A Functional Approach to Childhood Developmental Disorders

A child born today has a 1/150 chance of being labeled with autism. The autistic spectrum covers a number of increasingly common childhood developmental/behavioral disorders including:

• Autism
• Asperger’s
• PDD/NOS
• ADD
• ADHD

Each of these is classified by specific qualitative behavioral impairments. While they all differ in some ways, the underlying causative factors are very similar. The VAST majority of these children have right frontal lobe deficits. The frontal lobe acts as the executive.

Frontal lobe functions
• Attention
• Focus
• Planning
• Motivation
• Personality
• Appropriate Modulation of emotions
• Appropriate modulation of Reflexes

Boys have larger right frontal lobes so they are more affected by a right sided delay which may explain the increased incidence of these conditions in males. Anything that interferes with prenatal development, the birthing process, or healthy growth and development during the first two years of life can affect how the right brain develops. During the first 16 – 18 months of development, development is largely right brain. At around this time, the emphasis switches to the left side. This is the time when a ‘regression’ may first be noticed. This imbalance between the right and left brain rarely will correct on its own.


Right Brain Left Brain

Big Picture Small Picture
Non-verbal communication Verbal communication
Large Muscle Control Small Muscle Control
EQ (emotion) IQ
Cautious and Safe Curious and Impulsive
Likes newness, novelty Likes routines
Social skills

So in a child with a right brain deficit and/or dominant left hemisphere you would see a child who may be uncoordinated, impulsive, likes routines (and is upset if disrupted), is into the details or obsessed with parts and how things work, has difficulty interpreting facial cues and has poor social skills. Some children will have verbal delay because language is heavily dependent on a foundation of non-verbal communication (understanding ones emotions, facial expression, body language etc).

This hemispheric imbalance can be addressed through specific brain based therapies. It is also important to avoid stimulating the dominant hemisphere and further accentuate the discrepancy. A thorough evaluation and understanding of these disorders is necessary for this approach to be effective.

While these conditions have a strong neurological component, there is also a complex network of GI, immune, hormone and other metabolic factors which must be unraveled. Addressing these factors through diet, lifestyle and specific supplementation can greatly improve the success of any other treatments or therapies.

To request a Case Review and Functional Assessment of your child to determine whether Brain Based Therapy and Functional Nutrition may be right for them, please call our office (814)238-0232

A four Part Approach to Chronic Health Problems

Chronic pain and other health problems can be debilitating. Unfortunately, there are no easy answers. Traditionally, medications are used to help manage or dampen the symptoms. Often times these medications are accompanied by unwanted side effects. Also, over time, they may become less effective.

Overcoming chronic health problems requires time and commitment. The approach used in our office is to support and improve function through:

1) Diet A healthy well balanced diet is essential to good health and healing. Making the right food choices is very important and may require guidance and supervision. Just as important as knowing what to eat, is knowing what not to eat. Many people have unknown food sensitivities and they continue to eat things daily that are making their condition worse. Finding and eliminating these hidden food sensitivities is critical to improving their health.

2) Lifestyle
a. Sleep- We recover and heal while we sleep. A person should get at least 7-8 hours/night. Long term deprivation can contribute to many health problems.
b. Stress Reduction- Many chronic health problems are caused by or exacerbated by stress physiology. Today’s fast pace lifestyle leave many of us in a perpetual state of “fight or flight”. You can not heal in this state.
c. Exercise- The benefits of exercise are many and well established. Unfortunately, many people’s conditions prevent them from being able to exercise. Whole Body Vibration (WBV) may be a suitable substitute until a person is physically able to exercise on their own.

3) Specific Supplementation- Most people believe that taking supplements is important for their health but how do you know what to take and how do you know that it is helpful? If you are buying supplements at the grocery store on the advice of your neighbor, there is a very good chance that you are throwing money away. In our office, we use only the highest quality all natural supplements. We base all of our supplement recommendations on lab findings and use follow up labs to monitor their effectiveness. It is important to monitor not only that you’re feeling better but that you’re functioning better and that your physiology has improved.

