December 2017

Pregnancy is associated with sleeping disorders such as insomnia, restless legs syndrome, habitual snoring, and excessive daytime sleepiness. OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) is the result of airways narrowing which leads to respiratory disruptions, intermittent hypoxia, and sleep fragmentation. It is commonly characterized by snoring, breathing cessation, and daytime sleepiness.

OSA is common in the United States and often remains undiagnosed. As pregnancy progresses, women are at risk for developing new OSA. Over 10 percent of first-trimester pregnant woman suffer from OSA, but by the third trimester, over 26 percent have been diagnosed.

Although the causes for increased occurrence of OSA during pregnancy are the result of normal physiological changes, it has also been associated with weight gain, edema, and hyperemia, all of which can cause narrowing of the upper airways. Women are therefore at risk for developing OSA prior to or during pregnancy.

In pregnant women, OSA has been associated with hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia. Women with OSA during pregnancy have odds of in-hospital mortality five times higher than controls. These women also have a higher risk of future cardiovascular diseases. Similarly, women with preeclampsia have a significantly lower level of nighttime fetal movement. When these women use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to increase nighttime airflow and ease breathing, the nighttime fetal movements improved.

Being pregnant is a truly magical time. Feeling your baby move and kick as they grow steadily inside of you is absolutely the most amazing feeling ever! While growing a baby is truly a miracle, the effects on the mom’s body can sometimes be less than desirable. From nausea, sleeplessness, headaches, and back pain, all of which can come and go throughout the entirety of the nine months. Having recently been pregnant myself, I am all too familiar with these oh so unpleasant symptoms.

It’s easy to fall into the convenience of doing what is easy in the moment like eating unhealthy foods or taking painkillers for back pain. In the long run, however, if you take the time to eat well, connect with your baby, relieve stress, and keep your spine healthy you will have a much happier pregnancy.

Here are my five tips to a happier and healthier pregnancy:

1. Eat plenty of organic fruits and vegetables. Eat the rainbow as they say (not skittles… those don’t count.) Eating lots of fruits and vegetables of all colors helps to ensure that you and your baby get all of the nutrients that you need. Yes, I am including YOU in this too! When people talk about nutrition during pregnancy they always talk about the baby. But it is incredibly important that you eat well in order to keep your energy high and reduce the chance of having diet related complications such as gestational diabetes or high blood pressure.
2. Talk or sing to your baby. Deepening your bond with your baby by talking or singing to them will help you to have that pregnancy glow that everyone talks about. The bond between a mother and her unborn child is incredibly special and the joy that you feel will radiate out of you.
3. Make walking a priority. I know it can sometimes be hard to feel the motivation to get moving, especially when you feel HUGE! But it can really help battle some of the most frustrating pregnancy symptoms. Believe it or not, it will give you a boost of energy from the endorphins, the vitamin D will help boost your immune system (because the last thing you want to do when you are pregnant is get sick), and it will help to minimize the swelling in your feet and ankles.
4. Take time to yourself every day. Trust me when I say that as soon as your baby gets here, time to yourself will become nonexistent. Take 5-10 minutes, at a minimum, per day to be alone and do a guided meditation. YouTube has amazing meditations that can help you with whatever is overwhelming you in the moment. There’s a seemingly infinite amount of guided meditations for having a healthy pregnancy, easy labor, and for general relaxation. A relaxed mama is a happy mama!
5. Get your spine checked by a chiropractor. All of the above tips are wonderful, but if you are battling back pain or headaches due to your constantly changing body, all of your daily tasks become so much harder. I know I am biased because I am a chiropractor – but I really don’t know how I would have made it through my pregnancy without getting adjusted every few weeks. Relieving the pain helped me to feel ready to take on whatever my body or my baby could throw at me.

If you are pregnant and are struggling with back pain, please don’t hesitate to call me and schedule a 15-minute complimentary consultation. I would be happy to tell you if there is anything I can do to help alleviate your pain and help your body function at a better level. It is never too early or too late in your pregnancy to get checked!

Dr. Kristin Moore, DC is a prenatal and pediatric chiropractor at Align Healing Center in Danville, CA. She offers a complimentary 15-minute consultation to the readers of ALIVE magazine. Call Dr. Kristin at (925) 362-8283 to schedule your appointment.

 

 

Christmas…a magical time of year. It seems that you don’t even have to be Christian by faith to revel in the joy of “The Season.” I have friends with mixed faith families who celebrate Christmas. Many major faiths celebrate their holy holidays near Christmas, or maybe they would say that we celebrate Christmas near their special day. Having said that, I love Christmas, the one that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ!

