Naturopathic

Naturopathic medicine is synonymous with holistic medicine, natural medicine, and alternative medicine. A Naturopathic Physician is a general practitioner trained as an expert in natural medicine. Naturopathic Physicians are the only practitioners who receive extensive and comprehensive clinical training in the use of a wide variety of natural therapies.

Naturopathic medicine follows certain principles, such as First Do No Harm. Drugs often have serious side effects and surgery is very invasive. The therapies used in Naturopathic medicine are gentle and subtle, very rarely causing side effects. Naturopathic physicians are extremely focused on finding the cause of a person’s physical or psychological symptoms, rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms. By finding the underlying cause, we are in a good position to solve the problem.

Another important principle guiding Naturopathic medicine is to Treat the Whole Person. We are more than just a skin rash, or an arthritic joint. Our total health is affected by all the complex interactions between all the organ systems of the body. If one organ system is not functioning as well as it should, it could negatively affect all of the other organ systems of the body. A good example of this is the connection between skin disorders and a digestive system that is working under par. Although the two organ systems seem to be unrelated, it is well known in Natural medicine that the two can negatively affect each other.

A Naturopathic Physician utilizes a variety of natural therapies, depending on the specific needs of the person. One of the most important of these is Vitamin Therapy. Many medical disorders have specific vitamin and mineral deficiencies as a important contributing factor to the condition. By correcting the nutritional deficiency, and supplementing with higher doses of these nutrients, a dramatic improvement in the person’s condition can often occur. There have been thousands of scientific studies showing that specific vitamins can improve a wide variety of medical conditions.

Another important therapy that Naturopathic Physicians use is Herbal Medicine. The constituents of plants have powerful healing effects. Indeed, many drugs are originally derived from plants. Again, there have been thousands of scientific studies showing that specific herbal medicines are quite effective in treating various medical disorders.

Naturopathic physicians graduate from four-year medical schools with admission requirements comparable to those of other medical schools. The first two years of Naturopathic medical school is comparable to traditional medical school training, with emphasis on the basic medical sciences of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, etc. Naturopathic medical school training differs from traditional medical training with regards to the last two years of training. In traditional medical schools, the last two years of training is geared towards the use of drugs and surgical procedures. In Naturopathic medical school, the last two years of training is geared towards the use of natural therapies in the treatment of medical conditions.

Autoimmune Disorders -- A Natural Approach

Autoimmune disorders encompass a variety of diseases affecting many of the organ systems of the body. Some of the most common autoimmune disorders are rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune hepatitis, ulcerative colitis, crohn’s disease, and autoimmune thyroiditis. There are many other autoimmune conditions that are less commonly known yet still cause a great deal of suffering. The key is to find the underlying imbalances in the body that are at the root of the condition.

Naturopathic physicians recognize that in autoimmune conditions, the body is in an excessive inflammatory state. It is then the role of the Naturopathic physician to identify the underlying reasons why the body is in an excessive inflammatory state and to correct the imbalance. Hidden food sensitivities can be one the factors leading to excessive inflammation in the body. People with autoimmune disorders often have hidden food sensitivities, that when eaten, contribute to their disease. Once these foods are identified and eliminated, the person can have improvement in their symptoms. It does take some expertise in identifying the specific ingredients in foods that are causing the problem. Most foods have many ingredients that need to sorted out to identify which ingredient is causing the problem. A Naturopathic physician is well equipped in guiding a person through this process.

Specific nutritional deficiencies can be another factor contributing to excessive inflammation in the body. Deficiencies of specific nutrients are quite commonly found in people with autoimmune disorders. Correction of these deficiencies, as well as supplementation with other nutrients, has been shown to be quite helpful in the treatment of autoimmune conditions. A Naturopathic physician trained in nutritional medicine can detect if these nutritional deficiencies are present, and treat accordingly.

It is also important to actively decrease the inflammation that is occurring in autoimmune diseases. Naturopathic physicians will utilize specific herbs that naturally decrease inflammation in the body. When used by a Naturopathic physician, herbs are very safe. Drugs, on the other hand, have many dangerous side effects. For that reason, it is better to use natural medicines before resorting to powerful drugs. When the inflammation in the body has been decreased using natural medicines, then it is time to stimulate healing in the body to take place. Autoimmune disorders will attack specific organs of the body, causing inflammation and damage of these organs. A Naturopathic physician will then prescribe specific herbs, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that will aid in healing the damaged organ. Which herbs and nutrients that are needed will depend on the part of the body that has been damaged by the autoimmune disease, as well as the severity of the damage that has occurred. By following this process of finding the underlying cause of the disease, decreasing the inflammation using natural remedies, and stimulating healing the body, the person can many times overcome their illness and regain their health.

