About Mila McManus MD

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far Mila McManus MD has created 857 blog entries.

Causes of Anxiety You May Not Know About

By Mila McManus MD

Are you anxious and don’t know why? Is your anxiety disproportionately high relative to the situation? Have you developed social anxiety? Let’s face it. We ALL have stressors in our lives, whether it’s related to work, family, finances, health, or the weather. We don’t all, however, react to our environments the same way. When you see a ‘conventional’ doctor about your anxiety symptoms, you’re likely to be prescribed a drug such as Lexapro, Klonopin, Xanax, or the like. These medications may provide relief, but they certainly bring with them many potential side effects, and the risk of physical dependence. Moreover, they aren’t addressing the underlying cause(s) of your anxiety. Did you know:

A common, but frequently overlooked cause of anxiety is progesterone deficiency (aka estrogen dominance). Click here to test yourself for estrogen dominance and other hormonal imbalances.
Another common, but frequently overlooked cause of anxiety is adrenal fatigue. Click here to test yourself for adrenal fatigue symptoms and other hormonal imbalances.
Magnesium is an important mineral for the body and is a common deficiency. It may be that a person isn’t eating magnesium-rich foods, or that a person isn’t absorbing magnesium adequately due to an unhealthy gut (click here to test yourself for unhealthy gut), or that magnesium is being depleted due to a side effect of a medication, such as an anti-acid or a diuretic (“water pill”).
Low testosterone levels can cause anxiety. Click here to test yourself for low testosterone symptoms.
Deficiency in B vitamins contributes to anxiety. B vitamins are necessary to help clear the body of adrenalin, a neurotransmitter released in times of stress.
Neurotransmitter (brain chemical) imbalance or depletion contributes to anxiety. Amino acids are precursors to neurotransmitters. If you aren’t eating the diet sufficient to provide dietary amino acids, you won’t be able to produce adequate neurotransmitters. In addition, certain medications, particularly anti-acids, block absorption of amino acids.
If your GI tract isn’t healthy, it will affect your serotonin, which is a calming neurotransmitter. While serotonin is a brain chemical, the vast majority is made in the gut. Unhealthy gut equals unhealthy production of serotonin.
Anxiety is NOT a Xanax deficiency.

As you can see, anxiety can be caused by numerous hormonal imbalances/deficiencies, vitamin and other nutritional deficiencies, and gut issues, among other factors. Call us today at 281-298-6742 and let us help resolve your anxiety.

By Mila McManus MD|2024-04-05T11:14:43-06:00April 13th, 2015|Articles, General|

“…this was a decision I labored over for several months after I stumbled upon the website”,…

...this was a decision I labored over for several months after I stumbled upon the website,

Debbie W.

