Hello again everyone: In a recent article and press release, the American Academy of Neurology now recommends annual cognitive screening for adults 65+ as well as those with any cognitive symptoms. Cognitive symptoms include such things as brain fog, post-concussion issues, and more…especially any early life changes in cognitive function as these changes are known to precede dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease. Quality health care must include patients being able to know whether or not they have cognitive problems. Cognitive decline has several gradations: · MCI or mild cognitive impairment: this is when only you notice the changes and no one else does. It could be memory changes, changes in recall of procedures or location or why you walked into the room etc. If they are becoming frequent enough that you notice, then get checked. · Moderate cognitive impairment ... Read more
Archives for September 2019
Sugary and Artificially Sweetened Sodas Increase All-Cause Mortality (Death)
Hello again everyone: In previous newsletters I have outlined how sugar shrinks the brain, causes weight gain, insulin resistance, and various other health problems. I have also outlined how artificial sweeteners are actually just as damaging to our health. Here is another ‘nail in the coffin’ for both sugar and artificial sweeteners. Read more
Exercise Is An Effective Anti-depressant
Hello again to everyone: Do sleep problems, fatigue and physical inactivity lead to a depressed mood, or is it the other way around? The answer seems to be that it goes both ways: depression can lead to inactivity, or inactivity can lead to depression. Read more
Burnout: Part 6: Whole Body Systems Approach
Hello again: This is the last of our installments on burnout and the underlying systems dysfunctions that are the causes, perpetuators or activators of the fatigue that accompanies chronic activation of the stress-response systems. The most common things that I find in those with ‘burnout’ are the same things that I find with issues that underlie most chronic health conditions, and it is usually a combination of: · Latent or hidden infections · Gut and digestive issues, including food allergies/intolerances/sensitivities · Persistently living in ‘fight or flight’ with anxiety issues · Nutrient imbalances from poor dietary choices or unique metabolic needs not being met · Blood sugar imbalances such as insulin resistance, hypoglycemia, carb and sugar cravings · Trauma, new or old · Autoimmune disorders (frequently ... Read more
Burnout: Part 5: A Systemic Fatigue Problem
Hello again everyone: In the last newsletter, we unwound the controversy between stages of conditions where things are either white, black or grey…and with burnout, we went over the point that burnout is mostly a grey condition and should be called HPA axis dysregulation or dysfunction. We also mentioned that it most often results from chronic stress of multiple types that add up to create the feelings, signs and symptoms of burnout. When the cumulative stress of life grinds down our stress response systems, our mental, physical and biochemical reactions can become dysregulated, or dysfunctional. This is when we see things in the lab tests like the elevated or low morning cortisol, but overall normal total cortisol amounts in a day. Or we see that cortisol is low or normal all day but high at night when it should be at the lowest levels, and so on…the point is that these abnormal ... Read more
