The New Hampshire Association of Naturopathic Doctors (NHAND) recognized two of its own members in a ceremony this past Friday, November 4, 2016 in North Conway.  Dr. Kristy Fassler and Dr. Leon Hecht, both practicing in Portsmouth, ND for the past 27 years, were instrumental in helping naturopathic doctors obtain licensure as in the state of NH in 1995, instituted in 1996.

Graduates of Bastyr University in Seattle, Drs. Fassler and Hecht returned to NH where the term naturopathic doctor was foreign to most.  Through their diligent efforts, they helped make naturopathic medicine a licensed profession in the state of NH, ensuring the public that any doctor utilizing that title attended a nationally recognized medical program.  They have been in practice in Portsmouth at their clinic, North Coast Family Health, where they specialize in Lyme disease, endocrine disorders, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and digestive complaints and have aided thousands of patients throughout New England.

Naturopathic doctors are trained in the art and science of natural health care at accredited medical colleges and universities. A licensed naturopathic doctor attends a four-year graduate- level naturopathic medicine school accredited by the Council of Naturopathic Medication Education and takes rigorous professional board exams so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care general practice physician.  NDs are educated in all of the same basic sciences as an MD, but also studies holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with an emphasis on disease prevention as well as optimizing wellness.

NHAND is an organization comprised of New Hampshire state licensed naturopathic doctors.  Founded in 1988, with the intention of advancing the philosophy and practice of naturopathic medicine in NH, the organization continues to grow and be active in New Hampshire with organizing the largest yearly naturopathic medicine conference in New England, which took place the first weekend in November at the North Conway Grand Hotel. NHAND and its members are dedicated to offering the people of NH the very best in safe and effective health care.  Many congratulations to Drs. Kristy Fassler and Leon Hecht on receiving the 2016 NHAND NDs of the Year Award!

This is a new feature on the NHAND blog where you can get to know the amazing members of NHAND a little better. We hope you enjoy! 

Our second installment of “5 Questions” is with Dr. Tina Beaudoin. She is a native of NH and has a private practice in Manchester, NH called HealthStrong Integrative Medicine. She also is a part of the medical education team at Emerson Ecologics.

This post is written by Dr. Amanda Hegnauer, ND.

Autoimmune diseases such as Rheumatoid arthritis, Multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and Celiac disease are on the rise in the United States. Do they affect you or someone in your life? Did you panic the first time you heard “autoimmune disease?”

In autoimmune disease, our adaptive (or acquired) immune response begins to malfunction. With healthy immune function, our adaptive immune system begins to recognize specific pathogens and create antibodies to them so that the next time the pathogen enters your body, the immune system can fight it off quickly, often without you knowing you were afflicted. Adaptive immunity requires time and exposure to develop. While the acquired immune response is undoubtedly beneficial to us, sometimes the adaptive immunity cells become misdirected and begin targeting healthy cells and tissues in the body rather than pathogens.

This immune response is both initiated and exacerbated by excessive inflammation in the body. In this state of chronic inflammation and disease, the body is unable to repair damaged tissue more quickly than the rate of tissue destruction caused by the “hijacked” immune system. Furthermore, when the targeted tissue is involved in essential day-to-day function of the body, the autoimmune disease can become a threat to life. Autoimmune diseases vary widely in the tissues they attack and the symptoms they cause.

Diagnosis and Testing

An accurate history and physical examination of the patient plays a large role in the diagnosis of an autoimmune disease. These diseases are commonly diagnosed by abnormalities in a routine blood test. For example, inflammation is revealed by erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and/or C-reactive protein in a blood test. This inflammation indicates to your doctor that an underlying pathology is causing this symptom. Depending on the full set of symptoms and suspected diagnosis, further tests – such as the antinuclear antibody (ANA), which detects antibodies in the bloodstream – would diagnose the specific disease. A nice starting place is antinuclear antibody (ANA) test; which will detect the antibodies in one’s bloodstream. Your doctor will likely refer you to a rheumatologist if autoimmune disease is suspected.

