rain Haters
Summer Lovers have better moods in warm, sunny weather while the Summer Hater has the worse moods under the warmer conditions. People in the Unaffected category has shown only the weak association between the weather and their moods. When it comes to rainy days, Rain Haters experiences particularly bad moods during those types of days. The correlation between the children and their mothers was founded for two of the types. It stated that there might be some intergenerational influences, and the finding from the study and many others show that there is a massive individual difference in how the weather affects people’s moods. Some people love rainy or sunny days, while others loathe them.
A 2013 paper found that rising temperatures and increased precipitation can have a significant impact on human conflict and interpersonal violence. The correlation between the higher temperatures like more extreme rainfall and increased violence was seen on both scales, large and small. Other researchers have suggested that the psychological effects of the weather are influenced by seasons and the time a person is outside. What they found was that higher temperatures or the barometric pressure were related to better moods, memory, and “broadened” cognitive style in the springtime as an individual spends more time outside has increased.
Weather Can Affect People�s Mood
While this relationship is perfect for some people, others see this relationship as an inverse during the other seasons. Some people found out that during the warmer seasons, lowers their mood. It is correlated strongly with individuals who live in the south. The hotter weather can cause them to have poorer moods when the summer has higher temperatures, and it can become downright debilitating.
Researchers speculated that the discrepancy between spring and summer moods might be related to seasonal affective disorder. With seasonal affective disorder, the results were consistent with their findings. They suggested that pleasant weather improves moods and broaden cognition in the spring because people have been deprived of such weather during the winter.
The founder and editor-in-chief of Psych Central, John M, Grohol, Psy.D., noted that the weather could affect people’s moods and emotions. He also mentions that the strength of that relationship varies from person to person, and the effects are noticeable, whether it be small in some people or more pronounced in others.
Another study found that many people intuit that the bad weather makes them sad and pleasant weather makes them happy. Scientific investigations have largely failed to support such associations, however, with variations in meteorological variables either showing no or weak relationships with variations in normal moods. It means that a person�s definition of� �good� or �bad� weather is their own opinion. If someone likes the rain, then gray, rainy days are �good� in their view while others view rainy days are �bad� and prefer sunshine, blue skies, and warmer weather.
Conclusion
The weather can affect anyone’s mood. Whether people enjoy the colder seasons or the warmer seasons, their moods can change due to the type of weather. If they are aware of their mood patterns, taking supplements can ease the transition of the change of seasons and be a beneficial impact on their moods. Some products can help support the body and making sure that the entire system is functioning correctly by targeting amino acids and sugar metabolism.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
References:
Bullock, Ben, et al. �Highs and Lows, Ups and Downs: Meteorology and Mood in Bipolar Disorder.� PloS One, Public Library of Science, 9 Mar. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5344507/.
Grohol, John M. �Weather Can Change Your Mood.� World of Psychology, 28 Mar. 2019, psychcentral.com/blog/weather-can-change-your-mood/.
Howarth, E, and M S Hoffman. �A Multidimensional Approach to the Relationship between Mood and Weather.� British Journal of Psychology (London, England: 1953), U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 1984, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6704634.
Hsiang, Solomon M., et al. �Quantifying the Influence of Climate on Human Conflict.� Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 13 Sept. 2013, science.sciencemag.org/content/341/6151/1235367.
Keller, Matthew C, et al. �A Warm Heart and a Clear Head. The Contingent Effects of Weather on Mood and Cognition.� Psychological Science, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Sept. 2005, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16137259.
Keller, Matthew C, et al. �A Warm Heart and a Clear Head. The Contingent Effects of Weather on Mood and Cognition.� Psychological Science, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Sept. 2005, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16137259.
Klimstra, Theo A, et al. �Come Rain or Come Shine: Individual Differences in How Weather Affects Mood.� Emotion (Washington, D.C.), U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21842988.
Team, DFH. �Weather Forecast � Can It Predict Your Mood, Too?� Designs for Health, 15 Aug. 2019, blog.designsforhealth.com/node/1085.
Verg�s, Josep, et al. �Weather Conditions Can Influence Rheumatic Diseases.� Proceedings of the Western Pharmacology Society, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2004, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15633634.
Our brain is one of our most important organs that controls everything that we do. From learning how to walk at our earlier stages, learning new motor skills, to remembering nostalgic events in our lives. However, when tragedy strikes, our brain is the first one to get impacted.
