Cancer Back Pain

Middle age woman suffering from back pain sitting in bed at home. Health of people of mature age concept

Back pain and soreness are widespread conditions that affect all genders, races, and lifestyles. The causes for back pain are varied from injury, poor posture, arthritis, age, overuse, etc. If back pain is frequent, perhaps the last assumption is that the pain could be caused by cancer. While it’s far from the most common causes, cancer back pain is possible, which makes consulting a doctor that will figure out the root cause, especially if there are other non-related symptoms, and treat the back pain very important.

Table of Contents

Cancer Back Pain

Back pain that could be caused by cancer usually occurs with other symptoms and include:

Back pain that is not related to movement.
Pain does not get worse with activity.
Back pain usually presents at night or early in the morning and fades away or improves as the day progresses.
Back pain persists even after physical therapy or other treatments.
Changes in bowel movements or blood in urine or stool.
Unexplained, sudden weight loss.
Unexplained fatigue/exhaustion.
Weakness, tingling, or numbness in the arms or legs.
Back pain does not have to be severe to be cancer, as it can range in severity.
Having a family history of cancer and these symptoms can increase the risk.

Types of Cancer That Can Contribute To Back Pain

Types of cancer that can form around, in, and near the spine can cause back pain. These include:

Spinal Tumor

A spinal tumor can grow in the spinal bone or the membranes around the spinal cord.
The spine is a common source for bone metastasis, where cancer starts in one location and spreads to others.
30 to 70 percent of individuals with cancer spreads to the spine, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons – AANS.

Lung

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers that can spread to the spine.
A lung tumor can press on the spine, affecting nerve transmissions.
An individual with lung cancer may notice becoming tired/fatigued more easily, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, and back pain.

Breast

Rare but possible breast cancer symptom.
Breast cancers can metastasize to the back.
Like lung cancers, some breast cancer tumors can press on nerves connected to the spine, causing discomfort and pain.

Gastrointestinal

Cancers of the stomach, colon, and rectum can cause back pain.
The pain radiates from where the cancer is to the back.

Tissue and Blood Cancers

Blood and tissue cancers like:

Multiple myeloma
Lymphoma
Melanoma
Can cause back pain.

Diagnosing Cancer and Back Pain

Medical treatments for back pain-related cancer depend on its type and how advanced it is. A doctor will consider symptoms and medical history when diagnosing possible back pain causes. Because cancer is a rare cause of back pain, a doctor may recommend various treatments before a full cancer work-up. The doctor may order imaging studies and blood testing if the pain persists after chiropractic, physical therapy, or anti-inflammatory medications. These tests will help identify potential cancer markers causing back pain.

Treatments usually include chemotherapy and radiation to shrink a tumor.
A doctor will recommend surgery to remove a tumor.

Chiropractic

Cancer patients have found chiropractic treatment to be effective for:

Pain management.
Flexibility improvement.
Mobility improvement.
Strengthening muscles.
Helping to reduce stress.
Helping the body function more efficiently.

Chiropractic physiotherapy benefits patients undergoing chemotherapy, as it helps the body withstand the debilitating effects of the treatment based on the whole-body approach.

Body Composition

Don’t Hate Dieting

Individuals hate dieting, usually because they go about it the wrong way. Individuals do not need to starve themselves and live at the gym. Reaching quick weight loss goals might sound appealing; however, going through it for an extended time can make individuals feel:

Tired
Depressed
Unmotivated

Individuals can find a nutrition plan/exercise balance that works for them and their lifestyle. For some individuals, dieting alone is effective, but more than likely, they have increased metabolisms. Trying to lose fat by only cutting calories can be difficult for individuals with smaller metabolisms. The goal is to find a balance between diet and exercise. This does not mean having to go on an extreme diet, skip meals, or cut out entire macronutrient groups like fat or carbs, as the body needs both of these nutrients. Finding a sustainable long-term nutrition plan takes planning and support. A dietician, nutritionist, or health coach can offer a variety of nutrition and exercise plans customized to the individual.

References

Downie, Aron et al. “Red flags to screen for malignancy and fracture in patients with low back pain: a systematic review.” BMJ (Clinical research ed.) vol. 347 f7095. 11 Dec. 2013, doi:10.1136/bmj.f7095

Mabry, Lance M et al. “Metastatic cancer mimicking mechanical low back pain: a case report.” The Journal of manual & manipulative therapy vol. 22,3 (2014): 162-9. doi:10.1179/2042618613Y.0000000056

Vasser, Melinda, and Matthew Koroscil. “When Back Pain Turns Deadly: An Unusual Presentation of Lung Cancer.” Respiratory medicine case reports vol. 29 101009. 28 Jan. 2020, doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2020.101009

Verhagen, Arianne P et al. “Red flags presented in current low back pain guidelines: a review.” The European spine journal: official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society vol. 25,9 (2016): 2788-802. doi:10.1007/s00586-016-4684-0

Supplements for Hormone Health | Part 3

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

There is a butterfly-shaped organ that is located at the base of the neck that plays a huge role in hormonal health and helps the secretion of hormones to each of the various organ systems and that is the thyroid. The thyroid in the body makes sure that hormone levels are regulating normally and making sure that unwanted pathogens are not disrupting the hormonal signal to cause the body to overproduce or underproduce hormones and cause hypo or hyperthyroidism. In this 3 part series, we will be taking an in-depth look at the thyroid, its functions to the body when dealing with stress, and how different supplements can benefit the thyroid. Part 1 discussed what andropause is, its symptoms to the male body, and how different supplements can dampen andropause effects on the body. Part 2 discussed what menopause is, the symptoms to the female body, and the beneficial supplements that help with menopausal symptoms.

By referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialized in hormone wellness services. To that end, and when appropriate, we advise our patients to refer to our associated medical providers based on their examination. We find that education is the key to asking valuable questions to our providers. Dr. Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, in case you are uncertain here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

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The Thyroid

As everybody knows, the thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped organ that is located at the base of the neck. This gland may be small but it has a huge role when it comes to supporting the body. The thyroid helps make the hormones in the body help control many vital functions that help the body to function normally. Research shows that this vital hormone gland’s major role helps with the metabolism, growth, and development of the human body. By releasing a steady amount of hormones into the bloodstream, the thyroid can help regulate many body functions and organs to make sure that everything is working properly.

However when there are unwanted pathogens that are affecting the body and disrupting the hormone signals from reaching their designated areas in the body. When this happens, these unwanted pathogens can cause the endocrine system to produce more or fewer hormones causing hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism and when it is not treated, it can develop into chronic illnesses over time.

How Does Stress Affect The Thyroid?

Stress is a natural response to the body and the body needs stress to function properly. Stress is a hormone that helps the body by giving it a mini boost of energy whenever an event happens. Now stress can come in two categories: acute stress and chronic stress. Acute stress is the little thing that individuals are dealing with. This can be getting interviewed for a job to studying for a big test. Chronic stress, however, is long-termed stress that is prolonged in the body and a person can not relax. When this happens it can lead to chronic illness. When there is an increased cortisol level that inhibits the conversion of T4 to T3 and favors conversion to rT3 secondary to diversion of tyrosine to cortisol production vs. thyroid hormone production.

Where there is an increased level of oxidative stress, the rT3 decreases cellular energy production in the body and it can increase in T3, reversing thyroid production. Studies have shown that when stress starts to directly or indirectly go through the nervous system and the endocrine system, it can affect the immune system. Not only that but stress can be one of the factors that can cause thyroid autoimmunity.

The Metabolic Effects On The Thyroid

Stress is not the only effect that can happen to the thyroid. There can also be metabolic factors that can affect the thyroid. When the serum T3 and T4 are in range, TSH is slightly elevated and it can become largely undiagnosed. However, it is becoming more recognized as the stems from the thyroid can have the inability of target cells to convert T4 to T3 or increased RT3 production. Other metabolic factors that can cause an effect on the thyroid include:

Glucose tolerance
- Thyroid hormone influences the rate of glucose absorbed from the GI tract and taken up by cells.
Insulin resistance
- Hypothyroidism reduces target cell insulin binding/number of insulin receptors expressed.
Cardiovascular health
- Decreases metabolism of fats and increases serum lipids.
- Decreases the availability of cardioprotective essential fatty acids.
- Inadequate T3 lowers oxygen consumption, contributes to lipids peroxidation and free radical damage.
- Subclinical hypothyroidism – an independent risk factor in atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction

Supplements For The Thyroid

All is not lost since there are supplements that promote thyroid health. Studies have shown that there are micronutrients and supplements that can help the thyroid from getting autoimmunity and can be beneficial for thyroid disease management. Some of the supplements that are beneficial to thyroid health are:

Chromium
Selenium
Bladderwrack
Coleus
Ashwagandha

Chromium

Chromium is an essential micronutrient that helps support thyroid function by improving T4‐T3
conversion and even helps support balanced blood glucose and insulin levels. Chromium is also an insulin receptor activation, which means that it can increase insulin-dependent GLUT‐4 levels in the body. Diets that are high in simple sugars and is comprising more than 35% of calories, can increase chromium excretion in the urine. This means that overweight/obese individuals have reported low in chromium (20‐40% lower than healthy) and take about 600‐1,500 mcg daily chromium GTF.

Chromium Benefits

There are benefits for individuals that take chromium in supplemental form as studies show that the effects of chromium supplements can help improve metabolic syndrome and even type 2 diabetes in individuals. Other beneficial properties from taking chromium include:

Improves body response to insulin
Reduce diabetes
Reduce hunger cravings
Promote weight loss

Selenium

Selenium is an antioxidant that not only helps support immunity but is also a cofactor in the conversion of T4 to T3. The thyroid gland has the highest concentration of selenium per gram of organ tissue which helps converted into selenoproteins. There have been reports that selenium is effective in supporting autoimmune thyroiditis.

Selenium Benefits

Research shows that there are beneficial properties that selenium provides to the body. Since selenium is a micronutrient that is highly essential, it helps the body by properly functioning all the organisms that are making the body work at maximum. Some of the benefits that selenium provide are:

Reduce oxidative stress
Improves cognitive function
Reduces inflammation
Reduces cardiovascular diseases
Prevents thyroid disorders

Bladderwrack

Bladderwrack is a genus of brown algae found mainly in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. This type of seaweed is high in nutrients like:

Iodine
Magnesium
Calcium
Potassium
Sodium
Zinc

This plant is chaulked filled with micronutrients and the iodine levels from the plant are up to 600 mcg/gm. Not only that bladderwrack is high on phytochemicals that can help lower oxidative stress and are also high on fiber that can help support a healthy gut microbiome.

Bladderwrack Benefits

There are many beneficial properties that bladderwrack can provide for the thyroid and the body. Some of the benefits from consuming bladderwrack include:

Help improve thyroid hormone levels
Anti-inflammatory
Topical treatment for skin issues
Lower obesity
Lower thyroid dysfunction
Dampen urinary tract infections
Improves iodine deficiency

Coleus

Coleus forskohlii is a herb commonly used in Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine. In vitro forskolin helps stimulate the secretion of T3 and T4 for the thyroid hormone levels while also increasing the c‐AMP levels in cells. Coleus forskohlii can help with the stimulation of iodine organification, activate adenyl cyclase, and increase thermogenesis; lipolysis in the body. In a randomized study, 30 overweight/obese men with a BMI >26kg/m2 have taken about 12 weeks of forskolin (250mg BID std. 10% forskolin)
or placebo and the results show that the serum-free testosterone is significantly higher vs placebo and up to 33.77% compared to a lower result in the placebo group. What this means is that the Leydig cells become more sensitive to LH in the body and coleus forskolin can improve bone mass.