4) Brain Based Therapy – A healthy brain and nervous system are essential to good health and bodily function. Your brain and nervous system need 2 things to be healthy: Fuel and activation (use it or lose it). Fuel comes in the form of glucose and oxygen. Managing glucose levels is very important. Unfortunately as we age our bodies ability to utilize oxygen decreases. We use supplemental oxygen with our chronic patients to help them heal faster. By combining exercise with oxygen therapy (EWOT) we can increase brain function and help a number of chronic health problems.

To discover whether Dr. Diehl may be able to help you with your health problem, please call (814)238-0232 to request a consultation and case review.

Glutathione and Chronic Health Problems

Your Body can’t live without Glutathione…The World’s Most Powerful Antioxidant!

Have you been feeling more tired, run down, coming down with colds or the flu, have a lack of energy, increased aches and pains that weren’t there a couple of years ago, or you’re unable to recuperate as quickly from exercise and physical activity as you once were?

You can now have a naturally occurring substance that acts as a powerful antioxidant, and immune system booster, and a detoxifier? A substance that can help your body repair damage caused by stress, pollution, radiation, infection, drugs, poor diet, aging, injury, trauma and burns? It’s called Glutathione.
What is Glutathione? Also called GSH, Glutathione is the most powerful, prevalent antioxidant in your body. The most well known antioxidants are vitamins C and E. Glutathione is a tripeptide molecule composed of the amino acids glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine, which exists in almost every cell of your body. Our glutathione level actually indicates our state of health and can predict longevity. Scientific evidence has found that glutathione is needed by our body to enhance the immune system response. There are more than 60,000 published papers on the beneficial effects of glutathione replacement, unfortunately, it is still largely ignored by mainstream medicine. Normal glutathione levels are important for good health because they neutralize free radicals, which can build up in cells and cause damage.

The Bad News… Your body’s cellular supply of glutathione begins to decline 10% to 15% per decade beginning with the age of 20. If you are over age 20, you have a glutathione shortage! Lower levels of glutathione can result in chronic illness such as… lower energy or fatigue, a weakened immune system, cellular damage, accelerated aging, and higher cellular inflammation, which results in increased muscle and joint aches and pains. Free radicals constantly are attacking our cells, which is why antioxidants are so vital to protecting our health. Glutathione has been called the World’s Most Powerful Antioxidant, and is found in every cell in the body, but, most people need some help.

The Good News!… Research shows that increasing your Glutathione levels has the following benefits:

Fight Organ and Muscle Inflammation
Increase Your Energy
Slow Down the Aging Process
Detoxify Your Body
Improve Liver Function
Reduce the Risk of Cancer
Strengthen Your Immune System
Improve Mental Function and Clarity
Improve Heart and Lung Function


In this video Dr. Mark Hyman, M.D. explains why glutathione is so important and how the body needs it to fight inflammation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh2PYQBICWs

Uncontrolled inflammation is a root cause of most major health issues ranging from heart conditions to joint and muscular conditions. Abundant glutathione levels will off-set the effects of this inflammation at the cellular level. Because glutathione is in every cell, it can regulate inflammation throughout the body.

Adding antioxidants to your diet is a tremendous help, but it is Glutathione… the world’s most powerful natural antioxidant – that is Most Important for Protecting Healthy Cells.

Glutathione cannot be taken orally to create any great increase in blood levels. We have several alternative ways to administer glutathione. To discover how glutathione and brain-based therapy can benefit you, call our office at 814-238-0232.

Autoimmune Disease Support

As many as 1 in 5 Americans suffer from an autoimmune disease. Many of them are undiagnosed. Auto immune diseases occur when the body’s immune response becomes hypersensitive and begins attacking cells, tissues and organs in the body. There are usually underlying predispositions to these conditions, however, many will not present until triggered by something in the environment. This can be an infection, a food sensitivity, a hormone problem, blood sugar dysregulation, toxins and/or inflammation. The name of the condition and its clinical manifestations are dependent upon which tissue or organ (thyroid, pancreas, brain etc) is being attacked. Some of these diseases include

· Addison’s disease
· Celiacs disease
· Chron’s Disease
· Graves disease
· Hashimoto’s thryoiditis
· Juvenile Diabetes
· Lupus
· Multiple sclerosis
· Psoriatic arthritis
· Rheumatoid Arthritis
· Scleroderma
· Sjogren’s

Although not technically autoimmune, many individuals who suffer from Fibromyalgia and Chronic fatigue have associated autoimmune diseases

For a comprehensive list visit http://www.aarda.org/research_display.php?ID=47

Traditional treatment of autoimmune disease is mainly through immune-suppression with medications that down regulate the immune response, corticosteroids that also reduce inflammation, or plasmapheresis. Some of these treatments may make the individual more susceptible to certain infections and cancers.

