Living & Practicing by Design™

The Chronic Pain, Neuropathy and Blood Sugar Connection

Elevated blood sugar is one of the most devastating consequences of Metabolic Syndrome& Diabetes. Even "borderline" elevations of blood sugar especially over long periods of time like occurs in obesity can cause considerable problems, not the least of which is peripheral neuropathy.What a lot of people don't realize is that borderline blood sugar elevations (AKA metabolic syndrome or Pre-Diabetes over a longer time cause them to feel really lousy, stiff, sore, and achy. Yes, this may even contribute to a lot of the symptoms that people ordinarily attribute to things like arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Why is this? This is due to a process that occurs in our bodies called glycosylation. What might you ask is glycosylation?
This is simply what happens when elevated blood sugars are allowed to persist and free sugar (glucose) molecules attach themselves to protein structures... Learn So Much More and Contact Us HERE

Stress and Hormonal Balance in Men

 Stress and hormonal balance in men is something many men are unaware of. Physicians don't always do such a great job of talking about this with patients either. Just like in women modern lifestyles which too often include prolonged or chronic stress can lead to dysregulation of cortisol levels, which can, in turn, affect other hormones. Typically however men wait longer than women in seeking appropriate medical treatment thus prolonging and increasing their own suffering. In fact in our modern society male fertility has also dropped very significantly* due to lifestyle which often compounds stress involved for men, women and sibling children.
 
Let's review some of the highlights regarding stress and hormonal balance in men today and emphasize just how important lifestyle factors are for men just as they are in women.
 
Testosterone: Chronic stress have been linked to decreased testosterone levels in men. Testosterone is ESSENTIAL for maintaining muscle mass, bone density, libido and overall vitality. Low testosterone can lead to fatigue, reduced sex drive, erectile dysfunction and the significant deterioration of health that can cause and not surprisingly mood disturbances.
Thyroid Hormones: Stress disrupts the balance of thyroid hormones, which play a vital role in metabolism, energy regulation and overall wellbeing. Thyroid dysfunction can cause fatigue, weight changes and mood swings.
Insulin: Prolonged stress can affect insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, potentially leading to insulin resistance and increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Men with prediabetes or diabetes are 3 times more likely to have trouble getting or keeping an erection. There could be limited blood flow, nerve damage and damaged blood vessels.
Sperm Quality... Learn much more and contact us via our website HERE

Stress Can Cause Hormone Disruption in Women

 Stress can cause hormone disruption in women, which can have significant impacts on their physical and mental health. Men also suffer significantly from hormone disruption. We will be discussing this in our blog next week. The primary stress hormone involved is cortisol, which is produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. When cortisol levels are disrupted, it can lead to various health issues.
Here are some ways stress hormone disruption can affect women:
 
1. Menstrual Irregularities: High levels of stress can disrupt the menstrual cycle, leading to irregular periods, missed periods, or more painful periods. This disruption occurs because stress can affect the balance of reproductive hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. Hormonal fluctuations influenced by cortisol exacerbate premenstrual syndrome (PMS) leading to mood swings, anxiety and depression.
 
2. Fertility Issues: Chronic stress may interfere with reproductive health and fertility by disrupting ovulation and menstrual cycles. High levels of stress hormones can impact the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which is necessary for ovulation.
 
3. Menopause Symptoms: Stress can exacerbate symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. Cortisol levels rise causing hormonal imbalance may worsen these symptoms. Add that in with all the other changes happening during Menopause and you have a recipe for high levels of stress.
 
4. Thyroid Function: Chronic stress and Cortisol rush can affect thyroid function by signaling the thyroid to stop producing as much thyroid hormone leading to imbalances in thyroid hormones. This disruption may contribute to symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, and mood changes. Stress also exacerbates autoimmune thyroid diseases...
To learn more read the full article HERE To reach Dr. Hayes contact phone 781-659-7989 or email john@drjohnhayesjr.com  Our main site is HERE

Stress Profoundly and Negatively Affects Everything In Your Body And Life

Stress can have profound effects on both the body and the mind, including impacts on the heart and sleep patterns. Stress profoundly and negatively affects everything in your body and life.
 
