Here is the link to a video showing me, Jim Barger, taking my inflatable kayak down a 20 foot waterfall near Burney, California.
Posts Tagged ‘Folsom Chiropractor’
When Are Antibiotics Appropriate and When Should I Avoid Using Them?
People are becoming increasingly aware of the dangers that can result from the overuse of antibiotics. When antibiotics were first discovered in the early 20th century, researchers believed that they had found the key to conquering many deadly diseases. Since that time, antibiotics have certainly helped to cure diseases that once wiped out large parts of the population.
However, there is growing evidence that antibiotics are now being used too frequently, and that they are often being used in inappropriate circumstances. This has led to many previously curable diseases becoming antibiotic-resistant, which means that a cure now requires the use far stronger antibiotics. In fact, some diseases have now become resistant to nearly all antibiotics. It is obvious that if antibiotic use continues in this way, we may have a major health crisis on our hands.
The first thing to be aware of is that antibiotics are not effective in the treatment of viruses. They only treat bacterial infections, certain fungal infections and parasites. For diseases such as the common cold, flu or bronchitis, antibiotics are completely ineffective and their use in cases such as these will only contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
You should not ask your doctor to prescribe antibiotics if you have a sore throat or the stomach flu, for instance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), antibiotics were prescribed for an acute respiratory infection in 68% of visits to the doctor. However, 80% of those prescriptions were unnecessary.
Antibiotics are often an appropriate treatment for conditions such as severe sinus infections that last longer than two weeks, ear infections, bladder infections and skin infections. These are frequently due to a bacterial or fungal infection, and treating them with antibiotics is effective.
If you have been prescribed an antibiotic, it is very important that you take it exactly as directed by your physician. If your symptoms happen to clear up before the entire course of antibiotics is completed, you must still continue to take them as prescribed. This is because there may still be a few lingering bacteria in your system, and-if they are not all killed-the strongest ones may survive to produce new generations of ever stronger bacteria that might make current antibiotics less effective.
Some doctors feel pressured by their patients to prescribe something, whether it’s really going to be helpful or not. A study published in the journal Pediatrics found that pediatricians will prescribe antibiotics for children 62% of the time if parents expect them to, and only 7% of the time if the parents do not expect an antibiotic prescription. Do not put pressure on your doctor to prescribe antibiotics for your condition. He or she is the best judge as to whether antibiotics are appropriate.
Interested in knowing some alternatives to prescription antibiotics that have far fewer side effects? Dr. Jim Barger has extensive training in Functional Diagnostic Medicine. Stop by our office at 231 Blue Ravine Rd #200, Folsom, CA 95630 and/or call us at 916-984-9999 for additional information. Take control of your health!
Genetics and Back Pain: Is There a Family Connection?
Back pain affects a majority of people at some point in their lives. Why is that? There’s little doubt among researchers and clinicians that much of the back pain we experience is related to our modern lifestyle. However, recent research suggests that low back pain may also have a genetic component.
While it’s too early to know for sure, this discovery might one day have implications for how healthcare providers identify at-risk individuals and help them through both prevention and treatment.
Researchers from King’s College in London performed a study that was published in the journal Annals of Rheumatic Diseases that showed a specific gene was associated with a condition referred to as lumbar disc degeneration (LDD). LDD is one of the most common causes of low back pain, and it is usually related to the aging process, particularly among women. More than a third of all women aged 30 to 50 have at least one degenerated disc in their spine. It is estimated that as many as 80% of LDD cases are inherited.
Disc degeneration involves a reduction in the height of the vertebral discs through the loss of disc fluid, which makes then thinner, bringing the vertebrae closer together. Adding to this is the formation of small cracks or tears in the covering of the disc, which allows the jellylike cushioning substance to leak out, further compressing the vertebrae. Occasionally the vertebrae will then form bony spurs (osteophytes) that can put pressure on nerves and cause pain.
