Summer is upon on us and with summer comes more time in the sun. Spending more time in the sun can be uplifting for many reasons: more Vitamin D production, enhanced mood, and more opportunities for outdoor activities and exercise. However, as we all know, spending too much time in the sun can also be… Read more »
Preparing your body for pregnancy is ideal for any individual deciding to become a parent. In today’s world we are exposed to more chemicals than ever before; our food lacks the nutritional value it once had; and many, many more individuals complain of hormone imbalances. And these common factors have all been linked to chronic… Read more »
Anemia is typically characterized by low iron levels in the blood. It is commonly known that anemia can cause fatigue, muscle weakness, and dizziness. The more uncommonly known facts are that often anemia stems from using certain pharmaceutical medications, improper digestion, irritation in the stomach lining, abnormal bacteria in the digestive tract, and nutritional deficiencies. … Read more »
Weight management is an ongoing health concern for most Americans today. Losing extra weight or keeping weight off is challenging and can be a constant source of frustration. Today, there are many programs that claim to aid in weight loss and weight maintenance, but not all of them are safe or effective. Listed below are… Read more »
Slowing the aging process is not just about maintaining an esthetically youthful appearance, it’s about keeping an active, able, pain-free body with vibrant energy, a keen mind, and zest for life. As our life expectancy continues to increase, Americans want to continue to be actively participating in their lives for as many years as possible.… Read more »
Seasonal allergies are very common in our desert. These allergies are caused by grass cutting and reseeding in the fall, pollen in the spring, and our occasional dust storm. It is very easy to reach for an over the counter anti-histamine to control seasonal allergy symptoms; however, many antihistamines have side effects. Natural remedies not… Read more »
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is defined as a condition with a criteria of symptoms that includes lethargy, poor concentration and/or memory, sore throat, headaches, tender lymph nodes, and muscle pain that persists for 6 months or longer. CFS symptoms may vary among patients — solely as fatigue and lethargy, or as a myriad of seemingly… Read more »
Heart disease is the general term used to describe any medical condition of the heart, blood vessels, and arteries. The type of heart disease that affects most Americans is coronary artery disease, or a blockage of plaques in the cardiovascular system which often leads to heart attacks. The most common health advice given to reduce… Read more »
It seems common now to hear the phrase “I can’t eat that. I’m allergic,” when out with friends and family. Although people have always had food allergies and sensitivities, the prevalence of negative food reactions has increased significantly over the past ten years. The major causes of negative food reactions are food quality, digestive health,… Read more »
The number of individuals suffering from anxiety has been on the rise for years. Like many conditions, there are multiple reasons for anxiety and anxiety attacks to occur. From a naturopathic perspective, anxiety can stem from adrenal fatigue, food sensitivities, nutritional deficiencies, or hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is a condition in which the blood sugar drops to… Read more »
Arthritic pain is often constant, unremitting discomfort managed solely by non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen and Tylenol. However, long-term use of NSAIDS and other pharmaceutical pain medication can cause health complications. These complications include stomach inflammation, ulcers, and increased risk of heart disease. Rather than simply managing pain with medication, and risking long-term side… Read more »
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal (GI) condition, most often diagnosed when all other probable conditions have been ruled out. This means, it is a clinical diagnosis based on eliminating the possibility of more serious disease when uncomfortable GI symptoms still remain present without serious progression. The most frustrating aspect of IBS is that… Read more »
Approximately 1 in 6 adult Americans has high cholesterol–a major risk factor for heart disease. High cholesterol levels can result from poor diet choices, limited exercise, high stress, or genetic predisposition. Heart disease, including heart attacks and clogged arteries, also results from inflammation in the cardiovascular system stemming from the same lifestyle choices. Therefore treating… Read more »
Fibromylagia is a condition characterized by fatigue, body pain, sleep difficulties, and depression. To date, there are limited, successful treatment options to fully relieve the symptoms. The lack of successful treatment options is thoroughly frustrating to individuals with fibromyalgia. From a naturopathic perspective, the first part of a successful treatment program is to address the… Read more »
Treatment for long-term conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, chronic pain and acid reflux, often includes pharmaceuticals taken over long periods of time, and potentially for a lifetime. While pharmaceuticals may be medically necessary, they often have unknown, adverse, or poorly understood health effects. Though it has been observed that prolonged use of… Read more »
Over the past few decades, developments in the field of oncology have allowed physicians to detect cancer earlier, intervene sooner with more effective treatments, and to monitor cancer growth more efficiently. However, even with advancements in modern medicine, far too many individuals still suffer from cancer and live in fear of how this disease may… Read more »
The human body is a complex, interconnected system, and a dysfunction in one location can present issues in a completely different area on the body. Supporting the basic foundations of health, such as digestion, is often overlooked in traditional medicine. If our basic body system is unhealthy it can cause progressive problems in other areas.… Read more »
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is defined by the Mayo Clinic as “a complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that may worsen with physical or mental activity, but doesn’t improve with rest.” The symptomatic picture of CFS may vary widely among patients. For years the mainstream medical community did not consider CFS a valid medical condition. … Read more »
The thyroid gland and thyroid hormones predominantly affect metabolism in our bodies (protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism). The thyroid hormones can also affect the way in which our body uses and processes other important hormones. Thus, our thyroid gland is an integral part of our total body system functions. Many patients are concerned about their… Read more »