Oh My Aching Head!

Most of us have experienced a headache at some point in our lives. Some of us more frequently than others. Figuring what is causing a patient’s head to hurt is enough to give a physician a headache.

The differential diagnosis for head pain ranges from trauma to tumor to tooth to tension to tryptamines. There are many more causes of a headache but they do not conveniently begin with the letter “T.” A sudden onset severe headache with no previous history of headache is usually cause to visit an emergency department. The root of chronic headaches is more complicated.

One of the best ways to help your physician find the cause of your pain is to keep a headache diary. A good example is available at http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/guide/headache-diary

For women it is important to note where you are in your menstrual cycle. Migraines in particular have been related to low progesterone and other hormonal imbalances. Also note water consumption, environmental exposure (cleaning chemicals, dry cleaning, insecticides) and foods.

One of the most common causes of headache is dehydration. If your headaches come about the same time every afternoon, check to make sure you are drinking half your body weight in ounces of water. Withdrawal headaches are common with caffeine and sugar users. When the brain is deprived of the level of these that it is accustomed to, the result is a headache. If the headache resolves with coffee or sugar, it is time to wean off.

True headaches fall into three broad categories: tension, cluster, migraine. Tension headaches are common to both men and women, occur daily, and are a dull steady ache over the whole head. Cluster headaches usually occur in men, happen once a week, last less than four hours, are one sided and are severe in pain (think being stabbed in the head with an ice pick.) Migraines are more common in women, occur less frequently, can be one or both sided, can last 72 hours and are moderate in pain level. Migraines are further divided into classic, common and complicated. Classic have an aura or prodrome that let’s the victim know it is about to attack. Common lacks this feature. Complicated has sensory and motor impairments with the headache. And all three types of headaches can trigger each other.

The mouth can be a headache in and of itself. TMJ, grinding the teeth, root canal issues, and poor gum health can all lead to headaches. Sinus congestion can also manifest as a headache. Malposition of the spine can lead to headaches as well as somatic dysfunction. A common description of a headache is starting at the base of the skull and radiating behind the eye. This is usually caused by an over-used splenius capitis muscle and injection therapy or physical medicine is often the best solution.

The treatment of headaches is as varied as the causes of headaches. Avoiding triggers, balancing hormones and maintaining proper hydration are good starting points. And while you and your physician are looking for the source of your headaches, the World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture as an effective treatment for symptomatic relief of headaches.

The Heart of the Matter

This year at NFC we are putting more emphasis on patient education and providing events and other gatherings where patients and the community as a whole can not only receive education from health professionals but have a chance to connect with other individuals who might share in their health concerns.

This month we have Dr. Marie hosting a FREE BREAKFAST and FREE Cardiovascular lab testing Saturday, March 5th starting at 8am. Blood draws 8-9, breakfast starting at 8:15 and health lecture starting at 9am. Dr. Marie will also be hosting a free health lecture titled, Oh, My Aching Head! Thursday, March 24th 6pm at NFC. Space is limited so please call 602.493.2273 to RSVP.

To keep up to date on all the events at NFC visit our facebook page.


Cholesterol – It is more than just a number
Marie Niechwiadowicz, NMD

Patient 1 has his blood work run and his total cholesterol is 182. Patient 2 has hers run and it is 232. We are told that total cholesterol should be less than 200. Who has healthier cholesterol levels and less risk for heart disease?

Trick question – without breaking down the total number into LDL, VLDL and HDL the number is useless.

Quick definitions:
HDL – high density lipoprotein. Considered to be protective against heart disease – often called the “good cholesterol.” The higher the number the better. Should be at least 45.
LDL – low density lipoprotein. Causes the formation of arterial plaque – the “bad cholesterol.” Should be less than 130, less than 100 is optimal.
VLDL - very low density lipoprotein. Considered even worse than LDL as a cardiac risk factor. Should be less than 29.

Back to the patients numbers:
Patient 1 HDL 12, LDL 135, VLDL 35 = Total Cholesterol 182
Patient 2 HDL 142 LDL 85, VLDL 5 = Total Cholesterol 232

Obviously Patient 2 has a much lower risk for heart disease even though her total cholesterol would be considered high. Interestingly, half of the people who have heart attacks have “normal” cholesterol levels.

