Secondhand Smoking: Just Like Smoking

I have several patients who are nonsmokers. So they think. They don’t actively put a cigarette to their lips and smoke it, but if they’re living with someone, or are consistently around someone who smokes in their presence, I make a note in their chart as, second hand smoker.

That’s right. Did you know that second hand smokers are continuously exposed to about 25% of their smoking spouse/friend’s smoke? This percentage can make a significant difference in risk factors for lung cancer, and other pulmonary diseases. With this percentage, every time someone smokes around you it’s as if you, too, are actively smoking a few cigarettes a day!

It’s estimated that there are 125 million second hand smokers in the United States! If you’re like some of my patients who believe they are at lower risk for disease because they don’t actually put a cigarette up to their lips to smoke, I’d like to share with you some of the surprising facts about second-hand, and even third-hand, smoke.

What Does Second Hand Smoke Do?

There are over 4,000 chemicals in cigarette tobacco and its smoke! Of these, 250 are known to be harmful to your health and 50 of them are already known carcinogens! The U.S. Surgeon General has concluded that the concentrations of these chemicals are potentially greater in second hand smoke than smoking a cigarette itself! Here’s what happens every time you are exposed to cigarette smoke, second or first hand:

• Destabilizes your heart and lung function: Breathing in smoke even for a short while, can put you at increased risk for heart and lung disease. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has deemed that smoking definitively causes lung cancer.

• Increases Risk for Heart Attack or Asthma Attack: Your heart gets less oxygen when you breathe in smoke. This can trigger an asthma attack or a heart attack.

• Second Hand Smoke Increases SIDS risk: Infants exposed to second hand smoke are more likely to die of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) than previously thought.

• Second Hand Smoke Puts Children At Risk: Children who inhale second hand smoke consistently have a much higher risk for pneumonia and other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. It can also cause chronic ear infections like otitis media.

• Causes Physical and Mental Growth Impairment in Children: Kids develop more slowly physically and mentally around second hand smoke. An adult can get up and walk out of a room when someone is smoking, a baby/young child cannot. They are the most vulnerable to the effects of “forced” smoke exposure.

• Causes Your Blood Platelets To Stick Together: Even short exposures to second hand smoke can cause your blood platelets to become sticky. This damages your blood vessels and decreases coronary blood flow reserves.

• Second Hand Smoke Affects Twice: Nonsmokers near someone else smoking breathes in second hand smoke twice. Once from the burning tip of the cigarette, and twice when the smoker exhales. They get all the toxic effects of smoking twice.

• Increases Risk for Gingivitis: If your significant other is a smoker, they are at high likelihood of getting gingivitis, a chronic inflammatory condition of their gums. This condition can also be passed to you during kissing! Smoking changes the pH of the mouth by decreasing saliva and drying out the mouth tissues. This sets the stage for gingivitis to occur. Smoking also depletes Vitamin C in the body, which helps prevent gingivitis and other inflammatory conditions.

What Is Third Hand Smoke?

People fail to realize that the environment they smoke in also absorbs smoke and all its toxins. These include things like couches, clothes, carpets, the smoker’s hair, etc. Nonsmokers, especially very young children, such as crawling infants, can absorb these toxins through their skin after touching them or putting them in their mouth. For example, a young child who both plays with his smoker-mother’s hair while they breast feed gets exposed to third hand smoke twice. Crawling around on carpets also exposes them, or playing on couches and chairs.

Third hand smoke contains chemicals, heavy metals and carcinogens such as:

1. Hydrogen cyanide

2. Butane

3. Toluene

4. Polorium-216

How To Protect From Second and Third-Hand Smoke

Simple enough, you just need to stay away from people who are smoking. Here are a few examples of how:

• Smoking Ban In Public Places: Fortunately, now, most public places in the United States have recently instituted a ban on smoking in restaurants, nightclubs, businesses, public transport, etc, exposure to second hand smoke will decrease significantly.

• Just Say NO. If you’re married to, or otherwise live with a smoker, or who have friends who constantly want to smoke around you, especially in a car, ask them to quit for both your sakes! Educate them on the dangers of second and third hand smoke. Have them refrain from smoking in the house or the car. You might ask them to change their clothes, take a shower, wash their hair, and brush their teeth every time they smoke too. That ought to make them think twice about continuing to smoke around you!

• Public Housing: Unfortunately, smoking has not been banned in public housing. If you live in an apartment building or attached condominium, remember that smoke can travel through wall electrical sockets; heat and AC vent systems, doors, etc. Consider moving out if you do not want to be exposed to smoke from someone you don’t know and can’t see smoking!

• Protect a Child: If you know someone who smokes around a young child, please ask them to stop, and tell them about the dangers of exposing children, especially infants who must either just lay in cribs, or sit in car seats, and be exposed to their parents smoke constantly. There is a movement to make this issue considered child abuse enforceable by law.

As I tell my patient’s in no uncertain terms, smoking is a nasty habit that can cause a lot of illness. It seems kind of crazy, when you think about how much money people spend a week, month, or year, to put their own and other people’s health at risk by buying and smoking cigarettes. However, you don’t have to be the passive victim of a smoker, you DO have the right to not be exposed to toxic chemicals and noxious smoke. Just get as far away from it as possible.

Stay well,

Mark Rosenberg, M.D.
Institute For Healthy Aging

Gum Disease Can Seriously Affect Your Health

When I examine a patient for the first time, I quickly assess their overall health by looking in their mouth. That’s right. The condition of their mouth and teeth can tell me a lot about what other health problems they may have.

You may wonder, isn’t ‘mouth health’ the concern of a dentist? Yes it is, but did you know that the condition of your gums might also be a bellwether for such things as heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, diabetes, or pneumonia? It’s true. Let me explain how.

A Silent Inflammatory Disease

Gum, or periodontal disease, is often a silent condition that may go unnoticed for a long time. It is a chronic inflammatory condition of your gums caused by plaque buildup on your teeth. Plaque buildup occurs from inadequate dental care, i.e., infrequent teeth brushing/poor technique and lack of flossing. There are also other factors that contribute to gum disease which include:

• Smoking – smokers build up more plaque than non-smokers. They are likely to have deep pockets between teeth from loss of bone and tissue from tobacco use.

• Puberty, Pregnancy, Menopause – dramatic shifts in hormones can wreak havoc on mouth tissues. Regular dental cleaning during these times can help.

• Stress – produces increased cortisol levels which can increase bone and tissue loss.

• Medications – anti-depressants, oral contraceptives, and heart drugs can damage gums.

• Poor Nutrition – lack of calcium, Vitamin C can add to inflammation of tissues.

• Other Diseases – people with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and heart conditions are likely to have gum disease.

Gum disease can increase your risk of heart attack and/or stroke by bacteria getting into the bloodstream and attaching to plaque within the coronary systems, causing a clot. Bacteria present in your gums can also get into your respiratory tract and cause pneumonia. In addition, gum disease can increase your risk of developing inflammation/disease in other parts of your body. Inflammation is now known to be a precursor to many diseases, including cancer.

Signs of Gum Disease

As I mentioned above, people can have gum disease and not be aware of it until it has become advanced. Here are some of the telltale signs of gum disease that you should be aware of:

• Bleeding – flossing, brushing or eating certain harder foods causes blood.

