Arizona Health & Living Magazine - West Valley June 2016

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ASK QUESTIONS

expert talk

Q. How common is gum disease? Q. What is new in pain management? Q. What is the link between water Could I have it and not know? retention and varicose veins? A. Driven by an explosion in research in the A. Adult periodontitis, more commonly field of neuroscience (the study of the brain A. Have you ever wondered what causes known as gum disease, usually causes no pain. Most people only notice occasional bleeding while flossing and easily dismiss it as no big deal. Unfortunately, many people will suffer with it unaware for many years.

and spinal cord), there are many exciting innovations in pain management emerging for people suffering from persistent pain. Even more exciting is that these new pain management techniques are less invasive. This means powerful drugs, natural substances that block pain receptors and methods of neuromodulation that don’t require injections or surgery are slowly replacing injections, nerve burning and surgery.

In a new study published by the Journal of Dental Research, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that as high as 52 percent of Americans have some form of advanced gum disease. Arizona has the tenth highest percentage of the disease throughout the So what's all the excitement about? It starts with the growing knowledge that the human country. body has all the circuits necessary to shut off Not only will gum disease lead to tooth pain signals reaching the brain. Pain scientists loss, but it correlates directly to a higher call this circuit the ‘descending pain inhibitory incidence of cardiovascular disease and network.’ This network, located in the base diabetes complications. Given the risk of of the brain, has one job: it turns off pain developing these other chronic systemic signals and prevents them from reaching the diseases, the prevention and treatment of brain. If no pain signal reaches the brain gum disease is an important opportunity then a person feels no pain. for your dentist and physician to help you Furthermore, scientists are discovering new improve your overall health. and better ways to activate this descending Please see your dentist regularly, ask pain-killing network. Researchers in Israel, about your gum health, and follow the published in the journal Pain, demonstrated that descending pain inhibition could be recommendations for treatment. conditioned, meaning it can be turned on at The information contained in this article is will. The concept that pain relief can be not intended to be a substitute for professional "conditioned" is being reported by researchers medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment. all over the world! Always consult your dentist or other qualified health care provider with any questions In our office, we use this concept to provide rapid pain relief to patients suffering from regarding any possible medical condition. all sorts of painful conditions. Pain relief conditioning is a breakthrough treatment producing outstanding results for our patients.

– Dr. Francis Midwestern University Dental Institute 623.537.6000

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June 2016 |azhealthandliving.com

–Dr. Kukurin Kukurin Chiropractic, Acupuncture & Nutrition Network 623.547.4727

varicose veins? In general, varicose veins are caused when certain venous valves become weaker, which permits blood to flow backward and pool in the inside of veins. However, other factors also contribute to varicose veins, including water retention.

Causes: When it comes to varicose veins, your first step should be to eliminate foods from your diet that may be making you retain water. As a general rule, any food with high sodium content causes water retention. Varicose vein treatment often begins with removing canned soups, pizza, hot dogs, frozen foods, certain salad dressings, cheeses, soy sauce and pickles from your diet. Instead, eat foods that are high in fiber and potassium.

Consequences: If your body has too much sodium or insufficient stores of potassium because it is retaining water, varicose veins will worsen. That is because water retention causes the volume of blood circulating in your body to increase, which then puts pressure on your already delicate veins. Pressure on varicose veins weakens them over time. If you have always had a high salt diet, you are more likely to suffer from varicose veins.

Treatments: Vein treatment generally begins conservatively. Your physician will suggest incorporating a potassium supplement, drinking plenty of water, and removing salty and sweet foods from your diet. If you are suffering from a more serious side effect like varicose vein pain or simply want to have these ugly veins removed, your doctor can work with you to create a customized treatment plan to eliminate your varicose veins for good. –Dr. Sharma Arizona Vein & Laser Institute 602.298.VEIN(8346)


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