The Star is new to the theater this Christmas season. If you usually read my column, you know that I rarely review movies that are currently in the theater but I couldn’t resist this beautifully animated movie about the birth of Christ told from the perspective of Bo.

Bo is a brave little donkey who yearns for something other than his daily grind at the village mill. Bo (Steven Yeun) has big dreams of joining the royal parade, which means he would be part of something important. When his best friend, Dave the dove (Keegan-Michael Key) helps Bo escape from his owner, they set off to pursue greatness.  They quickly find themselves on the adventure of a lifetime. 

In Nazareth, Mary (Gina Rodriguez) is told by an angel that she will give birth to the Son of God. When she tells her new husband Joseph (Zachery Levi) he is understandably concerned and confused, but after being instructed by an angel, he eventually understands the importance of what God is doing. When Mary finds Bo loose, she grows fond of him and takes him as her own, even though he wants to be free because of his own mission to find the royal parade.

Then there is King Herod and Mary and Joseph’s empty home. They have left for Bethlehem for the required census, leaving Bo behind so he sets out to warn them of the horrible King’s intent. 

While Bo and Dave are making their heroic way to Bethlehem, the story also follows the journey of the three wisecracking camels, Felix (Tracy Morgan), Cyrus (Tyler Perry) and Deborah (Oprah Winfrey) who are carrying the three wise men. Other voices with smaller roles include Kelly Clarkson, Patricia Heaton, Kristin Chenoweth, Christopher Plummer, Anthony Anderson, Delilah and Maria Carey. Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become unlikely heroes in the greatest story ever told!

This Sony Pictures animation is wonderful. It brings the Christmas story to life from a perspective that a child can understand yet an adult will truly enjoy. As far as authenticity, the true story of Jesus’ birth is told but with a few twists and turns—shall we say embellishments—that just make it more endearing. 

The Star is a wonderful, hilarious, deeply reverential family film.  Take your little ones, take your teens or even sneak off and see it by yourself.  It should be in theaters through the holidays, so don’t miss it.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the amazing movie, The Nativity Story. This is for pre-teens and older, but is a wonderful movie about the birth of Christ.  Stream it, rent it or even buy it so you will have it to watch every year. You won’t be disappointed! 

As always I always love your comments at carolyn@carolynhastings.com

 

 

 

 

Quality of life can be greatly affected by the many factors associated with obstructive sleep apnea, OSA.  Whether you’re a parent, spouse, or friend of someone with OSA, you can make a difference in the quality of their lives by being proactive.

One simple habit, mouth breathing, can have devastating effects on not only one’s health, but likewise one’s self-esteem, dental health, brain health and cognitive abilities, as well as physical fitness, especially as we age.

Mouth breathing is a signal to observe the individual while sleeping. Since this condition can be caused by an obstructed airway, notice if there is gasping, breath holding or excessive motion during sleep.

In children, symptoms like hyperactivity, irritability, obesity, poor grades, easy frustrations, tantrums, and not following directions can all be due to lack of sleep caused by airway obstruction. Recent studies show that the heart does not develop properly in children with OSA resulting in possible future heart disease at earlier ages.

In adults, morning fogginess, dependence on caffeine to awaken, depression and anxiety, drowsiness while driving or attending classes or meetings and forgetfulness are only a few of the possible symptoms of OSA.

Many of us are aware of the above information, but are you aware of the importance of a holistic approach to correcting OSA?  Historically, only a CPAP was used as treatment, and usually only on older adults.  Then dental appliances were found to be beneficial.  My experience confirms the importance of using dental appliances. I have successfully treated over 1,000 OSA cases with dental appliances, myself included.

Now findings suggest that correcting previous habits we used to compensate for airway obstruction can greatly benefit our health as well.  Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) programs can reestablish the proper muscle activity that was lost from years of improper oral and facial posture. This treatment has been scientifically proven to correct 50% of apnea-hyperpnoea in adults and 62% in children. The children benefit even more because their faces develop in a more attractive way. When I was an orthodontist I found Oral Myology to not only greatly assist the speed of orthodontic treatment, but create a far more stable result and allow many fewer extractions, thus giving the patient a fuller smile.

At my sleep and TMJ center, AODTC, you will meet Aimee, my daughter, who is credentialed in Oral Myology. That’s just another tool we use to provide a more complete diagnosis, and just one more reason to visit!  If it turns out that you need OMT, she can help you find the right therapist.

For more about our practice, please visit www.aodtc.com or call 925-837-8048.  We are looking forward to working with you.

