Archive for the ‘Dr. Greg Nigh’ Category
« Older Entries |Water Can’t Prevent Dehydration?!
Wednesday, December 14th, 2011
by Dr. Greg Nigh, Nature Cures Clinic physician
Sometimes a headline is so absurd that I have to read it a few times to be sure it isn’t a joke. Recently the following headline was sent to me by a friend:
EU bans claim that water can prevent dehydration
The article goes on to note that a group of scientists actually studied this issue for 3 years. And in the end they concluded that there is no scientific evidence to substantiate the claim – which was being made by producers of bottled water – that water can prevent dehydration.
I realize that I’m not adequately trained to evaluate a complex issue like water and its ability to hydrate. However, I would humbly submit that I could have helped them answer the question in considerably less time than 3 years. In fact, I will be so bold as to say a definitive test could have provided an answer in as little as about 2 days.
Until the proper, very costly and time-consuming studies are done, I encourage everyone to do something unscientific: drink pure water, regularly, to prevent dehydration.
Tags: dehydration, Dr. Greg Nigh, water
Posted in Articles by our Doctors, Dr. Greg Nigh, General, Health, Health News Headlines, Medical research | Comments Off
Palliation vs Treatment in Cancer Care
Friday, December 2nd, 2011
By Dr. Greg Nigh – Nature Cures Clinic physician
No cancer patient wants to hear that their only option is palliative care. Palliative care means using therapies (usually limited to pain medications) that reduce discomfort and thus enhance quality of life. These therapies are explicitly not intended to control the growth and spread of cancer. Palliative care means the cancer patient has progressed beyond the point where there are any treatment options.
The reason that there is such a distinct line between treatment and palliation in conventional cancer care is that the therapies used to treat cancer almost universally make cancer patients feel worse. If there is little hope that a treatment will work, the thinking goes, then treatment is withheld so that the patient can feel more comfortable.
Conventional cancer care focuses almost exclusively on the killing of cancer cells. It is considered an unfortunate but necessary side effect that these therapies also kill healthy cells, which typically leave patients feeling extremely fatigued, depleted, in pain and devitalized.
The world of naturopathic cancer care is dramatically different. The therapies see killing of cancer cells as only one of multiple therapeutic goals. We also work to optimize digestion and overall nutrition; we work to activate anti-cancer immunity; we work to relieve psychological stress and depression that is so common with cancer patients; we work to optimize physical function and activity; and many other therapeutic goals.
In delivering the therapies that pursue these goals, cancer patients feel better, not worse, and sometimes dramatically so. Even patients with advanced cancers and multiple metastases can sometimes feel energetic and active while they are being aggressively treated with naturopathic therapies.
For example, a gentleman with advanced prostate cancer came to our clinic for treatment. Before starting treatment he was extremely fatigued, his activity level very limited. After an intensive series of IV (intravenous) nutrient drips, acupuncture and other therapies, he became energetic, alert, and active. He would commonly tell us that he felt better than he had in decades, and this was a gentleman with advanced metastatic cancer!
In the world of naturopathic cancer care, treatment and palliation go hand in hand. It is not a matter of choosing one or the other. If a medical treatment has enhanced an individual’s health they should feel better, not worse, as a result of that treatment, whether it is treatment of the flu, or indigestion, or cancer.
Any individuals facing a cancer diagnosis and interested in learning about naturopathic treatment options can call to schedule a free consultation. This is limited to 30 minutes and simply gives an overview of the naturopathic treatment process. If the desire is to get a full evaluation and an intensive cancer treatment plan developed, schedule a 90 minute new patient visit.
Whether used in conjunction with conventional therapies or as stand-alone treatment, naturopathic cancer care can enhance every individual’s potential for optimal health and a positive outcome.
