powerless

We had a recent power outage at our house during the year's first winter storm. It only lasted about 10 hours, but it was some of the most enjoyable time our family spent together. You don't realize how much noise is in your home until it's all gone. 

We spent time in the dark, just telling funny stories, cuddling and overall just being a family. My kids spent time enjoying "survival mode" and loved when my wife or I had to go get something or use the restroom so that they could escort us with their flashlight.

It was in this experience we realized how really connected we are to technology and things outside of what's really important. It's quick and easy to throw open the laptop (it still had battery power, but I pretended it didn't) and check tomorrow's weather but then you see a link for a story on your favorite team or something else to distract you. When that option is not there, you remained focused on those around you. When you no longer can turn a screen on to entertain your kids, you have to be the one to entertain them. It's what family's all about. We loved it.

Here's my wife's version (she experienced the full 10 hours):

"We were without power yesterday.  I know you are thinking what an inconvenience that is, but when I reflect on the day I see actually what a blessing it was. I couldn't check my email or surf the internet, watch TV, do laundry or dishes, cook or clean.  These are the things I find myself usually busied with all day long.  When stripped of all of these modern conveniences and chores what else is there to do?
Well, I played imaginative games with my daughter and laid by her and read as she took a nap.  After school my kids and I played in the snow, had a candle light dinner and read books in front of the fireplace.
We had all the flashlights ready for a night of darkness and cuddling.  It was so silent and peaceful in our house without the hum of the furnace or refrigerator.  
And then it all came to an end abruptly when everything returned to normal and in an instant our peace was over.  Ironically, I found myself actually disappointed that the power came back on and that our adventure was over."

What a blessing. We've decided to truly "unplug" at least once a month now and go down in the basement and hit the circuit breaker for the whole house. Sometimes it's a good thing to be powerless.

Have a similar story or desire? Please share below...

why patients are becoming disillusioned with healthcare

Quotes recent patients have heard from their doctors:

"Here's your list of symptoms, now we have to figure out a way to get rid of them"
How about some focus on why they are present? Unfortunately, we come out of medical school armed with tools for managing disease, and very little, if any, knowledge in prevention and health. So when we see patients and our whole focus is symptom elimination, it's much quicker to write prescriptions than search for answers.

"Stress and diet have absolutely nothing to do with your irritable bowel and colitis"
Really? Can it be true that the only way to have an impact on your illness is to take prescriptions? Why not let the patient play a role in their condition and overall health? One of the problems is that even if he admitted it played a role, he's likely not equipped to have the conversation on how to go about helping. As providers, we need to realize it's okay to say you don't know, just have the compassion to empathize and knowledge to recommend some providers who do.

"You should take this antidepressant, I do"
Evidence-based medicine at its pinnacle. This is the same doctor that tells their patients fish oil has no evidence, yet the American Psychiatric Association has an entire omega-3 paper covering their recommendations for fish in mental health. 

Fed up with the person that supposed to be your partner in health? Does it feel more like a general and army recruit relationship? There are good doctor's out there. You just have to spend some time looking. Make sure you find one that listens, that empathizes, and that has some commitment to looking for root issues.

Have a frustrating quote from your doctor? Share it in the comments section...

integrative medicine 2.0

Integrative medicine is in the unique position to take advantage of all of the healthcare technology solutions being released at record pace. The portals, tracking programs, and social networking interaction are all very exciting and give users lifestyle-changing experiences never before possible. Unfortunately, what's also happening rapidly is that technology is moving at a faster rate away from doctors. I received 15 minutes of nutrition during my 7 years of medical school and residency, and nearly zero exercise physiology that could be applied in the real world. How is the average physician able to carry the conversation around optimal nutrition tracking and other lifestyle change? In addition to lack of education is the hamster wheel of seeing 30 patients a day, reviewing their patients' labs and tests, renewing medications and answering messages in their workday allows them no time to interact with patients who desire guidance on their lifestyle and engagement with today's technologies.

So we have great tools for patients for empowerment, change, interaction but very little guidance from the health profession to interface this with prevention and/or management of health conditions. Patients are doing most of these things outside of their physician.

Enter integrative medicine. Healthcare providers who have been through the conventional training to understand disease management of conditions when it's needed, but who truly understand how lifestyle impacts health or lack thereof. There is no better captain for the healthcare team than the provider whose seen the light and dedicated their practice toward optimal health. Notice I use the word captain and not general or manager. Providers are still viewed as the head of the health care team, by both patients and payors (either employers or insurers). In order to accept and embrace this role, though, today's providers need to better understand whole foods nutrition, stress management and physical fitness. Whether they educate themselves or surround themselves with team members that do, it's a necessity. 

Integative providers taking a centrol role in our society's health is essential. Traditionally, their healthcare is based on spending time listening to patients and educating them. Largely done in one-on-one visits, the scalability of such a model will not allow this message to get very far. It's going to take technology and team members to branch out and reach more folks.