Treatment

Treatment is very tricky for each diagnosed autoimmune disease. Medical treatments for these diseases include immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory (steroids) or palliative medications, which can relieve pain and/or treat the outcome of the disease. Treatments also include hormone replacement therapy, which is used to care for autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Type 1 Diabetes mellitus.

Because inflammation is an underlying theme to autoimmune disease, treating inflammation alongside the appropriate medical care is imperative. Just as traditional treatments are specific to the diagnosed disease, so is treating inflammation. Is there something that is causing and/or exacerbating ones inflammation? For example, food sensitivities. Food sensitivities are an IgG(type of antibody)-mediated allergic reaction. Most commonly this elicits a delayed-hypersensitivity reaction which may be associated with arthritis, autoimmune disease, eczema, migraines, gastrointestinal complaints, and many other chronic symptoms.

In a person with an immune system that is already under a great deal of stress an external affliction causing greater strain is only going to burden the body further. Other sources of inflammation are chronically elevated cortisol and insulin, heavy metal and other toxic burden, specific foods high in inflammatory prostaglandins, and unnecessary body fat.

Here are some suggestions for an anti-inflammatory diet:

Avoid: Sugar, dairy, white flours.

Follow these guidelines:

• Grains: One to two cups of grains per day:  millet, basmati, amaranth.
• Legumes: Eat a variety – lentils, kidney beans, chickpeas.
• Nuts/Seeds: Small amounts of nuts and nut butters. Rotate daily and include almonds, walnuts, brazil nuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds.
• Fish: Deep sea fish (salmon, halibut, cod, sardines); try to get wild fish and avoid farmed fish.
• Meat: Free-range or organically raised chicken
• Vegetables: Eat a variety of vegetables (except tomatoes, potatoes and eggplant). Steamed vegetables improve the utilization or availability of food substances and reduce irritation of the gut.
• Do not use aluminum cookware or microwave on plastic dishes; use stainless steel cookware if possible.

Dr. Amanda Hegnauer is a licensed primary care naturopathic doctor in the state of New Hampshire. She earned her Doctorate from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ. Since her time spent in Arizona she has worked in the naturopathic field, organizing and running a local naturopathic office, working in the supplement industry and was the past executive coordinator for the New Hampshire Association of Naturopathic Doctors. She enjoys practicing as a primary care naturopathic doctor, lecturing within the community and acting as a Wellness Educator for the Concord CoOp. Dr. Hegnauer continues to write for and is published in Naturopathic Doctor News and Review. She is a member of the New Hampshire Association of Naturopathic Doctors and the Association for the Advancement of Restorative Medicine. Visit her website: http://h2health.org/

We are introducing a new feature on the NHAND blog where you can get to know the amazing members of NHAND a little better. We hope you enjoy! 

Our first installment of “5 Questions” is with Dr. Angela Lambert, ND, LAc, MSOM. Dr. Angela is a licensed naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist. Her clinic, Ancient Traditions Natural Medicine, is located in beautiful Portsmouth, NH.

1) What do you do & why?

In my mid-twenties, 25 years ago now, I had my own health crisis.  My dad suggested I see a naturopathic doctor.  It was a profound experience on so many levels.  Yes, I got healthier but even more importantly, I learned how much impact and control my own choices had over my health.  It was eye-opening.  I realized that people had to know this option was available.  Thus began my journey.

2) Favorite thing about NH?

As far as beauty, it never ceases to amaze me how many beautiful places there are here.  A big lover of the mountains, the beauty speaks to my soul.   Most of all though, I love the people.  Real. Honest.  Hard workers.  Heart-centered and truly about community and helping one another out.

3) Favorite Food (or Favorite NH restaurant)?

So many delicious restaurants, I think discovering a new place known to locals is one of my favorites.  Recently I was introduced to the Lyons Den in Gilford which had both amazing food and a beautiful view.

4) Early bird or Night owl?

Early bird, always.  I want to see the day begin and get to it.

5) What is your idea of a great day?

