Food Poisoning

This weeks Health Tip will start with a question and end with an answer. If a person develops nausea, abdominal cramping, diarhea, vomiting and chills due to eating tainted food, should you call that person sick or should you call that person healthy? Salmonella is one of many bacteria that, when present in food, can cause food poisoning. The Center of Disease Control reports that there are an estimated 1.4 million reported cases of salmonella based food poisoning each year in the United States. The salmonella bacteria, when taken in the human body, causes the lining of the stomach and the intestines to swell. Resulting symptoms include nausea, fever, chills, vomiting, diarrhea and muscle aches. Salmonella infection rarely causes death, though the CDC states that there are an estimated 1000 deaths per year due to salmonella poisoning. Statistically a low number, these deaths primarily occur in the very young, elderly, or people who are compromised with disease or with weakened immune systems. One of the main complications of salmonella poisoning that leads to death is dehydration due to the excessive vomiting, diarrhea and fever. The body becomes rapidly depleted of fluids, which puts an enormous strain on the heart. When food poisoning is evident, it is extremely important to remain hydrated by taking in fluids on a regular basis. If fluids can not be kept down, intra-venous (IV) fluid intake is the next step. To avoid salmonella poisoning, cook all animal products thoroughly, as salmonella can live in raw meat, poultry and eggs. Heat kills the salmonella bacteria. Also, clean all cooking preparation surfaces and utensils thoroughly (hands too), as the bacteria is easily passed from meat to surfaces. To answer the question at the top of the paragraph, a person who is vomiting with chills, fever and diarrhea due to eating tainted, poisoned food, is actually healthy, not sick. A healthy body responds to food bacteria by trying to rid the body of the bacteria in anyway possible. Unfortunately, as this cleansing process is happening, knowing you are healthy is the last thing on your mind.

Thought for the Week: "The patient must be guided toward discovering the healing powers that lie within him. Faith in pills and external treatments can be replaced with faith in oneself." --- Dennis Jaffe. Ph.D

Chiropractic Thought for the Week: "Health is a condition in which all body functions are carried on normally, meeting all body demands for adaptation to the environment." --------- Galen Price, D.C.

Probiotics

Health Tip of the Week: The human digestive system contains approximately 500 different types of bacteria living inside its different organs. Some of the bacteria is good and some of it is bad. In order to maintain a healthy digestive and immune system, the good and bad bacteria must be kept in proper balance. The "bad" bacteria comes from, and more importantly thrives on poor nutrition (junk food), antibiotic therapy and stress. This type of bacteria weakens the digestive system allowing toxins to build up, which then threatens the immune system. The "good" bacteria gobbles up the toxins and waste products in the digestive system allowing the immune system to function properly, which in turn contributes to good health. When the balance of "good" and "bad" bacteria in the digestive system is out of synch, many kinds of illnesses can occur. One of the most important keys to health is maintaining, or even building a better ratio of "good" bacteria vs "bad" bacteria. Probiotic therapy is the addition of "good" bacteria into the body through diet or supplementation. The most common forms of "good" bacteria are acidolphilus, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Probiotics are found in yogurt, sauerkraut, some cottage cheeses and various manufactured probiotic supplements. For optimal health in children and adults, probiotics should be consumed on a daily basis. Recently, a study in Finland found the severity and durations of respiratory infections dramatically decreased in children that supplemented their diet with probiotics all winter long. In addition, conditions such as diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, stomach ulcers and chronic yeast infections have all been shown to improve from probiotic consumption.

Thought for the Week: "When diet is wrong medicine is of no use. When diet is correct medicine is of no need." ~Ayurvedic Proverb

Chiropractic Thought for the Week: One of the greatest wide receivers in National Football League history is now telling how he managed to withstand all those truly "vicious" hits he took. "Chiropractic care was key to keeping me in the game," says Jerry Rice, who helped the San Francisco 49ers win three Super Bowl Championships between 1985 and 2000. Rice first became a believer in chiropractic care right before the 49ers were to play the Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII. A couple of key players were injured, and he credits a chiropractor for turning things around. "Ever since then, I've had the benefit of chiropractic care," says Rice, a 13-time Pro Bowl football player, with 38 career records, who retired from the NFL. -------- North American Press Syndicate, NY, New York

