Migraines and Chronic Headaches 

A migraine headache (or migraine syndrome as it is often called) can be totally debilitating and dramatically affect the patient's daily routine during the course of the attack. Along with considerable localized pain, symptoms include dizziness, visual problems, nausea, vomiting, redness and swelling. Some of these symptoms are recognized as indicators as they may appear before the actual pain of the migraine begins. Migraine pain is experienced most often in the temples, but can be found anywhere on the head, neck and face. Attacks can last a few hours or a few days.

Most medical professionals classify migraines as either classical or common, with the classical migraine being a headache that follows an event such as numbness or tingling, the appearance of an aura of flashes of light or for many, or a noticeable halo effect around the head. Common migraines (which are three times more common that classic migraines) differ in that no aura is experienced, but they can be just as troublesome. Unfortunately, migraines are quite common with nearly 30 million Americans reporting they experience some form of migraine headache.

The Cluster Headache

Closely related to the common or classic migraine, the cluster headache is recognizable when the pain comes on abruptly, high in the nostrils and spreads to the area around the eyes (most often on one side or the other). Many patients report considerable pain in the forehead and surrounding area. Cluster headaches are still a bit of a mystery as they often subside as quickly as they begin. They can occur several times a day with episodes lasting days or weeks.

Causes of Headache

The causes of migraine headache (or even those slight, but noticeable little headaches we all experience) are still a bit of a mystery. Many believe that inflammation of the cranial nerves around the head and brain, along with surrounding tissues, is the main cause of the pain. When pain-sensitive structures of the head are pulled or contracted, it is believed that the additional pressure caused by these changes sets a headache in motion.

The Latest Research For Treating Migraines and Headaches

In the case of migraines, research has revealed a mechanism called cortical spreading depression, or CSD. Many believe that a sudden increase of activity in the back of the brain (in the occipital lobes),spreads over the entire area. And pain follows due to these changes of activity, causing an increased level of inflammation.

If you would like to have more information or to set up a consultation and see how we can help you (or someone you know) reduce the effects of migraine or cluster headache, give us a call at 770-474-1421 to schedule an appointment.

Probiotics Help Fight The Common Cold

THE PAULK CLINIC

 

 

PARENTS: PROBIOTICS HELP FIGHT THE COMMON COLD

 

A new study found that young children taking a supplement containing healthy bacteria (probiotics) and fibers that support their growth (prebiotics) got sick less often.

There may not be a cure for the common cold, but fortunately there are steps you can take to prevent it, such as hand-washing and getting enough sleep and exercise. And now it appears we can add taking a probiotic supplement to this list. A new study, published in Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease, found that young children taking a supplement containing strains of healthy bacteria (probiotics) and fibers that support their growth (prebiotics) got sick less often than children who were not taking the supplement.

Pro- and prebiotics can keep kids well

The 135 children, ages 3 to 7 years old, had all been sick at least three times the previous winter with either respiratory or gastrointestinal infections. They were given a combination probiotic-prebiotic supplement or placebo once daily for three months in the winter. The supplement contained 3 billion colony-forming units of a combination of

• Lactobacillus helveticus (previously classified as an acidophilus species),

• Bifidobacterium infantis,

• Bifidobacterium bifidus, and

• 750 mg of fructooligosaccharides, a type of indigestible dietary carbohydrate that enhances the growth of these bacterial colonies.

The children who took the supplement were sick less often than the children who didn’t.

• About 69% of children in the placebo group and 52% of children in the supplement group had at least one documented illness during the trial.

• 43% of children receiving placebo missed at least one day of school due to sickness compared to 26% in children receiving the supplement.

• The treated children had fewer respiratory (those involving ears, nose, throat, or lungs) and gastrointestinal illnesses, the most common types of childhood illness.

 None of the children taking the supplement experienced negative side effects.

Reaching beyond the gut

“This study suggests that a three-month supplementation with this [probiotic and prebiotic] preparation can decrease the risk of occurrence of common infectious diseases in children and limits the risk of school day loss,” the study’s authors said.

The findings support the notion that promoting the growth of healthy gut bacteria has beneficial effects beyond the gastrointestinal tract. “It is likely that probiotics are effective because they exert their effects on numerous cell types involved in the innate and adaptive immune responses,” the researchers speculated.