Chronic Fatigue -- A Natural Approach

CF and low energy afflicts tens of millions of Americans, and is the most common complaint in medical practice today. When a person with chronic fatigue goes to their doctor with this complaint, the physician will rule out common causes of fatigue, such as heart disease, infections, and anemia. Unfortunately, after tests for these illnesses come back negative, traditional medicine has little to offer the person suffering from chronic fatigue. In natural medicine, we recognize that chronic fatigue rarely has just one cause. Usually, there are multiple cofactors that are causing the fatigue. Each cofactor, by itself, is not enough to cause the problem. However, when there are enough cofactors present, then the final straw (which is often a viral infection) is enough to break the camel’s back and cause the chronic fatigue.

When a Naturopathic physician is presented with a person with chronic fatigue, the function of the thyroid gland is always evaluated. The thyroid gland is the body’s metabolic thermostat, controlling body temperature and energy use. The thyroid controls the rate at which organs function. It affects the operation of all bodily functions. When the thyroid gland is underactive, chronic fatigue is a common symptom. Once an underactive thyroid is diagnosed, it can be restored to proper functioning using natural therapies, such as herbal medicine, vitamin therapy, and natural hormone therapy.

Chronic fatigue is also associated with immune system suppression. People with chronic fatigue often have a history of a recurrent sore throat, swollen or tender lymph nodes, and low-grade fevers. Other signs of a depressed immune system are a history of chronic infections, a tendency to get multiple colds throughout the year, and the presence of herpes. If a person with chronic fatigue has any of these symptoms, then an impaired immune system is very likely an important cofactor causing their fatigue. Once a weakened immune system is diagnosed, a physician specializing in natural medicine can effectively restore the proper functioning of the immune system. To revitalize a weakened immune system, a Naturopathic physician will utilize vitamin and mineral therapy, herbal medicine, and homeopathy.

The functioning of the adrenal gland is another important factor in the evaluation of chronic fatigue. The adrenal gland is extremely important in the production of energy during the day. When the adrenal gland is not working properly, chronic fatigue can occur. Given how hormones produced in the adrenal gland are the body’s main response to all forms of stress, it is no surprise that chronic stress can weaken the adrenals significantly. People who have weakened adrenal function often find that they have very little energy in the morning and need coffee in order to function. They also complain of midafternoon fatigue. When low adrenal function has been diagnosed by a physician familiar with this problem, it can corrected by the same therapies used to treat low thyroid function described earlier.

Sometimes people with chronic fatigue have an overgrowth of yeast in the large intestine. This is more likely if there is a history of frequent antibiotic use, multiple vaginal yeast infections, and long-term use of birth control pills. This can be treated using specific herbs that have natural anti-fungal activity.

What needs to be emphasized in the treatment of chronic fatigue is to address all of the cofactors contributing to the problem. By doing this, regaining one’s energy is much more likely to occur.

Fibromyalgia -- A Natural Approach

Fibromyalgia is a condition that continues to become more widespread in our society. In my private practice, fibromyalgia has become a more common complaint. In this condition, the person has many painful points over various areas of their body. The pain is usually a diffuse muscle ache, though sometimes they have painful joints as well. Fibromyalgia is usually a condition that affects women, with 75% of people with fibromyalgia being women. When these people go to their doctors with these complaints, the doctor is unable to find anything wrong with them. Indeed, a diagnoses of fibromyalgia is given when other conditions have been ruled-out. Along with the widespread pain in their muscles, people with fibromyalgia often have difficulty with their sleep as well. This is not surprising, considering that is not easy to fall asleep when we are in pain. Another common symptom that is present in people with fibromyalgia is chronic fatigue. It is such a common symptom that chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia often occur together. People with fibromyalgia also often complain of digestive symptoms. They can have abdominal cramping and pain, as well as alternating constipation with diarrhea.

In Naturopathic medicine, we are looking for the underlying cause of the person’s symptoms. When a Naturopathic physician is presented with a person with fibromyalgia, the function of the thyroid gland is evaluated. The thyroid gland is the body’s metabolic thermostat, controlling body temperature and energy use. The thyroid controls the rate at which organs function. It affects the operation of all bodily functions. When the thyroid gland is underactive, muscular pain and chronic fatigue are common symptoms. Once an underactive thyroid is diagnosed, it can be restored to proper functioning using natural therapies, such as herbal medicine, vitamin therapy, and natural hormone therapy.