• Recession – gums pull away from the teeth.

• Persistent bad breath – indicates bacteria and plaque.

• Mouth sores – and/or pus between your gums and teeth.

What Can You Do About Gum Disease?

When I suspect gum disease, the first thing I recommend is to see a dentist. A dentist will likely recommend that you have a deep cleaning of your teeth that may include scaling and root planing, which is deep removal of plaque from root surfaces and cleaning out of gum pockets. Antibiotics may be necessary, as well, if you have infection present.

In addition to crucial dental care and your dentist’s recommendations, there are several natural things that can help prevent and/or get rid of gum disease:

• Get a battery operated spin brush – studies show that almost all of plaque is removed with each brushing with a spin brush. These are available at your drug or grocery store in the teeth care aisle and most are under $10. Many are now rechargeable as well.

• Up your intake of Vitamin C, Calcium - research shows that higher levels of these nutrients can prevent gum disease by strengthening bone (calcium) and preventing inflammation in tissues (Vitamin C). Especially if you are over age 40, 1500 mg of calcium per day, and 1-2,000 mg of Vitamin C (taken in divided doses of 500 mg each for better absorption).

• Drink Green Tea – a recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology revealed that green tea drinkers had superior gum health. Contains a powerful antioxidant, catechin, which prevents inflammation throughout the entire body. Must be brewed green tea, not green tea soft drinks.

• Chew Gum With Xylitol – recently Xylitol, a sweetener made from corn, has proven to be effective against mouth bacteria and can help prevent gum disease.

• Drink Cranberry juice – prevents bacteria from sticking to teeth, reducing plaque buildup.

• Adequate Vitamin D – has anti-inflammatory properties as well as helps calcium work better to build bone tissue. Take 1,000 mg Vitamin D3 a day, and/or 10-15 minutes sun exposure 3 times a week (summer).

Periodontal disease can be a painful condition and increase your risk for serious health problems. In addition, bad breath that usually accompanies gum disease can also be very embarrassing and lead to uncomfortable social situations. However, by improving your dental hygiene, nutrition, quitting smoking, and adding some natural preventative measures, you can beat gum disease and reclaim your winning smile!

Stay well,

Mark Rosenberg, M.D.
Institute For Healthy Aging
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The best way to do that is through your diet

The good news is that if you or a loved one is suffering from diabetes, you can reverse it, too. The best way to do that is through your diet. Here’s what I recommend:

1. Eliminate heavily processed foods. This means any kind of junk food, including fried and sugary foods. They help fuel diabetes and keep it alive. Practically all of these foods are high-glycemic. Meaning they spike your blood sugar and, as a result, your insulin levels. Also, if it’s packaged and comes in a box or bag, chances are it’s not good for you. This kind of food has multiple ingredients, including hydrogenated oils (trans fats) to give it a long shelf life.

2. Eat more protein. Your focus should be on eating foods that have one, maybe two ingredients. That means getting the bulk of your calories from protein. Good sources are grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, organ meats, and wild-caught fish.

3. Eat healthy fats. Make sure to get healthy fats in your diet, too. Great sources are wild-caught salmon, olive oil, almonds, avocados, and egg yolks.

4. Get plenty of fruits and veggies. The majority of your carbs – if not all of them – should come from fruits and vegetables. Eat fruits with the skin intact, as it provides a good source of fiber. Stay clear of starches, grains, and any other kind of carb that’s been heavily processed.

Most diabetics think they’re stuck with the disease for life. That’s simply not true.

Type-2 diabetes can be reversed. And it all starts by changing your diet, starting with the four simple tips I’ve given you here.

But there’s more to it. More than I can cover in this letter to you. That’s why I’d like to tell you about a report I just read, called “The Diabetes Reversal Report.”

This guide gives you the secret ingredients for triggering the healing ability that’s in every cell in your body. You’ll get an easy-to-follow plan that puts you on the right path for treating diabetes.

Here’s how you can get a copy…

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD

Miracle Root Lowers Blood Pressure Naturally‏

Millions of Americans take prescription medication, like nitroglycerin, to relieve heart-related conditions. Including high-blood pressure.

The problem is that these medications often do more harm than good. Ironically, these drugs sold to treat symptoms of heart disease can even lead to a heart attack, stroke, and death. Unfortunately, there are strong forces at work within our system of medical care that cause under-reaction and even perpetuation of this problem.

Here’s where your “Doctor’s House Call” letter comes in…

Today, I’m going to tell you how you can lower your blood pressure – naturally. There’s a crunchy red root that works just as well as any prescription medication. And here’s the kicker… no side effects.1

To put that last statement into context: Here are just some of the side effects of nitroglycerin:

• Dizziness

• Fainting

• Headache

• Nausea and vomiting

• Allergic reactions

• Rapid or slow heartbeat

• Sweating

• Chestpain

You don’t have to worry about any of these with my natural solution.

I’m talking about beetroot.

Just a small amount of beetroot or beetroot juice can help reduce your blood pressure.

Here’s how it works.

When you eat it, the beetroot is mixed with your saliva and bacteria on your tongue. This combo turns into nitric oxide (NO2). It’s the chemical from the lining of your blood vessels that makes them expand.

When NO2 gets to your stomach, another reaction occurs, and the nitrate is recirculated throughout your body.

This recirculation is what causes your blood pressure to drop. You see the biggest drop 3-4 hours after eating beetroot. But the effects last for up to 24 hours.2

When these naturally produced nitrates are circulated through your body, your blood vessels relax. This lets your blood flow easier and reduces strain on your heart.

The result? Lower blood pressure.

You can get the most out of beetroots by either chewing them raw or throwing them in your juicer.

Here’s a fresh juice recipe you can try:
Fresh Beetroot and Vegetable Juice:
2 raw organic carrots
3 organic celery sticks
1/2 an organic cucumber
1 organic beetroot
Roughly chop all the vegetables, put them in your juicer, and blend.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD
________________________________________
1 Vikas Kapil; Alexandra B. Milsom; Michael Okorie; Sheiva Maleki-Toyserkani; Farihah Akram; Farkhanda Rehman; Shah Arghandawi; Vanessa Pearl; Nigel Benjamin; Stavros Loukogeorgakis; Raymond MacAllister; Adrian J. Hobbs; Andrew J. Webb; and Amrita Ahluwalia, “Inorganic Nitrate Supplementation Lowers Blood Pressure in Humans. Role for Nitrite-Derived NO.” AHA Journal 2010.
2 Webb. A. Hypertension, Feb. 4, 2008, early online edition. News release, Queen Mary, University of London

Healthy Answers: Month in review!‏

Poor Sleep and Testosterone Level

Are you one of those guys who are burning the candle at both ends and maybe only getting 4 or 5 hours of sleep a night? Are you also one of those guys having problems with his sex drive and feeling out of sorts? Well, recent studies done in the last 3 years show that these symptoms could all be due to the effect of sleep on testosterone - just how, though, may be a chicken and egg question!

While it’s true that lower testosterone levels can be the cause of a sluggish sex drive and irritability it seems to be a matter of research opinion whether low sleep levels cause low testosterone or low testosterone causes lack of sleep.