Waking up early, making a yummy breakfast at home with my sweetheart then heading off to discover a new place outdoors – hiking or biking.  If my dog can come along, the day is now considered perfect!

Dr. Angela Lambert practices at Ancient Traditions Natural Medicine in Portsmouth, NH. She serves at the Treasurer on the board of NHAND.

Like a thing that is right under our nose, we don’t see it. We can’t learn its systems or feel its properties clearly, or know its capacities. When we’re too close to a friend or a situation, we lose our objectivity, and we lose our ability to see the friend or situation clearly. It’s the same way with our bodies. Our body has been with us all along, so we can’t see it in general. And it’s our loss, because the body has rich potential to be mined in our self-development. It has the ability to help us know ourselves better, to purify and refine ourselves from within. This friend that has been with us all along will whisper solutions into its own “ears”, if we only knew how to listen. In most cases, what prevents our hearing is a classic tension between the surface consciousness (which easily becomes frightened and tries to protect itself and its fragile structure) and the deep consciousness or true self (which really wants to change in a good way).

In order to make the switch and to live from the deep consciousness, a consciousness that embraces all levels of our being, including our very intelligent and under-utilized body- consciousness, it is necessary to meet the following requirements.

The first requirement in shifting the locus of our perceptions, and thus of our responses, attitudes, and ultimately our outlook on life, is energy. If people don’t have enough energy during the process of changing their central authority from the surface consciousness to their true self, they feel frustrated, confused, and frightened.
The second requirement is awareness. However, the function of energy-increasing exercises alone can stimulate the body into new awareness; the body begins to understand things the mind cannot see. It’s easy for the mind to lie and have illusions, but when the body begins to be aware, it can actually correct the minds’ misperceptions. This is one of the key points of Yi Ren Medical Qigong practice. When a person becomes more energized and as the awareness of the body increases, the body will start revealing that person’s emotional and mental habits. It’s almost like we start being able to listen on two different levels, and the one level gives us awareness of the other level. As it becomes more clear and familiar to us, the body’s information becomes a very important reference point for our mental activity and for decision making.

Sometimes you can have the best mind in the world and a great heart too, but you also need the power and the energy to make changes, and make them stick. If we don’t have the energy it’s hard to go for, say, loving-kindness and not be frustrated. Or if you want to get out of a depression, for example, and your environment is reinforcing that depression, how can you break out of that cycle without the energy? Yi Ren Medical Qigong practice can help us to live more harmoniously within ourselves, so that we can get along better with each other. Based on energy flow in the body, Yi Ren Medical Qigong’s main project is to recharge and circulate the energy of the body and work through blockages in the body’s energy-information system. Once circulation is well-established, all the internal organs can be cleansed, by means of increased energy circulation. This cleansing effect, with practice, reaches deep into our tissues, and, as the energy pathways flow more freely and clearly, all the way down into the cells and our DNA, encouraging the expression of healthy genetic information. And with this change–of these newly energized and cleansed organs–the mind and the body consciousness become connected. The mind becomes connected with the body, and the internal organs connect to each other, and learn to balance and harmonize each other. Once they are connected and can communicate well, the internal environment of our body becomes a powerful force in communications with other people in our lives.  For example, anger, love, worry, fear, sadness–everything depends on the body on the inside in terms of how we respond to the outside world. When we have cleaned, strengthened, and harmonized ourselves internally, we respond in a different style, a different manner, compared with before. Inside, we begin to develop our connection to the cellular consciousness, to the organs’ consciousness, and then it’s easy to come out with a new response to situations. The wisdom from the inside, the intelligence from the inside, tells us maybe this is a good idea; and these communications come quickly, and are more effective than our previous strategies. You can call it intuition, or universal connection, or wisdom.