Physician, Heal Thy Self

Health Tip of the Week: I recently read an article in the New York Times titled, "The Six Habits of Highly Respectful Physicians." The article basically talks about how medical schools are missing the boat when it comes to teaching doctors a simple virtue, good manners. It was reported, that as would-be doctors went through medical school, they became more and more arrogant, developing a bit of an ego problem. It is suggested that it would behoove the doctors to learn manners and be respectful of their patients. I also feel this goes for the doctors support staff. How many doctors really know what goes on in their front reception area? I hear countless stories of rude receptionists, billing departments and appointment takers. The Golden Rule doesn't exclude doctors and their office staff. Do onto others as you would have done onto you. Having been in private practice for 20 years, I would like to think that I am polite, caring and pleasant with my patients. The credo that keeps me this way (other than it comes natural, with my sparkling personality) is that I firmly believe that I am an employee of my patients. Yes, I have to make the health care decisions that are best for them, but the bottom line is that I work for my patients. If I want to keep my job, I have to be respectful and courteous. The same goes for my office staff. The office staff is a reflection of the doctors office. (Elysa actually outshines me in this area). My health tip for you this week is this, if your doctors are grouches, let them know. If they don't care about changing, fire them. If their staff are mean and rude, let the doctors know this too. I have a hunch, they don't have a clue, or why would those mean staff still be working there.

Thought for the Week: "Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter which fork you use." ~Emily Post

Chiropractic Thought for the Week: Disease is not killing our population, lifestyle choices are. Spending money to treat disease will never get rid of disease. Spending money to prevent disease is what it will take to eradicate disease. Teaching healthy lifestyle choices, from proper nutrition, exercise, stress management to preventative wellness chiropractic, massage, acupuncture and medical visits is the only sound way to build health and prevent disease in today's society.

The Flu, Part 2

Last week we talked about the main cause of catching the flu. An immune system that is not working to the best of it's ability can almost guarantee an illness from germs and viruses. The main idea in preventing the flu is to build and improve immune system function. The following compilation lists practices that strengthen the immune system. First, make sure that you get enough sleep. The immune system repairs itself, regenerates and functions better when one has enough sleep. 8 hrs or more is best. Stress levels have a negative impact on immune system health, the more stressed you are the more worn out you are. Chronic stress is one of the biggest causes of illness in mankind. Manage stress with meditation, deep breathing and exercise. Speaking of exercise, exercise causes chemical reactions in the body that strengthen the immune system. Typically, people who exercise regularly get sick less often and recover faster. Avoid sugar. Sugar weakens the immune system. A high in sugar snack or drink can actually lower immune system function immediately. Drink plenty of water. Water hydrates all of the cells in the body, keeping them healthy. 8 glasses of 8 ounces of water a day. Eat right. Poor nutrition is the main contributor of low immune levels. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. Limit or eliminate fried foods, trans-fats and high fructose corn syrup. Eat a diet high in fiber and low in refined carbohydrates. The immune system is controlled by the nervous system. When the nervous system is free of interference, the body is much healthier. Monthly chiropractic spinal adjustments improves nerve flow from the spinal joints and helps the body to work better. Lastly, wash your hands often. I know we said that germs by themselves do not cause the flu, but if your immune system is below par, washing hands often is a good form of protection.

Thought for the Week: "My illness is due to my doctor's insistence that I drink milk, a whitish fluid they force down helpless babies."

---- W. C. Fields US actor (1880 - 1946)

Chiropractic Thought for the Week: "Dear Friends, I am glad to have this opportunity to again share my thoughts on the role doctors
of chiropractic play in the American health care system. As I have said before, doctors of chiropractic play an important role in our health care system, and my commitment to you and your patients remains strong. As I have said, I believe steps should be taken to acknowledge the important care provided by doctors of chiropractic. We need to knock down unreasonable barriers of access and discriminatory insurance coverage so Americans in need of quality chiropractic care can access it without difficulty." -------- President Elect, Barack OBama

The Flu, Part 1

Since November is National Flu Awareness month, let's take a look at what causes the flu. Naturally, the gut reaction is to answer germs, bacteria and viruses spread from one person to another. While the germs do contain flu viruses, this is not necessarily the cause of the flu in each individual. Germs in and by themselves do not actually cause illness. For example, why is it that on any given day a person can be surrounded by sick people with all of the coughing, sneezing, runny noses and vomiting and not get sick. Not even a sniffle. And then on another particular day, a person can sneeze a city block away from you and then you get the worst illness you ever had. It's not the germ, it's your immune system. Millions of germs and viruses exist in our world, surrounding our bodies on a daily basis, yet we do not always get sick. How well your immune system is functioning determines how your body adapts to a given germ or virus. If your immune system is at the top of it's game, your body's ability to fight germs, viruses and bacteria is much more effective then if it is not. An immune system compromised by stress, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, lack of exercise and a dysfunctional nervous system will be much more susceptible to a flu virus. Next week we look at how each of these health factors effects immune system competence.

