While there’s scant evidence that herbal medications are safe or effective to treat heart conditions, they remain popular among people with heart disease, a new review suggests.
“Physicians should improve their knowledge of herbal medications in order to adequately weigh the clinical implications related to their use,” said senior review author Dr. Graziano Onder.
Onder, of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome, Italy, is an assistant professor in the department of geriatrics, neurosciences and orthopedics.
Physicians Should Explain That Natural Does Not Always Mean Safe
Onder�said in a news release from the American College of Cardiology.
In the United States, herbal medications can be sold without being tested in clinical trials. As a result, there’s little evidence of their safety or effectiveness, the review authors explained.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration can only determine that an herbal medication is unsafe after it has already hurt someone. However, this hasn’t stopped many people with heart disease from taking herbal treatments to improve their heart health, the researchers said.
To explore the issue, the investigators looked at 42 herbal medications that have been identified as a possible treatment for one or more heart conditions, including high blood pressure, heart failure and hardening of the arteries.
Onder’s team found there isn’t enough evidence to determine if herbal remedies are causing potential complications.
Many people don’t tell their doctor they are taking herbal medications, probably because they don’t view these as treatments that could cause serious side effects, the study authors said.
Complicating matters even further, many people taking herbal medications don’t follow through on their treatment plan and fail to take the medication prescribed by their doctor properly, the findings showed.
Doctors Should Talk To Their Patients About Potential Risks Of Using Herbal Medications
researchers concluded.
“Communicating with the patient is a crucial component of the process,” Onder said. “The pros and cons of specific herbal medications should be explained and their risk-benefit profile properly discussed.”
The review was published Feb. 27 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
SOURCE: American College of Cardiology, news release, Feb. 27, 2017
News stories are written and provided by HealthDay and do not reflect federal policy, the views of MedlinePlus, the National Library of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
If you want to reduce the number of opioid prescriptions and pills being used, and potentially misused, you need alternative pain management. And chiropractors say that�s what they�ve been providing for decades.
�It gives people options, and that�s probably the most important thing right now is to give people options for treatment,� Dr. Mark Stagnone, president of the New Hampshire Chiropractic Association said.
At its annual meeting, the association is pointing to a trio of recent studies showing that chiropractic care cuts down on the use of opiate pain medicines.
In one of the studies, a former Dartmouth doctor analyzed 33,000 cases of lower back pain in a New Hampshire database.
�His preliminary research is indicating that there�s about a 56-57 percent reduction in opioid use when chiropractic care has been utilized in a patients treatment,� Stagnone said.
James Vara, the governor�s adviser on addiction and behavorial health, said the state needs more alternative pain management.
�It becomes a question of what insurance covers it and how long they cover it for, and that�s certainly something I�ve looked at and will continue to,� said Vara.
The Current Insurance Model Puts Patients On A Path To Prescription Drugs
�The problem that it produces is that the average individual who�s trying to treat a condition is faced with paying a high co-pay to visit a chiropractor or paying a considerably lower one to see a primary care physician,� Stagnone said.
Changing that dynamic will require legislation that has failed in the past. But chiropractors said in this ongoing addiction crisis, it�s time for adjustment.
Chiropractic care is covered under the New Hampshire Health Protection program, or expanded Medicaid. And if the program lapses, so does that coverage.
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Painkillers Sometimes Increase Chronic Pain
We’re facing an opioid addiction crisis in America. Opioid (narcotic) pain medications killed an estimated 14,000 people in the U.S. in 2014 through overdose. A further 14,000 people overdosed on heroin, another opioid that many people turn to when they can’t access prescription painkillers.
This epidemic is why physicians and pharmacists are increasingly raising the bar on who can receive opioid medications, how much, and for how long. It’s not just the addiction risk that calls for caution when using opioids to treat chronic pain though�long-term use of opioids can actually make pain worse.
Becoming addicted to pain medication is a disease. This is because these painkillers (oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, fentanyl) cause a change in your brain chemistry that is not under your control.
