Chronic Fatigue, Thyroid Imbalance, and Teflon?

When was the last time that you were able to wake up and get going with out your morning cup of coffee?  The last time you didn't crave that nap after lunch?  Were able to finish work, go grocery shopping, take the kids to soccer practice, clean the house, and finish up those other errands without wondering why you are always so tired?

Chronic fatigue is the second most common reason that people visit their doctors, with some reports claiming that 80% of all patients report fatigue as one of their primary symptoms.  These patients often seek the assistance of caffeine containing stimulants such as coffee, soda, and energy drinks to get them through the day.  Day after day, night after night, they are unable to keep up with the stressful demands of their hectic schedules.  Does this sound like you or someone you know?

The thyroid is a small hormone gland located in the front of the neck below the "Adam's Apple."  This gland plays a vital role in hormone function through out the entire body.  The thyroid works hand in hand with the other hormone secreting glands in the body such as the adrenals, pituitary, and ovaries/testes to activate and deactivate specific functions.  One of the primary functions of the thyroid gland is to regulate metabolism.

Symptoms of thyroid dysfunction often include fatigue, weight problems, excess sweating, weakness, always hot/cold, thinning hair, weak and brittle nails, muscle and joint pain, women's hormone complains (PMS, infertility, menopausal symptoms, etc), bowel problems, cholesterol imbalance, depression, and more.  Women are more likely to have a thyroid imbalance and some researchers estimate that over 59 million Americans have a thyroid problem and do not even know it.

West Virginia University recently studied 69,000 people in West Virginia and Ohio and reported that a chemical commonly found in Teflon, food wrappers, and dozens of other products (including tap water) known as Perflurooctanoic Acid, PFOA, or C8 may harm the immune system, liver and thyroid and cause higher cholesterol in children.  Key points from the WVU C8 Health Project include: 
 

• In animal studies, PFOA exposure has previously been linked with death of immune cells and weakening of the body’s ability to protect itself from infection. The WVU study indicates higher levels of PFOA in people correlate with lower levels of a protein that helps the body fight bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
• Higher PFOA levels in West Virginia and Ohio residents are associated with higher levels of two enzymes that can indicate liver damage, and with lower levels of a liver protein that is an important part of the body’s defense against infection.
• Elevated PFOA levels in children are associated with high cholesterol levels, predisposing children to future weight problems and accompanying risk of heart disease. In animal studies, early exposure to PFOA results in obesity later in life. Click here for more.
• Thyroid function was clearly affected in PFOA-exposed people, with the effect strongest at moderate levels of exposure, rather than the highest exposures.

Through the use of blood tests, saliva tests, a complete patient history, and physical exam we are able to identify if the thyroid is contributing to the fatigue that you or your loved ones are experiencing.  After we have identified the problem, we help our patients to find the solution they need to correct the imbalance.  From nutritional supplementation, diet modification, chiropractic adjustments, quantum neurology rehabilitation, or removing the chemical pollutants, we pick from a variety of tools to help our patients to find relief from their symptoms.  If you have any questions about the symptoms you are experiencing, or would like to contact Dr. Chase Hayden to schedule an appointment, please click HERE.

Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries

Many experts agree that the nervous system is the most important system in your body.  Beginning at the 3rd week of gestation, the brain and spinal cord begin development before any other organ system, followed closely by the heart.

As the brain and spinal cord are developing, they are subject to many injuries both nutritionally (folic acid deficiency, alcohol, etc) and structurally (trauma, etc).  After birth, it is estimated that the child's brain will have twice as many nerve connections as an adult by age three and later reach approximately 75% of its full size by age six.

Due to the importance of this vital system, our body's create a "shell" to support and protect the nervous system.  Our skull and spinal cord protect the life supporting nervous system through out our whole lives.

Brain and spinal cord injuries disrupt the function of the nervous system, and create many symptoms through out the rest of our body.  Nervous system injuries come in many shapes and sizes such as strokes, concussions, sports injuries, whiplash, tumors, pinched nerves and aneurysms.

