Desert Health News July-August 2024

. chronic inflammation are unique to each person’s make-up and circumstance, common lifestyle changes can effectively reduce inflammation. This past March, I purchased three publications, including a National Geographic , whose entire publications were dedicated to the subject. 7,8,9 In review, I found that each highlighted aspects of wellbeing known in naturopathic medicine as the “foundations of health.” These simple practices are the bedrock of health, underlying all other interventions, and have stood the test of time andmodern science. They include clean water, nutritious food, adequate sleep, physical movement, fresh air/outdoor exposure, community/social engagement and spiritual/ideological beliefs. Seems simple enough, yet in our world today, many of these basic necessities are a challenge for most of us to incorporate daily. When these foundations are not met for long periods of time, or to a large degree, it can greatly stress our system and negatively impact our function. Optimizing these foundations in your life will give you those large brush strokes to calm the flames of inflammation. Obstacles to achieving these foundations are plenty in our fast-paced, convenience- based lives. Even if you are eating clean food, our food supply is far from being nutrient dense due to depletion of nutrients in the soil andmodification of crops to grow faster, larger and more resistant to pests and weather. Toxins permeate our water supply, food production, air quality and other products in our environment. Electronics replace human interaction. In fact, there are so many challenges to fulfilling these simple foundations of health that most of us live with a chronic deficit of more than one factor. With this consideration, it’s no wonder there is an increase in chronic disease in our modern world. But there are certainly things you can do to mitigate these challenges. Let’s circle back to stress for a moment; it comes in many forms and, like inflammation, not all stress is bad. Stress can challenge our bodies to help us grow stronger and more resilient. But chronic physical, mental and/or emotional stress has harmful effects on our well-being. It contributes to chronic inflammation by not allowing the body to switch out of the survival (fight-or-flight) mode and get the healing (rest-and-digest) time it needs. Stress might not be as obvious as when we confront traumatic or difficult situations. It can be more insidious, such as having to get somewhere on time, being preoccupied with mental thoughts and multi-tasking. When our foundations of health are not being met, we have less resilience to these additional stressors and they then have a greater impact on our health. It is estimated that 75-90% of all doctor office visits are related to stress. They include symptoms such as digestive problems, chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, headaches and hypertension to name a few. 10-15 Incorporating ways to “de-stress” and bring your body into the rest-and-digest state is key to addressing inflammation. www.palmdesertsmiles.com www.DesertHealthNews.com July/August 2024 Medical News The Valley ' s Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 9 The latest technologies for a healthier, more youthful smile Sarah A. Khoshniyati, DDS "Dr. Sarah" Nicolas S. Baumann, DDS "Dr. Nick" Technology in dentistry is very exciting and evolves as new materials and equipment are introduced. We select only the most proven, effective, patient and comfort-focused technologies. • CEREC Same Day Crowns • Implants • iCAT 3D X-Ray/Digital X-Rays • Modern Periodontal Care • Hard/Soft Tissue Laser • Mercury-free Practice • Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation • TMD/TMJ Support • Conscious Sedation • Fountain of Youth Dentures • KöR ® Teeth Whitening Services and products we offer: 760.568.3602 44239 Monterey Avenue • Palm Desert PalmDesertSmiles.com Follow us! www.desertvasclarassociates.com Personalized quality care delivered with compassion and integrity Anna Gasparyan, MD, FACS Vascular Surgeon Desert Vascular Associates 760.902.1511 74000 Country Club Dr. • Suite G-3 Palm Desert CA 92260 DesertVascularAs ociates. Special Interests: Varicose Veins/Venous Insufficiency Carotid Artery Disease Aortic Aneurysms Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) Endovascular Interventions Dialysis Access IVC Filters Chemotherapy Port Insertion Accepting new patients and most major insurance plans Burning, tingling or numbness in your hands or feet coupled with muscle weakness and discomfort are often signs of peripheral neuropathy, a condition that affects over 30 million Americans, typically those over 45.1 Peripheral neuropathy is caused by damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Diabetes is the most common culprit, but other causes include neck/ back problems, toxins, autoimmune diseases and genetics. Sometimes, the cause is idiopathic and remains unknown. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important to contact your primary care provider who may order blood work, imaging or nerve conduction studies. While there is no cure, treatment can manage symptoms and slow progression. Following are factors to consider: Healthy lifestyle. Quit smoking and reduce sugar and alcohol intake as all are toxic to small fiber nerves. Eat whole foods and stay hydrated (70-100 oz. daily); pure water bathesandnurturesour cells.Managestressandprioritizesleep(includingnaps!); sleep is restorative as this is the time our bodies repair. Invest in a supportive mattress, keep your room cool and dark, and avoid electronics prior to sleep. Incorporate meditation, spiritual practices and breathing techniques. We are fortunate to live in our beautiful Coachella Valley where these life enhancing practices are readily available. Exercise. Daily walks, strength training, swimming, yoga, qigong and tai chi all improve balance, reduce stress and can enhance nerve connectivity. Massage is not Understanding Peripheral Neuropathy By Laura Padron, NP only soothing, but helps increase circulation to areas affected by numbness and tingling. Supplementation. B vitamins, alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and magnesium are commonly recommended for peripheral neuropathy. Of the eight B vitamins, B1, B6 and B12 are most helpful for small fiber nerve repair. ALA is a powerful antioxidant which can decrease inflammation while magnesium serves over three hundred cellular functions including soothing tired muscles. Medical management. Based on the severity of symptoms, your doctor may prescribe physical therapy, compression stockings or electrical stimulation therapy, an effective pain and drug-free therapy FDA-approved for peripheral neuropathy. Medications to treat the condition include Gabapentin or Lyrica. By collaborating with your health care provider and adopting healthy habits, you can manage peripheral neuropathy while improving your quality of life. Laura Padron is a senior nurse practitioner specializing in adult gerontology and peripheral neuropathy. She is owner of Best Pain Care Center in Indian Wells may be reached at (760) 565.6700. For more information, visit www.bestpaincarecenters.com Reference: 1) https://www.ohsu.edu/brain-institute/peripheral-neuropathy Electrical stimulation is an effective treatment for peripheral neuropathy. Continued on page 15 Anti-Inflammation Continued from page 1 The foundations of health encompass a myriad of lifestyle practices that can minimize inflammation.