Our body is adapted to withstand the constant struggles for survival. Researchers estimate that each individual cell is capable of enduring approximately 10,000 assaults from reactive oxygen species, abbreviated as ROS, or free radicals. The human body is equipped with an unbelievable self-healing system which can combat the attack of these intruders, repairing those which have been damaged. While our body is suited to protect itself from harm, there are methods available which can help increase the body�s natural defenses. Chiropractic care has been demonstrated to be a powerful method of stabilizing and enhancing this self-healing ability.
The central nervous system is the fundamental system that controls all the body�s functions and healing. The communication between the nerves from the brain to the body coordinates all 75 trillion cells to action. The brain then receives movement information from the skin, joints, & muscle receptors, known as proprioception. The brain depends on sufficient proprioception for optimal function.
Physical stress can begin to affect the nervous system, interrupting signals from the brain to the rest of the body when the vertebrae of the spine are misaligned or subluxated. This can result due to direct trauma or injury from falls, sporting activities and automobile accidents. Additionally, improper posture, repetitive movements, and poor sleeping habits can damage the spine and nervous system as well. Injury to the nerves can lead to a deficiency in healthy brain-body signaling and may increased the release of a stress hormone called cortisol, which can disrupt the body’s ability to heal itself.
Research studies have demonstrated that chiropractic adjustments can remove the unnecessary pressure being placed against the nerves due to compression or impingement, allowing the body to restore its function as it was naturally designed. Other studies have shown that chiropractic care can be a powerful form of anti-aging. In 2005, a landmark study published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation, or JVSR, found evidence that chiropractic treatment can reduce oxidative stress in the body.
Oxidative stress is the damage that occurs when free radicals outnumber the body’s antioxidants. Oxidative stress can damage all of the body�s cell components, including: proteins; lipids; and DNA. As a matter of fact, researchers established that one out of every three proteins can be rendered dysfunctional by unchecked free radical damages.
Thiols are sulfur containing compounds found in the body that act as antioxidants. They react with free radicals to neutralize them. Scientists from Biomedical Diagnostic Research, Inc, announced that serum levels of thiols may reflect the DNA’s capacity to repair itself, which can then be used to measure an individual�s disease and aging status. In a 2003 study published in the Journal of Anti Aging Medicine, low serum thiol levels were found in nine different categories of human sickness and disease.
The study published in JVSR consisted of 76 participants, where one group received temporary chiropractic care, a second group received prolonged, regular chiropractic care and the third group received no chiropractic care. The study categorized study participants by age, sex and the use of nutritional supplements. Healthy individuals which were provided with chiropractic treatment for 2 or more years experienced increased levels of serum thiol than those previously diagnosed with a sickness or disease. Several of the chiropractic patients had serum thiol levels higher than what is associated with normal wellness.
Chiropractor Dr. Christopher Kent stated, �Oxidative stress, metabolically generating free radicals, is now a broadly accepted theory of how we age and develop disease. Going through life”, he added, �we experience physical, chemical and emotional stress. These stresses can greatly affect the function of the nervous system. We hypothesized that these disturbances in nerve function could affect oxidative stress and DNA repair on a cellular level. Chiropractic care appears to improve the body�s ability to adapt to stress”, concluded Dr. Christopher Kent.
Over time, the human body will experience natural degenerative changes which can often cause the development of conditions or disorders, such as osteoarthritis or degenerative arthritis. However, research studies have demonstrated that chiropractic care can help reverse the effects of aging using treatments like spinal adjustments and manual manipulations to slow down the process.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Additional Topics: Headache After Auto Injury
After being involved in an automobile accident, the sheer force of the impact can cause damage or injury to the body, primarily to the structures surrounding the spine. Whiplash is a common result of an auto collision, affecting the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and other tissues around it, causing symptoms such as head pain. Headaches are a common symptom after an automobile accident, which may require immediate medical attention to determine its source and follow through with treatment.
Our bodies require a properly balanced nutrition, consistent physical activity and the appropriate amount of sleep in order to maintain overall health and wellness. These essential elements help each structure of the body function accordingly, providing us with the fundamental energy we need to perform our daily tasks.
While many individuals follow these key principles to maintain their wellbeing, our bodies today are persistently challenged with harmful toxins. Chlorine and health damaging fluoride in our water, harmful chemicals found in foods, the toxic air and pollution we breathe every day, even constant everyday stress can create a dangerous accumulation of toxins within the body. Processed foods containing a harsh amount of preservatives is probably one of the most detrimental factors to our overall digestive health and wellness.
Processed foods do not move easily through the digestive tract and they can become adhered to the intestines. When these become stagnant in the gut, the digested food begins to rot, creating the ideal environment for parasites as hazardous toxins are released into the bloodstream and towards the liver. Albeit the liver is capable of purifying the blood of harmful substances, an excessive accumulation of toxins in the blood can burden the natural function of the liver, eventually causing disease.
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The Basics of a Coffee Enema
A detox involves the discipline of abstaining from or the process of releasing health damaging substances from the body. Although there are methods and treatments available to detoxify the body, there is an uncommon practice which has increasingly been utilized for its disputed benefits to promote gut motility and the frequency of bowel movements: coffee enemas.
Coffee enemas, along with other natural detoxification treatment, have been utilized for thousands of years to help restore the original function of the digestive system and improve overall health and wellness. Coffee enemas are known to help cleanse out bacteria, heavy metals, fungus and yeast from the digestive tract, including from the liver and colon. This procedure can not only help relieve the body of dangerous toxins, it also helps lower inflammation, improving the frequency of bowel movements, prevents bloating and increases the amounts of energy levels in the body, enhancing good mood, ultimately healing individuals from disorders and conditions due to an improper digestive health.