Stress Effects on the Heart:
Increased Heart Rate: When stressed, the body's "fight or flight" response is triggered, causing the heart rate to increase. This is a natural response aimed at preparing the body to deal with perceived threats.
Elevated Blood Pressure: Stress hormones like cortisol can cause temporary spikes in blood pressure. Over time, chronic stress can contribute to long-term hypertension, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Heart Disease Risk: Chronic stress has been linked to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and arrhythmias.
Inflammation: Prolonged stress can lead to chronic inflammation, which is associated with various heart conditions. Stress Effects on Sleep:
 
Disrupted Sleep Patterns: Stress can disrupt the normal sleep-wake cycle, leading to difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restorative sleep.
Insomnia: Stress can contribute to insomnia, a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep despite adequate opportunity for sleep.
Nightmares: Stressful events or emotions can trigger nightmares, leading to disrupted sleep and further exacerbating stress levels.
Sleep Disorders: Chronic stress can contribute to the development or worsening of sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and insomnia.
Fatigue... Read much more HERE

Simple Stress Reduction Techniques

During the next few articles, we'll be focusing on a stress management, as this is probably the number one emotional and physical health issue for most of us every day. If you've got a system that's working that's great! If not, here are some simple stress reduction techniques that you can try. Remember even just one or two goes a long way!
 
Deep Breathing: Take slow, deep breaths to activate the body's relaxation response. Inhale deeply through your nose, hold for a few seconds, and exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat several times.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Start by tensing and then relaxing each muscle group in your body, one by one, from your toes to your head. Focus on the sensations of tension and relaxation as you go. Just make sure you dedicate time during the day to make this happen for you.
Mindfulness Meditation: Key times are just upon arising and then right before bed. On particularly stressful day, take a lunch break in a peaceful environment. Practice mindfulness by paying attention to the present moment without judgment. You can focus on your breath, sensations in your body, or your surroundings. When your mind wanders, gently bring your focus back to the present moment...
Read Much More HEREWant to learn more? For personalized help , Call or Text 781-659-7989.

How To Dump Bad Habits

Dumping bad habits can be a challenging but a life changing, rewarding process. There are however some well proven pathways you can take advantage of. For example, if you're trying to quit smoking, consider taking up a new hobby or engaging in physical activity when you feel the urge to smoke.
The first step always as this varies from person to person to clearly define the unhealthy habit you want to change. Be specific about when, where, and why you are committed to change.Instead of just eliminating a habit, consider replacement with a healthier alternative. To ensure meaningful progress and lasting change, all of this should remain highly personal. If you share with others outside of your professional care, it should be in a small private circle, not in a social media arena or group. I recommend handwriting in a small notebook you can carry around with you as the best way to accomplish this.Once you identify what the habit is, how do you think you would best eliminate it? First some habits, cold turkey still works the best. For others though breaking down your overall goal into smaller, achievable steps may in fact the best for you. For example, diet is a big one. This is why I commonly recommend patients track what they know they need to do and set a plan out in writing to make one change at a time. This makes the process more manageable and helps you stay motivated. When you are not sure what to do or what would be best to do first, this is the time to schedule a sit down with us so we can help you through the process... You can read much more in the full article as well as contact us HERE

What is it like to be a patient in my Direct Primary Care Practice?

Being a patient in my direct primary care (DPC) practice is a markedly different experience compared to traditional healthcare settings. In my practice, patients enjoy personalized care. In My practice, you are always seen by myself, a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician, not a nurse practitioner or PA. I have far fewer patients than the typical corporate based practice, allowing me to spend more time with each of my patients. This means appointments are longer, allowing for in-depth discussions about your health concerns.
 
This allows me to offer greater access to care. This includes same-day or next business day appointments, as well as the ability to reach me via phone, text, or email for urgent concerns. I offer virtual visits, allowing you to consult with me remotely. We operate on a membership model. This simplifies the administrative process and eliminates the need to navigate extensive paperwork or copayments for basic care. My patients know exactly how much they're paying each month for membership, and what optional services are available, there are no surprises when it comes to additional costs for visits or procedures within the practice.
 