When I decided to try out the Wellness clinic (this was a decision I labored over for several months after I stumbled upon the website), I was very skeptical and truly didn’t have any expectations of feeling better. Since moving to Texas (about 2 ½ years ago), I had visited 2 separate doctors over the care of my thyroid and even involved my gynecologist with these issues. The first doctor was a family practitioner that just kept me on the same dose of medicine and barely had time to speak with me during my visits. I was feeling like my thyroid medicine needed to be altered because I was beginning to feel much the same way I did 11 years ago when I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease. I decided to switch to an internal medicine doctor. I told him how I was feeling and told him how much I exercised but my energy level was still very low and everything was becoming more of a struggle. He kept my medicine the same and prescribed me diet pills (yes you read that right) to help me lose weight. Uh, that’s not what I was complaining about, I was complaining about low energy and how hard it was to exercise and no matter what I did it seemed my weight stayed the same. I was a little offended but he’s the one that went to medical school so I filled it and used them. They obviously didn’t help at all except now I had to remind myself to eat because I wasn’t hungry. I should add that throughout all this I considered myself quite healthy (I ran 4-6 times a week) and I ate healthy based on what I knew. I ate cooked oatmeal or eggs every morning, I didn’t eat processed food, no fast food, I ate lean cuts of meat and I ate vegetables. People at work would tease me about how healthy I ate. I should also mention that every time I was at the doctor, along with the low energy I told every one of them I was constantly bloated, had more gas than the normal person and just overall didn’t feel well. Also, a full year prior to visiting the wellness center I was suffering from a recurring yeast infection (yeah, that’s right, disgusting and miserable). My gynecologist kept prescribing me Fluconazole and stressing probiotics and even douching with a hydrogen peroxide mixture. I would take the medicine and within 2 weeks of finishing it was back. I was sure I had some horrible disease. One time I even was on that medicine for a month (how could that not work) and it was back. My insurance company even called my doctor over the amount of times it was prescribed for me. My doctor was clearly frustrated and assumed I wasn’t following his direction regarding the probiotics, but I was following his instructions to the letter. I asked for any advice on getting relief he could offer and he was stumped. I finally just settled with the idea that I was going to have to suffer with the infection as well as all the other symptoms and worked on finding a way to deal with it. I was at this point that I decided to make the appointment at The Woodlands Institute. The hardest part was spending the money without having the faith it would work. My husband was skeptical as well, his thinking was why spend money to go to a doctor when you have insurance, just go the regular doctor and get a pill (ok, been there done that and it didn’t work). Well, my first visit was interesting, everyone there had a positive energy which I admit was infectious so I developed a glimmer of hope. When I met Dr. McManus, I instantly liked her. I resolved myself to commit 100% to her instructions (otherwise it would be a waste of money). I then met with the nutritionist, I didn’t’ feel I needed to because after all I was already a healthy eater and I’m a voracious reader of health magazines and articles, but I was 100% committed. Oh my goodness that was the most impactful part of this process for me. I may have been a relatively healthy eater based on today’s standards, but I was NOT eating properly for my body. I learned so much. To make a long story shorter (because I could go on forever about what I learned), I followed the program to the letter, I feel GREAT, the yeast infection is GONE (after a year, imagine my JOY), and my allergy symptoms are gone. I forgot to mention I’ve been a lifelong sufferer of allergies, to the point that I did allergy shots for 5 years when I lived in Seattle because they were so severe. Moving to Houston they came back a little, not to the same degree but I was taking medicine fairly regularly. Since starting the program I have not taken one allergy pill, my sinuses just continue to get more clear all the time, I don’t use nasal spray anymore, my skin has cleared up (I had minor trouble with it before – related to my cycle or so I thought but haven’t had any trouble since). I could go on and on, my dizzy spells that I experienced pretty much multiple times each morning are gone and I just feel so good! I honestly didn’t ever expect to feel this great, I truly feel like I have the energy I had in high school. I literally just told a co-worker that the other day and I’m going to be 47 years old this month. I did a follow up appointment with the nutritionist (I actually looked forward to it this time hungry for any knowledge I could get from her – far different that my attitude going into the first appointment) and I learned even more about myself. I truly can’t speak highly enough about this experience and how life changing it has been and will continue to be. If you are reading this and feel skeptical or on the fence about it, consider how skeptical I was and how my life has been changed. You guys do GREAT work!!! It has to be so rewarding knowing you make such positive changes in lives. Thanks for all your investment of time in me!

By Mila McManus MD|2015-05-04T09:12:42-06:00April 7th, 2015|General, Testimonials|

(R)-Lipoic Acid

Alpha-lipoic acid, or ALA, is one of the most thoroughly researched and highly regarded antioxidants in the body. As a supplement, the most biologically active form of ALA is (R)-Lipoic Acid, which provides maximum antioxidant activity at lower dosage levels.

Vital to cellular energy production, lipoic acid helps to neutralize the damage caused by free radicals, which are chemical by- products occurring from oxidation as the body converts nutrients to cellular energy. Lipoic acid serves to regenerate vitamins C and E and helps maintain levels of glutathione, a vital cellular antioxidant and liver protectant. As a supplement, (R)-Lipoic Acid appears to help increase insulin sensitivity, address metabolic syndrome, support vascular integrity, especially in the eye and nervous system, and support strong immune function.

Those undergoing chemotherapy and those with diabetes or taking anti-diabetes drugs should check with your health care provider before taking lipoic acid or any other supplement. Pregnant and lactating women are also advised to check with your healthcare provider before taking any supplement.

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART03051/AlphaLipoic-Acid-ALA.html

Prothera/Klaire Labs/Complementary Prescriptions, 2015 Patient Catalog

By Mila McManus MD|2015-03-23T17:24:38-06:00March 23rd, 2015|Articles, General|

Sautéed Spinach with White Beans and Pine Nuts

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 T grass fed butter

1 T cold pressed olive oil; extra for garnish

2 T pine nuts

1 large clove garlic, thinly sliced

One 15.5 ounce can, small white kidney or cannellini beans

1 lb fresh spinach, trimmed and washed

Sea Salt

½ cup lightly packed fresh basil (about 15 leaves), thinly sliced

1 T finely grated lemon zest

Freshly ground black pepper

Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add grass fed butter, pine nuts and garlic and cook, stirring often until the pine nuts are golden and the garlic is fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in the beans and cook until heated through, about 1 minute.

Add the spinach and ¼ tsp salt and cook, turning with tongs until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add the basil, lemon zest and pepper to taste. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and serve.