Posted in Alternative medicine, Articles by our Doctors, Cancer, Conventional medicine, Dr. Greg Nigh, Naturopathic medicine, Naturopathic medicine | Comments Off
“Discovered” by Western Medicine
Tuesday, October 18th, 2011
A popular website for medical headlines, medicalnewstoday.com,
recently posted an interesting story titled “Potential New Drugs From
A Cup Of Tea – The Witch Doctors’ Gift.” The article is
describing a video series produced by the American Chemical Society,
and it leads off with a compelling scenario that I will quote at
length, because it is quite interesting:
“A physician on a medical relief mission to Africa sees pregnant women
sip a medicinal tea prepared by local witch doctors when the time for
birth arrives. Made from the leaves of a plant called “kalata-kalata,”
the tea speeds labor and delivery. Scientists analyze the plant and
discover a remarkable new substance. The research puts them on course
for discovery of potential new drugs for diseases that affect millions
of people worldwide.”
What is interesting here is not the “remarkable new substance” that
the Western physician discovered in the African plant. What is
interesting is how utterly oblivious our Western medical culture is to
the fact that medicine can be and is practiced in very legitimate ways
outside of Western medicine.
Notice that the tea was prepared by “local witch doctors.” A witch
doctor is a cliche phrase used to describe anyone practicing tribal,
occult, “ineffective” medicine. The medicine of witch doctors is the
stuff of ridicule: evil eyes, spells, mysterious brews and talismans.
And yet, here is a “witch doctor” giving a tea that works very well as
a medicine to speed labor and delivery. While the writers of the
article would have us believe that it *becomes* medicine once the
Western scientists analyze the plant to find a “remarkable new
substance, that isn’t true at all.
First, the substance isn’t new. It is only new to the Western
scientists. That substance has been used as a medicine (in the form of
a tea containing the substance) for probably hundreds of years.
Second, African tribal healers do not need Western scientists to
legitimize their medicine. The “witch doctor” has been practicing
legitimate medicine all along, it’s just that Western ignorance of
that system of medicine (and every other system of medicine, actually)
didn’t know it until they actually observed it working.
This brings up the third and most important point. The Western
physician in attendance realized that this tea was powerful medicine
because he *observed it work* to speed labor and delivery. If a
Western tribal healer simply *told* a Western physician that the tea
works to speed labor and delivery it would quickly be discounted as
“witch doctor” medicine, only here say. But when a Western doctor
*sees* it work, that makes it worthy of scientific recognition.
Observation is a powerful way to conduct scientific inquiry: apply a
therapy, and see if it work. If it does, try it again in a similar
circumstance and see if it works again. Once enough observations have
been made of a therapy working, then simply recognize the obvious: the
therapy is medicinal.
Conventional Western medicine can take a tragically condescending and
patronizing attitude toward medicinal practices of other cultures. The
article above shows that when African cultural medicines is observed
to actually work, it is co-opted and brought into the Western sphere.
A nice pat on the back is given to the “witch doctors” for having
accidentally found a real medicine, and Western scientists get busy
extracting an active ingredient in the plant so that patents can be
awarded and profits generated. None of those profits, of course, will
likely ever make their way back to those witch doctors.
Posted in Articles by our Doctors, Conventional medicine, Dr. Greg Nigh, Politics | Comments Off
Depression: Treatments that go beyond medication
Monday, October 17th, 2011
_____________________________________________________________
A number of imbalances in the body or brain could be the cause of depression. Naturopathic medicine seeks to find and change those causes.
by Dr. Greg Nigh - Nature Cures Clinic physician
October is National Depression Awareness Month. This is a good opportunity to reflect on the treatment for depression that our “health care industry” almost universally utilizes.
Sales of anti-depressant medications brings in around $12 billion in profits annually for the pharmaceutical industry. Approximately 30 million people are currently taking anti-depressant medication in the US alone. And while there is evidence that anti-depressants can improve symptoms for individuals with severe depression, there is virtually no evidence that the drugs work better than placebo in those with moderate or mild depression.
Naturopathic treatment approaches to depression shed light on causes instead of masking symptoms with meds.
Depression can be used to illustrate the difference between the conventional and the naturopathic approach to symptoms. The conventional approach is to prescribe a medication that hides the symptom. The conventional medical assumption is that depression is caused by an imbalance in brain chemistry, and that imbalance is corrected with the medications. In reality, though, anyone can read the mechanism of action of those drugs and discover that no one knows exactly how they reduce symptoms in some people.