Coleus Benefits

Studies have shown that Coleus forskohlii have a variety of beneficial properties to help numerous amount of disorders that affect the body. Some of the benefits that coleus forskohlii offers to the body include:

Improving cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system
Decrease BMI and BIA
Improve testosterone levels
Improves blood pressure
Decrease body composition

Ashwagandha

Also known as “Indian ginseng”, ashwagandha is a herbal adaptogen that can help improve performance and decrease fatigue in the body. There are lab studies that report that ashwagandha can improve thyroid hormone levels, especially T4. In 2018 study showed that individuals (ages 18‐50) all had elevated serum TSH levels (range 4.5‐10 ulU/L) and some took the ashwagandha root extract (600mg) daily or placebo x 8 weeks to see if there were any changes. The results showed that those that took the ashwagandha treatment had normalized thyroid levels after 8 weeks of therapy. What this means is that the treatment with ashwagandha may be beneficial for normalizing thyroid indices in subclinical hypothyroid patients by improving serum TSH, T3, and T4 levels significantly.

Ashwagandha Benefits

There are many beneficial properties that ashwagandha can provide not only for the thyroid but for the overall body. Studies have shown that ashwagandha is very useful in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and even Alzheimer’s. Other beneficial properties that ashwagandha can provide include:

Anti-inflammatory
Reduce stress and anxiety
Reduce blood sugar
Improve brain function
Reduce rheumatoid arthritis
Reduce Osteoarthritis

Conclusion

All in all, when physicians are evaluating the cortisol levels in thyroid patients, it shows that their results are their salivary 4 points or urinary 5 points. By informing individuals to increase their low to moderate exercises actually helps improve their thyroid function, while also explaining to athletes that high levels of exercise can help lower their thyroid hormones to be normal. By exercising regularly, eating the right amounts of foods, drinking enough water, and taking their vitamins and supplements regularly, the body can produce hormones normally and continue to function properly.

References

Babiker, Amir, et al. “The Role of Micronutrients in Thyroid Dysfunction.” Sudanese Journal of Paediatrics, Sudan Association of Paediatricians, 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7282437/.

Davidson, Katey. “Bladderwrack: Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 8 July 2020, www.healthline.com/nutrition/bladderwrack-benefits.

Germany, Cologne. “How Does the Thyroid Gland Work?” InformedHealth.org [Internet]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 19 Apr. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279388/.

Henderson, Shonteh, et al. “Effects of Coleus Forskohlii Supplementation on Body Composition and Hematological Profiles in Mildly Overweight Women.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, BioMed Central, 9 Dec. 2005, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2129145/.

Kieliszek, Marek. “Selenium⁻Fascinating Microelement, Properties and Sources in Food.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), MDPI, 3 Apr. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6480557/.

Maret, Wolfgang. “Chromium Supplementation in Human Health, Metabolic Syndrome, and Diabetes.” Metal Ions in Life Sciences, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Jan. 2019, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30855110/.

Medical Professionals, Cleveland Clinic. “Thyroid Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Testing & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, 19 Apr. 2020, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8541-thyroid-disease.

Mizokami, Tetsuya, et al. “Stress and Thyroid Autoimmunity.” Thyroid: Official Journal of the American Thyroid Association, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2004, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15650357/.

Singh, Narendra, et al. “An Overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (Rejuvenator) of Ayurveda.” African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines: AJTCAM, African Networks on Ethnomedicines, 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3252722/.

Disclaimer

Orthopedic Massage

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Beautiful elegant female on massage table getting massage therapy in medical office — Charming attractive European woman in black sportswear lying on medical couch while receiving professional examining her stomach in wellness center

Orthopedic massage is part of injury rehabilitation that focuses on the muscles and soft tissues surrounding the joints and ligaments. Pain could be caused post-surgery, an acute injury, or overuse/repetitive motion injury from work or sports. The objective is to:

Decrease pain
Release tension
Restore balance
Increase mobility and flexibility
Preparing the body to return to everyday routines and activities.

Whatever the cause of the muscle damage or injury, an orthopedic massage will lengthen and soften the muscles and ligaments, allowing for a better range of motion of the affected joints.

Table of Contents

Orthopedic Massage

All massage techniques can improve joint movement and function. Orthopedic massage is specifically designed to return the joints to their normal position function and alleviate pain with movement.

Swedish massage focuses on overall relaxation.
Deep tissue massage reduces deep muscle pain and strain.

Orthopedic massage therapists have an extensive understanding of anatomy, soft tissues, and misalignment of the musculoskeletal system that can cause pain and injury. It is similar to sports massage targeting damaged areas for recovery and rehabilitation from conditions and injuries. Sports massage helps the individual strengthen and retrain the damaged areas back to optimal performance and prevent injury. Orthopedic massage utilizes:

Alignment techniques
Release techniques
Pin techniques
Stretch techniques
To expedite thorough body healing.

Massage benefits many symptoms and conditions. It has been shown to help with:

Sprains
Pulled muscles
Torn ligaments
Carpal-tunnel syndrome
Frozen shoulder
Tennis elbow
Tendinitis
Sciatica
Bulging discs
Post-surgery

Techniques

A therapist will look at the range of motion, flexibility, and rotation of the tissues. This will help determine what muscle groups and tendons are involved and which techniques to use. Massage therapists use an assortment of approaches to loosen muscles and tendons. These include:

Active Engagement

This is used to reach deep, hard-to-reach muscles by applying pressure and massaging lengthwise in a perpendicular motion.
It is beneficial for whiplash and/or back pain.

Positional Release

This is a gentle treatment for inflamed muscles and tissues highly sensitive to other techniques.
Soft tissues are manipulated into comfortable positions and held in place for a specific time.
This lengthens and softens tissues to bring pain relief.

Nerve Mobilization

Also known as neural mobilization, this method addresses strained nerves and pain sources.

Muscle Energy Release

The therapist provides resistance while the individual voluntarily contracts muscles.
Effective with low back pain.

Trigger Point Therapy

Pressure intervals are held on trigger areas to release lactic acid and promote circulation.

Myofascial Release

Gentle pressure is applied to stretch fascia tissues.

Body Composition

Brittle Bones

The reason bones become weaker is that bone tissue is living tissue that constantly forms new bone material and absorbs the old bone material. As the body ages, the rate at which bone is reabsorbed becomes faster than newly formed bone material. One reason for rapid bone loss is lack of exercise and physical activity. The Mayo Clinic has stated that individuals that spend a great deal of time sitting, whether at home or work, have an increased risk of osteoporosis than more active individuals. Sitting too much with little to no activity can lead to weakened bones. Just like the muscles, bones get stronger when they are in use. Walking, running, jumping, and getting the body moving along with using some resistance, can increase the strength and durability of the bones.

References

Kim, Seung-Kook et al. “Clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of massage chair therapy versus basic physiotherapy in lower back pain patients: A randomized controlled trial.” Medicine vol. 99,12 (2020): e19514. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000019514

Klein, Ifat et al. “Lymphatic treatments after orthopedic surgery or injury: A systematic review.” Journal of bodywork and movement therapies vol. 24,4 (2020): 109-117. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.06.034

Loew, Laurianne M et al. “Deep, transverse friction massage for treating lateral elbow or lateral knee tendinitis.” The Cochrane database of systematic reviews vol. 2014,11 CD003528. 8 Nov. 2014, doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003528.pub2

Majewski-Schrage, Tricia, and Kelli Snyder. “The Effectiveness of Manual Lymphatic Drainage in Patients With Orthopedic Injuries.” Journal of sport rehabilitation vol. 25,1 (2016): 91-7. doi:10.1123/jsr.2014-0222

Spinal Goals

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Medical assistant consulting aged woman with physical injury in office. Nurse doing examination for orthopedic diagnosis and recovery, talking about pain relief and physiotherapy

Setting spinal goals is important for an individual’s treatment plan to ensure a thorough and successful recovery following:

Surgery
Trauma
Spinal condition

When developing goals with a surgeon or spine specialist, utilizing a well-known method known as SMART is recommended. Individuals are encouraged to set goals to accomplish personal growth and improvement. It is a model for forming goals and objectives that for medical purposes include:

Pain management
Physical Rehabilitation
Mental health
Exercises
Stretching
Anti-inflammatory diet

Table of Contents

S.M.A.R.T Spinal Goals

The acronym stands for:

Specific

Target a specific area for improvement.

Measurable

Find ways to track progress.
This could be fitness trackers, daily journaling – writing, video, health coach, etc.

Attainable

Determine if the goal is achievable.
Figure out what tools or skill sets are needed to reach the goal.

Realistic

Results-oriented goals.
Measure results or output, including accomplishments.

Time Frame

Set goals within a doable time frame.

Goal setting helps individuals monitor their progress when recovering from injury, surgery, and/or spinal conditions. Making goals smaller makes it easier to achieve improvements. It’s recommended to have a partner assistant during the goal-setting because the pain can compromise decision-making. Pain affects the mind’s abilities to assess improvement and treatment response rationally. Taking the most important goals and focusing on small building blocks helps individuals maintain motivation during a long recovery process.

Difference Between Goal Setting and Treatment

A standard treatment plan is structured for a specific result and is not set up for adjusting the way goal setting does. A treatment plan is created and prescribed to a patient with little patient input. Goal setting is a collaboration between a patient and a doctor setting objectives as stepping-off points to achieve goals. Goal setting empowers patients with education, skillsets, and tools to succeed and continue that mindset as their lives move on. Achieving short-term goals helps individuals reflect positively on small gains that set a solid foundation for more challenging future goals.

Spinal Treatment Goals

Goals are personalized/custom-tailored to the individual’s case and condition. For example, a patient could set a goal of returning to weekend sports activities. Therefore, achieving the goal could require the individual to engage in exercise five days a week for the next two weeks that could include physical therapy rehabilitation:

Basic stretching
Range of motion exercises
Isometric strengthening
Balance training
Stability training
Eccentric strengthening
Force absorption
Walking
Light jogging

These activities are small goals that help the body adapt to handling additional physical stress.

Goal Setting When In Recovery

Spinal issues are dealt with by creating reasonable small objectives to reach a goal. SMART goal setting is an instrumental framework for medical providers to help identify what is important to the patient. Modifications on SMART goals can be done to adjust to the individual’s needs. Spinal goals help patients accomplish what is necessary, keeping them empowered and motivated.

Body Composition

Too Comfortable With Goals

An individual may have a great deal of success doing the same workouts initially but then notice they’re getting easier and are not seeing the same rate of progression. That same workout routine, same weights, and equipment will only go so far in goal achievement. In recovery, as the body gets stronger and fitness levels improve, it is recommended to consistently challenge yourself to avoid falling into a rehabilitation fitness plateau. Part of the recovery process is to change up workouts to challenge the body to achieve optimal health and healing. Individuals are recommended to:

Increase weight and or reps

Increase the amount of weight or the number of reps in each set.

Increase or decrease the tempo

Shorten the rest period between sets to keep the heart rate high or slow down to focus on muscle contraction.

Experiment with different types of workout sets

If you’ve been doing the same kinds of lifts, try drop sets, supersets, or AMRAP (as many reps as possible) to challenge your muscles differently.

Learn new exercises

Individuals doing a lot of weightlifting are recommended to engage in plyometric body exercises.
Individuals doing high-intensity interval training are recommended to incorporate a long run or bike ride.

Changing the workout routine will keep challenging the body, which is great for health progress.