There is more…
Trigylcerides, apolipoprotien, the size and the density of the LDL, remnant lipoprotein, homocysteine levels, c-reactive proteins, and insulin resistance all contribute to your risk of heart disease -- even more so than VLDL and LDL. These factors indicate when the conditions are most conducive to creating arterial plaque.

So why do we need cholesterol? Cholesterol is the building block for our hormones – estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, aldosterone, and cortisol are all made from cholesterol. It is possible to have too little cholesterol especially through over supplementation/medication.

Bloodwork is available to test all these risk factors in addition to the HDL, LDL and Total cholesterol. These labs are a valuable tool since the strategy to reduce one risk factor is different for another. Diet and exercise should be the first line of therapy to reduce cardiac risk factors. As always, good medicine is not one supplement/drug fits all. Attend our talk March 5th to learn about your cardiac risk factors and create a plan to optimize your heart health.

Thyroid Awareness

Most of you may or may not know what your thyroid gland does and how it can affect your daily life. Fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, and constipation can all be associate with poor thyroid function. This month Dr. Marie will be hosting a free health lecture on Thyroid. Join her Thursday, January 27th 6pm at NFC.

Trends in Thyroid Disease by Dr. Marie

The incidence of hypothyroidism is steadily rising in the United States with women more commonly affected than men. The most common cause of hypothyroidism in adults is Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism – an autoimmune condition in which the person’s immune system makes anti-bodies to the thyroid hormone. Hashimoto’s is often difficult to detect as many patients have a period of hyperthyroidism (high energy, weight loss) before their thyroid crashes and symptoms of fatigue, hair loss, constipation, weight gain, low body temperature and high blood pressure can set in. Many physicians just screen for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), which is often normal in Hashimoto’s patients. Hashimoto’s often sets in after pregnancy even if the pregnancy is not carried to term or after a viral syndrome. Taking a thorough patient history and running the appropriate labs is crucial for early detection. Treatments like low dose naltrexone therapy can actually reverse the autoimmune process. Increasing plant sterols, avoiding goitragenic foods and eating an anti-inflammatory diet are good starts for treatments.

Sometimes hypothyroidism is simpler in that the thyroid gland is not producing enough hormone (T4) The brain keeps sending the signal to produce T4 through TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) so lab results will show an elevated TSH. Many debates surround what is the ideal level of TSH for optimal thyroid health and this can differ from patient to patient.

The thyroid gland can be functioning normally but the thyroid hormone T4 is not being converted into T3, which is the usable form for the body. This can be due to selenium deficiency or impaired organ function.

To complicate matters further, sub clinical hypothyroidism often called Wilson’s Syndrome has normal lab values and is diagnosed clinically.

Patients require different treatments – some respond better to synthetic thyroid over animal derived thyroid. Some choose synthetic based on ethical, religious and personal preferences. Acupuncture, herbs, nutritional changes and supplementation can also alleviate the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

HYPOTHYROIDISM AND THYROFLEX by Dr. Shahrzad Z. Orona

Do you have any of the following symptoms?
More tired and sluggish than normal
Hair and skin drier than normal
Sleep more than normal
Colder than other people
Muscles cramp more easily
More depressed
Slower thinking
Eyes more puffy
Math is more difficult
Hoarse or deeper voice
Constipation
Heavy menstrual cycles
Sexual dysfunction or lack of drive
Puffy hands and feet
Easy weight gain

If you answered yes to more than 3 of these questions, you may be suffering from subclinical hypothyroidism. Left untreated, subclinical hypothyroidism can lead to increased risk of:
Sudden death
High or low blood pressure
High Cholesterol and other blood fats
Vascular disease
Diabetes
Neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
Arthritis and inflammatory diseases
Pregnancy Complications and Infertility

Just like any good detective uses numerous clues to find the facts and solve a crime, as your doctor I use a variety of tests to evaluate your thyroid function. These tests may include but are not limited to:

Blood tests: TSH, total T4, total T3, free T4, free T3, reverse T3
Antibody tests: microsomal TPO-Ab, thyroglobulin Ab
Basal body temperature
Thyroid Symptom Questionnaire
Vitamin and Mineral deficiencies
Thyroflex

Naturopathic Family Care was the first clinic to use the Thyroflex machine and continues to use it today. The Thyroflex machine is based on research that shows our reflexes are slower if our thyroid function is low. Thyroid treatment helps to normalize the thyroid and therefore the reflexes.

