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Exploring Airway Restrictions and Their Impact on Health: Insights from Our Dysautonomia Group Visit

At our recent Dysautonomia Group Visit, Dr. Cheng Ruan provided valuable insights into the complex relationship between facial features, airway restrictions, and various health issues. This session offered a fascinating look at how seemingly minor anatomical characteristics can have far-reaching effects on our overall well-being.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Facial Features and Airway Restrictions: Dr. Ruan highlighted several facial characteristics that can contribute to airway restriction disorders: Narrow face, deficient maxilla (upper jaw), chin dimpling, flatter upper lip, open bite, etc. 

These features, while often overlooked, can play a significant role in breathing difficulties and associated health problems.

  1. Nitric Oxide Production and Circulation: The discussion explored how these facial and airway features can impact nitric oxide production and circulation throughout the body. Nitric oxide is a crucial molecule involved in various physiological processes, including blood flow...
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Ask the Expert series with Susi Quintana: Airway-Sleep-ANS Connection

airway health Apr 22, 2024

In our latest Ask the Expert session, we had the pleasure of welcoming Susi Quintana, whose wealth of knowledge provided us with invaluable insights into the complex interplay between airway and dental/jaw structural issues, the role of our body's connective tissue, and immune function.

Connective Tissue: The Unsung Hero We delved into the intricate relationship between our body's connective tissue, particularly the fascia, and its impact on our overall health. Contrary to popular belief, our fascia plays a critical role, serving as a communication network that influences our immune response.

Dr. Ruan and Susi shed light on the Importance of Air and Hydration Delving deeper, we explored the intricate connections between air quality, breathing techniques, sleep apnea, and iron levels with our connective tissue and immune response. Proper hydration was also highlighted as a crucial factor, not just in terms of water intake but also in maintaining the fluidity of our connective tissue....

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Navigating Invisible Illnesses at Texas Center for Lifestyle Medicine

At Texas Center for Lifestyle Medicine (TCLM), we understand that living with an invisible illness can be an isolating and challenging experience. Conditions like Fibromyalgia often go unnoticed by others, leaving individuals feeling unseen and misunderstood. However, within our clinic, we strive to create a supportive community where individuals facing these invisible illnesses can find understanding, resources, and hope.

One such individual who has found solace and support at TCLM is Sara Gustafson. Sara's journey with Fibromyalgia began at a young age, leading her to rely on multiple prescription medications to manage her symptoms. However, it wasn't until after the birth of her first child that she truly began to grapple with the impact of her condition. Despite outward appearances of normalcy, Sara felt invisible, struggling to find validation for her experiences.

"In 2005, it was such an invisible condition because I looked normal," Sara recalls. "I had a really great...

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Unlocking Optimal Health: Exploring the Link Between Oral Health and Chronic Conditions

At TCLM, we are dedicated to unraveling the complexities of chronic health issues and discovering their origins. Today, we delve into a fascinating and often overlooked connection—the profound impact of oral health on conditions such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia, digestive issues, chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune disorders, and more.

The Oral-Systemic Link: In our ever-evolving world, changes in food, environmental factors, and lifestyle have led to transformations in dental and mouth structures. Surprisingly, these shifts have occurred without adequate preventative measures, giving rise to structural issues that extend beyond the oral cavity. The result? A surge in obstructive sleep apnea, upper airway resistance syndrome, and other airway-related challenges that significantly impact overall health.

TCLM's Approach: At TCLM, we stand firm in our commitment to addressing the root causes of health issues rather than merely masking symptoms. To achieve this, we've fostered...

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Oral Health: Uncovering the Surprising Link Between Dental Issues, Infections, and Brain Health

Did you know that your dental health is intricately linked to your overall well-being? While most of us understand the importance of brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups, there's a whole realm of dental health that often goes unnoticed. Hidden infections, toxins, and poor oral hygiene practices can lead to chronic health issues that affect not only your mouth but your entire body. This is where the power of holistic and biological dentistry comes into play.

 

Understanding Holistic and Biological Dentistry:

Holistic and biological dentistry approaches oral health from a comprehensive perspective, considering the interconnections between the teeth, gums, airway, and the rest of the body. These approaches recognize that the health of our mouth affects the health of our entire system. They emphasize treating the root causes of dental issues rather than just addressing the symptoms.

 

The Role of Dental Infections and Toxins:

Gum infections and oral microbiome...

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The Interplay Between Jaw Structure, Palate Formation, Airway Development, and the Development of Fibromyalgia

The Interplay Between Jaw Structure, Palate Formation, Airway Development, and the Development of Fibromyalgia is a complex

Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive impairments. While the exact cause of fibromyalgia remains unclear, research suggests that various factors, including jaw structure, palate formation, and airway development, may play a significant role in its development. This article aims to explore the intricate relationship between these factors and their potential impact on fibromyalgia.

Jaw Structure and Fibromyalgia: Jaw structure refers to the alignment and positioning of the jaw, including the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Studies have shown a link between jaw abnormalities, such as temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), and fibromyalgia. Patients with TMD often experience pain, muscle stiffness, and tenderness in the jaw area, which can contribute to the overall symptomatology of fibromyalgia....

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How Oral Health Impacts our Overall Health

What is the difference between biological and holistic dentistry versus conventional dentistry? This is an important question that many of our patients ask when referred to a dental/upper airway specialist. More research has shown that there is indeed a drastic connection between our oral health, mouth structure, jaw and skull structure, and the development of chronic illnesses.

Periodontal disease has been connected to heart disease, cardiovascular issues, metabolic issues, increased, inflammatory responses, poor immune function, hormone imbalances, and blocked lymphatic drainage, pathways. There have been even research studies, showing a connection between infected teeth and development of inflammatory diseases. We do not wish to add a sense of fear to our patients, but we do always want to ensure that we are providing our patients with education related to disease, prevention and treatment options.

Therefore, our providers may ask you questions related to your oral history and...
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