~~I am always amazed at the number of patients who believe that just because the numbers on their blood work are within the "normal" limits that they are healthy. I understand this belief system, but I have to tell you that this line of thought is significantly flawed!
You see, the first thing that you need to understand about your blood work is that the range of "normal" values that are listed on your blood work findings vary from lab to lab. The reason for this is that these so- called "normal values" are anything but "normal". You see they are simply averages for everyone who has had that particular test run at that particular lab.
Now, I want you all to think about this for a minute. Who typically goes to the lab for blood work? I know that there are exceptions to this, but aren't the people who have blood work run often sick? That's right, whether the blood work is being run on a patient in the hospital, or on someone with a particular complaint or symptom, then they are not "Healthy". So, we are basing our decisions, and treatment on values for a particular blood test that are for the most part based on "sick people values", not on "Healthy people values".
I want you all to think about this for a minute, because this is a BIG concept. I also don't want you to get me wrong on this. I use lab work to gauge the health and wellness of my patients. But the "labs" are just one piece of the puzzle that I use to determine what the best course of care will be regarding that patient's overall Health and Wellness.
I want you all to think also about this for a minute as well; if you are taking a drug to alter your physiology such as a cholesterol or blood sugar lowering drug, and your cholesterol or blood sugar goes down on your blood test, does that mean that you are any healthier? Give this question some time to settle in and bounce around for a while. I realize that I am challenging a lot of preconceived beliefs that you have all held as true, but I want you to take a minute to really let your guard down and let these thoughts reach your psyche and resonate.
O.K., enough time, now let's peel this one apart a little further. Let's use a specific "new" drug which has recently been released on the market as an example. You may have seen commercials for this drug recently. It is called Invokana. It is the latest drug that has been released to deal with the rising epidemic that we have here in our country and around the world. That being the epidemic of diabetes, the most preventable disorder in our society. Oh, and by the way diabetes drugs are included in the Top 10 Revenue Generating Drugs in the country. Revenues generated from just these top 10 exceeded 76 BILLION DOLLARS in 2013. That being said Invokana is a relative newcomer to the plethora of diabetes drugs on the market.
So, let's say that your medical practitioner writes out a prescription for Invokana and tells you to start taking it. And, when your next blood work comes in you find that your previously elevated blood glucose (sugar) readings are now within the "normal/sick person" limits. Great!!!!!, or is it? You see Invokan works by causing you to spill more sugar out of your body through your urine. Now, should a Healthy person have high amounts of sugar in their urine? The answer to that question is an unequivocal and resounding NO! You see if a Healthy person has elevated sugar readings in their urine they have some significant health problems. But your blood work is Great???? Realizing that this doesn't mean you are in better health seems counter intuitive until you realize that "just because the numbers on your blood work are better does not mean you are in better health!" You see you have not in any way addressed the reason, or the CAUSE for your elevated blood sugar levels.
You see the true cause for your elevated blood sugar levels is only one thing in the vast majority of cases, and that is your LIFESTYLE! Until you address that issue, which is usually multiple issues, then you are never going to be Healthier. I don't care how much Invokana you take.
Oh, and by the way for those of you who want to take a moment to read through the list below of side effects that you may/will receive as an added benefit from using this physiologically altering new drug, (Invokana) feel free to read on. And, for those of you who are ready to make the changes that will truly divert your life path from the disease and sickness paradigm toward the Health and Wellness Paradigm, please feel free to email us or call Kerry at the Center at 215-679-WELL (9355).
More common
•Bladder pain
•bloody or cloudy urine
•decreased frequency or amount of urine
•difficult, burning, or painful urination
•discharge with a strong odor from the penis
•frequent urge to urinate
•increased blood pressure
•increased thirst
•itching of the vagina or outside of the genitals
•loss of appetite
•lower back or side pain
•nausea
•pain during sexual intercourse
•pain in the skin around the penis
•redness, itching, or swelling of the penis
•swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
•troubled breathing
•unusual tiredness or weakness
•vaginal discharge without odor or with mild odor
•vomiting
•weight gain
Less common
•Anxiety
•blurred vision
•chills
•cold sweats
•confusion
•cool, pale skin
•depression
•dizziness
•dry mouth
•fast or irregular heartbeat
•headache
•hives or welts
•increased hunger
•itching skin
•large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
•nightmares
•rash
•redness of the skin
•seizures
•shakiness
•slurred speech
•unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence not known
•Abdominal or stomach pain
•dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
•numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
•sweating
•weakness or heaviness of the legs
Schedule a Consultation Now!
Why wait?
215-679-WELL (9355)