The second and most dramatic aspect of conventional treatment of depression is what it lacks: in a primary care setting there is no thorough inquiry into why a given individual is experiencing symptoms of depression. Once the list of qualifying symptoms are expressed, the prescription very commonly is quick to follow.
In naturopathic medicine, depression is understood in much the same way that any other symptom is: it signals an imbalance. If the overall goal of medicine is to promote health and enhance vitality, it is essential to understand all the elements that lead to the depression experienced by each individual.
For example, diet and nutrition play a profound role in health generally and in the regulation of mood in particular. Dietary excesses of some foods deplete serotonin and dopamine, the brain chemicals associated with feeling good. Likewise, lack of specific nutrients can have profound effects on the body’s ability to maintain optimal function of the nervous system. Simply correcting these issues can lead to dramatic improvements in symptoms.
A much larger issue is the way in which our society has turned circumstantial feelings of sadness, grief, isolation or hopelessness into a diagnosis that requires medication to manage. When individuals experience profound loss, or feel trapped in relationships or jobs, or are unable to resolve past traumas, medications to mask those valid emotions are not addressing the cause of the depression.
A naturopathic approach to depression utilizes a comprehensive understanding of the history and circumstances that contribute to the depression. It can involve lab testing to determine metabolic imbalances. It will virtually always involve a close look at nutrition and the ways in which eating habits might be contributing to the ongoing symptoms. It can include recommendations for regular exercise, because that is a therapy that has been consistently found to relieve depression as well as medications.
There are many reasons that any given person might experience depression. Treating depression can only be done if the underlying cause is understood as clearly as possible, and therapies are used to re-establish balance in an individual’s life.
During National Depression Awareness Month, those who feel they may have depression should seek out a naturopathic physician. The most important thing to know about depression is that it is not simply a chemical imbalance in the brain that requires medication to correct. Depression is a dynamic relationship between an individual, their lifestyle, their circumstances and their way of thinking about their life. In the context of a naturopathic treatment plan, all of these factors are addressed to optimize an individual’s full capacity for optimum wellness.
Dr. Greg Nigh is available for free 30-minute consultations to discuss your health care. To set up an appointment, call Nature Cures Clinic at (503) 287-4970, or email info2@naturecuresclinic.com
Image courtesy: TheAlieness GiselaGiardino
Tags: anti-depressants, anxiety, depression, depression awareness month, Dr. Greg Nigh, imbalance, managing depression, mental health, Nature Cures Clinic, october, Portland, treating depression, treatments for depression
Posted in Alternative medicine, Articles by our Doctors, Dr. Greg Nigh | Comments Off
Complementary Cancer Care: Proven Beneficial Once Again
Friday, August 26th, 2011
Often cancer patients come to my office to find out what kinds of therapies we can offer to them. After hearing about the range of therapies available from our clinic, occasionally the patient declines treatment in our clinic after a conventional physician convinces them there’s no scientific evidence that complementary therapies are helpful in the treatment of cancer.
There is a double tragedy in this. The first is for the cancer patient. Whether delivered by our clinic or another, complementary therapies are well established to improve survival, enhance quality of life, mitigate the negative effects of conventional treatment and even, in some cases, control cancer itself.
The second tragedy is that a physician is counseling a vulnerable patient about a topic they have clearly not researched. As a result of giving that advice to perhaps dozens or even hundreds of other cancer patients, therapies that could substantially improve patients’ lives are neglected.
A recent study is yet another clear example of how complementary medicine can benefit cancer patients. This study involved one of the most ominous cancer diagnoses: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
This study looked at survival among patients diagnosed with NSCLC and using Eastern medicine (referred to as Pan-Asian medicine in the study) along with vitamins in addition to conventional chemotherapy and/or radiation. It compared these individuals with others having the same diagnosis but who did not use Eastern medicine or vitamins along with their chemo or radiation. The findings of the study are striking.
The authors summarize the results quite clearly:
“Long-term use [of Eastern medicine and vitamins] combined with conventional therapy reduced stage IIIA deaths by 46%, stage IIIB by 62%, and stage IV by 69% compared with conventional therapy alone.”
These are dramatic improvements in survival brought about by use of Eastern medicine and vitamins. These two therapies represent just a fraction of the therapeutic options that are available not only to NSCLC patients, but all patients diagnosed with cancer.