Here’s what we know about sleep, and testosterone to date as it relates to men:

After age 30, men’s testosterone levels drop between 1 and 2% a year! By the time they reach 40 they start experiencing trouble sleeping. They complain of less deep sleep time, the period of sleep where the body repairs itself.

In fact, as a man gets older, the most recent studies assert, he can lose deep sleep time altogether! That means the older a man gets, the more his testosterone levels continue to decline, the less deep sleep he gets, the more his body’s repair mechanisms decline and the higher his risk climbs for disease!

The reason for this decline in deep sleep time is thought to be due to a loss of neuron activity, which synchronizes brain activity. These neurons are responsible for about 20% of achieving deep sleep. They are intact in young men and get further scrambled as a man ages.

To further complicate things, low testosterone levels are thought to contribute to this loss of neuron activity in the brain. The take away of these studies, then, whichever perspective you come from, seem to say that restoring testosterone to healthy, youthful levels would likely help a man not only achieve deep, restorative sleep again, but also keep him healthier, re-invigorate his sluggish sex drive and keep him in a happier frame of mind.

Do You Have Symptoms of Low Testosterone?

One of the most frequent complaints I hear from my over-40 patients is that their sex drive has diminished significantly from when they were younger. One of the first things I do is to check a testosterone level and most often find that it is decreased. Interestingly, as well, is that they also often complain of not sleeping very much and are depressed!

Now whether their lack of sleep is from a too hectic lifestyle, stress, or from their decreased testosterone level, is not clear. However, when I recommend that they try to get between 6-8 hours of sleep a night their testosterone levels seem to naturally increase and their mood is brighter!

But decreased testosterone levels don’t just affect men over 50, it can start as young as the 30-40’s! Many men don’t seek treatment because they think it’s just a part of getting older and they’re embarrassed to talk about it! Like menopause in women, low testosterone is not something men have to suffer through just because it’s associated with getting older. Here are some other symptoms you may not associate with low testosterone levels:

• Fatigue

• Emotional changes, like depression, irritability, “grumpy old man” syndrome

• Decreased muscle strength

• Loss of height

• Weight gain, especially belly fat

What Does Cause Low Testosterone?

Low testosterone levels can be caused or aggravated by a number of things both nutritional and environmental. For my patients who have lower than optimal testosterone levels, here are some other things I tell them to pay attention to in their diet and lifestyle:

• Xenoestrogens – in food and water supplies. These are “environmental estrogens” from soy products and plastics that get into our food and can decrease testosterone levels. Stay away from foods containing soy, most notably protein bars and soymilk. If you buy frozen foods, transfer them from their plastic container into a glass dish before heating.

• Lack of Protein – men need between 0.5 to 1 gram of high quality protein per pound of body weight per day to both build muscle strength and testosterone. Sources include pork, beef, and chicken, which also have higher levels of zinc, which is testosterone friendly.

• Lack of Cholesterol – many men over 40 are watching cholesterol intake for the sake of their arteries, but too little cholesterol will stop testosterone production. Aim for about 30% fat, mostly monounsaturated (nuts, olive oil) and some saturated (red meat, eggs) to build testosterone. Go very light, or leave out, polyunsaturated fats (fish, vegetable oils) as studies have shown they can decrease testosterone perhaps because they may contain xenoestrogens.

• Lack of Nutrition – zinc is a major building mineral for testosterone. The B vitamins, especially B1, B6, and B12 are helpful in keeping testosterone levels healthy. Be sure that your vitamin/mineral supplement includes these.

• Too Much Alcohol – alcohol increases blood sugar levels, which decreases testosterone. Limit to a few drinks per week.

• Lack of Sleep – as mentioned earlier, less than 6 hours of sleep a night can seriously rob your body of its repairing mechanisms and this includes the re-manufacturing of hormones like testosterone. See that you get at least 6-8 hours of sleep at night, more if you have been ill or under a lot of stress. Try some natural sleep aids like Valerian, calcium/magnesium supplements with some warm milk before bed. Cut back caffeine to not past 4 pm, and limit heavy meals to 2-3 hours before bedtime.

Researchers may finally decide which comes first; low testosterone then poor sleep, or poor sleep then low testosterone. In the meantime, I’m going to continue to counsel my patients that adequate sleep is at least a significant factor in low testosterone levels. However, before you start thinking dangerous steroids or prescription testosterone replacements, try the natural suggestions offered here. I believe your T-levels will be up to optimal levels and your sex drive and pleasant mood back on track in no time!

Stay well,

Mark Rosenberg, M.D.

Institute For Healthy Aging

Guard Against Summer Ear Injuries

With summer just around the corner, I know I’m going to start seeing a lot more patients with ear complaints and injuries. Why? Many ear conditions and injuries arise from things associated with warm weather and busier outdoor activity, like water sports, motorcycles, and amusement park rides, Fourth of July celebrations, flying insects! They all can create their special problems for your ears if you’re not careful. Let me tell you how.

Water Sports and Other Amusements

Infections and barotrauma injury (sudden atmospheric pressure changes from wind force or deep water) to the ears are the two most common types of injuries that can occur frequently in summer. Here’s how they happen:

Swimmer’s Ear: Water gets into the ear canal and destroys its natural acidity that normally checks bacteria. Infections can start deep in the ear and become very painful. Kids most often get swimmer’s ear but I see a lot of adult patients with it as well. In fact, you can get swimmer’s ear from getting water in your ear in the shower!

The symptoms are itching at first, a sense of blockage, decreased hearing, and then pain. However, swimmer’s ear is pretty easily treated with antibiotic eardrops that should relieve the symptoms in about 48 hours.

Helpful Tips: If you like to dive and/or swim under water a lot, use earplugs. Make sure you dry your outer ear canal so water doesn’t trickle down into your inner ear. To prevent infection, restore acid balance by instilling 3-4 drops of an equal mixture of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol into your ears. The vinegar restores the acid balance and the alcohol dries out the water. Do not use Q-tips in your ears! Not only can your hand slip and cause an eardrum penetration injury, but also tiny cotton fibers can get lodged in your ear and cause infection.

Scuba Diving, Jet Skiing, Kite Surfing, and Motorcycles: When the pressure from rushing wind (like that in fast jet skiing, motorcycles, or kite surfing) or deep water (scuba diving) isn’t equalized, it can damage the eardrum. Symptoms include ringing in the ears, hearing loss, or blood coming from the ear.

Helpful Tips: If you have trouble equalizing pressure while scuba diving, rise up in the water until you can. Don’t go diving with cold or sinus congestion already present as this causes extra pressure on your inner ear. If you’re going to jet ski, wind surf, kite surf, cover your ears with either a neoprene hood made for water sports and/or ear plugs. For motorcycling, keep a helmet on, with your head facing forward. Turning it sideways allows wind to rush into the ear canal at a high pressure. Not only can it blow dirt and bugs into your ear, but also the pressure alone can damage your hearing.

Surfer’s Ear: This is an overgrowth of bone in the external ear canal that occurs from exposure to cold water and wind. Bony lumps grow in the ear canal and can cause infections and a feeling of congestion and muffled hearing. Prevalent amongst cold-water surfers, people who jet ski, wind surf, kite surf, or participate in any water sports where high pressure wind effects their ears. Surgery is usually the treatment of choice to remove the bone growths.

