Tai Chi for Better Health

Tai Chi is a mind-body practice which originated in ancient China that began as a martial art and, as it developed, took on the purpose of enhancing physical and mental health.  It involves slow, gentle movements, deep breathing, and meditation, sometimes called "moving meditation," and is ideal for seniors.

Physical Health

It is a type of low-impact, weight-bearing, and aerobic--yet relaxing--exercise.  Some people believe it improves the flow of energy through the body, leading to better wellness and a wide range of potential benefits:  Improved strength, conditioning, coordination, flexibility and balance.  The Oregon Research Institute found that, after six months, tai chi participants were twice as likely to have no trouble performing moderate to rigorous activities as nonparticipants.  The benefit was greatest among those who started with the poorest health or worst function.  

Mental Health 

Two studies by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) found it to cut the fear of falling and the risk of falls among older people.  Reduced pain and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis:  Patients with osteoarthritis assigned to a tai chi group during a three month study reported less joint pain and stiffness than when they started and than the control group.  Enhanced sleep:  the Oregon researchers found participants had improved sleep quality and length, and fewer sleep disturbances than those in a low-impact exercise group.  A UCLA study found benefits similar to those gained through drugs or cognitive behavioral therapy--two thirds of those practicing tai chi had major improvements in sleep quality, compared with one third of those involved in health education sessions.  The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the NIA supported a study in which researchers found that tai chi prompted an immune response to shingles similar to the varicella vaccine, and,  when combined with the vaccine, tai chi helped create even greater levels of immunity--double those of the control group.  

Source:  webmd

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Giving It Up: the Dr. Oz Way

Giving up is the single most important thing you can do for your health and the health of those around you.  Even if you do not smoke in their presence, you exhale fine particles of tobacco that cause inflammation.  By quitting smoking, you'll make yourself at least 5 years younger and save money.

Day 1-6:  A Commitment to Quit

Get started by pledging to exercise 30 minutes per day and by making your home a comfortable, safe and smoke-free environment.  During this time, you may continue to smoke.  Walk 30 minutes a day and enlist a buddy.  This person should be a non-tobacco user or someone else who is trying to quit.  Speak to or email this person each day to confirm you've done your walking.  When the going gets rough, this person will cheer you on and offer moral support.

Day 6:  Go Public

Accountability is a powerful motivator for success.  Let your friends and family know that you've made the ultimate commitment to your health.  Sign a pledge, and have your spouse, child or friend co-sign it.  This is your public commitment to stop smoking (heck, Twitter or blog your experience to make the quitting that much more public), and your desire not to let others down, will significantly boost your motivation.

Days 7-12:  Make an Appointment to Quit

Medicine can help eliminate cravings and deliver the dopamine you're getting from smoking.  Move up your annual doctor's appointment. Discuss your commitment to quit smoking, and a prescription for Wellbutrin pills (100mg) and nicotine patches (if your health plan covers it).  For most people, the desire to smoke is prompted by specific feelings or situations.  Break that connection so your daily experiences don't leave smoking constantly on your mind; space your cigarettes at equal intervals throughout the day.  If you smoke 6 cigarettes per day, and you're awake for 18 hours, smoke 1 cigarette every 3 hours.  If you miss your scheduled smoking time by more than 5 minutes, wait until the next one.

Days 12-29:  Your Prescription Plan

On Day 30 of Dr. Oz's Kick the Habit plan, you will be quitting.  So today, enlist the help of prescriptions to help you through the next 2 weeks.  Start Wellbutrin on Day 28.  Take a 100mg pill once per day, in the morning.  Do the same tomorrow.  Just before you go to bed toss all cigarettes in the garbage.  This it.  Cigarettes are no longer a part of your life.

Day 30:  Quit! 
The first step in being smoke-free is to be cigarette-free.  Get rid of ALL your cigarettes.  The ones in the kitchen, the glove compartment - the emergency pack.  Also purge anything that reminds you of smoking, including lighters, ashtrays, etc.  If you have clothes that smell like cigarettes, wash them.  If your furniture smells like cigarettes, douse them with anti-odor spray.