As a Lifestyle Medicine Physician, I prioritize preventive care and wellness. With more time to spend with me, I emphasize lifestyle changes, health education, and proactive screenings to prevent health issues before they arise.
With my sub-specialty in Neuropathy and Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine, I offer a wide range of services beyond just primary care... If you still have questions call or TEXT 781-659-7989 To learn much more about my private practice just click HERE

Metabolism Boosting Lifestyle

 So much has been written about the impact of our metabolism or our ability to utilize energy efficiently in all cells of the body and its impact not only on overall health and longevity but how we feel on a daily basis. Did you know there is actually a metabolism boosting lifestyle?  Unfortunately, like so many things in today's world rather than making things simpler, we tend to make things more complicated. All you need to do is to look at the supplement market and even drugs and you'll see there's a new one for this a new one for that and too many people are all over the map on this.  We're starting to see more and more people getting into trouble because of this which we'll talk about in a future article. So today, what I'd like to do is just take a look at some of the simple things you and I can do everyday to boost our metabolism, and at the same time our energy levels as well as neurologic and brain health. *Note we're not giving personal medical advice here.  Please keep in mind if you don't feel well, oftentimes there may be underlying disease processes not limited to thyroid, diabetes and more. In this article I'm highlighting some of the most important findings regarding our habits and daily lifestyle that are research based. Before making any significant changes to your diet or exercise program establishing a baseline health and metabolic profile with a comprehensive physical examination performed by a physician with the most appropriate laboratory tests is essential.Reach out be email or TEXT jophn@drjohnhayesjr.com  (01) 781-659-7989You can learn much more by clicking HERE

Injection Free Pain Management with Laser Infrared and Much More

 Infrared therapy, including hand held and full-body infrared treatment, used for years in our practice has gained popularity for its known and potential health benefits across many body systems. Unfortunately, there is no real standardization making treatment system comparisons very difficult. Still though, for so many in our practice this is a therapeutic game-changer. Today I talk about some of the reported and documented health benefits associated with infrared therapy.
Pain Relief: Infrared therapy may help alleviate pain by increasing blood flow and promoting the relaxation of muscles. It's often used for conditions such as arthritis, muscle spasms, and joint stiffness.
Muscle Recovery: Athletes and fitness enthusiasts use infrared therapy to speed up muscle recovery after intense workouts. The increased blood circulation can aid in the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to muscles, helping them recover more quickly.
Improved Circulation: Infrared heat can stimulate blood circulation, which may benefit cardiovascular health. Improved circulation can help with conditions like hypertension and promote overall cardiovascular well-being.
Detoxification: Sweating induced by infrared therapy may facilitate the elimination of toxins from the body through the skin. This can contribute to the detoxification process and may be particularly beneficial for individuals undergoing certain detox programs.
Relaxation and Stress Reduction: Infrared therapy can induce a deep sense of relaxation, potentially reducing stress and promoting a more restful sleep. The heat promotes the release of endorphins, contributing to an overall sense of well-being.
Skin Health: Infrared therapy may have positive effects on the skin, promoting collagen production and enhancing skin elasticity. It is often used for cosmetic purposes, including improving the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Weight Loss: Some proponents suggest that infrared therapy can aid in weight loss by increasing the heart rate and promoting calorie burning...Learn Much More HERETo learn much more or to contact Dr. Hayes go to https://drjohnhayesjr.com email john@drjohnhayesjr.com Phone 781-659-7989

"Dr Hayes, Why don't you accept my insurance?"

"Why don't you accept my insurance Dr. Hayes? What is DPC (Direct Primary Care)?" This is a question I get every day. The biggest reason I chose DPC is I get to focus on practicing medicine like my personal physicians and mentors did for me and so many others for years without the administrative burden, demands and enormous stress now leveled on Physicians by third parties and corporations. How to my patients feel? In addition to low cost, my patients tell me they like the convenience, accessibility, and highly personalized care that I get to provide. This style practice results in proper appointment times for you and your family and much more personalized medical care and treatment. Today I talk about some of the highlights between DPC and traditional Primary Care many people are not familiar with. Physicians in traditional Primary Care practices spend so much of their time just charting, filing, billing, and processing insurance claims, denials, prior authorizations, you name it. This is great for corporations that maximally bill and pay their CEO's millions. But many patients can't even get Doctor's appointments or if they do, there is a huge wait or they don't even get to see a Physician!!! Read much more about this and contact me HERE: https://www.drjohnhayesjr.com/why-don-t-you-accept-my-insurance-dr-hayes