Staying healthy in the winter

Taking care of yourself in the winter can help you avoid colds and flus:

• Practice a stress-reduction technique. Stress weakens our defenses.

• Get regular exercise. Develop a winter exercise routine that you enjoy—enjoyable exercise helps keep the immune system strong.

• Get plenty of rest. Adequate sleep is necessary for the body to repair, heal, and fight infection.

• Nourish your body with whole foods. Stay away from sugar, which can stop immune cells in their tracks.

• Use water as preventive medicine. A quick cold rinse after every hot shower is a good way to stimulate immune cell activity. In addition, gargling with plain water a few times per day has been shown to prevent colds.

• Take some vitamin D. Low vitamin D levels have been linked to increased susceptibility to colds and other infections. An extra 1,000 to 2,000 IU per day in winter is safe and reasonable.

• Consider a probiotic supplement. Whatever your age, research suggests that the preventive use of probiotics can reduce the duration and severity of common colds.

 (Ther Adv Respir Dis 2010;4:271–8)

 

Drugs and Health

The following article was published in the Washington Times in April of this year. I found it an interesting read. I have personally experienced this rise in prescriptive drug related problems in my three decades of practice.

 

Please read, enjoy and think.  Maybe there is a better way!

 

Dr. Phillip Paulk

 

DRUGS AND HEALTH

 

OREGON, April 7, 2013 – Our society is over-medicated, sicker than ever, and going broke along the way of ever-improving “health care reforms.” We are approaching the $4 billion annual prescription drug purchases mark which will reach an estimated direct cost of some $500 billion by the year 2015.  

The current health care system is a drug system. More drugs do not equal health any more than more oxygen equals life. We are in need of a health renaissance that includes functional approaches to health care, finding out what is wrong and offering the body the appropriate physical, emotional, nutritional, spiritual connection.

It is false hope to look for pharmaceuticals to improve health without understanding the overall effects of these drugs.

Drug-induced Parkinsonism is the second most common cause of Parkinsonism. It is a common complication of antidepressants, calcium channel antagonists, gastrointestinal prokinetics, and antiepileptic drugs.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol ®) is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States resulting in approximately 140,000 poisoning cases, 56,000 ER visits, and approximately 100 deaths each year.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the second leading cause of peptic ulcers resulting in more than 100,000 hospitalizations at an estimated $2 billion in additional healthcare costs and 17,000 deaths yearly.

NSAID use is also associated with cardiovascular mortality, particularly in the elderly. These are the drugs Celebrex and non-selective NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen.

The number of medication errors increases with people who have multiple chronic conditions. This problem will only increase as the population ages and the number of conditions an individual has increases.

“Adverse drug events” is the term used when the supposed appropriate drug is given and taken properly by the patients – they just have an unexpected side effect to the medication. These result in an estimated 2.5 million hospitalizations and 1 million urgent care visits resulting in an additional indirect cost of $65 billion each year to the health care system and result in about 100,000 deaths. However, there are current estimates that these adverse drug events are being underreported by a factor of 10 times. These numbers don’t even include the number of prescription drug mistakes, wrong medications, too strong of dosage, wrong combination of drugs, all of which is resulting in a high morbidity, mortality and costs to our health (sick) care system.

Consider this:

55% of all Americans take at least one prescription drug daily.

83% of the elderly (over 65 years of age) take at least one prescription drug daily.

75% of the elderly take four daily.

11% take five or more

1.6 million teenagers and children are prescribed at least two or more psychiatric drugs in combination with no safety studies that support combining such medications are even safe.

300,000 children under the age of 10 are given two psychiatric drugs in combination.

The US ranks last in health care outcomes of all other industrialized countries.

Misrepresentation in marketing, conflicts of interest, and blatant drug research fraud and abuse run rampant within the pharmaceutical industry and it is costing lives. Consider who you will be working with:

Merck settles $688 million in lawsuits stemming from its delaying the release of unfavorable study results for its cholesterol drug Vytorin.  Meanwhile, the comany nets $6.66 billion.

GlaxoSmithKline pleaded guilty to alleged criminal activities, including unlawful promotion of certain prescription drugs, failure to report certain safety data, false price reporting involving its drugs; Paxil, Wellbutrin, Avandia, etc. They are to pay $3 Billion to resolve their criminal and civil liability and execute a five-year “corporate integrity agreement” with the US Dept. of Health and Human Services. In 2011 they recorded annual revenue of $43.9 billion.