It is tragic indeed when cancer patients are counseled away from incorporating these therapies into their care. Rather that steering cancer patients away from these therapies, conventional physicians should be actively pointing cancer patients toward health care professionals knowledgeable in their use with cancer. That is what integrated care is all about.
We see in our clinic that these therapies not only improve outcomes in those with cancer, but often dramatically improve the cancer patient’s sense of well-being and vitality. Optimizing these elements are essential for successfully recovering from chronic illness, no matter what the specific diagnosis might be.
If you’d like to find out more about the cancer treatment program offered by our clinic, please check out our cancer care web page, where you’ll find videos and more comprehensive descriptions of the therapies we utilize.
Tags: Cancer, integrative medicine, lung cancer
Posted in Cancer, Chinese medicine, Conventional medicine, Dr. Greg Nigh | 1 Comment »
Breaking the Stress Habit
Friday, July 15th, 2011
by Dr. Greg Nigh, Nature Cures Clinic physician
____________________________________
Well, summer is finally here. That means everyone is feeling healthy, happy and very relaxed, right?
The sun is certainly nice to see. However, if you’re like most people you still have your stressful life happening, there’s just no rain to blame for your state of mind. In fact, stress isn’t just a sideline health issue. Estimates vary, but stress-related absenteeism from work costs employers billions of dollars annually. And while the societal cost is enormous, the toll it takes on each individual is, in many ways, beyond measure. Stress take degrades our physical health, our emotional well-being, our relationships, and our ability to concentrate and recall information. 
The typical approach to combating stress is through various kinds of stress management. This can include activities that range from vigorous exercise to quietly working in the garden. And such activities can certainly work to provide islands of relaxation in an otherwise tense life. The problem with these approaches is not that they can’t reduce stress. The problem is that they acknowledge the reality of stress in the first place.
Stress is an internal state, not an external one. There is no stress “out there” in the world. Rather, stress is in our *thoughts about* the world out there. Thus, if we ever hope to actually reduce our experience of stress in a lasting way, it can only be by changing how we think about our world.
Stress management is thought management, and stress is a decision we make each moment we continue to feel it. It’s the decision – either conscious or unconscious – to continue the thought that’s causing stress in that moment.
This is an uncomfortable truth, and in fact many people simply can’t accept it. “…but my job *is* stressful,” “…but my finances *make* me worry,” and on and on the list goes. As long as we believe that stress is something that happens *to* us, rather than something caused *by* us, we’ve relinquished control over it.
Changing how we think about our world is a much more daunting task than, say, going to the gym. Changing how we think is not a decision we can make first thing in the morning: “Today I’m not going to let myself get angry at my boss.” Such a one-time vow is guaranteed to be broken, and is sure to leave you feeling even worse about yourself at the end of the day for having failed at your goal.
Breaking a stressful pattern of thinking is a decision that has to be made constantly, throughout the day, even several times *each minute*. We each have to interrupt that crazy fictional story that is playing in our head, stopping it over and over. Each time we interrupt it and bring our awareness back to what we’re actually doing in that moment (“I’m standing on the floor, I can hear people talking, I can feel the pen behind my ear, etc.), we create some emotional distance between ourselves and that stressful story.
Over time and after *hundreds* or even thousands of intentional interruptions of that story, we are able to see it as just a story. It seems like a lot of practice before seeing results, but what is your option? Going through life stressed by some internal story you can’t get to stop?
In doing this practice we also find that we’re spending much more of our time and awareness in the present moment of our lives as we’re living it, rather than spending it lost in that stressful story while our lives pass us by.
Here is a simplified version of a practice that I have many patients do to help create that emotional distance from their anxious, depressing or stressful thoughts. A more comprehensive treatment of this topic will be the subject of an eBook that will be for sale in our Shop soon. If you try it and it has some benefit for you, please drop me a note at drnigh@naturecuresclinic.com and share your experience with me.
Thought control in 3 easy steps:
1) As often as you can remind yourself to do it, STOP what you’re thinking about. Literally, just stop. To assist you, set up a timer on your phone to “remind” you with a buzz every 20 minutes or so. As soon as it buzzes, interrupt whatever train of thought you were in at that moment.
