Our bodies were not designed to handle the amount of detoxification necessary to remove all the chemicals we are exposed to. When these build up, they can cause a wide variety of problems including hormonal problems, diabetes, weight gain, neurologic problems and even cancer.
Doing a detox helps to improve blood sugar, improve sleep quality, lessen fatigue, improve mood, and improve overall health. While it is NOT a weight loss program, many people who need to lose weight do so while doing this program.
What is detox?
Detoxification, “detox” is the process of removing toxins from the body. A detox is sometimes also referred to as a “cleanse.” There are many different types of detox programs available.
What are toxins?
Toxins are chemicals that are poisonous in some way, and have negative effects on the body.
Why would I have toxins in my body?
We are all exposed to many toxins on a daily basis. Studies have been done that show that most people are exposed to over 200 chemicals each day BEFORE THEY LEAVE THEIR HOUSE! Some exposures are unintentional and unconscious, such as contaminants in the air, water and soil. Some personal care products contain hundreds of chemicals, even soap, shampoo and deodorant- you don’t have to be using perfumes, creams or makeup to have exposures.
Other exposures are more obvious, such as tobacco use, caffeine use, drug use (prescription, over the counter and illicit).
If your body can’t get rid of the chemicals as fast as they come in, they will build up in the body and cause problems.
What is involved in doing a detox?
The detox program is either a 10 or 28 day program, depending on what your health care practitioner recommends. During this time, there is a particular diet to follow. It is important to follow this diet, because it removes most of the foods that commonly cause allergies. Often people feel better just getting off of these foods, because hidden food allergies can make you feel sick.
There are also pills and shakes to drink, which have many vitamins that help your body to clear out the poisons that have been stored in it.
How will I feel when I do the detox?
Most people feel good when they do a cleanse. Some, but not all people lose weight. Many notice that after the first couple of days carbohydrate/sweet cravings decrease or disappear completely. Many people notice that headaches go away, digestion improves, fluid retention decreases and energy increases.
Are there any side effects?
If you normally drink a lot of caffeine or eat a lot of sugar you may get withdrawal symptoms, like headaches. Also, you can feel sick from the toxins moving around. These will usually resolve within a couple of days. If you have any questions, be sure to contact the office for instructions about what to do.
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If you are interested in doing a detox, or learning more about how a detox might benefit you or a loved one, please call our office at (907) 283-9118 to schedule a free 10 minute consultation at our clinic.
We are excited to offer, along with Dr. Paul Raymond and his staff of certified sleep technologists, quality sleep studies.
I have been wanting to do this for some time for many reasons:
Sleep apnea, like many of the chronic diseases has been increasing dramatically over the last 20 years.Since sleep apnea slows down metabolic rate, it perpetuates the main cause of sleep apnea: Obesity. Therefore, it causes a vicious cycle of weight gain and more apnea, and thus more weight gain.
Sleep apnea is a significant risk factor for coronary artery disease. One of my family members read more
“Functional Medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership.”
Along with Dr. Carlson, we have a new Doctor coming on board that specializes in Functional/Integrative Medicine. Both Dr. Lynn Carlson and Dr. Ardis Fisch are excellent with chronic symptoms and diseases and also how to get your body back in balance. The idea behind functional medicine is that we search for the “Why you are hurting or experiencing the symptom”, not just the “What symptom are you experiencing”. For example, many people have feelings of sadness, apathy, lack of appetite and other things and many doctors might say “Ah hah! I know what you have, it’s depression!” and then they might give you a prescription for Prozac and other medications to help. We all know that the definition of depression isn’t that we have a “Prozac deficiency”. So what functional medicine does is say, yes, you have all these symptoms, but let’s focus on why and see if we can’t find the causes and imbalances that make you feel depressed, as people can all experience the same symptoms but have very different causes. Depression is just an easy example of the difference in practice of medicine, but the results are incredible!
What is Functional Medicine?
