Paradise Valley Medical Clinic
Douglas M. Lakin MD
9977 N 90th Street, Suite 180
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
480.614.5800 (Phone)
480.614.6322 (Fax)
Updates With Doctor Doug
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Cardiovascular disease - including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure are responsible for one out of every three deaths. It is the number one killer of American women, and is a leading cause of serious illness and disability.
Luckily, cardiovascular disease can be prevented and managed by making healthy lifestyle choices and staying up to date on your preventative exams. It is never too late to reevaluate your lifestyle, set goals, and make a plan to improve your everyday habits.
Consider eliminating animal products from your diet! All animal products contain cholesterol and other toxic substances, which are huge contributors to heart disease. Not to mention that animal agriculture is a major contributor to pollution and global warming.
Did you know that no vegetables, fruits, legumes or grains contain any cholesterol?
And remember to get your blood pressure checked. It's important to know and understand your numbers. Optimal blood pressure is 120/80mmHg or lower.
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Sleep with your pet?
How that may affect you (and your pet)
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In the quest for better sleep, people often ask if they should share their bed with a pet. Before we get to that, let's take a moment to ponder the flip side:
Is sleeping with you good for your pet?
"I love that we're reversing the question," said Dr. Dana Varble, the chief veterinary officer for the North American Veterinary Community. "In general, it is a very good thing for animals to sleep with their people."
Pets who share their human's bed tend to have a "higher trust level and a tighter bond with the humans that are in their lives. It's a big display of trust on their part," Varble said.
"Dogs and cats who are more closely bonded with their humans get additional health benefits, including increases in beneficial neurotransmitters such as oxytocin and dopamine, the feel-good hormones," she added.
Is it just dogs and cats who benefit from human bed partners? Yes, Varble said, with a "very, very few exceptions."
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TOP PODCAST DONE WEEKLY
BY DR. MICHAEL OSTERHOLM
(UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA)
Dr. Osterholm is a world-renowned epidemiologist who was credited with first elucidating TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME in the 1980’s, and he provides comprehensive and understandable/actionable ideas related to COVID.
Connect with all of
Dr. Osterholm Podcasts
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A Word From Our Billing Service. . . . |
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Welcome To a New Year!
Medicare has sent out the new 2022 handbook with the guidelines and updates for Medicare beneficiaries. Please make sure you take the time to read it.
Do not forget to schedule your annual wellness visit with your primary care physician, but remember, Medicare covers one wellness exam every 365 days. Along with your annual wellness check-up, did you know that there are over thirty screenings that you can take advantage of at no charge to you. There are limitations so please make sure to read your handbook, so you know the guidelines of these screenings throughout the year.
Just a reminder, the annual Medicare Part B deductible has increased for 2022.
This year it is $233.00.
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Seasonal Affective Disorder: How To Fight the Winter Blues on Blue Monday. . . . |
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Does the wintertime make you want to hibernate like a bear?
If you've ever felt less energetic, less motivated, in a bad mood, and less inclined to socialize as the nights get longer and the days grow shorter, know that these feelings are shared by many.
Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a form of recurrent depression with a seasonal pattern that occurs more frequently the farther people live from the equator, most typically during the colder months of the year. The winter blues are said to peak on the third Monday in January -- sometimes called Blue Monday -- but of course feeling low isn't confined to just one day.
Among the symptoms of SAD are sadness, low energy, fatigue, losing interest in activities we once enjoyed, changes in appetite, weight and sleeping patterns, and social withdrawal.
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Dental Updates From Marie |
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Relationship Between Stress
and TMJ?
Introduction
Stress is how the brain and body respond to any demand, threat, or possible harmful situations. Anything from simple everyday activities, such as work or school, to major life changes or traumatic events can be extremely stressful. The bottom line is that stress affects your health and the way it does so is not always apparent.