References

Alexanders, Jenny et al. “Goal setting practices used within anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation: An exploration of physiotherapists understanding, training, and experiences.” Musculoskeletal care vol. 19,3 (2021): 293-305. doi:10.1002/msc.1535

Bovend’Eerdt, Thamar J H et al. “Writing SMART rehabilitation goals and achieving goal attainment scaling: a practical guide.” Clinical rehabilitation vol. 23,4 (2009): 352-61. doi:10.1177/0269215508101741

Haas, B et al. “Rehabilitation goals of people with spinal cord injuries can be classified against the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Set for spinal cord injuries.” Spinal cord vol. 54,4 (2016): 324-8. doi:10.1038/sc.2015.155

Supplements For Hormone Health | Part 2

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

The body has a system that makes sure that each organ is functioning properly by secreting out hormones through the bloodstream. That system is known as the endocrine system and its function is to make sure that the hormone levels in the body are functioning normally and that each of the other systems is doing its job correctly. When there are unwanted pathogens that are attacking and entering the body, it can disrupt hormone signals to overproduce or underproduce over time causing health issues to develop in the body. However, that is not always the case since hormones naturally do decline with age, and for both the female and male bodies, taking vitamins and supplements that are optimized for hormonal health can help alleviate symptoms like andropause, menopause, and thyroid health issues that are affected by low hormone levels. In this 3 part series, we will be taking a look at menopause, its symptoms, and supplements that can dampen the effects of menopause. Part 1 discussed andropause and its symptoms as well as supplements that can help andropause. Part 3 will be taking a look at the thyroid, its functions to the body when dealing with stress, and how different supplements can support the thyroid.

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, in case you are uncertain here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

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What Is Menopause?

As women get older, their bodies go through a natural biological process known as menopause. Studies show that menopause occurs in all females due to estrogen deficiency and can last at least 12 months. When this happens, the inhibitors from estrogen levels will decline and disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis causing irregular menstrual cycles and causing ovarian follicles to diminish. There are treatments like hormonal therapy and non-hormonal therapy that can help regulate the lost estrogen hormone levels in the female body and even replenish them as well. With hormone therapy, the body can function normally and give a bit of boosted energy for the individual who is suffering from low hormone levels.

Menopause Symptoms

Approximately four out of five women do suffer from menopausal symptoms (MPS) such as hot flushes and sweating, as well as from sleep disorders associated with these symptoms. It is important to have estrogen metabolizing to 2‐OH estrogens in women and men. By balancing estrogen/progesterone hormone levels in women, it can help dampen menopausal symptoms that are causing misery in all females. As for menopausal women, research shows that it can take months or years that are leading up to menopause. Some of the symptoms that menopause does to the body include:

Weight gain
Slow metabolism
Insomnia
Chills
Irregular menstrual cycles
Mood changes
Thinning hair & dry skin

Supplements For Menopause

By choosing botanicals and nutrients that support sex hormone axis production and balance in conjunction with HPA axis support. With vitamins and supplements helping out hormone levels function normally, estrogen supportive supplements can help the body support healthy estrogen metabolism and maintain the progesterone/Estrogen balance. Some of the supplements that help dampen the effects of menopause include:

Kudzu Root
DIM (Diindolylmethane)
Grape seed extract
Vitex Berry
Black Cohosh

Kudzu Root

Kudzu root is a dried root that is located in Southeast Asia and is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Studies have shown that this plant has antidipsotropic effects and can help treat alcohol abuse. Not only that but other studies show that it contains isoflavone compounds like:

Puerarin: which is a major constituent
Formononetin
Genistin
Genistein
Daidzin
Daidzein

What this means is that these isoflavonoids can help with dampening the effects of cardiovascular diseases. Kudzu root has constituents similar to those found in red clover, soy, and black cohosh and can modulate the estrogen receptor while lowering testosterone aromatization in laboratory studies.

Kudzu Root Benefits

Some of the studies show that kudzu root can improve menstrual cycles while also improving metabolic syndrome. Kudzu root also is an antioxidant and with its anti-inflammatory properties can dampen inflammation. There are also animal and in vitro studies that support traditional uses of the kudzu root in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and endocrine systems. Other benefits that the kudzu root has to offer include:

Reduced cardiovascular risk
Reduced estradiol
- Decrease aromatization of estradiol
Increased SHBG in low SHBG women
Decreased cancer risk; breast CA, uterine, prostate
Improved bone density
Improves skin thickness, wrinkling, dermal elasticity, collagen fibers

Diindolylmenthane (DIM)

Found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli or Brussel sprouts, diindolylmethane or DIM is a compound that is created when those cruciferous vegetables are being digested. This compound helps convert active estrogens into 2‐hydroxy estrogen metabolites vs. 4‐OH and 16‐OH in the body. Even though DIM may act as a weak estrogen hormone compound, it actually binds to the receptor and stimulates apoptosis via AMPK signaling in the body.

DIM Benefits

There are many beneficial properties that DIM offers the body. Studies show that DIM has potential benefits in treating respiratory papillomatosis while also modulating the activity of the xenobiotic receptor in the liver and intestines. Other benefits that DIM provide to the body include:

Improves free testosterone levels
Decreased risk of hormonally related cancers, including breast, prostate, and thyroid
Boost weight loss
Correct estrogen levels in men
Reduce hot flashes

Grape Seed Extract

Grape seed extract or Vitis vinifera is from the actual grape seed that is the superior antioxidant and is the concentrated form of polyphenols known as proanthocyanidins. Studies have found since grapes are one of the most highly consumed fruits, the seeds from the grapes are highly rich in polyphenols. With these polyphenols, grape seed extract can help dampen the effect of cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, and supports vascular health since it’s antiatherogenic.

Grape Seed Extract Benefits

Studies have shown that there are many beneficial factors that grape extract provides for the body. Some of the benefits include:

Treating cardiovascular diseases
Improving bone strength
Preventing skin cancer
Anti-Candida activities
Reduces the effects of hypertension
Reduces diabetes

Vitex Berry

Vintex berries are found in Mediterranean regions and are used as a female tonic that helps support estrogen/progesterone balance in the female body. With its progesterone‐like activity, studies found that the vitex berry is useful clinically in PMS/Menopause symptoms and has a significant effect on the pituitary, binding to dopamine‐2 receptors, leading to inhibition of prolactin. With its apigenin flavonoid also binds to estrogen receptors in vitro.

Vitex Berry Benefits

There are early lab studies that reported that chasteberry stimulates the LH and inhibits follicle-stimulating hormone FSH. With the treatment with Vitex, there is a 93% reported decrease in
a number of symptoms or even cessation of PMS complaints. Other beneficial properties that the vitex berry offers include:

Improving sexual dysfunction
Dampen inflammatory effects
Alleviate polycystic ovarian syndrome
Treat infertility in both men and women
Ease PMS symptoms
Prevent epilepsy
Reduce headaches

Black Cohosh

Black cohosh or Archaic Cimicifuga racemosa is a Native American botanical that is used worldwide for menopausal symptoms since 1956 (Germany, Remifemin). The black cohosh is a member of the buttercup family in North America. There are over 30 clinical studies, that show that 11,000 patients that take black cohosh help regulate inflammatory pathways in the body, and the mechanisms of black cohosh actions help menopausal and PMS symptom relief. Black cohosh is an antioxidant that has selective estrogen receptor modulators and provides serotonergic pathways that can help the body. There are also reports that black cohosh had a positive risk‐benefit in the ratio in patients that inhibit proliferation of estrogen receptor‐positive and negative human breast carcinoma cell lines by induction of apoptosis. Clinical studies also show that black cohosh is used for menopausal symptoms and can be used as a non‐hormonal treatment for vasomotor symptoms in climacteric women and in cancer patients.

Black Cohosh Benefits

Some studies indicated black cohosh’s functions are in a serotogenic manner that binds estrogen receptors and can selectively suppress and luteinizing hormone secretion without the effects on the follicle-stimulating hormone that is in the female body. Other benefits that black cohosh offers include:

Supports breast and bone tissue
Help improved symptoms of menopause
Reduce musculoskeletal pain
Support the nervous system
Relieves arthritis and muscle pain

Conclusion

All in all, incorporating supplements and vitamins into a healthy lifestyle is crucial for hormonal health. When hormone levels start to naturally decline due to age, it can cause the body to be dysfunctional and later on cause unwanted health issues that can turn into chronic illnesses over time. By utilizing different supplements in the body, it can help alleviate those issues while also replenishing those lost hormones and making the body function normally.

References

Gupta, Madhavi, et al. “Grape Seed Extract: Having a Potential Health Benefits.” Journal of Food Science and Technology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 30 Sept. 2019, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32180617/.

Keung, W M, and B L Vallee. “Kudzu Root: An Ancient Chinese Source of Modern Antidipsotropic Agents.” Phytochemistry, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 1998, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9461670/.

Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi, Sakineh, et al. “Efficacy of Black Cohosh (CIMICIFUGA Racemosa L.) in Treating Early Symptoms of Menopause: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” Chinese Medicine, BioMed Central, 1 Nov. 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4029542/.

Nordqvist, Joseph. “Grape Seed Extract: Benefits and Side Effects.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 22 Feb. 2018, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263332.

Peacock, Kimberly, and Kari M Ketvertis. “Menopause.” StatPearls [Internet]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 29 June 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507826/.

Petre, Alina. “Which Benefits of Chasteberry Are Backed by Science?” Healthline, Healthline Media, 9 Aug. 2019, www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitex.

Pondugula, Satyanarayana R, et al. “Diindolylmethane, a Naturally Occurring Compound, Induces CYP3A4 and MDR1 Gene Expression by Activating Human PXR.” Toxicology Letters, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 3 Feb. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4568078/.

Rafieian-Kopaei, Mahmoud, and Mino Movahedi. “Systematic Review of Premenstrual, Postmenstrual and Infertility Disorders of Vitex Agnus Castus.” Electronic Physician, Electronic Physician, 25 Jan. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5308513/.

Staff, Mayo Clinic. “Menopause.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 14 Oct. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397.

Wong, Ka H, et al. “Kudzu Root: Traditional Uses and Potential Medicinal Benefits in Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Feb. 2011, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21315814/.

Disclaimer

Chiropractic Wellness and Health

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Senior male doing back exercise on fitness ball — Medical practitioner looking after retired man while he doing back activity, lying on black exercise ball

When individuals think about wellness and health, they usually think about a checkup with their doctor. However, wellness treatment with chiropractic is much more proactive. Chiropractic focuses on keeping the body functioning properly and allowing its natural healing properties to activate and do its job. Chiropractic checks to ensure the spine is correctly aligned and correct any subluxation/misalignment before pain occurs. Pain is one of the body’s warnings that something is wrong. Chiropractic wellness care aims to catch and correct any issues before it becomes a problem, keeping the central nervous system in top form, increasing the immune system’s strength, making the body healthier.

Table of Contents

Chiropractic Increases Wellness and Health Levels

The body’s baseline level of health can be improved. Individuals can feel that they are fulfilling their responsibilities and maintaining health by engaging in physical exercise and eating a healthy diet. It is believed that lifestyle is largely the extent of an individual’s ability to maintain their health, without realizing that optimal wellness and health can be increased through chiropractic, the ideal supplement to a healthy life. Chiropractic improves body process functions by:

Increasing circulation.
Facilitating detoxification.
Balancing the distribution of hormones and nutrients.
Regulating the heart’s rhythm.
Soothing the nervous system.
Increased mobility.
Decreased pain.
Better flexibility.

Chiropractic serves as supportive treatment to other types of therapeutic care like physical therapy and massage therapy.

Improves Physical Performance

A chiropractor will recommend adjustments, manual muscle manipulation, tissue manipulation, and massage customized for the body’s needs, focusing specifically on long-term realignment. A variety of treatments help to improve the body’s structure, alignment, and energy flow. Chiropractic makes a significant difference in:

Endurance
Explosiveness
Flexibility
Speed
Mobility
Adaptability

Chiropractic also:

Realigns joints and bones.
Decompresses nerves.
Releases muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Detoxifies stagnant areas of the body.

Chiropractic is the perfect supplement to increasing performance, wellness, and health by increasing the health and alignment of the physical body and energy flow.

Improves Mental Health

Chiropractic also benefits mental health. The mind is controlled by the central nervous system or CNS and is directly affected by chiropractic treatment. With hands-on manipulation, adjustments, or traction, bones and joints move back toward optimal alignment, causing the nervous system’s structure to move toward optimal capacity and efficiency. Nerve channels and bundles can become decompressed, bruised, and pinched. The flow of electrical impulses is regulated within the body through the nervous system. Cognitive performance becomes enhanced from the improvement in communication across the central and peripheral nervous systems. Mental performance is also supported through the rush of cerebrospinal fluid/CSF. Cerebrospinal fluid removes waste and toxins from the brain and supplies the brain with oxygen and nutrients. CSF floods the brain after a chiropractic adjustment.