Most people who take opioids for more than 2 to 4 weeks will develop a tolerance to the medication. Tolerance means your body may need an increased dosage to feel the same effect. Opioid tolerance can cause withdrawal symptoms when the medication is stopped. This is a natural process, and it is not to be confused with addiction.
In his recent blog on the subject, Dr. Ullrich explains: “Pain medication addiction is a more complicated process. It involves manipulative behavior to obtain narcotic medications and a refusal to discontinue a medication even though it is no longer being used for a medical purpose. Some, including those at significant risk of overdosing, will go to multiple doctors to get medications.”
For those who are addicted to opioid medications, a detoxification program is often needed. Painkiller addiction is a chemical, physical disease, one that requires expert medical treatment in a safe, humane environment.
Most people know that painkillers can be addictive, but they don’t know that taking opioids over a long period of time may in fact increase a patient’s sensitivity to pain (hyperalgesia). This happens because long-term use of opiate painkillers causes a decrease in your ability to tolerate pain and an increase in sensitivity to pain. In fact, people taking opioids long term may keep having pain, or may see their pain increase, long after the original cause of pain has healed.
Stopping opioid use can solve this problem�but it may not seem as if the pain is gone at first, because the discomfort of withdrawal can mimic the original pain. Dependency is not easy to deal with, but it shouldn’t be an excuse to stay on the opioid medication and raise the risk for addiction. This is why physicians are encouraged to only prescribe opioids for short durations and be cautious when using them to treat chronic pain.
Since long-term use of opioid painkillers is a risky option for controlling chronic pain, patients are often advised to focus on other safe, proven methods for managing chronic pain, such as:
Exercise to maintain motion and release endorphins
Cognitive therapy to develop coping techniques
Relaxation and meditation techniques to distract the brain from pain
Six Things Every Chiropractor Should Know About Opioids
Men health concept. Portrait of 50s mature Asian man reading the label on bottle medicine, sitting on sofa at home.
An increase in addictions and deaths due to opioids has raised significant concern and media attention. We offer this brief overview on this important public health problem for the practicing chiropractor.
1. What Are Opioids?
Opioid medications are prescribed to reduce pain; however, they are addictive and can be dangerous. Although some suggest there is �no safe dose� for opioids, these drugs may be helpful for people with severe pain, such as those experiencing pain from cancer. However, over the past several decades, more patients have been prescribed opioids for musculoskeletal pain, such as back or neck pain, instead of being provided with nondrug therapies.
As with any drug, opioids have side effects and may �adversely affect respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, immune, endocrine, and central nervous systems.�1 �As the dose increases, the risks for overdose and health concerns also increase, including �fractures, addiction, intestinal blockages, and sedation.�1 If too high a dose is consumed or if opioids are taken with certain other drugs or alcohol, death may result.
2. Why Is Opioid Use / Overuse Problematic?
Since 1999, prescription opioid sales have increased fourfold, along with a surge in the use of opioids as a first line for pain management, rather than only for severe cancer-related pain. This trend has led to burgeoning opioid prescribing in the U.S.:2
? One in five people with non-cancer pain have been prescribed opioids.
? More than 165,000 prescription opioid-related deaths occurred between 1999 and 2014.
? An estimated 2 million people were addicted to opioids as of 2014.
3. Who Is Addressing This Health Crisis?
Currently, many professions are seeking ways to address this national epidemic. The medical profession has launched various initiatives to help medical doctors (MDs) reduce prescriptions. These include an initiative to remove pain as the 5th�vital sign, and promoting guidelines for when to prescribe and how to better manage patients in pain without the use of opioids.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has�released guidelines�to curb opioid prescriptions, with the following categories of recommendations to those who prescribe opioids: 1) determine when to initiate or continue opioids for chronic pain; 2) opioid selection, dosage, duration, follow-up, discontinuation, and assessing risk; and 3) addressing harms of opioid use.
In addition to these efforts, even more focus is needed to assist people who seek help for pain and to provide them with nonpharmacological alternatives.
4. What Can Doctors of Chiropractic Do?
Chiropractic care can be part of the solution. DCs can work with other health care providers and support policy to offer alternatives to opioids for addressing patients in pain, especially chronic non-cancer pain.