Thought for the Week: "Refuse to be ill. Never tell people you are ill; never own it to yourself. Illness is one of those things which a man should resist on principle." ---- Edward Bulwer-Lytton , English dramatist, novelist, & politician (1803 - 1873)

Chiropractic Thought for the Week: Dr. Todd Clayton, Vice President of the New Brunswick Chiropractic Association also believes that whole body health has many benefits when it comes to surviving the winter. "Chiropractic care optimizes the function of the neuromusculoskeletal system, thereby enhancing the body's potential for overall health, well-being, and quality of life. Chiropractors also regularly answer questions and make suggestions regarding nutrition, exercise, and numerous other aspects concerning their patients' health and well-being," Todd says. ---- New Brunswick Times and Transcript

The Flu Shot

This may be the most important health tip I have ever written, at the very least it will be the most controversial. It is currently the time of year when the Pharmaceutical Industry is pushing the flu shot vaccine. Before you make your decision to get jabbed, as they say in the United Kingdom, here are some new interesting facts concerning the shot and the flu itself. As always, make any decision based on the facts of the matter. Weigh the pros and cons and then make the best decision for yourself. The flu shot contains mercury, aluminum and formaldehyde as additives. There is some evidence to link the aluminum in the vaccine to Alzheimer's disease. The mercury, whether right or wrong, (the debate still rages on) has been implicated in autism. Adverse reactions to the flu shot that have been reported include joint inflammation, arthritis and allergic reactions. Whether you feel the additives are not an issue or are of big concern, the actual effectiveness of the flu vaccine has also been brought into question. A Group Health Study found that the flu shot does not actually protect the elderly against the flu and definitely does not protect them from pneumonia which is a complication of the flu. Vaccine coverage in the elderly has increased from 15% in 1980 to 65% now and yet there has been no decrease in the amount of deaths from the flu or pneumonia in that time period. As far as children are concerned, the October issue of Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine states that vaccinating young children against the flu has had no impact on the amount of flu-related hospitalizations or doctor visits. They also concluded that vaccine effectiveness could not be demonstrated for any season, age, or setting. In addition, a systematic review of 51 studies involving 260,000 children age 6 to 23 months found no evidence that the flu vaccine is any more effective than a placebo. Since November is National Flu Awareness Month, the next few Health Tips will revolve around flu prevention and care.

Sources: LewRockwell.com October 3, 2008 EMS Responder September 9, 2008 WebMD October 6, 2008 Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine October 2008; 162(10):943-51

Thought for the Week: "Sickness is the vengeance of nature for the violation of her laws." ~Charles Simmons

Chiropractic Thought for the Week: "Another common question is, if we have no pain, how can we know it's time to see a chiropractor? Says Dr. Gentempo: "In today's fast-paced environment it is normal that people have physical, chemical and emotional stresses beyond the individual's ability to remove or even adapt to. As a result, spinal misalignments and nerve disturbance are extremely common. There is abundance medical and scientific evidence that even a small amount of nerve disturbance or pressure can cause altered nerve function. Thus, I can't overemphasis the importance of regular trips to the chiropractor, even before symptoms appear, to check for spinal subluxations. This is preventive, so that an individual may optimize their potential for good health and at the same time prevent future health challenges before they become severe." -------- Dr. Patrick Gentempo, wiretap from the Prudent Press Agency

Take a Look in the Mirror

Mirror check. The mirror is a valuable tool. For one, it allows me to see how I magically appear to get better looking every day. But, more importantly it has a metaphorical significance. The expression, "take a look in the mirror" is used for one to delve deeper into themselves, to better understand their personality, pros and cons. Today's mirror check is about health, or should I say lack of health. Many people have chronic illnesses and health conditions that hamper their quality of life and the quality of their family's lives. People go to the doctor time and time again expecting miracles from their healer. When the miracles do not happen, health care becomes a merry-go-round of doctor visits, prescription drugs, therapy and spinal adjustments. Mirror Check. Why doesn't health improve? Nature intends the body to be self-healing. All bodies can heal, if they are taken care of. Mirror Check. Unhealthy bad habits prevent the body from healing the way nature intended it to. Do you smoke, drink and eat horrible food? How is your water intake? Are you sleeping enough? Getting enough exercise? Are you over weight? Are you obese? Stressed out? Your body can not heal, your quality of life will not improve unless these areas are paid attention too. One could visit their MD a million times and if unhealthy bad habits are prevalent, you will not get the health results you desire. One could have a hundred spinal adjustments and said spinal corrections will still not hold, if these bad habits are present. That being said, it is mirror check time. Look in the mirror, evaluate your current health and make a change.

