The Weather-Body Connection

Weather has a significant impact on autonomic function, but the effects vary depending on your specific type of dysfunction. About half of people with hypermobility and POTS feel worse when temperatures drop, while the other half improve.

For those who struggle with cold-triggered vascular issues, fall and winter can be particularly challenging. However, if your autonomic dysfunction is complicated by seasonal allergies from pollen blown down from hill country in spring and summer, you might actually feel better during cooler months.

The warning signs typically appear 24 hours before a weather front arrives: unexplained soreness, joint pain, brain fog,

Beyond Your Teeth: Understanding the Trigeminal-TMJ Nexus

In our latest group visit, Dr. Ruan explained the role of the trigeminal nerve—the nerve system responsible for jaw formation and function. This revelation came from an unexpected source: veterinary medicine. Veterinarians have long understood that manipulating a dog's canines can trigger severe neurological responses, a phenomenon called canine dysautonomia. The same principles, it turns out, apply to humans.

The trigeminal nerve doesn't work in isolation. Dr. Ruan describes what's called the "trigeminal respiratory interface"—a system where the nerves in you

The TMJ-Vagus Nerve Connection: Simple Tools for Managing Autonomic Dysfunction

If you're living with hypermobility, MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome), or autonomic nervous system dysfunction, you know that weather changes and seasonal shifts can trigger uncomfortable symptoms. But what if some of the most powerful tools for managing these symptoms are literally right under your nose—or more specifically, in your jaw?

In a recent group visit, Dr. Cheng Ruan shared fascinating insights about the often-overlooked connection between your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and your vagus nerve, and how simple physical interventions can help calm your autonomic nervous system.

Understanding the TMJ-Vagus Nerve Connection

Your TMJ—the temporomandibular joint—is far more than just the hinge that lets you chew. It's actually one of the most important regulators of your autonomic nervous system.

Here's why: The trigeminal nerve, which has branches throughout your jaw, sinuses, and fac

Insights from Dr. Ruan's Root Causes of Memory Loss Group Visit Program

When most people think about nutrition, they focus on what to eat. Should I avoid gluten? Is keto better than Mediterranean? While food choices matter, there's a more fundamental question that often gets overlooked: How are you eating?

At Texas Center for Lifestyle Medicine, our Root Causes of Memory Loss program explores this critical distinction. The same blueberry can have dramatically different effects on your body depending on whether you eat it in a state of calm happiness or stressed excitation.

The Real Purpose of Food in Modern Life

Let's start with an honest assessment. In our world of abundance, food serves a purpose beyond survival—it's primarily used for pleasure and comfort. There's nothing wrong with this, but we need to acknowledge it rather than pretend we're always eating purely for health.

Food also serves important social and cultural functions. We gather around meals, celebrate with

Insights from Dr. Brian Plante's recent 'Ask the Expert' Group Visit at TCLM

At TCLM, our 'Ask the Expert' Group Visits offer something unique in healthcare: the opportunity to dive deep into complex health topics with leading specialists in an intimate, interactive setting. Our recent session with Dr. Brian Plante, naturopathic doctor at the Amen Clinics, perfectly exemplified why these group visits are transforming how we approach neurodivergence and ADHD.

What Makes Our Approach Different?

Dr. Plante introduced our participants to the concept of "affirming brain care" – a paradigm that recognizes the innate humanity in how each person experiences and navigates the world. Rather than viewing ADHD as something that needs to be "fixed," this approach asks a fundamentally different question: What needs support, and what's already working well?

"From my perspective, affirming means recognizing the innate humanity underneath what's being experienced," Dr. Plante explained. "Jus

We're excited to announce that Dr. Gerard Meskill, Founder & Physician of Tricoastal Narcolepsy and Sleep Disorders Center, will be our featured expert guest for Week 2 of our Root Causes of Memory Loss series this Friday, September 12th at 8:30 AM.

The Critical Connection Between Sleep and Memory

Did you know that poor sleep is one of the strongest predictors of cognitive decline? During this special session, Dr. Meskill will share cutting-edge insights on how sleep disorders directly impact memory and cognitive function, and why sleep optimization is essential for preventing cognitive decline.

What You'll Learn from Dr. Meskill

Our expert guest will provide professional insights on:

• The critical role of sleep in brain health and cognitive function
• How sleep disorders directly impact memory and cognition
• The importance of proper diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders
• Advanced strategies for improving sleep quality and brain health
• When to seek professional sleep e
...

The Silent Nature of Sleep Disorders

Contrary to popular belief, sleep apnea doesn't always announce itself with loud snoring. In fact, most women with sleep apnea have silent symptoms. This "silent" presentation means that many people, particularly women, go undiagnosed for years while experiencing symptoms like:

• Migraines upon waking
• Rare or disrupted REM sleep, difficulty staying asleep
• Oxygen levels dropping
• Chronic pain, posture issues
• Gut issues, hormone imbalances 
• Chronic fatigue despite adequate sleep duration
• And much more! 

The silence occurs because women have estrogen receptors that allow for tissue dilation, and those with connective tiss

Important Schedule Update: We've moved to Wednesdays!

We're excited to announce that our popular in-person Mind-Body Medicine Group Visit Sessions have moved to a new day. Beginning this month, you can find us every Wednesday afternoon instead of Thursdays, bringing you the same transformative experiences in breath work and Tai Chi at Texas Center for Lifestyle Medicine (TCLM).

Why Mind-Body Medicine?

In our fast-paced world, the connection between mental and physical wellness has never been more important. Our group sessions offer a welcoming space to explore proven techniques that can help reduce stress, improve focus, enhance sleep quality, and boost overall well-being. Whether you're dealing with chronic conditions, managing daily stress, or simply looking to add more mindfulness to your routine, these sessions provide practical tools you can use every day.

Your Wednesday Wellness Schedule

Breath Work Session
Time: 1:30 - 2:15 PM
Discover the power of intentional breathing

At Texas Center For Lifestyle Medicine, we believe that true healing happens when patients understand their bodies and feel supported by a community of peers who share similar experiences. Our educational group visit programs embody this philosophy, creating spaces where knowledge meets connection and where patients become active participants in their health journey.

Our recent Hypermobile group visit exemplified this approach beautifully. Led by Dr. Cheng Ruan, the session explored the intricate relationships between Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), hypermobility, and nervous system function. What emerged was not just medical information, but a deeper understanding of how these conditions interconnect in ways that many patients—and even some healthcare providers—may not fully grasp.

The Many Names, One Root Cause

One of the most enlightening moments of the sess