Thyroflex is a simple, non-invasive 4 minute reflex test that is done in our office to show if your thyroid function is normal or if you are on an appropriate dose of thyroid medication. A reflex hammer-like device is used on your brachio-radialis reflex, which is on your arm. A computer then calculates how quickly your reflex occurred.

Optimizing thyroid function greatly reduces your health risks and helps regulate hormones, neurotransmitters and immune factors. If you would like to have your thyroid fully evaluated, please call our office today and make an appointment with Dr.Orona.

Happy Holidays from NFC!!!!!

The year is almost to a end and at NFC we are thankful for our patients who have become a part of the NFC Family and make our jobs so easy and rewarding. Naturopathic Family Care would like to wish all of you Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.

Here are a couple articles from NFC's own Physicians for the last edition of Naturopathic Family Care News.

See everyone in 2011!!!!

Detoxification for better health and wellness
By Dr. Marianne Marchese

Those of us living in Maricopa County might be surprised to learn that we-and our neighbors in Gila country-are exposed to more cancer causing chemicals than 90% of all other counties in the US. Very few of us recognize the year-round threat to our health and well-being that these chemicals pose. These chemicals are found in the water that we drink and the water we use to shower and bathe. They are in our air, food and products we use at home.

Normally our bodies are equipped to metabolize and eliminate chemicals. This is called detoxification. However, since we are bombarded with so many chemicals each day our body becomes overburdened with these toxins. There is hope. There are simple ways to assist the body in the removal of these chemicals and improve health and prevent illness and disease. Let me take you through a simple 3 week detoxification plan to improve your health and prevent disease. Learn more at http://www.drmarchese.com/

Holiday Wish List

By Dr. Marie Niechwiadowicz

At this time of the year many become frantic searching for the perfect gift. Give the gifts that will inspire health (I have no financial interest in any of my suggestions.)

1. Shower filter. If you live in an apartment, condo, or don’t have complete filtration for your house, consider an Aquasana inline shower filter head. Reduce your exposure to chlorine, VOC’s and heavy metals. Your skin and hair will love it.

2. While you are installing the shower filter, add in a ShowerBreeze Oral Irrigator. It is basically a water pik system for your showerhead. Irrigate and keep your gums healthy. Get the extra long hose and your grout will never look better.

3. Staying in the bathroom – a bidet seat. We attribute the high incidence of hemorrhoids in the United States to our poor diet but culturally we have poor bathroom hygiene. If you got fecal matter on your hands, would you wipe it of with a tissue? The Euros have bidets; the Japanese have bidet seats. These seats attach directly to any standard toilet. Press a button and the nozzle comes out to wash the designated area. Fancy versions are heated, have dryers, and pulsing actions. Extremely helpful for urinary tract infections, candida, and hemorrhoids. Toyo and Church are common brands. Home Depot carries bidet seats.

4. Kitchen scale – portion distortion is the main reason for being over weight. For one month weigh your food and track how much you are actually eating.

5. Balance ball -- use it as your desk chair, sit on it while you eat or watch TV. Aside from building core strength, increased proprioception leads to an increase in mental function.

Celebrate your own health and enjoy your holidays.

Naturopathic Care: Don't Wait Any Longer to Feel Your Best!!!

As always this edition of Naturopathic Family Care's Newsletter is filled with extremely useful and informative articles by NFC's own physicians.

Dr. Ross tells us about how poor sleep can be linked to many other serious health issues, Dr. Orona informs us of the how hidden allergic reactions could be affecting us and Dr. DiCampli explains how vital fish oils are for health and well being.

Dont miss out on the great info bellow!

If you have questions about any of the following articles or would like to speak to someone about Naturopathic Care in general, please call us at 602.493.2273

Weight gain, snoring and health risks:

Do I have sleep apnea?
Ross Kerievsky DC ND

Many people snore at night or wake feeling that they didn’t get a good night sleep. Is it possible that a poor amount or quality of sleep can affect your health and risk of developing high blood pressure, pre-diabetes or diabetes? The answer may be surprising. Recent research has been demonstrating that a poor sleep pattern or having undiagnosed sleep apnea can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke.