 

How can you thank someone for protecting your freedom?

You – our community – know how. Your generous support of Sentinels of Freedom has said “thank you” to all the brave men and women who have served our nation. I know I have said it before, but I will say it again: we really do have a wonderful community here.

In 2017, the events you held, the mentoring and volunteer work you did, and the donations you gave made it possible for 40 of our program’s severely wounded veterans to graduate college. That is no small feat.

Because of you, Sentinel Kyle Garcia, who was injured by a pressure plate improvised explosive device and suffered a left leg amputation, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is now attending law school; Sentinel Erin McLoughlin, whose nervous system was damaged in a training accident, completed the HERO Child-Rescue Corps program and is now gainfully employed as a computer forensic analyst for the US Department of Homeland Security Investigations; and Sentinel Tom Block, who lost his right eye due to a suicide bomber, now works for US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and actively seeks to motivate other wounded veterans to push past their injuries.

It is because of your help that Kyle, Erin, Tom, and our other graduates were able to complete their higher education, find meaningful careers, and continue to contribute to their communities. It is because of your help that they are now able to follow their passions and support their families. It is YOUR support that made it all possible. “You provided me with so much more than the opportunity to go to school,” says Erin, “you provided me with the confidence to get my life back in order knowing I had you rooting for me every step of the way.”

And it does not stop there: your support also enabled us to accept 74 more Sentinels to our program this year, and we cannot wait to see them achieve their dreams because of your help.

I am so grateful for each and every one of you and cannot wait to see what we can accomplish together next year. Thank you for your support.

You have the power to enable more life-changing opportunities for wounded veterans. To find out how, visit www.sentinelsoffreedom.org.

 

 

 

 

Earlier and earlier each year, we hear Christmas music on our radios. How many of us still listen to the radio? We know all of them, so let’s have a little fun with them.

 

1. In what movie was Irving Berlin’s song White Christmas introduced?

 

2. Silver Bells is another Christmas song introduced in a movie. What movie was it?

 

3. Who composed the lyrics to The Christmas Song?

 

4. Baby it’s Cold Outside is hardly a Christmas song, but it is still played during the Yuletide season. What movie was it from?

 

5. He was a one hit wonder when he recorded I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus in the early 50s. Who was he?

 

6. Montgomery Ward( remember them?) had a promotion at Christmas in the early 40s that featured a novelty song sung by a Western movie star. What was the tune and who sang it?

 

The winter holidays have arrived and it’s time to consider which wines you’d like to grace your celebratory table. In support of The Golden State and the recent traumas suffered by our most prestigious wine growing areas, I propose selecting some of the finest from Napa and Sonoma. You’ll enjoy wines of incredible style and quality while supporting the fractured economy of a beleaguered region.

October was a fiery month for Napa and Sonoma. Hundreds lost their lives or were injured in the terrible inferno that destroyed homes, businesses, historic monuments, and vineyards. The fire was not one but a series of blazes that erupted on October 8 and became a massive firestorm that ranks as the very worst in California history.

The fires affected everyone in the region. Families were roused from their beds and evacuated in the wee hours of the morning only to find themselves homeless just hours later as the fires swept furiously across the land. The most devastating was the Tubbs Fire that started just north of Calistoga and decimated the town of Santa Rosa. The rural areas were hard hit and the fires extended all the way to Mendocino County.

Many vineyards and wineries were burned but fortunately most were saved from destruction. Strangely enough, vineyards actually make great fire breaks this time of year. The vines are green and leafy with little vegetation surrounding them. In many cases, the fire burned right up to the gates of a vineyard and stopped, answering the prayers of more than one proprietor.

The silver lining to the tragedy was the great spirit of community that thrived during this time of crisis.  Friends worked together to evacuate as the unthinkable overtook their once-picturesque neighborhoods. After the fires were extinguished, communities opened their homes to families that had lost everything. In the face of disaster, human kindness and the true spirit of Thanksgiving prevailed.

What does this fire mean for the wine industry of California? The industry will go on, to be sure. It’s likely that the 2017 harvest will be smaller than most but fortunately the majority of the fruit had been collected before the fire hit. Only the late-ripening cabernet sauvignon grapes were still hanging on the vines.

Says Mike Reynolds, President of Hall/Walt Wines, it was “the most interesting harvest” with which he’s ever been involved. Local growers tell stories of rinsing ashes off grapes while harvesting and crossing their fingers that smoke taint had not affected the fruit. Only time will tell what affect the blaze has had on this vintage, but Reynolds is optimistic.

