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Are You Inflamed?

Dr. Mimi GuarneriInflammation is a biological response to harmful stimuli. The goal of inflammation is to remove the harmful stimuli from the body and initiate the healing process. Though it is a natural phenomenon of the human body, inflammation can have damaging consequences over the long term, typically as a result of poor lifestyle choices. Consider the difference between acute and chronic inflammation. The acute form is characterized by redness, pain, and swelling, and is the body’s natural protection mechanism. The chronic form is characterized by persistent inflammation that can last for several months or even years. In this scenario, the body’s immune system triggers an inflammatory response despite an absence of any harmful stimuli to fight off. Chronic inflammation can lead to joint erosion and damage to internal organs and other parts of the body.

The food you eat. The quality of sleep you get. The extent to which you exercise, if at all. Whether or not you smoke. These and other behavioral and environmental factors can gradually lead to chronic inflammation and its various associated conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, dementia, ulcerative colitis, hepatitis, and ulcers, just to name a few. Dr. Mimi Guarneri – founder and president of The Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine and board-certified in cardiovascular disease, internal medicine, nuclear cardiology, and integrative holistic medicine – stresses the important role that diet plays in determining whether one will suffer from chronic inflammation at some point in life. According to Dr. Guarneri in her new book, 108 Pearls to Awaken Your Healing Potential, chronic inflammation is often linked to sensitivities to certain foods. An individual suffering from symptoms consistent with chronic inflammation is strongly encouraged to undergo food sensitivity testing, and to eliminate any foods from suspect categories from his or her diet to reduce the inflammation, feel better, and potentially ward off certain diseases. Common culprits include sugar, dairy, gluten, and eggs, as well as “white” foods such as potatoes and heavily refined grain products such as white bread, pasta, cookies, cakes, crackers, and various snack foods. Inflammation can further be avoided or addressed through regular exercise and stress-reducing practices like meditation.

Dr. Guarneri is a leading proponent of Integrative Medicine (IM), an approach to patient care that utilizes all appropriate therapies to achieve optimal health and healing. Instead of reactively treating existing illnesses, IM practitioners proactively seek to promote whole-person wellness by addressing the full scope of physical, social, environmental, mental, and spiritual influences that can affect a person’s health. Fundamentally, IM is concerned with achieving and maintaining health. It is grounded in the belief that health is not simply the absence of disease or infirmity but a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellness. It is a highly personalized, inquiry-driven approach to care that puts as much emphasis on health promotion and illness prevention as it does on post hoc treatment.

The American Board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM) – an ABPS Member Board – was founded to provide IM practitioners the means of demonstrating their mastery of the core competencies of the specialty. Though the path to becoming an ABOIM Diplomate is rigorous, the benefits of becoming board-certified in this fast-emerging specialty are tangible and many, not the least of which are career advancement and increased opportunities for leadership. To learn more about the ABOIM, contact the American Association of Physician Specialists. The ABPS is the official certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc.

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Medical organizations throughout North America understand that our rigorous certification standards prove that ABPS Diplomates are capable of delivering the best patient care possible.

Far too often, medicine is led by less than 5% of non-practicing physicians taking away and replacing the voice of the 95% of physicians practicing and placing patient safety and care first on the front lines every day. The American Board of Physician Specialties has raised the standards in physician board certification not only in the quality of their boards of certification, but in hearing and allowing for the voice of those active physicians caring directly for patients. Having been a part of the ABPS over the last 28 years has allowed me to grow as a woman leader in a field often wrought with challenges. It helped me and others raise the bar of the standards of care in my specialty, Emergency Medicine, through their Board Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM). ABPS also helped raise the standards of care for 21st century medicine through their certifications in other specialties, particularly in Integrative Medicine & Disaster Medicine. Having physician voices heard matters to medicine and is essential in the betterment of patient safety and care.

Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Emergency Medicine
On October 18, 2007, President George W. Bush released Homeland Security Presidential Directive 21 (HSPD-21), calling on our nation, among other initiatives, to “collectively support and facilitate the establishment of a discipline of disaster health”. It is a great testament to the wisdom and foresight of the American Board of Physician Specialties that it immediately set to work and created, within the short span of only one year, an educational blueprint and set of certification examinations, both written and oral, for a new subspecialty of disaster medicine—and it is why I chose to be part this vital initiative and this wonderful organization. This is but one of the many innovative programs initiated by the American Board of Physician Specialties over the years, and why I am proud to support its work on behalf of our nation’s public health.

Art Cooper, MD
Disaster Medicine
When the American Board of Physician Specialties offered to host the American Board of Integrative Medicine, ABPS became a landmark organization working to move medicine into the twenty first century. Certifying physicians who have completed rigorous academic training in Integrative Medicine ensures that the field of Integrative Medicine will continue to develop academically, clinically, and professionally. The leadership of ABPS continues to impress me - they are diligent in constantly innovating to provide certifications for physicians who want to advance their careers and their areas of expertise. I am honored to be a part of this organization.

Ann Marie Chiasson, MD
Integrative Medicine
There are many ways board certification advances a physician career. ABPS Board examination verifies your accuracy, precision, and reflects your mastery of your residency training verifying your expertise. ABPS Board certification demonstrates your level of expertise beyond your practice experience, primary education degrees, and training which are necessary for insurance reimbursement and practice privilege requirements. Attaining your ABPS Board Certification will clarify your purpose, secure your practice growth, and expand into leadership positions. Board certification can serve as an indication of a physician’s commitment to medicine, beyond the minimal standards and competency of training, their measurement to quality of care, and attaining an award for excellence.

Chris Kunis MD
Internal Medicine
When I think historically, advancement in medicine and patient safety and care has been driven by the diversity of people and scientific thought. That’s what I found at the ABPS and more. For over 60 years that is just who we are. I found a physician certifying body that provides a choice and voice to all physicians ensuring that patients are always placed first.

Jerry Allison, MD
Emergency Medicine
When I decided to pursue a full time role as a physician executive it was important to me to obtain additional professional training, education and work experience. Board certification through the ABPS in Administrative Medicine is validation of my efforts and a demonstration of dedication to professional development. We need more physicians to become full time health care executives, knowing there is a board certification option in Administrative Medicine encourages physicians to take the leap from full time clinical practice to healthcare organizational leadership.

Richard Paula, MD
Administrative Medicine
The American Board of Physician Specialties has provided me with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of internal medicine through board certification. As a hospitalist, board certification is an expected credential, and hospitals recognize the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) as one of the three standard credentialling bodies for Internal Medicine. Additionally, the ABPS has helped me develop leadership skills as a Board member and Committee Chairperson. ABPS has also helped me sharpen critical thinking skills as a test question developer and reviewer. The Allopathic (MD) and Osteopathic (DO) physicians in the ABPS are lifelong learners and frequently pursue multiple board certifications. I enjoy the camaraderie of my peers in ABPS.

Loren Jay Chassels, DO
Internal Medicine
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