One of the most asked questions we receive from patients, is how can I monitor or address chronic pain issues? According to Dr. Christine Horner, M.D. "Medical Thermography is a simple and effective way of identifying possible inflammation in the body. Inflammation plays a critical role in the normal physiological processes of your body. However, when it occurs in excess, it becomes a powerful promoter of chronic disease and aging."
Medical Thermography is a simple and effective way of identifying possible inflammation in the body. Inflammation plays a critical role in the normal physiological processes of your body. However, when it occurs in excess, it becomes a powerful promoter of chronic disease and aging. For example, inflammation is required for the initial stages of wound healing. It helps to clear the debris of dead tissue, signals for the immune system cells to come to the area, helps to fend off foreign invaders such as bacteria and infections, and initiates tissue repair.
But when inflammation becomes persistent, it turns into a formidable and destructive force. In fact, excess oxygen free radicals and chronic inflammation are thought to be the two most dominant processes that drive all chronic diseases and speed up aging. In addition, each increases the production of the other: oxygen free radicals escalate inflammation, and inflammation gives rise to more oxygen free radicals.
The amount of inflammation in your body can be measured by several blood tests. The three most common are: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and plasma viscosity. Here are the normal ranges for each test:
These 'normal ranges' provide a guide. However, CRP, ESR and PV levels can vary with factors such as age, pregnancy and between different hospital laboratories. The importance of the test result therefore needs to be considered in the context of each individual person.
Acute inflammation often causes noticeable symptoms, such as pain, redness, or swelling. But chronic inflammation symptoms are usually subtler. This makes them easy to overlook. Common symptoms of chronic inflammation include:
These symptoms can range from mild to severe and last for several months or years. Chronic inflammation eventually can lead to a multitude of chronic diseases. Here is a list of chronic diseases that are strongly associated with chronic inflammation. Source: Cleveland Clinic
You might have noticed that all these inflammatory-associated diseases are common in the American culture. It is not a fluke or a mystery as to why. Researchers have concluded that the American diet and lifestyle are largely responsible. For example, obesity, smoking, excess alcohol, inactivity, and emotional stress significantly increase inflammation. In addition, most of the foods that make up a typical American diet cause inflammation. In fact, an estimated 72 percent of daily calories come from the pro- inflammatory food listed below:
1–2% alcohol
10–11% dairy products (milk, cheese, butter)
20.4% refined grains (various flour products [bread, pasta, etc.]; cereals)
18.6% refined sugars (sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, glucose, etc.)
17.6% refined omega-6 oils (salad/cooking oils, shortening, margarine)
By contrast, organically grown plants not only supply large amounts of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients essential for health, but they also contain powerful anti-inflammatories. Below is a table listing the foods with the highest amounts of anti-inflammatory power listed from the highest to the lowest. The inflammatory or anti-inflammatory potential of foods is reported as its “Inflammation Factor” (IF) Ratings. Foods with positive IF Ratings are considered anti-inflammatory, and those with negative.
There are numerous nutritional supplements that have strong anti-inflammatory properties. Studies show that those who take adequate amounts of several of these supplements daily have a significant reduction in chronic diseases and improved longevity. Here is a list of the best anti-inflammatory supplements:
When it comes to decreasing inflammation, your lifestyle choices are just as important as your dietary choices. Obesity, smoking, excess alcohol, inactivity, and emotional stress significantly increase inflammation; whereas the following activities significantly decrease inflammation and are recommended to be done DAILY:
Dr. Christine Horner, MD is a nationally known surgeon, author, and natural health expert residing in San Diego, CA. This article is republished with her permission (c) 2020
Click here to learn more Dr. Christine Horner
Dr. Horner's five year crusade-the Breast Reconstruction Advocacy Project or BRA Project-led to the passage of laws in thirty-five states and a federal law. The federal bill-The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act-was signed into law by President Clinton on October 21, 1998. The law was unprecedented because it was the first law Congress had ever passed requiring insurance companies to pay for a specific surgical procedure. Her campaign involved several meetings with President Clinton and Hillary Clinton.
Dr. Horner has been featured in dozens of national magazines including Glamour, Ms. Magazine, Elle, Allure, Family Circle, Ladies' Home Journal and Women's Health Weekly. She has been a regular contributor to magazines including Low Carb Energy, Let's Live, the Doctors' Prescription for Healthy Living, the American Cancer Society's tlc Magazine, and currently writes columns for the Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine, and Wellbella.
Dr. Horner is a popular radio and television program guest and has appeared on numerous national television shows including The Oprah Winfrey Show, NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, FOX and Friends, CNN, and a Healthy You and Carol Alt. She has also been interviewed by Dr. Oz and Dr. Mercola. In February 1999 Glamour magazine honored her as their "WOW--Woman of the Month." In 2000 Oprah recognized her as part of her "Angel Network" on her television program.
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