Amusement Park Rides: Riding roller coasters and high sudden drop type amusement park rides can cause a loss of pressure in your ears, much the way deep water can damage the eardrum. Researchers studied people who rode high, fast roller coasters and found that if they turned their head even slightly during the first big drop, rushing, high-pressure air forced into the ear canal was significant enough to cause hearing loss.

Helpful Tips: Wear a neoprene hood or swim cap for water or kite surfing to keep your ears covered. Use earplugs and keep your head facing forward if you want to brave the extreme height of roller coasters or “sudden drop” type rides.

The Noise of Summer

With the warm weather comes noisy building/road construction, Fourth of July celebrations, loud rock concerts, auto races, even lawnmowers, all of which can damage your hearing. Let me share with you how loud noise from situations like this can injure your ears.

Firecrackers, Concerts, Auto Races: If you’ve ever shot off M-80’s or cherry bomb firecrackers on the Fourth of July, you know how loud they can be up close. If you attend an outdoor fireworks lightshow, these rapid percussion explosions can have the same effect on your ears as being in a war zone with shells going off. Similarly, ever go to an outdoor rock concert, or auto race and see people holding their hands over their ears? Typically, these events are very loud in the 90 to 140 decibel range. Anything over 80 db can permanently damage your hearing. At best it can leave your hearing muffled for several hours afterwards.

Helpful Tips: You go to fireworks displays for the beautiful colors and designs bursting against the night sky, not the explosive noise they make. Do yourself a favor and protect your ears, wear earplugs! For concerts and auto races, yeah, it’s great to be right up near the stage or the track, but your ears/hearing will thank you for getting seats farther back or lawn tickets.

Building/road construction, lawnmowers: I don’t know what are louder, jackhammers or those very high pitched, high velocity saws cutting through steel. If you live or work nearby this kind of very loud decibel construction and find you have to shout to talk to someone, this is too much noise for the safety of your ears and hearing. Similarly, lawn services with those big, loud lawnmowers on yours or your neighbors’ lawn all summer can adversely affect your hearing.

Helpful Tips: Again, get some earplugs. Try damping the noise by keeping the windows closed and pulling heavy sound muffling drapes over them.

Insects, Dirt, and Other Fly Bys

It may sound like something out of an urban legend but insects really do get into people’s ears, eyes and mouth! In fact, it’s happened to several of my patients. Most often this occurs while riding a bike and you run into flying bugs at just the right angle to your ear. It can also occur when you are swimming because bugs floating on the water see a safe haven to swim into.

Similarly, dirt, or other flying debris, can get into your ears from working outside, especially if its windy and you are clearing brush, or gardening, where debris can easily fall onto your ears. This kind of ear intrusion can cause inflammation and irritation for both you and your ear.

Helpful Tips: If you get an insect, dirt or debris in your ear, do not put your finger or any other object, like Q-tips or tweezers, in your ear to try and remove it. This can cause an insect to sting or bite, and/or drive what’s in there further into your ear canal. Instead put some baby oil or olive oil in a dropper and put several drops into your ear. Then lay with your affected ear down. The oil usually will suffocate an insect and it will float out. Similarly, dirt or other debris should be able to float out too. It might be best to seek medical attention as a doctor can safely flush your ear of any obstruction.

Insects, Dirt, and Other Fly Bys

If you cut or scrape an ear somehow, apply pressure if bleeding badly. Outer ears are very rich in blood vessels and can bleed profusely. Seek medical attention immediately if ear tissue has been lost and bleeding does not stop after 5 minutes of pressure. For more minor scrapes, gently clean with warm soap and water or hydrogen peroxide. Apply a compressive bandage and some ice to avoid swelling and pain. See your doctor if the swelling or pain doesn’t let up.

If you get hit in the ear by a flying object such as a baseball, Frisbee, or rock, seek medical attention as soon as possible to determine that there is no damage to the inner ear.

Although summer sports and outdoor fun have their own particular ear health and safety concerns, taking a few precautions ahead of time can help assure that you don’t damage your hearing or inner ear. Accidents always happen, especially in the summer, but using a little common sense can minimize any permanent damage to your ears and allow you to enjoy all the fun that summer can bring!

Stay well,

Mark Rosenberg, M.D.

Institute For Healthy Aging

Pros and Cons on Botox Injections

It’s hard to believe that people would actually pay to have their faces injected with a bacterium that causes paralysis of the face muscles. But that is of course what millions of Americans do every year and the number continues to increase. Since the procedure received FDA approval in April of 2002, my phone continues to ring off the hook from patients with questions regarding the pros and cons of Botox injections.

As a matter of fact the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) says nearly 1.6 million Botox treatments took place in the year 2001, a 46% increase since 2000 and a whopping 2,356% increase since 1997. 1 It is estimated that 2.8 million individuals in the U.S. underwent Botox treatment in 2008.

Although women usually outnumber men in their desire to look more youthful, men are finding they too are happy with their appearance after a visit to their skin specialist for a quick Botox enhancement.

Most people associate Botox with the “next best thing” to a facelift for getting rid of frown lines and forehead furrows. Not to mention that it costs a whole lot less and recovery time is minimal. Botox is fast and convenient to the extent that the treatment has been aptly named “the lunch hour procedure”.

What many people don’t know is that Botox was used in the past to treat a variety of medical conditions before it became widespread for cosmetic purposes. It was administered effectively to treat crossed eyes, uncontrollable blinking, skin conditions, as well as glandular and neurological disorders.

When the FDA finally approved it, a press release stated that Botox should be used temporarily for improving “the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows”. In a random study, placebo-controlled, researchers found that frown lines vastly improved or disappeared in people within a month of being injected with Botox.

Why the Controversy?

First of all, Botox comes directly from a deadly bacterial toxin, Botulinum Toxin Type A, a protein complex produced by Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium known to cause severe food poisoning and even death. A shot of poison into your face doesn’t sound like a very smart thing to do, but here is how it works.

When injected into the face, Botox blocks acetylcholine receptors and halts the pathway leading to the contraction of muscles controlling the ability to frown. When used properly by a qualified doctor, the results are surprisingly beneficial. It only takes about a fraction of a teaspoon of

Botox to make a dramatic difference in the disappearance of frown lines.

Typically, Botox treatment is done in a doctor’s office. The patient is asked to sit upright and flex his or her facial muscles while the Botox is injected. The patient is advised not to lie down for the next four or five hours to give the treated facial muscles a chance to fall into the natural positions they would hold during the day.

Results last for four to six months for most people but every patient responds differently to the drug.

Pros and Cons of Botox

I’ve touched on some of the pros of Botox treatment earlier in this article. It is quick, less costly than surgical procedures, minimally invasive, and you see results within a few days. The cosmetic industry refers to it as the ideal procedure and it has become a multi-million dollar market to say the least.

Let’s talk about the downside of using Botox cosmetically. Any time you take a foreign substance into your body, especially a drug, there is the risk of side effects. These may include flu-like symptoms, nausea, respiratory problems, and facial pain like stinging, burning, or allergic reactions. Botox also weakens the facial muscles that have been affected by the injection.

There may also be complications with medications that you might presently be taking or if pregnant, it could affect your unborn fetus. However, the evidence of such potential side effects is at this time inconclusive.

