Dr. Shevin - Connecticut licensed Physician and Surgeon, and Homeopathic Physician http://www.drshevin.com/ Dr. Shevin is a Connecticut licensed Physician and Surgeon, and a Homeopathic Physician. He has practiced medicine since 1974 and Homeopathy since 1981. His goal as a physician is to form a partnership with his patients in order to help restore a state of health. en Copyright 2010 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:08:51 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Influenza and Echinacea / Astragalus
These products exert their action by increasing the immune response of the organism.  But, especially in younger adults and children who naturally may already have a strong immune response, this may be harmful if the response becomes too strong.  One theory of why young people may have more serious illness and death from influenza is that they produce a lot of "cytokines" (natural promoters of the immune response) and if excessive, a condition known as "cytokine storm" can ensue, with a very rapid progression of the inflammation, very high fever and severe respiratory manifestations of the disease.

The main cause of death in the current epidemic is from "acute respiratory distress syndrome" which can be rapidly fatal and in its more severe forms requires a very specialized set of treatments which can only be administered in a hospital setting.  This may include mechanical ventilation and/or "extracorporeal membrane oxygenation."

If anyone has a flu-like illness (fever, aching in the body, sore throat, nausea or diarrhea, sore throat) during this time of widespread H1N1 influenza, and feels that they are getting any kind of respiratory distress, they should go immediately to the hospital.
]]> http://www.drshevin.com/2009/11/influenza-and-echinacea-astrag.php http://www.drshevin.com/2009/11/influenza-and-echinacea-astrag.php Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:08:51 -0500 Influenza update 11/6/2009 I've only seen a couple of patients, and have worked with a couple more on the telephone.
So far, the most frequent remedy has been Bryonia alba.
   The most common characteristic of acute Bryonia states is that the person wants to be still, with definite aggravation of symptoms from motion.  They tend to want peace and quiet, to be undisturbed, and are likely to be irritable if disturbed. 

My colleagues in other states have not seen one or a small number of remedies emerge as consistently effective in swine flu (and they've seen more cases, as Connecticut is one of the last states to report widespread disease). 

So, if you wind up having a flu-like illness (fever, body aches, nausea, respiratory tract symptoms) and use this remedy, please email me and report your success.


]]> http://www.drshevin.com/2009/11/influenza-update-1162009.php http://www.drshevin.com/2009/11/influenza-update-1162009.php Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:22:45 -0500 Additions to website 11/6/2009 My practice -- regarding what I am studying (see "my teachers")
Nutrition and homeopathy -- to include some newer aspects of my use of therapeutic nutrition
Soy as food for humans -- (one important link still missing, and should be up by the end of the weekend)





]]> http://www.drshevin.com/2009/11/additions-to-website-1162009.php http://www.drshevin.com/2009/11/additions-to-website-1162009.php Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:45:55 -0500 More from Dr. Jefferson on Influenza Vaccination here is more from Dr. Jefferson regarding the H1N1 flu.  There is also a link to a similar cultural phenomenon regarding osteoporosis.
]]> http://www.drshevin.com/2009/10/more-from-dr-jefferson-on-infl.php http://www.drshevin.com/2009/10/more-from-dr-jefferson-on-infl.php Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:41:51 -0500 Another aspect of the Flu Vaccine controversy article, from the online edition of the Atlantic, is a review of the effectiveness and use of influenza vaccines, and of the controversy around these issues.
]]> http://www.drshevin.com/2009/10/another-aspect-of-the-flu-vacc.php http://www.drshevin.com/2009/10/another-aspect-of-the-flu-vacc.php Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:43:15 -0500 Slideshow on homeopathic prevention of epidemic diseases homeoprophylaxis, the use of homeopathic medicines to prevent epidemic disease.

I think that this is an interesting presentation.  The comparisons to conventional treatment are a bit problematic, however, since conventional care has improved greatly since the majority of these epidemics happened.  The epidemic of meningitis in Brazil is the best documented of all these examples.

Another colleague, Molly Punzo, MD, in Baltimore, has seen a few Novel H1N1 cases recently and has had good results with the remedy China officinalis (commonly known as China).  I haven't seen any cases in my practice as of the present time, although there are always a few people with fevers, so I may have.  I've certainly seen nothing serious or long-lasting.
]]> http://www.drshevin.com/2009/10/slideshow-on-homeopathic-preve.php http://www.drshevin.com/2009/10/slideshow-on-homeopathic-preve.php Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:48:53 -0500 Adjuvants in the Influenza Vaccine

]]> http://www.drshevin.com/2009/10/adjuvants-in-the-influenza-vac.php http://www.drshevin.com/2009/10/adjuvants-in-the-influenza-vac.php Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:41:26 -0500 Influenza update 10/11/2009
The incidence of this virus is still increasing, at least as of the data of one week ago.  At this point the mortality rate appears to be about the same as the usual seasonal influenza, or perhaps a bit higher. 