In the study, researchers analyzed the MRI spinal scans of 4,600 people who had had their genes mapped. When the researchers compared the scans with the genetic mapping, they found a strong association between a variant of the PARK2 gene and disc degeneration. It appears that the gene has been switched off in those who suffer from LDD. Scientists believe that the gene may become switched off due to environmental factors such as diet and lifestyle, which trigger changes to the genes.
A Senior Lecturer from the King’s College Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, Dr. Frances Williams, said “We have performed, using data collected from around the world, the biggest genome-wide association analysis of lumbar disc degeneration (LDD). We know that people whose discs wear out are at increased risk of episodes of lower back pain, but normal human discs are hard to get hold of to study so until now our knowledge of normal human biology was incomplete.”
Although Williams feels that this study provides a good basis for research into the cause of LDD, more research is necessary. She says, “Further work by disc researchers to define the role of this gene will, we hope, shed light on one of most important causes of lower back pain. It is feasible that if we can build on this finding and improve our knowledge of the condition, we may one day be able to develop new, more effective treatments for back pain caused by this common condition.”
In the mean time, check out the flexion-distraction section on docbarger.com. This is an excellent therapy for lumbar disc degeneration patients. Many patients with LDD have gotten excellent low-back pain relief through this safe, effective chiropractic treatment. Call now at 916-984-9999 and/or stop by at 231 Blue Ravine Rd #200, Folsom, CA 95630.
Improving Your Energy Levels
Sometimes it seems that even the simplest everyday tasks are hard to accomplish, even after we get a decent night’s sleep. Our busy lives leave little time to stop and recharge our batteries, so sometimes it can feel as though we’re operating on a chronic energy deficit. However, there are ways of gaining that energy back. It all starts with recognizing the little places where it is likely to leak away. Here we provide some tips on how to improve energy levels.
Do not skip meals – Studies published in the journal Nutritional Health found that those who skipped any meal during the day had greater feelings of fatigue overall than those who ate regular meals. Breakfast is particularly important, as it jump-starts your system to prepare you for the day. Just avoid eating sugary breakfast foods, as it will only lead to an energy crash mid-morning. Eggs, oatmeal and smoothies are all good choices to provide you with energy that will last throughout the morning.
Drink more water – A lack of sufficient water can leave you feeling sluggish, even if you are only slightly dehydrated. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that women who were only 1% dehydrated reported feeling fatigued and depressed, in comparison with the participants who were optimally hydrated. You don’t need to drink 8 glasses a day, but if you find yourself feeling tired, drink a glass of water and it may boost your energy.
Get more magnesium – This mineral is responsible for over 300 of the body’s biochemical functions, including creating energy from the breakdown of glucose. According to the USDA, almost 60% of the American population is deficient in magnesium. When levels are even just a little low, your energy can drop. Increase your intake of magnesium-rich foods such as nuts, seeds, whole grains and dark chocolate.
Get some exercise – Contrary to what you may think, exercise actually increases energy levels. Walking is particularly good for giving you more get-up-and-go. The results of a California State experiment found that subjects taking a brisk, 10-minute walk reported increased energy levels for the following two hours.
Reduce stress – Of course this is easier said than done, but there are stress reduction techniques you can learn to lower levels of energy-zapping stress in your life. Yoga, deep breathing and meditation are good ways to handle stress. Slow, deep breathing through the abdomen has been practiced by eastern cultures for centuries as a way of increasing energy. Even things as simple as listening to music or reading a book can help you to relax.
Chiropractic is a great way to reduce several forms of physical stress. For additional information, feels free to call Barger Chiropractic of Folsom (916) 984-9999 or stop by at 231 Blue Ravine Rd, #200, Folsom, CA 95630.
Dr. Barger kayaking Federal Falls with friends
Folsom Chiropractor kayaking Federal Falls
Folsom Chiropractor Jim Barger kayaking Federal Falls on the Pauley Creek, along with friends Jeff W, Eric and Bill. The videographer is Jeff with a Go-Pro camera mounted on his helmet. Bill lead the way and had already gone over the falls. Eric was the third following Jeff and I went last. This was about a 15 foot drop, softened by the air of the inflatable kayak.