The functioning of the adrenal gland is another important factor in the evaluation of fibromyalgia. The adrenal gland is extremely important in the prevention of inflammation in the body. Fibromyalgia is the result of inflammation occurring excessively in the body. When the adrenal gland is not working properly, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue can occur. Given how hormones produced in the adrenal gland are the body’s main response to all forms of stress, it is no surprise that chronic stress can weaken the adrenals significantly. People who have weakened adrenal function often find that they have very little energy in the morning and need coffee in order to function. They also complain of midafternoon fatigue. When low adrenal function has been diagnosed by a Naturopathic physician familiar with this problem, it can corrected by the same therapies used to treat low thyroid function described earlier.

Sometimes people with chronic fatigue have an overgrowth of yeast in the large intestine. This is more likely if there is a history of frequent antibiotic use, multiple vaginal yeast infections, and long-term use of birth control pills. This can be treated using specific herbs that have natural anti-fungal activity.

What needs to be emphasized in the treatment of fibromyalgia is to address all of the cofactors contributing to the problem. By doing this, regaining one’s health is more likely to occur.

Headaches-- A Natural Approach

Chronic headaches are a major problem in our society. In the United States alone, up to 50 million people seek medical help for headaches every year, and about half a billion dollars is spent on headache remedies annually. A large percentage of people suffer from an occasional headache. When this occurs they will use over-the-counter medicine to help relieve their pain. There are, however, those people who suffer with frequent, severe headaches. These people find that their lives are severely limited by their headaches. Sometimes the pain is so severe that all they can do is leave work and go to bed. It is essential that those people suffering from chronic headaches see their doctor and receive a full medical evaluation.

In Naturopathic medicine, we are looking for the underlying cause of the person’s headaches. An important contributing factor to headaches is hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. There are different reasons why the blood sugar can become low. When this occurs, hypoglycemia can cause the symptoms of headaches. Some of the common symptoms of hypoglycemia are becoming irritable if a meal is missed, craving sweets, feeling tired or weak if a meal is missed, headache if a meal is missed, feeling tired an hour or so after eating, feeling shaky at times, being oversensitive to sugar, needing coffee for energy, mood swings, and being over-sensitive to sugar. Once hypoglycemia is recognized, it can be successfully treated and blood sugar can return to normal.

Another important trigger for headaches are unrecognized food sensitivities. It seems that for many people with chronic headaches, there are specific foods that can trigger a headache to occur. Also, there are certain foods that when eaten during a headache, can worsen the headache. Once these foods are identified and eliminated, the person can have improvement in the number and severity of headaches. It does take some expertise in identifying the specific ingredients in foods that are causing the problem. Most foods have many ingredients that need to sorted out to identify which ingredient is causing the problem.

Some women experience premenstrual headaches. When this occurs, it is usually due to an excess of estrogen in the body in relation to progesterone. When this occurs the goal is then to reduce the excessive estrogen levels in the body, bringing it back to a normal ratio with progesterone. A Naturopathic physician can determine which herbs and nutrients are needed that will bring the imbalance hormones into balance. It is also important to keep in mind that the liver is the main organ responsible for “breaking down” estrogen so that it can be excreted from the body. When the liver is not performing this job as well as it should, estrogen levels in the body can become excessive. In natural medicine, we can support the function of the liver, quite easily, with specific herbs and nutrients.

Deficiencies of specific nutrients are quite commonly found in people with chronic headaches. Correction of these deficiencies, as well as supplementation of other nutrients, has been shown to be quite helpful in the treatment of headaches. A physician trained in nutritional medicine can detect if these nutritional deficiencies are present, and treat accordingly.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome -- A Natural Approach

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a major problem in our society today. It affects 1 in 7 people. The symptoms of IBS are cramping abdominal pain. There is also a combination of constipation and diarrhea. A person is given the diagnoses of IBS after all other GI disorders have been tested for and ruled-out. So what this means is that a person is told that they have IBS because the doctor really doesn’t know what is the cause of their symptoms.

People with IBS often have hidden food sensitivities, that when eaten, contribute to their GI symptoms. Once these foods are identified and eliminated, the person can have improvement in their symptoms. It does take some expertise in identifying the specific ingredients in foods that are causing the problem. Most foods have many ingredients that need to sorted out to identify which ingredient is causing the problem. A Naturopathic physician is well equipped in guiding a person through this process.