What is sleep apnea? To simplify things, sleep apnea occurs when your airway becomes blocked while sleeping. There are a number of factors that can be associated with having this occur including your weight, your sleep position, some anatomical soft tissue problems, etc. Also as you age, your risk for developing the problem can greatly increase.

A recent study found that your risk for having sleep apnea is approximately 57% if you are obese. That number jumps to between 75-98% if you are obese and diabetic.

While these numbers are sobering, there is good news. Firstly, if you are suffering from poor sleep, fatigue, snoring or waking unrefreshed, you need to have a health screen to see whether sleep study testing is warranted. If you also are overweight, obese or are suffering from hypertension, pre-diabetes or diabetes, this screen is even more vital.

Allergy Alert!
Shahrzad Orona NMD

Do fresh-picked peaches make you sneeze?

Does eating celery tickle your tongue?

Studies show that if you’re allergic to seasonal pollens, your immune system may mistake the proteins of certain raw fruits and vegetables for those in pollen, causing you to wheeze, itch or swell. These proteins are in fruit and vegetable skins, so cooking and peeling produce may help reduce reactions.

If you have experienced a rash, shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling or difficulty breathing after eating certain foods, you should remove them from your diet.

People have experienced severe symptoms after exposure to even minute amounts of a food to which they are allergic.. A person allergic to wheat can have a serious reaction after eating french fries cooked in oil that was used to cook breaded foods.
Sometimes, certain foods cause symptoms that may be misdiagnosed. Heartburn often is misdiagnosed as too much stomach acid or the regurgitation of food into the esophagus when it really may be a food allergy. Other commonly misdiagnosed symptoms include bloating, diarrhea, constipation or canker sores.

If your symptoms indicate food allergies, we can do several different types of testing to determine which foods cause allergic reactions or sensitivities.

Allergies: what they may be associated with. . .

BirchApple: carrot, cherry, pear, peach, plum, fennel, walnut, potato, spinach, wheat, buckwheat, peanut, honey, celery, kiwi fruit, hazelnut, anise, coriander, cumin

Mugwort Sage: Celery, carrot, spices, melon, watermelon, apple, chamomile, hazelnut, anise, fennel, coriander, cumin

GrassPotato: Melon, tomato, watermelon, orange, cherry, peanut, celery

Ragweed: Chamomile, honey, banana, sunflower seeds, cucumbers, cantaloupe or other melon, zucchini

Latex: Avocado, potato, banana, tomato, chestnut, kiwi fruit, herbs, carrot

Peanuts: Legumes, grass, wheat, corn

Plantains: Melon

Cats: Camels (hair may be woven into rugs)

How Important is Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Pregnancy, Infancy, and Childhood?

Jesika DiCampli, NMD

Omega-3s (EPA & DHA) most important benefit is to properly regulate immune function, metabolism, cellular fluidity, signaling, mediation, and gene expression. DHA has a positive effect on cell membranes and neurotransmitter signaling in the brain making it of significant importance to neural protection and development. Omega-3s also have a role in reducing many forms of cancer by increasing the rate of tumor cell death and reducing oxidative stress that contributes to the formation of cancer.

Omega-3s are converted to DHA & EPA as Omega-6s are converted into arachadonic acid. This means that EPA & DHA act to be ANTI-INFLAMMATORY throughout the entire body. In contrast, Arachadonic acid from O-6s is INFLAMMATORY.

Dietary sources of α-linolenic acid (Omega-3), the precursor of DHA and EPA, include walnuts, rapeseed and flax seed oils, and green leafy vegetables. However, the conversion from these foods to EPA & DHA can be challenging for most individuals who are deficient in an enzyme (delta 6 desaturase). This is why most Omega-3s must be obtained from fish which does not rely on delta 6 desaturase

The American diet is focused on grain products, dairy, and meats. This type of diet is heavy with omega-6 oils (saturated fats, vegetable oil, linoleic acid) and not the omega-3s (fish, a-linoleic acid). This western diet leads to an imbalance of the fatty acids causing elevated levels of O-6 versus O-3.

Most pregnant women avoid ingestion of fish due to the concern of chemical contaminants and high mercury levels. This imbalance of oils can cause an inflammatory effect through out the body and possibly contribute to infertility, preterm birth, pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia, lower birth weight, post partum depression, and other complications.