As Houston's only Quantum Neurologist, I often have patients that come in seeking relief from the injuries that they have sustained.  It is not uncommon to hear that patients have gone to many doctors before coming to our office, and were unable to achieve the level of wellness they were looking for.

Quantum Neurology focuses on the functional rehabilitation of the nervous system.  Through traditional and unique neurological evaluations, we are able to identify weaknesses specific to your injury, illness or condition, and in many situations we are able to see rehabilitative changes after the first visit.  Together, with your other doctors, we can often provide the assistance you need to achieve your health and wellness goals.

Be kind to your nervous system.. it is the only one you have!  For more information visit our office website HERE.

Happy Independence Day!

I hope this email finds you well after a great 4th of July.  We are currently on day 5 of our 21 day "Ultimate Detox Program" in the office.  I have received great emails from patients that are already experiencing weight loss and feeling a change in the way that their cloths are fitting them.  This after only 5 days!  For those of you wondering about  the "Ultimate Detox Program," it is a program where I invite all of the patients in the office to detox with me twice a year (January and July). During the detox program, we follow a specific dietary regimen, take certain detoxifying nutritional supplements, and incorporate a gentle exercise program with the goal of whole body detoxification.  Many patients do this as a healthy weight loss program while others do it for other health promoting reasons.  I have had patients loose anywhere between 7 and 35 lbs in only 21 days!  If you are on the program, keep up the good work!  If not, you are invited to participate at any time.  (Patients are always invited to participate even if the office is not cleansing that month.)

As many of you are aware, I am often invited to speak at various events from wellness groups, to health clubs, support groups, church gatherings, and professional organizations.  These lectures often provide holistic alternatives to health and wellness that the audience can use to improve the lives of their families.  If you are looking for a speaker at your next event, or know someone that is, feel free to contact me.  Below are some of the events that I will be speaking at in the next few months.  Whether you have heard me lecture before or not, you are invited to come out and participate to these events.  I look forward to seeing you there!

Yours In Health,
Chase Hayden, DC, QN
The Hayden Institute

July 13, 2010 @ 10:00 - Business At A Higher Level
I have been invited by Sara Blumenfeld, author of "Nurturing Networker: Business Networking That Matters" to discuss the neurological aspect to business growth at her upcoming development workshop.  I will be discussing simple ways to identify and strengthen the neurologic hiccups that limit optimal communication and what you can do to turn these weaknesses into strengths.  These are the same concepts that I use when working with professional and amateur athletes looking to improve their function and children with dyslexia, autism, ADHD, etc.  To find out more about this all day event, CLICK HERE.

July 19, 2010 @ 3:00pm - Tough Talk With Tony Gambone
Tony Gambone interviews small business owners throughout Houston on his radio show.  During this interview, he helps his listeners to find out more about the person behind the business.  Ever wanted to know about Dr. Chase?  Here is your chance!  This hour long interview will help you to know who Dr. Chase really is, and why he does what he does.  For more information about other business owners that Tony has interviewed, CLICK HERE.

August 17, 2010 @ 11:30 - Tomball Business & Professional Women
Join 40+ professional women and Dr. Chase as he lectures on natural ways to balance female hormones.  Hot flashes, brain fog, difficulty losing weight, PMS, infertility, and other female complaints often indicate a nutritional imbalance in the body.  Dr. Chase will help you to identify these imbalances and then begin to address them.  Check out TBPW HERE.

August 18, 2010 @ 12:00 - Tomball Rotary Club
One of the oldest service organizations in existence, the Rotary Club unites individuals for the greater good of others.  Tomball is the second Rotary Club to invite Dr. Chase out to speak to their organization.  Dr. Chase will be discussing the global effects of stress, what it does in your body, and how you can reduce the effects of stress in a few easy steps.  More information on the Tomball Rotary Club can be found HERE.

We look forward to seeing you at one of these events!