Dr. Rathburn's Blog

I received something today that made me a bit sad.  I had a friend of mine lately who died from the complications of diabetes and today I received a request from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for donations.  I really miss my friend dearly and when they passed away from the complications of diabetes I wanted to do something to help with people with this deadly disease.  24 million Americans suffer from diabetes (5.7 million are undiagnosed - I've seen a bunch of those!).  Mississippi has a higher rate of diabetes than anywhere else in the world and I have a very, very large diabetic patient base. 

One of the treatments for diabetes is, of course, insulin.  This hormone, produced in the pancreas, allows the blood sugar to be used for fuel in a more normal and effective way.  The second way to treat diabetes is with the diet: you must be careful about how many sugar calories are consumed.  The third way is to exercise: you must keep your system healthy so that the muscles are able to burn the blood sugar that is available.  Of course, there are many other things to do for diabetes but those are the main three.  Chiropractic, although VERY helpful for diabetes, will not be very effective without the other three factors. 

There are two types of diabetes: adult onset and juvenile onset (also known as type I and type II).  Both are difficult conditions to treat, but by far the more aggressive of the two is juvenile onset.  That's why the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation has raised more than $1.3 billion for diabetes research since 1970.  Rathburn Chiropractic Clinic, in conjunction with Advance Auto Parts, is helping to raise diabetes awareness this month.  Please consider a contribution to the cause by going to your local Advance Auto Parts store and dropping off a tax deductible donation.  Thanks!

To greater health through knowledge.......

Dr. Alan Rathburn

601 924 4647       

Did you know that stomach medications are the most prescribed drugs in the USA?  That fact says alot about how we take care of our digestive tracts, especially our stomachs.  Read on to find out more information to take care of your digestion and your stomach.

Your stomach is a very acidic environment.  This acid condition serves to helps destroy bacteria and parasites.  The acidity also allows the stomach to secrete intrinsic factor needed to absorb vitamin B12 and it's necessary for the absorption of minerals that trigger the release of hormones by the pancreas (without which diabetes can occur).  The stomach also secretes enzymes, especially pepsin, which is needed to convert proteins into amino acids.  When undigested proteins make it into the intestines, inflammation begins, causing leaky gut syndrome, chronic allergies, chronic constipation (or diarrhea), and inflammatory bowel disease. 

Without proper stomach acidity, you develop colonization of bacteria that have been associated with ulcers and inflammatory bowel disease.  One of the root causes of this bacterial overgrowth is the deficiency of stomach acid, which can be induced or aggravated by antacids, acid blockers, and acid stoppers. 

Many medical doctors promote more and more antacid usage on a daily basis, especially if an ulcer develops.  However, acid blockers make your stomach less acidic.  That encourages all the problems associated with a low acid stomach. 

Conservative approaches would be to remove the high stress activities from your daily routine, drink plenty of water, get more rest, a better diet, exercise, and chiropractic adjustments.  If those therapies are unresponsive, it may be time to consider medications. 

There are also several supplements to help with this condition that are available here at the office.  Just call us and we'll be glad to have them ready for your purchase.  601 924 4647.