Episode 79: Why Am I Having More Muscle Cramps Than Usual?

Are you ready to live? Really live that feeling good life you desire to live? Thank you for joining me on this episode of the Feeling Good Podcast, it’s great to be alive. On this feel good day we will talk about the problems that the use of corticosteroids, especially long-term use of corticosteroids, can cause to your health, and how you can avoid these side-effects by weaning off steroids, and taking natural anti inflammatory alternatives.

Key Takeaways from This Podcast:

[1:12] DR. Phil recorded this episode the day after the 40th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley. Dr. Phil remembers that day, August 16, 1977 — where he was, and what he was doing — when he heard the news.

[1:35] Dr. Phil recorded a Facebook Live broadcast this past Friday, at Elvis’s birthplace in Tupelo, Miss.

[1:57] The Question of the Day comes from Philip, who asks, “Why am I having more muscle cramps than is usual, this time of the year?” Dr. Phil notes that hot, humid weather causes you to lose electrolytes, mineral, and get cramps. Immediately start increasing your mineral intake.

[2:40] Philip was having more muscle cramps that usual. He had recently received a corticosteroid injection for a shoulder injury he had. Dr. Phil considers steroids an absolute last resort, because of their horrible side effects. They mask the symptoms.

[4:35] The loss of electrolytes and minerals is one of the major side effects of these injections. The electrolytes or minerals lost are potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, and calcium. A person can have muscle weakness and cramps.

[5:13] What do you do? You’ve got to increase your mineral intake and replace what’s being lost. The absolute best thing you can do is not do the steroid in the first place.

[5:29] Dr. Phil lists other side effects of steroids: elevated pressure in the eyes, glaucoma. Fluid retention, usually swelling in the lower legs and the feet. They can cause high blood pressure. They can cause problems with mood, memory, and behavior, and other have psychological effects. They can cause weight gain and fat deposits.

[8:26] There are more alarming effects that go along with long-term use of these steroids. Typically, they are only used for short term, two or three weeks at a time. They are usually given starting out with a high dose, then tapering down until you are off the medication over a period of days or weeks.

[8:52] Sometimes they are given for long-term use, for months, years, even. That just makes the side effects even worse, and increases other side effects, such as cataracts, high blood sugar, which can cause a diabetic major problems, thinning of the bones. Also they suppress the adrenal glands, affecting almost every other gland in the body.

[7:46] They also include thinning of the skin, bruising, and slow wound healing. All of these can be very problematic for people, especially if they’re dealing with some other health problems. One of the worst things, is they increase the risk of viral, bacterial, and even fungal infections.

[8:16] Some people are using inhaled corticosteroids, and they’re at high risk of developing fungal infections of the mouth, and sinuses. If you have to use one of these inhaled steroids on a regular basis, is that you rinse your mouth well with water, every time you use one of these inhalers, and spit that water out.

[8:55] Some people use topical steroids on a regular basis, maybe for some type of skin problem, or rash. If they’re used for long term, they can cause the skin to become thin, or they can cause acne.

[9:17] One of the things Dr. Phil stresses is how these steroids weaken the immune system, and that’s why there’s increased risk for these infections in the body. These drugs are actually known as immunosuppressant drugs, and they’re used to treat autoimmune disorders, sometimes, like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s Disease, or lupus.

[9:54] In Dr. Phil’s opinion, we don’t need to suppress the overactive immune system, we need to balance it. But typical treatment is to use these steroids and other drugs like them, to suppress the immune system. They’re also used for all kinds of inflammatory conditions, but no matter what the use, they are going to weaken the immune system.

[10:21] We have been focusing on the immune system for the month of August. Dr. Phil wants to remind you how to protect your immune system, to do all the things necessary to keep a strong healthy immune system, then check out the Immune Defense Summit where Dr. Phil was a guest speaker. That summit is still online.

[11:05] People ask Dr. Phil what to take to reduce inflammation, and relieve pain and discomfort. There are a few natural solutions on the market that work well, and Dr. Phil lists some. Curcumin (a Turmeric extract). Dr. Phil recommends BCM-95 and Curapro. Licorice root is another powerful anti inflammatory, but it may raise blood pressure.

[13:20] Another product that is very good for reducing inflammation is a systemic enzyme. There are quite a few of these products on the market that contain serrapeptase, pancreatin, or bromelain. Dr. Phil recommends Wobenzym for inflammation from injuries. Ginger is an effective anti inflammatory, and anti nausea.

[14:50] This episode’s Feeling Good Superheroes are all the people that I’ve dealt with over the years, who have chosen to go natural, and refuse the steroids. I’ve had quite a few patients that have made that choice and they say, I don’t want a steroid. They usually have been prescribed a steroid, and come to me for a natural alternative over the powerful, side-effect-causing corticosteroids.

[15:43] Dr. Phil wants to make one thing clear to everybody. If you are already taking a steroid, please, do not abruptly stop your steroids. You must work with your doctor, and wean off slowly. It’s not something that you can just stop, all of a sudden, especially if you’ve been on a steroid for long-term use. Work with your doctor on getting off that.

[16:32] The greatest joys in life come not from you being lifted up by others, but rather, from the lifting up of others by you. So help someone be a hero, today.

[17:02] Dr. Phil thanks you for listening and for spreading the message of natural health and wellness and for sharing the podcast. Please rate and review the podcast, take a screenshot of your podcast review in iTunes, email it to: [email protected], and Dr. Phil will send you a free copy of his new book, How to Live Until You Die: The 7 Keys to Living Happy Healthy and Whole. Dr. Phil will also mention you in a future episode.

[18:02] Check out Carson Natural Health on Facebook, and join Dr. Phil every Friday, during the noonday hour, Central Time, for his weekly Facebook Live broadcast called Feeling Good Fridays—broadcast from a different location every week.

[18:32] Have health questions? Visit carsonnatural.com & click on the ‘Ask Dr. Phil’ microphone to record your questions or email them to [email protected].

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