Abbott Labs in 2012 agreed to pay $1.5 billion over allegations it promoted the anti-seizure drug Depakote for uses that were not approved by the FDA. Abbott annual revenue? $35.2 billion.

Pfizer was fined in 2009 for improperly promoting the use of drugs for purposes other than those for which they were approved.

Drug makers have been fined about $8 Billion in fines for defrauding Medicare and Medicaid over the last 10 years.

The list goes on and on.

It is time to require non-drug practices as first-line approach to health care. Keep drugs as an alternative to offer a temporary stimulation or inhibition of body function. 

True healthcare reform requires three major shifts in thinking: 1. Improve the health of a defined population; 2. Reduce the per capita cost; and 3. Improve the patient experience, in terms of clinical outcomes, patient safety and patient satisfaction.

“ I firmly believe that if the whole material medica, as now used, could be sunk to the bottom of the sea, it would be better for mankind and all the worse for the fishes.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., from a speech he gave in front of the Massachusetts Medical Society May 30, 1860

______________________________________

Read more: http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/stress-and-health-dr-lind/2013/apr/7/drugs-health/#ixzz2PxzlGeLH
Follow us: @wtcommunities on Twitter

WHAT YOU ARE EATING MAY BE KILLING YOU

WHAT YOU ARE EATING MAY BE KILLING YOU

 

Anti-Inflammatory Foods

By G. Phillip Paulk DC

 Chronic inflammation almost always lurks beneath the surface of diabetes and excess weight. You can't see or feel it, but this type of inflammation increases the risk of coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death among people with diabetes.

 

Processed sugars and other high-glycemic starches increase inflammation, just as they raise blood sugar, according to an article in the March 2002 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

 

Good news, though: Many foods have anti-inflammatory properties. Here are 11 of the best...

 

1. Salmon. Coldwater fish, including salmon, contain anti-inflammatory fats called omega-3s.

Wild salmon has more of these super-healthy fats than does farmed salmon.

 

Shopping tip: All salmon from Alaska is wild, whereas Atlantic salmon is usually farmed.

Herring, sardines, and tuna also contain omega-3s.

 

2. Grass-fed beef and other animal foods. As opposed to traditional, grain-fed livestock, meat

that comes from animals fed grass also contains anti-inflammatory omega-3s, but in lower concentrations than coldwater fish. Free-range livestock that graze in pastures build up higher levels of omega-3s. Meat from grain-fed animals has virtually no omega-3s and plenty of saturated fat.

Cooking tip: Unless it's ground, grass-fed beef may be tougher, so slow cook it.

 

3. Olive oil. Olive oil is a great source of oleic acid, another anti-inflammatory oil. Researchers  wrote in the October 2007 Journal of the American College of Nutrition that those who consume more oleic acid have better insulin function and lower blood sugar.

Shopping tip: Opt for extra-virgin olive oil, which is the least processed, and use it instead of other cooking oils. Other "cold-pressed" or "expeller-pressed" oils can be good sources, too.

 

4. Salads. Dark-green lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, and other salad veggies are rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants, nutrients that dampen inflammation.

 Suggestion: Opt for olive oil-and-vinegar salad dressing (vinegar helps moderate blood sugar),

and skip the croutons.

 

 

5. Cruciferous vegetables. These veggies, which include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and kale, are also loaded with antioxidants. But they provide one other ingredient -- sulfur – that the body needs to make its own high-powered antioxidants.

 

6. Cherries. A study in the April 2006 Journal of Nutrition showed that eating cherries daily can significantly reduce inflammation. Cherries are also packed with antioxidants and relatively low on the glycemic index.

 

Tip: Frozen cherries are available all year long and make a tasty dessert with a little yogurt or cheese.

 

 

7. Blueberries. These delectable fruits are chock-full of natural compounds that reduce

inflammation. Blueberries may also protect the brain from many of the effects of aging. Frozen are usually less expensive than fresh -- and just as good for you.

 

8. Turmeric. This spice contains a powerful, natural anti-inflammatory compound, according to a report in the August 2007 Biochemical Pharmacology. Turmeric has long been part of curry spice blends, used in southern Asian cuisines. To use: Buy powdered curry spice (which contains turmeric and other spices) and use it as a seasoning when pan-frying chicken breasts in olive oil.