Although there are no large trials comparing outcomes of chiropractic care to opioids, we do know opioid use is associated with worse functioning in back pain patients at six-month follow-up3 �and greater disability;4 �and that injured workers whose first health care visit is to a DC have better outcomes.5 �We also know that the per-capita supply of DCs and higher use of manipulative therapy is associated with lower rates of opioid prescriptions among Medicare recipients.6
All this suggests chiropractic care may help reduce the use of and need for opioid prescriptions for back pain sufferers; and may play an important role in reducing the opioid epidemic by helping to prevent patients from ever getting an opioid prescription in the first place.
Important resources DCs should be aware of include:
? Chiropractic: A Safer Strategy Than Opioids:�www.f4cp. com/f4cp_opioid_white_paper.pdf
? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Opioid Overdose:�www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/ Six Things Every Chiropractor Should Know About Opioids By Claire Johnson, DC, MSEd, PhD, Bart N. Green, DC, MSEd, PhD and Michael Haneline, DC, MPH Reprinted with permission from Dynamic Chiropractic, Sept. 1, 2016, Vol. 34, Issue 15 (www.dynamicchiropractic.com/digital/index.php?i=1220&r=t#19)
5. What Can We Do If a Patient Is Already Taking Opioids?
Most chiropractors take a history and ask patients what medications they are taking. The first step is to recognize that the following are opioid-class drugs: hydrocodone (Vicodin), ultram (Tramadol), oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), morphine (Kadian, Avinza) and codeine.7
Once we know a patient is taking opioids, we must first seek to understand the situation before we provide education.
Questions we can ask include:
? For what condition is the patient taking the medication?
? How long has the patient been taking opioids and at what daily dose?
? Who is the provider watching over their prescription? Is more than one provider prescribing opioids?
? When was the last time the patient saw the prescribing physician and when is the next appointment?
? Does the patient have any safety issues? For example, does the patient operate machinery? Is the patient experiencing side effects such as �sedation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, physical dependence, tolerance, or respiratory depression�?8
? What is the patient�s level of function? Are there any psychological flags or addictive behaviors?
? Is the patient taking any other substances or drugs that may have deadly interactions, such as alcohol, benzodiazepines and/or other opioids?
As chiropractors, we can discuss treatment goals, such as reasonable functional activity; and pain goals with and without medication. We also can discuss potential adverse events, including the risks for side effects, addiction and death.
We can inform patients of other dangers they may not be aware of, such as the deadly combination of opioids when combined with other drugs that depress CNS activity (e.g., alcohol or drugs for anxiety such as benzodiazepines). We can encourage patients to contact the prescribing provider to discuss reducing and stopping opioid use, and to ask for safer alternatives for pain control, such as chiropractic care, physical therapy, acupuncture and mind-body methods. If a patient is already addicted, we can encourage the patient to seek a specialist provider and addiction care program. (Note that some patients may need to remain on opioids, such as for cancer pain or end-of-life care.)
Most importantly, we can work with the patient and their prescribing provider to offer them nonpharmacological care to help reduce their pain and help them reach their functional goals.
6. How Can We Collaborate More on Solutions?
As DCs, we can work more closely with local MDs and discuss better ways to collaborate concerning patients with pain. Remember that MDs are not the enemy, but are an essential component of the solution to this epidemic. Most MDs are also extremely concerned about the opioid epidemic, and are looking for efficient and cost-effective ways of helping their patients. We should remain professional when speaking about MDs with our patients, as our patients likely have good relations with them.
We can be part of the safety net to help reduce the number of people who become addicted or die from overdose. As we work with other health care professionals and our patients, we can remind them that the first recommendation per the CDC�s�Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain�is �Nonpharmacologic therapy and nonopioid pharmacologic therapy are preferred for chronic pain.�9 �Thus, through collaboration, the chiropractic profession can be a part of the solution.
7 Reasons Chiropractic is More Than About Back Pain
As Chiropractors we know the benefits of being under chiropractic care extends well beyond just back pain relief. In an article published by ChiroHosting they give 7 reasons why chiropractic is about your overall wellness.