Improves Immune System Function

Chiropractic improves immune system function by increasing energy circulation, blood circulation, and lymphatic fluid flow. Treatment combats stagnation allowing the body to purge toxins and waste accumulated in joints, tissues, and near organs. Chiropractic loosens up areas of the body that have been compressed, crushed, strained, and divided because of misalignment, lack of physical activity/exercise, or stiffness and injury. This allows the flow of lymphatic fluid and white blood cells to regulate areas that may have previously been difficult to access. This helps to increase the immune system’s ability to fight off infection.

Body Composition

Get More Sleep

Sleep is a strong regulator of immune system functions and operates to enhance the adaptive immune system. When the body is deprived of adequate sleep, it becomes more susceptible to various infectious agents. Sleep deprivation weakens the body making it harder to recover from bacteria or virus infections. When the body sleeps, it utilizes the time to strengthen the immune system and move T cells to the lymph nodes. These are the vessels of the immune system responsible for filtering harmful substances. T cells produce cytokines activated when there is inflammation in the body or under stress. Inadequate sleep causes cytokine production to decrease, causing damage to the immune system.

References

Besedovsky, Luciana et al. “Sleep and immune function.” Pflugers Archiv: European journal of physiology vol. 463,1 (2012): 121-37. doi:10.1007/s00424-011-1044-0

Goncalves, Guillaume et al. “Effect of chiropractic treatment on primary or early secondary prevention: a systematic review with a pedagogic approach.” Chiropractic & manual therapies vol. 26 10. 5 Apr. 2018, doi:10.1186/s12998-018-0179-x

Iben, Axén, et al. “Chiropractic maintenance care – what’s new? A systematic review of the literature.” Chiropractic & manual therapies vol. 27 63. 21 Nov. 2019, doi:10.1186/s12998-019-0283-6

Vining, Robert et al. “Effects of Chiropractic Care on Strength, Balance, and Endurance in Active-Duty U.S. Military Personnel with Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) vol. 26,7 (2020): 592-601. doi:10.1089/acm.2020.0107

Supplements For Hormone Health | Part 1

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Nutritional Supplement, Pill, Capsule - Medicine, Herbal Medicine, Medicine

Table of Contents

Introduction

The body’s hormone system makes sure that everything is working properly. By regulating hormones that are secreted out from the endocrine system, the hormones travel through the bloodstream and attach themselves to their proper organ systems. When this happens the organ systems can then start doing their jobs and making sure that the body continues to function normally. When there are unwanted pathogens that enter the body and start disrupting the hormone signals that are coursing through the bloodstream, it can cause the body to do one of two things if it is not taken care of. The hormone production can overproduce or underproduce in the body, causing a variety of health issues that can lead to chronic illnesses over time. In this 3 part series, we will be discussing and taking a look at andropause, its symptoms, and supplements that can alleviate the symptoms. Part 2 will be taking a look at menopause, its symptoms, and the supplements to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Part 3 will be discussing about the thyroid and its functions when dealing with stress as well as supplements that help thyroid health. Andropause, menopause, and thyroid health are essential when it comes to hormone health in both male and female bodies. Since hormones naturally decline with age, it is crucial to take vitamins and supplements to optimize hormonal health and make sure the body functions normally. By referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialized in hormone wellness services. To that end, and when appropriate, we advise our patients to refer to our associated medical providers based on their examination. We find that education is the key to asking valuable questions to our providers. Dr. Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, in case you are uncertain here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

Download

What Is Andropause?

When the body starts to slow down, it is due to their hormone levels decreasing naturally through age. When the hormone levels start to produce less over time, it can cause the body to go through symptoms that a person wasn’t feeling when they were full of energy. For older males, they go through a process known as andropause. Andropause is different than menopause where the production of testosterone starts to decline in the body over time for older males at the age of 50 years old. Studies have shown that andropause causes testosterone levels to decline about 1% due to age and can vary for each individual that is suffering from low testosterone levels. These low levels of testosterone can cause the body to have an insidious onset and slow progression from the adrenal glands.

Andropause Symptoms

When testosterone levels start to decline in a male’s body, it can cause unwanted symptoms that can cause problems and androgen deficiency. Studies show that andropause can cause a variety of symptoms that can cause physical, sexual, and psychological complications for males that are dealing with andropause. Some of the symptoms that andropause can cause include:

Osteoporosis
Erectile dysfunction
Insomnia
Reduced muscle mass
Increased body fat
Low energy

Supplements For Andropause

By choosing the right botanicals, nutrients, and supplements that help support hormonal health, it’s important to know that these supplements help support the sex hormone axis production and even help balance the conjunction with the HPA axis. Adding supplements into an everyday routine can help boost hormonal growth and health while replenishing the lost hormones that have been declined naturally due to age. For andropause, here are some of the supplements that can help boost testosterone levels for older males. They are:

Eurycoma Root
Thai Ginseng Root
Tribulus Fruit
Zinc
Fenugreek Seed Extract

Eurycoma Root

Known as Tongkat Ali or “Malaysian ginseng”, the Eurycoma root is used in SE Asian cultures to improved testosterone levels and libido for the male body. It is an adaptogenic botanical for male sexual health and performance. This root contains antioxidants, flavonoids, and alkaloids that can help the body fight off the free radicals that enter the body.

Eurycoma Root Benefits

The Eurycoma root has many benefits for the male body since it has been reported that it can improve testosterone levels (free and total) in men and women. Other benefits include:

Erogenic
Improves libido
Also improves the testosterone/cortisol ratio

Thai Ginseng Root

Thai ginseng root aka Black Ginger is actually part of the ginger family, not part of the ginseng family. The Thai ginseng root contains a high level of antioxidant poly methoxy flavones specifically 5, 7 dimethoxyflavone. Studies have shown that Thai Ginseng has beneficial properties and it has a PDE5 inhibitor, which helps improve nitric oxide utilization in the body and is traditionally used in erectile dysfunction.

Thai Ginseng Root Benefits

One of the benefits that Thai ginseng root has for the body is that it can improve mitochondrial biogenesis/function while increasing energy production. Thai ginseng is also neuroprotective, which means that it protects the brain against glutamate excitotoxicity. Studies also found that Thai ginseng can increase physical performance by improving the body’s own inflammation and energy metabolism. Some of the other benefits that Thai ginseng provides include:

Increases whole‐body energy expenditure (EE)
Improves brown adipose tissue (BAT) production
Cardiovascular support
Reported to improve athletic performance based on stress response and cardiorespiratory performance
Supports post‐exercise recovery
Upregulates antioxidant enzymes
Metabolic Support
Weight management

Tribulus Fruit

Tribulus fruit has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years as an aphrodisiac. The steroidal saponins were identified to improve free testosterone levels in lab animal studies. The Tribulus fruit is located in dry climates and is native to warm-temperate, tropical regions in Eurasia and Africa. Its features are consist of small green leaves and yellow flowers that grow on the ground forming a dense mat.

Tribulus Fruit Benefits

Some of the beneficial properties that Tribulus fruit provides is that it can be used as herbal medicine to help regulate blood pressure due to its diuretic activity, antihyperlipidemic activity, and cardioprotective activity. Other beneficial functions that Tribulus fruit offer include:

Support for male sexual vitality
Antibacterial properties
Is anti-inflammatory
Stop cancer symptoms
Lessen effects caused by diabetes

Zinc

Zinc is a necessary mineral for the functioning of over 300 different enzymes in the body. It plays a vital role in a balanced metabolism and is an antioxidant. When zinc is consumed in the body, it helps balance out the immune system and helps maintain testosterone balance in the body. In the endocrine system, the prostate epithelial cells contain high amounts of zinc, and laboratory studies report zinc has 5 alpha‐reductase and aromatase activities. When there is a deficiency in zinc in a male’s body, it can directly affect the T levels.

Zinc Benefits

Zinc has many beneficial properties that the body actually needs. There are many foods that provide zinc naturally. Whole grains, meats, shellfish, and certain vegetables like mushrooms, kale, and peas are naturally rich in zinc, making it easier for individuals to consume zinc. Some of the benefits that zinc can provide include:

Boosting the body’s immune system
Accelerate wound healing
Decrease inflammation
Reduces certain age-related diseases

Fenugreek Seed Extract

Used in both traditional Indian and Chinese medicine, fenugreek seed extract is part of the soy family and is the oldest medicinal plant that is used for everyday ingredients in common products. There are also clinical reports that it can help improve testosterone levels in the body and can decrease androgen scores significantly in physical exams. Fenugreek seed extract also contains many essential nutrients and is an antioxidant that the body needs. These nutrients include:

Biotin
Vitamin A, D, and B
Soluble and insoluble fibers
Iron

Fenugreek Seed Extract Benefits

One of the beneficial properties that fenugreek seed extract can provide is that it can improve both men’s and women’s sexual desire. Fenugreek can also improve lean muscle mass and decrease body fat. Another beneficial property that fenugreek can offer is that it can treat a wide variety of conditions like:

Migraines and headaches
High blood pressure
Obesity
Low testosterone
Diabetes
Muscle pain

Conclusion

All in all, incorporating supplements and whole foods filled with nutrients is essential for hormonal health in the body. Without it, it can cause the body to develop unwanted chronic illnesses that can cause the body harm and pain. By utilizing supplements in a healthy diet the body can produce hormones naturally and cause them to function normally as well. Supplements that provide hormonal health can be beneficial for anyone who is suffering from low hormones levels naturally without the use of pharmaceutical medicines and those individuals can live a healthy lifestyle.

References

Chen, Chee Keong, et al. “Supplementation of Eurycoma Longifolia Jack Extract for 6 Weeks Does Not Affect Urinary Testosterone: Epitestosterone Ratio, Liver and Renal Functions in Male Recreational Athletes.” International Journal of Preventive Medicine, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, June 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4085925/.

Chhatre, Saurabh, et al. “Phytopharmacological Overview of Tribulus Terrestris.” Pharmacognosy Reviews, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, Jan. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3931200/.

Huizen, Jennifer. “Fenugreek: Benefits and Effects.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 31 Jan. 2019, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324334.

Krans, Brian. “Male Menopause: Overview, Symptoms, and Treatment.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 17 Sept. 2018, www.healthline.com/health/menopause/male.

Kubala, Jillian. “Zinc: Benefits, Deficiency, Food Sources and Side Effects.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 14 Nov. 2018, www.healthline.com/nutrition/zinc.

Saokaew, Surasak, et al. “Clinical Effects of Krachaidum ( Kaempferia Parviflora): A Systematic Review.” Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, SAGE Publications, July 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871153/.

Singh, Parminder. “Andropause: Current Concepts.” Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, Dec. 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4046605/.

Staff, Mayo Clinic. “Understanding Aging and Testosterone.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 20 June 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/in-depth/male-menopause/art-20048056.

Staff, Mayo Clinic. “Zinc.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 17 Nov. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-zinc/art-20366112.

Toda, Kazuya, et al. “Black Ginger Extract Increases Physical Fitness Performance and Muscular Endurance by Improving Inflammation and Energy Metabolism.” Heliyon, Elsevier, 24 May 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4946221/.

Disclaimer

Exercising To Detoxify and Cleanse The Body

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Women group doing fit exercise on sport trampoline, fitness workout. Female teamwork in gym. Aerobic class

Detoxifying does not necessarily mean juicing and going on a diet. Detoxing is about cleansing the whole body of environmental pollutants, food waste, bacteria, and toxins. Things like medications and alcohol also need to be flushed from the body. When the body becomes unhealthy and overweight, it can put its systems in a chronically stressed state, leading to nerve energy production failure, fatigue, a weakened immune system, and disease. The body constantly works to cleanse itself. Exercise helps expedite the process.

