Institute for Specialized Medicine

11/18/2022

Dr. Shikhman's newest online course is here!

Over the next 30 days learn all you want to know about Yersiniosis.

Course details:
* Self-paced--learn on your own time
* Approximately 1 hour of presentations
* Participate in discussions, ask questions
* Four topics: Background Science, Manifestations, Therapy, and Case Presentations
* Registration is open for the duration of the course

More details and register at www.iaref.org/events

06/30/2022

Dr. Shikhman appeared on Newsy to give his expert opinion on why women are more likely to develop an autoimmune disease and why they respond more intensely to infectious agents.

Check it out! He appears around the 3:10 mark.

06/08/2022

Recently Dr. Shikhman gave his expert opinion on why there is a rise in once dormant infections reactivating after catching COVID-19.

His interview appeared in a segment for Covid-19 Survivor Diaries, a YouTube series that documents how COVID has impacted people across America.

Dr. Shikhman discusses the major clusters of issues he sees in our practice in those with post-COVID issues including: chronic fatigue, neurological problems, gastrointestinal issues, and shortness of breath/pulmonary problems.

Also, why COVID reacts a dormant infection and the most common reactivations seen in our practice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ptiWG-M21U

05/24/2022

When it comes to probiotics and prebiotics, how do you know which is right for you?

And what's a synbiotic or a postbiotic?

Dr. Shikhman discusses our offerings, what each is good for, and which combinations he recommends based on specfiic conditions.

04/14/2022

Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) has long been the gold standard for osteoporosis screening. But now, thousands of patients may be inappropriately undergoing bone mineral density studies via quantitative computed tomography (QCT) -- which may be less accurate and more expensive, with far higher radiation exposure.

QCT focuses on density changes in the inner, trabecular bone in the spine. It does not include the cortical shell on the outside of the vertebrae. The DXA includes both, and is a better way to measure bone density, he continued, because cortical bone plays an important role in bone density measurement.

Many doctors agree “that the QCT exaggerates bone mineral density loss in the spine if the T-score is used. If it is, more patients will be diagnosed incorrectly with osteoporosis with a QCT than with a DXA”

For example, if a T-score given by a DXA of the spine says -2.0, then there is a likelihood that the QCT T-score on the same patient would be -2.7, showing more bone density loss than actually exists.

WHEN IS QCT BENEFICIAL?

Naveen Subhas, MD, who chairs the American College of Radiology's practice parameters committee for imaging, said that while the QCT gives different values for bone mineral density for the spine than DXA, the QCT is not inaccurate nor does it lead to a false diagnosis if appropriately interpreted using specific established ranges for QCT.

As for the differences between the two, he continued, QCT's ability to measure bone loss in the trabecular region of the spine is important because that's where bone loss first appears, so the QCT may be more sensitive to detecting early change.

But for clinical purposes, he said, "DXA should be the first line." "We just feel that the higher costs and higher radiation is usually not needed,"

QCT delivers far more radiation and exaggerates spinal bone loss, so why is it on the rise?

03/29/2022

Did you know Lyme Disease can be a driver of many eye issues?

"Lyme and other tick-borne diseases can cause many ocular manifestations including double or blurry vision, floaters, conjunctivitis (pink eye), inflammation of several parts of the eye, sensitivity to light, dry eye, “static” in the visual field, and vision loss or a blind spot."

Jennifer Crystal discusses Lyme and vision.

01/13/2022

Johns Hopkins Rheumatology and Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center beginning to see value in using joint ultrasound as a means of diagnosis.

"...the images are opening up a whole new field of clinical inquiry. Nobody else is really doing this.”

Of course, as many of you can attest, we have been using ultrasound for 10 years with great success.

https://clinicalconnection.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/ptld-recent-advancements-in-long-haul-lyme-disease-research

12/08/2021

You guys have been waiting for this one!

So many of you have really noticed the anti-anxiety effects of our Baicalin supplement.

Well Doctor has recorded a video explaining just how this product works to create that calming feeling.

12/01/2021

[New Service in Clinic]

We now offer IV ozone therapy!

Dr. Shikhman and Dr. McLarry discuss why this therapy is so beneficial for chronic infections, the immune system, and cardiovascular benefits.

If you have any questions regarding this therapy:
~what is ozone
~who should or should not participate
~what a session is like
~recommended pre and post session protocols

it's answered it in the video...take a watch!

If you are interested, reach out to Dr. McLarry as she administers the sessions.

10/15/2021

Dr. Shikhman answers questions about our Arjun/Guava supplement and Yersinia.

10/08/2021

Ever wish you had more time to ask doctor questions about your supplements?

Well, this is your chance!

Every other Friday we will post videos of Dr. Shikhman giving in-depth explanations of a supplement.