People with IBS often have difficulties with their digestive system. They tend to not digest their food well. When food is not digested well it can contribute to the symptoms of IBS. A Naturopathic physician is trained in detecting when a person is having difficulty in digesting their food. A Naturopathic physician will then use digestive aids to help the person digest their food. Once their digestive problems are corrected, they can experience improvement in their symptoms.

Sometimes people with IBS have an overgrowth of yeast in the large intestine, commonly referred to as candida. This is more likely if the person eats alot of sugar, has a history of frequent antibiotic use, or has a history of long-term use of birth control pills. This problem has become more common due to the widespread use of antibiotics. This is because antibiotics kill the friendly bacteria in the intestines, the acidophilus bacteria that is present in yogurt. When the friendly bacteria in the intestine is killed, it allows yeast to overgrow. Many people have taken multiple courses of antibiotics for chronic infections. The overgrowth of yeast in the intestine can be responsible for causing the symptoms of IBS. Fortunately, yeast overgrowth can be treated using specific herbs that have natural anti-fungal activity.

Deficiencies of specific nutrients are quite commonly found in people with IBS. Correction of these deficiencies, as well as supplementation with other nutrients, has been shown to be quite helpful in the treatment of IBS. A Naturopathic physician trained in nutritional medicine can detect if these nutritional deficiencies are present, and treat accordingly.

One of the main problems with IBS is that the intestine is irritated and inflamed. Given this, a Naturopathic physician will work towards soothing the intestine, as well as relaxing the intestine. This can be done using natural therapies that have no side effects. One such therapy to do this is herbal medicine. Herbal remedies are very effective at soothing and relaxing the intestine, without side effects.

Menopause --- A Natural Approach

Due to the aging of our society, the treatment of menopause has become a major issue in medicine. Unfortunately, in traditional medicine menopause in considered a disorder of estrogen deficiency, rather than a normal physiologic process. Menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life. In many cultures of the world, menopause is a positive event in a woman’s life. It is the doorway leading into the next phase of life. Menopause is an opportunity to explore new avenues of interest, perhaps to embark on a new career, or to resume a career that was put on hold to raise a family.

The two most important issues to address are the symptoms of menopause and osteoporosis. Menopause typically occurs around the age of fifty. The most common symptoms of menopause includes hot flashes, fatigue, depression, mood swings, insomnia, vaginal dryness, decreased sex drive, and urinary tract infections. Osteoporosis refers to the loss of bone mass. When osteoporosis progresses and a significant amount of bone density is lossed, then a hip fracture can occur. This is a very serious injury and becomes more common as people age. A hip fracture can be so disabling, that a large percentage of older folks who brake their hips must be put into nursing homes for long-term care.

In traditional medicine, the standard treatment for both of these conditions is estrogen replacement therapy. The most common drug is Premarin. This is an artificial estrogen that is foreign to the body. This synthetic estrogen has a somewhat different structure than the natural estrogen present in the body. As a result of being different from natural estrogen, artificial estrogens cause problems for many women. It is common for women taking artificial estrogens to report that they don’t react well to these drugs. They sometimes experience unpleasant side effects, and their menopausal symptoms are sometimes not relieved. Another major problem associated with articficial estrogens is a significant increase risk of breast cancer. Women on estrogen replacement therapy for ten years have a 30% increased risk of having breast cancer. Other problems associated with estrogen replacement therapy are gallstones, strokes, liver disorders, and an increased riks of cancer of the uterus. The alarming increased risk of breast cancer prevents articfical estrogen replacement therapy from being a viable long-term solution.

In natural medicine, we support the female hormonal system using natural therapies. The proper balance of hormones requires optimal amounts of specific nutrients in appropriate ratios, which includes vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. When there are deficiencies of specific nutrients, hormonal imbalance is more likely to occur. This is also true with regard to osteoporsis, if not more so. It is well known that calcium is extremely important for the health of bones. What is not commonly known is that calcium is only one of many nutrients necessary for maintaining the health bones. It is also important to ensure that calcium is in the proper ratio with other nutrients. Vitamin D is extremely important for bone health. Without enough vitamin D very little calcium is absorbed from our foods and supplements. For that reason, I always test a women’s vitamin D levels if they have osteoporosis.

Physicians specializing in natural therapies will use natural hormone replacement therapy. This differs from artificial estrogen replacement therapy in that the hormones used have the same structure as the estrogens present in the body. This is also the case with regard to progesterone. As a result of using the hormones as they occur in the body, there are rarely any side effects and women often respond better to the natural hormones.