SUZANNE GAZDA M.D. - blog

SUZANNE GAZDA M.D.

Can reducing homocysteine levels support our neurological health?

6/10/2021

It’s so important to look for any and all avenues that may help stabilize neurological disease progression. Certainly we know that many factors can affect outcomes of a patient’s condition, but one potential risk to consider that may be overlooked is the role of homocysteine levels.

Is the ultimate cost of air pollution its massive toll on brain health?

5/21/2021

Among environmental risk factors, many of which are the result of human actions (and inaction), air pollution is now the world’s fourth leading source of disability on death, according to the State of Global Air report issued in late 2020.1 On par with the impacts of high fasting plasma glucose, which is associated with diabetes and insulin resistance, air pollution

New research advances our understanding of PANS and PANDAS.

5/18/2021

The pandemic made clearer the role of infections in neuropsychiatric conditions.

As any parent whose child suffers with the debilitating symptoms of a neuropsychiatric disorder can attest to, the search for answers and help is often beyond challenging. But now, with more evidence of the neurological impacts in some cases of COVID-19, we see just how intricately connected are the brain and the immune system.

Lyme disease: can an infection trigger neuropsychiatric symptoms?

5/12/2021

If you’ve ever been bitten by a tick you may have subsequently experienced symptoms of a rash, headache and fever that typically can last for up to four weeks. However, for some patients, tick-borne illness can have far-ranging and longer-term health implications stemming from the associated infection such as Bartonella, Ehrlichia, Babesia, or Anaplasma.

Update: even more results for IVIG in treating small fiber neuropathy.

5/6/2021

In our blog published just last month, we looked at some of the research utilizing intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for small fiber neuropathy (SFN), which occurs when damage to the peripheral nerves predominantly or entirely affects the small myelinated (Aδ) fibers or unmyelinated C fibers.

Your brain on gratitude…more reasons to be grateful.

5/4/2021

While not necessarily the easiest proposition over the last year, being grateful and practicing gratitude can have positive implications for your health. And according to a recent study, embracing gratitude can be especially beneficial to women.

More potential for the use of IVIG in some neurological disorders.

4/30/2021

While you may not necessarily be familiar with the disorder “small fiber neuropathy (SFN)” it actually has a global prevalence of approximately four million individuals although the incidence is probably much higher than currently identified as quite often patients may not be fully evaluated for this condition.

Autoimmune diseases and aging: it’s not just about your family tree.

4/28/2021

Aging is associated with an increased risk of developing autoimmune disease, but being elderly is the greatest risk factor, by orders of magnitude, for cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, dementia and most other degenerative diseases.

How might COVID affect our brain health?

4/21/2021

Neurological effects post-COVID and what history tells us about post-viral syndromes.

Results from a large retrospective study of nearly 240,000 subjects recently published in The Lancet show that in the six months after becoming ill with COVID, approximately one-third of the surviving patients were diagnosed with at least one neurological or psychological condition.1

CBD in neurology therapeutic protocols – what does the research tell us?

4/15/2021

As scientists continually look for viable measures to effectively address the burgeoning diagnoses of people with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, there have been more investigations with therapeutic options to conventional pharmaceuticals.

A ketogenic diet: can it be beneficial for our brains AND our bodies?

4/13/2021

You may be familiar with the Bredesen Protocol or read here on our website about this unique approach “to prevent cognitive decline and reverse the effects of subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and early Alzheimer’s disease.”1

Oxygen and sleep – what your brain needs to know.

4/12/2021

You know just how important it is to get quality sleep for your overall health and the wellbeing of your brain (and you’ve likely heard us mention this at least a few times!). But were you also aware that it’s equally important, especially for individuals with cognitive issues, to have adequate oxygenation levels while you sleep?

Patient age doesn’t rule out a PANS or PANDAS diagnosis.

3/29/2021

The umbrella of autoimmune encephalopathy and the complexity of the most complex diseases.

When patients present with symptoms that appear to reflect a certain disorder, we must be careful to consider the whole picture and not eliminate possible diagnoses based solely on A single criteria such as the patient’s age.

The “indoor generation” is missing out on vitamin D.

3/8/2021

New study identifies low sun exposure as risk factor in pediatric-onset MS.

Lifestyles that keep us sofa-bound watching television, playing video games or sitting at a desk all day have definitely contributed to being labeled as the “indoor generation.”

New study further supports benefits of IVIG treatment in PANS patients.

3/2/2021

Recent findings from a soon-to-be-published study point to the use of IVIG in the treatment of our patients suffering with Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). This open-label pilot study cited a statistically significant decrease in related symptoms after six infusions of IVIG (Octagam 5%).

Our present and future health depends on healing from emotional trauma.

2/24/2021

As if the past year of ongoing challenges wasn’t enough, many of us have had to deal with the additional onslaught of even more trauma imposed by the recent winter storms. It really has been such a rough time for so many and we are concerned that these events can wreak havoc with our health, including our brain health, if left unchecked.

B12 - can too much of a good vitamin actually be a bad thing?

2/22/2021

We know we need vitamin B12 for a variety of health benefits, from red cell formation and energy production to nerve maintenance and other significant systemic functions. When it comes to our brain, too-low levels of this water soluble vitamin have been associated with brain volume loss and cognitive problems.1 And a deficiency can cause anxiety and depression as well.

Isolation and why we simply can’t delay addressing it.

2/13/2021

A new article in The JAMA Forum1 highlights increased concerns and should inspire more conversation about social determinants of health, described by the CDC as “conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.”

Obesity – it’s not just a risk factor in neurological disease.

2/12/2021

How the epidemic of obesity contributes to the COVID pandemic.

The public health issue of obesity continues to be a focus of concern relative to numerous conditions including neurological disorders. As we’ve previously discussed, many studies have highlighted links between obesity and an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis, but also to poorer outcomes in treatment.

Disease modifying therapies used in MS and rheumatology.

2/10/2021

We always weigh very carefully the risk-benefit factors when advising patients of any approved and appropriate therapeutic measures. But in view of the current challenges that COVID has imposed, there are even more considerations to take into account now for even more conditions.

Autoimmune diseases and COVID – what we know and what we can do now.

1/29/2021

Autoimmunity occurs when immune system activity, primarily inflammation, is directed at healthy cells, tissues, or other inappropriate targets in the body.

Our children’s mental health in the wake of a pandemic.

1/16/2021

It’s hard to believe we’ve endured almost a year of one of the most challenging times in our world’s collective history. Among many of the prevailing concerns has been the issue of school closures and limited in-person instruction and the impact on our children’s mental health.

Novelty as a neuroplasticity tool.

1/14/2021

If there is one thing to which we all can relate, it is the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic and the myriad of disease containment measures such as school closures, social distancing, and home quarantine – although certainly this is not the kind of relatable event we would want to connect us.

A mantra may be just what your brain needs for peace and quiet.

12/22/2020

Do you have a “mantra,” whether in relation to its use in a spiritual sense or as something that provides you with motivational self-talk in certain circumstances? Some good news to know - adopting a regular mantra can actually have a positive, calming effect on your brain too!

Novel ADHD protocol shows significant promise for use as part of a therapeutic program.

12/16/2020

For patients and their families who must deal with the very challenging issues inherent to attention deficient and hyperactivity disorders (ADHD), there comes some welcome news in the way of innovative therapeutic options.