The core concept of chiropractic is to restore the function of your nervous system so that it can do what�s it�s designed to do: keeping your body healthy and active. Chiropractic is truly about prevention. If you keep your nervous system working smoothly and without interference, many health issues become non-issues!
Don�t take our word for it, though. Over the last few years, there�s been a lot of scientific research that shows that chiropractic is good for much more than just aches and pains. Here�s a review of some of this literature.
1 � Chiropractic Boosts Immune Function
A 2010 study found that chiropractic adjustments actually boosted blood serum levels of some important natural antibodies in patients. The authors suggested that chiropractic adjustments might �prime� the immune system, making it easier to ward off infection and illness.
2 � Chiropractic Reduces Inflammation
Researchers in a 2011 study compared back pain patients to people with no pain and gave both groups chiropractic adjustments. The authors found that the back pain patients who received chiropractic care had dramatically lower levels of a key inflammatory cytokine, known as TNF-?. High levels of TNF-? have been linked to inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis.
3 � Chiropractic Reduces Blood Pressure
Hypertension is a huge public health issue in the US; it�s estimated that about 30% of adults suffer from this serious condition. A 2007 study in the Journal of Human Hypertension looked at a group of patients with high blood pressure. Half received received an adjustment of their atlas, and the other half received a sham adjustment.
The decrease in blood pressure was so dramatic in the patients who received real adjustments that the researchers wrote that it �is similar to that seen by giving two different anti-hypertensive agents simultaneously.� In fact, 85% of the study patients had improvement after just one adjustment!
4 � Chiropractic Reduces Stress
An interesting study by a team of Japanese researchers in 2011 gave chiropractic adjustments to 12 men and examined PET scan images and blood chemistry to examine the effect that chiropractic has on the autonomic nervous system.
After receiving a chiropractic neck adjustment, patients had altered brain activity in the parts of the brain responsible for pain processing and stress reactions. They also had significantly reduced cortisol levels, indicating decreased stress. Participants also reported lower pain scores and a better quality of life after treatment.
5 � Chiropractic Improves Balance
As we age, sometimes we start to lose some of our balance, strength, and flexibility that we had in our youth. Because of this, older folks are vulnerable to serious injuries from trips and falls. Chiropractic helps keep your body active by restoring the normal, healthy functioning of your spine. One of the important roles of your spine is balance, aided by nerves calledproprioceptors. These propriocepters relay information to your brain on the position of your body.
A small study from 2009 found that people who received chiropractic adjustments had reduced dizziness and improved balance. A 2015 review of the literature suggests that chiropractic care might be an effective, natural way to help prevent falls in elderly patients.
6 � Chiropractic Relieves Colic in Babies
In 2012, researchers studied 104 infants who were suffering from colic. One-third of the infants were treated with chiropractic adjustments and the parents were aware of the treatment; one-third were treated and the parents were unaware of the treatment; and one-third were untreated but the parents were unaware.
The authors found that the parents reported a significant decrease in infant crying in the treated babies, compared to the infants who didn�t receive treatment. The knowledge of the parent had no effect on the improvement.
7 � Chiropractic Relieves Asthma Symptoms
A 2013 study reported that chiropractic adjustments were effective at increasing lung functioning, and some recent research9shows that chiropractic care can help reduce the symptoms of asthma in some children.
The Beginner�s Guide to Chiropractic
Narration:
If you�re watching this video, you�re probably curious about chiropractic care and how it can help you and your family, so let�s explore what chiropractic is all about and how it works:
A Chiropractor is a health care professional who specializes in the health and function of the spine and nervous system, Because of this focus on the spine many people think that chiropractors can only help with problems such as back pain, neck pain and headaches and while it is true chiropractors can often help people with pain, there is so much more to chiropractic than just pain.
Chiropractic care is really about total health and well-being, it is about helping people to feel great and get the most out of life by functioning at their optimal potential.
To understand how this works it is important to consider the spines� role in the body. The spine is there to protect the spinal cord, which is part of the central nervous system, the spine is like a set or armour made up of segments so it can bend and move naturally with the body.
