Archive for September, 2008

Are You Inflammed?

Published
by
Dr. Edward Gould
on September 22, 2008
in Cincinnati Chiropractors, Nutrition 101 and Wellness 101
. 0 Comments

Inflammation: Connecting the Dots

One of the major causes of inflammation are the foods we eat. If you currently have a diet high in sugar, high in hydrogenated vegetable oils such as those found in margarine, chips and baked goods, you are literally feeding the inflammation in your body. These foods actually create an inflammatory chemistry in your body.

Another major cause is being overweight. Did you know that fatty tissues in the body secrete hormones that regulate your immune system and inflammation. In an overweight individual, these hormones can get out of control. This can cause the fat itself to be self regulating causing hormones to be released that keep the appetite under control. However, in cases where the body is also inflamed there is often a problem causing a resistance to these hormones. When this occurs the the individuals appetite is not kept in check causing a vicious cycle of weight gain and chronic inflammation.

What are the signs of chronic inflammation

The classic signs are swelling, redness and pain. However, research has now found that there is another type of inflammation a much more sinister type called Silent Inflammation. Silent inflammation causes: Heart attacks, Cancer, Alzheimer’s and Diabetes to name just a few. Essentially “all” diseases and their progression are due to chronic inflammation.

One of the quickest ways to change how you feel on a regular basis, is to change how you eat. This sounds simple, but it’s not easy for a lot of people. Thoughtlessly eating whatever, is a recipe for disaster.

If you are in your mid thirties you probably have started noticing changes in your body. These changes in many instances, are due to chronic inflammation. I always tell my patients, pain is a good thing. Pain alerts us that something is wrong and we need to make changes. How we age is greatly determined on how well we listen to our body and how quickly we make changes.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods

These foods if eaten regularly, can reduce inflammation in the body and bring the problem under control. Below I will list some of these foods. Begin incorporating some of these foods into every meal also try to eliminate or reduce the foods listed in the first paragraph above that create inflammation in your body.

  • Vegetables- Bell Peppers, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage Cauliflower, Chard, Collards, Fennel Bulb, Garlic, Green Beans, Onions, Kale, Leaks, Olives, Spinach, Sweet Potatoes and Turnip Greens.
  • Herbs & Spices- Basil, Cayenne Peppers, Chili Peppers, Cinnamon, Cloves, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Thyme and Turmeric.
  • Oils- Avocado Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Drinks- Green Tea
  • Fruits- Acerola Cherries, Apples, Avocados, Black Currant, Blue Berries, Fresh Pineapple, Kiwi Fruit, Kumquats, Lemons, Limes, Mulberries, Oranges, Papaya, Raspberries, Strawberries and Tomatoes.
  • Nuts & Seeds- Almonds, Flaxseed, Hazelnuts, Sunflower Seeds, Walnuts.
  • Fish- Cod, Halibut, Herring, Oysters, Rainbow Trout, Salmon, Sardines, Snapper Fish, Striped Bass, Tune and White Fish.

Begin incorporating the above information today.

Yours in Health, Naturally!

Dr. Gould

Childhood Headaches

Published
by
Dr. Edward Gould
on September 12, 2008
in Headaches and Infants & Children
. 0 Comments

headache-child.bmpThe Causes of Childhood Headaches

There are many causes for childhood headaches. However, research clearly demonstrates that the majority of headaches are caused by problems in the cervical spine or neck. Did you know that the vertebrae in the neck can become misaligned? When this happens, nerves and at times the spinal cord itself can become irritated causing muscular tension and changes in blood flow to and in the brain itself. Unfortunately, many parents turn to drugs, which of course do nothing to correct the problem they only masks the symptoms.

Childhood headaches do more than cause pain

Researchers found headaches can affect children’s emotional development and school performance more than some other more serious health problems. The study published in the July issue of Pediatrics, suggests that headaches have a significant impact on children’s overall quality of life.

The children with headaches were adversely affected in all areas of functioning, including school performance, emotional development and physical health. In particular, children with migraines reported a higher level of impairment in school and emotional functioning than children with other chronic diseases.

If your child is suffering with headaches, seek and treat the “cause” don’t just continue treating the symptom.

Yours in Health, Naturally!

Dr. Gould

Insurance Choices Get the Facts!

Published
by
Dr. Edward Gould
on September 10, 2008
in Insurance Issues
. 0 Comments

hmo-contract.bmpLet the Buyer Beware?

I have been practicing Chiropractic since 1988. Since then, the complexity of insurance plans and the shrewdness of their policy writers has reached an all time high. In this post, I’d like to raise your awareness and maybe even rant a little… so that when your policy is up for renewal or if you are self employed and are currently looking for coverage you will be better prepared when confronted by an insurance salesman. If you currently have insurance pull your card out and try to read it. Look how much white space is available, yet look at how small the print is. Most people have to get a magnifying glass to read it. Subtle isn’t it? Maybe a bit confusing. I told you they were shrewd. As soon as you contemplate using it, they even make the first step of the process difficult.

In My Opinion

There is a health care crisis in this country. Many people have no coverage. This is a sad fact. What is interesting however, the people that do have coverage are paying more and getting less. Did you know that insurance companies spend more money on administering claims than paying on claims? Did you know since the introduction of HMO’s doctor’s fees have continually been cut. Not that you the consumer cares about that fact. For a moment however, I’d like you to imagine your income being cut by 60%. Seriously, how would that make you feel? Even in non HMO plans, doctor’s fees have been cut. I never did get into HMO’s, I always thought it was a bad idea. Turns out it was a bad idea… unless of course you happen to be a CEO of an HMO, then you made multi-million dollar bonuses. All that extra money from denying claims has to go somewhere.

Dramatic Changes Ahead

In the not too distant future, both doctors & hospitals will begin to stand up and simply refuse to be manipulated by insurance companies. Over the past 10 years insurance companies have done their best to ruin patient care and force many doctors and hospitals out of business. Health Maintenance Organizations have been a sad joke for most people. The only true beneficiaries have been the insurance companies.

I’m often asked by my patients which Insurance Company should they choose? That is a tough question. However, I do give them tips.

  1. Always read the small print.
  2. Don’t expect the salesman to tell you everything. They Never Do!
  3. Create a hypothetical for the salesman… take notes of his/her answer.
  4. Understand Usual & Customary Fees (a fee that is charged for a certain procedure). This fee use to be the same for a certain demographic. Many insurance companies create their own fee system now. In some instances they pay less than 40% of the fee. Leaving you to pay the rest. Of course they will tell you you can appeal. (I think in many cases they tell you this to appease you… knowing full well they will not change their decision.)
  5. A few insurance companies love to say your care was not necessary… You know, Medically Not Necessary! Get on the internet and Google all the companies that you are considering, for complaints. It will be an eye-opener for you. You will quickly note some companies are worse than others. Make sure you check for your city and state.
  6. Does the company use a third party administrator to evaluate claims? If so, stay away from that company. In fact, run from that company.
  7. The most troublesome company I have had to deal with in the past couple of years is HUMANA aka (HEALTHWAYS). I could write an entire book on this company.

Below is an Eye-Opening Informational Briefing at the California State Legislature.

 

I hope this post has been helpful. If you would like to comment on the above please do so.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Gould