One of our IVs has gotten so popular it has earned a separate name.  The STRESS drip is a variation on our very popular Immune Drip, which we have provided for thousands of patients for treatment of infections, pre and post surgery, injuries and accidents, and other illnesses. 

The STRESS Drip combines all elements of the Immune Drip with two other items, tryptophan and inositol, which provide calming and relaxation.  Thus it can provide immune support and energy along with relief from anxiety and emotional discomfort. 

If you are confronting a particularly difficult undertaking, or feel upset or incapable of handling a tough situation, such as marriage or parenthood, vacation with the in-laws, tax season or an operation, call us and arrange for a STRESS Drip.  It can help you to relax and to sleep, and may be repeated as frequently as needed.

-Allan Sosin, MD

We have been providing B12 injections for years. Even though if B12 taken in high enough dose by mouth, it will overcome any digestive problems that exist, B12 injections are easy to give, can be administered at home or in the office, and will provide much higher blood levels. Recently we have been using a special form of B12 called methylcobalamin. This is particularly effective in the treatment of neurological problems, and we have seen excellent and sometimes remarkable effects in children with autism. Giving B12 injections definitely circumvents any possibility of pernicious anemia and the cognitive impairment that occurs with it.

Some years ago I treated an eighty five year old man with progressive dementia. His wife could no longer manage him, and was preparing to have him admitted to a nursing facility. Within one month of starting the injections he began to improve, and within 3 months he was back to his old self. Several previous physicians had failed to evaluate him for B12 deficiency or to simply offer B12 injections. Without the therapy he would have been unnecessarily institutionalized.

Vitamin B12 shots are completely innocuous, easy to give and inexpensive. Their purpose is to provide support for cognitive and other neurologic functions. We use them for all patients with degenerative neurologic conditions, including multiple sclerosis, ALS, and Parkinsons disease.

A 60 year old man came into the office complaining of abdominal bloating and gas. He also had intermittent shortness of breath and a vague shoulder discomfort. He said that Pepto-Bismol made him feel better. There was a prior history of heart attack several years before. His blood pressure was normal and his pulse was not increased. His electrocardiogram (EKG) revealed evidence of old cardiac damage from the prior heart attack, but no new cardiac event.

Because of his history of heart problems I ordered an immediate BNP (B type natriuretic hormone) blood test, even though it seemed like his problem was intestinal. Our lab can run this test in 10 minutes. The BNP was elevated at 200 (normal less than 100). He went to the hospital, where other studies indicated a heart attack, and he was admitted. Without the BNP test, this patient would certainly have gone home, since his symptoms did not suggest a heart problem. He was much safer in the hospital, where he could be treated, and monitored for complications.

BNP is a hormone produced by the heart muscle in increasing amounts when the heart is under stress, such as during a heart attack or heart failure. The test should be available in more private offices, as the machine to run it is relatively inexpensive and very easy to use. BNP can be followed as an indicator of cardiac muscle strength. If it is normal, it is likely that a patient with chest pain is not having a heart attack.

If you want to clarify your cardiac status, especially if you are having chest discomfort, request a stat (immediate) BNP. It could save your life.

Allan Sosin, MD

Concern is growing about the doping of elderly rest home residents with anti-psychotic drugs. British research shows the practice - soon to be the subject of a New Zealand study - can result in premature death. Researchers from King’s College in Britain compared the life expectancy of people with dementia and prescribed anti-psychotic medication with those not on the drugs. They found those given anti-psychotic drugs, not designed to treat dementia but sometimes used to control aggression, died much earlier.

After 24 months on the study, more than 45 per cent of those taking anti-psychotic medication had died compared with 22% of people in the other group. It is unknown exactly how many elderly New Zealanders with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease are prescribed the psychiatric medications. However, a group of North Island researchers will soon publish a study looking at the use of anti-psychotic medication in rest homes. Read the rest of this entry »

Marijuana is considered by many to be a benign drug, not deserving of concern or prohibition. Two recent reports are worth knowing about.

In Leipzig, Germany, 29 patients were admitted to the hospital with classic symptoms of lead poisoning. They had abdominal pain, nausea, anemia and fatigue. One patient had hallucinations and peripheral neuropathy. All had high blood levels of lead. The source of lead was initially unknown, but eventually the patients divulged that they regularly smoked marihuana. Samples of marijuana were evaluated and found to be heavily laden with lead crystals. The sellers had laced their product with lead, gray in color and inconspicuous, to increase their profits. Read the rest of this entry »

Dr. Sosin will be speaking on oral and intravenous nutritional therapies in Autism at the LIA Foundation Conference on Saturday June 28, 2008. If you would like to learn more about this conference, please visit www.liafoundation.org

PSA measured in men 44-50 years of age is a strong predictor of future prostate cancer.  In general, a PSA over 4 is considered abnormal and suspicious for the presence of prostate cancer.  However, PSA levels are age related, and older men on average have higher PSA levels than younger men.  In a study involving Swedish men 44-50 years of age who were followed for nearly two decades, most of the men who developed advanced prostate cancer had higher than average PSA levels at baseline.

For the men who developed cancer, average PSA at baseline was 1.22 ng/ml, compared with 0.54 ng/ml in men who did not develop cancer. The risk of prostate cancer rose further as the PSA increased, so that men with initial PSA above 3 had a 120-fold higher incidence of prostate cancer compared to men in the average range.

Based on this study, early determination of a low PSA should be reassuring, and allow for less frequent determination of PSA.  Men with higher levels, and therefore at greater risk, should take early precautions with effective lifestyle changes:  low animal protein diet, avoidance of herbicides, pesticides and other organic pollutants that may be carcinogenic. A high intake of vitamin D and lycopene has also been shown to be helpful in studies. These nutrients are available in pharmaceutical grade preparations in our supplement store.

By: Julie M. Kahn, ND, LAc

For over 3,000 years, Traditional Chinese Medicine has promoted specialized treatment for women in pregnancy care and postpartum recovery. Today this care is becoming increasingly popular and used by obstetrical acupuncturists.

Pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal recovery are viewed in traditional Chinese medicine as a window of opportunity to enhance the woman’s well being. Value is placed on promoting preventative care to strengthen the mother and baby as well as dealing with problems as they occur during pregnancy. Acupuncture can be used in a variety of ways to promote fetal and maternal health. Read the rest of this entry »

Please join us for an informative lecture on prevention and treatment of cancer. This lecture will focus on natural medicine, nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices as your best defense in ther prevention of cancer. Dr. Kahn will also review how these modalities can significantly improve symptoms and the outcome of therapy for those who have a diagnosis.

Speaker

Julie Kahn, ND, LAc

Date and Time

Thursday April 10, 2008

1:30-3:30pm

Location

Grace Hills Church - Fellowship Hall

24521Moulton Parkway

Aliso Viejo, CA 92637

Please RSVP by April 7, 2008 jcarlson@comline.com, or call Joyce at 949-458-1755. This is a free event, $1.00 donation requested at the door for the cost of materials.

Immune drips are 10% off during the month of February. If you would like to make an appointment, please call reception at 949-600-5100.

The Institute for Progressive Medicine will be offering adult IV therapy to established patients on selected saturdays. Our supplement store will also be open for phone orders and in-store purchases. We will be open from 8:00am to 1:00pm on February 9th and February 23rd.