An alternative management strategy is to first remove the trigger(s) –stabilize blood sugar and hormones, decrease inflammation, and remove irritants (bacteria, yeast, parasites, virus, foods, heavy metals etc). Then, the immune system is supported through diet and supplementation. Nutritional supplementation can be general or very specific.

Further testing is needed to be specific. There are two parts to the immune system, TH1 and TH2. Certain botanicals, vitamins and other nutrients can support or stimulate one part or the other.

TH1
TH1 is your T-cells. T-cells are the army that attacks and cleans up afterword. (Helper T-cells, Suppressor T-cells, Natural Killer Cells, regulatory T-cells, and macrophages. TH1 response is stimulated by

· Echinacea
· Garlic
· Vitamin C
· Immune stimulants
· Licorice root
· Astralagus
· Betab-glucan mushroom
· Maitake Mushroom
· Lemon Balm

TH2
TH2 is your B-cells. B-cells make anti-bodies. They tell T-cells what to kill. Your TH2 response is stimulated by

· Caffeine
· Green tea
· Grape seed extract
· Herbal barks (cramp bark, pine bark, white willow bark)
· Lycopene
· Resveratrol
· Pycnogenol

In autoimmune patients, one side can become hyperactive and dominate over the other. By further testing and analysis of the immune system to determine the mechanics of the persons immune dysfunction, more specific support appropriate to their immune pattern can be provided. It also becomes important to not take anything that is going to be stimulating the already dominant side. Balancing this system goes a along way in reducing a patients symptoms.

Fibromyalgia and Thyroid Problems

Fibromyalgia is a form of generalized muscular pain and fatigue that affects approximately 3.7 million Americans. The name, Fibromyalgia, means pain in the muscles and the fibrous connective tissues (the ligaments and tendons). Fibromyalgia lacks laboratory abnormalities; instead, the diagnosis depends mostly on a person’s report or complaints and feelings. Pain is the most prominent symptom of Fibromyalgia. It generally occurs throughout the body although it may start in one region, such as the neck and shoulders, and spread to other areas over a period of time.

Most people with Fibromyalgia experience moderate or severe fatigue with a lack of energy, decreased exercise endurance, or the kind of exhaustion that results from the flu or lack of sleep. Sometimes the fatigue is more of a problem that the pain. Headaches, especially muscular (tension headaches) and migraine headaches, are common in Fibromyalgia. Abdominal pain, bloating, alternating constipation, bladder spasms, and irritability may cause urinary urgency or frequency. Your skin and blood circulation can be sensitive to temperature changes, resulting in temporary changes in skin color.

Fibromyalgia is a very complex network of neurological, immune system, hormonal, and inflammatory issues. In a previous issue I discussed the neurological component of Fibromyalgia. In this edition I would like to explore the thyroid’s relationship and its influence as an underlying factor in many cases of fibromyalgia.

There is a considerable amount of scientific evidence that suggest FMS is a condition of abnormally slow metabolism. The clinical features of Fibromyalgia and hypothyroidism are very similar. A number of studies verify that hypothyroidism is the most common underlying disorder. The incidence of hypothyroidism may be as high 5x greater than in the general population.

Symptoms of Low Thyroid Function
· fatigue
· weight gain
· hair loss
· constipation
· low libido
· cold hands and feet
· depression
· insomnia
· heart palpitations
Clearly, the thyroid must be investigated and managed appropriately when dealing with the fibromyalgia patient. Unfortunately, most of the patients I see taking thyroid replacement hormone still are suffering from many of the symptoms of low thyroid function. In his new book “Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms When My Lab Test Are Normal?” Dr. Datis Kharrazian explains why. This book is highly recommended for anyone suffering from hypothyroidism (or believes that they may be) and the doctors who care for them. There are six basic patterns of thyroid dysfunction identified and only one will respond favorably to hormone replacement therapy (and not all of these). A complete thyroid panel (i.e. more than TSH and T4) is necessary to determine the mechanism of thyroid dysfunction and the appropriate intervention. In our office, we use specific all natural protocols based on Dr. Kharrazian’s seminars and book with great success.

