Beautiful. Medicine.

April is Stress Health Awareness month. Dr. Fine answers your questions:

Dear Dr. Fine,

I have been feeling anxious lately? Could this be stress? Exactly what is stress?

Jerry
Aventura

Dear Jerry,

We tend to believe that stress is something that happens to us from the outside, when in fact stress is the result of our emotional reactions to these outside events.

Stress affects us all physically as well as mentally and emotionally. Our bodies have a brilliant protective system for handling acute stress, however this mechanism was not designed to be continually activated. In today’s society most of the stressors that we endure are not acute easily identifiable threats. Instead we are besieged with constant irresolvable worries. These worries may not be life threatening however they do activate our protective system resulting in chronically elevated stress hormones that continually cause wear and tear to our bodies.

According to the Institute of Stress a vast majority of our health problems can be traced back to stress.

Research has shown improving our reaction to stress directly benefits stress mediated illnesses, many chronic illnesses and conditions that are psychophysiological in nature. Learning how to have control over our stress creates a balance between our mind and body. Some of the proven benefits of controlling stress are as follows:

• Boosts the immune system
• Enhances Mediation Skills
• Control of Emotional Eating
• Improves Insomnia
• Improves Physiological and Psychological Well-being
• Influences Anxiety and Depression
• Assists in Pain management
• Influences Hypertension and Irritable bowl Syndrome
• Improves Mental Clarity and Test Taking Ability
• Improves Sports Performance

Realizing that you are in control of your life is necessary to build the foundation of a successful stress management program. In addition to traditional methods I use an evidenced based innovative and interactive stress reduction and emotional management system. This system provides real time feedback that can be practiced at home or on the go. Mastering these techniques allows you to have the key role in promoting emotional wellbeing, physical health as well as influencing longevity.

The goal is to help you create Better Personal Health, Improve Learning, Increase Personal Performance and Better Personal Relationships.

Using a bone-creating protein to augment the maxillary sinus could improve dental implant success, according to researchers.

According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, 69 percent of adults ages 35-44 have lost at least one tooth due to decay, disease or trauma, and 26 percent of adults have lost all permanent teeth by age 74. Before dental implants were available, the only options for replacing these missing teeth were dentures and dental bridges, both of which could lead to further bone loss. Implants provide patients with numerous benefits, including improved oral health, appearance, speech, convenience, durability and ability to eat.

Bone-thinning is a common cause and consequence following tooth loss. Board-certified prosthodontist, Dr, Todd Barsky advises “Dental implants, will not last if the bone in which they are anchored is too thin.” The current favored solution is to supplement the area with bone grafts to stabilize the implant base.

A clinical breakthrough that reduces visible redness by addressing the underlying causes, while helping to promote healthy skin. SkinMedica has introduced the newest addition to their skin care product line. Redness Relief Calmplex™ is a product that corrects the redness in our skin, not by covering or masking with a green base, but by blocking the skin’s inflammatory response - the underlying cause of redness. SkinMedica Redness Relief CalmPlex has been specially designed to combat skin redness. This revolutionary formula contains the active ingredient CalmPlex which has been clinically proven to reduce skin redness at a molecular level for a healthier looking complexion. Added Niacinamide helps to strengthen the skin while a blend of Glycerin and Squalane provide long lasting hydration.

Some of our patients have been using Redness Relief and find it compatible with their TNS Essential Serum. It feels good on application and with the addition of jojoba it has a very pleasant fragrance. With Essential Serum, Redness Relief and Sport 30 sunscreen, your skin is protected and you will find that you will not  get as red. Clinical studies show Redness Relief CalmPlex reduces acute, UV-induced and chronic visible redness in as early as two weeks, with continued improvement over time.

• Addresses the underlying causes of redness
• Clinically proven to reduce visible redness
• Fast-acting; results seen in as early as two weeks
• Restores skin’s barrier
• Non-comedogenic
• Leaves skin looking healthy and radiant

Another great product added to an awesome skincare line. Come in and try it yourself.

Telomeres are sections of DNA at the end of each chromosome that cap genetic material and act as protective buffers keeping the ends of chromosomes from becoming attached to each other or rearranging. Each time a cell replicates, it’s telomere shrinks, eventually causing cell death. Measuring telomere length in human lymphocytes indicates the speed of an individual’s cell aging. Worldwide research demonstrates that shortened telomeres are responsible for many of the overall processes of aging. This revolutionary test is a unique diagnostic tool because it measures an individual’s relative state of health in comparison to others in the same age group.

Telomere length is affected by multiple factors: age, disease, genetics, lifestyle, and use of pharmaceuticals. Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, dementia, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity have strong associations with shorter telomeres. At The MIAMI Institute, measurement of the telomere length is used to gauge an individual’s overall state of health. If blood results indicate the telomeres are shorter than average, doctors will prescribe an Intensive Wellness Program including more frequent cancer screening and disease risk monitoring. A sedentary lifestyle and excessive weight, environmental toxins, high carbohydrate diets, sleep deprivation, and smoking, all negatively affect telomere length. At The MIAMI Institute, patients diagnosed with shorter telomere length will also be prescribed an optimal exercise program, diet and nutritional guidelines, and receive assistance in modifying other damaging lifestyle habits.

Telomere attrition can be significantly mitigated with aggressive lifestyle therapies as well as specific medications. Minimizing oxidative stress, reducing inflammation, and shoring up the body’s antioxidant defenses all combine to promote sustained telomere length.

“Telomeres have been an exciting topic the past few years given their critical link to the aging process and the benefit of having an objective measure of an individual’s progress with self-care. The MIAMI Institute focuses on practices oriented toward healthy aging. We realized that telomere testing offers our patients an ideal opportunity for early intervention in the aging process. We believe that the science of telomere management is at the forefront of any comprehensive prevention program”, says Dr. Juan J. Remos, Director of Wellness and Regenerative Medicine at The MIAMI Institute.

There’s something new in the breast implant arena.  It’s the revolutionary Natrelle™ Style 45 breast implant. And Dr. Phillip Craft, a top Miami breast implant specialist is one of the plastic surgeons currently using this implant.

The Natrelle™ Style 45 breast implant has been designed with a smaller base than the Natrelle™ Style 20 high profile breast implant but with greater “projection” than the Natrelle™ Style 20 high profile breast implant.  Dr. Craft explains, “This new implant has been designed for my patients with a very narrow chest wall, especially the ones who want a large volume implant. One of the hurdles with a narrow framed woman who wants large implants is that they can extend laterally, sometimes falling under the armpits. This is an undesirable result.  The Natrelle™ Style 45 breast implant has been designed to keep the implant in the front of the chest, as much as the existing breast anatomy will allow.” This new Natrelle™ Style 45 breast implant is expected to offer a wider range of choices for smaller framed women.

“I always involve patients in the size, style and type of implant” says Dr. Craft.  “I find that if the patient chooses her implant size after a thorough consultation and discussion about sizing, we have an excellent chance of having a happy patient afterwards.”

“It is important that a patient understands that the Natrelle™ Style 45 breast implant does not allow us to implant a larger size implant than can safely be accommodated in her breast cavity.  It does, however, allow me to implant a safe size implant that may better fit a slight body frame, especially if the implant is on the larger size of what her breasts can accommodate.”

“When it comes to gel filled breast implants versus saline filled breast implants, I present the advantages and disadvantages of each type of implant.  While I don’t attempt to sway a patient to choose one or the other it’s obvious that the more natural results are offered with the gel implants.  I notice that more women are arriving at their consultation, having already decided on a gel filled breast implants.”  Call us today to schedule your appointment.