by Dr. Jeffrey Ptak, DC, MA | Nov 10, 2017 | Health
A recent study showed what functional neurologists have long since observed — obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is linked to brain inflammation. Imaging showed brain inflammation was more than 30 percent higher in subjects with OCD compared to the control group.
The study also found the greater the inflammation the more severe the stress and anxiety around avoiding the compulsive and repetitive rituals that characterize OCD.
Inflammation in the brain is similar to inflammation in the body in that it’s necessary to respond to damage. However, unlike the body’s immune system, there is no “off” mechanism for inflammation in the brain. This means once triggered, brain inflammation can continue on unchecked long after the original insult.
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by Dr. Jeffrey Ptak, DC, MA | Nov 10, 2017 | Health
A recent study found regular use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for acid reflux raises the risk of stomach cancer. PPI users (Prilosec, Prevacid) in the study had twice the risk for stomach cancer compared to those who used H2-receptor acid reducing drugs (Tagamet, Pepcid).
About 20 percent of Americans suffer with acid reflux and heartburn. Most people attribute acid reflux to excess stomach acid. However, the problem is too little stomach acid. How does low stomach acid cause acid reflux?
The stomach is highly acidic by design so that it can quickly break down foods and kill bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens. Good stomach acidity also helps absorb minerals and signal the rest of the digestive tract to release the right hormones, enzymes, and emulsifiers. Sufficient stomach acid is an important first step in ensuring overall digestion runs smoothly and that you are less susceptible to heartburn, indigestion, belching, gas, food allergies, bacterial infection, and abdominal pain.
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by Dr. Jeffrey Ptak, DC, MA | Nov 8, 2017 | Health
People feel shame and guilt about their smartphone and digital addictions, but the truth is we are simply at the mercy of how profoundly technology shapes the human brain. It’s understandable why digital dementia” — the loss of cognitive function due to excessive digital use, and “digital ADD” are so common today.
As with many great inventions throughout human history, nobody could have predicted such pervasive neurological consequences of the internet, smartphones, video games, and social media. The human brain is so sensitive to manipulation by these tools that one study showed the mere presence of a smartphone impaired cognitive function in subjects, even though it was turned off!
How digital marketers trick the brain into addiction
Although the endless novelty of technology makes it easy for the stimulus-seeking brain to get hooked, digital addiction has also been engineered for commerce and profit.
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by Dr. Jeffrey Ptak, DC, MA | Aug 4, 2016 | Health
Chiropractic and Neuro-Degenerative Diseases: The Concussion Story
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by Dr. Jeffrey Ptak, DC, MA | Jun 24, 2016 | Health
Pain reflects existence of a problem….
Opioids reduce the intensity of pain signals reaching the brain and affect those areas of the brain that control emotion and diminish the effects of a painful stimulus….Medications that fall within this class include hydrocodone, (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), morphine, and codeine….
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by Dr. Jeffrey Ptak, DC, MA | Dec 5, 2014 | Health
Article Summary: To be healthy, you must be connected physically, emotionally and spiritually…this is the goal of Chiropractic.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
Oliver Wendell Holmes
You were born to express vibrant physical, mental, and spiritual health—to radiate vitality, harmony, peace, joy, optimism, strength, love and healing at any age. This is your natural state! Yet disharmony, illness, disease, depression, fatigue, emotional isolation and spiritual disconnection touch so many lives. Too many of us walk this earth with our bodies, hearts and souls in pain.
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