Day 31-45: Establishing Your Smoke-Free Life

This set of patterns will transition you from your life as a smoker to your life as a non-smoker.  Increase Your Dose Continue taking Wellbutrin (according to your doctor, you may increase your dose to 2 Wellbutrin daily for the next 2-4 weeks.)  Start wearing nicotine patches.  The general rule is that a 21mg patch will deliver the same amount of nicotine as a pack of cigarettes.  So if you smoke a pack a day, wear a 21mg patch through the day.  If you smoke less than half a pack, use a 14 mg patch.  Remember to take the old patch off when you put the new one on each morning and adhere to a different site.

Day 31-45: Rules of Distraction

Learn to break your behavioral smoking patterns.  The keys to this are replacement and distraction.

Replace Cigarettes

You'll miss the feeling of doing something with your hands, or of having something in your mouth. Try chewing sugarless gum or celery sticks to keep your mouth busy, and wear a rubber band around your wrist that you can use to keep your fingers occupied.

Distract Yourself

When you get a bad craving, don't just sit there and think about it.  Get up right away and do something distracting.  Clean your messy closet.  Organize the books on your shelf.  Go for that 30-minute walk.  Go for a second 30-minute walk!

Day 45:  See Your Doctor If your doctor wants to check in on your progress, see them on or around day 45.

Your doctor can reduce the dose of Wellbutrin to once a day and the nicotine patch to 1/2 or 2/3 of what you were using.

Days 46-180:  Keep It Going 
It's time to decrease your medication and increase your physical activity.

Taper off

Lower your Wellbutrin intake to a single dose in the morning, which you'll eliminate in 6 more months.  Also, lower the dose of your nicotine patch by 1/3 starting today, and then again every 2 months until it's finished.  At 6 months you can discontinue the pills and patches that made those difficult weeks possible.

Pump Iron - Get some weights, and every even day start lifting them for 10 minutes per day.  Improving your fitness will help in the continuing struggle against cravings.

Day 181+:  You ARE a Non-Smoker

In Case of Emergency, carry 1 Wellbutrin and your buddy's phone number.  Get a craving?  Pop the Wellbutrin, call you buddy, and wait at least 30 minutes.  Remember what you did to be successful.  Reread your blog, your pledge or your Twitter feed. 

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Everyone Agrees About Sugar Drinks

Sixteen dental organizations have requested that the U.S. Surgeon General report on how the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages can affect oral health.

The organizations include the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Periodontology, American Association for Dental Research, American Association of Dental Consultants, American Association of Endodontists, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Association of Public Health Dentistry, American Association of Women Dentists, American College of Prosthodontists, American Dental Education Association, American Dental Hygienists' Association, American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists, Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors, Hispanic Dental Association and National Dental Association.

Oral Health 

In a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the coalition asked for a report on relationships between specific dietary practices and oral diseases.

The coalition asked for a report on the extent to which sugar-sweetened beverage consumption affects oral health, a definition of 'soft drinks' and/or 'soda pop', accounting for natural sugars, added sugars, carbonation and acid content The hope was that a report would illuminate the fact that a steady diet of sugary foods and drinks, including juice and sports drinks, can damage teeth.

Source:  ada.org/news/7391.aspx

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Care for Your Toothbrush

Your toothbrush is loaded with germs.  The University of Manchester found one uncovered toothbrush can harbor more than 100 million bacteria, including E. coli, which can cause diarrhea and staphylococci, which causes skin infections.  Even though your mouth is a veritable treasure trove of bacteria, and the plaque you are using the brush to remove from your teeth is bacteria, your body's defenses make it unlikely to catch an infection from tooth brushing.

Toothbrush Storage   

However, some tips for toothbrush storage are in order:  

• Don't brush where you flush:  since toilets spray bacteria  into the air, store your toothbrush as far from the toilet as possible.  
•  Wash your hands:  you wouldn't eat after going to the bathroom without first washing your hands, so do the same before brushing.   
• Keep it rinsed:  wash the brush thoroughly after use.   
• Keep it dry:  since bacteria love a moist environment, give it a chance to dry between brushings.  
• Keep it upright:  store it upright in a holder, rather than lying down.  
• Keep it to yourself:  don't share it with another person, and keep it away from other brushes so they don't swap germs.   