2) CLASSIFY that thought, using very broad categories: “That was about me feeling incompetent.” “That was about me arguing with someone.” “That was about me thinking I’m stupid for some reason.” Etc. Whatever categories work for you. The point of this step is to show you that you really only have about 3 types of thoughts.
3) BRING your awareness back to the present. Simply start narrating (to yourself, of course) what your immediate experience is, “I’m sitting at my desk, I can hear the cars outside, I feel a slight breeze on my arms, etc.” Keep the narration going as long as you can. Remember, *that* is your reality, the life you’re actually living.
If you are like everyone else, you’ll stick with that present-moment narration for maybe 20 seconds, then you’ll get lost in your stressful story again. That’s just fine. In 20 minutes, your buzzer will remind you to do it all over again.
Repeat that exercise, every 20 minutes you are awake, for the rest of your life.
Dr. Greg Nigh writes regularly on the Nature Cures site, as well as producing a series of e-books on various health topics. Visit the Nature Cures Clinic store for more information.
Image courtesy Lululemonathletica
Tags: Dr. Greg Nigh, meditation, stress, stress management, summer
Posted in Articles by our Doctors, Dr. Greg Nigh, General | 4 Comments »
Rising Tide of Food Allergies
Tuesday, June 21st, 2011
A study published recently in the journal Pediatrics found that 1 in 13 children has an allergy to one or more foods. It’s great the issue of food allergies is getting national attention. Unfortunately, I think they are only seeing the tip of the iceberg.
There are many ways to determine reactivity to food. This is because there are many different ways our bodies can react to any given food it is exposed to. The reactions that happen within minutes to hours are easy to detect. Unfortunately, some reactions don’t manifest for several hours or even a few days. These are much more difficult to detect.
The only way I know to test all possible food reactions is through an elimination/re-introduction diet process. I suggest it for virtually every new patient I see, and it is without question the single most effective “therapy” anyone can utilize. It isn’t a cure-all, but I have seen dozens of people’s health change dramatically once reactive foods are identified and eliminated.
Anyone can try it out and see what happens. I’ve written the process up as an eBook that can be purchased in our store. Scroll down to the eBook titled “QuickGuide Series: Food Allergies & Elimination dieting eBook.”
If you try the process and experience big changes in your heath, feel free to drop me a note and let me know about it. You can reach me at drnigh@naturecuresclinic.com.
Greg
Tags: allergies, Elimination diet, Food allergies
Posted in Dr. Greg Nigh | 1 Comment »
HealthChat Podcast: Epilepsy
Saturday, June 18th, 2011
Listen to the HealthChat Podcast on Epilepsy , as Dr. Greg Eckel and Dr. Greg Nigh discuss the naturopathic approach toward the seizure disorder and ways to slow down a patient’s seizure rate.
Tags: epilepsy, hormone balancing, Naturopathic medicine, naturopathic seizure treatment, seizure disorders, seizure treatment, seizures
Posted in Dr. Greg Eckel, Dr. Greg Nigh, Podcast | Comments Off
HealthChat podcast: Radiation Exposure
Friday, April 15th, 2011
Listen to: HealthChat on Radiation Exposure, when Dr. Greg Eckel and Dr. Greg Nigh discuss nuclear radiation, everyday radiation and ways to prevent and counteract both.
Tags: Antioxidants, Dr. Greg Eckel, Dr. Greg Nigh, free radicals, nuclear radiation, radiation
Posted in Dr. Greg Eckel, Dr. Greg Nigh, Podcast | Comments Off
Background Radiation and Everyday Cancer Prevention
Sunday, April 3rd, 2011
How daily choices increase our risk of cancer
__________________________________________
by Dr. Greg Nigh
Nature Cures Clinic physician
Radiation is all the rage. It is a danger that makes us all feel vulnerable, insecure. It conjures images of Chernobyl and atomic blasts. At a more personal level, the fear of radiation is the fear of the consequences we imagine it might inflict: mutations, burns, cancer, and ultimately an early death. In short, we fear radiation because we fear dying of the disease it most commonly inflicts, cancer.