Nutrition Facts, 1 serving: Calories 180; Fat 10g; Protein 9g; Carbohydrates 21g; Fiber 8 g; Magnesium 242g

Adapted from recipe at www.finecooking.com, Issue 104

By Mila McManus MD|2015-03-22T23:30:10-06:00March 22nd, 2015|Articles, General, Recipes|

The Great Vaccine Debate

Over the last 10 years I have become more of a skeptic. Maybe it is because I bought a McDonald’s Happy meal 3 years ago and still have it – bugs won’t eat it and mold won’t grow on it. Or maybe it is because I bought Stevia in the Raw only to discover that it was neither stevia nor raw, but a bag of more than 51% genetically modified corn maltodextrin – which is not “natural” or healthy at all. Or maybe it is because after listening to hundreds of pharmaceutical drug ads, it dawned on me that more ad time was used to focus on potential dangers of the drug rather than the possible benefit from it. And maybe the icing on the cake was 10 years ago when I had a plethora of health problems while subsisting on the FDA Food Pyramid recommendations and Diet Coke with no idea that my diet had anything to do with being sick and tired. Much to my shock, my health was restored when I eliminated the grain and food chemicals and dramatically reduced sugar intake while adding in generous amounts of undamaged animal and plant fats. Yes, I believe we have good reason to be skeptical. It has made me sadly aware that big industry and government have no genuine interest in me, or my health, despite what they claim. So I must be responsible, educated and yes, skeptical.

Now I’m asking another question as I prepare for a Peru mission trip this summer. Should I get any vaccinations? I’ve grown up believing that vaccinations were in my best interest. A decade ago, I would have gone to a doctor to get every recommended vaccine, no questions asked. But today, knowing what I know, I can’t trust or assume that conventional “wisdom” was created in my best interest. This topic is complex, it is emotionally charged, and it is currently being hotly debated. I cannot begin to dig deeply into of every aspect of the debate, but I wanted to share some of what I am learning and the resources I have found interesting, compelling and helpful.

The healthy and necessary vaccination debate sprung out of a significant and growing number of parents who have witnessed serious side effects in their children immediately after a vaccination and/or now their children are chronically ill or disabled, diagnosed with learning disabilities, autism, epilepsy, autoimmune diseases, asthma and allergies, just to name a few.

As a nutritionist in a doctor’s office, I can’t help but think that our poor diets, damaged guts, use of prescription drugs, and toxic world, plus a lot of vaccinations, have possibly created the proverbial “perfect storm” for our children.

Dr. Suzanne Humphries, author of the book Dissolving Illusions: Disease, Vaccines, and the Forgotten History, 2013, is a nephrologist who left her lucrative medical practice to examine the lost history of vaccinations after several of her patients had been perfectly healthy until they got a vaccination. She also began to question her long term beliefs about them when she discovered that her patients in the hospital were getting vaccinated upon admission, before she even saw them, and the hospital was putting her name on the order, even though she had not approved it. When she complained to hospital administration, she was met with resistance. This gave her pause and led her to ask about the history of vaccinations and how we arrived where we are today.

Vaccinations contain not only cells taken from the fetus and organs of dogs, cows, monkeys, chickens, and aborted humans, but also contain aluminum and mercury (both very toxic to tissues and the brain), monosodium glutamate, formaldehyde, polysorbate 80, yeast and detergents, to name a few. [i] I work very hard to avoid most of these things in my food and I certainly don’t want them injected into my body either. I won’t be getting a vaccination without asking what is in it ever again!

Were you aware that Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court have declared vaccines to be “unavoidably unsafe”[ii],[iii] yet they are still committed to recommending this aggressive vaccination program while completely shielding the drug companies from product liability? In 1986 Congress banned civil lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers when Americans are injured or die from federally recommended and state mandated vaccines, and the U.S. Supreme Court concurred in 2011. My skepticism can only ask “Really? We know they are “unavoidably unsafe” but we are going to recommend them, make more, require them, and then protect the makers of them?” If the vaccine manufacturers are not held accountable for product liability, what will motivate them to improve the horrific ingredients, or question safety and efficacy? There is nothing to lose, yet a lot of money to be made.

Government policy directs pediatricians to give children three times as many vaccinations today than children got 30 years ago. Today, the CDC recommends that within the first 18 months of a baby’s birth, the baby be injected with 27 vaccination doses. By age 6, children have had a total of 49 vaccination doses and by 18 years of age a total of 69![iv] So is more really better? Could cumulative effect from too many vaccines be creating serious problems? What is the limit? It occurs to me that before the invention of the first vaccination, the human species had perpetuated itself and no disease had destroyed mankind. Have we respected and understood the full capacity and intricacies of the human immune system? Based on my reading, very little was known when the first vaccine was introduced and much of the genetic, biological, immunological research today is turning conventional vaccine “wisdom” on its head. What are we thinking when we take a tiny newborn baby in all its wonder and think somehow that we are the wiser to impose 27 foreign viruses and toxic adjuncts onto this tiny, new immune system? Is there common sense or logic or even valid research to assure us that there is wisdom in this? Are we certain beyond certain that first and foremost this does no harm?