Additionally, coffee enemas are considered to be powerful detoxifiers because, due to several wonderful compounds which can be found within the coffee, these can stimulate the liver to produce glutathione S-transferase, a chemical which is identified as the master detoxifier in the body. Glutathione S-transferase functions by binding to toxins, releasing them out of the body along with the coffee.
Coffee beans naturally consist of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds, such as cafestol palmitate, kahweol, theobromine, theophylline and caffeine. When ingested, either from drinking it or from the direct insertion of it into the colon after performing a coffee enema, the compounds within the coffee will act like a cathartic, causing the colon muscles to contract. This will help move stools through the digestive tract, improving cases of constipation.
Regular bowel movements are essential for carrying waste and toxins out of the body. Research studies have demonstrated that the compounds from a coffee enema travel through the hemorrhoidal vein to the liver. The coffee then opens up blood vessels, relaxing smooth muscles, helping with bowel movements and improving circulation as well. Once in the liver, the coffee is believed to also help open up bile ducts, increasing the production of bile necessary for proper digestion and excretion.
How to Do a Coffee Enema
Cleansing the body of harmful toxins on a regular basis has increasingly become an essential necessity due to the rising amounts of dangerous substances that our bodies are challenged with everyday, from water, food, the air we breathe and simply, our busy, stressful lives. Several studies have been previously conducted on the benefits of coffee enemas, however, many of these demonstrated inconclusive results. Although these might need further research their effectiveness, many who�ve used them themselves or to treat others can testify on the individual�s tremendous improvements. In a world where people are trying to find new and old ways to promote overall health and wellness, coffee enemas are certainly within the spectrum of methods and treatments which are increasingly being used for whole body wellbeing.
Utilized since the dawn of time, coffee enemas have been known to flush out harmful toxins from the body, promoting frequent bowel movements and gut motility. The compounds of coffee which enter the body can have tremendous benefits, including the reduction of inflammation and bloating, towards overall digestive health.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Headache After Auto Injury
After being involved in an automobile accident, the sheer force of the impact can cause damage or injury to the body, primarily to the structures surrounding the spine. Whiplash is a common result of an auto collision, affecting the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and other tissues around it, causing symptoms such as head pain. Headaches are a common symptom after an automobile accident, which may require immediate medical attention to determine its source and follow through with treatment.
On accounts of various individuals and healthcare professionals today, coffee enemas have been utilized to relieve various conditions and illnesses. The following article emphasizes several important basic information people should know before utilizing a coffee enema. It’s fundamental to assess the individual’s health as a whole before attempting any procedures on your own.
Using enemas for therapeutic purposes has been around since ancient times and is referenced in both the Dead Sea Scrolls and a third-century Aramaic manuscript. There are many things you can use in an enema like probiotics, essential oils, and chlorophyll; but my favorite and probably the most popular ingredient to use in a therapeutic enema, is coffee.
Using coffee dates back to World War I, when it was discovered that administering coffee rectally provided pain relief. This prompted studies which showed that coffee dilated bile ducts, restored the liver, and released toxic bile and waste products into the digestive tract to be carried out of the body. Since then, coffee enemas have been shown to help with many health conditions like arthritis, depression, cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.
In my personal experience, doing a regular enema healed the scar tissue in my intestine, was huge in healing my crohn�s disease, tackled a lingering candida issue, and regenerated my bowel function. Most importantly, it saved me from having to have one of those beautifully attractive colostomy bags that every 20-year-old wants to have when they�re looking for Mr. Handsome Man.
Because of coffee�s ability to address the toxic cause of chronic disease, Dr. Max Gerson adopted it into his cancer healing program, and countless doctors including O.A. Meyer, Martin Heubner, William Kelley, Harold Manner, Nicholas Gonzales, W. J. Mayo, and Linda Isaacs, have done the same. Dr. Peter Lechner (an oncologist surgeon) of Austria conducted a trial of the Gerson cancer therapy in the post-surgical treatment of metastasized colorectal cancers and reported in 1984 that �Coffee enemas have a definite effect on the colon which can be observed with an endoscope.� Currently, coffee enemas are being tested for the prevention of pancreatic cancer and were even listed in the Merck manual from 1899-1977 (and was removed to make room for new material�not because of ineffectiveness).
And hey, if it works for cancer it works for me right? If you�re wanting to heal intestinal scar tissue, use essential oils in your enema. If you want to gently cleanse the gut, use chlorophyll. If you want to address and re-populate your gut flora, use probiotics. If you�re serious about detoxing, pull out the big guns and use coffee.
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How To Do a Coffee Enema
Fill a small coffee pot with filtered water. Add 3 tablespoons of coffee, bring to a boil, and reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. You can let it cool down to room temp or slightly higher than body temperature (which I prefer). This could take an hour or two. Attach the hose and attachment piece to your enema bucket and clamp the hose. Strain and pour in the coffee solution. Grab your iPad and head to the bathroom. Put a little olive oil on the attachment and insert into your bumper. I know�it�s weird but you�ll get over it. Lay on your right side or hang out in down dog (on your knees) and unfasten the clamp. You can also hang the bucket on the door knob. Release the solution and clamp the hose if you need to slow down the flow or if you feel cramps. Once your solution is gone, clamp the hose, pull out the attachment, and either invert or lay on your right side, knees to chest, and breathe deeply to bring the solution deeper into your colon. Try to retain the enema for 15 minutes so you can get all the effects of the coffee. When your 15 minutes is up you�ll know it. Go�sit on the loo�and let er� poo. When you�re done, clean your toilet, take a shower, rinse the bucket and sanitize the attachment. Go run a marathon�you�ll feel like you want to. �How often should you do a coffee enema?
