The Doctor Is In
 What matters most to you? What are your hopes and dreams? What would you like to be your legacy? Surely these are not questions commonly asked of patients by their physicians , yet they may be as important, if not more important, than many of the questions routinely asked.
It is estimated that 75 to 80% of visits to doctor's offices involve issues of mental health - anxiety, depression, and stress related issues. Many of the most common medical conditions have an emotional component - gastrointestinal problems, headaches, insomnia, muscle pains, hypertension, menstrual irregularities, sexual disorders, and others. That is not to say that they do not have real physical manifestations, nor that there isn't a physical basis for their existence. Rather, they are a complex blend of the mind and the body, with no separation between them.
In the current unit of my Integrative Fellowship, we are studying Mind-Body Medicine, Spirituality, and Mental Health. It has been a deeply meaningful module for me. As humans, we need so much more than just food, water, and shelter. We truly need purpose, love, and meaning in our lives. Physicians are supposed to be teachers and enablers of healing, and it is abundantly clear that this requires more than a pill or a scalpel.
When you come in to see me, don't be surprised by the unusual turn our visit may take. I have learned a great deal about the nature of human suffering and the benefits of spirituality, and I wish to share my new found knowledge, assisting you on your personal search for optimal health.
At your visit, I will likely suggest a large array of treatment options, including such therapies as meditation and guided imagery, acupuncture and cognitive behavioral therapy, along with advice on nutrition, supplements, herbs, pharmaceuticals, and, rarely, surgery. Based on your own belief systems, goals, and dreams, you will decide the direction to follow on your life's journey.
If this all sounds rather "new age-y," that's OK, just please keep in mind that everything I recommend has a tremendous amount of scientific evidence attesting to its efficacy and safety. The human body is an amazing creation, and its maintenance requires great nurturing, including care for the mind and spirit. Such nurturing of the soul may be assisted by, but cannot be cured by a bottle of pills. When the spirit is wounded, the physical body will suffer. Whoever coined the old cliche that "man does not live by bread alone," was exceptionally wise. Together, we can discover the elixir needed by your spirit to soar once more.
In Health and Happiness
Felice Gersh, M.D. |
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As of January, Medicare began providing for FREE female pelvic and breast exams as well as for FREE general preventive health physical exams for all participants! This is great news for all of our Medicare patients. Based on these new guidelines, we will immediately begin offering these exams to our patients. Every eligible patient can be scheduled once a year for the appropriate visits.
These types of visits were formerly incorporated into problem visits, often causing a rushed and inadequate review. But that will no longer be the case. Each patient will get a large block of time set aside for these preventative health visits. Additionally, Medicare now covers visits devoted to lifestyle issues such as weight problems and smoking cessation.
Please call at your convenience to schedule one of these appointments and take full advantage of your insurance benefits. Just designate that you wish to schedule one of Medicare's new FREE preventive health visits - the general physical or the woman's visit for breast and pelvic screenings. We look forward to continuing to partner with you, assisting you in your efforts to achieve optimal health.
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New Hope for Type 1 Diabetics
 A newly published study from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center looked at the critical role of glucagon, a hormone which prevents low blood sugar in healthy people and causes high blood sugar in people with Type 1 diabetes. When they prevented the release of glucagon from alpha cells in the pancreas, the release of excess glucose from the liver was blocked, and glucose tolerance returned to normal in the mice with Type 1 diabetes. Insulin, the hormone we usually associate with control of blood glucose levels, became unimportant! This great discovery gives hope that, if a similar effect can be created by suppressing the release of glucagon in humans, Type 1 diabetes could essentially be cured. Of course, research is in the very early stages, and enthusiasm must be tempered by reality. However, this research has shed promising light on the mechanisms occurring in Type 1 diabetes and provides great hope for the future.
