BEAR THIS IN MIND – NOT IN THE MOOD

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Your brain has a little bunch of cells on each side called the amygdala (say: uh-MIG-duh-luh). The word amygdala is Latin for almond, and that’s what this area looks like. Scientists believe that the amygdala is responsible for emotion. It’s normal to feel all different kinds of emotions, good and bad. Sometimes you might feel a little down, other times you might feel scared or silly or glad. Mood swings are excessive or abrupt changes in your frame of mind. Your mood may suddenly shift from elation and euphoria to extreme sadness or terror, and then onto another emotion. In some cases, mood changes are reactions to your environment or circumstances like employment, financial worries, legal and relationship problems, though the intensity of the mood might seem out of proportion to the significance of the event. In other cases, mood swings may occur for no apparent reason. But being unhappy, having a crap week at work, or getting dumped, isn’t the same thing as being depressed. All of life swings back and forth every day.

GLUM, BUMBED AND BROODING

Major depressive disorder — one of many forms of depression — is much more complicated. There are specific symptoms and signs that determine whether what you’re experiencing is depression or just a case of the Mondays. Major depression is a mood disorder that affects the way you feel about life in general. Having a hopeless or helpless outlook on your life is the most commonly associated symptom of depression. Other feelings may be worthlessness, self-hate, or inappropriate guilt. Common, reoccurring thoughts of depression are vocalized as, “It’s all my fault,” or “What’s the point?” Depression can take the pleasure or enjoyment out of the things you love. A loss of interest or withdrawal from activities that you once looked forward to — sports, hobbies, or going out with friends — is yet another telltale sign of major depression. Major depression can cause periods of crying, sleeping problems and poor appetite. Plus, a decreased sex drive and even impotence. Depression is a cruel disease that can affect anyone. It is very easy, once the symptoms begin, to slide down the black hole of depression where the symptoms spiral off each other making it worse.

UP-DOWN, DOWN-UP, DOWN-DOWN, UP-UP

Years ago, most people had never even heard of bi-polar disorder. Or knew that it was also referred to as manic-depressive disease. The movie Silver Linings Playbook made bi-polar an Oscar worthy disease. It may seem like the difference between mood swings and depression are minimal. But with bi-polar disorder, you can be so depressed that you cannot get out of bed. You can be so depressed that you don’t want to live. You can be so manic, that you spend your retirement fund, buy a horse, sleep with strangers, leave happy relationships and go into debt. The symptoms are severe, and usually irreversible. Some studies show how the brains of people with bipolar disorder may differ from the brains of healthy people or people with other mental disorders.  Some research suggests that people with certain genes are more likely to develop bipolar disorder than others. Regrettably for those who suffer, there is no definitive answer at this point, other than trying myriad meds. Which is disillusioning considering it is a lifelong illness.

MAKE A MENTAL NOTE

If you’re feeling foggy or depressed or have trouble sleeping, the problem might not be in your head, but in your hormones. Many issues with hormone imbalances mimic the symptoms of depression. And the best way to find out is to see Stephen A. Goldstein, M.D, F.A.C.S. at Denver Hormone Health. He has spent years, studying the latest research and treating patients with incredibly positive outcomes where they had been beginning to lose hope. When people begin to feel “off”, they too often rush to conventional doctors who rush to prescribe meds, especially antidepressants, which not only can mask the real issue, but also cause bothersome side effects. There are so many hormones that could be the culprit of how you feel: estrogen, testosterone, thyroid, stress hormones…the list goes on. But with simple tests, Dr. Goldstein can pinpoint whether, in fact, it is hormones that are giving you what feel like mental issues. In that case, he creates a tailored plan that makes you feel alert, alive, and in a new frame of mind. Call today.

If you’re looking for relief, it’s a no brainer.

BEAR THIS IN MIND – THE ORIGINAL NUMBSKULLS

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Are you ready for this one? Crazy. Looney even. Talk about bird brains. Scientists are learning so much about the brain now that it’s easy to forget that for much of history we had no idea at all how it worked or even what it was. In the ancient world, physicians believed that the brain was made of phlegm. Aristotle looked on it as a refrigerator, cooling off the fiery heart. From his time through the Renaissance, anatomists declared with great authority that our perceptions, emotions, reasoning, and actions were all the result of “animal spirits”—mysterious, unknowable vapors that swirled through cavities in our head and traveled through our bodies. The thing they did get right, is that the brain is contained in, and protected by the skulls of the head. True brainiacs, these geniuses.

