Can Dizziness And Vertigo Be Caused By Dehydration?
Yes, dizziness and vertigo can be caused by dehydration. Your brain is made mostly of water. Your body is made mostly of water for that matter. When you don’t get enough water, it can alter brain and nerve function and sign of this happening is dizziness.
How do you know if you are dehydrated? Well, if you drink less than 64 oz. (2 liters) of water a day, you are dehydrated. 64 oz. of water is one half a gallon. That’s water. Not, juice, soda, coffee, milk, beer, tea or soup. Water. If you don’t drink enough water, your body can extract water from these drinks in order to save your life. But, in the long run, you will never get enough water to get you out of a dehydrated state. And, you will start to get symptoms.
If you exercise or work and sweat a lot, you will need even more water. In that case, take your body weight, divide it by two and that is the number of ounces of water you will need 
every day. For example, I am 180 pounds, so I need 90 ounces of water a day, because I do work out and sweat.
Many people say to me “Well, I don’t feel thirsty, how can I be dehydrated ?” And, it can be kind of confusing. You see, when you have been dehydrated for a long time, your thirst mechanism shuts down. You don’t feel thirsty until your mouth is actually dry. It’s a strange phenomenon, but if you start drinking water regularly, your thirst mechanism comes back.
Drinking enough water is part of the treatment regimen I prescribe for dizziness and vertigo. If you suffer from one of these ailments, you should definitely try drinking more water. If that doesn’t take it away completely, the answer may be elsewhere and you may need a combination of therapies to get relief.
To find out more about how I treat dizziness and vertigo log on to www.stopvertigonow.com. Or call Jennifer at 262-251-8306 to schedule a free no obligation consultation where we can go over your situation and see if I can help.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome-Who Can Fix It?
When you have painful carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), life can be miserable. Dreams and goals are often put on hold. What’s worse, many CTS sufferers don’t know what type of doctor to go to or where to get accurate, cutting edge advise.
Chiropractors are often thought of as just “back doctors” but research shows they can be a big help with CTS. For example, one study reported significant improvements in strength, range of motion, and pain reduction after chiropractic treatment was given to 25 patients diagnosed with CTS. Even better, the majority of the patients reported continued improvements for 6 months or more.
In another study, this time comparing chiropractic care to standard medical care between 91 patients with CTS, one group received standard medical care (night wrist splint and 2400 mg/day of ibuprofen). A second group received chiropractic treatment that consisted of spinal and wrist adjustments, ultrasound, and wrist splinting at night. This study proved that chiropractic care could be included as a drug free form of therapy for patients with CTS.
Like all doctors’ offices, care may vary from office to office. But, if you are looking for a Chiropractor who offers safe and effective wrist and hand symptom care, log on to www.relieffromcarpaltunnel.com for more information.
Or call 262-251-8306 and talk to Jennifer about a free consultation with no obligation for treatment.
References
1) Davis PT, Hulbert JR, Kassak KM, Meyer JJ. Comparative efficacy of conservative medical and chiropractic treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized clinical trial. Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1998;21(5):317-326.
2. Bonebrake AR, Fernandez JE, Dahalan JB, Marley RJ. A treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1993;16(3):125-139.
What is a Spondylolisthesis?
Spondylolisthesis pronounced, \ˌspän-də-lō-lis-ˈthē-səs\ or spondylo for short.
Spondylolisthesis is a big word that describes a condition where a vertebra has slipped forward on top of the one below it. The vertebra can slip so far forward that it can choke off 
nerve roots in the spine and cause shooting pain.
A spondylolisthesis is most commonly found on the very lowest vertebra (L5) or the one above it (L4). Although, I have seen them at higher levels in the spine on rare occasions.
The most common cause of a spondylolisthesis is a stress fracture. The fracture splits the vertebra so that the front part slips forward and the back part stays where it is. Sometimes you can feel around with your fingers and find a divot where the spine dips in, just above the involved vertebra. The stress fracture usually occurs during physical activity during adolescence, but they can occur at other times.
Sometimes the fracture is missed on standard imaging because no slippage has occurred. This is called a pending spondylolisthesis and only shows up on a study called a SPECT scan.
The odd thing about spondylos is that many people have them and don’t even know it. It may happen to you as a teenager and you may have little or no pain at that time. However, if your posture deteriorates or you injure the area, it can flare up and cause a lot of pain.
Spondylo patients can be treated with chiropractic, but not all techniques work well. Since the vertebra is already forward, a technique that will push it more forward, is obviously not advisable. The main goal of treatment is to correct the patient’s posture, so that there is less stress in the area of the spondylo. That can give a lot of pain relief.
Treatment is followed up with home instructions for care that will help prevent re-aggravation.