Could it be that any of this has to do with the fact that the current global vaccine market is worth $30 billion dollars? In ten years it is projected to be worth $100 billion dollars. [v] There is a public-private business partnership that has been forged between government and the pharmaceutical industry [vi],[vii],[viii],[ix],[x],[xi] with our tax dollars to develop hundreds of new vaccines. [xii]

And what about efficacy? Are vaccinations preventing outbreaks? According to GlobalResearch.org, they report candidly “the most highly vaccinated populations are also those with the greatest number of outbreaks for those same infectious diseases. This was especially the case for measles, mumps, rubella, polio and pertussis outbreaks.” [xiii] There are studies revealing how live virus vaccines actually create the potential for those vaccinated to be infecting others, both vaccinated and unvaccinated.

These comments are only the tip of the iceberg for this debate. I finish this article with more questions and fewer answers than when I started and am still very skeptical. I hope you explore further for yourself and your family. It is also important to know that there is a very strong lobby representing drug companies, medical trade associations, and public health officials who are trying to persuade legislators to strip all vaccine exemptions from public health laws which take away your right to informed consent and ability to get a vaccine exemption for you or your children.

Dr. Mercola at www.mercola.com has invested significant time, research and effort into discussing every side of this issue in his newsletters. He also addresses Dr. Donald Miller’s “user friendly vaccination plan”. I also carefully read the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at CDC.gov. which sheds light on the topic. The Weston A. Price Foundation at wapf.com and the film called The Greater Good, as well as insights on the topic from Dr. Campbell-McBride, author of The Gut and Psychology Syndrome have also been helpful to me. You may want to get the book by Dr. Suzanne Humphries, Dissolving Illusions: Disease, Vaccines, and the Forgotten History as another helpful resource.

We aren’t telling you to NOT get vaccinated. We are presenting some facts and encouraging you to ask questions and educate yourself. You, as an individual, must weigh the benefits and risks for each and every vaccine as they pertain to your individual circumstances, such as your health, your job, and your travel.

[i] http://vaxtruth.org/2011/08/vaccine-ingredients/ and http://www.vaccinesafety.edu/package_inserts.htm

[ii]Supreme Court of the United States. Bruesewitz v. Wyeth. Feb. 11, 2011.

[iii] NVIC. National Vaccine Information Center Cites “Betrayal” of Consumers by

U.S. Supreme Court Giving Total Liability Shield to Big Pharma. Businesswire

Feb. 23, 2011.

[iv]http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/images/schedule1983s.jpg

[v]Businesswire. The Global Vaccine Market Is Expected to Surpass Estimated $100 Billion by 2015. Global Vaccine Market Pipeline Analysis June 27, 2014.

[vi]Grotton F. The Project Bioshield Act: Issues for the 112th Congress. Congressional Research Service Mar. 13, 2012.

[vii]Palmer E. Novartis in tax fight over vaccine plant that HHS helped pay for. Fierce Vaccines June 8, 2012.

[viii]Kirby TL. Licensing and Patenting at the NIH. Office of Technology Transfer, NIH: 2013.

[ix]Corby-Edwards AK, Redhead CS. Public Health Service Agencies: Overview and Funding. Congressional Research Service Nov. 12, 2013.

[x]FDA. Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA): PDUFA V: Fiscal Years 2013- 2017. FDA Dec. 26, 2013.

[xi]PhRMA. Statement on United States and China Public Private Partnership on Healthcare. Press Release: Jan. 20, 2011.

[xii]Clinical Trials.gov. New vaccines.

[xiii] http://globalresearch.org

By Mila McManus MD|2015-03-30T08:39:57-06:00March 22nd, 2015|Articles, General|

“I really had no idea how much my body was hurting because of my eating habits. “

I really had no idea how much my body was hurting because of my eating habits.

Testimonial from Dan G.

