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Is Your Brain on Fire?

Neurological inflammation is a complex issue with far-reaching consequences, impacting not just the brain but also vital bodily functions.

Impact on the Autonomic Nervous System

Autonomic Dysregulation

Neurological inflammation often disrupts the autonomic nervous system, responsible for controlling involuntary bodily functions like heart rate, breathing, and digestion. This disruption can lead to imbalances, causing a range of symptoms. Symptoms associated can be fatigue, syncope, fibromyalgia, mast cells (MCAS), Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), and many more. MCAS stems from mast cells (white blood cells) that release too often to fight off infection and attempt to heal. Common triggers can be linked to foods/sensitivities, alcohol, odors, temperatures, infections (viral/mycotoxins/mold), mechanical irritations like vibrations and skin irritations, temperature regulations with heat and cold, and of course STRESS! Now where does it typically originate or what is the root reason as to why I have MCAS → Could be a genetic predisposition.

Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Imbalance

Imagine this you are at a park and you’re consistently unbalanced on a sea-saw or teeter-totter. Now your friend is on one side and they are using all their weight to keep you in the air on your side of the playground toy. While you are in the higher position this is much like your sympathetic nervous system being in over drive. It is in the higher position while your friend is the parasympathetic in the lower position. Now relate this to the idea of how this can be an issue to be stuck so high with no balance on the other side. What if you were were to fall and get hurt? What if they (parasympathetic) never let you (sympathetic) back down? Now you got this fight or flight response where you are overly concerned and you are scared, anxious maybe even having a pit of a panic attack. Much like your sympathetic being in overdrive and your parasympathetic being underactive this is how you can imagine your system responds. This is known as vasoconstriction, which can cause you to have a lack in blood flow or even cause blood pooling leading you too feel dizzy, fatigued, faint, heart palpitations etc

Consequences for Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, SPO2%, and Breathing

Blood Pressure

Inflammation can lead to hypertension, a condition characterized by high blood pressure. This is because inflammation can damage blood vessels, narrowing them and making it harder for blood to flow. This can lead to dizziness, lightheadedness when standing, even syncope.

Heart Rate

Inflammation can cause an increase in heart rate, a condition known as tachycardia. This is because inflammation can stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, which controls heart rate. Blood pooling can cause blood to in the legs, leading to a significant increase in your heart rate. This happens due to the body trying to compensate for the lack of continuous blood flow that occurs when going from sitting to standing positions.

SPO2%

Some patients will have a decreased SPO2%. This can provide us with info on how blood flow circulation may be decreased. Lack of oxygen within the bloodstream. Safe ranges are typically 95-100%. Less than 90% can be considered hypoxemia or within a hypoxic state. We use this to our advantage in training. We will administer oxygen while patient is exercising in a hypoxic state. This allows us to measure how long it takes for someone to recover back to a high state of SPO2% and how they are breathing, and circulating blood flow.

Breathing

Inflammation can cause shortness of breath, also known as dyspnea. In many cases our patients with pots will breath shallow, rapid breaths. No diaphragmatic breathing, caused by a dysfunction of breathing. This is because inflammation can irritate the airways, making it harder to breathe. We can improve this by doing controlled breathing exercises while exercising.

Gastrointestinal Issues

Neurological inflammation can disrupt digestion by affecting gutbrain- axis and the nerves that control the muscles in the stomach and intestines. Gut-brain is a bidirectional pathway where they can both receive and send signals to one another. With neurological inflammation the brain can release a cytokine hormone that will trigger inflammatory responses, these can cause a disruption in the normal communication between the two. Neuroinflammation may also cause a disruption in the gut bacterium balance. This can lead to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.

Increased Permeability

Inflammation can also increase the permeability of the gut lining, allowing toxins and bacteria to leak into the bloodstream. This can trigger a range of health problems, including autoimmune disorders and chronic inflammation.

Reducing Inflammation in the Brain

  1. First step is to change Lifestyle modifications like adopting a healthy diet, reducing stress, and getting regular exercise,and sleep can significantly reduce inflammation in the brain. 30 mins of aerobic exercise, and making sure you get at least 7-9 hours of sleep. Limit sugars, processed foods, and test for food sensitivities to ensure you are eating a good clean diet.

2. Certain supplements, such as curcumin and omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin D paired with Vitamin C and calcium, have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the brain. Folate aids in red blood cell production, while iron can help to transport oxygen through blood flow. These are great for brain, but a find a good probiotic to to help balance out the gut microbiome and bacterium associated.

Low-Level Laser Therapy and Oxygen Inhalation

1. Low-Level Laser Therapy

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been shown to reduce inflammation in the brain, promoting healing and improving cognitive function. LLLT has also been shown to improve blood flow circulation. When you increase blood flow circulation you are also oxygenating the brain and other organs required to function at optimal autonomic level.

2. Oxygen Inhalation

Oxygen inhalation can also help to reduce inflammation in the brain by increasing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the affected areas.

Healing and Strengthening the Brain

1. Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback is a well known technique that helps individuals learn to selfregulate their brain activity, promoting relaxation and reducing inflammation. This is the formation and production of new neuronal connections and helps to improve brain functions. We use a specific feedback system where we can pinpoint specific region of defect and train just within that region. We have the ability to also train every section of the brain at one time. We can see in real time what frequencies are causing symptomology or which are low / high activity.

2. Cognitive Challenges

Engaging in mentally stimulating activities, such as puzzles and brain training exercises, can help to strengthen the brain and improve cognitive function. We use a neurosensory integration board to make tasks for you to do. These may consist of restating words you read on a board or flipping an image 90 degrees to the right. Many options here for cognitive building.

3. Neuro Sensorimotor Integration

Neuro sensorimotor integration (NSI) is a therapeutic approach that combines physical and mental exercises to improve brain function, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. When used with other technologies in office this has shown to really improve patients ability to retain information and strengthen their nervous system.

Improving Mitochondrial Production

1. Optimize Diet

A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, supports mitochondrial function and reduces inflammation. Supplements that have been shown to help in inflammation reduction and promote energy are CoQ10, Magnesium, B-Complex vitamins, Creatine, and LCarnitine.

2. Regular Exercise

Aerobic exercise. resistance training,and Low intensity exercise can be good ways to get back into exercising regularly. Low intensity is a good way to start if you are suffering from POTS/Dysautonomia. They help in promoting blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain, enhancing mitochondrial function and reducing inflammation.

3. Stress Management

Chronic stress can negatively impact mitochondrial function. Practicing relaxation techniques like meditation can help alleviate stress. Try to improve lifestyle option like hydrating regularly, manage your environment, rest/reset earlier in the night to promote a good night rest. Practice diaphragmatic breathing exercises, focusing on your breathing, NO shallow breaths.

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