A spinal segment consists of two vertebrae and the joints that connect them; there is a disc in between each vertebra that acts as a cushion.
Underneath that armour a whole lot is happening, messages travel from around the body, up the spinal cord and into the brain, the brain processes those messages and sends replies back down the spinal cord to tell the body how to respond.
The central nervous system is one big information highway and it carries vital messages to every part of your body. Sometimes the wear and tear of everyday life can impact the spine and cause spinal segments to move in a way that is different to normal, in a dysfunctional way. That wear and tear can happen gradually, such as from bad posture or it can happen suddenly, which is common with sports injuries, and because of the close relationship between the spine and the nervous system, everyday strains can actually impact the flow of communication and information, between the brain and the body, messages may not be delivered to the brain, or they may be inaccurate.
When that miscommunication occurs due to abnormal movement in the spine, chiropractors call this a vertebral subluxation, you might hear that term again from your chiropractor, so now you�ll know what it means. By making fast and gentle adjustments to the spine chiropractors restore its� natural movement. If the central nervous system is like the engine of your body, a chiropractor acts like a mechanic, tuning the spine and central nervous system, so that your body can run like a race car.
Just keep in mind that as you�re adjusted, you may hear a popping sound that can seem a bit strange. In fact it is completely harmless; it�s just the release of gas from in between spinal segments and is no more significant, than any other release of gas from your body.
Are you ready to supercharge your engine?
Chiropractic Treatment Plan
First Chiropractic Exam Video
Most chiropractors begin treatment during the patient’s first visit, although some may wait until the next appointment at the chiropractic clinic.
Chiropractic treatment goals and recommendations may include some or all of the following:
Adjustments to key joint dysfunctions
Modalities to improve soft tissue healing and pain control, such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and traction
Strengthening and/or stretching exercises to improve muscle balance, strength, and coordination
Patient education to improve posture and motor control, as well as possibly reduce anxiety
Other treatments such as massage, heat/cold application, and education on ergonomics and nutrition.
Goals of Chiropractic Care
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The chiropractor will establish specific goals for a patient’s individual plan for treatment:
Short-term goals typically include reducing pain and restoring normal joint function and muscle balance
Long-term goals include restoring functional independence and tolerance to normal activities of daily living.
To reach these goals, a specific number of chiropractic visits will be recommended.
For most types of lower back pain, a treatment recommendation of 1 to 3 chiropractic visits per week for 2 to 4 weeks will be prescribed, followed by a re-examination by the chiropractor.
At the re-evaluation, the chiropractic doctor will measure the response to treatment and determine whether to:
Continue chiropractic treatment, if appropriate
Release the patient from chiropractic care, if treatment goals have been met
Refer the patient to another health care specialist if treatment goals have not been fulfilled.
Chiropractic adjustment (also referred to as spinal manipulation) is a recognized and popular pain relief treatment for many types of lower back pain, sciatica, and neck pain. Knowing what to expect from the first chiropractic visit can help an individual receive the maximal benefit from chiropractic treatment.
Because this profession has an unusually large variety of practice philosophies and chiropractic techniques, individuals should feel comfortable asking all the questions necessary to understand the chiropractic examination, diagnosis, and treatment program.
The core concept of chiropractic is to restore the function of your nervous system so that it can do what�s it�s designed to do, keep your body healthy and active. Chiropractic is truly about prevention.�For Answers to any questions you may have please call Dr. Jimenez at
Arlington, Va.–People suffering from back pain should consider first trying chiropractic services and other non-drug therapies in light of a new research review that found common over-the-counter and prescription pain medications have limited effectiveness for back pain and raise the risk of side-effects, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).
The review, published this month in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, examined 35 randomized, placebo-controlled trials, encompassing 6,000 patients, to determine the effectiveness and safety of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for spinal pain. The authors of the report found that NSAIDs provided �clinically unimportant effects� when compared with patients who received only a placebo. Meanwhile, those who used NSAIDs had a 2.5 times greater risk of experiencing gastrointestinal disorders.