In December of 2012, I passed out while taking an antibiotic. I had multiple medical tests done: EEG, stress sonogram of heart, sonogram of the carotid arteries, and a 24-hour EKG monitoring. The 24-hour monitor picked up SVT (Supra Ventricular Tachycardia) and was put on blood pressure medicine. Side effects of this antibiotic include syncope and irregular heartbeat. On November 17th 2014 while eating lunch I passed out again and spent the night in the hospital for observation. Even more tests where done: sonogram of abdominal arteries, CT scan of the chest with contrast, implanted a heart monitor loop recorder, nuclear stress test. All tests came back normal but I was becoming so dizzy I couldn’t drive or concentrate any more. In early December I went to the Emergency Room because I was feeling so poorly. They found nothing and thought I was receiving great care from the GP and Cardiologist. Every time I went to a doctor’s appointment I was losing weight. Just before Christmas, I tried an adrenal supplement and after 2 days some of the dizziness started to get better. I told my GP that this supplement had started to make me feel better. His comment was “knock yourself out”. It was time to find a new doctor because he didn’t know what else to do. So I made an appointment with Dr. McManus. After reviewing my medical history, she started me on a full yeast cleanse, some supplements, and hormones to support my adrenals. The blood work she ordered revealed elevated sugar, Albumin, and ferritin levels, and more tests revealed that I have hereditary Hemochromatosis. If she had not ordered that ferritin test my liver, heart, and kidneys would have eventually been damaged. My yeast cleanse went for seven weeks and I feel great. The third week I had a lot of yeast die-off symptoms. At that point the sinuses started to clear up and the dizziness started to go away. The dizziness is almost completely gone and is getting better each week. Joint pain has disappeared, that jog to the mailbox in the rain or running up the stairs doesn’t hurt the knees or back anymore. Went walking 4 miles in an hour and had no sore joints or stiff muscles the next day like usual. I don’t feel stiff in the morning when I wake up anymore. I really had no idea how much my body was hurting because of my eating habits. We were out with the family recently and I had a meat lover’s pizza at a local chain which was a mistake. Within 2 hours I had a bad headache. Dr. McManus’s approach to cleaning out the body and changing the diet has me convinced. I don’t want to go back to the way I used to feel. It’s not hard to change your diet with a little diligence and planning. I’m looking forward to the next round of blood tests and having everything in the normal range.

By Mila McManus MD|2015-03-22T23:12:32-06:00March 22nd, 2015|General, Testimonials|

Chia Seeds

Chia seed is a species of flowering plant in the mint family and is native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. They are usually grown organically, are non-GMO and naturally free of gluten. They have become trendy as of late and have been given the status in the nutrition world of being called a “superfood”. This is one superfood that I truly recommend because the nutritional value, ounce for ounce, is rather astounding. (If you are in a hurry to figure out how to use them, skip to the bottom of the article!)

The Nutrition Profile –Amazing!

2 Tablespoons of Chia Seed contains the following:

Protein – 4.4 grams

Fat – 9 grams

Omega-3 fatty acids – 4915 mg

Omega-6 fatty acids – 1620 mg

Carbohydrates – 12 grams

Fiber – 11 grams (42% of the Recommended Daily Value)

Calcium -18% of RDV

Manganese – 30% of the RDV

Magnesium – 30% of the RDV

Phosphorus – 27% of the RDV

Zinc – 7% of the RDV

Chia also contains essential fatty acids alpha-linolenic and linoleic acid, mucin, strontium, boron, Vitamins A, B, E, and D as well as sulfur, iron, iodine, niacin, and thiamine and they are a rich source of antioxidants.

Good for Everything (almost!)

This impressive nutritional evaluation means that, for just 2 tablespoons a day, you can derive a great deal of potential benefit including:

Chia is a balanced food offering high quality protein, fat and carbohydrates. When you eat them, you get some of every primary building block for life.
A digestive health superstar, the carbohydrates in chia are almost totally from fiber. This helps to provide satiation, balance blood sugar, promote bowel regularity, and have a gel forming action in the soluble fiber that works as a prebiotic supporting the growth of probiotics in the gut. By weight, chia seeds are 40% fiber, making them one of the highest sources of fiber available.
Antioxidant rich, chia can be a reliable and powerful protection against free radical damage in the body, the damage that promotes aging (yes including wrinkles!), inflammation and disease.
One small study [i] in Type 2 Diabetics showed that chia seeds can significantly lower blood pressure and C-reactive protein (a marker for inflammation).
Chia has the ability to reverse inflammation, regulate cholesterol and lower blood pressure, all of which support heart health. [ii]
The protein in chia is complete, meaning that it provides all of the essential amino acids that the body requires but cannot make for itself. Since it is a plant protein, it offers a good source of protein for those who do not consume animal protein.
Chia seeds offer an excellent source for calcium as well as most of the other essential nutrients for bone health including phosphorus, magnesium, and boron.
Chia is high in linoleic acid, a fatty acid which helps the body absorb the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.

How to use Chia Seed:

Add to organic yogurt or a non-dairy almond or coconut milk yogurt.
Add to organic unsweetened applesauce.
Drink them by soaking seeds (1.5 Tablespoons) in 8 ounces of water for about 30 minutes or more. Chia seeds hold 12 times their weight in water. When soaked, they can offer great hydration to your body. Unsoaked chia can steal hydration from your body so be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body hydrated.
Make a pudding by putting ¼ cup chia seeds in 8 ounces of nut milk and allow to soak overnight in the refrigerator. Top or blend with pureed mango, blueberries, strawberries, banana, or raspberries.
Pulverize and use chia seed in gluten-free recipes for pancakes, muffins, and breads.
Add to a protein smoothie.
Use in chili or stew to increase nutrition and volume, allowing your shopping dollar to go further without diluting flavors.
Grind and combine with ground pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds and coconut flakes. Then add hot water for a wonderful low carb breakfast porridge. Sweeten with stevia or lo han if desired.