The brain has many functions in the past that were structured, fixed, and therefore, hard-wired. That changed in the 1970s when neuroscientists discovered that the brain was the opposite of what they originally thought. It turns out that the brain is continuously changing and gathering information for many life events called neuroplasticity.
Our brain�s neuroplasticity has helped us re-learned simple motor skills by training our bodies to do these functions through rehabilitation from any brain injuries that anyone has been through. However, for some people, when they are recovering from any tragic events can encounter many mental struggles and have a hard time to bounce back. The most common mental struggles are apparently stress.
Good Stress: Increases energy, strengthens the immune system, immune to other stressful situations.
Bad Stress: High blood pressure, mental health problems, weaker immune system.
These two categories can make our brain go into overdrive, however, once you find out what stresses you out; you can actually find many ways to de-stress and relax. Some examples are taking up a hobby to make your brain learn a new technique, while others are either exercising or talking to someone.
When you�re exercise, not only your whole body feels good, but also you can let out whatever is frustrating you when you put the work in. And when you are done exercising for thirty minutes to an hour, you will feel a whole lot better with a clear head. When you�re talking to someone, it feels pretty good to have somebody there to listen to your problems and sometimes they will give you some advice and maybe something to drink so you can feel relaxed a bit and let your worries slip away.
Other times when you want to keep your brain healthy is to eat some really good food. Some of the food we eat have been known to keep our brain�s motor skill running and making your body feel good. Omega-3s, antioxidants, L-theanine supplements are consumed to calm down the neurotransmitters that are in our brain.
Neurotransmitters
This leads to our neurotransmitters, GABA and Glutamate, to be monitored by MRS (magnetic resonance spectroscopy). When these two neurotransmitters are being monitored, doctors have found out that the patient�s glutamate is in overdrive and that they need to increase the patient�s GABA in order to lower the excitotoxicity and protecting the brain�s grey matter or else the brain will get destroyed.
Some of the best ways to ease an anxious mind are to figure out what is causing our brains to be extremely anxious in any situations that are thrown to us. Our brain is like the CPU of a computer that we programmed and managed so we can have these thoughts, passion, and desires that are wired into our minds. The brain is an intricated network of neurons and receptors that co-exist to various internal and external stimulations.
So, if we were to find the �virus� that is causing our brains to be overwork and anxious, we can change our mind to make it mellow out and tell ourselves that we are fine. Our brain has six brainwaves that are well known and here is a very quick outline of what each wave does.
Infra-low: The �reset� wavelength helps our brain slow down and reset our thought process.
Delta: These waves help us go into a deep meditative state.
Theta: These waves benefit our memories, intuition and learning process.
Alpha: These waves make us feel calm and be at a resting state.
Beta: These waves are split into three sections and each section deals with our waking state: Idling, calculated thoughts and learning new experiences.
Gamma: These waves make us have a quiet, calm healthy mind when we need peace and quiet.
The first five brain waves are key for us to have a calm, collected healthy mind when we have to go to sleep. We all know that having 8 hours of sleep is essential for us to have a healthy mind. When we don�t get enough sleep, we feel grouchy or even more tired when we have to get up to go to school or work. So, we have a bit of caffeine to lift our spirits up, and of course, go through the day. Even if we have some time to spare a quick nap for about thirty minutes seems to help our brain process what we learned and then feel refreshed after that nap.
Proper Sleep = Healthy Mind
Like the last paragraph stated, when we don�t get enough sleep, we feel more tired when we have to get up and start our day. However, let�s say someone is very anxious or has depression can suffer from hypersomnia. When a person suffers from hypersomnia, it takes that person�s willpower to actually get up and go out of their bedroom.
What they think is that �I don�t feel well� but; it is actually their brain producing so much glutamate and have less GABA that may be a factor to these triggers. But when we find supplements that can help our brain rewired itself naturally with these supplements that we find in food. As Hippocrates stated, �Let food be thy medicine and let medicine be thy food.�
All in all, our brain is one of the most valuable organs that we must take care of. Whether it be taking up a new hobby, going to eat some good food to fuel our brain cells and protect it at the same time, or even finding a quiet place to meditate. We have to have to make sure our brain�s neurochemistry is doing okay and that it is healthy enough to experience new things that we encounter throughout our lives.
