Expert: PatG - 1/30/2011

Question
QUESTION: Dear Pat

I wonder is this your area of expertise.

[1] what kind of practitioner to seek
[2] recommend internet resources for various health problems

I have many health problems and I am not sure what modality to pursue or where to find information concerning :
[a] peripheral vascular disease  
[b] colitis
[c] neurogenic dysfunction in forearms

I hope this is something you can help me with.

Thank you
Cristelle

ANSWER: Hello, Cristelle,

This is exactly what I try to do, is tell a person what practitioners or therapies to seek.

I need for you to describe your peripheral vascular disease and the nature of your neurogenic dysfunction before I will be able to tell you more, so please give me more information.

Colitis can be treated if you regularly drink raw cabbage juice. This may not work for everyone, but it does sometimes work. You can work with someone versed in nutrition for this and possible your other problems. An herbalist can also be helpful.

It would also be helpful if you tell me more about your diet. Do you eat a natural diet, or do you get a lot of artificial chemicals in your food, such as monosodium glutimate and artificial sweeteners? Do you use cosmetics? What chemicals are in your cosmetics? Do you get a lot of sugar in your diet?

If you let me know more, I can direct you better. Thank you.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Pat

Thank you for your quick reply.

To reply to your questions:

Describe peripheral vascular disease and the nature of neurogenic dysfunction ...

I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT IT, SO BELOW IS AN EXCERPT OF THE THERMOGRAPHY SCAN [www.meditherm.com]
"ABDOMEN:
Hyperthermia at the lower sternum/  mid epigastrium is compatible with upper GI tract irritation.
Asymmetric activity is noted above the level of the umbilicus on the right. This appears related to the proximal aspect of the large bowel and a degree of segmental dysfunction. Symptoms of right upper quadrant pain are likely to be related.  
The pelvic region is thermographically unremarkable. No correlate to reported uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts.
No findings as well with respect to the distal aspect of the colon. Proctoscopy should be considered given reported symptoms.

UPPER EXTREMITIES:
Increase at both posterior forearms appears to be myofascial.
Hyperthermia is noted in a glove like distribution and may relate to neurogenic dysfunction versus arthritic activity. The former would be compatible with symptoms of numbness and pins/ needles.

LOWER EXTREMITIES:
Hyperthermic markings are noted at the anterior knees as well as the anterior ankles. These appear consistent with underlying joint dysfunction.
Hypothermia distally on the left may correspond to peripheral vascular disease [see below for explanation] and warrants clinical examination.
Increase is present involving the heels and 4th MTP joints R > L and appears related to fascial and specific joint inflammation, respectively. "

Colitis - Thank you I will follow up on your suggestion.
[COLONOSCOPY : showed it was clear, but COLITIS is present]

Do you eat a natural diet: Yes I eat a natural diet, no msg or artificial sweeteners, no processed or tinned foods.  Vegetarian.

I avoid sugar in my diet.

Do you use cosmetics? : No I don't use cosmetics or chemicals on my skin, or hair or teeth.

Thank you for your suggestions.

Thank you
Cristelle

ANSWER: Hello, Cristelle,

That was very helpful.

It sounds like you might benefit from myofacial release. I know how to find a practitioner in the US, but not in Oz, unfortunately. See if you can Google someone there. You might also try turmeric/curcumin as a remedy.

Your diet and lifestyle sound pretty good, but it is possible to suffer from malnutrition as a vegetarian. There are some nutrients you can get only from animal sources. Vitamin B12 is one nutrient you absolutely cannot get from vegetarian sources. The form in plants cannot be absorbed. That includes in sources like spirulina. Another couple of nutrients are L-carnitine and Omega3 fatty acids. While you can get flaxseed oil, it's much richer in Omega6, and the two MUST be balanced. Flaxseed oil may be fortified from animal sources. L-carnitine is present only in red meat. It controls weight. In my experience, most older vegetarians do not have normal weight. They are either very thin, or they are very fat. A lack of Vitamin B12 can ultimately lead to dementia and other problems. You might try a fairly hefty Vitamin B complex supplement and see if that helps. Also, try phosphatidyl choline, which is a particular form of the B vitamin choline. While it is mainly good for emotional imbalance, it might help with nerve issues as well. It often comes with phosphatidyl serine. A person also needs an animal source of cholesterol. While the body will make cholesterol for awhile, if there is never any supplied from the diet, it can be a problem in the long run. A vegetarian may also experience infertility problems. Also, cayenne is a wonderful anti-inflammatory, so you might try it. I don't know which remedies might help, so let me know which ones seem to help. Try one at a time for a couple of days, and then add another.

If you think there is any possibility of your spine having "subluxations", let me know, and I'll tell you a technique you can try.

Of course I should have mentioned that cabbage juice should be organic, but I think you already know that. :)

Here is a web site where you can do more research:

http://www.drmercola.com/

I hope all this helps.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Pat

Thank you for your reply and the emense information.

I will check out - myofacial release.

Spine : I have mal alignment of C3, C4, C5 [neck]
and scolios of the lumbar.

Thanks again
Cristelle

Answer
Hello, Cristelle,

Try this: lie on your back on a firm surface (a carpeted floor is OK). Put something under your head that will lift it 6 to 8 inches off the floor. Also put something under your knees that will lift them 6 to 8 inches off the floor. Put your hands on your bellybutton and your elbows on the floor. Totally relax for about 15 minutes, and then roll over and get up. Let me know if this helps.

One other thing. Some people have trouble with dislocating joints if their bodies are toxic. It may help to take Detox by Solaray. 10 capsules is a dose. You can take several doses spaced apart.

You're welcome.


PS I was able to find a list of practitioners in Australia:

http://www.iahp.com/pages/search/index.php

I hope this helps. Let me know if you get this message.