“Napa Valley has recovered rather quickly from the fire,” Reynolds asserts. “Right now the biggest challenge is the loss of tourist dollars because of people cancelling their plans to visit.” Reynolds insists that except for burned hillsides, the beguiling valley is as stunning as ever. Strange as it may seem, it is the ideal time to travel to the area.

Napa and Sonoma are enjoying clear skies and breezy fall weather. If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting California’s famed wine region, do it now. The hotels, restaurants and wineries would welcome guests wholeheartedly to infuse life into their businesses. If you’d love to finally get a reservation at the acclaimed “French Laundry” restaurant, make that call today.

The notoriously well-crafted and delicious wines of Napa and Sonoma are natural accompaniments to traditional holiday foods such as roasted meats, game, or fish. You can’t go wrong. The holidays are the perfect time to check out some of the best California has to offer. Indulge in a hefty Napa chardonnay or a crisp sauvignon blanc from the Sonoma Coast.

Most wine shops carry a wonderful selection from Napa and Sonoma or go online and have a look around. Find old favorites or experiment with something new. If you are not familiar with the wines of Hall or Walt, look up the breathtaking 2014 Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon for an incredibly decadent Napa-style cab, or try Walt’s 2015 Bob’s Ranch Pinot Noir for a rich, spicy wine that will bring great elegance to your holiday meal. Think of it as drinking for a cause.

If you’d like to give more directly to the recovery effort in Napa and Sonoma, go to Redwood Credit Union’s North Bay Fire Relief Fund, a 501(c)(3). All proceeds are donated directly to the fund and will help many struggling families.  

Have a beautiful holiday! Cheers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slips and falls in the rain and snow are a major cause of painful traumas, especially in older people this time of year. The worse type of injury is the vertebral fracture. This occurs when a hard fall onto the back or buttock causes one or more of the bones of the spine to fracture and collapse. The fracture is extremely painful because unlike other fractures, it’s position deep in the body prevents it from being immobilized to allow healing and even everyday activities such as sitting up to eat a meal causes movement of the fractured bone.

If you experience a fall and have severe pain that doesn’t improve within one to two weeks and have severe back pain with any position or activity except lying down, more than likely, you have a spinal fracture. It is very important to have a physician evaluate you and order a diagnostic x-ray so that you can receive appropriate treatment in a timely manner.

The treatment for a spinal fracture depends on the severity of pain and on how much the pain limits your everyday activities. Younger adults may have a fracture, but because of good muscle tone and strength surrounding the spine, they might not have such severe pain that prevents their usual activities such as work, dressing, bathing, eating, etc. Older adults however, tend to have less muscle mass and support of the spine so that even sitting at the dinner table to eat a meal is a chore because of severe pain. In less painful fractures, wearing a tight, elastic, low back support belt can be very helpful, along with taking anti-inflammatory medications such as Advil or Aleve. These fractures may take up to six months to a year to heal naturally.

For older adults who have severe pain that prevents them from participating in their usual activities of daily living, we recommend a curative procedure called a Percutaneous Balloon Kyphoplasty. The procedure fixes the fracture by injecting cement into the bone through a thin, hollow needle. The cement is the same that is used in knee and hip replacement surgeries. It hardens immediately and the severe pain is gone immediately as well. The procedure is safe, done in the office under conscious sedation and takes one to two hours. There are no physical restrictions after the procedure and since the fracture is then fixed, there is no need for any strong pain medications.

I recommend that the procedure be done as soon as the fracture is identified if there is severe pain. If the fracture is allowed to heal on its own, it will likely heal with a deformity of the bone that causes the spine to bend forward, called kyphosis. Kyphosis can lead to long term health problems including respiratory diseases and chronic back pain. An MRI of the spine is usually ordered by the doctor to ensure that the fracture is still new enough to be fixed. Usually the MRI will show inflammation of the bone due to the fracture even six months after the fall has occurred. Once the bone heals, usually six months to a year after the fall, nothing can be done to reverse the deformity.

The best option of course is to avoid falls and injuries. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” as our friend, Benjamin Franklin, says. Wear shoes with good treading and if you need a cane or a walker, use it! Do as much safe exercise as you can to keep your back and spine strong and healthy.

Visit my website for more information: www.delaneymd.com.

Dr. DeLaney is the founder and medical director of Balanced Pain Management in Walnut Creek. She is board certified in both Chronic Pain Management and Anesthesiology and has published multiple papers on chronic pain management. She continues to give lectures at local and national medical meetings on Pain Management.  For more information, visit her website at delaneymd.com or call 925-988-9333.