�At present, there are no simple analgesics that provide clinically important effects for spinal pain over placebo,� the authors noted.
The news about NSAIDs follows reports last year that prescription opioids also have limited effectiveness for back pain�one of the most common causes of disability worldwide.
�The American Chiropractic Association urges people to try non-drug approaches to back pain relief first, before resorting to over the counter or prescription medications,� said ACA President David Herd, DC. �In addition to spinal manipulation, chiropractors can offer a range of non-drug therapies for back pain and recommend exercises and important lifestyle changes to help prevent future back pain and injury.�
According to a 2016 Gallup survey, more than 35 million people visit a chiropractor annually.
About the American Chiropractic Association
The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic. ACA promotes the highest standards of ethics and patient care, contributing to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients. Visit us at www.acatoday.org to find an ACA chiropractor near you.
NSAIDs: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Every day, an estimated 30 million people worldwide take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, or NSAID.
These versatile medications, available in over-the-counter and prescription strength, treat both pain and inflammation. Inflammation is a contributing factor in most back pain conditions, so reducing inflammation is important to alleviate the pain.
Mild or moderate back pain, tenderness, inflammation, and stiffness
Activity-related pain or discomfort (e.g. pain that follows sports or activities such as housework, shoveling snow, or other exertion)
Pain related to muscle strain in the low back and elsewhere
Neck stiffness related to muscle, ligament, or tendon strains or damage
Osteoarthritis joint pain
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ankylosing spondylitis
A number of other forms of arthritis pain
This article provides information on how non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications can be helpful against back, neck, and other pain, as well as several potential risks and complications to be considered.
Most Common Types of NSAIDs:
NSAIDs comprise a large class of drugs that act by hampering body substances called prostaglandins, which trigger feelings of pain, giving NSAIDs fever-reducing, pain-relieving, and anti-inflammatory properties. There are many types of non-prescription (over-the-counter) and prescription NSAIDs. The four NSAIDs most often used to treat many types of back and neck pain are:
Aspirin (brand names include Bayer, Bufferin, and Ecotrin, St. Joseph)
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
Naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox DS, Naprosyn)
Celecoxib (Celebrex)
Other Forms of NSAIDs:
In addition to the above, NSAIDs come in forms other than those taken by mouth. For example:
Ketorolac can be given as an intravenous, intramuscular, or intranasal drug, making it useful after surgery or if the patient cannot eat.
Diclofenac is available topically as a gel (Voltaren), patch (Flector), or solution (Pennsaid). The medication is applied directly to the area of pain. Topical forms reduce gastrointestinal and other potential side effects of NSAIDs.
Taking NSAIDs continuously, rather than just at the onset of pain, helps build up the body�s anti-inflammatory blood level, resulting in a better healing environment in the affected area. The efficacy is markedly lower if NSAIDs are taken only when experiencing pain.
Checking with the doctor. Because NSAIDs have risks and complications, it is important to keep the doctor informed. People taking NSAIDs for long periods are advised to see the doctor regularly so any side effects can be monitored. In some cases, a change in medication may be required.
Using as little as possible. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises that the lowest effective dose of NSAIDs be used, and then for only as long as necessary.
Combining with acetaminophen. NSAIDs and the pain relief medication acetaminophen (e.g. brand name Tylenol) work differently, so sometimes doctors recommend taking both medications. This often offers better pain relief than taking one type of pain medication. Some people find it also helps lessen the pain as one dose wears off, alternating between the two�for example, taking a dose of ibuprofen, then 3 hours later taking a dose of acetaminophen.
Any adverse reactions from taking an NSAID, or any other medication, should be reported to the doctor without delay.
When NSAIDs Are Not Advised
People having a lumbar fusion surgery are typically advised not to take NSAIDs for at least 3 months after surgery due to concerns about the impact NSAIDs may have on bone healing.
Many doctors also tell patients to stop using NSAIDs prior to other types of surgery because the medication poses an increased risk of bleeding.
Low Vitamin D Linked to Increased Headache Risk
News Bite: Vitamin D may be a component factor in headache a new study demonstrates.