Thought for the Week:

The best six doctors anywhere, And no one can deny it, Are sunshine, water, rest, and air, Exercise and diet.
These six will gladly you attend, If only you are willing, Your mind they'll ease, Your will they'll mend, And charge you not a shilling.
~Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, What the River Knows, 1990

Chiropractic Thought for the Week: Chiropractic is based on the premise that a vertebral subluxation or spinal joint dysfunction can interfere with the nervous system and result in many different conditions of diminished health. Today, this natural form of care examines the relationship between structure and function and its impact on neurological mechanisms in both health and disease.------- Wikipedia, The Free Enclyopedia.

Cholesterol

High Cholesterol is a major factor in heart disease and stroke. People who are diagnosed with high cholesterol are typically prescribed medications called Statins. Statin cholesterol-lowering drugs have been shown to cause nerve damage and to greatly impair memory. One reason that statin drugs have these various serious side effects is that they work by inhibiting a vital enzyme that manufactures cholesterol in your liver. This same enzyme also manufactures coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). CoQ10 is present in almost every cell in the body and is responsible for energy. CoQ10's highest concentration is found in the heart and the liver and is extremely important for the function of these organs. It has recently been reported that the most effective treatment for high cholesterol is diet and exercise. A diet high in soluble fiber (Oats, barley, rice, peas and beans) have a very beneficial effect on cholesterol levels. Research has also shown that by supplementing the diet with artichoke leaf extract , cholesterol levels may be lowered by 18%. The reason being is that artichoke leafs contain a substance called cynarin which seems to increase bile production and effect the speed of bile flow, important processes in the cholesterol scheme. Naturally, CoQ10 supplements have also been effective. As always, every cholesterol lowering trick in the book works best with regular exercise and a overall healthy diet.

Thought for the Week: Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it. ~Plato

Chiropractic Thought for the Week: "To understand chiropractic, one must understand and respect the absolute control of the nervous system in all things human. Every dimension of a person’s health well-being, mental/emotional state and bodily performance is under the guidance of their neurology. In fact, every aspect of human nature must be measured in terms of the integrity of the nervous system."

--- David Fletcher, DC

Knock, Knock. Who's There? Arthur. Arthur who? Arthritis!

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It is typically associated with aging, but it can also develop due to joint trauma and repetitive motion to the joints over a period of time. Repetitive motion can be from activities such as sports or work related activities. Two examples would be throwing a baseball for 20 years or using a hammer to bang nails for 20 years. Osteoarthritis is caused by the cartridge over the joints deteriorating. As the bones start to rub together this causes pain and swelling. As time goes on, the bones begin to misshapen, which can lead to bone spurs. This causes more pain and discomfort. Further pain increases due to cartilage breaking off in the joint. Sadly, Osteoarthritis, also know as Degenerative Joint Disease is also part of the normal aging process. As we get older, joints start to wear down. The main problem with bone and joint degeneration is related to acceleration. The more friction on the joint, the more accelerated the degeneration. As far as osteoarthritis in the spine goes, spinal bones that are out of alignment cause excessive friction on the spinal joint, accelerating the degenerative process. This is why in some cases a 35 year old may have the spinal deterioration of a 60 year old. A traumatic accident that injures the neck or the back when someone is in their 20's will cause spinal misalignments which then leads to friction on the spinal bones that over time will show up as arthritis. To keep the joint surfaces healthy, Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements have been shown to provide the nutrition for healthy joint surfaces. Omega 3 fats, as found in fish oils provide an anti-inflammatory effect on the joints, easing discomfort. SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) has been shown to be just as effective as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, but without the obvious health risk to the stomach, kidneys and liver. Resistance exercise strengthens bone density and helps keep motion in the joints. Smokers have an increased risk of arthritis due to toxins from the nicotine building up in the body, increasing inflammation.

Thought for the Week: "Give what you have to someone, it may be better than you dare to think." ----Longfellow

Chiropractic Thought for the Week: Chiropractic spinal adjustments, performed on a regular basis, reduce friction on the spinal joint. The adjustment puts motion into the spinal joint reducing joint friction. Spinal vertebral alignment correction should take place after any and all accidents that involve the neck and back. By correcting the alignment today, a reduction in degenerative changes from the accident will be the result. Preventative spinal adjustments maintain the health of the spinal joints helping to ensure a healthy spine well into old age.