“Functional medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. It is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, functional medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms. Functional medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease. In this way, functional medicine supports the unique expression of health and vitality for each individual.” (functionalmedicine.org)
Do you need a female care provider? Come meet Gemma Smith, our newest provider at the MediCenter! Gemma Smith has been helping women and children on the peninsula for years at the Kenai Public Health Center and has recently finished additional schooling and training to serve you in her new capacity as your primary female care and small children health provider in the Kenai area. Before her additional schooling and training, Gemma has had years of experience in female care and small children’s health and her knowledge base on the matter is extensive. Gemma is a champion for women and children and is completely dedicated to your becoming and staying independently healthy and happy. Although her special interest is in women’s health and childcare, she thoroughly enjoys taking care of the whole family, so, men, you don’t have to worry about finding someone else, but if you feel the need to, we have several other providers to choose from at the MediCenter. If you would like to make an appointment with Gemma Smith, please call (907) 283-9118 today! MediCenter, your place for female care, children’s health, and comprehensive family care on the peninsula.
Dr. Carlson and the MediCenter have partnered up with Dr. Corey Johnson and Alaska Vein Care to take care of those suffering with varicose veins on the Kenai Peninsula. This July, Dr. Johnson will be here to offer FREE CONSULTS for those with varicose veins at the value of at least $1200.00. If together you decide that you are a good candidate for this non-invasive, outpatient treatment, he will schedule you for an ultrasound and Varicose Vein Treatment at the most affordable price in the State! We also accept payment plans. To find out more about this new cure for varicose veins, continue reading or simply go to www.alaskaveincare.com and then call us to schedule a free consultation. Space is limited and the next time he has scheduled to be here will be months away!
Vein Disease
What is vein disease? In contrast to arteries, which take blood from the heart to the extremities, veins – through a series of small valves that pump blood upwards – bring blood back to the heart from the extremities.
There are two main systems of veins in the legs:
a deep system, which brings about 90 per cent of the blood back to the heart; and
a more superficial system, which brings about 10 per cent back to this area.
Between these, is a third system – of perforating veins or perforators – which transports blood from the superficial to the deep system.
Varicose and spider veins occur solely in the superficial system, when the walls of the veins lose their elasticity and the pumping valves stop functioning properly. This causes the blood to flow back down, creating a reverse process called ebb or reflux, which can be heard with a Doppler machine, and heard and seen with Duplex ultrasound.
What causes varicose and spider veins?
Heredity is the number one factor. They usually run in the family (“like mother, like daughter”)
Hormones are also a factor: puberty, pregnancy, menopause, the birth control pill
Obesity
Aging
Prolonged periods of standing (common to nurses, pharmacists, teachers, waitresses)
EVLT
Our treatment goal is to restore normal circulation in the leg. This is accomplished by closing the refluxing vein and eliminating locations where blood can pool (large varicose veins). EVLT (Endovenous Laser Therapy) is a technique in which a thin glass laser fiber is inserted into the refluxing vein. As the energy from the laser is delivered through the fiber and out the tip, the fiber is slowly withdrawn and the vein closes behind it. This is done in the office under local anesthetic. EVLT has emerged as the most popular technique in the country due to it’s high rate of success and excellent safety profile.
Micro-phlebectomy
Bulging varicose veins just under the skin are removed by a second procedure done at the same time as the EVLT called micro-phlebectomy or ambulatory phlebectomy. This procedure, like EVLT, is done in the office under local anesthetic. A series of tiny punctures are made over the affected area and a special hook is used to remove the loops of vein. Cosmetic results are usually excellent.
Whether you are a company ramping up, getting ready for spring, or you need to get your DOT Physical out of the way, the MediCenter in Kenai is the place to go! Our Medical Staff is accustomed to doing both and it just so happens that Company Medicine is one of our specialties.
DOT Physicals are easy to schedule, inexpensive, and we try to make the process as painless as possible while giving you the care you deserve.