Replace Your Toothbrush

There is no proof that toothbrush sanitizers work.  No brush can be completely cleaned.  The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months.  If the bristles become frayed, you're sick, or you have a weak immune system, throw it out more often.  If you use an electric toothbrush, throw out the head as often as you would discard a disposable toothbrush. 

Adapted from: webmd     

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Some Tobacco Use Increasing

While it has been previously reported here that cigarette smoking is declining in the United States, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a new report of sharp increases in total adult consumption of pipe tobacco (used for roll-your-own cigarettes) and cigarette-like cigars.

This sharp rise since 2008 has offset the decline in total cigarette consumption.  The CDC found that from 2000 to 2011, total consumption of all smoked tobacco products decreased 27.5% and total cigarette consumption was down 32.8%.  However, total consumption of noncigarette-smoked products increased more than 123%.  The largest increases were in pipe tobacco (up 482%) and large cigars (up 233%).

Source: CDC Morbidity and MortalityWeekly Report, 8/3/2012/61(30); 565-569 

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Cigarette Smoking Decreasing--Statistics

A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association tracked cigarette smoking prevalence from 1965 to 2007,  in California and the United States.  The population-based surveys included National Health Interview Surveys, 1965-1994, and Current Population Survey Tobacco Supplements, 1992-2007.  There were 139,176 total respondents for California and 1,622,353 for the remaining United States.  Researchers found:  1965--20 or more cigarettes/day:  23.2% of California population, 22.9% of US population 2007--20 or more cigarettes/day:  2.6% California, 7.2% US 1965--10 to 20/day:  11.1% California, 10.5% US 2007--10 to 20/day:  3.4% California, 5.4% US.  The researchers also broke down groups depending upon the decade during which they were born, from 1920-1929 to 1970-1979.  People born in each successive decade showed lower smoking prevalence.  The authors said:  "the large decline in the prevalence of smoking has been reflected in declines in lung cancer deaths in California and the United States."  Over the past 40 years, patterns of smoking have changed dramatically to reflect:  fewer people starting smoking those who do smoke reducing the amount of smoking more people quitting smoking.  The authors credited the reductions in the dissemination of scientific reports that smoking caused cancer and public policies to reduce smoking.


Source:  JAMA.2011;305(11):1106-1112


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Children+Secondhand Smoke=More Illness

Children exposed to secondhand smoke who are hospitalized with influenza have more severe illness.

The Journal of Pediatrics compared children (exposed vs. not exposed) hospitalized between 2002 and 2009. Using intensive care, intubation and length of stay in the hospital as severity indicators, researchers found children with chronic conditions and secondhand smoke exposure required more intensive care and had a longer length of stay (10.0 vs. 3.5 hays) than children not exposed.

In addition, children with SHS exposure were 4.7 times more likely to be admitted to intensive care and had a 70% longer length of stay, even when factors including demographics and the presence of Asthma and Tooth Decay asthma or chronic conditions were eliminated as factors.

Source:  jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(12)00731-7

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Board Certified Prosthodontics: Comprehensive

Treatment Options

Sometimes people are desperate, but are not willing to do what they need to do, even when they are able.  As a Board Certified Prosthodontist, while we very much enjoy "single tooth" dentistry--crowns, veneers, single implants, etc. (and do these things with the most current technologies available)--we see many patients who have been told they are at the end of the line.  These patients have multiple problems: missing teeth, broken down teeth, gum disease and bone loss.  As difficulties increase, people can feel overwhelmed.

At any stage of dental disease, however, there are always options!  The beauty of a comprehensive examination and evaluation is that it includes discussion about needs, wants and priorities.  In this manner, treatment options are considered in terms of benefits and expectations.  

Today there are more ways to achieve a great smile and have function, too.  We can find a worthwhile solution that fits! 


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Lupus and Joint Pain

More that 90% of people with lupus experience joint and/or muscle pain at some time during the course of their illness.  More than half of the people who develop lupus mention pain in their joints as their first symptom.