Many programs recommend doing enemas every day during a detox. If you have cancer or a severe medical condition, programs like Gerson Therapy would advise using it several times a day (and sometimes in conjunction with castor oil). To me, that seems like a lot. Once every 2-3 days or as needed, is a more balanced approach.
Can you become addicted to coffee enemas?
Although some are concerned about becoming addicted to using enemas, I have a hard time wrapping my mind around it. A person can be addicted to anything and people are certainly addicted to drinking coffee in this country (which is far inferior therapeutically). That to me, is a greater concern. The people from �My Strange Addiction� on TLC are not accurate representations of people who utilize enemas.
Despite the great feeling post enema, doing it is a process, requires preparation, a set aside block of time, a good toilet cleaning, and a shower. Do that every two days for 2-3 years while babies are running around and you�ll come to appreciate your ability to naturally take a poo in the loo.
Will my colon become dependent upon an enema?
Many people think their colon will become reliant on an enema to relieve itself. In my experience, this is not the case. An enema is not a laxative or a stimulant. In rehydrates the stool, soothes the colon, and your body evacuates on its own. I had zero bowel function for almost three years and used an enema to regain it. However, an enema should not be used as a crutch for bad habits. If you can�t #2, you need to address your food.
Where can I buy the enema kit and coffee?
Although you can find inexpensive enema bags at Wal-Mart and internal cleansing systems on Amazon, I�ve found that these products are great for single uses but are very hard to clean. Nobody wants to populate the gut with black mold. If you�re serious about detoxing and are using enemas therpeutically, I�d recommend investing in a good one.
I personally use a stainless steel enema kit with Gerson coffee from Pure Life. The kit comes with instructions on how to use the enema and this lovely disclaimer, which I took a picture of for my own amusement.
That aside, I�m not allowed to give medical advice either, so this is my personal opinion on the matter. If you want a medical opinion�you should heed the disclaimer and consult your doctor who (unless he/she is super cool) will probably freak out because they�ve never done it themselves and have no understanding of, or training in the therapeutic use of an enema.�It does however, make for an entertaining appointment. In�addition to heeding�the disclaimer, I would also invest in a book on Gerson Therapy.
Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.livingwhole.org
Dating back to approximately around the time of World War I, coffee has been utilized in enemas by physicians as a method to help detoxify the body of harmful toxins and improve illnesses and conditions. While additional research studies are still necessary to determine their effectiveness today, many individuals still use coffee enemas to rid their bodies of these undesired toxins.
Trending Topic: Headache After Auto Injury
After being involved in an automobile accident, the sheer force of the impact can cause damage or injury to the body, primarily to the structures surrounding the spine. Whiplash is a common result of an auto collision, affecting the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and other tissues around it, causing symptoms such as head pain. Headaches are a common symptom after an automobile accident, which may require immediate medical attention to determine its source and follow through with treatment.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
Have you heard about the purported benefits of daily coffee enemas? A collection of recent website articles may have you feeling intrigued by the range of asserted health claims. However, I recommend reading this post before you do one.
As the Paleo community grows, many ideas from other alternative health communities are finding a foothold in Paleo. I believe some of these concepts are extremely positive (woot, meditation!) and others to be downright dangerous (yes, coffee enemas are a good example), and of course, there�s the entire world of gray in between.
Whenever I get asked if �X� is a good idea, I go to the scientific literature (read more about my scientific background here). I look at epidemiological studies, mechanistic studies, and clinical trials to form the most complete picture possible about a given topic. And then, I try to communicate what science can tell us, with the nuances and the details, the pros versus the cons versus the unknowns, and without oversimplification�so that you can make an informed choice to best fit your individual needs.
In the case of coffee enemas, the scientific research is in stark contrast to how coffee enemas are typically advertised in the alternative health community as �Unmatched Detoxification for Health and Recovery�. Not only are coffee enemas scientifically-proven to be ineffective, but they are potentially dangerous and have been known to cause death.
The use of coffee enemas for detoxification dates back to the 1930s, when Dr. Max Gerson used them as part of his alternative cancer treatment protocol. Once used exclusively in the Gerson Institute, coffee enemas are now popular in many alternative health circles.
According to the Gerson Method, coffee enemas work via the following mechanisms. First, the cafestol palmitate in coffee promotes activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione S-transferase, which detoxifies the products of tumor cell metabolism. Second, the caffeine in coffee is believed to cause dilation of the bile ducts which would then facilitate the elimination of toxic products from the liver. Caffeine is also believed to stimulate the passage of toxic products from the blood into the colon. Finally, the enema fluid stimulates peristalsis and drainage of all these toxins from the gut.
It sounds plausible. However, none of the claimed health benefits from coffee enemas have been supported by scientific research.
There are indeed many beneficial substances in coffee. Coffee decreases risk of several cancers, including cancer of the endometrium, colon, skin, prostate, and liver. A brand-new study shows that coffee drinkers have substantially lower blood markers of inflammation than non-coffee drinkers and that this may mediate the anti-cancer effects of coffee (note: this new research contradicts previous studies looking at coffee and inflammation).
Coffee does contain a high amount of antioxidants. Both kahweol and cafestol are potent enhancers of glutathione S-transferase, a major antioxidant enzyme (and one that is known to both prevent and be therapeutic in cancer). Average coffee consumption in humans increases the amount of glutathione S-transferase in the blood by 16% (another tick in the pro category for coffee). There�s some other neat antioxidants in coffee too. Melanoidins, which are formed during the roasting process, are not only great antioxidants but even inhibit oxidation of lipids (fats). We all know, I�m a big fan of phenolic compounds; coffee contains chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid which are antioxidant phenols. Even caffeine and its metabolites (theobromine and other xanthines) are antioxidants and may protect DNA from damage.
