73c8c83a

How Can Neuropathy Treatment Help Me?

Mon, 08 May 2023 17:21:12 GMT

How Can Neuropathy Treatment Help Me?

We understand that you or a loved one may be struggling with neuropathy type symptoms.

These symptoms appear in a variety on discomforts. These include but are not limited to: pain, numbness, tingling, burning sensation, cold sensation, swelling, tightness, cramping, balance issues, sleep disturbances, and/or discoloration on the skin.

WHAT IS NEUROPATHY ?

Neuropathy (peripheral or other) is any form of nerve damage that begins when the body’s nerves are breaking down faster than the body can heal them. Unfortunately, neuropathy is a progressive disorder and will continue to spread throughout the body and symptoms will continue to get worse without intervention. Neuropathy typically starts in the toes and will work its way up through the legs. Symptoms may also begin in the hands and work up the arms.

Many people have the belief that neuropathy is linked to diabetes only. Though 80% of diabetics have been diagnoses with neuropathy, there are hundreds of sources that cause nerve damage. Injury, surgery, medications, illness, chemo/radiation, genetics, auto- immune conditions, infections, vaccines, viruses such as COVID all have been proven links to nerve damage. There are over 30 million Americans and in growing rapidly

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE NEUROPATHY?

The first indicator is to assess your symptoms.

Pain, sleep disturbances, cramping, and discoloration can have many underlining issues. However, if the symptoms consist of numbness, tingling, burning, and/or coldness, these symptoms are directly correlated to nerve damage. Only nerves that are damaged would send these signals to your brain to alert you that they are damaged.

Here at One Degree Functional Health, we offer free nerve screenings. In these screenings, we take thermal pictures of you feet (and hands if symptoms have progressed). This will show us the amount of blood flow through the nerves. Lack of blood flow is a great indicator of nerve damage.

Bright Yellow = adequate blood flow

Orange - compromised blood flow

Purple = lack of blood flow

I've been told there's no hope for healing nerves

This is a common concern we hear. The common care for damaged nerves is to first test the large blood vessels through a doppler ultrasound. Unfortunately, circulation to the nerve is often hindered by the small blood vessels that wrap around the nerve.

Dopplers do not measure those vessels and many times result in a “normal” reading when there is blood flow issues.

The only option given to many patients is to live with the symptoms until they worsen to an unbearable level. At that point, medication - such as Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and others are prescribed to mask the symptoms.

These medications fall under a classification called anticonvulsive. These are not pain meds but seizure medications. The purpose of the medication is to slow the brain activity down. Unfortunately, many neurologists and primary care physicians prescribe this medication to neuropathy patients in hopes that your brain will slow to a point of not recognizing the pain signals your body is giving.

As your body fights through the slow pathways of the brain to alert you that something needs attention, the only option given is to up the dose to confuse the body more. This is why many experience harsh side effects such as confusion, mood swings, balance issues, lethargy, and physical illness. These medications have also been directly linked to cause neuropathy to progress placing you in a dangerous cycle of masking a symptom with a chemical that is causing that symptom to worsen.

There is the option of invasive surgeries that are offered. These surgeries consist of a nerve transfer (cutting the nerve path to reroute it in hopes it gets more blood flow), radiofrequency ablation (heating small area on inner tissue to destroy the nerve completely changing pain to complete numbness), or, if a diabetic, a possible amputation of the foot (removal of problem area in hopes of preventing further diabetes complications).

What we do different

The testing we do is a very detailed exam. This consists of, not only checking the large blood vessels, but making sure the small vessels that wrap around the nerve are healthy. Our staff will also conduct a specific sensory exam to determine the percentage of nerve damage that you are currently at.

A nitric oxide level will be tested as this is an essential nutrient to heal. A motor test may be performed if your neuropathy has progressed to hindering your large motor skills. In order for your case to be understood fully - other test such as xrays or metabolic tests may be performed in office as well.

Treatment at One Degree Functional Health

Our treatment plans are designed for each specific patient in what their nerves need to heal. The main components include stimulating the nerve, increasing blood circulation, and giving the nerve proper nutrition. We utilize technology discovered by NASA to produce a process called angiogenesis (building of new blood vessels).

We have programs that can be done in the comfort of your own home or ones that combine your home therapies with the technology in our office to see faster results. Though healing takes time, we make realistic goals with our patients for them to work towards in 90 days, 6 months, and 1 year. With your commitment, we as a staff become dedicated to helping you reach each goal.

We have a 97% success rate in not only stopping the progression of nerve damage but restoring nerves that had tested as damaged.

You can see our patient’s victories in reaching their goals on our Face Book Page or check out our patient's Testimonials !

Why Is Gut Health Important?

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 18:21:12 GMT

Why is Gut Health Important?

Gut health is essential for overall well-being and plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy body. The gut, also known as the gastrointestinal tract, is a complex system that includes the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. It is responsible for digesting food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste from the body.

There are trillions of bacteria living in the gut, known as the gut microbiota, which play a vital role in maintaining gut health. These bacteria help break down food, produce essential nutrients, and protect the gut from harmful pathogens. When the balance of these bacteria is disrupted, it can lead to various health problems.

One of the main reasons why gut health is important is its impact on the immune system. The gut is home to a large portion of the body's immune cells, which help protect against infections and diseases. A healthy gut microbiota is essential for maintaining a strong immune system and preventing illness.

Additionally, the gut is often referred to as the "second brain" due to its connection to the central nervous system. The gut and brain communicate through the gut-brain axis, a complex network of nerves and hormones. This connection plays a crucial role in regulating mood, behavior, and cognitive function.

Research has shown that imbalances in the gut microbiota can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and even neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Maintaining a healthy gut is essential for supporting mental health and overall well-being.

Furthermore, gut health is closely linked to digestion and nutrient absorption. A healthy gut microbiota helps break down food and extract essential nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, from the diet. When the gut is not functioning properly, it can lead to nutrient deficiencies and digestive issues like bloating, gas, and constipation.

Poor gut health has also been linked to various chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Imbalances in the gut microbiota can lead to inflammation, which is a key factor in the development of these conditions. Maintaining a healthy gut is essential for reducing the risk of chronic diseases and promoting overall health.

There are several factors that can impact gut health, including diet, lifestyle, medications, and stress. A diet high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria and lead to inflammation. On the other hand, a diet rich in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and probiotic-rich foods can support a healthy gut microbiota.

Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management are also important for maintaining gut health. Exercise has been shown to promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and reduce inflammation. Sleep is essential for gut health, as it allows the body to repair and regenerate cells, including those in the gut. Chronic stress can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria and lead to digestive issues.

In addition to diet and lifestyle factors, medications can also impact gut health. Antibiotics, for example, can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria and lead to digestive issues. It is important to use antibiotics judiciously and to take probiotics to restore the balance of gut bacteria after a course of antibiotics.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help support gut health. They can be found in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi, as well as in supplement form. Probiotics help maintain the balance of gut bacteria and support digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function.

In conclusion, gut health is essential for overall well-being and plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy body. A healthy gut microbiota is important for supporting the immune system, mental health, digestion, nutrient absorption, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. By adopting a healthy diet, lifestyle, and incorporating probiotics into your routine, you can support gut health and promote overall wellness. Remember, a healthy gut is a happy gut!