Symptoms of Lupus 

Inflammation  is the most common reason for muscle pain and aches.  When major inflammation exists (i.e. lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease), the aches, pains and weakness are signs of your body's inability to cope with whatever process has overwhelmed it, especially during periods of increased disease activity (flare).  Lupus arthritis causes pain, stiffness, tenderness and warmth in your joints.  The joints most often affected are the ones farthest from the middle of the body, such as fingers, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles and toes.  General stiffness upon waking in the morning, which gradually improves as the day goes on, is a key feature.  Sometimes joint pain may develop later in the day, and involve several joints, with similar joints on both sides of the body.  Compared to rheumatoid arthritis, lupus arthritis is less disabling and less likely to cause destruction of the joints.  Fewer than 10% of people with lupus arthritis will develop deformities of their hands and feet associated with weakening of cartilage and bone.  


Source:  Lupus Foundation of America    


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Reverse Pre-Diabetes

Nearly 25% of Americans are thought to have pre-diabetes--a condition of slightly elevated blood sugar levels that often develops into diabetes within 10 years-- but only 4% are aware of it.  Diabetes can mean a lifetime of drugs and blood sugar monitoring, an increased risk of heart disease, periodontal disease, Alzheimer's disease, and other health threats.  Prevention.com offered the following healthy habits to reverse pre-diabetes:  

• Lose weight:  a  5% weight loss equals a 70% reduction in risk.  

• Walk:  worldwide studies show the increased activity gotten from walking daily helps the body utilize insulin to move blood sugar into cells that provide energy and nutrition whole grain cereals:  

• Indulge coffee:  the Harvard School of Public Health studied 126,210 men and women over 18 years and found four cups or more of coffee with caffeine offered protection.  

• Skip fast food:  University of Minnesota scientists followed 3,000 people, ages 18 to 30, for 15 years, and found those who ate fast food more than twice per week gained 10 more pounds and developed twice the rate of insulin resistance, the two major risk factors for type 2 diabetes.  

• Eat vegetables more often:  by eating vegetables and reducing the amount of red meat and processed meat, risk is significantly lowered, according to a 37,000 women study at Bringham and Women's Hospital.     

• Cinnamon:  German researchers studied adults with type 2 diabetes who then took a capsule containing the equivalent of 1 g. cinnamon powder 3 times a day for 4 months and reduced their blood sugar by 10%.     

• Daily relaxation:  simple relaxation exercises and other stress management techniques reduce blood sugar levels, according to a study conducted at Duke University.  Get 6 to 8 hours of sleep a night: Yale University found less than 6 hours of sleep doubled diabetes risk, and more than 8 hours tripled risk.     

• Be social:  women who live alone are 2.5 times more likely to develop diabetes.     

• Have a blood test:  a simple blood test measures sugar levels.  People with pre-diabetes--slightly elevated sugar levels, between 100 and 125 mg/dl--often develop a full blown case within 10 years. Knowing you are at risk can put you on a course of simple diet and exercise changes.    

Source:  Women's Health Magazine/Prevention.com 

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Tips for a Photogenic Smile

With the ubiquitous cameras in cell phones, email profile pictures, and online photo sharing, a camera-ready smile is almost a necessity.  Thankfully, you don't have to be a celebrity or genetically blessed to create one.

Smile Tip #1:  Wear a "Parade" Smile
Photogenic smiles are gentle and natural.  Lily T. Garcia, DDS, MS, FACP tells her patients to smile as if they are in a parade.  In other words, strike a smile you can hold for a long time.  When you smile gently, your face looks relaxed.  Your mouth opens slightly, and your lower lip matches the curve of your upper teeth.  "You'll feel the edges of your upper front teeth gently touching your lower lip," says Garcia, president of the American College of Prosthodontists.  Your cheeks may rise a bit, but not too much.  It's the opposite of the quick smile that flashes across your face when you see an old friend.  That kind of jumping-for-joy smile makes your eyes squint and your neck muscles tense -- which can make for an awkward-looking photo.

Smile Tip #2:  Nix the Double Chin
More worried about your chin than your smile?  It's all about posture.  "If you slouch or your head is too bent forward, you won't like how your smile looks," says Pamela McClain, DDS.  She recommends turning your head slightly and dropping your chin so your face is not completely square with the camera.