Integrative Medicine 2.0 is what I call it. It's the high-tech, high-touch approach that empowers the patients, keeps the cost low by utilizing technology and promoting true prevention. It represents the movement that will improve health on a larger scale. To change medicine for good. What technology tools can support and sustain this movement?  I have taken the principles of Integrative Medicine from its father, Dr. Weil and applied the technology that supersizes each one to reach more patients, for the good of us all.

Principle 1: Patient and practitioner are partners in the healing process
Technology: Today's technology allows a unique connection between practitioner and patient like never before. The relationship is enhanced with the ability to directly connect to practitioners via tools like email and video conferencing as well as stay connected via their online presence.

 Principle 2: All factors that influence health, wellness and disease are taken into consideration; including mind, spirit, and community as well as the body.
Technology: Using social networking and intelligently designed tools to promote health through lifestyle change, improvements in stress management as well as accountability and success, technology can be a major tool driven by providers to support patients’ path of health.

 Principle 3: Appropriate use of both conventional and alternative methods facilitate the body's innate healing response.
Technology: Allows providers to deliver evidence-based content to their patients either within a practice portal and/or social networks to keep them up to date and educated. They are also able to easily present content via their online presence and within the office visit about drug-nutrient depletion, drug-herb or drug-supplement interactions  

Principle 4: Effective interventions that are natural and less invasive should be used whenever possible.
Technology: Breeds a relationship that is built on connection and enabling lifestyle change. The providers able to interface these tools within the scope of care as well as the healthcare database (EMR) will be able to show patients their progress in the big picture and keep them engaged.

Principle 5: Good medicine is based in good science. It is inquiry-driven and open to new paradigms.
Technology: Technology has become a necessity for providers stay up with evidence-based protocols and new ideas for therapies. Allowing them to connect with other providers for educating and inspiring best practice as well as delivering this to their patient population easily both as content and as motivational/interactive tools.

Principle 6: Alongside the concept of treatment, the broader concepts of health promotion and the prevention of illness are paramount.
Technology: Enables the ability to create social networking and interactive features to inspire and guide health promotion through the most powerful means necessary: lifestyle change. Just as important is to be able to interface these features within a bigger portal that allows the patient and practitioner to see the bigger picture in regard to overall health and prevention.

Principle 7: Practitioners of integrative medicine should exemplify its principles and commit themselves to self-exploration and self-development.
Technology: Allows providers to interact with patients on a whole new level, which has value (should the provider desire and/or feel comfortable) in exposing certain aspects of the provider's lifestyle for their own accountability as well as their patients’ inspiration and education.

The best news? All of this technology is available today! Time to start changing the paradigm of the new paradigm. Welcome to Integrative Medicine 2.0. 

time to gear up for cold/flu season

This is the time of year I am frequently asked what to do about cold and flu symptoms. It is a good time to dust off the evidence and discuss what are good strategies. Certainly the age old time and rest are ideal but not often practical. 

The foundation should not be any surprise.  Living a healthy lifestye: whole foods eating, regular exercise, relaxation practices and good sleep are essential for both prevention and helping to fight any illness.

Other things to have in the toolbox:

Elderberry (Sambucus or Sambucol): Several studies show this herb to be effective. In one study, patients with the flu symptoms for 48 hours or less who took 3 tsp of elderberry syrup four times a day for 5 days found their symptoms resolved 4 days earlier than those taking placebo. In a study specific to H1N1, elderberry showed equal effectiveness in inhibiting the virus compared to Tamiflu and Amantadine, common flu medications. Studies have also shown activity against bacterial pathogens making elderberry a good consideration early on for both viral colds/flus and potential bacterial superinfection.

Vitamin D: In children, Vitamin D deficiency predisposes them to an increased risk of influenza. In additon, adequate levels of vitamin D have shown the ability to help reduce respiratory infections. Vitamin D has also shown evidence in human trials to reduce the risk of both bacterial and viral infections.

Garlic: Many studies have shown garlic's antiviral, antibacterial and antiparasitic qualities. In one study of patients that took stabilized allicin found that they had 63% fewer colds and 70% fewer days ill than did the placebo group. I often chop up two cloves of garlic per day and either swallow or add at the end of a soup during illness.

Vitamin C: In a large review study that took into account 21 studies on vitamin C (dosing anywhere from 1-8 grams per day) and the common cold found that in all 21 studies vitamin C reduced the duration of episodes and the severity of the symptoms related to colds.

Zinc: The best studied forms are 13 to 25 mg as gluconate, gluconate-glycine, or acetate in lozenges. Results from six studies that were double-blinded found that people assigned to zinc had a 50% decreased risk of still having symptoms after one week compared with those given placebo.

Andrographis: An herb that has shown immune-enhancing qualities. Research has shown the potential to treat influenza. Several studies have shown that cold symptoms improve and recovery is faster when andrographis extract (48 to 60 mg andrographolides) is taken in three or four divided doses daily, beginning as soon as the illness begins. 

While taking everything on this list can be quite much, I would suggest looking through the list, choosing a couple that sound good and fit your needs based on the type of illness and goal and stock up.

Are there things you believe in during time of illness? Share in the comments below...