Doctor's Corner

I want to thank all of you for reading the May issue of the newsletter.  This month's issue addresses stroke prevention.  Please press the "send to a friend" button to share this information with someone you care about.  If you have a topic you want to learn more about, please email me.  Happy Memorial Day!

dr.jpederson@hotmail.com

Learn How to Fix Your Hip Pain Quickly!

Have you ever stood up from a seated position and felt a sharp pain in your hip?  Does the pain lessen as you walk around for a few minutes?  Hip pain affects millions of Americans each year and can be related to a number of conditions.  As a chiropractic doctor I often find that patients experience hip pain due to abnormal movements in their sacroiliac joints.  When people sit in chairs they tend to slump or round their low backs, which rotates the sacroiliac joints.  If a sacroiliac joint rotates enough it will cause the femur or thigh bone to become rotated, causing pain and discomfort.  If left untreated, this pain and abnormal rotation often causes arthritis and degeneration in the hip joints.  A simple chiropractic adjustment to the sacroiliac joints can often take away hip pain immediately, and prevent the onset of degenerative arthritis. 

If you are experiencing hip or low back pains call Dr. Pederson today at

713-526-2225.

National Stroke Awareness Month!

Did you know May is national stroke awareness month? 

Types of Strokes:

1.    Ischemic stroke = a blood clot stops blood from flowing to parts of the brain.

2.    Hemorrhagic stroke = A blood vessel ruptures and a person leaks blood around the brain causing damage and destruction.

3.    TIA or transient ischemic attacks = these are temporary ischemic strokes that often result in no permanent damage.

Warning signs and symptoms of stroke:

1.    Develop the worst headache you have ever had for no known reason, especially when you don’t get headaches often.

2.    Blurred vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes.

3.    Dizziness or falling down suddenly.

4.    Slurred speech.

5.    Confusion as to where you are and what you are doing.

6.    Sudden weakness in arms, face, and/or legs. 7.    Nausea without any known cause.

If you suspect you or someone you know is experiencing a stroke you should call 911 immediately!

There are many risk factors that can increase your chances of developing strokes.  High blood pressure, clotting disorders, family history of strokes, diabetes, obesity, and heart arrhythmias can increase your risks of developing a stroke.

There are many conventional and alternative methods to preventing strokes.  Below is a list of the strategies I recommend to all of my patients:

1.  Blood pressure = Keep your pressure  low by exercising, using prescription blood pressure medicine if needed, and/or by using natural remedies such as celery seed extract and low sugar/low sodium diets.

2.    Anti clotting enzymes = If you have a family history of blood clots or ischemic strokes you can take natural enzymes to help prevent blood  clots and cholesterol plaques from forming on the blood vessel walls.   These enzymes are called lumbrokinase and natto kinase.  You should speak with your doctor prior to taking these enzymes in order to determine if they are the appropriate option for you.

3.    Blood sugar = Keep your blood sugars low by avoiding processed sugars and processed foods.  Check your blood sugar levels at least once per year.  If you have trouble controlling your blood sugar levels, you can supplement with minerals and herbs to help lower your sugar levels.  I personally prefer to use a product called Diaxinol from Orthomolecular Products. 4.    Homocysteine = Numerous research studies have linked high levels of homocysteine with increased risks of developing strokes.  Homocysteine is a biochemical product that can easily be measured in a simple blood test.  High or low levels can indicate genetic mutations of the methylation pathway.  If your levels are too high or low, you can test for methylation pathway genetic mutations, which will tell you which nutrients you need to ingest to correct the problems.

For more information on stroke warning signs and symptoms, prevention strategies, and/or diagnostic testing go to http://www.stroke.org and http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/stroke_bookmark.htm.

For more information on nutrient deficiency lab testing options or natural remedies that may help prevent strokes, contact Dr. Pederson at 713-526-2225 or http://www.chiropracticnutritionsolutions.com