In the third trimester of pregnancy, omega-3 fatty acids are selectively transferred to the fetus to meet the demands of rapid brain growth, and DHA accumulates in the fetal brain at a rate of approximately 15 mg/week. DHA is the predominant fatty acid found in the brain, requiring maternal mobilization of essential fatty acids at an estimated 70 mg/day. If there is a deficiency in maternal intake, a depletion can occur during pregnancy and lactation leading to an increased risk for depression.

Decreased Omega-3 oils in infants can contribute to allergic responses and suboptimal neurological development. Children who received DHA via cod liver oil from birth until age 4 had higher test scores reflecting mental development than children who received corn oil or no supplementation. Also, there is evidence that children with low O-3 fatty acid consumption was more at risk for developing attention and mood disorders.

How much Omega-3s should you and your children be ingesting? Find out! Dr. DiCampli offers EFA testing and she can determine the proper amount of Omegas that you and your family need, and which supplements are of the highest quality.

October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As many of you are aware, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As this disease effects so many, it presents us with a good time to stop and think about what breast cancer awareness means? It can mean many things such as a pink ribbon, a 3-day walk, or giving a donation at the grocery store. It can also be an opportunity. At Longevity Medical Health Center we want to use this month not only to increase breast cancer awareness, but to promote breast cancer prevention as well.



We have some great articles this month:

Dr. Jake Psenka discusses breast cancer risk factors and outlines the premier breast cancer risk assessment- the MOM Panel.

Dr. Sean Rankin writes about getting back to the essentials of health.

Dr. Marie describes the Traditional Chinese Medicine view on breast cancer

The MOM Panel by Jake Psenka, ND

As this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I started thinking about what this means to me as a naturopathic doctor. The first thing that came to mind was the fact that breast cancer rates have been decreasing by approximately 2% every year since 1996. This is no doubt the result of the many great public education campaigns promoting early detection through regular check-ups and self-breast exams. Discovering and diagnosing breast cancer in it’s earliest stages dramatically improves treatment outcomes. These public awareness campaigns save lives, there’s no doubt about it.

However, even with increased public awareness about breast cancer, this disease continues to be a major health problem. The latest issue of the journal Cancer, as published by the American Cancer Society, just reported the 2010 cancer statistics for the US. This article reported that over 207,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, and another 39,000 will succumb to their disease.

Currently, most efforts aimed at decreasing the incidence of breast cancer are centered on early detection and treatment of disease. As a naturopathic physician, I believe that one of the best ways to fight a disease is to prevent it from ever occurring. It has been estimated that roughly 85% of cancers are due to some sort of risk factor other than genetics. It is an established fact that the many breast cancers could be avoided if a woman’s risk factors were identified and corrected.

This is true even for women who have the breast cancer genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. These two breast cancer genes confer an overall lifetime risk of developing the disease of 40-85%. This means that out of 10 women who all carry the genes between 4 and 8 of them will develop breast cancer. Ever wonder why there is such a difference between 4 and 8, or why 100% of the gene-carrying women don’t develop the disease? The answer certainly has something to do with risk factors.

There are also those women who have increased risk due to having a first-degree relative with breast cancer. Having a mother or sister with the disease does indeed place a woman at higher risk, even if the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are not present. At least part of this increased risk is likely the result of shared risk factors. Dietary and physical activity habits, as well as exposure to different environmental substances are often shared among family members, and especially among people living together.

The big question at this point is which risk factors should be the focus of a breast cancer prevention strategy? Diet and exercise should be given high priority, as the potential benefits of these two are well established in the medical literature. Hormone levels are another factor that should be assessed. Ideally this would include an assessment of both the “good” and the “bad” estrogens present in a woman’s body.

Another risk factor that has been well studied is anxiety. Chronic anxiety can promote a host of problems, which ultimately lead to a reduction in overall health. Many people consider anxiety to be a mind-body issue, and it is, but even anxiety can be measured by looking at things like cortisol rhythms.

Exposure to environmental risk factors also contributes to the development of breast cancer. Associations have been made between breast cancer and exposure to things such as solvents, pesticides, and aromatic amines. One of the reasons that these chemicals are dangerous is because they can act as “endocrine disruptors,” meaning that they can upset the hormone balance in a woman’s body. Studies have also shown that in some cases exposure to pesticides can double the risk for developing breast cancer.