[i] http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/30/11/2804.long

[ii] http://www.clevelandclinicwellness.com/Features/Pages/chia-seeds.aspx#

By Mila McManus MD|2015-03-22T23:02:26-06:00March 22nd, 2015|Articles, General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

Dangers of Allergy Medications

Dr. Mila McManus

I rarely come across someone in my practice or personal life who doesn’t have issues with allergies. If you don’t suffer with allergy symptoms, then chances are you know someone who does. There are plenty of medications on the market, both prescription and over the counter, for treating allergy and sinus issues. It’s important to remember that over-the-counter medications aren’t necessarily safer than prescription drugs and aren’t without potential side effects. I suffered with severe allergies and eczema, and mild asthma, for the first 30+ years of my life. I remember starting allergy shots at the age of 4 or 5. I typically required 3 different medications at any given time which barely controlled my misery. I thought a medical degree would prepare me for finding the best cure for my symptoms, but alas, I was wrong. It wasn’t until I discovered holistic medicine that I was able to determine the root causes of my allergies and eczema and cure them once and for all. I’ll come back to that a little later.

Let’s talk about potential side effects of various allergy treatments. From various sources (references below), I’ve compiled a list:

Anti-histamines (these side effects are more common and/or severe with first generation anti-histamines such as Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) and Chlorpheniramine)

o Weight gain (yes, really)

o Drowsiness

o Impaired learning

o Blurred vision

o Headache

o Confusion/delirium

o Urinary retention

o Linked to suicide cases in teens and adults

Decongestants (e.g. Pseudoephedrine, Phenylephrine)

o High blood pressure

o Insomnia

o Headache

o Irritable mood

o Arrhythmia

Nasal steroids (e.g. Flonase, aka Fluticasone)

o Unpleasant smell or taste

o Nasal irritation

o Nosebleeds

o Stunted growth in children

o Suppressed immune system

o Glaucoma (with long term use)

o Cataracts (with long term use)

Leukotriene Inhibitors (e.g. Singulair, aka Montelukast)

o Irritable mood

o Anxiety

o Insomnia

o Hallucinations

o Aggressive behavior

o Depression/suicidal thoughts or behavior

Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (also known as allergy shots or SCIT)

o Discomfort at injection site

o Exacerbation of allergy or asthma symptoms

o Anaphylaxis

If you asked me 12 years ago if I thought I would ever be allergy-free, I would have answered “not in a million years”. Forward to today and I can happily say that I am symptom-free! It did take 5 long years of being on the wellness path (healthy diet, elimination of allergenic foods from diet, handful of vitamins/supplements, restoring my gut health, constant detoxification, balancing hormones) and taking sublingual allergy drops, but when I consider how many years I still have to live, 5 years is trivial. I’d also like to mention that I had a terrible chemical sensitivity, such as immediate headache and general discomfort being around fragrance, and that took an additional 2 years to overcome.

Below is a list of some better, safer alternatives for treating your allergy and sinus problems, some of which I mentioned already:

Sublingual Immunotherapy (also known as allergy drops or SLIT)

o Much safer than allergy shots.

o NOT FDA-approved yet, but many doctors (self-included) use SLIT “off-label”, meaning the allergens used to concoct the drops are FDA-approved, but for use in injections rather than sublingual liquid.

o SLIT has been successfully used in Europe for decades.

o Recently the FDA approved a sublingual tablet that specifically treats grass allergy, but must be started 4 months prior to the season and is very expensive. In addition, most people with allergies are allergic to several, if not numerous, allergens, which this tablet will not treat.

o Contributes towards a more permanent solution for allergy symptoms rather than a continual “band-aid” with antihistamine type drugs.

Acupuncture
EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)-an acupuncture based treatment
Supplements that have natural anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory activity in the body

o Click here to learn more

Essential oils

o Click here to learn more

Restoration of gut health which includes dietary changes, removal of opportunistic microbes such as yeast, repletion of good gut bacteria with probiotics, and eventual healing and sealing of the gut.

o 80% of your immune system is located in your gut, so it’s important to support gut health in order to support your immune system against over-reacting to harmless allergens, which is what triggers allergy symptoms.

o A study published in 2008 showed that people who took probiotics throughout the allergy season had lower levels of an antibody that triggered allergy symptoms. Other research has found that giving probiotics to newborns and pregnant females may help prevent childhood allergies.

Irrigation of sinuses, such as with a neti pot

o Thins mucus and flushes sinuses. This also helps to remove allergens from the nasal mucosa which are stimulating the allergic response.