In the view of Yi Ren Medical Qigong, what’s happening is this: the internal organs form a communication network through Energetic Operational System (EOS), which, as we practice and learn to listen to our bodies, offers suggestions and solutions to each member of the network. If one member only has one way of responding to a situation, but is connected and able to communicate instantly with the other members, the others can offer balance and harmony; when the heart or the liver is stimulated, it can tell the lungs or stomach, help me–right now, I am in this situation, how do I deal with this? The heart, or the liver, gets advice–so to speak–very quickly, and then responds in a better way than it would have on its own. This improved internal communication network ramifies into our external environment, to our great satisfaction. In this way, we become able to break out of unproductive habitual patterns–patterns we may have wished to change years ago, or patterns that we might only recently have become aware of through enhanced energy awareness.

It’s not like we don’t have emotions, we just find the appropriate degree of the emotion–the degree that agrees with the body’s capacity for holding that emotion. And, once we know the body, if we find ourselves with an excessive degree, we learn how to harmonize and balance that emotion, rather than being at its mercy. Throughout this process, our communications increase in depth and quality as well. Our internal communication network and our activated EOS provide a more accurate lens. Without EOS in place, its much harder to have real communication; we really only see what it is we think were seeing, and that is a very limited mental perception. It’s not a visceral perception; it’s not something we can feel in our bodies–therefore we may not really know the entire truth of something, and maybe the real truth of it. To develop the EOS and internal communication network requires practice. And the precondition for uniting the mind with the consciousness of the body is a peaceful mind and internal authentic Qi (vital energy) cultivation. When we get peaceful and connect to the body’s consciousness, our will is more practical, more close to reality—because were in more direct communication with reality. A peaceful mind allows us to hear the body’s signals and alarm system, because authentic Qi cultivation empowers the mind to become synchronized with the consciousness of the body.

In a sense, when we practice Yi Ren Medical Qigong, we are doing body meditation, down into the deepest layers of the body and the body’s consciousness and memories. Living from our true self becomes practical and real, our spiritual connection grounded to physical reality, as we become better acquainted with this friend that has been with us all along.

***********

Note: A Medical Qigong Self Care Program has been scheduled on October 14-17, 2016 in Crowne Plaza Hotel – 2 Somerset Parkway, Nashua, NH 03063.  If you are interested in Medical Qigong training, more detailed information at http://www.iqim.org/medical-qigong-self-care-program-2016-2017-new-hampshire/

________________________________

About the author

Jill Gonet, MFA earned her B.A. at the University of Massachusetts, and her M.F.A. from the University of Washington. Her writing has appeared in numerous literary journals over the years, including Poetry, Ploughshares, The New England Review, The Gettysburg Review, The Best American Poetry, and The Best of the Best American Poetry, among others. She is the recipient of awards from the Poetry Society of America, as well as grants from the Seattle Arts Commission. She has been interested in ancient Daoist classics since her high school years, and has studied Dao De Jing– the Way of Virtues, Yi Jing– the Book of Change, Ling Shu– the Spiritual Pivot, Zhuang-Zi, and Lie-Zi, diligently. She has meditated and practiced Qigong daily for over 20 years. She has combined her interests in writing, Chinese culture, and the art of internal cultivation by collaborating on many writings with Dr. Sun. She is the author of two books: Red Pellet, Golden Bones and Riding the Phoenix to Penglai.

In order to be licensed as a naturopathic doctor in the state of New Hampshire, a stringent set of requirements must be met including graduation from an accredited naturopathic school and the passing of rigorous Naturopathic board exams.

In addition, each licensee must be in good moral and legal standing. Maintaining an active license requires the yearly completion of continuing education.

Naturopathic doctors are required to display their license in the office. There are people who claim to be naturopathic doctors (NDs) who have not met these requirements. It is always within your right, and advisable, to confirm that your doctor is indeed licensed in New Hampshire.

Often in social situations or even sitting with patients, I often hear the word “homeopathy” used as an encompassing term or phrase to describe what I do.

“Oh, you’re a homeopathic doctor!” or “So, you do homeopathy?”, they say. “Actually, I’m a naturopathic doctor,” I reply, and proceed to give a brief explanation of the difference, as this is a common misconception.