We all know stress can influence your day-to- day mood and activities, but there are more serious consequences to periods of prolonged stress than you may think. Stress has a significant effect on your body’s respiratory and cardiovascular systems, as well as hormone production. Cortisol, for example, is the primary stress hormone that is released in your body and has been linked to health hazards such as high blood pressure and other physical/autoimmune responses. The systems in our bodies are deeply connected to one another, so when one part suffers, so does the whole. Being more anxious and/or depressed can cause problems with how your body responds to certain stressors or triggers in ways we might not be aware. The physical manifestations of stress can be headaches, grinding your teeth (bruxing) and clenching your jaw, which are also major symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorder (TMJD).
Since COVID-19 was declared a Public Health Emergency of international concern, many people have experienced an increase in stress. Many are concerned about its socio-economic and emotional impact on themselves and/or on their families.
Stress and anxiety are a normal part of life, especially amidst a pandemic. However, experiencing it chronically can, unfortunately, increase your risk of developing other problems, including your oral health.
The following article will address the physical manifestations that involve the oral system, particularly the TMJ and associated structures.
(Note: You may find it helpful, as an adjunct to this article, to review the article, “Bruxism – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment” article that appeared in the Winter 2018 issue of Dr. Lakin’s newsletter.
Click on this link:
Stress and Effects on the Oral System
For some, stress symptoms may include headaches, clenching your jaw, grinding your teeth, muscle pain, and inability to sleep. These are also major symptoms of TMD or Temporomandibular Disorder. In is interesting to note that 15% of headaches among Americans are a result of a TMJ disorder.
The temporomandibular joint is the body’s most complex joint. Motions like chewing and speaking require the joint to open and close and move back and forth. When this very intricate system of ligaments, joints, muscles, and bones becomes injured, inflamed, or misaligned, the muscles can spasm and nerve pain can present itself. It is called TMJD. There are two primary ways that stress and anxiety can influence TMJD: both can aggravate the symptoms of TMJ by increasing muscular tension and bruxing.
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Elevated stress and anxiety can cause tension in the muscles of the jaw – and potentially the neck. This can exacerbate TMJ pain and soreness by exhausting the muscles. One may try to compensate by holding parts of the jaw differently, which can have a domino effect on the rest of the body. Muscular tension can possibly also contribute to poor posture, another factor in TMJ. An additional possibility is that elevated stress can increase the likelihood of bruxism (teeth grinding), which over time, can have serious effects on your teeth.
Treatment
In most cases TMJ disorders and its symptoms can be improved and treated non-invasively. In addition, making positive lifestyle changes can aid TMJ treatment and your health in general. Treatment begins with a thorough assessment by an experienced oral healthcare provider.
Treatment may begin with the relaxation of the jaw muscles and use of a custom-made mouthguard which can assist in repositioning your jaw muscles into a more natural state and, with time, lessen the impact of the tension, possible grinding, and clenching.
Gentle massage and designated, effective stretching of the jaw and neck muscles can help ease the pain and help to relax general body tension from stress. For some, an orthotic device that will ease the jaw into a more comfortable and less straining position may be recommended and prescribed.
Common symptoms of stress include:
Headache, Bruxism, or severe grinding of the teeth, Muscle tension or pain, Trouble sleeping
Common symptoms of TMJ include:
Headache, Aching pain in and around the ear, Joint locking or popping, Pain or tenderness in the cheek and jaw, Pain or difficulty chewing
It is apparent that the relationship and symptoms that exist with stress and TMJ are complicated. Therefore, for patients who have been diagnosed with TMJ, symptoms can vary completely from one person to another, which requires that pain-treatment must be individually customized.
Summary
It seems to be quite apparent that, yes, there is a relationship between stress and TMJ.
Stress or TMJD can influence all parts of your life – and your life can influence your TMJ as well. These circumstances or conditions can be chronic or situational; however, both can impose an effect on the neuromuscular system.
Importantly, in most cases noninvasive methods of treatment can help alleviate and hopefully, gradually resolve the patient’s discomfort. It is significant to note that the etiological factors causing the problem did not occur “over night” and it will require time and patience to respond to the treatment needed to resolve the condition. It is crucial to not only seek care to treat whatever discomfort exists, but also, take appropriate measures to strive to make the necessary adjustments to address any external causes which may be contributing to the problem. Doing so will be a favorable contribution to managing the overall issue and to facilitate a positive treatment outcome.