To learn more about how I treat spondylolisthesis log onto www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com. Or if you would like to set up a free consultation to see if I can help, call Jennifer at 262-251-8306.
Is High Fructose Corn Syrup Good For You?
I’ve been asked more than once about a web-site called www.sweetsurprise.com. The web-site is advertised on TV. It discusses high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and how it’s supposedly good for you!
Well, I beg to differ.
There is some evidence that HFCS has more impact than regular sugar on blood glucose. Also, if you are allergic to corn, you can have a reaction to it.
The web-site claims that HFCS is no more dangerous for you than sugar. It sites a few studies that seem to indicate that it effects the body just like table sugar. So, for the sake of argument let’s say that’s true.
My point is, any sugar is dangerous for your health! Too much leads to obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, nervous system disorders and on and on.
The reason processed food manufacturers use lots of sugars in their products is that eating it actually makes you more hungry. Whether it is HFCS or regular sugar, the result is the same. You eat the product, you get more hungry, you eat more of the product.
The biggest reason HFCS is so dangerous is that it is cheap. Cheaper than sugar. So now companies can add more of it to their products, at a cheaper cost and as a result, you get more hungry and eat more of their products.
Another problem is that companies now add HFCS to products that never contained sugar before, due to the expense. So now you have bread with high amounts of HFCS in it, which makes you hungry for more bread. That’s a quick way to obesity and diabetes.
My advice is to stay away from HFCS, sugar and sugar substitutes like aspartame and splenda. Which basically means, stay away from foods that come in boxes, bags and cans. Look for organic foods. Eat lots of vegetables, meat in moderation, fruit, nuts and whole grains in smaller amounts.
If you are interested in any more information or any of the services we offer, you can check out some of our other blog posts, or you can call Jennifer or Leah at 262-251-8306 and set up a FREE consultation and posture evaluation to see if I can help you get pain free-great posture.
Article by Dr. Paul Kramer, DC of Menomonee Falls WI
Is Chiropractic Safe After Spinal Surgery?
If you have had back surgery, chances are you are still in pain. Studies show that 53% of patients who have undergone spinal surgery are still in pain or feeling worse.
In my opinion, spinal surgery has such a high failure rate because it fails to address the spinal alignment problems that created the need for the surgery in the first place.
I have had many patients tell me that their surgeon warned them to “Never see a chiropractor !” But, out of desperation, they came to see me anyway, just to try and get some relief. 
Unfortunately, if you asked these same surgeons, “what does a chiropractor do that is so bad ?” they probably wouldn’t have much of an answer for you.
The good news is, chiropractic procedures can be done on patients after they have had spinal surgery. The bad news is, it is more difficult to get a good outcome. Difficult, but not impossible.
It is more difficult because structures that were once there, are now removed. This is the case when a laminectomy is done. Or, vertebrae have been fused together, which makes it more difficult to work around that area.
However, realigning the areas above and below the surgery sight can provide a great deal of relief. I have had many patients get excellent pain relief, freedom of movement and reduction in pain medication after a good course of chiropractic treatment.
If you are in pain after spinal surgery, I would definitely suggest trying specific chiropractic techniques. And, I would look for someone who has training and experience in treating post-surgical spinal cases. If the treatment is working, you should feel at least some relief after a couple of weeks of treatment. From there, your doctor should be able to make further recommendations for treatment, based on his findings and how you have responded.
For more information on the care I provide, log on to www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com.
The best thing to do, if you have had spinal surgery is to get a hold of any X-rays, CT’s or MRI’s you have had since your surgery and bring them with you to the free evaluation. Then, I can tell you what I can do for you. Some people with spinal fusions, I can’t treat. Almost all laminectomy patients can be treated. Basically, I need to see what was done, and the only way for me to do that is to see films.
If you don’t have access to your films, come in for the free evaluation anyway and we can talk about your situation. I can get a good idea of what is going on and then send you for imaging if I think I might be able to help.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) – “Fact Sheet”
What is it?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) occurs when a nerve on the palm side of the wrist is pinched. It is named after the area of the wrist where the nerve irritation occurs. The Carpal Tunnel is basically a horseshoe shape made from 8 small carpal bones and the ends of the horseshoe are connected with a ligament. This creates a tunnel where the a nerve called the median nerve and 9 tendons that control your fingers pass through.
What are the symptoms?
CTS symptoms start with pain in the wrist from the swelling of the tendons inside the Carpal Tunnel. When the nerve pinch occurs, numbness, tingling, or a half asleep sensation going into the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fingers occurs. This is often worse at night due to the wrist being bent when asleep. This often wakes the person and shaking/flicking the hand/fingers is needed to “wake them up.” Grip weakness is also associated with CTS and the person may have difficulty holding onto objects or handling small parts.
What are the causes?