Coffee might not be ubiquitously beneficial (see this post for more on the pros and cons of coffee consumption), but the growing body of scientific literature explaining why coffee might prevent cancer shows that including coffee in an alternative protocol for treating cancer isn�t a far-fetched idea.
However, the question becomes: do you get more benefits from drinking coffee or using it to perform an enema? Fortunately, some well-designed scientific studies have addressed exactly this question.
A recent study compared the antioxidant effects of a cup of coffee versus a coffee enema. The researchers used three different measurements of antioxidant activity from blood samples: levels of glutathione S-transferase (GST), malondialdehyde (MDA) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). For all three measurements, there was no difference between drinking a cup of coffee versus administration via enema, even when repeated over many days.
As for the role that caffeine has in the purported benefits of the coffee enema, drinking coffee is a far more effective method for increasing the amount of caffeine in your blood (and hence causing vasodilation to potentially send toxins from the blood into the colon, or causing increased bile acid secretion to potentially facilitate liver detoxification) compared to administering it at the other end. In fact, one study measured serum caffeine levels in healthy volunteers after drinking a cup of coffee or following Gerson�s coffee enema procedure and found substantially higher amounts of caffeine entered the bloodstream after drinking a cup of coffee.
Taken together, these two studies strongly indicate that you�ll get more out of drinking a morning cup of joe, compared to the rather involved process of a coffee enema.
It�s probably not a surprise that performing a coffee enema incorrectly can cause rectal burns, which has caused strictures, rectal perforation, infection, sepsis, and death. But, coffee enemas appear to cause serious, life-threatening complications even when performed �correctly�. Case studies have reported incidences of proctocolitis and polymicrobial enteric septicemia, not associated with burns from too-hot enemas.
While the exact mechanisms of these adverse reactions remains unknown, scientists speculate they are �chemical-induced�, i.e., caused by overall acidity of coffee as well as the complex slurry of chemicals that coffee is made up of, including the above-mentioned chlorogenic acid, caffeine (a known gut irritant), cafestol, and kahweol. The upper digestive tract is more equipped to handle things like acidic foods/beverages that the lower digestive tract.
This isn�t a case of mixed results in the scientific literature, or an incomplete understanding of a concept (in which case, I�d be talking about pros and cons and unknowns and give some guidance for self-experimentation). There have been only a couple dozen studies published looking at the use of coffee enemas. These studies fall under two categories: reports of severe complications and injury caused by coffee enemas; and reports showing they don�t work as described. The only remotely positive scientific study that I can find on the use of coffee enemas is one investigating their use as a prep for small bowel video capsule endoscopy (in which case, the authors showed that coffee enema plus polyethylene glycol was marginally better than polyethylene glycol on its own).
The National Institutes of Health funded a variety of clinical trials into complementary and alternative medicine treatments for cancer back in 2000 (some really interesting research has come from this initiative, including many studies showing great therapeutic potential to alternative medicine therapies). Coffee enemas were included in a study comparing the Gonzalez protocol (similar to Gerson) to standard chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer (one of the worst cancers you can get). The participants in the study had confirmed adenocarcinoma of the pancreas that was inoperable because of advanced primary tumor or metastases (i.e., stages II to IV) and had had no prior treatment (except surgery with noncurative intent). Patients had to have been given at least 2 months to live and had to begin therapy within 8 weeks of diagnosis. Initially, the study was randomized, however when they couldn�t get enough participants, they switched to a nonrandomized (but still controlled) study design. The study was terminated after results from the first 55 study participants showed that the Gonzalez protocol had three times WORSE survival at 1 year than chemotherapy. This study was clearly a lot more complicated than just coffee enemas, but it�s fairly damning of the entire rationale for their use in the first place.
I�m of course a supporter of individuality and self-experimentation, but my recommendations for ideas to experiment with are always based on at least some positive results in the scientific literature. There are none to support coffee enemas.
With the increasing alterations in people’s diets as well as the environmental changes and rise of everyday stress, the human body has increasingly begun to accumulate a dangerous amount of toxins which can alter overall health and wellness. Since approximately the 1930’s, coffee enemas have been utilized as a method to detoxify the body, however, various studies demonstrate the various benefits and risks of the procedure.
Headache After Auto Injury
After being involved in an automobile accident, the sheer force of the impact can cause damage or injury to the body, primarily to the structures surrounding the spine. Whiplash is a common result of an auto collision, affecting the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and other tissues around it, causing symptoms such as head pain. Headaches are a common symptom after an automobile accident, which may require immediate medical attention to determine its source and follow through with treatment.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
Neuropathy means damage to the nerves, which transmit messages from the spinal cord to the brain. Neuropathy often causes numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, called peripheral neuropathy. Physical injury or trauma to nerves most often causes neuropathy; between 60 to 70 percent of diabetics also have neuropathy, ranging from mild to severe, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. A number of diseases, acute infections and toxins can also cause neuropathy. Many people turn to herbs for relief — but do not take herbs for neuropathy without your doctor�s approval.
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Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, a topical pain reliever that can help reduce discomfort from neuropathy. Capsaicin works by depleting substance P, a pain-causing chemical, from nerve receptors. Applying cayenne pepper in a topical solution initially stimulates the release of substance P but then depletes it, which decreases pain. Several over-the-counter topical pain relievers containing cayenne pepper approved for use by United States Food and Drug Administration are available. They appear to help at least some people with neuropathies from shingles; trigeminal neuralgia, which causes facial neuropathy; and diabetic retinopathy, the Diabetes Self-Management website reports. In some cases, topical application of this herb can worsen pain. Wright State University pharmacy suggests starting with the weakest concentration of the herb and increasing over time. It can take one to two months to work up to the strongest dose.
A systematic review of studies conducted by the University of Oxford reported on study findings in the April 24, 2004 issue of the �British Medical Journal.� L. Mason and colleagues, of the Pain Research and Nuffield Department of Anaesthetics, reported that capsaicin had poor to moderate effectiveness overall in six separate studies.
Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose oil, also called EPO, contains an omega-6 essential fatty acid, gamma-linolenic acid. In some studies, EPO showed benefit for use in diabetic retinopathy. A 2003 article published in �The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice� by Kathleen M. Halat and pharmacist Cathi E. Dennehy of the University of California�San Francisco reviewed studies done on the effectiveness of EPO in treating diabetic neuropathy without causing adverse effects on blood glucose levels. The authors concluded that EPO may have benefit in treating mild diabetic neuropathy, but that patient compliance with the number of pills required, 8 to 12 per day, might be problematic.
St. John’s Wort
Antidepressants are often used as treatment for polyneuropathy, neuropathy that affects number of areas rather than just one. St. John�s wort, an herb that has antidepressant properties, is also used to treat neuropathy in some patients. A 2001 study reported in �Pain� by Soren Sindrup, M.D., of the University of Southern Denmark found no improvement of polyneuropathy in patients given St. John�s wort compared to placebo.
Ginkgo Biloba
In an animal study reported by Yee Suk Kim, M.D., and colleagues of the Catholic University of Seoul and published in the June 2009 issue of �Anesthesia and Analgesia,� ginkgo biloba was found to decrease neuropathic pain in rats. Ginkgo may also prove valuable for use in humans, the study concluded.
Characterized by pain, tingling sensations and numbness, damage or injury to the nerves can alter the function of the nervous system. Neuropathy can interrupt the communication of the nerves between the brain, spinal cord and the central nervous system. Several treatments have been found to improve the symptoms of neuropathy and a herbal treatment containing several specific herbs can help improve the condition.
Trending Topic: Vaccines Revealed Episode 6
Dr. Gentempo and others are bringing great awareness to our community regarding vaccinations and their dangers.
Vaccines Revealed and Exposed on Episode #6
As a healthcare provider, Dr. Patrick Gentempo has been searching for the truth behind the effects of vaccines on the general population. When making critical decisions about you and your children�s health, it�s essential to have the correct knowledge of all medical procedures you�re being involved in, including the administration of mandatory vaccines, among others.
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that affects the nerves outside of the brain or spinal cord. It can cause changes to sensation, movement and involuntary functions. Pressure on the nerves can cause peripheral neuropathy, as can certain conditions such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, an inherited disorder. MedlinePlus, a website of the National Institutes of Health, points out that some types of peripheral neuropathy do not have a cure. The nerve damage from this condition can have lasting effects.
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Reduced Feeling
Peripheral neuropathy affects three types of nerves: sensory, motor and autonomic. The sensory nerves relay information to the brain such as a change in temperature. When peripheral neuropathy damages the sensory nerves, patients can experience nerve pain, burning sensations or tingling. Some patients may have numbness that starts in the feet and moves up in the body. MayoClinic.com explains that with the numbness, patients can have reduced feeling in their limbs, which can affect their ability to sense changes. Problems can arise, such as in the case of a peripheral neuropathy patient who cannot feel pain in his feet and therefore does not notice a foot injury. If the injury goes untreated, an infection can develop.
Problems Moving
Since peripheral neuropathy can affect the motor nerves, patients may have a partial or total loss of movement and muscle control. For example, patients may experience paralysis of certain parts of the body such as the arms or legs. MedlinePlus points out that patients may fall from tripping over themselves. Peripheral neuropathy can cause muscle atrophy, in which patients lose some muscle tissue. Patients may have a lack of muscle control and dexterity, which can affect their ability to do tasks that require fine movements, such as writing with a pen. Damage to the autonomic nerves, which control the involuntary functions, can also impair movement. For example, patients can have dizziness when they stand up.
Weight Loss
Peripheral neuropathy patients may lose weight as a result of the autonomic nerve damage symptoms. MedlinePlus points out that peripheral neuropathy patients can lose more than 5 percent of their body weight. They may have nausea and vomiting after meals. The autonomic symptoms of peripheral neuropathy cause patients to feel full after eating a small amount of food, which can also affect weight. Motor nerve damage in the throat can affect patients’ ability to swallow, which may cause them to eat less.
Low Self-esteem
MedlinePlus explains that the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can cause patients to have low self-esteem. For example, male peripheral neuropathy patients may feel self-conscious about impotency problems. Urinary incontinence, or urine leakage, is another embarrassing problem related to peripheral neuropathy that can affect self-esteem.
Because neuropathy can affect the nervous system, it can generally cause lasting effects on the body if left untreated. Some cases of nerve damage can be incurable, altering the overall function between the brain, spinal cord and the rest of the body, developing other issues which have been previously linked to neuropathy, such as sensory issues and even weight loss.
Trending Topic: Vaccines Revealed Episode 6
Dr. Gentempo and others are bringing great awareness to our community regarding vaccinations and their dangers.
Vaccines Revealed and Exposed on Episode #6
As a healthcare provider, Dr. Patrick Gentempo has been searching for the truth behind the effects of vaccines on the general population. When making critical decisions about you and your children�s health, it�s essential to have the correct knowledge of all medical procedures you�re being involved in, including the administration of mandatory vaccines, among others.
Neuropathy, also known as peripheral neuropathy, is a condition that causes numbness, pain, tingling and weakness, usually in the hands and feet. It may occur episodically or progress gradually over years. According to the Neuropathy Association (NA), 30 percent of cases evolve from diabetes, 30 percent from unknown causes and 40 percent from infections, autoimmune disorders, genetic factors, nutrient imbalances, tumors or toxins. Symptoms of neuropathy vary depending on type of neuropathy and which nerves are affected.