Table of Contents

Exercise To Detoxify

Exercise removes harmful toxins by getting the lungs and the blood pumping and increasing sweat production, which encourages detoxification. More blood circulating throughout the body allows the liver and the lymph nodes to flush out toxins properly. With exercise, fluid intake increases, allowing more sweat production to release toxins. Drinking more water during workouts also helps the kidneys function at optimal levels to flush out toxins, fats, and waste.

Aerobics

Any low-intensity aerobic exercise that increases heart rate and increases heavier breathing is recommended as long as the breathing is within the fat-burning heart rate. Exercises can be anything from:

Dancing
Elliptical trainer
Bike riding
Jogging
Swimming

Bouncing/Rebounding

Bouncing on a mini-trampoline, also known as rebounding, is another form of exercise that promotes toxin release. The low-impact motion stimulates the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes filter substances and fight off infections by attacking bacteria/germs that travel into the lymph fluid. Twenty minutes on the trampoline two or three times a week to detoxify.

Yoga

There are yoga poses that help to detoxify specific organs. Yoga can help the body cleanse inside and generate more energy.

Revolved Chair Pose

This pose stimulates the liver, spleen, digestive system, improves spinal alignment, and tones the abdominals.

Start with the feet together or hip-width apart, depending on what is most comfortable.
Bend the knees as if sitting in a chair.
The knees should be aligned with the center of the feet.
Place the palms of the hands together in a prayer position at the center of the heart.
Bring the elbow to the opposite knee.
Squeeze the shoulder blades together.
Allow the chest to open up.

Wide-Legged Forward Bend

This pose improves circulation, stretches, and strengthens the low back, hips, hamstrings, and calves.

Step with the feet 3 to 4 feet apart.
Hands-on hips.
Lift tall through the whole torso.
Fold slowly over the legs.
Bend from the hip joints without rounding the lower back.
If the back starts to round, stop folding forward.

Sweating and Detoxing

Sweat is one of the body’s primary ways of eliminating toxins. However, more sweat does not mean more toxins are being flushed. Excess sweat could be caused by the body overheating and can lead to dehydration. This is why it’s vital to maintain the body’s hydration levels while working out. Fluids like juice and sports drinks can help maintain hydration, but they contain sugar and other ingredients that could interfere with thorough detoxifying.

Body Composition

Before Starting A Detox Diet

Individuals are recommended to talk with their doctor, nutritionist, health coach about detox diet methods to lose and maintain weight.

Talk with a doctor

Seek consultation with a physician before starting any body detox cleanse, especially if there are underlying medical conditions like diabetes or kidney disease.
For individuals struggling with obesity, a physician can recommend alternative diet approaches and exercise programs.

Realistic expectations

Detox diets work primarily through caloric restriction like a conventional diet.
Individuals could feel better from a body cleanse because they will likely be avoiding processed foods and empty calories.

Adopt a long-term frame of mind

Diet and exercise to achieve and maintain a healthy weight is a lifelong journey.
Detox diets can be a helpful tool to get going in the right direction.

References

Ernst, E. “Alternative detox.” British medical bulletin vol. 101 (2012): 33-8. doi:10.1093/bmb/lds002

Klein, A V, and H Kiat. “Detox diets for toxin elimination and weight management: a critical review of the evidence.” Journal of human nutrition and dietetics: the official journal of the British Dietetic Association vol. 28,6 (2015): 675-86. doi:10.1111/jhn.12286

Obert, Jonathan et al. “Popular Weight Loss Strategies: a Review of Four Weight Loss Techniques.” Current gastroenterology reports vol. 19,12 61. 9 Nov. 2017, doi:10.1007/s11894-017-0603-8

Hormone Therapy Benefits For Breast Cancer

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

The body produces hormones naturally through small triangular-shaped organs that are on top of the kidneys, known as the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands’ primary function in the body is to produce hormones and secrete them into the bloodstream, where they are being transported into each of the organ systems and making sure that the body is functioning properly. For females, the two main hormones are estrogen and progesterone, while for males, the main hormone is testosterone. When there are unwanted pathogens that enter the body, it can cause the body to be dysfunctional, causing the adrenal glands to do one or two things. The adrenal glands can either underproduce or overproduce the hormonal production and if it’s not diagnosed over time it can cause chronic illnesses to develop. Hence why hormone therapy has beneficial factors for individuals that have a low hormonal count in their body system. By referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialized in hormone wellness services. To that end, and when appropriate, we advise our patients to refer to our associated medical providers based on their examination. We find that education is the key to asking valuable questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, in case you are uncertain here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

Download

What Is Hormone Therapy?

Hormones in the body can naturally decline due to age and for females, having a low hormonal count in the body can transition to menopause, thus causing uncomfortable symptoms for many females. The female body produces two hormones that help the female body function properly. There are estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones help many bodily functions which include:

Regulates blood pressure
Preventing osteoporosis
Maintaining cholesterol levels
Influences calcium in the body

With hormone therapy, low levels of hormones can be replenished in the body and can alleviate unwanted symptoms that the body is feeling. Not only that research shows that hormone therapy is tailored to each person that needs hormone therapy. With hormone therapy treatments, the female body can regenerate the lost hormones that the body needs to function and dampen the effects of menopause.

Benefits For Using Hormone Therapy

There are many beneficial properties that hormone therapy can provide to the female body. Even though hormone therapy has been known to help alleviate the symptoms of menopause, there are other beneficial factors that hormone therapy can help the body from dysfunctioning and can help replenish hormonal growth to the body. Some of the beneficial factors that hormone therapy can help are:

Lower the chances for osteoporosis
Improve mood and overall mental well being
Lowers the risk of diabetes
Lowers the risk of various cancers including breast cancer
Moderately improve joints

Treatments from hormone therapy can help replenish the lost hormones and even promote optimal wellness for the body to regulate itself back to normal.

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women and is known to evolve silently in women through regular screening. Studies have shown that breast cancer develops due to DNA damage and genetic mutations that can be influenced in the body. Since the hormones estrogen and progesterone are the main hormone regulators in the female body for breast tissue growth, the hormones themselves can attach to the cancer cells and progress further if it is not pre-diagnosed. This can cause a variety of symptoms that breast cancer can cause to the female body. These include some of the following common symptoms:

Changes in the breast’s shape or nipple
Lumps in the breast tissue
Redness in the skin over the breast

Other factors that can cause breast cancer include:

Family history
Environmental factors
Inherited genes
Lifestyle factors
Hormonal factors

How Is Hormone Therapy Is Beneficial To Breast Cancer Treatments?

There are many studies and reports that the use of hormonal therapy as part of breast cancer treatments can help slow cancer from progressing forward in the individual. Studies have shown that hormone therapy can provide treatment to breast cancer by:

Slowing down or stopping cancer growth
Easing cancer symptoms that are affecting the body

Other studies have shown that hormone therapy can help prevent the body’s hormones by blocking them from attaching to cancer cell receptors or even decreasing the hormonal production in the body. Since hormones are part of the endocrine system, endocrine hormone therapy can help lower estrogen levels stunt cancer growth from progressing, and even lower the tumors that have developed in the breast tissue. By combining cancer treatments with hormone therapy, the beneficial factors that it can provide are:

Making tumors smaller before radiation therapy
Lowering the risk of cancer returning after the main treatment
Destroying returning cancer cells from spreading to other parts of the body

Through observational evidence shows the use of hormone therapy does not alter the risk for breast cancer in women with a family history of breast cancer can help stop the cancer cells from spreading throughout the entire body.

Conclusion

All in all, hormone therapy has many therapeutic properties from dampening the effects of menopausal symptoms to providing beneficial factors to aiding breast cancer treatments. Since hormones naturally decline due to age, hormone therapy can help replenish and regulate hormone levels back to normal and promote a healthy body. By catering to different individual needs, hormone therapy can help a person’s wellbeing by replenishing lost hormone levels that the body needs to function properly and help alleviate the symptoms that low hormone levels have caused.

References

Staff Professionals, Mayo Clinic. “Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 29 Dec. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hormone-therapy-for-breast-cancer/about/pac-20384943.

Alkabban, Fadi M., and Trow Ferguson. “Breast Cancer.” StatPearls [Internet]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 7 Aug. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482286/.

Awan, A, and K Esfahani. “Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer in the Primary Care Setting.” Current Oncology (Toronto, Ont.), Multimed Inc., Aug. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6092062/.

Medical Professionals, Cleveland Clinic. “Hormone Therapy for Menopause: Types, Benefits & Risks.” Cleveland Clinic, 28 June 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/15245-hormone-therapy-for-menopause-symptoms.

Medical Professionals, NCI. “Hormone Therapy for Cancer.” National Cancer Institute, 29 Apr. 2015, www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/hormone-therapy.

Professionals, Mayo Clinic. “Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 9 June 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/in-depth/hormone-therapy/art-20046372.

Tremont, Alexander, et al. “Endocrine Therapy for Early Breast Cancer: Updated Review.” The Ochsner Journal, The Academic Division of Ochsner Clinic Foundation, 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5718454/.

Disclaimer

Chiropractic Anti-Inflammation Diet

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Hispanic woman cooking inside vintage kitchen at home - Happy female chef having fun preparing lunch during morning time - Focus on hand

Chiropractors understand the need to treat the whole body to reduce and alleviate pain. Many types of pain are caused by inflammation. Inflammation is a natural and healthy response to injury; however, chronic inflammation is not. Low-grade chronic inflammation can lead to health problems like obesity, diabetes, arthritis, dementia, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. If not treated, chronic inflammation can spread throughout the body, causing pain and aggravation. When it comes to nutritional health, the foods can worsen chronic pain. Chiropractors and doctors recommend an anti-inflammation diet for chronic pain.

Table of Contents

Anti-Inflammation Diet

When the body gets injured, the nervous system sends signals to the immune system to send chemicals and new red and white blood cells needed for healing. The immune system works correctly when it fights infection by activating when the body recognizes anything foreign entering the system. This could be plant pollen, chemicals, or invading microbes. Studies show that individuals get 50 percent of their calories from sugar, white flour, vegetable oil, and industrial seed oils. These foods are known to increase inflammation in the body. Eating foods that trigger the immune system, like refined white flours or sugar, creates inflammation that does not turn off because the information sent constantly signals an injury exacerbating inflammation and pain.

Foods That Cause Inflammation

The following foods should be avoided or limited as much as possible:

Sugary beverages and soda drinks.
Margarine and lard.
Gluten and white pasta.
Refined carbohydrates in white bread and pastries.
Processed meat like sausages and hot dogs.
Red meat like steaks and burgers.
Fried foods that are high in trans fats, like chips and fries.
Excessive alcohol.

Some of these foods have been associated with chronic diseases that include:

Type 2 diabetes
Heart disease
Rheumatoid arthritis
Crohn’s Disease
Psoriasis
All are related to chronic inflammation.

They can contribute to excess weight gain, another risk factor for inflammation.

Foods Recommended For An Anti-inflammatory Diet

Foods that should be included in the diet for the reduction of inflammation include:

Dark chocolate.
Red wine in moderation.
Nuts like walnuts and almonds.
Fruits like blueberries, oranges, strawberries, and cherries.
Green leafy vegetables like broccoli, kale, and spinach.
Fish rich in omega 3s like salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel.
Olive Oil.
Green tea.
Coffee has been found to contain anti-inflammatory compounds that can provide some protection in moderation as it is high in caffeine.

Foods high in natural antioxidants include apples and blueberries. Antioxidants are reactive molecules that can reduce the number of free radicals in the diet. A free radical is a molecule that has the potential to alter and damage the cells in the body. Damaged cells increase the risk of disease development.