One of the biggest concerns is that the person injecting the substance may not be qualified to do so. If Botox is not administered properly, it can cause the patient to have droopy eyelids for a week or longer. The FDA insists that a trained certified physician who specializes in facial cosmetics, in a sterile environment, give Botox injections.

Is Collagen a Botox Competitor?

Collagen is another popular cosmetic treatment that is often used alone or in conjunction with Botox. It is used to fill in creases, wrinkles and depressions in the face with results lasting anywhere from 3 to 6 months. Collagen is derived from purified bovine (cow) but can also be made synthetically for those who have a positive reaction to a preliminary collagen skin test.

The injections may be more painful than Botox and can become very expensive to keep up. The procedure is usually done as an outpatient in a similar fashion to that of how Botox is administered.

If you think Botox or collagen injections are for you, make sure to check the qualifications of your doctor and ask a lot of questions. Talk to your doctor about your concerns, identify your expectations and be specific on the results you are looking to achieve.

Weigh the pros and cons, consider the risks, and proceed only when you are completely comfortable with your doctor. The good news is the results are usually temporary, and the treatment is much less invasive than laser and surgical procedures. At the end of the day the choice is up to you!

In Good Health,

Jay Brachfeld, M.D.

1 www.jyi.org/volumes/volume6/issue6/features/lee.html

Reap the Healing Power of Medicinal Herbs

Lately, more and more of my patients have expressed an interest in using herbs for their specific health concerns. They are concerned, as am I, about side effects, as well as rising costs of prescription drugs with health care insurance issues being what they are these days.

Herbs have been used as medicine for centuries in many cultures around the world. Traditional Chinese Medicine and Indian Ayurvedic medicine lead the way in treating illness with herbs. In fact, prior to 1930, herbal medicine was the only medicine used in America!

For the past 30 years, however, herbal, or botanical, medicine is enjoying resurgence in America. People are revisiting the healing power of all those ancient herbal formulas. Echinacea fights colds, St. John’s Wort brightens mood, chamomile settles upset stomach, and ginseng boosts energy. These herbs are so commonly known they’re sold in grocery stores!

The use of medicinal herbs is a vast subject, so I’d like to touch on some of the most common herbs and their uses.

Herbs for General Health

Especially in men and women over age 40, along with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and enough restorative sleep, taking at least 1 of these herbs can help keep you healthy in general:

• Garlic – antioxidant, antibiotic, and cholesterol reducer, can help prevent heart disease.

• Green tea – an all-around powerhouse antioxidant, can lower cholesterol and help prevent mouth and stomach cancers. Drink 2-3 cups a day without milk or cream.

• Turmeric – (yellow mustard ingredient) long used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, an excellent antioxidant which lower cholesterol and is said to prevent cancer.

• Olive Leaf Extract – anti-inflammatory, immune system booster, kills viruses and bacteria that can cause illness.

Herbs for Men’s Health Issues

There are several herbs that are beneficial to men’s specific health concerns such as prostate and impotence issues. Here are a few of them:

• Saw palmetto/beta sitosterol - one of the most popular herbs, treats BPH, benign prostatic hypertrophy, by shrinking the enlarged prostate and relieving urinary problems.

• Gingko biloba – helps increase blood flow throughout the body which can alleviate impotence and help cognitive brain function and circulatory issues.

• Muira puama – stimulates libido (both male and female), treats erectile dysfunction, and balances hormones.

• Tribulus – stimulates testosterone production, addressing impotence and libido.

Herbs for Women’s Health Issues

Women’s specific health concerns such as painful menstruation, menopause, libido and infertility have been treated with herbs for centuries. Recently, traditional medical doctors have turned to safe, herb-derived bioidentical hormone replacement to treat symptoms of menopause. The following are herbal estrogen and progesterone sources that come from:

• Black cohosh – full of natural plant estrogens, good for menopause symptoms and PMS.

• Wild Yam – contains isoflavones, treats menopause symptoms, and maintains bone strength.

• Dong Quai – for menopause, treats hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and weak bladder tone.

• Red Clover – like soy, contains isoflavones, treats menopause symptoms.

The Big Three and Herbs

In the United States, the highest rates of illness are from cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Let me share with you some herbs that have shown a lot of promise in research studies to specifically address these conditions:

• Sheep Sorrel – Cancer. Noted for its tumor shrinking, anti-metastasizing properties.

• Green Tea Extract - Cancer. Contains ECGC, an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals that damage healthy cells. Slows/prevents the rapid cell replication of cancer.

• Turmeric – Cancer. Contains curcumin, boosts immune system, and prevents tumor growth.

• Cinnamon – Diabetes. ¼ to 1 tsp sprinkled on food, can control insulin spikes. Also helps lower high blood pressure.

• Banaba – Diabetes. An herb from the Philippines extensively studied for diabetes. Like cinnamon, has insulin-like activity that helps maintain normal blood sugar.

• Ampalaya (bitter melon) – Diabetes. Also extensively researched, the favorite treatment for diabetes in India, Asia, Africa. Said to stimulate beta cell production in the pancreas that helps the body’s natural production of insulin.

• Valerian – Heart/high blood pressure. Relaxes you, lowers blood pressure, and aids sleep.

• Alfalfa and Garlic – Heart/arteries. Lowers LDL cholesterol by blocking absorption and preventing oxidation into plaques or clots.

• Cayenne – Heart/circulation. Stops heart pain by rapidly increasing blood flow to the heart. It has been touted as a first aid treatment for heart attack – 1 tablespoon Cayenne in a glass of warm water drank quickly.

There you have a basic introduction to medicinal herbs. There are innumerable health conditions that herbs can be used for. However, they are not without risk. You have to take them properly as you would prescription drugs. Consult a doctor familiar with the use of herbal medicine to treat illness. They can ensure correct usage and monitor you for any possible adverse reaction.

Stay well,

Mark Rosenberg, M.D.

Institute For Healthy Aging

Doctors Still Hounding You About Cholesterol?

Walk into any doctor’s office with a cholesterol level over 300, and they’ll wheel you out on a stretcher, shove you in an ambulance, and rush you to the hospital.

But, let me tell you something about cholesterol: As long as your HDL is high enough, you’re at little to no risk of heart disease.

Even if your total cholesterol is 305.1

Here’s the bottom line: You and everyone in this country has been coerced into believing that high cholesterol means you have one foot in the grave.

I’ve been going on about this since I was in med school, and still the myth is believed as fact. Wherever I go, I hear people talking about this.

Just the other day, I was standing in line at the grocery store and overheard two people sharing stories about which cholesterol-lowering drug they were taking and how high their cholesterol was at their last doctor’s appointment.

Let me say this again: Cholesterol is a fallacy. It’s a red herring. And this “high cholesterol myth” was supported with billions of dollars by drug companies when they patented drugs that lowered cholesterol.

Here’s something else: 75% of the people who have heart attacks have “normal” cholesterol.2

The fact that high cholesterol is safe and normal people are having heart attacks isn’t some kind of fantasy. I didn’t pull these numbers out of thin air. They come from the Framingham Heart Study.

This landmark study, which has been ongoing since the 1940s, is considered the most reliable data on heart disease. Why? Because it has no interference from drug companies.

