Mid-Shore Life

 Chiropractic Care Benefits 40-Yr. Old Sufferer of Meniere's Disease

Meniere's Disease was first identified as a specific ailment back in 1861 by Prosper Meniere, a 19th-century French doctor who served as chief physician at an institute for deaf-mutes.  His studies there led to his specialization in diseases of the ear.

            “Meniere's disease, or MD, is thought to affect one in 1,000 people, or about one-tenth of one percent of the world's population,” said Chester-based Dr. John Jennings, D.C., who keeps current on a wide variety of health and wellness issues.  “Both sexes are affected equally, and the White race seems to be affected more than any other," the doctor continued.  "MD's onset usually occurs between the ages of 20 and 50.”

            In this particular case study of a 40-year old female, the patient had been diagnosed with MD and had a 3-month history of vertigo and a 16-month history of tinnitus, which is often characterizes as "ear-ringing" by lay persons, in her left ear.  She also showed a low frequency hearing loss.

Following the birth of her third child, April Chaney began suffering from a monthly cycle of excessive uterine bleeding, lightheadedness and dizziness that was affecting her life at work and at home.

Over time, her condition, known as menorrhagia, led to iron deficiency anemia and the need for blood transfusions and an endometrial ablation, a procedure to remove the lining of her uterus.

“I suffered on and off for about two years before having the ablation done,” Chaney recalls. “The procedure helped me get back to my ‘normal’ for about five months but the symptoms returned in full force with a dizzy spell that brought me to Memorial Hospital.” 

Chaney, who lives in Denton, continued to discuss her medical care options with her gynecologist, William Katz, MD. At 36 and with three children, she elected to have a hysterectomy to remove her uterus.

“When I learned that robotic surgery was an option that meant less pain and a faster recovery than other surgical options, I was thrilled,” says Chaney. She returned home the day following surgery and was back at work one week later with few activity limitations after that time.

A Less Invasive Alternative

Dr. Katz, a gynecologist on the Shore Health System medical staff, performed Chaney’s hysterectomy using the da Vinci® Surgical System. “Women who are candidates for this type of surgery benefit from reduced risks and side effects resulting from the surgeon’s increased view, greater precision and tireless control derived from using the system,” Dr. Katz explains.

The da Vinci surgical system consists of a surgical console for the physician and a patient-side cart positioned next to the operating table, where the surgical system’s robotic “arms” execute the surgeon’s movements. A miniature, high-definition digital camera is placed in the patient’s body through one of the small incisions necessary to perform the surgery. The camera provides the surgeon with a magnified three-dimensional view of the surgical area.

The surgical team at the patient’s side includes the anesthesiologist, a nurse first assistant, a registered nurse and a surgical technologist. The team is available to assist the surgeon and to ensure that the patient is cared for throughout the procedure.

Seated at the surgical console a few feet away from the patient, Dr. Katz’s hand, wrist and finger movements are translated into precise, real-time movements of the tiny surgical instruments placed within the patient.

“Performing gynecologic surgical procedures with robotic technology provides more versatility and range of movement so cutting and suturing through the small incisions is far easier,” explains Dr. Katz. “We’re able to provide more effective care for patients using this state-of-the-art system resulting in a much more comfortable experience for my patients during and after surgery,”

Two-week old shows marked improvement after 5 adjustments

 A recent article published in The Journal of Pediatrics, Maternal and Family Health, January 2010, reports the case study of a 2-week old male patient who showed symptoms of colic, constipation, and a troubled sleep pattern.

            The child’s mother indicated that her son’s birth was normal and without complications.  The boy began crying extensively whenever he was not eating or sleeping, and he showed signs of constipation within days after his birth, including a distended stomach and gas.  The child’s doctors reduced his intake of milk, but no immediate improvement was noted.  At night, the child slept intermittently, causing him distress and well as distress for his mother.  

            “Chiropractic care has helped alleviate the effects of many childhood ailments, including colic,” said Chester-based Dr. John Jennings, D.C.  “This type of health care is also without the harmful side effects of many drugs.”

            In the case of this 2-week old, the mother wanted to try chiropractic care.  When the child was presented for his initial examination, he was crying at the and in distress.  The examining chiropractor found the existence of subluxations in the child’s spinal area.  The doctor performed the first adjustment, after which the infant has an immediate bowel movement and fell asleep.