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Sensory Symptoms
Neuropathy causes damage to fibers that affect physical sensation, which causes nerve pain, tingling and numbness. Sensory damage may reduce a person’s ability to determine the position of his joints and suffer from poor coordination. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), sensation symptoms frequently start within the feet and gradually progress toward the body’s center as neuropathy worsens. Though sensory symptoms are common among diabetes-related neuropathy, it affects other forms as well.
Mobility Issues
When neuropathy causes damage to fibers that affect a person’s muscles, it can lead to physical weakness, loss of dexterity and reduced muscle mass. Muscle cramping or twitching, trouble swallowing or breathing, paralysis of affected body parts and reduced muscle control may also occur. According to the UMMC, these symptoms often lead to tripping, resultant injuries and difficulty executing tasks that require dexterity, such as buttoning a shirt, writing and opening jars and doors. Reduced nerve function in the hands may cause people to drop objects frequently. When leg muscles are weakened, people may struggle to run or walk or observe a sense of “heaviness” in the legs. Normally simple tasks such as climbing stairs may become challenging and lead to frustration and muscle cramps.
Autonomic Symptoms
Neuropathy may also affect that autonomic nerves that contribute to involuntary functions, such as heartbeat, digestive processes, blood pressure and organ function. When this occurs, numerous symptoms may evolve, such as blurry vision, constipation or diarrhea, inability or reduced ability to sweat, abdominal bloating and difficulty during urination. According to the UMMC, fainting or dizziness upon standing may indicate a drop in blood pressure caused by autonomic neuropathy symptoms. People with neuropathy may become sensitive to heat during physical exertion, such as exercise. When the digestive system is affected, nausea or vomiting may occur after eating. Impotence in males and unintentional weight loss may also stem from these symptoms.
Damage or injury to the structures of the nervous system, primarily the peripheral nerves, can alter the function of these intricate connections, affecting the communications between the brain and the rest of the body in a disorder known as neuropathy. Neuropathy requires a diagnosis but common, well-known symptoms such as pain, tingling sensations and numbness, can indicate its presence.
Trending Topic: Vaccines Revealed Episode 6
Dr. Gentempo and others are bringing great awareness to our community regarding vaccinations and their dangers.
Vaccines Revealed and Exposed on Episode #6
As a healthcare provider, Dr. Patrick Gentempo has been searching for the truth behind the effects of vaccines on the general population. When making critical decisions about you and your children�s health, it�s essential to have the correct knowledge of all medical procedures you�re being involved in, including the administration of mandatory vaccines, among others.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
Back pain is a common symptom which affects a majority of the population, although for most individuals, the prevalent discomfort is often mild and temporary. Unfortunately, back pain can become a constant issue for some people. In several instances, these symptoms may even need immediate medical attention.
If you�ve experienced back pain sometime throughout your lifetime, especially if it�s new, recurring discomfort, causing the individual to lose control of their bowel or bladder, seeking a proper diagnosis as soon as possible is fundamental to determine the source of the symptoms and begin treatment. Listen to your body.
Contents
Seeking Help from a Healthcare Professional
Back pain, soreness and stiffness are generally frequent and can resolve on their own without the need of a medical evaluation. But, other symptoms could signal the development of a much more serious complication. The following symptoms may need further diagnosis as these could an indication of a spinal condition: pain which lasts for longer than six weeks; pain, weakness or numbness in the legs; difficulty sleeping due to back or neck pain; and/or a sudden onset of back pain without an obvious cause. If you�ve experienced any of the above mentioned symptoms, it�s essential to seek a proper diagnosis from a qualified healthcare professional.
Chiropractic care is a common alternative treatment option that is utilized to correct numerous spinal complications. Chiropractic primarily focuses on the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system. When visiting a doctor of chiropractic, or chiropractor, the healthcare professional will first conduct an evaluation of the spine to diagnose whether a spinal misalignment, also referred to as a subluxation, or any other type of injury or condition is the cause of the symptoms.
Together with a review of the individual�s medical history, including any previous test results from prior appointments with other physicians, if any. To complete the spinal assessment, aside from a physical exam, the chiropractor may also need additional studies, such as an X-ray or MRI scan. This will help pinpoint the source of the symptoms. Whether the individual is diagnosed with a common injury or condition, such as sciatica, or a more complex and severe complication, the doctor of chiropractic will follow up with an up to date description of the individual�s cause of their symptoms before developing an appropriate treatment plan.
The healthcare professional should provide an overview of treatment options, including a detailed discussion of the benefits and possible risks of each. The most common chiropractic care techniques and therapy procedures include spinal adjustments and manual manipulations. Through the use of chiropractic adjustments and manipulations, a chiropractor will carefully realign the spine, helping to reduce the stress and pressure being placed against the structures surrounding the spine in order to improve function. By restoring the individual�s natural spinal alignment, any pain, inflammation and numbness, as well as other symptoms of back pain and discomfort, will be decreased, providing the individual with their original strength, mobility and flexibility, promoting their overall health and wellness.
Furthermore, a chiropractor may also recommend a series of stretches and exercises, as well as several lifestyle changes, to further improve an individual�s injury or condition and promote a faster recovery time. Physical therapy and spinal surgery are also possible treatment options for various types of back complications, However, spinal surgery is only recommended if conservative treatment options have failed before. Although back pain is a common complication among the population, seeking diagnosis and following through with treatment is important to ensure the individual lives with the proper health and wellness.
Back pain symptoms can affect a wide number of individuals and, while a majority of cases resolve on their own, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible to determine the cause of the symptoms, especially with chronic pain. Chiropractic treatment can help restore the original health of the spine.
Trending Topic: Vaccines Revealed Episode 6
Dr. Gentempo and others are bringing great awareness to our community regarding vaccinations and their dangers.