Supplies of the Novel H1N1 vaccine have just started to be released, but are still in short supply. 

I have seen no reports of safety issues regarding the vaccine.  The single dose vials contain a trace of thimerosal (a mercury based preservative) while the multi-dose vials have a larger amount. 

A recent New York Times article summarized the issues around the Novel H1N1 virus and vaccination, and stated that there were no adjuvants (substances in addition to virus or viral components that act to enhance the body's immune response).  I have understood, however, that the vaccine does contain squalene, a substance commercially derived from shark liver oil.  Various commentators in the "alternative" medical world have reacted strongly against the inclusion of squalene, considering it to be toxic.  The World Health Organization has sought to allay these fears.  Their response may be found here.

The same NY Times article summarized the risk for Guillain-Barre syndrome (paralysis) from the (real) Swine Flu vaccine of 1976.  The risk has been estimated to be from 1 in 100,000 to as low as 1 in 1,000,000.  They contrast this with the risk of death from the flu of one in 8300 Americans.  I am uncertain as to the exact meaning of this last figure.  Does it refer to all Americans regardless of whether they have flu or not (eg another figure is 36,000 Americans die each year of the flu). 

As always, the decision to vaccinate or not to vaccinate should depend upon one's age, medical condition, circumstances, etc.  But everyone can practice good hygiene, take adequate amounts of Vitamin D (see my article on influenza), and use common sense in terms of coming into contact with people who are sick during an epidemic. ]]> http://www.drshevin.com/2009/10/influenza-update-10112009.php http://www.drshevin.com/2009/10/influenza-update-10112009.php Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:58:53 -0500 Alert sent on 9/13/2009 influenza  on my website.

The usual seasonal flu is also coming. I haven't changed any recommendations regarding this, so the above-mentioned article applies.

Other developments

I will be giving a free public talk on September 30th at Windham Hospital. More information can be found at the Windham Hospital Integrative Medicine page.

I'd also like to announce that I have trained and certified in a Therapeutic Lifestyle Program called FirstLine Therapy.

 After trying this well-researched program on myself I began using it in my practice. While not a substitue for medical treatment, the program does address the root biological disturbances underlying many chronic diseases (adult-onset diabetes, many cases of obesity/overweight, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, etc.)

FirsLine Therapy, were it widespread, has the potential to fundamentally improve the health of our population, where 65% of adults are overweight. "Therapeutic Lifetsytle Change" is now endorsed by the conventional medical authorities as the initial approach to chronic disease, and drug therapy is recommended if such changes fail.

When I get time, I will post a more detailed article on my website regarding this treatment. The basics of the program consist of a food plan emphasizing an adequate protein but low grain, low glycemic load diet. The plan emphasizes a broad array of foods, including legumes, nuts and seeds, and fruits and vegetables.

Body Impedance Analysis (BIA) is used to assess body composition (percentage of body weight as fat and lean mass, distribution of water inside and outside of cells, and other useful information).
More information on BIA can be found here and here (the latter thanks to Jeremy Kaslow MD).

Proper body composition is extremely important for healthy functioning at the biochemical level. This is not primarily an issue of weight loss, although achieving proper body weight will occur as body composition improves. Omega-3 essential fatty acids are used, as are "medical foods" (in the form of shakes which contain vegetable-based extracts and other natural substances designed to help with blood sugar control, inflammation, detoxification, etc., as needed by the individual).

If you have any questions regarding FirsLine Therapy, Donna can assist you with the logistical details.

I'll update the swine flu situation as more information becomes available. 

]]> http://www.drshevin.com/2009/09/alert-sent-on-9132009.php http://www.drshevin.com/2009/09/alert-sent-on-9132009.php Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:57:29 -0500 Death from Swine Flu -- 9/16/2009
The difference in the case of swine flu is that it tends to cause infection deep in the lung tissue, which is not ordinarily the case with seasonal flu.

This has been described in an interesting article describing autopsy findings in people who have died from swine flu.  This can be found at:  http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE58E6NZ20090915.  [Please paste this URL into your browser -- for some reason my software wouldn't create the automatic link]

Obesity, fatty liver disease (which often accompanies obesity), asthma, and heart disease were found in those who had died.  It is also known that children with neurological diseases and developmental delays seem more susceptible, although the reason for this is not clear.