While knowing personal risk factors can be scary, it also can be lifesaving. By identifying any risk factors present it allows a person to begin taking steps to minimize these risks. Below is a laboratory risk panel, called the MOM (because it's what I'd give my mom), that I have put together based on a review of the medical literature concerning breast cancer risk.

Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Panel:

1. Body mass index to determine lean body mass and fat mass.

2. Omega-3-Fatty Acid analysis for essential fatty acid concentrations/ratios in the body.

3. Salivary cortisol as a way to determine the effects of anxiety on the body.

4. Comprehensive hormone panel including estrogen & estrogen metabolite assessment.

5. Environmental exposure panel including chlorinated pesticides, solvents, and aromatic amines.

6. Detoxigenomic panel for assessing genetic detoxification potential.

7. BRCA1 and BRCA2 – the breast cancer genes.

This panel represents a very detailed analysis of a woman’s breast cancer risk factors- consider it a “nothing held back” approach to risk assessment. The entire panel might not be right for every woman, and each test could be individually used depending on a woman’s history and lifestyle. If you are interested in learning more about this panel, a particular test, or about cancer prevention in general please consider me a resource.

So what does Breast Cancer Awareness month mean to me as a naturopathic physician? It’s an opportunity to educate moms, sisters, daughters and wives about they ways that they can prevent breast cancer.


Getting Back to the Essentials of Health
by Sean Rankin, DC


The American Cancer Society estimates 209,060 newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer between men and women in 2010. This figure is up from the 194,280 cases diagnosed in 2009. The number of people diagnosed with breast cancer has risen in the last year as has the number of people in the general population. More people = more diagnosed cases. An increase in the population is not the only increase we are seeing. The factors that impair the body's ability to function, destroy health, and contribute to the development of diseases such as cancer are escalating as well. More and more people are being diagnosed as overweight and obese, the number of people taking medication and the amount of medication people are taking is increasing, and the daily stress load along with environmental toxins and the number of vaccinations is also rising. Unfortunately, the number of people performing regular exercise is decreasing, as is the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats.

What does this all mean? Simply, as the health of our environment declines so does the health of our body. If we look around it is not just the incidence of cancer that is on the rise it is the incidence of ill health overall that is on the rise. We desperately need to get back to the basic fundamentals of health and we need to do it soon. In a country where more than half the people rank chronic illness as their top fear isn't it time to take back control of our health?

Join me on October 23 at 11:00am to learn what you can do to take back your health and regain your life.


Chinese Medicine and Breast Cancer
by Marie Niechwiadowicz, ND

In Western medicine, breast cancer is attributed to lifestyle, diet, alcohol consumption, obesity, lack of exercise, environmental factors, and genetics. Aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. According to the CDC in 2006, 191,410 women were diagnosed with breast cancer with 40,820 women dying of breast cancer.

In traditional Chinese medicine, breast cancer is called "Ru Yan," or "breast stone." Chinese medicine believes that the fundamental cause of breast cancer is emotional disturbances such as excessive thinking or anger, which lead to functional disorders of the Liver and Spleen. A common causative pattern is that excessive Heat from a deficient Liver, combined with Phlegm Dampness due to Spleen dysfunction, results in the blockage of Chi and Blood, which then "condenses" into breast cancer. Another common causative pattern is when Liver Deficiency and Kidney Deficiency lead to Chi and Blood Deficiency. Chronic Chi and Blood deficiency then leads to Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis, which causes the formation of lumps in the breast. A third pattern is when Qi Stagnation and Phlegm accumulation lead to excessive Heat toxins, which then turn to hard breast lump masses.

Traditionally, four patterns of breast cancer are differentiated and treated: Liver Qi Stagnation (hard masses without pain and redness); Phlegm Heat Obstruction (hard masses with sharp pain and redness and swelling); Liver Kidney Deficiency (hard lumps with swelling and a dimpled appearance of the breast skin, discharges and indentation of the nipple); Qi Blood Deficiency (hard lumps with swelling, ruptured abscesses, spreading to the surrounding areas).