Here’s to your good health!
Marie C. Jacobs, D.D.S.
Professor Emerita Loyola University Chicago
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We're Wearing Ugg Boots... Again? |
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As the trend for Y2K-inspired fashion continues to resurface wardrobe staples from 20 years ago, it was only a matter of time before the Ugg boot made its divisive return.
Over the past year, reformed versions of the classic beige sheepskin shoes have been spotted on Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid, as well as TikTok influencers Victoria Paris and Lauren Wolfe (who have a combined following of 1.6 million on the app). In a Halloween vlog titled "Ugg season," Emma Chamberlain -- a 20-year-old YouTube star who recently attended the Met Gala as a Louis Vuitton ambassador -- guiltily admitted to her 11 million subscribers that she was, in fact, "wearing leggings and Uggs boots."
"Like, I'm turning into something I never thought I'd turn into," she said, laughing. "What is happening to my identity right now?"
Love them or hate them, Uggs boots have long been something of a celebrity appendage. In the early aughts, there was no occasion too formal and no get-together too low-key for the shoe to make an appearance. Their presence seemed to permeate across time, space and dress code. In 1996, Minnie Driver donned a pair of tall, beige ones for the red carpet premiere of "Scream," while Leonardo DiCaprio, Julia Roberts, Beyoncé and Kate Moss were all snapped running errands in their slightly water-stained shearling shoes.
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So prolific were Uggs that just the sight of them now conjures potent memories of the 2000s zeitgeist. Low-slung jeans, off-center fedoras and Paris Hilton seem inscribed into their very fabric.
But the story of the Ugg boot begins years before TMZ paparazzi shots, and far away from the star-studded boulevards of Los Angeles, on a sandy beach in San Diego.
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If You Think That A Glass Of Wine Is Good For You,
It Maybe Time To Reconsider. . . .
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Several years ago, at the end of a clinic visit, a long-time patient with end-stage heart disease who was nearing the end of his life asked me if it was OK to drink some wine.
The patient was a physician, and he knew what most lay people do not: Despite the widespread belief a little alcohol is good for your heart, it isn't. I thought for a moment, and told him, "Only good wine."
For thousands of years, alcohol, particularly wine, has been used for medicinal purposes. The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates promoted wine for various purposes, including reducing fevers and dressing wounds. Maimonides, the 12th century scholar, rabbi and physician also extolled the health benefits of wine in moderation. During Prohibition in the early 20th century, it was common for physicians to prescribe medicinal alcohol, which was legally dispensed at pharmacies, for ailments ranging from cancer to depression.
For many years it was thought moderate doses of alcohol were associated with a reduced risk of death, whereas higher amounts of drinking were associated with increased risk. And while there has been research to suggest a glass of wine a day can promote longevity or heart health, the consensus on alcohol's salutary effects has started to change.
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Tom's Travels
'RUSSIAN RIVER TRIP PART ONE'
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A Russian River trip between Moscow and Saint Petersburg, our first boat tour, is described here and will explore these two cities in later columns. Because there were so many interesting stops that the boat made I am dividing it into two parts. Everything was fantastic except that my wife’s luggage arrived the day before we left Moscow on the boat. The Volga River was our main waterway but canals and lakes played a part also.
Sitting in comfortable chairs and watching the scenery go by was a new experience for us, Upcoming sights such as a tower on a river island were announced so we were ready with cameras. Many colorful churches were seen and toured, sometimes with a male chorus singing for our pleasure and the chance to sell a souvenir CD. On one stop two ladies in folk costume greeted us as we got off the boat with a beautiful song. And returning to the boat it was hard to pass up a young boy selling wildflowers that he had picked.
Onboard there were many lectures and activities for us to do. A vodka tasting evening finished with a challenge to drink vodka from a shot glass placed on your arm without spilling and the challenge was met by a younger tourist. Another lesson was in the making of little pillow shaped pastas (like pierogi) containing different kinds of sweet and savory ingredients.