Smile Tip #3:  Make Lipstick Your Friend
If you are a woman, select a lipstick that works with your skin tone.  "The right shade of lipstick can make teeth look whiter," Garcia says.  Shades like cherry red, wine, berry, plum, or rosy pink are your best bet. The blue-based or pink-based undertones will minimize any yellowish tones in your teeth.  On the other hand, Garcia says that the wrong color, especially one that's too dark or too red, can detract from your smile. 

Smile Tip #4:  Work With What You Have

You don't need perfect teeth to have a camera-worthy smile.  Just look at Tom Cruise and his off-center ivories.  Garcia points out that the line between his two front teeth, which should line up with the center of his nose, is off to one side.  It's rather obvious, but when Cruise smiles, few people notice it.

Smile Tip #5:  Prime Your Teeth and Gums
Preparation may be required.  If your teeth have yellowed with age, you might take time to try a whitening product from the pharmacy or visit your dentist.  Correcting cracked, broken, or missing teeth will likely mean some time with a dental professional.  Healthy gums play a crucial role in a photogenic smile.  "You can have beautiful teeth but if your gums aren't healthy, that detracts from your smile," says McClain, president of the American Academy of Periodontology.  Take Julia Roberts, McClain says:  "She's got a big smile, and she has a really nice blend of gum tissue and tooth." 

Smile Tip #6:  Practice
Your perfect smile might not happen overnight.  If you have a big photo event like a wedding or graduation coming up, take time to practice smiling in front of a mirror.  You can see how it looks and feels when you hold your shoulders back proudly and strike a natural, unforced smile.  You can also play around with turning your head and finding your best angle.  

Source: http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/beautiful-smile-12/photogenic-smile     

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Understanding Shingles

Symptoms for Shingles

If you've had chickenpox , the virus that caused it, the varicella-zoster virus, remains in your body.  It lies dormant in your nerves and can come back, even years later, as the painful, blistering rash of shingles.  An outbreak usually begins with a burning, itching, or tingling sensation on the back, chest, or around the rib cage or waist.  It is also common for the face or eye area  to be affected.  Some people report feeling feverish and weak during the early stages.  Usually within 48 to 72 hours, a red, blotchy rash develops on the affected area.  The rash erupts into small blisters that look like chickenpox.  The blisters seem to arrive in waves over a period of three to five days.  Blisters:  tend to be clustered in one specific area and after eruption the open sores take a week or two to crust over and are usually gone within another two weeks.  Pain:  the burning sensation in the rash is accompanied by shooting pains that may diminish as the blisters heal, but the pain can continue for months or years.  People report the sensation of anything brushing across the inflamed nerve endings of the skin can be almost unbearable.  Diagnosis:  because the rash is only on one side of the body and erupts along nerve paths that stem from the spine, shingles is usually easy to determine.  When the rash is accompanied by sharp, burning pain, in an older person who has had chickenpox, the diagnosis can be confirmed.  Treatment:  while there is no cure, antiviral medication, preferable given within 72 hours of the first sign of the rash, weakens the virus and its effects.  The outbreak still has to run its course, and pain relievers are often necessary.  

Prevention

Daily cleaning of the area helps prevent bacterial infections.  Prevention--the Shingles Vaccine:  the FDA has approved a vaccine to prevent shingles in people age 60 and older, even if they have had shingles.  The vaccine is designed to boost the immune system and protect older adults from getting the disease later on.  

Source:  National Institute of Health    

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Laughter Is Medicine

Interesting facts:  Smile and mean it!  Laughter reduces levels of stress hormones, and a 2010 study at Columbia University Medical Center, showed moderate optimists have a lower heart disease risk than "glass-half-empty" women.  Heart disease risk is 67% higher among people who work 11 or more hours a day, according to a 2011 study.  Regarding depression:  while, the average women's risk of depression is 22%, it is 40% if one parent had it.  According to a 2011 study, women who had  two cups of coffee a day  had a 15% lower risk for depression.  The American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that regular exercise of 30 minutes of jogging five times a week can reduce depression by 47%.  These examples are further evidence that good behavior has health benefits!  