]]> http://www.drshevin.com/2009/09/death-from-swine-flu----916200.php http://www.drshevin.com/2009/09/death-from-swine-flu----916200.php Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:02:56 -0500 Swine Flu update 5/4/2009 An article in today's Washington Post is interesting in this regard.
I will continue to monitor the situation and to keep you informed.  As I indicated previously, this outbreak may fizzle now, only to return in a more aggressive form in the future.  Or, we may never hear about it again.  Stay tuned!
]]> http://www.drshevin.com/2009/05/swine-flu-update-542009.php http://www.drshevin.com/2009/05/swine-flu-update-542009.php Mon, 04 May 2009 09:21:54 -0500 Swine Flu update 4/29/2009
An interesting article appeared in the New York Times regarding the natural progression of the 4 major pandemics in the last century.  If the article's prediction comes true, we will see a mild to moderate epidemic now, but which might be followed by a more severe outbreak in the fall.

I have been in touch with colleagues in Mexico, who are primarily using Bryonia and Eupatoreum perfoliatum as the main remedies.  These are currently considered to be the "genus epidemicus" for the current outbreak, and if that holds up, these remedies should be preventive in an outbreak in the United States.  I have asked my Mexican colleagues to keep me informed.  From their description of the symptoms, Gelsemium seems another possibility.

I would advise all my patients to have these remedies on hand, in addition to the use of Influenzinum, as has been described in the influenza article on my website.

If you are unable to locally purchase Bryonia, Eupatoreum, and Gelsemium (all in the 30C potency), refer to the influenza article for instructions in obtaining Influenzinum.  The other remedies can also be obtained  through them.  As for a 2 dram vial, #20 pellets.

It is too early to use these 3 remedies, however.  Unless there is a definite outbreak, just keep them on hand.  I will instruct you further in this space as developments require.

Remember that Vitamin D is very effective, as I noted in a previous journal entry.
.
Anyone who is sick, feverish, aching, and with respiratory symptoms should STAY HOME.  If you MUST go out, use a good quality surgical mask to protect others.  Healthy persons are not significantly protected by wearing masks, but do achieve protection if the sick people use them.  The correct mask has a rating of N95 or higher.  More information on masks (and other issues related to swine flu) can be found at the CDC website (click on the links I've given).

Above all, please stay calm.  I will continue to monitor the situation and provide you with information.
]]> http://www.drshevin.com/2009/04/swine-flu-update-4292009.php http://www.drshevin.com/2009/04/swine-flu-update-4292009.php Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:56:17 -0500 Swine Flu update #2 It is not yet known how virulent the virus is yet.  If virulence is low, the rates of hospitalization, complications and death will be low.  Human-to-human transmission is confirmed already.

Anyone who has recently been to Mexico, especially to Mexico City, and who has any fever with flu-like symptoms and/or cough, should probably seek medical attention.

For those of you not on vitamin D supplements, 3000 to 5000 units a day could be very helpful in warding off acute infection with influenza and is a safe dose.  Younger children can take 1000 - 2000 units daily with safety.

The main hygiene intervention is washing of the hands.  It cannot be stressed enough that this is extremely effective, as is the avoidance of contact with infected persons.  If a pandemic does occur, surgical masks will become common everywhere that people congregate.

Please refer to my website for the article on influenza, here.  The rationale for using, and the procedure for obtaining Influenzinum can be found in the article.


]]> http://www.drshevin.com/2009/04/swine-flu-update-2.php http://www.drshevin.com/2009/04/swine-flu-update-2.php Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:15:31 -0500 Swine Flu -- A new hybrid form of influenza has recently emerged in Mexico, and cases have also been reported in this country (the southwest but also now in New York).  The new virus is a combination of human, pig, and bird flu.  This is potentially quite worrying but the degree of anxiety that we should have is not clear.  This virus is as yet still treatable with Tamiflu and Relenza (pharmaceutical antivirals); there is no vaccine for it.  It is too late for quarantine and containment, so what will be will be.

Flu epidemics are generally more serious in late fall and winter, when the weather is colder.
I have not seen any cases as yet.
Please refer to the influenza article in the website for how to deal with flu epidemics.
Vitamin D, hygiene (hand washing, exposure in public places, surgical masks, etc.), effective constitutional remedies, and the prophylactic use of Influenzinum are the main considerations.
I'm at a seminar right now so I don't have time to write much, but I'll keep up with the progression of this possible epidemic and send out timely updates.
]]> http://www.drshevin.com/2009/04/swine-flu----a-new.php http://www.drshevin.com/2009/04/swine-flu----a-new.php Sun, 26 Apr 2009 14:29:29 -0500 Iodine Update here.  My understanding of the various issues regarding Iodine continue to evolve as I develop more experience, and I urge all of you who are using supplemental iodine to follow this evolution along with me, and to maintain contact. ]]> http://www.drshevin.com/2008/12/iodine-update.php http://www.drshevin.com/2008/12/iodine-update.php Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:54:14 -0500