I understand it can be slightly confusing. Homeopathy is the use of minute doses of natural substance (homeopathic remedies), and naturopathic medicine often uses natural methods of treatment. The truth is that they are entirely separate forms of medicine, with unique definitions, philosophies, and applications.

Here are the definitions:

Naturopathic Medicine

“Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care profession, emphasizing prevention, treatment, and optimal health through the use of therapeutic methods and substances that encourage individuals’ inherent self-healing process. The practice of naturopathic medicine includes modern and traditional, scientific, and empirical methods.” (as defined by the AANP, our national organization)

Homeopathy

“Homeopathy, or homeopathic medicine, is a medical philosophy and practice based on the idea that the body has the ability to heal itself. Homeopathy was founded in the late 1700s in Germany and has been widely practiced throughout Europe. Homeopathic medicine views symptoms of illness as normal responses of the body as it attempts to regain health. A homeopathic health practitioner (homeopath) uses pills or liquid mixtures (solutions) containing only a little of an active ingredient (usually a plant or mineral) for treatment of disease.” (via WebMD)

In naturopathic medical school training, homeopathy is one of the philosophies/modalities studied. Just as NDs are also taught herbal medicine, nutrition, etc, we are educated in the use of homeopathy as a tool in treating patients.

Depending on which ND you choose to see, some may utilize more or less homeopathy than others based on their training or experience.

Here is a chart which compares the two:

Homeopathy

• National Center for Homeopathy

Naturopathic Medicine

• The New Hampshire Association of Naturopathic Doctors
• The American Association of Naturopathic Doctors
• Dr. Amy Rothenberg, ND – column in Huffington Post.

Cardiovascular disease is defined as disease of the heart and/or blood vessels.

One in three people die of cardiovascular disease worldwide and it is still the number one(heart) and third(stroke) causes of death in the United States. In children under 15 years of age cardiovascular disease ranks as the second cause of death after accidents. Today one in three people has some form of cardiovascular disease.

Heart disease kills more women than men in the United States. Cardiovascular disease of all forms killed 419,730 women in 2008, while all forms of cancer combined killed 270,210 that year. (1) Women over 40 are generally careful about having their annual mammograms and pap smears but how many of you are having your heart disease risk evaluated each year? Cardiovascular disease kills 10 times more women than breast cancer each year in the US(1).

Heart Attack Symptoms

Men typically experience the classic signs and symptoms of heart attack with crushing left sided chest pain that radiates to the left arm or jaw.

However, women commonly report weakness or fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, nausea or vomiting, and palpitations. At least 40% of women have no chest pain. They may have upper back, neck, shoulder or abdominal discomfort.

If I have healthy cholesterol numbers and normal blood pressure am I still at risk for cardiovascular disease?

Yes you are! More than 50% of heart attack victims have what is considered to be “normal” cholesterol numbers and may or may not be taking statin drugs. Blood pressure elevations is commonly a mid to late stage indicator of issues of your blood vessels rather than an early marker.

What testing do you do to assess if I’m at risk for cardiovascular disease?

A naturopathic doctor advocate more in depth testing than monitoring cholesterol and blood pressure to assess your risk of cardiovascular disease. Clearly obesity, smoking, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise are all independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In addition, there are tests for inflammatory markers, clotting factors, oxidation, genetic predisposition, hormones, nutrient deficiencies, glucose, and your LDL and HDL particle size to determine if you are at increased risk.

For patients with high cardiovascular disease risk, are often referred to cardiology specialists for further evaluation and intervention. However, the reversal of cardiovascular disease is a healthy lifestyle as proven by Dean Ornish, M.D. and other leading cardiologists who emphasize diet and lifestyle therapies similar to what we recommend. Please watch the movie FORKS OVER KNIVES to be convinced!

What kind of treatments do you prescribe to reverse my risk for cardiovascular disease?

The foundation for all good health is an anti-inflammatory diet, appropriate exercise and rest. A ND will look at each of your individual risk factors for cardiovascular disease assessed from the above testing and make supplement and plant medicine prescriptions based on your specific needs.

