By Svetlana Kogan, M.D.
Patient asked: Over the past month, I have been experiencing severe lower back pain while lying in bed. I have no idea what’s causing it since I have not done any heavy lifting or unusual activity. Some nights the pain is so sharp that I can’t even fall asleep. Why is this happening to me?
Dr.Kogan’s opinion: Back pain – which affects 80 percent of Americans at some point in their lives – is one of the top complaints in primary care practice. Make sure to have your primary care doctor check this out with an X-ray or MRI first. Assuming the outcome of the above is all good, you can then approach this issue holistically. Since your pain is worse when you lie down and you have not overexerted yourself, you could be suffering from muscle spasms, which are often brought on by a magnesium or calcium deficiency. You may be feeling bad now because warmer weather raises the risk of a magnesium shortfall. To restore the proper flow of nutrients to muscle cells and ease your pain, try taking 200 mg of magnesium citrate twice a day and at least 500 mg of calcium citrate once a day. You may also want to include magnesium-rich foods like wheat-bran cereal (if you are not gluten-sensitive) into your diet. If you are gluten sensitive, pumpkin seeds, bananas, avocadoes, and spinach are excellent sources of magnesium. It can take three to four weeks to correct the deficiency, so in the meantime, consider rubbing a bit of magnesium oil on your back before going to bed. The oil penetrates the skin and gets to the muscle layer, and could help improve the discomfort in about a week. I would also recommend Mind-Body techniques such as Progressive Muscle Relaxation, in which you can relax different parts of your body, one muscle group at a time. Another great holistic modality is Ondamed (pulsed low frequency electromagnetic fields) – a painless treatment in which the vibrational frequencies of the muscle groups receive a tune up. For acute pain, a series often 30-minute treatments are typically sufficient. For more information on Ondamed, check ondamed.net.
Patient asked: I have read a lot about the dangers of acid reflux medications. Are there any natural fixes that will help?
Dr.Kogan’s opinion: You are right to be leery of proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers. Their chronic use has been linked to bone fractures and increased risk of infections. These pharmaceuticals can also decrease calcium absorption and wipe out stomach acid, which is needed for breaking down any and all food proteins. If your GI doctor agrees with you trying to wean off of your meds, try sleeping with 2 pillows – this will help to prevent acid from accumulating in your esophagus and throat. Also, try not to eat after 7 pm and go to sleep no later than 10pm to avoid unnecessary acid production in the late evening. There are some foods that increase acid production which you should try to avoid: caffeine, alcohol, tomatoes, chocolate, and spicy foods. There are also several simple natural remedies that will improve your reflux. My favorites is Rhizinate Chewable supplement by Integrative Therapeutics. The main ingredient – deglycyrrhizinated licorice stimulates and accelerates the natural protective factors in the digestive tract which help relieve occasional heartburn. In Rhizinate, the glycyrrhizin compound–associated with high blood pressure–has been removed. It’s chewable because saliva enhances the effect of Rhizinate’s natural compounds, and it tastes great. Alternatively, you can try slipper elm bark and mastic gum – based supplement called Pylori-Plex by Douglas Labs. Mastic gum, a resin obtained from the tree, Pistacia lentiscus, is used traditionally in the Mediterranean as both a food ingredient and a traditional healing plant for the gastrointestinal system. Several animal and human studies indicate that it may have the ability to reduce the H. Pylori bacteria, commonly related to many cases of heartburn and acid reflux. This in turn can play an important role in supporting the body’s exposure to H. pylori and maintaining the body’s natural defenses against ulcer formation. Either supplement can be ordered here: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/skogan
Patient Asked: Every time I fly, I get very gassy. I’ve tried avoiding fiber and gassy foods, but it does not work. Our vacation is coming up. Is there anything I can do?
Dr.Kogan’s Opinion: This is actually a very common problem and here is why: The gases in the digestive system expand when the aircraft descends, meaning that even the slightest bit of turbulence can lead to bloat and gas. Many people describe holding in bowel movements to avoid using the plane’s cramped restroom, but that can make things even worse. My advice is: Always use the facilities when you need to (especially on long flights), and avoid carbonated beverages, beans, legumes, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage on the day of your trip. Also smart: When the “fasten seat belt” sign dims, get up every half hour and walk up and down the aisle for 5 minutes. This movement will uncrunch your abdomen, relieving additional pressure on your intestines. If all else fails, keep the following natural remedies in your bag: you can try Gasalia by Boiron – a homeopathic remedy, which you can use as directed on the box or if you prefer herbal remedies – try Gas and Bloating Herbal capsules by Gaia available here: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/skogan
This fennel seed and chamomile based supplement helps promote the absorption and elimination of gas, while a unique blend of synergistic herbs and essential oils improves digestive function and provides natural relief to the intestine.
Here is to your Health!
Svetlana Kogan, M.D. is a Board Certified Medical Doctor with 20 years of experience. She has appeared as a health expert on FOX, ABC, CBS, and NBC prime time TV, and has authored hundreds of publications for internet and print. She moved her Concierge Internal Medicine practice from Manhattan NYC to Naples, where her focus is on fusing traditional medicine with holistic approach to illness and prevention.
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