In a time when drug companies sponsor, pay for, and manipulate clinical studies to prop up their best-selling drugs, the Framingham Study is untouched by corporate hands.

But there’s this one, little problem. The data that doesn’t support their cholesterol theory gets ignored, blackballed, or driven into oblivion. But the numbers are there for anyone to see.

I can’t even tell you how many heart patients I’ve seen. It’s in the thousands. And for decades, I’ve been the “go to” doctor for people who instinctively believe the mainstream is wrong.

Have you ever tried to challenge your doctor on cholesterol?

They’re so adamant about treating “high cholesterol,” they’ll refuse to see you as a patient if you don’t buy into their propaganda.

That’s why people come to me.

These heart health rebels who “dropped out” with other doctors because they refused to lower their cholesterol have always had the last laugh. Out of all my patients, they’re the ones who

have the fewest heart attacks.

They’re also the happiest.

They don’t waste their time with low-fat diets, prescription drugs, or scare tactics designed to make you feel guilty, weak, and helpless.

When I wrote The Doctor’s Heart Cure, I had these folks in mind. I wanted to give them a real alternative to the drug-fueled culture of fear we’re exposed to everyday.

I wanted to empower them to make choices based in fact, not in a well-orchestrated tragedy.

If your doctor is still pressuring you to get your cholesterol lower and lower... or if you’re already taking cholesterol drugs and starting to feel the fatigue, muscle pain, and depression that comes with them, let me make a recommendation.

Get The Doctor’s Heart Cure.

Arm yourself against the myth masquerading as fact.

I’ll show you how to build a disease-proof heart WITHOUT drugs, crazy diets, or boring gym routines.

Even if your cholesterol is 305.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD
________________________________________
1 Castiglioni A, Neuman WR. “HDL Cholesterol: What Is Its True Clinical Significance?” Emergency Medicine, January 2003:pp 30-42.
2 Castelli WP. “Cholesterol and lipids in the risk of coronary artery disease – the Framingham Heart Study.” Canadian Journal of Cardiology. 1998 July; 4 Suppl A:5A-10A.

What in the world is oil pulling?

Did You Know...

. . . that the ancient Ayurvedic practice of oil pulling has been shown to heal a wide variety of health problems? Here's just a small sample of diseases it has been shown to treat successfully:

Cancer, Allergies, Heart Disease

AIDS, High Blood Sugar, Kidney and Lung Diseases

Arthritis, Mouth & Gum Disease, Meningitis

Asthma, Varicose Veins, Polio

Diabetes, High Blood Pressure ...and many other diseases

What in the world is oil pulling?

Oil pulling is the practice of taking 1 tablespoon of a cold-pressed vegetable oil (such as sesame or sunflower seed oil) and swishing it in your mouth for about 15-20 minutes. This is done soon after waking, before eating or brushing one's teeth -- and it has the effect of "pulling" bacteria, parasites, mucous and other toxins from your body through your saliva.

Oil pulling has its roots in Ayurveda, the Hindu art of healing, which asserts that the tongue is mapped by organ-locations. This means that each section of the tongue is connected to, or corresponds to, the liver, heart, kidneys, lungs, spleen, pancreas, small intestines, stomach, colon, and spine. When you swish the oil around the tongue, you effectively soothe and stimulate the key meridians of the body, and their corresponding organs.

In his book, Perfect Health, Deepak Chopra, an American physician born in India, a bestselling author and lecturer on Ayurveda, spirituality and mind-body medicine, cites oil pulling as an Ayurvedic technique that is "valuable for purifying and strengthening the body."

Oil pulling gained popularity in recent years partly because a Ukrainian doctor, Dr. F. Karach, who reportedly cured his own chronic blood disease and 15-year-old arthritis through oil pulling, made the world aware of this unusual therapy.

. Dr. Karach claims that oil pulling totally heals "headaches, bronchitis, tooth pain, thrombosis, eczema, ulcers and diseases of stomach, intestines, heart, blood, kidney, liver, lungs and women's diseases. It heals diseases of nerves, paralysis, and encephalitis. It prevents the growth of malignant tumors, cuts and heals them. Chronic sleeplessness is cured." Dr. Karach even challenged a conference of Ukrainian cancer specialists to try the process in the treatment of cancer.

If you wish to experience the health benefits of oil pulling for yourself, here's the simple procedure that Ayurveda practitioners recommend:

1) Immediately upon waking up in the morning, before brushing your teeth, eating or drinking, put 1 tablespoon of either cold-pressed sesame oil or sunflower seed oil in your mouth.

2) Tilt your chin up and slowly swish the oil around your tongue, pulling and sucking it through the teeth, making sure you don't swallow the oil. Do this for 15 to 20 minutes until the oil in your mouth becomes a thin, white foam. You can check your progress periodically -- if the oil is still yellow, continue swishing. Do not gargle the oil. Just swish it in your mouth.

3) When the oil turns white, spit it out, then rinse the remaining oil out of your mouth.

4) Drink 1 - 3 glasses of water.

For maximum detoxification, some people do this procedure 2 more times during the day -- always on an empty stomach, or 4 hours after meals.

Featured Topic:

In this issue, we're pleased to present as our Featured Topic an article regarding heart health via a solution that has been shown to be an alternative to expensive heart surgery. Over 294,579 people have "tested" the scientifically proven nutrient named below ... and many have their own medical test results to prove ... it's a lifesaver!

↓↓↓↓↓

Flush Your Arteries Clear and Boost Your Heart Health with Safe and Natural Solutions

If you are over the age of 50, you may have seriously clogged arteries as a result of poor diet, genetics or a lack of adequate vitamin and mineral supplementation. That means all 75,000 miles of your arteries, veins and capillaries may be full of plaque that can cause a blockage.

But new research indicates that two key nutrients can help you combat the causes of heart problems, toxic build-up and decreasing energy levels.

Through years of research, modern science has shown that consuming a high-fat diet can lead to heart disease, but new evidence has surfaced to explain the process. University of Cincinnati scientists examined high-fat diets and the effect they can have on the adipose -- or fatty -- tissue surrounding the coronary arteries. Neil Weintraub, M.D., and colleagues found that the fats cells were highly inflamed, which suggests that the blood vessels could become inflamed. This is one of the first indicators of clogged arteries, or atherosclerosis.

Another startling discovery showed that rats on a high-fat diet for only two weeks already showed the effects of inflammation in the tissue around the arteries.

"These new findings suggest a direct link between poor dietary habits and inflammation of blood vessels, mediated by the fat cells surrounding the blood vessel wall," said lead author Weintraub.

In order to maintain healthy blood vessels and help reverse the effects of a high-fat diet, discover the healing effects of oral chelation with the amino acid ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid -- or EDTA.

Indeed, ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) chelation is very controversial -- especially when discussed as an alternative to expensive heart surgery. The truth is, most doctors are inexperienced when it comes to chelation and don't understand how it really works.

There are a few thousand doctors in the United States who perform intravenous (I.V.) chelation in their offices, but the vast majority of doctors have not witnessed the impressive results of EDTA for themselves. Like nearly every other area of medicine, you will find articles "for" and "against" chelation. It is interesting how medicine is presented to the public -- through the eyes and interests of the controlling parties who stand to profit the most.