Chiropractic Inflammation Relief

Chiropractic physiotherapy strengthens the body by strengthening the immune system removing any blockage. This maintains the natural flow of blood and nutrients throughout the body, increasing the immune system’s defense. Changing to an anti-inflammation diet can help boost the immune system but can be a challenging adjustment. Discuss available options to manage pain relief and inflammation.

Body Composition

Muscle Is Not Just For Athletes

Many individuals think that muscle gain is only necessary for athletes. Not everyone wants to be muscular, but everyone needs to be able to fight off sickness from infection/s. Muscle is made up primarily of water and protein. Protein is an essential macronutrient that the body needs to function correctly. When the body enters a stressed state like becoming sick, the body’s protein demands suddenly increase up to four times the amount usually required. If the body does not get the necessary protein from the food, it will begin to take what it needs from the muscles and start breaking them down. If muscles aren’t sufficiently developed or underdeveloped, the body becomes reduced in its ability and strength to fight off infections and increases the chances for future ones.

References

Haß, Ulrike et al. “Anti-Inflammatory Diets and Fatigue.” Nutrients vol. 11,10 2315. 30 Sep. 2019, doi:10.3390/nu11102315

Owczarek, Danuta et al. “Diet and nutritional factors in inflammatory bowel diseases.” World journal of gastroenterology vol. 22,3 (2016): 895-905. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i3.895

Sears, Barry. “Anti-inflammatory Diets.” Journal of the American College of Nutrition vol. 34 Suppl 1 (2015): 14-21. doi:10.1080/07315724.2015.1080105

Sciatic Nerve Injury

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Injury man in doctor — Injury leg. Young man with injured leg. Young woman doctor helps the patient

Sciatic nerve injury happens from trauma to the nerve and can cause numbness, tingling, loss of muscle power, and pain. The traumatic experience can be a muscle spasm that pulls and/or pinches the sciatic nerve, force/pressure impact injury, over-stretching injury, or a laceration/cutting injury. A slipped disk, or herniated disk, is the most common cause of irritation on the sciatic nerve. A slipped disk occurs when one becomes slightly dislodged, pushing out from the spine. This places pressure/compression on the sciatic nerve.

Table of Contents

Sciatic Nerve Injury Causes

Trauma

Hip dislocation
Acetabular fracture
Trauma to the lower back, buttocks, or leg from an automobile accident, sports injury, work injury.

Medical treatment causes:

Direct surgical trauma.
Total hip replacement surgery can cause nerve compression and stretch during the procedure, causing damage to the sciatic nerve resulting in dysfunction.
Faulty positioning during anesthesia.
Injection of neurotoxic substances.
Injection injuries via intramuscular injection in the gluteal region. This is a situation where there is a loss of movement and or lack of sensation at the affected lower extremity with or without pain.
Injection palsy can begin suddenly or hours following damage to the sciatic nerve.
A misplaced intramuscular injection at the gluteal region is the most common cause of injury. It is attributed to frequent injections or poor techniques resulting from inadequately trained or unqualified staff.
Tourniquet-Induced Sciatic Nerve Injury.
Dressings that are too tight.
Casts that impinge the nerve.
Faulty fitting orthotics.
Post radiation treatment can cause acute and delayed muscle damage.

Clinical Presentation Symptoms

The common symptoms are pain and abnormal walking gait. Other clinical symptoms include:

Muscular weakness/atrophy
Reflex impairment
Motor and sensory issues like paraesthesia and numbness
Foot drop
External rotation of the hip
Abduction contracture of the hip
Equinus deformity

Medical History

Complaints of radiating pain in the leg, which follows a sensory nerve pattern.
Pain radiates below the knee, into the foot.
Complaints of low back pain, which is often less severe than leg pain.
Report of electrical, burning, numbing sensations.

Diagnosis

A detailed subjective and objective physical examination is necessary to figure out the severity of the sciatic nerve injury. Diagnostic studies include:

X rays
Electromyography
Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Chiropractic and Physical Therapy Management

Conservative treatment is the first-line approach for managing a sciatic nerve injury.

Pain Management

TENS
Massage
Gentle stretching
Desensitization techniques

Exercise and Stretches

Chiropractic and physical therapy exercises and stretches improve nerve regeneration after nerve damage.

Electrical Muscle Stimulation

TENS and Electroacupuncture have been shown to help enhance nerve regrowth.
Bio-laser stimulation can help with nerve nutrition and regeneration.

Joint or Soft Tissue mobilization

Helps to retain muscle, nerve, and soft tissue flexibility and prevent deformity.

Balance Training

Coordination, strength, and flexibility exercises help to restore balance.

Splinting

In the early stages after a sciatic nerve injury, bracing may be needed to prevent deformity and new injury or re-injury risks.
Ankle Foot Orthosis – AFO can help prevent foot drop, muscle damage, and falls risk.

Body Composition

Optimize Diet for Fat Loss

Individuals that want to lose fat need to create a calorie deficit. Individuals need to consistently eat less than they need for Total Daily Energy Expenditure – TDEE. The safest way to handle a caloric reduction is to reduce calorie intake in small doses like 200-300 calories, for example. After a week or two, perform a body composition analysis. If Fat Mass numbers begin to drop or not, adjust calorie needs accordingly. Restricting calories is the most common way, a deficit can also be created by increasing calorie needs through exercise.

References

Kline, D G et al. “Management and results of sciatic nerve injuries: a 24-year experience.” Journal of neurosurgery vol. 89,1 (1998): 13-23. doi:10.3171/jns.1998.89.1.0013

Schmalzried, TP et al. “Update on nerve palsy associated with total hip replacement.” Clinical Orthopedics and related research,344 (1997): 188-206.

Shim, Ho Yong et al. “Sciatic nerve injury caused by a stretching exercise in a trained dancer.” Annals of rehabilitation medicine vol. 37,6 (2013): 886-90. doi:10.5535/arm.2013.37.6.886

Suszyński, Krzysztof et al. “Physiotherapeutic techniques used in the management of patients with peripheral nerve injuries.” Neural regeneration research vol. 10,11 (2015): 1770-2. doi:10.4103/1673-5374.170299

Chiropractic and Spinal Health

Dr. Alex Jimenez

cropped view of doctor holding spine model near coworker in clinic

Chiropractic and spinal health. Most individuals seek out chiropractic care only after an injury and when pain presents. Because traditional medical care tends to focus on treating disorders and diseases, individuals are used to seeking care only when something is imbalanced. For many, chiropractic is known for its ability to resolve back and neck pain, correct postural misalignments, manage acute or chronic conditions and accelerate the healing of injuries. Chiropractic is different in that it is a tool for increasing overall wellness and vitality when no injury or imbalance is present.

Table of Contents

Chiropractic and Spinal Health

Chiropractic is an invaluable treatment that raises the baseline of an individual’s health by:

Increasing performance
Extending lifespan and longevity
Improving overall comfort
Increasing agility in the body

Chiropractic helps to achieve these transformational results by improving the function of the:

Circulatory system
Immune system
Respiratory system
Muscular system
Nervous system
Skeletal system

Circulation Increased

The circulation system includes the heart and its chambers, arteries, veins, lungs, lobes, and capillaries. The structures within this system move blood, nutrients, and waste throughout the body. The quality of health and life depends on the level of functioning in this system. The better and more efficient the tissues receive clean blood, nutrients, and oxygen, the better the body is able to utilize these building blocks to achieve whatever function is required. The slower and more unclean these building blocks, the lower quality of function. The nervous system is the communication system that includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves that run throughout the body. Everything in the body and the work functions as a result of this communication system.

The circulatory system relies on the communication that runs through the nervous system, which is housed in the spine. If the spine is misaligned, moving improperly, or sustaining an injury, it can interfere with the function of the communication. Regular chiropractic care increases the health levels of the nervous system by keeping the spine as healthy and flexible as possible. The muscles are kept loose, which promotes blood flow, and the flow and movement of waste in the lymphatic system. Individuals that receive regular adjustments report:

Enhanced perception of sensations in their extremities.
Warmer hands and feet.
Improved cognitive response and clarity.
Decrease or eliminate tingling and numbness.
Maintaining the proper range of motion of the spine also facilitates better function and movement of the whole body.

Immune Response Improvement

Regular chiropractic improves immune responses that leads to improved response against foreign invaders and disease, less instances of illness, exhaustion, fatigue, and inflammation. When expert chiropractic and spinal health intervention is delivered it helps to realign bones and joints, alleviate muscle tension, and restore nerve function. The body immediately experiences a decrease in stress, downregulation of stress hormones and chemicals in the body leads to a reduction in inflammation.

Increased Mobility & Flexibility

Chiropractic helps to improve physical mobility and flexibility in the muscular and skeletal systems. This is accomplished through manual manipulation to restore ideal posture and achieve a balanced skeletal structure. Manual manipulation is also used to soften and relax tense muscles which have developed abnormalities to compensate for incorrect posture. When skeletal structure, muscular imbalances, and strain are corrected, the result is improved mobility and flexibility.

Pain Symptoms Are Decreased

Pain originates from the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems. Chiropractic can help with back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, migraines, nerve and sciatic pain, and other conditions and forms of discomfort. The origin of the pain can include:

Postural imbalance
Muscle tension
Damage from accident or injury
Spinal degeneration

Chiropractic and spinal health care helps soothe and de-inflame the comprised areas, allowing the natural healing systems to intervene and promote long-term reduction of discomfort and pain.

Bending, Standing, Sitting Activities Improve

For many individuals, bending, standing, and sitting are normal movements they engage in every day. This can be part of work occupation, school, house chores, etc, and for many these movements and positions can become painful over long durations of time and when it is repetitive. Regular chiropractic and spinal health treatment can restore optimal posture in the body, soothe strained and tense muscles, and resolve disrupted nerve energy flow which often leads to nerve pain like sciatica.

Body Composition

Pregnancy Hypertension

Hypertension in pregnancy falls into one of three categories. It can range from benign and easily controlled to serious with increased medical risks. This makes monitoring blood pressure important to individual health risks. The risks for hypertension in pregnancy include:

Early delivery
Decreased oxygen to the placenta
Potential heart disease

The main types of hypertension in pregnancy.

Chronic hypertension

Chronic hypertension is a pre-existing condition known prior to pregnancy.

Individuals that are aware of elevated blood pressure before becoming pregnant, a doctor will diagnose the individual with chronic hypertension.
A doctor will use diagnostic criteria to determine if chronic hypertension is present prior to getting pregnant.

Gestational hypertension

Gestational hypertension develops during pregnancy.

Gestational hypertension is not preventable and typically returns to normal levels postpartum.
However, risk increases for later developing chronic hypertension is higher if gestational hypertension presents.
According to Mayo Clinic, gestational hypertension is diagnosed by the following criteria:

At least 20 weeks gestation
Blood pressure is greater than 140/90 on two occasions
Must be documented more than four hours apart
No other organ damage is present

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is the most serious.