Source:  Women's Health Magazine/disease risk/March 2012 

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Toothbrushing Technique

While the saying in real estate is "location, location, location" the saying for toothbrushing is "technique, technique, technique".  Aim the bristles at a  45° angle at the gumline and use short vertical or circular strokes (not horizontal), like you're doing one or two teeth at a time, getting the chewing surfaces, and outer and inner tooth surfaces.  Brush your tongue, or scrape it, to lower the overall bacterial population in your mouth.  Most people start in the same place every time they brush.  The first area gets the most attention and then successive areas get less and less.  So, start in a different place each time so all areas get equal attention.  The hard to reach places are the most important, even though they may be the most difficult to access.   

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Hearing Loss Linked to Other Problems?

The Better Hearing Institute maintains that hearing loss isn't a harmless condition to be ignored, because it often coexists with other serious health problems, and a growing body of research indicates that there may be a link.  Studies show that people with heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, Alzheimer's disease and depression may have an increased risk of hearing loss.

When left untreated, hearing loss alone can lead to a wide range of physical and emotional conditions.  Impaired memory and the impaired ability to learn new tasks, reduced alertness, increased risk to personal safety, irritability, negativism, anger, fatigue, tension and stress are among its more common side effects. When untreated hearing loss coexists with chronic illness, quality of life is diminished.  Dr. Sergei Kochkin, executive director of the BHI, says: "Hearing aids help most people hear better and improve their quality of life."






Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Spouses of Heart Attack Victims at Risk

A new study finds that spouses of heart attack victims are at risk for depression, anxiety or suicide, even if their partner survives.  The researchers also found that men are more susceptible than women to depression and suicide after a partner has a heart attack.  In a Denmark national study, more than three times the number of people whose spouses died of a heart attack were using antidepressants in the year after the event, compared with the year before.  Nearly 50 times as many people whose spouses died of a heart attack were using medications to treat anxiety.  People whose spouses survived a heart attack had a 17% higher use of antidepressants in the year after the event, compared with the year before.  The use of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medicines was higher among people whose spouses died from or survived a heart attack than among those whose spouses were hospitalized or died from other causes.  The sudden and unexpected nature of a heart attack may be the reason that it has a greater impact on a spouse than other health problems, the researchers suggested.

Source:  European Heart Journal, news release, Aug. 22, 2012 



Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Thyroid Health

Thyroxine

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that sits low in the front of the neck.  It produces a hormone called thyroxine, which helps control the function of almost all of the body's cells and organs, including the heart, brain and skin.

Hypothroidism means the thyroid gland is producing too little thyroxine.  The signs can typically be: depression, forgetfulness, slow thinking and speech, sleepiness, puffy face, dry skin, hoarse voice, coarse hair or hair loss, constipation, slow heartbeat, weight gain, feeling cold more often, sluggish and fatigue, cholesterol abnormalities, or heavy or irregular menstrual periods. 

Thyroid Syndrome

Hyperthyroidism means the thyroid is making too much thyroxine.  Signs include: palpitations, heat intolerance, nervousness, insomnia, breathlessness, increased bowel movements, light or absent menstrual periods, fatigue, fast heart rate, trembling hands, weight loss, muscle weakness, warm moist skin and hair loss.

A thyroid nodule is an abnormal lump or growth on or within the gland.  Symptoms are ear or neck pain, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, or shortness of breath as the goiter presses on the trachea.
Medical evaluation begins with blood tests to determine thyroid levels, and may also include ultrasound examination of the gland.  From this evaluation, appropriate treatment can be determined.


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Essential Minerals for Women's Health

Minerals 

In the human body, minerals are nutrients that, in small amounts, allow the body to function properly.  The body's requirements change throughout life.  The main sources of necessary minerals are food and vitamin/mineral supplements:

• Magnesium:  helps maintain muscle, nerve and bone function, heart rhythm, energy metabolism and the immune system.  It is available from green leafy vegetables, seaweed, avocados, nuts, beans, raw chocolate and grains.
• Calcium:   required for healthy muscle function, nerve transmission, intracellular signaling, and hormonal secretion.  It is stored in bone.  It also helps lower blood pressure.  It is available in dairy products, but best absorbed from vegetables and foods that are fortified with calcium.
• Iron:  part of the protein hemoglobin, it makes oxygen available for muscle contraction.  It is found in animal foods (meats, fish, poultry) and plant foods.  It may require supplementation before menopause, and then not after menopause.
• Zinc:  necessary for a healthy immune system, white blood cell production, enzyme function, hormone regulation and absorption of other minerals.  It also has anti-inflammatory and tissue-healing benefits. It is available in meats, seeds, beans, nuts and grains, and supplements.
• Iodine:  strongly influences nutrient metabolism, detoxification, nerve and muscle function, thyroid health, nail, hair, skin and tooth condition, and has a profound impact of physical and mental development.  In addition to supplementation, it is found mostly in seafood.
• Selenium:  stimulates glucose uptake and regulates glucose metabolism (to mimic the action of insulin) and, if deficient, can result in a number of functional disorders, including skeletal muscle dysfunction, cardiac dysfunction and pancreatic degeneration.  It also acts as an antioxidant to preserve DNA health, fights cancer, heart disease and aging.  It is in many natural food sources (cereals, nuts, legumes, beef, chicken, eggs and cheese) and supplements.

Nutrition

Complete nutrition supplies the body with sufficient amounts of nutrients from a variety of vitamin- and mineral-rich foods.  While supplements are an option, the most bioavailable form of any mineral is in its natural form.  A diet based on mineral- and nutrient-rich whole foods is linked with increased antioxidant activity, improved digestion, healthy inflammation response, healthy glucose metabolism and lipid profiles and increased immune activity.


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Metabolic Syndromeand Toothbrushing

We've talked before about adults being "apple" vs "pear shaped" and the health hazards that come with "pear shaped" being termed "Metabolic Syndrome."  The main hazards are higher rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.  Inflammation has been strongly related to metabolic syndrome (MetS).  Periodontal disease is the most common chronic infection in adults.  As reported in the Journal of Dental Research (Epub 2/29/12) a study of 925 people for three years, increased toothbrushing frequency was related to lower hypertriglyceridemia and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.  The study found that more frequent toothbrushing is related to lower prevalence and incidence of MetS.  The results suggest that more frequent toothbrushing may contribute to the prevention of MetS due to the inflammation/triglyceride pathway.

The syndrome can best be identified by studying blood sugar levels over a three month period.  Ask your doctor for recommendations on how you can stay healthy!


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

The Magic of Xylitol and Healthy Teeth

Xylitol Gum 

Xylitol is a non-sugar sweetener that tastes much like refined sugar.  Did you know that it has health benefits?  It has been shown that habitual use of xylitol, instead of sugar, is associated with a significant reduction in tooth decay, and actually helps teeth get stronger through remineralization.  Tooth decay results when (decay producing) mouth bacteria process sugar into a sticky acidic film (plaque) on tooth surfaces.  Xylitol is processed very poorly, producing little acid or plaque.  This decreases decay rates as well as promotes colonization of less virulent strains of bacteria that can ferment xylitol.  

Transmissible Bacterial Disease

Tooth decay is an infectious, transmissible bacterial disease.  Most children acquire the bacteria (predominantly Streptococcus Mutans) from their mothers or caregivers by salivary contact during the emergence of the primary teeth between the ages of 6 to 30 months.  This is the "discrete window of infectivity."  After the initial colonization of S. Mutans, the successful establishment of other bacteria on the tooth surfaces is impaired.  It has been demonstrated that a reduction of S. Mutans in the saliva of mothers has resulted in the delayed acquisition of S. Mutans in their children.  Remarkably, studies have shown that the habitual chewing of xylitol gum by mothers can decrease the tooth decay rates in their children by preventing the transmission of S. Mutans.  There are benefits for children who chew gum.  

Xylitol Gum Decrease Tooth Decay

Research has found chewing xylitol gum decreases decay rates significantly up to at least 5 years after xylitol therapy has been discontinued.  Children who chew xylitol gum have demonstrated significantly lower decay rates and also a significant number of decay reversals, suggesting that tooth remineralization has occurred.  Xylitol candies work just as well as xylitol gum.  Xylitol gum can be gotten from your dentist.  Xylitol is found in sugar free Trident, sugar free Ice Breakers, sugar free Mentos and sugar free Orbit gum. 


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309