More research is adding to the literature of a link between vitamin D deficiency and headaches, at least for men living in colder climates.
Data from 2600 middle-aged men from Finland who participated in the Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease (KIHD) Risk Factor Study showed that those with the lowest levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) were more than twice as likely to report having chronic headaches as those who had the highest vitamin D levels. In addition, reports of chronic headache were significantly more frequent in months other than the summer months (June through September).
The investigators note that although past studies have examined the link between vitamin D and headaches, the results have been �inconclusive� because many included small sample populations. When the KIHD study originally started, men in this part of Finland had the highest prevalence of heart disease in the world, and it was looking at risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
During the baseline examinations, questionnaires asked the participants to report headache status during the previous 12 months. �Frequent headache� was defined as a daily or weekly occurrence � and was reported by 9.6% of the full group.
Also at baseline, fasting venous blood samples were collected during morning hours and 25(OH)D concentrations were measured.
Interestingly, the mean concentration of serum 25(OH)D for the study group was 43.4 nmol/L, which is below the 50-nmol/L threshold generally considered to be a marker of vitamin D deficiency. In fact, 67.9% of the group had levels that were less than 50 nmol/L.
Every day, an estimated 30 million people worldwide take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, or NSAID.
These versatile medications, available in over-the-counter and prescription strength, treat both pain and inflammation.��The American Chiropractic Association urges people to try non-drug approaches to back pain relief first, before resorting to over the counter or prescription medications.� For Answers to any questions you may have please call Dr. Jimenez at�915-850-0900
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the body�s own immune system attacks itself. RA is characterized by chronic inflammation that destroys joints, tissues and organs over a period of time. You can beat rheumatoid arthritis by de-inflaming the body through natural lifestyle principles.
Auto-immune conditions, like RA, are associated with hyper-responsive immunity. This means that whenever the body feels even slightly threatened it creates a wild and reckless inflammatory reaction. Often times this inflammatory reaction is systemic in that it affects the entire body. Other times it affects only specific regions such as the hands and fingers.
Overcoming auto-immune conditions like RA are primarily dependent upon rebuilding the intestinal wall, de-inflaming the body, and optimizing vitamin D3 levels.
The Connection Between Leaky Gut Syndrome and Auto-Immunity
Individuals with auto-immune conditions very commonly have leaky gut syndrome and an overpopulation of parasitic organisms in the gut. These organisms have damaged the intestinal wall and food particles are now able to pass into the bloodstream before they are digested. The immune system recognizes these particles as foreign invaders and unleashes an assault of inflammation in the body.
The most common food allergens that must be avoided for these individuals to get well include gluten containing grains and pasteurized dairy. Soy products, different nuts, eggs and heavy proteins are often not tolerated well while the gut is damaged. Other common inflammatory triggers include those of the nightshade family such as eggplant, tomatoes and potatoes.
How to Rebuild the Intestinal Wall
The best way to rebuild the intestinal wall is to incorporate a daily lifestyle of intermittent fasting. This should be a 16-20 hour liquid diet each day in which only cleansing beverages such as fermented drinks and lemon water are consumed. No more than one solid food meal a day should be consumed for at least a 3 month period of time to ensure proper healing. One could also incorporate a six week liquid diet to speed this process up.
Vegetable juices can and should be consumed throughout the fasting period. Some of the best vegetable juices include wheatgrass and cabbage juice among others. Wheatgrass is known for its incredible chlorophyll content and ability to purify the bloodstream. Cabbage is loaded with the amino acid L-glutamine � which is the primary amino acid in the gut wall.
Digestive enzymes and fermented foods should be used before or during the solid food meal to enhance digestion. Heavy duty probiotic supplementation should be used after the solid food meal to reduce inflammation that would be caused by the solid food of the meal.
Why Live an Anti-Inflammatory Diet and Lifestyle?
An anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle are essential for full recovery from RA. Anti-inflammatory foods help to reduce stress on the immune system and allow it to have better coordination. The diet should focus on healthy fats, anti-oxidants and clean protein sources.