Keep in mind, doctors and surgeons who continue to gain huge profits by performing angiograms ... placing stents ... performing balloon angioplasties ... and cracking the heart open ... do not want to read glowing reviews about this therapy. And, heart drug-related pharmaceutical companies would love to see chelation proven ineffective -- to keep their competition down!

However, clinical and scientific studies show that the nutrient EDTA is effective at helping eliminate plaque from the arteries.

Here's how it works: EDTA binds to the calcium deposits stuck to your vessel walls and carries them to the kidneys. Then those plaque deposits are safely dumped out of your body with the urine. This process opens up your small vessels and blood can flow freely throughout your body.

What's more, by increasing the circulation of your life-giving blood, EDTA can help:

* Promote healthy blood pressure

* Reduce chest pain

* Reduce swelling in your legs and ankles

* Maintain good HDL cholesterol levels

* Promote healthy kidney function

* And more!

Linus Pauling, Ph.D., two-time Nobel Prize-winning scientist states, "Published research and extensive clinical experience showed that EDTA helps reduce and prevent arteriosclerotic plaques, thus improving blood flow to the heart and other organs. The scientific evidence indicates that a course of EDTA chelation might eliminate the need for bypass surgery."

The evidence speaks for itself -- the benefits of chelation are remarkable. In fact, if you suffer from age-related memory loss ... poor vision ... constant colds and flu ... cold hands and feet ... and more ... then EDTA chelation can help reduce those symptoms, too!

For an alternative solution to clear your clogged arteries once and for all, unlock the healing powers of EDTA. Almost instantly you can boost your heart health and help rid your body of dangerous toxins. This scientifically proven nutrient may be the safest and most effective way to help flush out dangerous plaque from your arteries ... promote healthy blood flow ... and help keep your health on the right track!

Editor's Note: Layne Lowery is the president of Health Resources, a manufacturer of high-quality nutritional supplements. In the health business since 1995, Layne's passion is providing affordable natural health solutions and educational tools based on the best scientific research available to empower his customers to make wise decisions on matters of personal health.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

More and more patients come to me convinced they know the nature of their medical condition. It’s not surprising because people nowadays “google” everything and sometimes find out more than they need to know.

Just yesterday, I saw a patient who swore she had Carpal Tunnel Syndrome because she felt pain and tingling in one of her hands. She went on to say that she “googled” it and sure enough, she was sure it had to be her problem.

In some ways a self-diagnosis is helpful to me as an orthopedic surgeon because it quickly spells out some of the problems a patient may be having. On the other hand, patients are not experts and sometimes mistake a simple condition for one that is much worse. It’s always best to consult your doctor before your imagination gets the best of you.

I have to say, in this particular instance, the patient’s symptoms appeared to be carpal tunnel syndrome. However, because there may be other conditions that mimic carpal tunnel, such as a pinched nerve in your neck, it is important to have imaging tests, such as MRI or X-ray to know for sure.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a fairly common ailment that affects many people whose work or hobbies are hand-intensive. Repetitive computer use is usually what people assume causes carpal tunnel but scientific evidence for this association isn’t definitive.

Research suggests that carpal tunnel syndrome may result from strain in jobs that require repetitive, forceful, and awkward motions of your hands and wrists. Examples might be using power tools, such as chain saws or jackhammers, or where you must constantly use your hands to pinch or grip while working.

There may be other things that put you at risk for carpal tunnel in addition to repetitive hand movements. Women are three times as likely as men to develop carpal tunnel syndrome, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 1 Also, the shape of your wrist, an inherited trait, may make you more susceptible.

What exactly is carpal tunnel syndrome?

You know it causes pain, tingling, and other problems in your hand but may not know the reasons why. The median nerve travels from your forearm to your hand through a narrow, tunnel-like structure in the wrist (carpal) bones. A strong band of connective tissue called the transverse carpal ligament covers the top of the tunnel.
The median nerve controls the feeling in the palm side of the thumb, index finger, and long fingers as well as the muscles around the base of the thumb. When swelling or anything else makes the tunnel smaller, pressure builds up causing pain and numbness.

In most cases the condition starts gradually with a subtle ache in your wrist, hand or forearm. Your thumb and index, middle or ring fingers (but not your little finger) may feel tingly when you are holding a steering wheel, phone or newspaper first thing in the morning. Eventually the numbness becomes constant and the pain radiates from your wrist to your shoulder. You may also experience a sense of weakness in your hands and have a tendency to drop things.

What if you think you have carpal tunnel syndrome?

When patients come to me with typical symptoms of carpal tunnel, the first thing I do is discuss their medical history. This is because there are many factors that contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. I’ve mentioned hand use and genetics, but hormonal changes related to pregnancy can play a role as well as age. Older people are more likely to suffer from carpal tunnel and those with medical conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid gland imbalance seem to be at a higher risk.

Of course a thorough examination of your hand is necessary to check for weakness in the muscles around your thumb. This includes bending and holding your wrists to determine numbness or tingling along with applying pressure on the median nerve.

Diagnostic tests are usually recommended such as:
• Electromyogram - measures the tiny electrical discharges produced in muscles. By inserting a thin needle electrode into the selected muscle, electrical activity is recorded when you contract and relax the muscle.
• Nerve conduction study – two electrodes are taped to your skin and a small shock passes through the median nerve to see if impulses are slowed while in the carpal tunnel.

Without some form of treatment, carpal tunnel will progressively get worse. That’s why you should consult your doctor as soon as you experience any of the symptoms mentioned here. Once diagnosed, you and your doctor can discuss the types of treatment available and what might be best in your situation. The sooner you start treatment, the better your chances of preventing long-term damage to the nerve.

Treatment Options

Home Care – If possible, stop activities that cause numbness and pain and rest your wrist often. Use ice once or twice an hour for 10 to 15 minutes each time. Try wearing a wrist splint at night to keep your wrist in a neutral position to relieve pressure to the median nerve. The splint should be snug but not tight. Aspirin or other over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as Ibuprofen and naproxen may help relieve symptoms temporarily. However, if your symptoms do not improve after 1 to 2 weeks of home care you may need another form of treatment.
Nonsurgical Therapy – Most of the time, people find relief by implementing nonsurgical methods especially if you’ve had only mild to moderate symptoms for less than 10 months. Other than wrist splinting and OTC pain relievers, doctors may inject your carpal tunnel with a corticosteroid, such as cortisone. This helps decrease inflammation thereby relieving pressure on the median nerve.

Surgery – When pain or numbness persists longer than 6 months, surgery may be recommended as a last resort. Surgery is sometimes done using an endoscope, which is a tiny camera attached to a device that allows the doctor to see inside your carpal tunnel. Sometimes, a larger incision is required in the palm of your hand to release the nerve.

There is no way anyone can really prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, but taking the necessary precautions can help protect your hands from repetitive use. If you are in a job that requires you use your hands, reduce the force needed to perform the task and relax your grip. Take frequent breaks, stretch and bend your wrist and hands periodically. If you use a keyboard, keep it at elbow height or slightly lower.

If you think you have symptoms of carpal tunnel, you could be right! Try a few of the home care therapies first, but if you do not find relief within a week or so, see your doctor. The longer you wait, the worse it gets. Don’t let that happen to you!

In Good Health,

Mark Bromson, M.D.

