Category Archives: health

The Connection Between Oral Health And Overall Wellness

The quality of your oral health is connected to your physical wellness. The oral-systemic health connection impacts your body, medical Costs, and quality of life.

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, oral health and physical health are interdependent. Existing health conditions can increase the risk of oral disease. Conversely, poor oral health can result in the Development of health conditions.

Fortunately, with proper care and attention, you can prevent oral-systemic health issues.

How does poor oral health cause other health problems?

Nutrition enters your body through your mouth. And your mouth happens to be teeming with bacteria. Some of the bacteria are good. They are the first step in the digestive Process. Other bacteria can be harmful to your health.

If you’re not diligent about keeping your mouth clean, bad bacteria can proliferate. This can lead to tooth decay and periodontitis or gum disease. If left untreated, gum disease can cause some serious health conditions. In fact, gum disease can be linked to three of the four pillars of chronic disease including heart disease, Alzheimer’s and autoimmune problems.

Health conditions that can be caused by poor oral health

The following serious health conditions can be the result of poor dental health:

Cardiovascular disease
Research suggests infections and inflammation caused by oral bacteria can result in heart disease, clogged arteries, and stroke.

Endocarditis
This bacterial infection that enters your body through the mouth or other areas affects the proper functioning of your heart.

Birth complications
Gum disease can cause premature births and low birth weight.

Pneumonia
Respiratory diseases and pneumonia are caused by bacteria in your mouth that has been pulled into your lungs.

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
Some studies suggest that bacteria that develops into gum disease also caused neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and senile plaque formation. These in turn can lead to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Certain diseases themselves can lower the body’s resistance to infection and compromise oral health.

Diabetes
Studies show a reciprocal relationship between gum disease and diabetes. Diabetes makes it hard for the body to fight infections, which can cause gum disease. And people who have gum disease have a harder time controlling their blood sugar levels. So, treating periodontal disease reduces the need for insulin.

Osteoporosis
This bone-weakening disease also causes tooth loss.

Protect your oral health to improve your overall health

It’s not hard to maintain your oral health. By following a few simple oral care tips, you can Support good oral-systemic health for the long haul.

1. Brush your teeth, gently, twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride. toothpaste. Make sure to replace your toothbrush every three to four months.
2. Floss daily.
3. Rinse with therapeutic mouthwash to wash away any excess bacteria.
4. Visit Dr. Frahm for regular dental checkups, your oral cancer screening, and cleanings.

If any oral health problems arise, contact Dr. Frahm. By taking care of your oral health, you’re making a worthwhile investment in your overall health. Click below to learn more. 

Dr. Sarah Frahm | Overall Wellness

Ethmoidectomy Explained: Understanding the Procedure and Recovery

Understanding Nasal CSF Leaks and Rhinorrhea: Exploring Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is crucial in cushioning the brain and spinal cord within the protective dura mater. However, when this barrier is breached, CSF can seep into the sinus cavities, leading to what’s known as CSF rhinorrhea.

CSF Rhinorrhea: Differentiating Symptoms and Characteristics

Distinguishing CSF rhinorrhea from typical nasal discharge is vital. Unlike common runny noses, the nasal discharge resulting from CSF leaks is typically thin, clear, and often unilateral, emerging from only one nostril. Importantly, it doesn’t respond to standard cold or allergy medications, serving as a distinguishing factor.

Risk Implications and the Importance of Timely Intervention

In cases where the dural defect fails to self-heal, the potential for bacterial infections affecting the brain’s surrounding linings becomes a concern. This risk underscores the necessity for surgical correction, prescribed by healthcare professionals, to mitigate further complications.

Certainly! Let’s expand on the description of endoscopic CSF leak repair, integrating more main content keywords while following the provided instructions:

Unveiling Endoscopic CSF Leak Repair

Endoscopic CSF leak repair is minimally invasive. It is a surgical solution administered under general anesthesia. At the Proliance Puget Sound Sinus Center, this procedure is meticulously executed, encompassing the following Steps:

1. Precise Exploration with Nasal Endoscopy: The procedure involves inserting a nasal endoscope and navigating the nasal passages to pinpoint the dura mater breach. Often situated at the skull base, this breach is the conduit for CSF leakage into the nasal cavity.
2. Precise Repair with Advanced Techniques: The identified hole in the dura mater is skillfully patched using sophisticated methods. The repair involves the utilization of an Alloderm graft along with mucosal tissue from within the nasal passages. This meticulous approach aims to seal the breach, preventing further CSF leakage.

Its minimally invasive nature ensures several patient benefits. Post-operatively, individuals experience reduced discomfort with minimal postoperative pain. Moreover, the procedure boasts an aesthetic advantage, leaving no visible scarring.

Exploring Risks and Complications

Following endoscopic CSF leak repair, risks and complications remain notably minimal. Among these, the most frequently observed is meningitis, albeit with a remarkably low likelihood of occurrence, standing at a mere 0.03% post-procedure.

Additionally, other potential complications with comparatively lower risks include:

• Hydrocephalus: Signifying the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain, this complication, though infrequent, remains a possible postoperative concern.
• Mucocele Formation: This condition entails mucus buildup within the paranasal sinuses and is considered a rare occurrence after the repair procedure.
• Intracranial Abscess: An unusual but potential complication characterized by swelling in the brain due to pus accumulation post-surgery.
• Pneumocephalus: Indicative of the presence of air within the intracranial space, this complication, while infrequent, remains part of the postoperative considerations.

To learn more about how to care for someone after undergoing endoscopic CSF leak repair, see our Recovery and Aftercare Following Endoscopic CSF Leak Repair. Learn more below.

Dr. Amy Anstead