The successful treatment of fibromyalgia requires a comprehensive multi faceted approach that looks at ALL the causes and contributing factors. In our office, we incorporate neurologically based therapies, diet, lifestyle, stress management and appropriate supplementation based on specific lab testing to help many chronic conditions.

To discover whether this approach may be right for you please call our office at (814)238-0232 to schedule a comprehensive Case Review.

Breakthrough in Allergy Relief

We are the only office in central Pennsylvania to offer allergy and sensitivity symptom relief using the FDA cleared, U.S. patented Bax 3000. www.allergyfreeyoucanbe.com

This new technology may be the answer to finally eliminating your allergies or other sensitivities. We are proud to introduce the BAX 3000, a fully automated and computerized device that combines principles of Eastern Medicine with a modern day understanding of the nervous system's role in physical wellness.

Utilizing a unique Substance Specific Stress-Reduction Strategy, The BAX 3000 teaches the body to maintain normal function during exposure to environmental (and other) stressors.

THIS IS A UNIQUE, SCIENCE BASED APPROACH TO SYMPTOM ELIMINATION

The effects of stress, and stress relief, on health is not theoretical.as the body of evidence clearly and overwhelmingly demonstrates this link. The BAX 3000 approach to wellness is rooted in these 4 statements, each proven factual by objective, published research:

1) Stress causes or exacerbates most health related conditions.

2) A general reduction of stress levels can significantly decrease symptoms of many conditions.

3) The brain creates associations between stressful events and substances.

4) If these associations can be broken, by introducing a positive stimulus in conjunction with the specific stress inducing substance... symptoms can be eliminated.

To schedule your Allergy Survey and BAX analysis call our office at (814)238-0232.

Gluten Sensitivity and Intolerance

There is an increasing amount of interest and information on the subject of gluten (a protein found in wheat and some other grains) sensitivity and a gluten free lifestyle. With this comes a good deal of misinformation and confusion.

The most well known (but still very poorly diagnosed) and extreme gluten sensitivity is Celiac Disease, a gluten triggered autoimmune attack on the small intestine. Celiac disease is confirmed by a biopsy of the small intestine revealing tissue destruction, but it isn’t that clear cut. Gluten sensitivity can, and does, exist without obvious damage to the intestines. I have actually had patients who suspected they might have gluten sensitivities ask their primary doctor about it only to be dismissed because they didn’t have obvious gastrointestinal symptoms. Celiac and gluten sensitivity can manifest a wide array of non- GI symptoms including: osteoporosis, osteopenia, central and peripheral nervous system disorders, anemias, weight loss or gain, tooth enamel defects, dementia, autism, Aspergers, ADHD, schizophrenia, infertility and early menopause, depression, vitamin K deficiency, dermatitis, organ disorders and fatigue.

There also seems to be some disagreement over which testing method to use to confirm a gluten sensitivity. Many doctors rely on blood testing; however, I feel that stool testing is more sensitive and accurate. Antibodies produced as the result of gluten sensitivity are mainly secreted into the intestine rather than the blood, analyzing stool turns up many more positive tests than blood tests. It is only when the immune reaction has been present for long periods of time and/or the process is far advanced that antibodies are produced in quantities sufficient to leak into the blood.

One thing is for certain, the number of people and with gluten sensitivities is on the rise. Research studies suggest that this is not just due to increased awareness and better screening. Modern wheat is very different from the wheat eaten by our ancestors. As a result of hybridization, wheat today has much higher levels of gluten proteins.

In chronically ill patients, gluten sensitivities must be considered. If indicated, removing wheat from these patients diets can have profound effects on their health. One study using MRI revealed a reversing of plaquing of the brain (as seen in Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosis) in wheat sensitive individuals following a year of being wheat free.

Living gluten free is not easy but there is an ever expanding availability of these foods and products. Grocery stores, restaurants, and even amusement parks and major league stadiums are offering gluten free options. There are also some excellent books on the subject that are very helpful making the transition to a gluten free lifestyle.

Join the State College Support Group for their bi-monthly meeting Wednesday August 26th 2009 7:00pm at Mt Nittany Medical Center, Room 3. Share recipes and learn about living gluten free.