Dress up night for the crew in folk dress and the tourists in anything they considered dressy was special and you see a photo of our chef checking on the service. Food quality was remarkable in the choices offered from Russian to European to American at each sitting so nobody was ever heard complaining. I highly recommend a boat tour for seniors as the unpacking and packing take place only once. And land excursions could be skipped if extra rest is needed on a certain day.
Happy Travels!
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Are You a Tinglehead? The Weird World of ASMR |
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Does listening to a whisper send a tingle through your scalp? Do you find watching the snip of scissors around your ears at the hair salon soothing?
How about the sound of nails clicking softy, the swish or tap of a paintbrush on canvas, or the crinkle of foil as you unwrap a candy bar?
If these sounds and images give your brain a sparkly, effervescent feeling that relaxes you, then you are a tinglehead -- one of the estimated 20% of people that some experts say experience autonomous sensory meridian response, or ASMR.
Is it a real or imagined sensation? There's very little research on the phenomenon, so no one really knows. But legions of fans swear by ASMR, saying the actions in the videos foster a soothing meditative state that reduces anxiety and lulls them to sleep.
Some people go so far as to call ASMR tingles -- which can cascade down the neck and shoulders and throughout the body -- "brain-gasms."
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5 Stretches To Ease Back & Knee Pain |
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After long days spent sitting at a desk, running errands and taking care of chores at home, it’s common to feel aches and pains. Knee pain affects about 25% of adults and back pain is the leading cause of work limitations — a whopping 65 million Americans report a recent episode of back pain. So if you’re feeling achy, you’re not alone.
But that doesn’t mean you have to live with it every day.
When I start to feel achy in my back and knees, I listen to my body. Taking time to release tension and stretch your muscles can make a big difference.
These five stretches can help you loosen up and move with less pain throughout the day.
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Super Bowl LVI At SoFi Stadium In Los Angeles,
CA On Sunday, February 13, 2022.
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We've made it to the end and only one result is left to be settled: Which team will lift the Lombardi Trophy at midfield of SoFI Stadium on Sunday, February 13th?
Fourteen teams have competed. Two teams remain standing: The Bengals and the Rams. Which one will triumph in this most important of contests?
Download the NFL OnePass app for the most up-to-date Super Bowl LVI news, including all event information, access to awesome games and activations, and a chance to win prizes!
Further information regarding Super Bowl LVI will be posted in the coming weeks on SuperBowl.com.
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'Insights By Steve'
Final Edition, December, 2021
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"Thank you Steve for all the wonderful 'Insights' over the past 10 years.
Happy Birthday & may your next adventure be as successful as all the others!"
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The Perfect Winter Treat!
Turkey Biscuit Stew
This chunky stew makes a hearty supper, especially in the winter. It's also a great way to use extra turkey during the holidays.
—Lori Schlecht, Wimbledon, North Dakota
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Ingredients
- 1/3 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup butter, cubed
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1 can (10-1/2 ounces) condensed chicken broth, undiluted
- 3/4 cup 2% milk
- 2 cups cubed cooked turkey
- 1 cup cooked peas
- 1 cup cooked whole baby carrots
- 1 tube (16.3 ounces) large refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°. In a 10-in. cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet, saute onion in butter until tender. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until blended. Gradually add broth and milk. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly, about 2 minutes. Add the turkey, peas and carrots; heat through. Separate biscuits and arrange over the stew.
- Bake until biscuits are golden brown, 20-25 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
3/4 cup stew with 1 biscuit: 345 calories, 15g fat (7g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 960mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 18g protein.
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Did You Know Dr Lakin Has an Online Gift Shop?
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Welcome to our online store!
Thanks to CafePress.com, we can sell a number of products with unique graphics on them. Feel free to browse our store and buy anything you like!
**Please note:
100% of all profits from the shop are donated to the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, for breast cancer research.
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Paradise Valley Medical Clnic
Douglas M. Lakin , MD
9977 N 90th Street, Suite 180 Scottsdale, AZ 85258
480.614.5800 (Ph) 480.614.6322 (Fax)
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