There is a profound yet unspoken irony in the current frenzy to find protection against the real and poisoning effects of radiation. As a society we engage in behaviors every day that increase our risk of cancer dramatically more than the risk we will incur through possible exposure to low- level radiation from Japan.
The US National Institute of Health estimates that 50-75% of all cancer that occurs in the US are preventable, caused by one of three culprits: smoking, lack of exercise and/or poor diet. Cancer kills around 550,000 people every single year in the US. Somewhere between 275,000 and 412,500 of those deaths are preventable. One in 3 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and that number is rapidly approaching 1 in 2.
While we fret about a very slightly increased risk of cancer that might be caused by elevated background radiation from Japan, we also make choices that dramatically increase our personal risk of cancer. These choices include:
1) Excessive consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates
2) Excessive consumption of omega 6 oils (vegetable) without balancing omega 3 oils
3) Excessive consumption of chemicals in foods
4) Excessive consumption of processed foods that are devoid of basic nutrients and enzymes vital for healthy function
5) Sedentary lifestyle
6) Daily chronic exposure to electromagnetic waves emitted from wireless devices such as phones, computers, readers and other devices
Radiation has an ability to make us scramble for protection while these other risks have burrowed their way into our lives so discretely that we simply don’t see them anymore. We can each decide to lower our risk of cancer. Though radiation is real and could even reach US soil, it should be seen in a larger perspective of risks we all face and that we can all control. If you are worried about radiation, you are worried about cancer. If you are worried about cancer, you can make decisions today that change the odds in your favor.
If you or someone you know could benefit from a comprehensive cancer prevention or treatment program, please contact our clinic. We may not be able to stop radiation, but we can provide you with the therapies, information and support you need to promote a long and healthy life.
For more information about radiation exposure, read these other articles from Nature Cures Clinic:
Potassium Iodide and Radiation: A Primer by Dr. Andy Swanson
Radiation Protection: Practical Solutions Beyond Potassium Iodide by Dr. Greg Nigh
Image courtesy oparvez
Tags: alternative cancer treatment, Cancer, cancer prevention, Dr. Greg Nigh, natural cancer treatment, Nutrition, radiation
Posted in Articles by our Doctors, Dr. Greg Nigh | 2 Comments »
HealthChat: Habits & Addictions
Saturday, January 15th, 2011
Click “read more” to access this podcast.
Dr. Greg Nigh and Dr. Greg Eckel discuss the naturopathic approach to stopping addictions & bad habits.
Listen to: HealthChat: Habits & Addictions
Tags: addictions, good choices, habits, new year, routine
Posted in Dr. Greg Eckel, Dr. Greg Nigh, Podcast | Comments Off
HealthChat: Colds & Flu from a naturopathic perspective
Saturday, October 16th, 2010
Listen to: HealthChat: Colds & Flu 2010
Tags: Colds, Flu, natural cold treatment, natural flu treatment, vaccines
Posted in Dr. Greg Eckel, Dr. Greg Nigh, Podcast | Comments Off
Sports Injury Podcast
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010
Listen to: Sports Injuries Podcast
Dr. Greg Nigh and Dr. Greg Eckel discuss prevention and treatment of sports-related injuries, from a naturopathic perspective. This podcast is also available in video format, as a 3-part “vodcast,” on the Nature Cures Clinic Featured Videos page.
Posted in Dr. Greg Eckel, Dr. Greg Nigh, Podcast | Comments Off
Sports Injuries: Treatment and Prevention Vodcast
Sunday, June 27th, 2010
Tags: Dr. Greg Eckel, Dr. Greg Nigh, Sports Nutrition, vodcast
Posted in Dr. Greg Eckel, Dr. Greg Nigh | Comments Off
More Listener Questions Answered
Friday, January 29th, 2010
Listen To: More Questions Answered Podcast
Portland naturopathic doctors Dr. Greg Eckel and Dr. Greg Nigh answer listener questions regarding H1N1, adrenal glad excess, vitamin A, the peer review system and allergy desensitization shots.
Tags: Adrenal fatigue, allergies, antibiotics, Flu, H1N1, peer review, Swine flu, vaccines, vitamins
Posted in Dr. Greg Eckel, Dr. Greg Nigh, Podcast | Comments Off