Our Pre-employment Exams can be customized to whatever the company needs, although our capabilities and passion go way beyond what most ask for. We do our best to eliminate risk for both employers and employees at the start by doing quality functional capacity exams and other realistic job testing when needed.We not only test for capabilities, but train the client on proper body mechanics to help them stay healthy. We also educate them on how getting injured on the job doesn’t just affect their job, but everything they do or want to do in life. This enables companies to keep their employees healthy, allowing for happy workers and company savings.
We do handle work. comp. but we believe that the best work. comp. strategy is to prevent it from happening in the first place.
To schedule for any of our Physicals or Screenings please call (907) 283-9118 and we’ll be happy to serve you.
23.6 million children and adults in US have Diabetes and 57 million children and adults in US have pre-diabetes. 24% of those that have it don’t even know it!
Some Scary Facts on Diabetes
Diabetes has a rate of amputations 10 times higher than average
Significantly increases the risk for Sexual Dysfunction
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, accounting for 44% of new cases in 2005.
Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20–74 years.
About 60% to 70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage.
Causes birth defects and complications in pregnancy Diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death listed on U.S. death certificates in 2006.
Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about 2 to 4 times higher than adults without diabetes.
The risk for stroke is 2 to 4 times higher among people with diabetes.
$174 billion: Total costs of diagnosed diabetes in the United States in 2007
$116 billion for direct medical costs
$58 billion for indirect costs (disability, work loss, premature mortality)
After adjusting for population age and sex differences, average medical expenditures among people with diagnosed diabetes were 2.3 times higher than what expenditures would be in the absence of diabetes. So if you think Diabetes will only hurt your health, check your bank account once again.
For years, Diabetes has been known as the “Silent Epidemic”. Because of its “hidden” nature, Diabetes has infused itself into our society as the Plague of the 21st Century. Just because you aren’t aware of any symptoms yet, doesn’t mean you are in the clear. The truth is, until you find out where you stand, no one is in the clear.
Join the MediCenter in the “RACE AGAINST DIABETES” and get everyone you care about a free diabetes screening today…With diabetes, not knowing is the biggest danger.
Dr. Morrissette is now certified to provide medical examinations for pilots needing their class 2 and 3 medical certificate. Dr. Morrissette makes this process friendly, fast, and easy. Below are a few details on requirements for pilot’s medical certificates:
Medical requirements state that an applicant for or a holder of a private pilot license must hold a valid Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate. Class 2 medical certificates are valid for 60 months until the age of 30, then 24 months until the age of 50, and 12 months thereafter. Initial, renewal and revalidation examinations for Class 2 medical certificates may be carried out at an aero medical center or by an authorized medical examiner.
An applicant for an air traffic controller’s licence or AFIS officer’s qualification must hold a valid Class 1 or Class 3 medical certificate. Class 3 medical certificates are valid for 24 months until the age of 40, and for 12 months thereafter. Initial, renewal and revalidation examinations for Class 3 medical certificates may be carried out at an aeromedical centre or by an authorised medical examiner.
At the MediCenter, Dr. Morrissette will get you in and out quickly and we’ll even help keep track of your renewal date for you. Don’t let your medical certificate stop you from flying, call and schedule your Flight Physical now at (907) 283-9118
Leon Richard, your new Physical Therapist at the MediCenter is a great educator. He is a firm believer that a medical care provider should not only treat, but they should teach. Physical therapy isn’t just about rehabilitation, it’s about prevention. He puts you in the driver seat for your own health, giving you better results, making you less dependent on us. He ensures you get great care, resulting in fewer visits. We want to make “Getting Better” easier, faster, and less expensive. A few key points in why physical therapy with Leon at the MediCenter is so effective are listed below: read more
You don’t want them, so get your Moles, Warts, and Cysts Removed with Dr. Schurig at the MediCenter. Dr. Schurig specializes in minor surgeries and makes them simple, quick, and easy. Most of us spend way too long conscientiously hiding our minor blemishes out of embarrassment. Now with Dr. Schurig making this minor surgery more affordable and easy, we should stop covering and start removing. Call to schedule an appointment today at 283-9118.