Vaccines Revealed and Exposed on Episode #6
As a healthcare provider, Dr. Patrick Gentempo has been searching for the truth behind the effects of vaccines on the general population. When making critical decisions about you and your children�s health, it�s essential to have the correct knowledge of all medical procedures you�re being involved in, including the administration of mandatory vaccines, among others.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
Neuropathy affects about 8 percent of people over age 55. Your nervous system consists of two parts: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
The nerves of your peripheral nervous system transmit messages between your central nervous system, your brain, spinal cord, and the rest of your body.
These nerves regulate a large range of functions throughout the body, including voluntary muscle movement (motor nerves), involuntary organ activity (autonomic nerves), and the perception of stimuli (sensory nerves).
Peripheral neuropathy, which is often simply referred to as “neuropathy,” is a condition that occurs when your peripheral nerves become damaged or disrupted. It is estimated that neuropathy affects about 2.4 percent of the general population and about 8 percent of people older than age 55.
However, this estimate doesn’t include people affected by a neuropathy resulting from physical trauma to the nerves.
Neuropathy Types
Neuropathy can affect any of the three types of peripheral nerves:
Sensory nerves carry messages from your sensory organs (eyes, nose, etc.) to your brain
Motor nerves monitor the conscious movement of your muscles
Autonomic nerves, regulate the involuntary functions of your body
Sometimes, neuropathy will only affect a single nerve. This is called mononeuropathy and examples include:
Ulnar neuropathy (elbow)
Radial neuropathy (arm)
Peroneal neuropathy (knee)
Femoral neuropathy (thigh)
Cervical neuropathy (neck)
Occasionally, two or more isolated nerves in separate areas of the body become damaged, resulting in mono neuritis multiplex neuropathy.
Most often, however, multiple peripheral nerves malfunction at the same time, a condition known as polyneuropathy.
According to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), there are more than 100 types of peripheral neuropathies.
Neuropathy Causes
Neuropathies are either inherited at birth or acquired later in life.
The most common inherited neuropathy is the neurological disorder Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which affects 1 in 2,500 people in the United States.
Though doctors are sometimes unable to pinpoint the exact cause of an acquired neuropathy (this is then known as idiopathic neuropathy), there are many known causes: systemic diseases, physical trauma, infectious diseases, and autoimmune disorders.
A systemic disease is one that affects the whole body.
The most common systemic cause behind peripheral neuropathy is diabetes, which can cause chronically high blood glucose levels that damage nerves.
Many other systemic issues can cause neuropathy, including:
Kidney disorders, allow high levels of nerve-damaging toxic substances to circulate in the blood
Toxins from exposure to heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, mercury, and thallium
Certain drugs, including anticancer medications, anticonvulsants, antivirals, and antibiotics
Chemical imbalances due to liver diseases
Hormonal diseases, including hyperthyroidism, disturb metabolic processes, potentially causing tissues and body parts to swell and exert pressure on nerves
Deficiencies in vitamins, including E, B1 (thiamine), B6 (pyridoxine), B12, and niacin, which are vital for healthy nerves
Alcohol abuse causes vitamin deficiencies and may also directly damage nerves
Cancers and tumors that exert harmful pressure on nerve fibers
Chronic inflammation can damage protective tissues around nerves, making them more vulnerable to compression or susceptible to becoming inflamed
Blood diseases and blood vessel damage can harm nerve tissue by decreasing the available oxygen supply
In addition, if a nerve suffers from isolated physical trauma, it can become damaged, resulting in neuropathy. Nerves may suffer a direct blow that severs, crushes, compresses, or stretches them, even to the point of detaching them from the spinal cord.
Common causes behind these injuries are motor vehicle accidents, falls, and sports injuries.
Nerve damage can also arise from strong pressure on a nerve, such as 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 in the wrist becomes pinched.
And repetitive physical stress can inflame muscles, tendons, and ligaments, putting significant pressure on nerves.
Numerous infections from viruses and bacteria can cause neuropathy by attacking nerve tissues directly or indirectly, such as:
HIV
Shingles
Epstein-Barr virus
Lyme disease
Diphtheria
Leprosy
Furthermore, various autoimmune disorders in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue can lead to nerve damage, including:
When an individual experiences damage or injury to their peripheral nerves, the essential communications between the central nervous system, the brain, spinal cord and the rest of the body can be interrupted, leading to complications such as neuropathy. There are several types of neuropathy and numerous possible causes for the condition, however, most share similar symptoms like pain and discomfort.
Neuropathy is medically characterized as a form of chronic pain which may commonly result from damage to or pathological changes of the central or peripheral nervous system. Peripheral neuropathic pain has also been previously referred to as painful neuropathy, nerve pain, sensory peripheral neuropathy or peripheral neuritis. Individual�s affected by neuropathy generally describe its symptoms to be unlike any others they�ve ever experienced before. When it comes to neuropathy however, it�s fundamental to understand that chronic pain is not a symptom of injury but rather, the pain is itself the process of the disease. Neuropathy is not associated with the healing process either, instead of a specific injury in the body, the nerves themselves malfunction and are the source of the pain.
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Characteristics of Neuropathy
The back pain or other type of painful symptom characteristic of neuropathy can usually be described in several ways. These can be specified as: severe, sharp, electric shock-like, shooting, lightning-like, or lancinating; deep, burning or cold; with persistent numbness, tingling or weakness; and/or trailing along the nerve path into the arms, hands, legs or feet. Furthermore, symptoms of neuropathy can be characterized by pain and discomfort from a light touch or other stimulus which generally shouldn�t cause pain, as well as hypersensitivity to a normally painful stimulus.