The liver is responsible for the smooth flow of qi (life force) through out the body. The liver stores the blood and provides the mind with intuition and inspiration. The emotion associated with the liver is anger. If this anger is not expressed, the flow of qi and blood stagnates causing the fore mentioned patterns of breast cancer. The liver channel also terminates underneath the breast and can become blocked through under wire bras and shallow breathing.

While it is overly simplistic to say emotion causes cancer, western medicine has identified a Type C personality. This personality may be characterized as someone who responds to stress with depression and a sense of hopelessness. Type C personalities have a tendency to be introverted, respectful, eager to please, conforming and compliant. While correlation is not causation there is significant correlation between the Type C personality just as there is correlation between Type A personality and heart disease.

Since Chinese medicine represents a holistic model of health where as Western medicine is reductionistic, it is valuable to look at emotional factors in breast health rather than deconstructing the individual to just risk factors and symptoms.

QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY INFORMATION IN THIS NEWSLETTER?

LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR DOCTORS?

PLEASE CALL US AT (602) 493-2273

www.4wecare.com

SEPTEMBER - Prostate Cancer Awareness & Cholesterol Education Month

This month we've put together another health-promoting, super informative newsletter. We also have some exciting news about things happening at the clinic.

First and foremost we are very happy to introduce a new member to our health care team, Dr. Sean Rankin, DC! You can learn more about Dr. Rankin and his treatment style by reading his biography below.

We also have several great articles for your reading pleasure this month:

Dr. Jesika DiCampli discusses cholesterol issues in children
Dr. Ross Kerievsky weighs in on fats vs. carbs for weight loss
Dr Tamburri highlights the recent Arizona Prostate Cancer Seminar


We will also be participating in this years Ultimate Women's Expo in Phoenix Sept 18th and 19th. This promises to be a great event. Stop by our booth for your chance to win some fantastic prizes!


Our
New Physician- Dr. Sean Rankin, DC

Dr. Sean is an expert in a type of Chiropractic care that takes into account each patient's unique individuality and bio-energy. He uses techniques such as Applied Kinesiology and Touch for Health which employ muscle testing to isolated muscles and in a particular sequence to impart information about the function of that muscle and its relation to a specific organ system. This approach provides a great low-force manipulation of the body and helps to realign the body's energy fields. To learn more about Dr. Sean and the services he offers please contact our office and we will be happy to provide information about his type of Chiropractic care.

Should you be concerned that your child could have high cholesterol?
by Dr. Jesika DiCampli, NMD



In 2007, the AHA released a scientific statement regarding lipid abnormalities in children. Fatty streaks are the first lesions in the progression to coronary atherosclerosis. According to the American Heart Association, research has found that up to 50% of children have at least some degree of aortic fatty streaks by 3 years of age, and these fatty streaks increase after 8 years of age. Fatty streaks can progress to fibrous plaques in the coronary arteries, and these plaques have been demonstrated on autopsy in 8% of children and adolescence.

The prevalence of lipid abnormalities in children is increasing, primarily in association with the concomitant epidemic of obesity and the metabolic syndrome. While the AHA does not recommend screening ALL children, those that are overweight or whom have a positive family history, recommend cholesterol screening in children and adolescents. Overweight children should also be screened for other aspects of the metabolic syndrome (blood pressure levels, elevated triglycerides, and high fasting glucose levels).

The AHA statement discusses the use of lipid lowering drug therapy for children and adolescence. Lifestyle modification including diet and exercise should be implemented for children as initial therapy, but statin drugs, for children who meet the criteria, are the first-line lipid-lowering therapy.

Drug Therapy of High-Risk Lipid Abnormalities in Children and Adolescents

A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association Atherosclerosis, Hypertension, and Obesity in Youth Committee, Council of Cardiovascular Disease in the Young, With the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing

Brian W. McCrindle, MD, MPH, Chair; Elaine M. Urbina, MD; Barbara A. Dennison, MD, FAHA; Marc S. Jacobson, MD, FAHA; Julia Steinberger, MD, MS; Albert P. Rocchini, MD, FAHA; Laura L. Hayman, PhD, RN, FAHA; Stephen R. Daniels, MD, PhD, FAHA (Circulation. 2007;115:1948-1967.)