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Ingredients:

½ cup cracked grain (sold as cracked grain cereal)

1 ¼ cup water

1 package (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast

1/3 cup warm water (@110 degrees F)

2 Tbs butter

1 Tbs salt (Tablespoon of sea salt is best )

3Tbs baking molasses

3Tbs Agave Sweetener (or honey)

Double-blind, placebo-controlled study has promising results

(May 7, 2010, Chester). A recent article in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics reported on a study involving 326 children, ages 3 to 5, who participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled test of the effects of probiotics on cold and flu-like symptoms. 

            Chester-based Dr. John Jennings, D.C., follows health and wellness issues closely in professional journals and other publications.  “People often think of chiropractors in terms of treating neck and back pain,” said Dr. Jennings, “but many of my colleagues and I, myself, are involved in all aspects of our patients’ health and well-being, including proper nutrition and illness-preventative measures.”

            In this particular study, children in the study group were assigned at random to get one of three planned dosages.  One group received just a placebo, or common sugar pill with no therapeutic value.  A second group got a single probiotic dosage, and the third group got a combination probiotic dosage.

            “The study participants received their allocated dosage twice a day for six months,” Dr. Jennings related.  “They were then analyzed to determine both the incidence of cold and flu-like symptoms during the test period, as well as the duration of such symptoms.”

Shore Health System’s Center for Integrative Medicine is offering the five-week program “Mindful Eating” beginning Tuesday, May 4 and ending on June 8. The class will not meet on May 18. The program will be held at the Memorial Hospital at Easton, 219 Washington Street, in the Nick Rajacich Health Education Center from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

 “Mindful eating is about opening the mind’s awareness to our food and to the body, before, during and after we eat,” says program facilitator Larissa Kitenko, PharmD. “In this course, we will explore our relationship to food as well as our habits and patterns by practicing of mindfulness.”

Kitenko, who is a meditation instructor and a trained Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction facilitator, will lead the group in mindful movement and a body scan. She will also teach a form of mindfulness meditation that participants will be encouraged to practice between sessions.

The cost of “Mindful Eating” is $70. For more information and to register, call the Center for Integrative Medicine, 410-770-9400.

April 2010 Events

Screenings

Blood Pressure Screenings

Every Monday through Thursday, except holidays, 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm, Diagnostic and Imaging Center, 10 Martin Court, Easton. FREE. Sponsored by the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. No appointment needed.

Every Tuesday and Friday, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, Dorchester General Hospital, main lobby, 300 Byrn Street, Cambridge. FREE. Sponsored by the Dorchester General Hospital Auxiliary. No appointment needed.

Breast Cancer Screenings

Day and evening appointments available at Shore Regional Breast Center, Memorial Hospital, 219 S. Washington Street, Easton. Open to uninsured or underinsured women, aged 20-39 and over 64, who meet income guidelines. Call 410-820-9400 to schedule an appointment.

Support Groups         

Cancer Support Groups  

Meetings held at Shore Regional Cancer Center, 509 Idlewild Avenue, Easton.  New members pre-register by calling 1-888-806-0756. FREE.  Sponsored by The Wellness Community-Delmarva and Shore Regional Cancer Center.

13-Year old boy was headache sufferer for four years

(March 9, 2010, Chester).  According to a case study published late last fall in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, a course of chiropractic care was successful in completely eliminating headaches a 13-year old male patient had been experiencing at least five hours a day for four years.

            “Headaches are a common disorder affecting two-thirds of the world’s population,” said Chester-based Dr. John Jennings, D.C., “but we are still in the dark about all the causal factors and, in many instances, the most effective treatment options, which often depend on the mechanics of the specific type of headache presented.  Experts have recognized 14 distinct types of headache.”

March 2010 Events

Screenings

Blood Pressure Screenings

Every Monday through Thursday, except holidays, 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm, Diagnostic and Imaging Center, 10 Martin Court, Easton. FREE. Sponsored by the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. No appointment needed.

Every Tuesday and Friday, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, Dorchester General Hospital, main lobby, 300 Byrn Street, Cambridge. FREE. Sponsored by the Dorchester General Hospital Auxiliary. No appointment needed.

Breast Cancer Screenings

Day and evening appointments available at Shore Regional Breast Center, Memorial Hospital, 219 S. Washington Street, Easton. Open to uninsured or underinsured women, aged 20-39 and over 64, who meet income guidelines. Call 410-820-9400 to schedule an appointment.

It's not too late to register for these  Evergreen Cove programs.
Click here for our complete program schedule.