What are some nutrient deficiencies that predispose me to increased cardiovascular disease risk?

Vitamin K2 is an important nutrient necessary to prevent chronic inflammation, osteoporosis and arterial calcification. Many patients are told to avoid leafy green vegetables which are high in Vitamin K1 if they are taking Coumadin to prevent clotting. Vitamin K2 can be eaten in egg yolks, organ meats and cheese and dairy products.

The B vitamins, vitamin C and D3 are important for preventing endothelial damage from scarring and inflammation. Omega 3 fatty acids have also been shown to prevent plaque formation.

Plant compounds in berries, cherries, pomegranate and green tea all protect the endothelial cells from inflammation. Garlic helps to reduce oxidation of LDL which promotes inflammation.

How does hormone optimization protect me from cardiovascular disease?

Women in menopause and men with low testosterone(2) and elevated estradiol are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease because low levels of sex hormones are associated with less removal of cholesterol from arterial walls. As mentioned above women are more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than men after age 40.(1)

Adrenal and thyroid hormone optimization are necessary as well to prevent plaque formation. A study in 2010 showed women with very low DHEA levels had twice as much risk of dying of coronary artery disease than women with high levels. (3)

The beauty of naturopathic clinical practice is we integrate all these risk factors and therapies when evaluating and treating our patients. Contact a licensed ND for your cardiovascular disease risk assessment and personalized treatment plan to prevent these primary causes of mortality in the United States.

Diet & Lifestyle Counseling

Ignoring what a patient eats has been part of contemporary medicine for far too long and the results are obvious. Nutrition and diet are central to your health. Understanding that food provides not only the fuel for your body but also the resources to function and heal is central to good medicine. What you eat and moving your body are essential to feeling great. A healthy diet definitely doesn’t mean eating bland food.

I strongly believe in meeting you where you are and working with you to develop healthy dietary and exercise habits, without raising your stress level.

Supplement Protocols & Botanical Medicine

I relies on high-quality professional supplements and botanicals to support your health. As a naturopathic doctor, I have extensive training in vetting supplement manufacturers and takes quality very seriously. There are many supplements companies that put profit before quality and fail to test their products for harmful ingredients like solvents, heavy metals, pesticides or adulterants. When needed, supplements may be recommended that have been chosen for their superior absorption, purity and potency to help support your health. When appropriate, I can utilize and prescribes pharmaceuticals drugs. Striving for solutions that are the least invasive and have low side effects is my goal, which may includes vitamins, minerals and botanical supplementation.

Intravenous/Intramuscular Therapy

Sometimes I utilize injection therapy as part of your treatment plan. When digestion is compromised, this can be a powerful tool to overcome poor absorption and ensure direct delivery of nutrients or antioxidants. Intravenous and intramuscular injections offers speedy delivery of nutrients to help boost energy and mood, support brain and cardiac function, enhance sleep and a host of other benefits.

Addressing Hidden Obstacles

We live in a complicated world now where there may be hidden obstacles negatively impacting your health. Due to the increasingly toxic world we live in, it is important not to overlook what we are exposed to in our daily lives and how well our bodies eliminate waste materials and toxins. For example, toxic burden has now been shown to put you at greater risk for diabetes than excess abdominal fat. Another powerful example of how toxins can detract from our health is the effect of BPA’s (Bishenol A) on breast health. BPA’s stimulate breast cancer cells to multiply. Environmental toxins disrupt proper hormone balance and can lead to many symptoms and health conditions. I will educate and empower you to gradually reduce your exposure to these hidden obstacles and provide you with targeted treatments that promote their elimination.

Detoxification

One of my passions is supporting detoxification as a mechanism for health improvement. I developed a comprehensive detox program: Accelerated Cellular Healing (A.C.H.) Detoxification. The ACH Detox removes harmful wastes and toxins at the cellular level, the smallest units of human life. ACH promotes the safe release and elimination of toxins. This is a vital concept in detoxification. It is essential to not only release toxins from your cells but also to ensure that your body is able to effectively move the toxins out of your body so they don’t linger.