Usually, over use from repetitive work like meat packing, typing, sewing, carpentry and waiting tables. These fast/repetitive movements cause swelling of the 9 tendons of the carpal tunnel which eventually irritates the median nerve. Other causes include hormone related conditions such as hypothyroidism, dysmenorrheal, diabetes, and poor dietary habits. Basically anything that causes the wrists to swell can lead to CTS.
How is it diagnosed?
The history of the symptoms as well as physical examination of the hands, arms, shoulders and neck leads to the correct diagnosis. The exam consists of trying to reproduce the numbness in the fingers by pressing over the wrist and other areas where the nerve runs down the arm (including the neck where the nerve originates), tapping over the Carpal Tunnel with a reflex hammer, bending and holding the wrists at the extreme endpoints of motion. More sophisticated testing includes an EMG (nerve conduction test) that tests the motor and sensory changes when the nerve is pinched.
How is it treated?
Chiropractic approaches include manipulation of the wrist, hand, forearm, shoulder and neck, specifically addressing the areas where the Median nerve can get pinched stretched or irritated. Soft tissue therapy includes massage and physical therapy modalities such as low level laser. Exercise training to stretch and strengthen the wrists and forearms is very helpful. Nutritional counseling and supplementation is often necessary.
You May be a candidate for a treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome without Drugs or Surgery! For More information, log on to: www.relieffromcarpaltunnel.com
Or To Schedule a FREE no obligation consultation with me, Dr. Paul Kramer, call Leah or Jennifer at 262-251-8306
What Causes Dizziness?
Dizziness or vertigo can be caused by many different problems. This is a very difficult condition to treat, because so many things cause it, and not many of these things show up clearly on tests.
Inner ear infections can cause many problems with balance. However, I find that this is often a misdiagnosis. How do you know if you’ve been misdiagnosed? Well, if you have taken a round of antibiotics, you show no other signs of infection and you are still dizzy, you probably don’t have an inner ear infection. In my opinion, you need to look elsewhere for the cause.
Dehydration is a very common cause of dizziness. Many people are dehydrated and don’t know it. This is caused by the massive consumption of soft drinks, orange juice, coffee and alcohol that make your body lose water. Dizziness can be a sign that your body has lost too much water and you need to address the issue.
Nerve interference in the cervical spine is by far the most overlooked cause of dizziness and vertigo. It is very common to have balance disorders after injury to the cervical spine. When the spine is injured, vertebra can misalign and nerves in the upper cervical area can be stretched or pinched. The nerves in this area carry signals to the brain that help it determine where you are in space. If the nerves are irritated, it can cause signals to be sent to the brain telling it you are somewhere you aren’t. You then get balance disorders.
Chiropractic adjusting can correct many cases of dizziness and vertigo by removing nerve interference in the upper cervical spine. When proper nerve function is restored, the positional sense is restored. And the crazy, out of control feelings stop.
To find out more about how we treat dizziness log onto www.stopvertigonow.com and order our free report.
Or, if you would like to sit down and talk to me about how I treat vertigo call 262-251-8306 and talk to Jennifer or Leah. They can set up a Free no-obligation consultation with me, we can talk about your situation and see if I can help.
Nutrition Information…Who Can You Trust?
The internet is full of information on nutrition. Some is good. Some not so good. When you add in all the info. on TV, radio and newspaper, it can get overwhelming. Its hard to know who to trust.
My favorite resource is the Price/Pottenger Nutritional Institute. Found at www.ppnf.org.
I like them because they have been around a long time, their approach is fairly simple and the research done today is confirming what Dr. Price and Dr. Pottenger were advocating over 50 years ago.
Dr. Weston Price was a dentist. He traveled the world studying different groups of people in order to find out what the healthiest people ate. He found that people that had no cavities, no arthritis, good bone structures and good longevity ate pretty much the same things. They ate meat (some of it raw), vegetables, fruit, nuts, sprouted whole grains and raw dairy products. As soon as a culture started eating refined grains, sugar, cooked dairy and overcooked meat, they began to fall apart. Literally. He observed cavities, birth defects, arthritis and weak immune systems as a result of bad diet.
He predicted that due to the way we eat, America as a nation would not only become very sick physically, but also mentally and morally. Well… all you have to do is look at what has happened to America over the last 50 years and you will see that he was correct.
Dr. Pottenger was a neurological researcher who did a lot of work with cats. He found that he could induce many types of diseases by feeding the cats diets that were missing key nutrients. Without key nutrients, the cats DNA would become damaged. So, the cats would pass these diseases along to their off-spring.
He believed that humans did the same thing when they ate bad diets. But, the good news was that he found that if he switched the cats back to healthy diets, the DNA would repair itself. These findings were confirmed by studies done at the University of Wisconsin some 50 years later.