Since 2007, the AHA has begun to investigated possible noninvasive tools for assessing atherosclerosis in children. Mainly, they are focused on implementing more clinical research on the subject.

The question is how can you prevent heart disease in your children? The answer is with lifestyle modification, NOT DRUG THERAPY. Come to gain more insight from Dr. DiCampli’s talk on Keeping Our Kids Healthy and Happy.

Which is better? Low fat or low carb for weight loss?
by Dr. Ross Kerievsky, DC ND



A recent study in the August issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine looked at approximately 300 obese patients over two years on whether a low fat or low carbohydrate diet is more beneficial. The results were somewhat surprising.

Both groups had an average weight loss of 24 pounds in the first year and 15 pounds in the second year. What was interesting was that the low carb patient group had some increased benefit vs. the low fat in their cholesterol numbers. They saw an early decrease in their VLDL and triglyceride levels. They also saw an increase in their HDL numbers. There were also some mild unpleasant side effects for being on the low carb diet including bad breath, constipation, hair loss and dry mouth.

The amount of carbohydrates that were used in the study was 20 grams per day for 12 weeks with slowly increasing amounts in later weeks. The low fat group was restricted to 1200-1500 calories for women and 1500-1800 calories for men.

In my opinion, this study sheds light on the fact that both low carb and low fat diets can be helpful in obese patients for losing weight. In my opinion, a combination of these two diets may be the best option for achieving the reduction in cardiovascular numbers such as blood pressure and lipid levels while maintaining the ability to have complex carbohydrates in the diet. Hopefully future studies can shed light on this topic.

I treat patients medically with nutrition programs that are a combination of a Mediterranean lifestyle and a restriction in simple carbohydrates. This dietary plan seems to work well with many patients to help achieve their weight loss goals and reduce their cardiovascular risk markers. For more information on a specific plan for you, please feel free to contact the office for an appointment with me.


Longevity Medical Health Center Leads Further Into Integrative Medicine
by Dr. Phranq Tamburri, NMD

Last weekend our men's health and prostate expert Dr. Tamburri was a featured speaker at the prestigious Arizona Prostate Cancer Seminar held at the Wellness Community in downtown Phoenix. He shared the stage with three other top physicians in the area of urology. This included Dr. Murty, MD, MPA a certified radiation oncologist, Top Doc Dr. Larry Bans, MD a urologist known for early promotion of active surveillance, and lastly a true celebrity doctor, Richard Ablin, PhD who is famous for discovering the PSA blood test for prostate cancer. Dr. Ablin had become infamous recently due to his industry shattering research that his own test, the PSA, harms more men than it saves. Dr. Tamburri spoke primarily about the highly regarded Advanced Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment protocol for assessing a higher degree of cancer mortality and overall risk for both biopsied and non-biopsied ‘prostate cancer’.

Although not planned, all four lectures began revolving and complementing each other. This was mainly with regard to the evolving and forthcoming new standards and interpretation of the PSA. Dr.Ablin’s recent explosive Opinion Editorial to the New York Times this year was the highlight for the event. The renowned medical researcher reviewed his detailed data backing his editorial. Most interestingly the audience, made up mostly of prostate cancer survivors, did not strongly argue with his premise but appeared to follow along in agreement. Dr. Tamburri followed next explaining real world clinical examples of the faulty PSA discussed earlier. Dr. Tamburri's assessment of these clinical concerns of whether or not a cancer requires surgery, radiation, or natural treatments led into the third lecture by Dr.Bans. He discussed the conservative uses for radical prostate surgery. Similar integrative points were brought up by Dr. Murty as he reviewed various forms of radiation treatments.

What stood out from this medical gathering was the uneventful notice of the integration and respect between various fields in prostate cancer (PhD, medical surgeon, radiation oncologist, and naturopathic medical doctor). Most significantly was the recognition and acknowledgment that each of these disciplines, represented by current professionals, were coming to similar conclusions with regard to the future assessing of prostate cancer. This is not only benefits the future of integrative medicine but moreover is a victory for patient care.

To learn more about how Dr. Tamburri can help to differentiate between aggressive and more common low aggressive prostate disorders (surgery vs. drugs vs. natural) please visit our home page and click on Dr. Tamburri name on the doctors menu. Feel free also to contact our staff to inquire about the advanced Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment @ 602-493-2273.