Ancient Traditions

Humans have survived for many millennia by developing healing traditions that allowed our species to survive. Hydrotherapy, massage, sweat lodges, meditation and fasting are just some of the numerous tools that have a long and efficacious history in medicine. While I am passionate about the science and individual biochemistry side of medicine, she may also incorporate some ancient healing modalities that will help you increase vitality and wellness. For instance, ice packs will quickly reduce swelling to a twisted ankle while contrast hydrotherapy (warm and hot applications) may be used to help increase circulation and healing to the site of a chronic traumatic injury. While you won’t be sent to a sweat lodge, exercise or a sauna might be prescribed to encourage detoxification through sweating, a great way to increase circulation and eliminate toxins. Again, it will depend on what is right for the unique you!

Pharmaceuticals

Although not typically the first line of treatment, there are occasions when pharmaceuticals are needed to support optimal health. For example, pharmaceutical may help in reducing or controlling symptoms while the underlying causes are explored and addressed. Pharmaceuticals can also be critical in addressing certain acute conditions. Bio-Identical Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone may also be utilized to support and optimize your health. Taking advantage of the best science and medicine has to offer means using the most appropriate treatment options (with the least side-effects) to maximize your health.

Referrals

The African proverb ‘It Takes a Village’ often holds true in contemporary medicine. Optimizing your health may involve referrals to other health care providers. In addition, some patients may already be working with one or multiple doctors. I welcome and enjoy working collaboratively with your other health care providers and may refer you to specialists who can assist in your path to robust health.

Allergies are a sign of an overactive immune system.

In response to a trigger, depending on the kind of allergy, the body’s immune system will mount a response that releases intracellular, chemical messages of inflammation in various parts of the body, including the ears, eyes, mouth, nose, throat, skin and gastrointestinal tract.

What triggers allergies?

Triggers can include inhalants like pollen from our environment, foods that we eat and chemicals that we inhale, ingest or touch.

Allergic responses can be innate or acquired. They can occur immediately after exposure, or take more time to express as symptoms.

The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology reports that about 30% of American adults and 40% of children experience nasal allergies (NEED REFERENCE).

Many naturopathic doctors would probably estimate that number to be higher, as we find that many of our patients who experience different kinds of respiratory concerns such as chronic sinusitis, repeat sinus infections and chronic post-nasal drip likely have an underlying imbalance that is leading to a slow allergic response in their nasal mucosa that heals when the imbalance is corrected.

How Naturopathic Doctors Diagnose Allergies

Whenever a patient presents with a variety of concerns, including gastrointestinal distress, skin issues, musculoskeletal pain, and ears, nose, mouth and throat issues, a naturopathic doctor will consider that they have an underlying imbalance in one of multiple areas.

The areas we examine as a source for an allergic, overactive immune system response include digestion, hormonal balance and detoxification. Chronic distress in any of these systems often leads to imbalance in another, and eventually a disturbance in healthy immune system function.

Allergy Tests

To evaluate whether any of these systems are out of balance, a naturopathic doctor will conduct a thorough medical history inquiry, physical exam and potentially order specialty lab tests.

Some of these tests could include tests for food sensitivities, dysbiosis, gastrointestinal inflammation or “leaky gut,” hormonal balance, toxic body burden and/or specific detoxification mechanisms.

Treating Allergies with Naturopathic Medicine

Treatments will generally have the goals of removing any injurious agents, restoring health to the injured systems and providing symptomatic relief while systems are healing.

Therapies can include dietary changes, nutritional supplementation, herbal medicine, homeopathy, detoxification and IV nutrition.

Pediatric Allergies

Allergies can have a higher prevalence in a pediatric population due to their developing immune systems. Many infants, toddlers and children can suffer from a trifecta of allergies, asthma and eczema.

In a naturopathic patient population, many of these concerns are alleviated after evaluating gastrointestinal function and treating any underlying concerns. This sets the child up for improved lifelong health, and also potentially prevents further issues that can arise from an imbalanced immune system.