Post your questions in the comment section and he will answer your questions the following Friday. Please note...keep your questions related to the supplement presented and do not include any details specific to your case.
___

Or first video covers Arjun/Guava a must watch for those with gastrointestinal disorders, in particular, Yersinia.
___

Post your questions and stay tuned next Friday 10/15 for the answers!

07/30/2021

PANS is a very real phenomenon that happens in children. Our PA, Neenah can help children who may be experiencing some of the tell-tell symptoms including:

"...abrupt onset psychiatric problems like tics, OCD, restricted eating, severe mood changes, depression.”

As with Lyme Disease, the theory is these infections can trigger autoimmune inflammation in an area of the brain that controls behavior and mood.

Lyme disease may cause to rare neuropsychiatric symptoms.

05/18/2021

Dr. Shikhman’s non-profit, Infection and Autoimmunity Research and Educational Foundation (IAREF), held its first virtual educational event covering Bartonella.

One of the pillars of IAREF is to educate others, especially medical professionals, on areas of chronic infection and autoimmune disease allowing for a sharing of knowledge for better patient outcomes.

We spread the word and had over 70 registrations! For our first event, we were very pleased with the interest in this topic. Bartonella is a chronic infection that is often overlooked, but as medical professionals are becoming more aware of it, they are definitely eager to learn more about ways to identify and treat.

Dr. Shikhman rounded up some of the world’s foremost experts on Bartonella to give presentations covering:
--Clinical signs and symptoms
--Diverse manifestations and persistence
--Rheumatological manifestations
--Laboratory diagnosis: current practices, challenges, and advancements
--Principles of treatment and goals of therapy

Based on participant feedback, the content was well received:

“This seminar has BLOWN MY MIND....incredible. I am in awe that you can treat these difficult patients without the massive dosing I have been trained to do.”

“His whole approach to these infections....and his ability to help some of these autoimmune diseases with his approach is unique and new to me and his results are far superior to mine.”

“The conference was so helpful and so well done. I learned more about Bartonella from this conference than I have learned in the previous ten years. Bravo.”

03/15/2021

[Non-Profit Update] Our first educational event is happening!

The Virtual Clinical Conference on Bartonella will take place from April 5 - May 5, 2021

We've gathered a group of experts from clinicians, research, and diagnostics to bring awareness to this important topic.

While the content is geared toward physicians and technical in nature, anyone can register.

For more details visit www.iaref.org

11/04/2020

Nonprofit Update!

Stay tuned for more details on our online seminar for bartonella coming in early 2021.

Here are some behind the scenes pictures of the promotional video we filmed with doctor, and Dr. McLarry, explaining the reason why he wanted to start IAREF--Infection and Autoimmunity Research and Education Foundation

10/14/2020

🧬 It all depends on your genetics 🧬
🥦 Broccoli 🥦 is a nutrient dense food. It provides loads of:
Calcium
Iron
Phosphorus
Zinc
B1
B2
B3
💥AND 💥
💨 SULFORAPHANE (sulfur)💨

Now sulforaphane has a lot of healing properties including anti- cancer properties, boosting heart health and helping maintain a healthy blood sugar level. And this is fantastic news so eat your broccoli 🥦

UNLESS.....

You are one of those people who have genetic variations making it difficult to convert sulfur to sulfite and ultimately to sulfate. If this is the case you may get a build up of sulfite in your body (yikes) leading to GI issues, joint pain, or brain fog and anxiety.

🤷‍♀️But how would you know

I’ve been running genetic tests that help me better determine how individuals’ genetics contribute vitamin, mineral and hormone utilization and how we can best support the body with individualized nutritional and supplement plans!

10/07/2020

The FDA has issued new breast implant labeling guidelines

Over the past several years the FDA has received new information pertaining to risks associated with breast implants, including breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) and systemic symptoms commonly referred to as breast implant illness (BII) that some patients attribute to their implants, which can include fatigue, “brain fog,” muscle or joint pain and rash.

"It is important that patients discuss the risks and benefits of breast implants with their health care provider and we hope that these labeling recommendations will help in facilitating these discussions.”

One of our patients talks candidly about her breast implants and complications that arose from them. http://www.glutenfreeremedies.com/breast-implant-disease/

Full labeling recommendations can be found here:
https://www.fda.gov/media/131885/download

08/31/2020

Dr. McLarry, our naturopathic doctor, was recently interviewed by the SD Voyager as one of San Diego's most inspiring stories.

She discusses how she balanced medical school and raising children, what she likes the most about naturopathic medicine, and the services she offers, you also have to check out the candid family photo--too cute!!

http://sdvoyager.com/interview/meet-stacey-mclarry-dr-stacey-mclarry-nd-sorrento-valley/

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacey McLarry. Thanks for sharing your story with us Dr. McLarry. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there. I am a naturopathic doctor. I earned my degree from Bastyr University right here in San Diego. Prior to that I earned my Bachelor...