 

9. Ginger. This relative of turmeric is also known for its anti-inflammatory benefits, and some research suggests that it might also help control blood sugar.

Suggestion: Brew your own ginger tea. Use a peeler to remove the skin off a piece of ginger, then add several thin slices to a cup of hot water and let steep for a few minutes.

 

10. Garlic. The research isn't consistent, but garlic may have some anti-inflammatory and glucose-regulating benefits and it may also help your body fight infections. At the very least, it won't hurt and makes for a tasty addition to food.

 

11. Green tea. Like fruits and vegetables, green tea contains natural anti-inflammatory

compounds. It may even reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Suggestion: Drink a cup a day -- or brew it like sun tea, refrigerate, and serve.

As you probably noticed, anti-inflammatory eating is right in line with healthy, diabetes-friendly eating. And it's the way we all should eat, whether we have diabetes or not: lots of plant foods and moderate portions of animal foods, as unaltered and unprocessed as possible. If everyone ate this way, we'd see a much larger portion of our population living healthier, longer lives.

 

 

 

 

SOURCES:

1 - Andres-Lacueva, C., R.L. Galli, G. Shukitt-Hale, et al. 2005. Anthocyanins in aged blueberry-fed rats are found

centrally and may enhance memory. Nutritional Neuroscience 8:111-20.

2 – Aggarwal, B.B., A. Goel, A.B. Kunnumakkara. 2008. Curcumin as “Curecumin:” from kitchen to clinic.

Biochemical Pharmacology 75(4):787-809, doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2007.08.016.

3 – Asgard, R., A. Basu, E. Rytter, et al. 2007. High intake of fruit and vegetables is related to low oxidative stress

and inflammation in a group of patients with type 2 diabetes. Scandinavian Journal of Food and Nutrition 51:149-

158.

4 – Bahceci, M., C. Ogun, A. Tuzco, et al. 2005. Is serum C-reactive protein concentration correlated with HbA1c

and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic men with or without coronary heart disease? Journal of Endocrinological

Investigation 28:145-50.

5 – Basu, A., E.A. Lucas. 2007. Mechanisms and effects of green tea on cardiovascular health. Nutrition Reviews

65:361-75.

6 – Beermann, C., R. Kitz, R. Schubert, et al. 2007. Influence of low-dose polyunsaturated fatty acids

supplementation on the inflammatory response of healthy adults. Nutrition 23:724-30.

7 – Bielinski, D.F., F.C. Lau, J.A. Joseph. 2007. Inhibitory effects of blueberry extract on the production of

inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide-activated BV2 microglia. Journal of Neuroscience Research 85:1010-

7.

8 – Bots, M.L., A.E. Hak, C.D. Stehouwer, et al. 1999. Associations of C-reactive protein with measures of obesity,

insulin resistance, and subclinical atherosclerosis in healthy, middle-aged women. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and

Vascular Biology 19:1986-91.

9 – Buring, H.E., S. Liu, J.E. Manson, et al. 2002. Relation between a diet with a high glycemic load and plasma

concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in middle-aged women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

75:492-98.

10 – Frass, M., B. Gmeiner, R. Hofbauer, et al. 2001. Effects of garlic extract (Allium sativum) on neutrophil

migration at the cellular level. Heart Disease 3:14-7.

11 – Frondoza, C.G., R. Grzanna, L. Lindmark. 2005. Ginger — an herbal medicinal product with broad antiinflammatory

actions. Journal of Medicinal Food 8:125-32.

12 – Jacob, R.A., D.S. Kelley, R. Rasooly, et al. 2006. Consumption of bing sweet cherries lowers circulating

concentrations of inflammation markers in healthy mend and women. Journal of Nutrition 136:981-86.

13 – Jun, C.D., S.H. Kim, K. Suk, et al. 2006. Gallic acid inhibits histamine release and pro-inflammatory cytokine

production in mast cells. Toxicological Sciences 91:123-31.

14 – Lii, C.K., C.T. Liu, L.Y. Sheen. 2007. Does garlic have a role as an antidiabetic agent? Molecular Nutrition &

Food Research 51:1353-64.

15 – Ojewole, J.A. 2006. Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycaemic effects of ethanol extract of Zingiber

officinale (Roscoe) rhizomes (Zingiberaceae) in mice and rats. Phytotherapy Research 20:764-72.