IT’S THE BOSS

The human brain is the command center for the human nervous system. (“Incoming, Captain Kirk”). It receives input from the sensory organs and sends output to the muscles. In fact, your brain is the boss of your body. It runs the show and controls just about everything you do, even when you’re asleep. Not bad for something that looks like a big, wrinkly, gray sponge. It goes without saying that every second of every day, we’re constantly flooded with information—so much information that it’s impossible to take it all in. Don’t worry, your memory isn’t fading yet! Our brain works constantly to filter out information we don’t need to consciously be made aware of. This allows us to focus on what information is important to us. For example, if you’re watching a game of football, you might not even be aware of the cheerleaders even though your brain is perceiving this information. This process is called selective attention and allows us not to be driven insane by the high levels of information that are typically present. Some information can, however, break through the barrier of our focus. That’s why when we hear our name in someone else’s conversation, we instantly respond. “Were you talking to me?”

IT ALL MATTERS-GRAY AND WHITE

Here’s one you’ve surely heard of; the human brain is divided into two hemispheres, the left and right. The left-brain controls all the muscles on the right-hand side of the body; and the right brain controls the left side. One hemisphere may be slightly dominant, as with left- or right-handedness. We think the left side is responsible for speech, language, mathematical calculation and fact retrieval. Accountants, engineers, hackers, people who can’t follow instructions (especially written ones; like how to set up your new coffeemaker), and a majority of nerds of all shapes and forms. The right side is the side for visual and auditory processing, spacial skills (comes in great for packing and organizing clutter in limited spaces) and all creativity. Writers, artists, plus a huge number of Red Carpet folks from fashion to music, editing, direction, and acting, to name a few. Truth is, everyone uses both halves all the time. So, in truth, there is no such thing as a left-brain or right-brain personality type. We are all “whole-brained”, no matter how weird it sounds.

MIND BLOWING

There are millions of fascinating facts about the brain, but they would surely bore you. On the other hand:

  • Albert Einstein’s brain weighed 2.71 pounds (1,230 grams) — 10% smaller than the average of 3.3 pounds
  • Neanderthal brains were 10% larger than our homo sapiens brains
  • Humans don’t have the biggest brains. That honor belongs to sperm whales with 17 pound brains
  • We are not getting smarter. Since the Victorian era, average IQs have gone down 1.6 points per decade for a total of 13.35 points
  • Multitasking makes you less productive
  • The human brain is not solid. It’s soft and squishy similar to the consistency of soft tofu or soft gelatin. And it’s very fragile
  • Think you’re in control of your life? Think again. 95% of your decisions take place in yoursubconscious mind
  • Our attention span is now 8 seconds, which is shorter than the 9-second attention span of the average goldfish
  • Millennials are more forgetful than baby boomers
  • The average brain is believed to generate around 50,000 thoughts per day Disturbingly, it’s estimated that in most people 70% of these thoughts are negative
  • Some scientists believe zombies could be real and that it’s possible a mutated virus or parasites could attack our brains and rapidly spread throughout large populations causing essentially a “zombie apocalypse.”

DOESN’T GET SMARTER THAN THIS

Yes, it’s a smart idea to know about our brain, at least as much as we can take in without making our heads spin. The thing to realize above all, is that in many cases, there is a direct link between our brains, and hormone imbalances. It takes an experienced specialist to be able to determine the co-effects, and in the Denver area, no one does this with greater expertise than Stephen A. Goldstein, M.D, F.A.C.S. at Denver Hormone Health. Too often, when people feel moody or anxious, for example, they don’t consider that hormones could be the problem. With simple tests, Dr. Goldstein is able to get the big picture and know how to treat it. He creates a unique plan tailored to your symptoms that not only make you feel better, but put your mind at ease. With just one call you can be on your way to feeling better and sharper than ever.

Pause and think about it.

We’ve Got Your Number – 8 Specific Problems Associated with Some of The Most Common Hormonal Imbalances

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10 Surprising Addictions

  1. Smartphones
  2. Caffeine
  3. Chocolate and other sweets
  4. Shopping
  5. Gambling
  6. Plastic surgery
  7. Tanning
  8. Exercise
  9. Social Media
  10. Sex

They can all take a calculated toll on your life.