Preeclampsia develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy and is associated with a sharp spike in blood pressure levels. Notable symptoms include:

Sudden fluid swelling
Chronic headaches
Changes in vision
Nausea
Vomiting
Weight gain

References

Brown, Richard A. “Spinal Health: The Backbone of Chiropractic’s Identity.” Journal of chiropractic humanities vol. 23,1 22-28. 8 Sep. 2016, doi:10.1016/j.echu.2016.07.002

Bussières, André E et al. “Spinal Manipulative Therapy and Other Conservative Treatments for Low Back Pain: A Guideline From the Canadian Chiropractic Guideline Initiative.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 41,4 (2018): 265-293. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2017.12.004

Maher, Jennifer L et al. “Exercise and Health-Related Risks of Physical Deconditioning After Spinal Cord Injury.” Topics in spinal cord injury rehabilitation vol. 23,3 (2017): 175-187. doi:10.1310/sci2303-175

Meeker, William C, and Scott Haldeman. “Chiropractic: a profession at the crossroads of mainstream and alternative medicine.” Annals of internal medicine vol. 136,3 (2002): 216-27. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-136-3-200202050-00010

An Insight Look At Stress & The Immune Brain Connection | Part 3

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Introduction

Every day the body deals in stressful situations constantly. Sometimes stress can be beneficial to the body by giving it a mini boost of energy to get things done, but it can also cause the body harm if it is prolonged and can cause damage to the affected areas. When it comes to the immune system, the cells make sure that viruses and unwanted pathogens are being taken care of by sending messages to the brain so that way the body can repair itself naturally. Everybody has ways to deal with stress and make sure that the body is healthy to tackle whatever is coming at them. Stress is a hormone that is secreted out from the adrenal glands travels through the bloodstream and deposits to the necessary organs and cells that need the stress hormone. When the adrenal glands start to underproduce or overproduce hormones into the bloodstream, it can cause mixed signals to the brain and over time can cause the body to develop chronic illnesses. In this 3 part series, we will be discussing how the immune-brain connection work, how stress affects them, and natural ways to lower the body’s stress level. Part 1 took a look at stress and the immune-brain connection worked abd how the adrenal glands play their role. Part 2 discussed what hypocortisolism is and its symptoms.

By referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialized in hormone wellness services, we advise our patients to appropriately refer to our associated medical providers based on their examination. We find that education is the key when asking valuable questions to our providers. Dr. Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, in case you are uncertain here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

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The Immune-Brain System

The immune system is where there are protective cells that fight off viral infections that enter the body. The signals that the immune system sends to the brain that they are fighting off viral infections and the brain sends the signal back to regulate the immune system. Just like the gut-brain connection, research shows that the communication pathways that the brain and the immune system are linked. When there are normal signals that are activated from the immune system, they serve to regulate the immune response and are being represented primarily by proinflammatory cytokines from the brain. The immune-brain connection is important because the immune system can’t self-regulate but function closely with the nervous system in the brain. Studies also showed that when there are long-range interactions between the immune cells and the central nervous system, this will allow the immune system’s engagement to the body to fight off infections from pathogenic microorganisms and permit the brain to regulate immune function.

How Can Stress Affect My Immune System?

When there are unwanted pathogens and viruses entering the body, the immune system comes in and attacks those viruses. When there are stress-inducing changes that are affecting the immune system, it can release the ‘fight or flight’ natural response that the body is enduring. Studies have also shown that prolonged chronic stress can suppress the protective immune responses and damaged the immune system. Some of the factors that stress can affect the immune system can include:

IBS
- Stress increases the HPA axis and both branches of the ANS
- Cortisol, NE, Ach inhibit the mucosal immune system, especially Th1-type responses.
- The shift toward Th2 cytokine responses (IL-4 ) can further inhibit Th1 responses.
IBD
- CRF response blunted, leading to diminished Cortisol and NE release.
- Favor production of Th1 cytokines and proliferation of macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and cytotoxic T cells (Tc).
- TNF stimulates IL-1 (Th1 pathway) and IL-6 (by lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues).
Chronic stress
- Both types shift to Th1 response.
- TNF-, IL-1, and IL-6 increase to concentrations that stimulate CRF production
- Both IFN (Th1 cytokine), produced by NK cells in response to TNF, and IL-4 (a Th2 cytokine)

How Can Stress Affect My Brain?

Stress can play a huge role in affecting the brain. As studies have shown the brain is the primary organ to stress reactivity, coping, and the recovery process that the body went through. The brain is part of the central nervous system and it distributes a neural circuitry signal to determine what is threatening the body and how stressful is it to the individual. When this is happening constantly, repeated stress will affect brain function, especially on the hippocampus. With high concentrations of cortisol and NMDA receptors participating it can cause a problem to verbal memory and memory context, while also causing an impairment. This will decrease the reliability and accuracy of contextual memories. Other factors of how stress can affect the brain include:

Damages may exacerbate stress by preventing access to the information that is needed to decide that a situation is not a threat
Regulating the stress response and acts to inhibit the response of the HPA axis to stress
The hippocampus alterations in both structure and function have been identified in long term stress
Volume loss demonstrated in PTSD, depression, Cushing’s syndrome
Functional changes include reduction in hippocampal excitability, long-term potentiation, and memory.

Natural Remedies For Lowering Stress

There are many ways to lower stress levels that are affecting the body naturally. Some individuals find hobbies that they want to partake in. Others would go exercise to relieve the stress by going hard and feeling relief after a good session. Or for those that are suffering from mental stress, mediation is great to make the mind clear and relax the body. Some of the natural remedies that can help lower stress are certain vitamins and minerals that can not only dampen the effects of stress but also boost the body’s own immunity so that way the body can feel good. These include some of the following:

Vitamin C
B Vitamins
Calcium
Magnesium
L-theanine
Sterolins
Ginseng
Rhodiola
Ashwagandha

Magnesium

Magnesium is an important mineral when dealing with stress. Studies have shown that magnesium is critical when the body is dealing with stress and that it has positive effects on the brain. Some of the stressful situations in that magnesium can help dampen its effects are:

Fibromyalgia
Stress
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Photosensitive headaches

Magnesium Benefits

Some benefits that magnesium offers the body include:

Muscle relaxant-Ca channel blocker and lowering platelet aggregation
Thins the blood
Blocks Ca uptake
Relaxes blood vessels
Improves cardiac contractibility which alleviates oxygenation of the heart

L-theanine

Green tea contains 1% to 3% theanine and L-theanine has historically been used for its relaxing and anti-anxiety effects. Studies have shown that L-theanine is an analog of glutamate and even demonstrates a protective effect on neuroexcitotoxicity by decreasing ischemic neuronal death in the forebrains of animal models. Research also shows that L-theanine is a unique amino acid in green tea and can mediate through glutamate receptors that the body is producing.

L-theanine Benefits

The amino acid found in green tea can act antagonistically against the stimulatory effects of caffeine in the tea on the nervous system. Some of the beneficial properties that l-theanine is that it can increase GABA (gamma-amino-butyric acid), and reduce restlessness, insomnia, and other disruptive conditions. Even taking l-theanine in supplemental form or sipping it in tea form can increase the levels of dopamine, increase alpha waves (meditative state), and improve mental awareness. Some more beneficial properties that L-theanine can provide include:

Antagonistic effects on glutamate and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors
Reduces norepinephrine levels and decreases systolic and diastolic blood pressure
Suppresses the stimulatory effects of caffeine

Plant Sterolins

Plant Sterolins has been used in Germany for over 30 years and is a patented blend of plant sterols and sterolins while also being a natural pine source. Studies have shown that sterols are an integral component that is in plants can range from regulating the growth and development to stress resistance and the diversity of sterols and their conjugated forms can allow plants to adapt in any environmental stress conditions.

Plant Sterolin Benefits

Some of the beneficial properties that plant sterolin can provide the body is that it can modulate targets the regulatory CD4 helper cells which tell the immune system when to be more active or when to switch off to prevent damage to healthy tissues. Other beneficial properties include:

Immune modulating activity
Modulate enhances Natural Killer (NK) cell activity
Modulate balances TH1 and TH2 cells

Siberian Ginseng

Sold in the United States as ‘Siberian Ginseng’, the plant is a spiny-stemmed shrub found in northeast Asia and Japan and has been prescribed for medicinal use in France, Germany, Russia, and China. The parts that are used are the dried roots and root bark. Studies have found that ginseng can effectively help regulate immune response and hormonal changes that are caused by stress. By lowering the pro-inflammatory responses in the body, it can make a person feel relaxed and stress-free.

Siberian Ginseng Benefits

There are many beneficial properties that ginseng can provide the body. Ginseng contains antioxidants that the body needs in order to dampen inflammatory responses from acute or chronic inflammation that is affecting the body. Other beneficial properties that ginseng provides include:

Normalizing blood pressure
Rheumatic heart disease
Insomnia
Alzheimer’s disease
Lower ADHD
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Diabetes
Fibromyalgia
Rheumatoid arthritis
Reducing toxicity of chemotherapy

Rhodiola Rosea

Rhodiola Rosea is a plant in the Crassulaceae family that grows in cold regions of the world. Also known as goldenor ‘arctic’ root, it has been used for centuries to cope with the cold Siberian climate. Studies have found that Rhodiola Rosea can help improve the body’s natural pathogens that indicate where stress hormones are being released and boost the energy metabolism in the body.

Rhodiola Rosea Benefits

Initial studies also revealed cardioprotective benefits due to the antiarrhythmic effect of Rhodiola Rosea and protection against reperfusion injury while limiting adrenergic effects on the heart during stress. It also helps reduce catecholamines during the alarm phase of stress and after intense exercise and may influence levels of monoamines and beta-endorphins. Some of the beneficial properties that Rhodiola Rosea can offer an individual include:

Boost stamina and energy
Enhance mood
Improve sexual function
Regulate arrhythmias
Lower hyperlipidemia
Lower diabetes
Prevent cold and flu

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is described as “Indian ginseng” in Ayurvedic, Indian, and Unani medicine and is used in traditional African medicine. When there are high levels of cortisol in the body, ashwagandha can help lower the cortisol levels and bring them back to normal. Adding this herb into a person’s diet can help promote a healthier lifestyle and be stress-free.

Ashwagandha Benefits

Ashwagandha has many beneficial properties that not only help with lowering stress that a person is suffering from but it can also help aid the following:

Arthritis
Anxiety
Insomnia
Tumors
Infertility
Fibromyalgia

Conclusion

All in all the body needs stress in order to function in small amounts. Without it, the body can get damaged and over time developed chronic illnesses that can do more harm than good. By finding natural ways to regulate the stress hormone through proper exercise and healthy food, the body can recover and repair not only the immune system but all the organs, cells, and nerves where stress and inflammation reside.

References

Anghelescu, Ion-George, et al. “Stress Management and the Role of Rhodiola Rosea: A Review.” Taylor & Francis, 11 Jan. 2018, www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13651501.2017.1417442.

Cuciureanu, Magdalena D. “Magnesium and Stress.” Magnesium in the Central Nervous System [Internet]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Jan. 1970, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507250/.

Dantzer, Robert, and Emmanuelle E Wollman. “[Relationships between the Brain and the Immune System].” Journal De La Societe De Biologie, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2003, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12910622.

Dantzer, Robert. “Neuroimmune Interactions: From the Brain to the Immune System and Vice Versa.” Physiological Reviews, American Physiological Society, 1 Jan. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5866360/.

Dhabhar, Firdaus S. “Effects of Stress on Immune Function: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful.” Immunologic Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2014, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24798553/.

Hidese, Shinsuke, et al. “Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress-Related Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Nutrients, MDPI, 3 Oct. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6836118/.

Lee, Seungyeop, and Dong-Kwon Rhee. “Effects of Ginseng on Stress-Related Depression, Anxiety, and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis.” Journal of Ginseng Research, Elsevier, Oct. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5628357/.

McEwen, Bruce S, and Peter J Gianaros. “Central Role of the Brain in Stress and Adaptation: Links to Socioeconomic Status, Health, and Disease.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2864527/.

Medical Professionals, Cleveland Clinic. “What Is Ashwagandha?” Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, 4 May 2021, health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-ashwagandha/.

Rogowska, Agata, and Anna Szakiel. “The Role of Sterols in Plant Response to Abiotic Stress – Phytochemistry Reviews.” SpringerLink, Springer Netherlands, 10 July 2020, link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11101-020-09708-2.

Segerstrom, Suzanne C, and Gregory E Miller. “Psychological Stress and the Human Immune System: A Meta-Analytic Study of 30 Years of Inquiry.” Psychological Bulletin, U.S. National Library of Medicine, July 2004, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1361287/.

