Dr. Glenn Hyman’s Blog

Wellness/Prevention: Avoid Saturated Fat.

Swedish researchers found that consuming greater amounts of saturated fat increases the amount of fat tissue present around the abdomen and internal organs, a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes, February 2014

Chiropractic: When Self-Correction Does Not Work…

In 2007, the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society included spinal manipulation in their guidelines as one of several treatment options for practitioners to consider when low-back pain does not improve with self-care.
Annals of Internal Medicine, July 2007

Do Strawberries Lower Cholesterol?

A team of 23 volunteers agreed to eat 500 grams of strawberries (about 30 large strawberries) every day for over a month. Before and after blood samples showed that consuming strawberries led to lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol while levels of HDL (good) cholesterol remained unchanged.
The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, March 2014

High Stress Levels Increase Headaches.

New research links high stress levels to increased headache occurrence. This study involved 5,159 people who were questioned about their headaches and stress four times a year over a two-year period. The researchers found that for each headache type (tension, migraine, and combined), the more stress a person experienced, the more headaches they suffered each month. Researcher Dr. Sara H. Schramm writes, “The results add weight to the concept that stress can be a factor contributing to the onset of headache disorders, that it accelerates the progression to chronic headache, exacerbates headache episodes, and that the headache experience itself can serve as a stressor.”
The American Academy of Neurology, February 2014

No Need to Screen All Adults for Clogged Neck Arteries.

According to a new recommendation from the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF), the general population of adults should not be screened for narrowing of the neck arteries. Panelist Dr. Jessica Herzstein explains, “Carotid artery narrowing is uncommon in the general adult population, so screening everyone would lead to many false positive results. The USPSTF panel did recommend that screening should be reserved for patients at risk for the development of carotid artery blockage and stroke. This includes people over the age of 65 who are at high risk with conditions such as high cholesterol, heart disease, a family history of stroke, or a history of smoking.”
Preventive Services Task Force, February 2014

Fibromyalgia – It’s Hard to Explain

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a condition that typically has a slow, gradual onset that starts out mild and gradually worsens. The symptoms associated with FM include generalized pain all over the body (above and below the waist including neck, shoulders, chest, upper back, arms, hips, buttocks, legs, and feet). The pain can be symmetrical or more intense on the left or right side AND it can vary from day to day. To top it all off, the pain is “chronic” and is usually present for three or more months, sometimes for years, before the FM patient might even mention it to their health care provider. The onset can be so gradual that other issues often become the center of focus until the intensity gets to the point where the patient FINALLY complains.To better appreciate the complexity of FM, there are two types of FM: Primary and Secondary.
Primary FM has no specific cause while secondary FM is linked to something such as trauma associated with a car accident or sports injury, a condition such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue syndrome, restless leg syndrome (RLS), and others. Either way, it is often NOT the kind of thing many patients “bring up” during the discussion of history with their health care provider, especially if something else is bothering them that may be more pressingSo, how does one explain the symptoms of FM? Words such as a deep ache, burning, tingling, shooting, tender, pins and needles, stiffness, and flu-like symptoms are often utilized when describing FM symptoms. Almost always, these complaints have been present for a long time – or for at least three months. Often, the patient is reluctant and almost embarrassed to mention it due to the difficulty in describing the symptoms and the fact that they often don’t know the cause. Equally, many doctors, “have an attitude” that is negative and/or non-supportive of the diagnosis of FM making it even more likely FM patients won’t pursue the condition with other health care providers. This polarization by physicians is a very common issue and often the reason FM sufferers continue to “put up” with their condition rather than consult with others.

The KEY to the diagnosis of FM includes the following: 1) Widespread pain NOT limited to one area of the body; 2) Greater than three months of symptom duration; 3) Symptoms including fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression/anxiety, as well as memory and/or concentration complaints; 4) Symptoms severe enough that they interfere with daily living activities/daily life; and 5) Difficulty finding an answer to the cause of the symptoms, USUALLY involving more than one health care provider. Even though awareness by both the general population and health care providers has improved in the last few years, research has shown that 92% of FM patients have talked to their doctor about their complaints, but this resulted in only 24% being diagnosed.

Another challenge confronting healthcare providers in making a diagnosis of fibromyalgia is because it can’t be seen on an x-ray or as an alteration on a blood test. Other diseases have to be “ruled out” before the diagnosis is even considered, but as was previously stated, secondary FM results from other conditions making it ALL the more challenging! It boils down to a very careful history and a physical exam has to be performed by the health care provider and the provider MUST believe in the diagnosis of FM. Tools such as the Fibromyalgia Pain Assessment can also be very helpful AND it’s available online for the FM patient to access. Bring those results with you to the provider for added help in making the diagnosis!

If you, a friend or family member requires care for Fibromyalgia, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services!

Content Courtesy of Chiro-Trust.org. All Rights Reserved.

Chiropractic for neck pain related to arthritis.

A retrospective review of ten patients with arthritis of the top two vertebra yielded favorable outcomes for chiropractic care. Treatment included the combination of upper cervical manipulation and mechanical mobilization. Overall, clinical improvement was described as “good” or “excellent” in 80% of the patients. Study participants also reported an 80% improvement in pain and 90% improvement in range of motion.
Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics, February 2011

Kids Getting More Caffeine from New Sources.

A government study finds that kids are consuming more caffeine now than ever before thanks to the popularity of coffee and energy drinks. Experts agree that caffeine has no place in the diet of children, and instead of caffeinated drinks, kids should drink water and moderate amounts of juice.
Pediatrics, February 2014

Fruit Juice Not as Healthy as You Think.

Some researchers argue that fruit juice is just as bad for you as sugar-sweetened beverages. Fruit juice has come under fire since medical experts recently started looking more closely at the link between high sugar intake and the risk for heart disease. Dr. Jason Gill writes, “There seems to be a clear misperception that fruit juices and smoothies are low-sugar alternatives to sugar-sweetened beverages.” Research is beginning to show that, unlike solid fruit intake, which high consumption is linked either to reduced or neutral risk for diabetes, high fruit juice intake is linked to an increased risk for diabetes.
The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, February 2014

Preventing Teen Prescription Drug Abuse.

Prescription drug abuse kills more people in the United States each year than cocaine and heroine combined. A six-year study on the efficacy of programs designed to curb teenage prescription drug abuse finds that school-based programs are largely ineffective unless they are coupled with home-based interventions. Still, even the best programs only decrease abuse rates by 10% suggesting that parents, educators, communities, and local governments need to work together to find better interventions to stop teenaged prescription drug abuse.
Preventive Medicine, February 2014