14 Tips to Keep Joints Healthy

  1. Stay in motion
  2. Safety first (padding is your pal)
  3. Lean In to your weight
  4. Don’t stretch before exercise
  5. Go low-impact
  6. Flex some muscle
  7. Work on your range
  8. Power up your core
  9. Know Your Limits
  10. Eat fish to reduce inflammation
  11. Keep your bones strong
  12. Target your posture
  13. Ease your load
  14. Chill out pain

Do it right, and make it count.

50 Worst US Cities for People with Allergies:

  1. Wichita, KS
  2. Jackson, MS
  3. Knoxville, TN
  4. Louisville, KY
  5. Memphis, TN
  6. Baton Rouge, LA
  7. Dayton, OH
  8. Chattanooga, TN
  9. Oklahoma City, OK
  10. New Orleans, LA
  11. Madison, WI
  12. Omaha, NE
  13. Little Rock, AR
  14. Tulsa, OK
  15. Buffalo, NY
  16. Grand Rapids, MI
  17. Dallas, TX
  18. Detroit, MI
  19. Toledo, OH
  20. Birmingham, AL
  21. Des Moines, IA
  22. San Antonio, TX
  23. Nashville, TN
  24. Syracuse, NY
  25. Charleston, S.C.
  26. Augusta, GA
  27. Providence, RI
  28. St. Louis, MO
  29. Greenville, SC
  30. Youngstown, OH
  31. Houston, TX
  32. Columbia, SC
  33. Virginia Beach, VA
  34. Rochester, NY
  35. Akron, OH
  36. Minneapolis, MN
  37. Kansas City, MO
  38. Portland, ME
  39. Columbus, OH
  40. Cleveland, OH
  41. Philadelphia, PA
  42. Milwaukee, WI
  43. Charlotte, NC
  44. Austin, TX
  45. Pittsburgh, PA
  46. Riverside, CA
  47. Albany, NY
  48. Greensboro, NC
  49. Indianapolis, IN

You might be an occasional sniffler or sneezer, but as to the worst allergies, they haven’t got our number. What a relief!

8 Specific Problems Associated with Some of The Most Common Hormonal Imbalances Include: 

  1. Estrogen dominance:changes in sleep patterns, changes in weight and appetite, higher perceived stress, slowed metabolism
  2. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome(PCOS): infertility, weight gain, higher risk for diabetes, acne, abnormal hair growth
  3. Low estrogen:low sex drive, reproductive problems, menstrual irregularity, changes in mood
  4. Hypothyroidism:slowed metabolism, weight gain, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, digestive issues, irregular periods
  5. Low testosterone:erectile dysfunction, muscle loss, weight gain, fatigue, mood-related problems
  6. Hyperthyroidism &Grave’s Disease: anxiety, thinning hair, weight loss, IBS, trouble sleeping, irregular heartbeats
  7. Diabetes:weight gain, nerve damage (neuropathy), higher risk for vision loss, fatigue, trouble breathing, dry mouth, skin problems
  8. Adrenal fatigue:fatigue, muscle aches and pains, anxiety and depression, trouble sleeping, brain fog, reproductive problems

The 1 Doctor in The Denver Area That Can Use Hormone Replacement Therapy to Make You Feel Your Absolute Best:

  1. Dr. Stephen A. Goldstein, M.D, F.A.C.S. at Denver Hormone Health.

In the Denver area, no one is more experienced or at the front of the field than Dr. Goldstein.  In simple terms, hormones are chemical receptors that attach directly to trillions of our cells, fitting into their uniquely targeted receptors like a lock and key. Even the slightest alteration of their chemical structure can create what is called a monster hormone. Which can cause monster problems in most bodily functions from hunger to reproduction, even to emotions and mood. The levels of these hormones rise and fall with no warning. Which is why you need to see Dr. Goldstein. He makes the complex seem simple and understandable to you with simple tests than can pinpoint what’s wrong. Then he compounds a uniquely tailored treatment plan that you can plan on helping you feel you best. So, call now.

Dr. Goldstein is the one to see.

For more reasons than you could know.