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Mental Illness Therapy Takes a Turn for the Worse
 The addition of psychotherapy to medication therapy provides the best care in cases of depression. Unfortunately, the percentage of people receiving psychotherapy with psychiatric medications has decreased according to a newly published study. The use of psychotherapy and psychotropic medication together decreased by almost 8% in outpatient mental care facilities while the use of psychotropic medication alone increased by more than 13%. "We found that for an increasing number of Americans, mental healthcare involves medications but not psychotherapy, and this trend is evident especially for depression and for bipolar, anxiety, and child disorders," stated Mark Olfson, MD, MPH, professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University in New York City. He added that the use of psychotherapy has not kept pace with the big growth in the use of psychotropic medications. "I think the current trend toward medication-only treatment puts some people at risk, especially those with more severe depression, by receiving less optimal care." At the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, our approach towards mental health care is to view emotional problems within the context of the whole person. We work to identify and treat the cause of the problem, as opposed to simply providing minimally effective pharmaceuticals in an attempt to lessen symptoms. We believe, in concert with the authors of this important research, that the appropriate treatment of depression and anxiety should always include working with a psychologist, while also addressing all medical conditions and nutritional issues, as well as offering various forms of energy healing and massage therapy, consistent with the desires of each patient. |
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Amazing Health Benefits of Vinegar
 A study by Arizona State University researchers confirmed that vinegar has anti-glycemic properties when ingested with meals composed of complex carbohydrates. The study showed that blood sugar levels are reduced by vinegar, a finding endorsed by the American Diabetes Association. Reduction of blood sugar levels after eating (postprandial glycemia) is crucial in the management of diabetes. The investigators in the department of nutrition tested a simple vinegar drink - 20 grams of apple cider vinegar, 49 grams of water, and a teaspoon of artificial sweetener - on 10 healthy, non-diabetic volunteers. The subjects had a breakfast of a bagel and orange juice. After consuming the vinegar drink, their 60 minute glucose changes were 35% lower than after they ate the same breakfast followed by a placebo drink. Also, on average, caloric energy consumption was reduced by over 300 calories for the rest of the day. A previous study from Sweden found that vinegar consumption with white bread "cut expected rises in insulin and blood sugar" and made the subjects feel fuller. To reap the health benefits of vinegar, the researchers recommended natural kinds of vinegars, including Supremo Cane Vinegar. This form of vinegar is made from 100% naturally fermented ingredients and is one of the few all-natural vinegars available. Other natural sources for vinegar include coconuts, nipa palm and apples. |
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Evening Seminar Series in March
Meditation ClassesEvery Tuesday from 6:00 to 7:00 PM we offer meditation classes in our office taught by Shannon Clark, an expert in many forms of the healing arts. You can join at any time and begin to enjoy the many benefits of mediation, including: lowering blood pressure, enhancing immune health, improving mental health, and promoting rejuvenating sleep. This month we are offering a special opportunity to families. Additional family members who attend these classes will be charged only $15, instead of the usual $20 fee per session. Packages are also available - buy 5 classes and get the 6th free! Please also join us for our other exciting seminars. Be sure to invite your friends and family, too. All interested persons are invited to attend, and, as always, they are completely free. The seminars will be held in our office reception area, commencing at 6:00 PM and lasting until 7:00 or 7:30 PM. Please call 949-753-7475 to reserve your seats. Monday, March 14 "Hypothyroidism - an Essential Overview of an Epidemic in the Making"  with Alison Gracom, Endocrine Specialist PA Many people currently suffer from hypothyroidism. Why is this happening and what can be done about it? What types of thyroid hormone therapies are out there, and which are best? Join us to unravel the mysteries surrounding the workings of the thyroid gland. Wednesday, March 16 "Helping Children with ADHD" with Dr. Yoojin Lee, Naturopathic Doctor  We are excited to introduce our newest team member, Dr. Lee, who brings a new level of naturopathic healing skills to our practice. She has many interests, including childhood ADHD. Join us for an informative evening learning how to approach this condition from a naturopathic perspective. Thursday, March 24 "GI Detox (Biotransformation) and the Leaky Gut Syndrome" with Dr. Tim Murbach, Naturopathic Doctor  This topic has been of great interest to many and by popular demand is being held again. Don't miss this great opportunity to learn how the Gastro-Intestinal tract affects virtually every aspect of health, and how you can help to heal this vital group of organs, enabling yourself to obtain optimal health. Tuesday, March 29 "An Integrative Approach to Headaches" with Dr. Christine Nguyen, Integrative Internist  20% of women and many men suffer from regularly occurring headaches. If you or a loved one is such a sufferer, be sure to come to this vitally important seminar. You will learn the latest in natural healing methods, along with conventional therapies - all of which are useful in the treatment of various forms of headaches. |