Great anti-inflammatory foods include healthy fats such as coconut products, avocados and extra-virgin olive oil. Healthy protein sources such as organic poultry, wild-caught fish, grass-fed beef and grass-fed raw, fermented dairy products.
These proteins and fats are rich in medium chain saturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids which are necessary for healthy cell membranes and good hormone and immune function. These healthy meat should be consumed in small amounts only once per day to minimize digestion stress while the body is able to extract the key fatty acids and amino acids that the meat provides.
Eat Lots of Antioxidants and Fermented Foods
Antioxidant rich foods like organic berries, green leafy veggies, onions, garlic and bell peppers should be used throughout the day. Nutrient rich herbs such as turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, rosemary, oregano, thyme, basil and many others should be used as much as possible.
Fermented foods and beverages benefit the RA sufferer immensely and must be the cornerstone of the anti-inflammatory plan. This includes homemade sauerkraut, kombucha, coconut water kefir. Red cabbage sauerkraut is preferable due to its abundance of anthocyanin anti-oxidants compared to green cabbage. Fermented raw dairy from 100% grass-fed cows and goats provides some of the best superfoods with kefir, amasai and various cheeses.
Don�t Forget About the Importance of Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays a critical role in a balanced immune response. Vitamin D3, among many other functions, helps the body recognize between foreign and self-proteins. This process reduces auto-immune reactions and quiets chronic inflammation. Optimal vitamin D3 levels also allows for normalized stimulation of natural killer cells and macrophages that destroy antagnostic microbes and other pathogens in the body.
Over 90 percent of our modern society is deficient in Vitamin D. An ideal range for vitamin D3 (25-hydroxy cholcalciferol) is between 60-100 ng/ml � which is significantly higher than the medically acceptable 32 ng/ml. Be sure to know your levels and get them up around 80-90 ng/ml for optimal immune responses. Either get regular sun exposure on about 50 percent of your body, at peak periods between 10am-2pm, or supplement with 10,000 IU of high quality emulsified vitamin D3 to get to and stay at the desired levels.
It is advisable to monitor these levels with your healthcare provider.
The Dangers of Subluxation and Neurological Distortion
Chronic inflammatory disease processes are influenced by the nervous system which controls the coordination of the immune system. Nerve stimulation is essential for the growth, function and control of inflammatory cells. Researchers have found that abnormal neurological control results in the development of auto-immune based inflammatory conditions such as RA.
Subluxation is the term for misalignments of the spine that cause compression and irritation of nerve pathways affecting organ systems of the body. Subluxations are an example of physical nerve stress that affects neuronal control. According to researchers, such stressful conditions lead to altered measures of immune function and increased susceptibility to a variety of diseases.
The upper cervical spine is the most important region for immune coordination. Various wellness chiropractors specialize in stabilizing the upper cervical spine which allows the nervous system to control and coordinate the body with greater efficiency.
Many individuals with auto-immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis have ligament laxity at the upper cervical spine. It is essential to see a well-trained wellness based chiropractor that specializes in upper cervical care and corrective care and has much experience working with individuals with advanced conditions such as RA. These chiropractors will use a regiment of specific adjustments and corrective exercises to minimize subluxation, restore proper neurological tone and maximize the bodies healing potential.
Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to major complications, mainly due to the inflammation it causes on the structures of the body. While there’s several beliefs behind the result of such disorder, gut health has been recognized as a probable reason why people may develop autoimmune diseases. Leaky gut syndrome, among other disorders, should often be addressed beforehand to avoid further complications.
Trending Topic:�Deadly Side Effects Of Vaccines Revealed
Vaccines are highly recommended to be utilized by the public, however, increasing sources and numerous accounts have revealed that vaccines can cause dangerous even deadly side effects. The measles vaccine is one of the most used vaccines in the United States and it’s effects, including causing the disease itself, have been recorded all across the nation.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
We take the freedom of movement for granted, until it becomes limited. The cause of this for many people comes in the form of arthritis, or the inflammation of one or more of your joints. There are two main kinds, osteo and rheumatoid, both of which affect the joint in different ways
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