El Paso, TX Neck Pain Chiropractic Treatment
Sandra Rubio discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatments of neck pain. Headaches, migraines, dizziness, confusion, and weakness in the upper extremities are a few of the typical symptoms. Trauma from an accident, such as that from an automobile accident or a sports injury, or an aggravated illness because of improper posture can commonly cause neck pain and other ailments. Dr. Alex Jimenez uses spinal alterations and manual manipulations, one of other chiropractic treatment techniques like deep-tissue massage, to reestablish the alignment of the cervical spine and improve neck pain. Chiropractic care with Dr. Alex Jimenez is your non-surgical choice for restoring general patient well-being.
Neck pain is a frequent health issue, with roughly two-thirds of the people being influenced by neck pain at any time throughout their lifetimes. Numerous other health issues can cause pain arising in the upper back, or the spine. Neck pain can result emanating from the vertebrae, or because of muscular tightness in both the neck and the upper back. Joint disruption in the neck causes migraines, and headache, as does joint disturbance at the trunk, or can generate a variety of other symptoms. Neck pain affects about 5 percent of the worldwide population as of 2010, based on figures.
NCBI Resources
The relationship between the body and the mind is still far from being fully understood. However, there is no denying the significant connection between our physical health and our mental health. When your body is healthier, your mood is more level and positive. Just like keeping a food diary can help you identify a food allergy, keeping an anxiety diary can help you see what things in your life are triggering your anxiety. Triggers for anxiety�can include a wide range of things, not all of them related to human interactions. All for a healthy mind!
Research has found about 35% of Americans experience symptoms of a warning stroke. However, only 3% seek out immediate medical attention. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or reduced, which deprives brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Within minutes, brain cells start to die.
Adults who have had a sign of a�temporary blockage aka, a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)waited/rested until symptoms had subsided instead of calling 911. This is according to the research from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA).
Only a formal medical diagnosis with brain imaging can determine whether someone is having a TIA or stroke. If you or someone experiences warning signs that come on suddenly or go away,�CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY!
Stroke: Early Signs
Ischemic strokes occur when a clot blocks blood flow to the brain.
This type may be treated immediately with a special clot-busting drug
A device called a stent retriever may also be used to remove the clot and help prevent long-term disability.
TIA precedes about 15% of strokes
People who have had TIA are at greater risk for stroke within three months
Use The Acronym F.A.S.T. To Help Remember Common Signs:
�
Face Drooping
Arm Weakness
Speech Difficulty
Time To Call 911
Other Warnings Signs:
Confusion
Dizziness
Loss Of Balance/Coordination
Numbness Or Weakness Of Face, Arm or Leg, Particularly On One Side Of The Body
Trouble Speaking Or Understanding
Trouble Walking
Unexplained Severe Headache
Vision Loss In One Or Both Eyes
Injury Medical Clinic: Stress Management Care & Treatments
IFM's Find A Practitioner tool is the largest referral network in Functional Medicine, created to help patients locate Functional Medicine practitioners anywhere in the world. IFM Certified Practitioners are listed first in the search results, given their extensive education in Functional Medicine
Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate neurological diseases. The Neural ZoomerTM Plus is an array of neurological autoantibodies which offers specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus is designed to assess an individual�s reactivity to 48 neurological antigens with connections to a variety of neurologically related diseases. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus aims to reduce neurological conditions by empowering patients and physicians with a vital resource for early risk detection and an enhanced focus on personalized primary prevention.
Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate health issues associated with a variety of food sensitivities and intolerances. The Food Sensitivity ZoomerTM is an array of 180 commonly consumed food antigens that offers very specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. This panel measures an individual�s IgG and IgA sensitivity to food antigens. Being able to test IgA antibodies provides additional information to foods that may be causing mucosal damage. Additionally, this test is ideal for patients who might be suffering from delayed reactions to certain foods. Utilizing an antibody-based food sensitivity test can help prioritize the necessary foods to eliminate and create a customized diet plan around the patient�s specific needs.
Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate gut health associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). The Vibrant Gut ZoomerTM offers a report that includes dietary recommendations and other natural supplementation like prebiotics, probiotics, and polyphenols. The gut microbiome is mainly found in the large intestine and it has more than 1000 species of bacteria that play a fundamental role in the human body, from shaping the immune system and affecting the metabolism of nutrients to strengthening the intestinal mucosal barrier (gut-barrier). It is essential to understand how the number of bacteria that symbiotically live in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract influences gut health because imbalances in the gut microbiome may ultimately lead to gastrointestinal (GI) tract symptoms, skin conditions, autoimmune disorders, immune system imbalances, and multiple inflammatory disorders.
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