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Diabetes Risks in Children Result in Poor Bone Health
 As the obesity epidemic extends to children, a growing number of adolescents are developing Type 2 diabetes or risk factors for the condition. While it is well established that encountering these complications at this early stage of life significantly increases the likelihood of suffering from heart disease and other chronic conditions, a new study is among the first to show a connection to weak bones. For the study, published in the Journal "Bone and Mineral Research," investigators examined 140 overweight children between the ages of 7 and 11, measuring body fat percentage, blood sugar levels and bone density, and inquiring about regular physical activity. The researchers found a strong association between risk factors for Type 2 diabetes and poor bone health. 30 percent of the participants showed signs of poor blood sugar regulation and these children showed an average of 4 to 5 percent less bone density than participants with healthy blood sugar regulation. Given the fact that a large percent of an individual's lifetime bone density is developed before reaching puberty, the researchers expressed concern that their findings presage a major health problem for our society. Norman Pollack, the lead investigator wrote, "Our greatest window of opportunity to enhance bone strength and ultimately reduce the risk of osteoporosis is during childhood... This finding provides the first clue linking childhood obesity to skeletal fractures." |
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Myo-Inositol in Post-Menopausal Women
 The supplement Myo-Inositol was studied along with a health-promoting diet, to gauge their separate and combined effects on metabolic parameters. The results showed highly significant improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides and insulin sensitivity. After menopause, women are at increased risk for obesity, insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia, resulting in hypertension and dyslipidemia, with increasing cardiovascular disease. Inositol, as either D-Chiro-Inositol or as Myo-Inositol, had been previously reported to improve insulin sensitivity and ovulatory function in young women affected by polycystic ovarian syndrome. Now it has been proven to be highly beneficial for menopausal women as well. We carry both forms of Inositol in the office and now plan to expand its use to post-menopausal women. |
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Cosmetic Specials in March!
 * BotoxCosmetic Only $10 a unit with a 30 unit minimum! * Dermal FillersRadiesse: Only $300 per syringe with a two syringe minimum. If you only want to buy and use one syringe, the fee is $400. Juvederm: Only $400 per syringe for any form of Juvederm, with a two syringe minimum. If you only want one syringe, the price is $500. * Laser TherapiesFRAXEL - the gold standard of non-ablative lasers - the only laser safe for all skin types, including dark tones and Asian skin. FRAXEL is a great therapy for brown discolorations and wrinkles. We are offering a 50% discount off our regular low rates for all multiple-visit packages. Intense Pulsed Light by Cutera Limelight (the best in its class) - great for sun spots, small, red blood vessels, and overall rejuvenation issues. We are offering the same special as for the FRAXEL above - 50% off our regular low rates for all multiple-visit packages. * Facials and Microdermabrasions - only $50 for your choice of any treatment, including all organic facials and men's facials. |
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Facts Concerning Anxiety and Depression
 Here are some little-known, yet vital facts concerning anxiety and depression which have been published during the past ten years. If any of these seem to strike an uncomfortably close chord, or you have reason to believe that you are suffering from a mood disorder, please come in and be seen. FACT: The economic burden of anxiety disorders in 1998 (at the time of the study, the last year for which complete data was available) was $63.1 billion, including direct health care costs and indirect costs such as lost wages caused by missed work, decreased work productivity, increased medical morbidity, and suicide (Langlieb, et al., 2005). FACT: Nearly 4 percent of boys and more than 6 percent of girls have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder caused by violence they have endured or witnessed (JCCP, 2003). FACT: Treatment of panic disorder decreases healthcare utilization and costs by 94% (JOEM, 2005). FACT: Of those who are diagnosed and receive recommended doses of conventional antidepressants, 33% fail to respond (Keitner, 2008). FACT: The treatment success rates for such disorders as depression (more than 80%) and panic disorder (70-90%) surpass those of other medical conditions, such as heart disease (45-50%) (NIMH, 2004). Fact: People who have major depression and anxiety disorders are 60% less likely to relapse if they exercise regularly--and continue exercising over time--than if they take medication alone (Mayo Clinic, 2003). FACT: According to the WHO, Major Depressive Disorder is the leading cause of disability in the US for ages 15-44 (WHO, The World Health Report, 2004).
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We hope you've found this issue of our email newsletter informative and enjoyable. We look forward to bringing you more news about opportunities to live better and healthier in the future. If you would like to learn more about the many services provided by IMGI, please visit our Web site at www.IntegrativeMGI.com. Sincerely, The Healthcare Professionals at Integrative Medical Group of Irvine |
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