Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is considered to be a complex neurological condition, stemming from trauma. It’s a condition that impacts millions annually. TBIs and concussion have been evaluated through methods such as CT scan, MRI, patient questionnaire, or a neurological exam, which, in some cases, are not empirical on their own. Most often when these issues are not recognized, captured, and addressed right away, the damage from a TBI is quietly occurring behind the scenes and the brain may continue to deteriorate. Treatments are most effective when they start as early as possible.
There is strong evidence in the efficacy and safety in the care and support of individuals suffering from the effects of Traumatic Brain Injury using an integrative medicine approach. There is increasingly more interest in the integrative medical approach in treating the patient population with traumatic brain injury, and Post-Concussion Syndrome.
Deficits in attention, long and or short-term memory lapses, processing speed and executive functioning are among the most commonly reported and functionally limiting cognitive impairments among individuals with TBI. Mood changes, and mood swings can exacerbate cognitive deficits, impair activities of daily living, and negatively impact quality of life.
An Integrative Approach to your wellness care
We use a patient-centered approach to manage symptoms, and provide tools to help you navigate your daily activities, and improve your quality of life. Dr Scarlett is focused on prevention, management of symptoms, and enhancing function through nutrition, diet, and exercise, and the use of the latest laboratory testing and other diagnostic techniques.
Functional Medicine
Conventional/Western (Allopathic) medicine is only focused on treating symptoms, not on getting to the root cause of the disease, and how you are navigating life.
We employ a comprehensive review of your daily habits and routines to see if they are helping to support optimal brain function, while also minimizing brain fatigue. One of our goals is to help you identify areas where you can make changes to help improve your quality of life, and function. Often with TBI, and concussion there is a reduced supply of oxygen to the brain. This diminished oxygen supply may affect the production of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as Nitric Oxide, which play an important role in connecting blood vessels and neurons.
Labwork
A comprehensive test may help to determine areas of concern, especially nutrient deficiencies. We use labs to check if specific nutrients are within optimal ranges – these include DHA, Vitamin D levels, Vitamins B6, 9, and 12, Glutathione.
Chinese Medicine
Doctors of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have for centuries been providing care for persons with dealing with physical and other trauma impacting bran function.
There is a holistic approach to care and support – we treat the person, not the disease. Lifestyle, food/nutrition, sleep, botanical formulas, and exercise, are tailored for each patient.
Lifestyle Optimization
We will review your daily habits and routines which have been affected by TBI. We help you to identify areas where you can make changes to help improve gut health, and subsequently brain health.
1. Sleep: The number one priority is to get adequate, restful sleep. During deep sleep/REM sleep, the brain is busy removing toxins that have accumulated over the past day and weeks. Inadequate sleep can have a severe negative impact on mental, physical, and emotional health. Talk with your Integrative medicine provider about resources to address insomnia and interrupted, unrestful sleep.
2. Exercise: A personalized routine may help to reduce pain, brain fog, and other symptoms that are affecting your activities of daily living (ADL), and your quality of life (QOL). Exercise also helps with the release of those ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitters like Dopamine and Serotonin.
If your goal is to be mentally, and physically stronger, have more energy, and live a healthier life of vitality, we’d love to meet with you to see how we can work together to achieve that goal.
Let’s get moving.
Let’s also work on stimulating Vagal Tone to support a healthy Gut-Brain connection.
Nutritional Optimization
Managing your symptoms is being mindful of food choices. It’s especially important to avoid prepared and other processed foods containing monosodium glutamate, which may promote excessive Excitotoxicity in the brain. Eating healthy, nutritious whole food, is an important part of feeling well and managing symptoms associated with concussion and TBI. Your diet is a very important tool when it comes to living well and improving your quality of life. Dr. Scarlett incorporates Chinese Medicine and integrative medicine protocols for using Food as Medicine. We are here to help you learn what foods and nutrients will help to heal the body, improve circulation to the brain, and reduce inflammation.
Individuals with TBI must be mindful of gut health, due to the brain-gut connection. As with any health challenge, gut health is critical in managing and support for healing. Some may benefit from Pre, Pro, and Post biotics, Nitric Oxide supplementation, and DHA as part of a daily nutritional regimen for optimal brain health. Based on your nutrient profile, it may be recommended to increase certain foods, remove others, and incorporate neutraceutical supplementation to correct deficiencies, in an effort to support a robust immune and digestive system.
If you still have questions or need more information, give us a call at (760) 637-5069 and we’ll be happy to have a conversation around how we may help.
At Red Lotus Wellness Center, Dr. Y. K. Scarlett, implements a wholistic approach to help you recover or stay healthy. Contact us by note or by calling at (760) 637-5069.