Chiropractics-while not a specific allergy treatment, can be a great supportive therapy to improve overall health

Resources:

www.epocrates.com

www.mercola.com

http://livertox.nih.gov/Antihistamines.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/in-depth/allergy-medications/art-20047403

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100209124629.htm

http://allergies.about.com/b/2014/04/03/oralair-approved-as-a-sublingual-immunotherapy-tablet-for-grass-allergy.htm

http://www.theasthmacenter.org/index.php/newsletter/sublingual_immunotherapy/

By Mila McManus MD|2018-06-28T22:04:30-06:00March 12th, 2015|Articles, General|

Dangers of Blood Pressure Medications

By Mila McManus MD

In medical school, we are taught that 95% of the cases of hypertension (high blood pressure) that we come across are considered idiopathic, meaning that it does not have a known cause. We know there are some obvious contributors to high blood pressure such as stress, being overweight, and taking certain medications, but how can it be that so many people require blood pressure medication for no known reason? From a wellness perspective, most cases of hypertension do have an obvious underlying cause, and that’s diet. The ever-worsening American diet is causing an ever-increasing number of people with high blood pressure. It’s time to reflect on the amount of sugar, alcohol, caffeine, salt, toxins, grains, and allergens you are consuming if you have high blood pressure.

Below is a list of common classes of blood pressure medications and some of the more common side effects of them:

Diuretics (“water” pills, e.g., hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, chlorthalidone). Diuretics work by flushing excess water and sodium from the body, thus lowering blood pressure. Side effects include:

o Arrhythmia

o Low platelets

o Pancreatitis

o Low white blood cell count (ie deficiency in immune cells)

o Glaucoma

o Excess calcium in the body

o High blood sugar

o High cholesterol

o Diarrhea

o Headaches

o Muscle cramps

o Sexual dysfunction

Due to the nature of how these types of medications work, they cause depletion of numerous nutrients, such as:

o Vitamin B6 (relating to depression, sleep disturbance, increased heart disease risk)

o Vitamin C (relating to weak immunity, easy bruising, poor wound healing)

o Zinc (relating to weak immunity, poor wound healing, altered sense of smell/taste, sexual dysfunction)

o CoQ10 (relating to various cardiovascular problems, weak immune system, low energy, muscle weakness)

o Potassium (relating to irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, fatigue, edema)

o Sodium (relating to muscle weakness, dehydration, memory problems, loss of appetite)

o Magnesium (relating to cardiovascular problems, including higher blood pressure, asthma, osteoporosis, muscle cramps, PMS)

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. These allow blood vessels to widen by preventing the formation of a hormone called angiotensin. Frequently prescribed ACE inhibitors include enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) and ramipril (Altace). Side effects include:

- Swelling of the head, neck, tongue
- Abnormalities of blood cells
- Kidney failure
- Liver toxicity
- Pancreatitis
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Chronic cough
- Fatigue
- Sensitivity to light
- Zinc deficiency which causes weakened immune system, impaired wound healing, altered sense of smell/taste, and sexual dysfunction

Angiotensin II receptor blockers. These help blood vessels relax by blocking the action of angiotensin. Frequently prescribed angiotensin II receptor blockers include losartan (Cozaar), candesartan (Atacand) and valsartan (Diovan). Side effects include:

- Chronic cough
- Upset stomach
- Swelling of head, neck, tongue
- Kidney failure
- Fatigue

Beta blockers. These work by blocking certain nerve and hormonal signals to the heart and blood vessels, thus lowering blood pressure. Frequently prescribed beta blockers include metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard) and atenolol (Tenormin). Side effects include:

- Heart failure
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Impotence
- Cold extremities
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Vertigo
- Deficiency of CoQ10 which causes various cardiovascular problems, weak immune system and low energy

Calcium channel blockers. These prevent calcium from going into heart and blood vessel muscle cells, thus causing the cells to relax, which lowers blood pressure. Frequently prescribed calcium channel blockers include amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR) and nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia). Side effects include:

- Arrhythmias
- Heart failure
- Edema (e.g. puffiness/swelling of hands and feet)
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Asthenia (restless feeling)
- Constipation

Renin inhibitors. Renin is a substance produced by your kidneys that starts a chain of chemical steps that increases blood pressure. Aliskiren (Tekturna) slows down the production of renin, reducing its ability to begin this process. Due to a risk of serious complications, including stroke, you shouldn’t take aliskiren along with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers if you have diabetes or kidney disease. Other side effects include:

- Kidney stones
- Swelling of head, neck, tongue
- Diarrhea
- Kidney failure

Alpha agonists. (clonidine, brand name of which is Catapres) This class of drug works on receptors in the brain that inhibit the release of norepinephrine, thereby relaxing blood vessels which, in turn, lowers blood pressure. Side effects include:

- Depression
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Sexual dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Ear pain
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Deficiencies of:
  - - Coenzyme Q10 (Various cardiovascular problems, weak immune system, low energy)
    - Vitamin B6 (Depression, sleep disturbance, increased cardiovascular disease risk)
    - Zinc (Weak immunity, impaired wound healing, altered sense of smell/taste, sexual dysfunction)
    - Vitamin B1 (Depression, irritability, memory loss, muscle weakness, edema)

Alpha blockers. These medications prevent norepinephrine from binding to alpha-1 receptors on smooth muscle surrounding blood vessels, thereby keeping them relaxed, which in turn lowers blood pressure. Examples of this class include terazosin (Hytrin), Prazosin (Minipress), and doxazosin (Cardura). Side effects include:

- Some research has found that some alpha blockers can increase the risk of heart failure with long-term use
- Arrhythmia
- Priapism (dangerous long lasting erection)
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Edema (swelling)
- Diarrhea
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Excessive urination

Vasodilators. (hydralazine). This class of medication directly relaxes the blood vessels by interfering with calcium transport. Side effects include:

- Inflammation of nerves
- Headache
- Lupus
- Abnormalities of blood cells

Now that you’ve read many reasons to avoid blood pressure medications, here are some alternative methods to consider which can all help to reduce your blood pressure naturally.*

Supplements, such as:

o Magnesium-relaxes smooth muscle cells in blood vessels, thus reducing pressure. Read more about magnesium here.

o Krill oil-according to writer Tanya Louise Coad in an article on livestrong.com, “hundreds of published studies have shown benefits from supplementing omega-3s for lowering blood pressure”. She further stated that “a study reported in the May 2009 issue of the Journal of Food Science found a significant blood pressure lowering effect from krill oil on rats. The researchers extracted a peptide from oil located in the tail section and when they fed it to rats, it produced an immediate drop in the animals’ blood pressure”.

o Vitamin D- according to an article by Dr. Mercola, vitamin D deficiency increases parathyroid hormone production, which increases blood pressure. Moreover, Vitamin D is also a negative inhibitor of your body’s renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which regulates blood pressure. If you’re vitamin D deficient, it can cause inappropriate activation of your RAS, which may lead to hypretension.

o Neo40 is a supplement that boosts nitric oxide. Read about it here.

Deep breathing exercises

o Several times per day, and especially when feeling stressed, stop and take 30 seconds to do the following: Sit relaxed in a chair, close your eyes, hold your hands together, picture a happy memory in your mind, and take 4 deep breaths with a 4-count in and 4-count out.

EFT
Meditation
Healing Codes
Exercise
Weight loss
Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption
Reduce or eliminate caffeine intake
Low carb diet- Insulin depletes magnesium, impairs body’s ability to produce nitric oxide, and causes sodium retention, all of which contribute to high blood pressure. Read Nancy Mehlert’s article about the vicious cycle.

*This information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Any changes to blood pressure medication should be done under medical supervision.

Resources:

By Mila McManus MD|2018-06-28T22:09:12-06:00March 10th, 2015|Articles, General|

Supplement of the Month- Neo40

Neo40 Daily is a heart and circulation supplement taken as a lozenge once a day.

In 1998, the disco NEO40 very of Nitric Oxide as a critical signaling molecule was awarded a Nobel Prize in physiology/medicine. The Talking Molecule Nitric Oxide revolutionized conventional scientific reasoning because it was the first molecule discovered to literally communicate with another molecule.

Why does that matter? When Nitric Oxide is made by the cells in our blood vessels, it signals the surrounding arterial tissues to relax. This action lowers blood pressure, expands narrow blood vessels, eliminates dangerous clots and reduces the formation of artery-clogging plaque. Nitric Oxide optimizes circulation and is involved in virtually every organ system in our body. Other benefits of nitric oxide and increased blood flow include:

• improved brain function and better attention.
• increased oxygen transfer and more energy.
• a better sex life (increasing Nitric Oxide is a key function of many well-known erectile dysfunction medications).
• reduction of pain and swelling of arthritis
• improvement of asthma symptoms
• protection of bones from osteoporosis
• enhanced effectiveness of anti-depressants
• assist the immune system with killing harmful bacteria
• limit skin damage from the sun

Nitric Oxide is life critical. In fact, many scientists believe Nitric Oxide to be as important to humans as oxygen. Unfortunately, most adults over 40 don’t produce enough in order to achieve optimal health.

Source: www.neogenis.com

*The product information provided is for educational purposes and is not intended as either diagnosis or treatment of any disease, nor does it replace professional medical advice. (The FDA makes us say that)

*Warning: Please consult a health care professional before using these products.

By Mila McManus MD|2015-03-09T21:44:46-06:00March 9th, 2015|Articles, General|

Previous 535455 Next