COLD LASER THERAPY

Cold laser therapy is a relatively new technology (about 30 years old) when compared to many alternative therapies like acupuncture (which has been used since 8000-3500 B.C.), chiropractic (since 1895) and physical therapy. Just like the abacus evolved into the computer, many alternative medicine practices are evolving to include light therapy. Recent innovations in low-level lasers now make it possible for the average physician or consumer to own cold laser equipment. Cold lasers are sometimes called Low Level Lasers (LLL) or soft lasers.

In general, cold lasers can be used in 2 distinct ways:

·         Targeting acupuncture trigger points (similar to acupuncture but without the needles)
·         Broad coverage of deep tissue with laser photons to stimulate changes in the tissue

Cold Laser therapy offers a non-intrusive option to acupuncture and surgery. It also provides a non-addicting treatment that eliminates the complications of long-term drug treatment programs. Cold laser are widely used for treatment of:

·         Acute and chronic pain
·         Ligament sprains
·         Muscle strain
·         Soft tissue injuries
·         Tendonitis
·         Arthritis
·         Tennis elbow
·         Back pain
·         Bursitis
·         Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
·         Fibromyalgia

 

Healing With Cold Lasers

The cold laser produces an impulse of light at a specific wavelength (usually 800 to 900nm) that minimizes reflection and scattering but maximized absorption of the energy (in photons) at a desire depth.

Some conditions like joint pain require a deep penetration (4-5 inches) that can only be achieved using a powerful laser emitter. Many systems also have other lower wavelengths and lower-power emitters for treating shallow tissue (like the lymph system or surface scars). For shallow treatments, light emitting diodes (or LEDs) with a shorter wavelength (700nm) are more cost effective for adding photons to the shallower tissue. In addition, red light diode with a wavelength of 660 NM may be used to add energy to even shallower levels of tissues. It is the general consensus that wavelengths below 660 nanometers are very easily absorbed in the surface tissue and are not optimized for deep tissue healing.

The goal of laser therapy is to deliver light energy units from infrared laser radiation, called photons, to damaged cells. It is the consensus of experts is that photons absorbed by the cells through laser therapy stimulate the mitochondria to accelerate production of ATP. This biochemical increase in cell energy is used to transform live cells from a state of illness to a stable, healthy state.

Over 4000 studies have been conducted in recent years to validate the effectiveness of cold laser therapy. Cold lasers treatment systems may be cleared by the FDA.

Benefit of Cold Lasers

·         Easy to apply
·         Extremely safe
·         Non-Toxic
·         Non-Invasive
·         No side effects or pain
·         Cost effective for both the practitioner and patient
·         Highly effective in treating ailments (more than 90% efficacy)
·         Superior alternative to analgesics, NSAID's and other medications
·         Reduces the need for surgery
·         Works synergistically with other modalities like Chiropractic, Acupuncture, and PT

 

General Therapeutic Laser Biological Effects

·         Increased Cell Growth: Laser photons accelerate cellular reproduction and growth.

·         Increased Metabolic Activity: Photons initiate higher outputs of specific enzymes, greater oxygen and food particle loads for blood cells and thus greater production of the basic food source for cells, Adenosine Tri-Phosphate (ATP).

·         Faster Wound Healing: Cold laser photons stimulates fibroblast development and accelerates collagen synthesis in damaged tissue

·         Anti-Inflammatory Action: Laser photons reduce swelling caused by bruising or inflammation of joints resulting in enhanced joint mobility.

·         Increased Vascular Activity: Laser photons induce temporary vasodilation that increases blood flow to effected areas.

·         Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation: Laser photons reduce the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from: cuts, scratches, burns or post-surgery.

·         Stimulated Nerve Function: Laser photon exposure speeds the process of nerve cell reconnect ion to bring the numb areas back to life.

·         Pain Reduction: Almost all systems have a mode of operation specifically designed to reduce pain.

 

 

Summary

Today, lasers are used extensively in the medical industry for everything from cosmetic surgery, eye surgery and heart surgery. The ability to put just the right amount of energy into a critical area of the human body has been a huge advancement in the medical field. Cold lasers are an important addition to these other established medical laser treatments and the recent development of low-cost professional cold lasers means that cold laser therapy will be a rapidly growing medical treatment option.

Dr. Phillip Paulk

+