Symptoms of neuropathy can manifest as a result of any form of pain which impinges or compresses a nerve. Examples of neuropathic pain which generate from the region of the spine include: chronic pain which trails down the length of the leg, also known as radiculopathy or sciatica; chronic pain that radiates along the arm, also referred to as cervical radiculopathy; and gradual or persistent pain following a back surgical procedure, commonly associated with failed back surgery syndrome. Other well-known causes of neuropathy are: diabetes; phantom limb pain or regional pain syndrome, also referred to as RPS. If an individual�s neuropathy is not treated appropriately, numerous complications such as depression, sleeplessness, feelings of fear and anxiety, limited social interaction and an inability to perform normal daily activities or work have been described as frequent issues affecting those who suffer with chronic pain associated with neuropathy and its other symptoms.
Types of Back Pain
When it comes to neuropathic symptoms, it�s essential to have a general understanding of the major different types of back pain, most importantly because effectively determining these types of symptoms can guide people to receive the best treatment plan.
Nociceptive Pain and Neuropathy
Healthcare providers and professionals in the medical field typically classify pain in one of two general categories: neuropathic pain and nociceptive, or somatic, pain.
Nociceptive pain is felt by the nociceptor sensory fibers after there�s been damage or injury to a structure in the body, such as the muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, joints or other organs. Nociceptive pain is commonly identified as a deep aching, throbbing, gnawing or sore sensation. Prevalent instances of nociceptive pain associated with back symptoms of pain and discomfort include: pain after direct trauma from an automobile accident or other personal injury case; pain after a back surgical procedure; and arthritis pain. Nociceptive pain is generally localized and can improve with healing treatments. Neuropathic pain, or neuropathy, results when there�s damage or injury to nerve tissue. Neuropathy is often identified as burning, severe shooting pains and/or a persistent numbness or tingling sensation. Prevalent instances of neuropathic pain associated with back symptoms of pain and discomfort include: sciatica, pain that travels from the spine down the arm, pain that persists after back surgery.
It is believed that in several cases, extended nociceptive pain may lead to neuropathy and an individual may subsequently experience both neuropathic pain and nociceptive pain simultaneously. �
Acute Pain and Chronic Pain
It�s also fundamental to recognize the differences between acute pain and chronic pain as these two forms of pain can be very distinct in structure and function.
With acute pain for example, the level of severity can directly correspond with the grade of tissue damage or injury. This provides individuals with a protective reflex, such as the reflex to move a limb immediately after touching a sharp object. Acute pain can be identified as a symptom of damaged or diseased tissue, where if the underlying complication is cured, the pain will subside as well. Acute pain is a form of nociceptive pain. With chronic pain for example, the pain doesn�t have the same structure and function as it does with acute pain. In other words, it does not serve a protective or other biological action. Instead, the nerves continue to send pain signals to the brain regardless if there�s no ongoing tissue damage. Neuropathy is a form of chronic pain.
Anatomy of Nerve Pain
The spinal cord functions as the primary part of the body�s central nervous system which transmits messages directly from the brain and spreads these out to the nerves throughout the body. Nerves can be found traveling to all parts of the body, entering and exiting the spinal cord alongside its entire length.
How Nerve Pain Works
There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves which can be found exiting the spinal cord between openings separating each vertebrae. The nerve root, or the point where the nerve exits the spinal cord, branches out into many smaller nerves which control distinct regions of the body, best referred to as the peripheral nerves. For instance, a nerve that exits the lower back will have peripheral branches that travel all the way down to the toes. Peripheral nerves make up the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nerves are comprised of both motor nerves and sensory nerves. Sensory nerves receive sensory stimuli, such as how something physically feels and whether it is painful or not. These consist of nerve fibers known as sensory fibers. Additionally, mechanoreceptor fibers sense body movement and pressure placed against the body while nociceptor fibers sense tissue injury. Motor nerves travel throughout the muscles and stimulate their movements. These consist of nerve fibers known as motor fibers.
Nerve Injury and Neuropathy Pain
Although there is no sufficient research or evidence to support the following theory, it is believed that damage or injury to any of the above types of nerve tissues may be a possible reason which could lead to the development of neuropathic pain or neuropathy. Generally, the area of the nerve cell that is damaged by neuropathy is medically defined as the axon, which is the inner information pathway of the nerve cell, and/or its myelin covering, which is identified as the fatty outer sheath which protects the nerve cell and helps transfer information throughout the nervous system. When neuropathy pain occurs due to damage or injury to the above mentioned structures, neuropathy is sustained by abnormal processing of sensory input by the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
Trending Topic: Vaxxed�From Coverup To Catastrophe
In 2013, biologist Dr. Brian Hooker received a call from a Senior Scientist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who led the agency�s 2004 study on the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine and its link to autism.
The scientist, Dr. William Thompson, confessed that the CDC had omitted crucial data in their final report that revealed a causal relationship between the MMR vaccine and autism. Over several months, Dr. Hooker records the phone calls made to him by Dr. Thompson who provides the confidential data destroyed by his colleagues at the CDC.
Dr. Hooker enlists the help of Dr. Andrew Wakefield, the British gastroenterologist falsely accused of starting the anti-vax movement when he first reported in 1998 that the MMR vaccine may cause autism. In his ongoing effort to advocate for children�s health, Wakefield directs this documentary examining the evidence behind an appalling cover-up committed by the government agency charged with protecting the health of American citizens.
Interviews with pharmaceutical insiders, doctors, politicians, and parents of vaccine-injured children reveal an alarming deception that has contributed to the skyrocketing increase of autism and potentially the most catastrophic epidemic of our lifetime.
Americans deserve real solutions for the economic, social and environmental crises we face. But the broken political system is only making things worse.
It’s time to build a people’s movement to end unemployment and poverty; avert climate catastrophe; build a sustainable, just economy; and recognize the dignity and human rights of every person. The power to create this new world is not in our hopes; it�s not in our dreams � it’s in our hands.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
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