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TMJ: Jaw Disorders

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Frustrated sad young european male suffering from toothache, feeling unwell, isolated on white background. Painful expression, health problems, tooth decay, dentistry and inflammation, copy space

The temporomandibular (tem-puh-roe-man-dib-u-lur) joint TMJ acts as a sliding hinge that connects the jawbone to the skull. There is one joint on each side of the jaw. TMJ jaw disorders are also known as temporomandibular disorders – TMD. These disorders affect the connecting point between the jaw and the skull that causes swelling and pain in the joint and the muscles that control movement. The disorder can be caused by a combination of factors, like stress, genetics, arthritis, or injury. The symptoms, pain, and discomfort are often temporary and can be relieved with self-care and nonsurgical treatment like chiropractic.

Table of Contents

Jaw Disorders

If the jaw is not moving correctly or becomes imbalanced, it can stress the temporomandibular joint. If this happens, the jaw muscles and the neck and shoulder muscles can tense up and over time become fatigued as they overwork to compensate and keep the jaw balanced. The bones that interact in the joint are covered with cartilage and are separated by a small shock-absorbing disc to maintain smooth movement. Jaw disorders can happen if:

The disc erodes or moves out of alignment.
The joint’s cartilage is damaged by arthritis.
The joint is damaged by impact trauma like hitting the head from a fall or sports accident.
Individuals that have been in an automobile accident.

Other factors include:

Tension or stress can cause individuals to grind or clench their teeth, known as bruxism.
Dental work
Misaligned spine
Arthritis
Autoimmune diseases

Symptoms

Symptoms of TMJ vary from case to case. These symptoms might include:

Problems with opening or closing the mouth
Difficulty or pain while chewing
Pain or tenderness of the jaw
Pain in one or both of the temporomandibular joints
Aching facial pain
Neck and shoulder pain
Headaches
Aching pain in and around the ear
Dizziness
Locking of the joint
Clicking sound
Grating sensation

Chiropractic Relief

Chiropractors can help with TMJ by alleviating tension and dysfunction in the shoulder, neck, and jaw. Once the dysfunction is relieved, it reduces the pressure on various nerves. Treatment includes:

Manipulation of the jaw joint so it can move easily
Relief of the muscle tension near the jaw
Eating soft foods
Reducing stress and tension
Wearing dental splints
Physical therapy rehabilitation
Jaw release exercises

Body Composition

The Glycemic Index

Not all carbs are equal, with some having a more significant effect on insulin levels than others. For individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance, this is important. A food’s Glycemic Index – ranging from 0 to 100 – indicates how a particular carbohydrate will affect blood sugar and insulin levels.

Foods that digest quickly are high on the index.
Foods that digest slowly are lower on the index.

Foods high on the GI scale, include potatoes and white bread, are quickly broken down. This is what happens when going through a sugar rush that comes crashing down minutes later. Foods low on the GI scale, include sweet potatoes and whole oats, are digested gradually. This results in a steady rise in blood sugar levels. The following factors may influence the GI scale:

Food processing

The more processed the food, the higher the GI.

Fat and acid content

Foods high in fat, acid, or carbs eaten with fat or acid tend to have a lower GI.

Fiber content

Fiber slows down the rate of digestion, leading to a gradual, healthy rise in blood sugar levels.

Ripeness

Ripened fruits tend to have a higher GI than unripened fruit.

References

Alcantara, Joel et al. “Chiropractic care of a patient with temporomandibular disorder and atlas subluxation.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 25,1 (2002): 63-70. doi:10.1067/mmt.2002.120415

DeVocht, James W et al. “A pilot study of a chiropractic intervention for management of chronic myofascial temporomandibular disorder.” Journal of the American Dental Association (1939) vol. 144,10 (2013): 1154-63. doi:10.14219/jada.archive.2013.0034

Pavia, Steven et al. “Chiropractic Treatment of Temporomandibular Dysfunction: A Retrospective Case Series.” Journal of chiropractic medicine vol. 14,4 (2015): 279-84. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2015.08.005

Rubis, Lisa M et al. “A collaborative approach between chiropractic and dentistry to address temporomandibular dysfunction: a case report.” Journal of chiropractic medicine vol. 13,1 (2014): 55-61. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2013.10.003

A Look Into Stress & The Immune-Brain Connection | Part 2

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

The adrenal glands are the most important triangular-shaped organs that are located at the top of the kidneys. These glands secrete out hormones throughout the entire body and go to each of the organ systems and help them perform their jobs perfectly, making the body function normally. The adrenal glands also secrete the hormone cortisol, which helps the immune system by sending messages through the brain on what it needs to do. When the adrenal glands start to produce more or fewer hormones than the body actually needs, it can disrupt the immune system and cause the body to develop chronic illness over time. In this 3 part series, we will be looking at what hypocortisolism is, how it affects the immune system and its symptoms. Part 1 discussed how stress and the immune-brain connection work together and how the adrenal glands play their role. Part 3 will be discussing how the immune system works and what kind of natural remedies can help the body lower its cortisol level. By referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialized in hormone wellness services and we advise our patients to appropriately refer to our associated medical providers based on their examination. We find that education is the key when asking valuable questions to our providers. Dr. Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, in case you are uncertain here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

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What Is Hypocortisolism?

Hypocortisolism or better known as Addison’s disease is a seriously rare adrenal gland disorder where the adrenal gland cannot produce enough hormones in the body. In a normal functional body, the hormones play a major role by secreting out into the bloodstream traveling to their designated organs and making sure that they are doing their job correctly. With hypocortisolism, there are not enough hormones being produced and the immune system starts attacking the adrenal glands, causing dysfunction and chronic illnesses in the body.

The Immune System and Stress

Stress has always had a bad reputation in the world due to high demanding jobs, numerous amounts of paperwork, or even situations that a person is in. However, studies have shown that stress is not a bad thing, in fact, it is a good thing to have stress in your body. Short-term stress can help enhance immunoprotection in the immune system. The immune system is the only system that can fight off unwanted pathogens and viruses that enter the body. So with short-term stress, it can enhance the cells that the immune system is producing. But when the body is dealing with long-term stress, it can suppress the T cell function and can cause autoimmune responses to the body. Not only that but when the body is dealing with chronic stress, it can affect the central nervous system and the cardioendocrine system as well.

The Central Nervous System

In the body, there is a vast network of nerves that are connected through each region is known as the central nervous system. The central nervous system is connected to the brain and is responsible for sending out signals to each system to make the body function and move. When hypocortisolism is affecting the central nervous system it can stop sending signals to the corresponding systems and can cause inflammation and chronic illnesses. Prolonged hypercortisolism can lead to degeneration of the:

Hippocampus – memory
Hypothalamus – CFS, FM, Depression, PTSD
Pre-Frontal Cortex – executive decision making
Amygdala – emotional stability

Sometimes when fMRI Pathologic changes have been seen, there is some irreversible treatment that has helped the central nervous system. Even after hypocortisolism has developed, the effects still remain in the central nervous system.

Cardioendocrine System

The cardiovascular system is where the heart and the arteries are making sure that the blood is pumping into the muscles, veins, and organs. So it plays hand in hand with the endocrine system, due to the hormones traveling and sticking to the blood cells so that way they can get to each organ. When there is an abundance of hormones, it can affect each organ system including the cardiovascular system. Studies showed that when the expression levels of hormones are in the heart, it can lead to an increase of various cardiovascular symptoms that can cause harm. Some of the symptoms that can affect the cardioendocrine system include:

Accelerated progression of atherosclerosis, risk of MI and CHF
Elevated inflammatory markers
PAI-1
Fibrinogen
HS-CRP
Endothelial dysfunction and hypertension
Enhancement of insulin resistance and hyperglycemia

By making sure that the endocrine system is producing a normal amount of hormones to be transported through the bloodstream and making its way to the cardiovascular system, these symptoms will not happen.

The Symptoms Of Hypocortisolism

When the adrenal glands don’t produce enough of its two main hormones, which is cortisol and aldosterone, it can affect the body slowly and can cause it to develop chronic illnesses over time. Since cortisol helps the body respond to stress that it encounters, it helps maintain the immune system and level out blood glucose levels but when there is an autoimmune response starts occurring in the immune system and attacking the organs and tissue. When this happens, the immune system sees the adrenal glands are a threat and start to attack the outer regions of the adrenal glands causing a variety of symptoms and diseases. Some of the symptoms and diseases that hypocortisolism is associated with can be the following:

Asthma/Atopy/Allergies
Malignancies
Cardiovascular disease
Chronic pain syndromes
Autoimmune diseases
Irritable bowel syndrome
Sleep Disorders
Mood disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue is often characterized by intense fatigue that can be associated with other symptoms. Studies have shown that chronic fatigue syndrome can permanently limit a person’s functional capacity and can produce a variety of symptoms that can affect the body. Headaches, depressive symptoms, cognitive disorders, and even an intolerance to physical exertion can affect a person and dampen their mood to do any of their daily activities. Chronic fatigue syndrome can even cause neuroendocrine-immune dysfunction in the body by causing the signals that go from the hormones to the brain to the immune system to be mixed up and causing chaos in the body. However, there have been numerous studies confirming the presence of:

Low cortisol
Blunted cortisol responses to stimulation testing
Abnormal diurnal cortisol release patterns

And that can also play in effect with chronic fatigue syndrome. But surprisingly, there have been studies that have shown improvement in symptoms with administration of low-dose hydrocortisone treatment.

Fibromyalgia

One chronic pain disorder that is known worldwide and causes musculoskeletal pain is fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a musculoskeletal disorder where inflammation and pain are being targeted in the upper and lower parts of the body and can cause a wide variety of disorders that can affect a person’s day drastically. Some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia can include:

Musculoskeletal pain
Fatigue
Hormonal effects on the menstrual cycle
Gastrointestinal disorders
Cognitive disturbances

When there are low levels of cortisol in the body, it can actually cause damage to the entire system and if a person has fibromyalgia, the pain and inflammation that they have will increase in the affected areas in their bodies, whether it is in their joints or in the muscles.

Cardiovascular Disease

One of the symptoms that are associated with hypocortisolism is that it can be one of the causes of cardiovascular diseases. Since the cardiovascular system is consist of the heart and blood vessels that are making sure that the blood cells and the hormones are going to their proper organs. Studies have found that metabolic disturbances and environmental factors can play a huge role in individuals. Metabolic disturbances like metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and even hypocortisolism can affect the individual’s body, causing unwanted illnesses to rise up over time. For environmental factors that can affect the cardiovascular system, it can be things like a poor diet lifestyle, inactive physical activities, and even demanding sedentary jobs that can steadily increase the chance of cardiovascular diseases to pop up in a physical exam.

People with cortisol slope scores in the flattest quartile had a greater likelihood of any coronary calcium than did those in the remaining quartiles adjusted for a sex-race group, age, smoking, treatment for diabetes, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, average cortisol, and educational attainment.

Conclusion

All in all, it is important to make sure that cortisol is being secreted out in a short burst to make the body function properly. If there is an overabundance or underabundance of cortisol in the body, it can cause a long-term effect of chronic illnesses over time and cause pain to the individual. Regulating hormones and being on a healthy lifestyle can help the body heal over time and cause relief to the person that was suffering from these unwanted pathogens.

References

Avellaneda Fernández, Alfredo, et al. “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Aetiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment.” BMC Psychiatry, BioMed Central, 23 Oct. 2009, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2766938/.

Bhargava, Juhi, and John A Hurley. “Fibromyalgia.” StatPearls [Internet]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 13 Oct. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK540974/.

Lopez, Edgardo Olvera, et al. “Cardiovascular Disease.” StatPearls [Internet]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 11 Aug. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535419/.

Ludwig, Parker E, et al. “Neuroanatomy, Central Nervous System (CNS).” StatPearls [Internet]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 14 Oct. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK442010/.

Medical Professionals, Cleveland Clinic. “Addison’s Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, 9 Apr. 2019, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15095-addisons-disease.

Ogawa, Tsuneo, and Adolfo J de Bold. “The Heart as an Endocrine Organ.” Endocrine Connections, Bioscientifica Ltd, 15 Apr. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3987289/.

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