The principles these two doctors believed in are what guides the Price-Pottenger Nutritional Foundation today. On their web-site you can find all kinds of different information and books to help guide you on your way to eating healthy. I use their principles and they work very well. Trust me.
If you are interested in any more information or any of the services we offer, you can check out some of our other blog posts, or you can call Jennifer or Leah at 262-251-8306 and set up a FREE consultation and posture evaluation to see if I can help you get pain free-great posture.
Article by Dr. Paul Kramer, DC of Menomonee Falls WI
What Causes Poor Posture?
Poor posture is commonly caused by misaligned bones in the spine. When spinal bones misalign in certain ways, they cause the spine to tip forward. The shoulders then droop down and forward, and you can start to get what is called forward head posture. (See the picture).
Forward head posture not only causes neck and back pain, but can cause a whole smorgasbord of conditions like shoulder pain, carpal tunnel symptoms, headaches, dizziness and fibrositis/fibromyalgia.
The bones of the spine misalign because of trauma like car accidents, falls, lifting or sports injuries. Also, people who are depressed often carry themselves in a droopy forward head posture that eventually warps the spine and causes pain. Sometimes the toxic effects of drugs or a bad diet can affect the muscles in such a way that the spine is effected.
Many spinal mis-alignments are self-correcting. Meaning the muscles of the body can re-align the spine all by itself. Unfortunately, the body has a hard time correcting mis-alignments in the forward direction, because the muscles don’t have enough of an angle to pull a bone straight back. There is nothing behind the spine to pull it backwards.
So, when a bone misaligns forward, it tends to get stuck. As time goes on, more and more bones get misaligned forward until the spine starts to lean forward and droop. All you have to do is look at a group of elderly people and you will usually see a lifetime of forward misalignment.
Many posture correction treatments focus on making the muscles of the spine stronger in order to pull itself upright. The problem is, that the angle just isn’t there to get it accomplished. With these methods, even the slightest correction takes heroic effort.
New advances in chiropractic technique make it possible to correct posture without muscular effort. Once the spine is re-aligned, the body weight is supported by the spinal bones. The muscles then relax and give the person greater ease of movement. To find out more about this method log on to www.new-chiropractic-solutions.com.
Or, you can call Jennifer or Leah at 262-251-8306 and set up a FREE consultation and posture evaluation to see if I can help you get pain free-great posture.
Five Steps To Make Sure You Get Back Surgery…What?
Spinal surgery has a very high failure rate. In fact the problem is so bad, Charles Burton MD, a leading researcher in spinal surgery; wrote an article called “Spinal Surgery, The Alarm Bells Are Ringing”. In it, he talks about the high rate of spinal surgery failure and states “Ill-advised spine surgery which creates more problems for patients than it solves, can no longer be tolerated.” -Surgical Neurology 65 (2006) 5-6. A copy of this article is available from my office.
I purposely wrote the following five steps with a little sarcastic bite. I wrote it that way to get your attention and point out the shocking stupidity of spine treatment in the USA.
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So here goes…If you like taking risks with your spine and really would like to make sure you get surgery at some time in the future, here’s what you do:
Step 1: Never go to a chiropractor. Numerous scientific studies show chiropractic is the safest, most effective form of therapy for low back related conditions. If you want to make sure you have back pain that’s bad enough to see a surgeon, take your surgeon’s advice and don’t see a chiropractor.
Step 2: If you do decide to go to one of these quasi-doctors don’t follow his or her advice concerning mattresses, pillows and exercises. Chiropractors know proper home care is critical in the treatment of back pain. If you want to assure that you will have a lifetime of back pain, you must sleep on a soft mattress.
Step 3: Get lots of cortisone shots in your back. Cortisone is a good short term anti-inflammatory and may be helpful in some cases. But, if you want to have surgery on your back, get lots of cortisone shots, so that your discs will deteriorate faster.
Step 4: Smoke cigarettes and drink a lot of alcohol. These two dehydrate your discs and cause a lot of inflammation. Smoking and drinking are a quick way to cause back problems and make sure that your surgery fails.
Step 5: Whatever you do, don’t eat healthy. If you want surgery, you are going to have to eat the way most of America does. Eat lots of fast food, glutamate, aspartame and processed carbohydrates that inflame tissues and lead to chronic pain.
On the serious side…
If you want to avoid surgery, do the opposite of the above. See a chiropractor, get a good firm mattress, exercise, avoid over-use of anti-inflammatory meds, avoid cigarettes and alcohol and eat healthy.
If you would like to find out more about how we treat low back related conditions like degenerative discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis without drugs or surgery, log on to www.NewBackPainReliefInfo.com.
Or, if you’d like to set up a FREE no obligation consultation with me, you can call Jennifer or Leah at 262-251-8306 and set up a time when we can meet and discuss your situation.