Sleep Deprivation Delivers Double Diabetes Risk

Everyone knows that not getting enough sleep can make you cranky, but did you know it will also make you fat… and possibly fatally ill?

Most people believe everyone has their own sleep requirements and that how it varies makes little difference. But I can tell you that it makes a very big difference.
Lack of sleep delivers a double whammy:
• First you gain weight…
• Then you have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

Just from not sleeping? You bet.

I’ll give you some tips for getting better sleep in a few minutes. Meanwhile, here’s the deal…
It turns out that when you’re sleep deprived, your body develops symptoms of insulin resistance. And it doesn’t take long. It happens as soon as you build up any sort of sleep debt.
This surprising connection was made during a study of young, healthy adult males who slept for only four hours – for six nights in a row. At the end of those six nights, every single one of those healthy young men showed impaired glucose tolerance… a precursor to developing diabetes.
And if that isn’t bad enough, lack of sleep delivers a double-diabetes risk:

People who sleep less gain weight easier than those who enjoy better sleep. Increased weight is a key factor in developing diabetes. In other words, poor sleep creates a chain that can contribute to diabetes.

Sounds far fetched? Not really. It all comes down to hormones…

The Sleep-Diabetes Chain

Lack of sleep does make you gain weight faster. And that can lead to diabetes. This is how it happens: the hormone ghrelin, produced in the intestines, stimulates appetite. The hormone leptin, made by fat cells, signals the brain when you are full. Lack of sleep causes ghrelin levels to go up – and leptin levels to go down.

When that happens you get hungry (particularly for carbs) – and you’re less satisfied when you do eat. So you want more food… a constant cycle that can lead to weight gain.

In fact, a Stanford study actually confirmed that people who slept less than eight hours a night had higher levels of ghrelin and lower levels of leptin. As expected, they also had more body fat – which correlated with their sleep patterns. Those who slept the least -- weighed the most.
Adequate sleep is essential in maintaining hormone balance. It breaks that night-time hormonal chain that leads to weight gain. Eliminating that gain can in turn reduce your diabetes risk.

Modern Sleep Deficit…

You probably know that Americans are sleeping less than they used to. That may even be true of you. Looking back, adults slept eight to nine hours a night in 1960. By 1995 that average was down to seven hours. And now the average is just over six-and-a-half hours. That’s getting pretty skimpy.

There are lots of reasons for the difference. Distractions like television and the internet keep people up around the clock. Society is increasingly busy 24/7… cell phones and Blackberries make contact possible any time. You can even go to the grocery store in the middle of the night if you like.

And since the economy took a nosedive over the past couple of years, a lot of people say they are working more to make ends meet – and worrying more about it at night. In a poll of 7,000
people, 52 percent said they were losing sleep from stress. So even if you are in bed, you may not be sleeping the whole time.

That’s especially true if you have insomnia or sleep apnea. Repeated waking during the night can make eight hours of sleep feel more like four. But whatever the reason, too little sleep raises the risk of diabetes.

One study showed that people with insomnia who slept five to six hours total had twice the risk of diabetes. In those who slept fewer than five hours the risk was almost three times greater than someone who gets a full seven to nine hours.

Sleep problems and diabetes go hand in hand. More than half of all people with type 2 diabetes have some sort of sleep disorder such as sleep apnea. At the same time, almost 40 percent of people with sleep apnea have diabetes – as well as a much higher risk of developing diabetes.

That’s a strong correlation between sleep and diabetes.

Other research examples include:
• People in their late 20s and early 30s who slept less than six-and-a-half hours a night had the insulin sensitivity of someone more than 60 years old.
• A group of young adults in their 20s were studied in a sleep lab. Each time they started to drift into slow-wave deep sleep, they were subjected to sounds that disrupted their sleep but didn’t fully wake them up. After three nights of decreasing their slow-wave sleep by 90 percent (comparable to the slow-wave sleep of someone in their 60s), they became 25 percent less sensitive to insulin. The result was a 23 percent raise in blood glucose – the equivalent of gaining 20 to 30 pounds.
• Sleep habits of 276 subjects were analyzed for a six-year period. 20 percent of those who slept less than seven hours or more than eight hours developed diabetes or impaired blood glucose.

Only seven percent of those who slept between seven and eight hours developed blood glucose problems.

So when you’re tempted to trade a few hours of sleep for another activity, it might be wise to reconsider.

Finding Your Sleep Rhythm...

We each have an internal clock that determines our sleep-wake cycle over a 24 hour period. It is called “circadian rhythm” and it works best if you maintain a consistent schedule. That can be hard to do if you work different shifts or if you regularly travel to other time zones.
Disrupting your circadian rhythm is why you get out of sorts when you have jet lag or an illness that causes you to sleep more or less than usual.

Other things can also wreck a good night’s sleep. Letting pets sleep with you seems harmless enough, but you’re adding a distraction. Remember the study where young people were interrupted by sounds just when they were falling into deep sleep? The same thing can happen when your pet’s tags jingle in the night.

Another sleep wrecker is alcohol at bedtime. It might make you drowsy to start with, but then it turns around and wakes you up. Best to stop drinking several hours before bedtime to skip that effect.

Keys To Better Sleep

There are plenty of distractions that will interfere with sleeping. But there are also many techniques to promote better sleep. Try a few of these tips for restful sleep…
• Go to bed and get up at the same time each day, even on weekends. It’s the best way to strengthen your circadian rhythm.
• Have a regular relaxing bedtime routine. Taking a hot bath or reading a chapter of a book in soft light will help you get ready to sleep.
• Make sure your sleep environment is dark and comfortable. Use eye shades, ear plugs or “white noise” if it helps you stay asleep. Replace your mattress if it is more than eight or nine years old.
• Finish exercising several hours before bedtime. Body temperature goes up during exercise and takes a while to drop. Cooler body temperatures are needed to go to sleep.
• Don’t eat anything too heavy or spicy at bedtime. Restrict fluids late in the evening so you aren’t awakened later to go to the john.
• Keep work materials, computers and televisions out of the bedroom. Use your bed only for sleep and sex.

Prioritize Your Sleep Time…

Sleep is so important for health that you need to make it a priority. Borrowing time from sleep is like taking out a bad loan – it’s a debt you’ll pay for in decreased productivity and higher risk of health problems like diabetes.

Our society often puts useless value on people who brag that they need very little sleep. As though they are somehow more aggressive and dynamic. Or that they can attribute a measure of success to sleeping less.

Well, forget that. Getting your best sleep – for eight or nine hours a night – is what will have you rested, focused and productive. Your body uses that time to repair itself and keep you in good health. Don’t skimp on it.

[Ed. Note: The absolute best medicine just might be good information. For almost every condition you could be suffering from, nature has provided a cure you should know about. Our mission at Natural Health Confidential is to find it, scientifically confirm it, and get it into your hands.

You will discover invaluable natural healing methods that make a real difference in your life and the lives of those you love. The latest issue offers a solution for a disease that affects millions of people worldwide today. It is the sixth leading cause of death – and the shocking news is that a large percentage of people who have it, don’t even know it!
Please don’t allow yourself or your loved ones to suffer damage to your health that is entirely preventable! Click here now to read more…]

To your health,


Ian Robinson
Managing Editor
Total Health Breakthroughs