I was diagnosed w/ Epstein-Barr last summer…
My main symptoms are sore muscles and extreme fatigue. What can help me recover from this?
Thank you for your question. Over the years, we have worked with many people who have chronic Epstein Barr Virus (EBV). EBV has been implicated as a possible cause to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
But often, we see that people feel generalized fatigue, muscle aches, or frequent illnesses. This is mostly due to the fact that there is often an increased level of chronic antibodies to the virus. We don’t know exactly what this does in the body, and there is no conventional treatment to address this. However, at the Center, we can help treat this by decreasing viral antibodies through specialized diets, increasing liver and immune function, and increasing cellular metabolism with specific vitamins and nutrients, orally and/or intravenously with our IV therapies.
I have many health issues since a very young age but fibromyalgia…
is the big one now. I have been to a clinical nutritionist and have done many organic treatments myself. Do you treat fibro?
Fibromyalgia may have many causes. Often we find that there is a link between nutritional status and gastrointestinal health to fibromyalgia.
At the Stram Center for Integrative Medicine, we can look into these different causes by offering specialized food allergy testing, and a comprehensive digestive stool analysis. We then may supplement with the appropriate vitamins, nutrients, and herbs to restore digestive health. Once the digestive tract is in good health, the rest of the body soon follows, providing less pain and increased energy.
Do you do tageted amino acid therapy?...
I have two adopted daughters who suffer from ptsd, anxiety and sleep issues and heard that that is very helpful.
Yes, we do offer targeted amino acid therapy at the Center. First we test neurotransmitter and cortisol levels through urine and saliva.
This is a take home test and samples are shipped to an independent lab. Then from the results we develop a protocol that is specific to each individual. We have helped many with depression, anxiety, and insomnia. We also recommend concurrently seeking therapy in conjunction with amino acid therapy as a more complete approach to your health goals.
I have been taking Nexium for three years for GERD…
My regular doctor discourages me from going off Nexium. The cause of my GERD has not been determined and my doctor discourages testing. Is there any hope for me to ever stop taking Nexium?
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a chronic condition most often times due to problems with the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
The most common cause is that the LES relaxes too frequently leading to excessive acid exposure in the esophagus. Over time, this constant exposure will cause inflammation, and, though rare, could eventually lead to a type of cancer called Barret’s esophagus. Another cause is a hiatal hernia, where the LES is elevated above the diaphragm. The diaphragm in part, assists with the closure of the LES. The most common cause of a hiatal hernia is obesity, since increased abdominal contents increases abdominal pressure that pushes up on the stomach. This is also the same mechanism seen in pregnancy.
Factors that lead to LES insufficiency are eating habits and diet. There are also many natural supplements that can help with decreasing esophageal and gastric inflammation and decrease healing time.
I have been diagnosed with mental illness…
and have tried dozens of drugs over the past ten years that compromise my health. Can you give your opinion on 5 HTP?
5-HTP stands for 5-hydroxytryptophan and comes from the amino acid tryptophan. This amino acid is a precursor to neurotransmitters such as serotonin.
As a Naturopath, I try to look into all factors that may be causing a mental or physical illness. At the Center, we offer neurotransmitter testing. We also have an experienced psychiatric nurse practitioner experienced in behavior and talk therapy. Integrative and holistic health care is often not just about taking one supplement, or replacing a medicine with a supplement. It often takes many approaches whether diet, exercise, talk or behavioral therapy, supplementation, or medication, to assist someone on their way to health.
I was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure 2 years ago…
I tried hormone replacement and IVF and could not get pregnant. Can acupuncture and Chinese medicine help me?
Chinese medicine can help a woman with premature ovarian failure achieve pregnancy by addressing the circulatory and endocrine systems.
Acupuncture, herbs, supplements and overall lifestyle changes can improve your general health. These protocols have been seen clinically to improve egg quality and regulate the period and have been successfully implemented at our Center.
The efficacy of the above mentioned treatments are dependent on several factors including your age, lifestyle changes you are able to make and depending on how high it is, your FSH. If you’d like to discuss further please call the Center at (518) 689-2244.
Is there a blood test for very thorough screening for full-blown food allergies…
as well as food sensitivities?
This is a very common question that we receive at our Center. We offer independent blood food allergy testing that reports the full spectrum of sensitivities through all allergies.
Since sensitivities can over time, become full blown allergies testing for the full spectrum of sensitivities can be very valuable health information. At the Stram Center for Integrated Medicine we help our patients understand what exact dietary changes they need to make in order to feel healthy and vibrant.
Food allergies are reactions to foods that cause a more immediate systemic immune response in the body. These “IgE food allergies” are most widely accepted and tested for by medical doctors. IgE is what is responsible for an immediate reaction causing hives, swelling, and anaphylaxis. The most common foods that cause this type of allergic reaction are tree nuts and shellfish, but can also be cow’s milk, corn, wheat, soy, etc. A standard skin prick test or blood test is often used to diagnose this type of food allergy. Another type of food allergy, less widely tested for my medical doctors, often called food “sensitivity”, is an “IgG food allergy.” This type of allergy causes a delayed reaction, and therefore symptoms are often felt up to 48 hours after the food is ingested. These symptoms could include bloating, gas, cramping, bowel inconsistency, along with systemic symptoms such as muscle aches and pains, fatigue, headaches, joint pain, skin rash, swelling, and weight gain. IgG antibodies are most known to be made in response to gluten and gliadin in wheat, but can also be made to other proteins as well. IgG food allergens may be the cause for many physiological symptoms that interfere with healthy living.
I’m 41 years old and in pretty good shape except I have several small uterine fibroids…
which I would like to shrink before they get too big. What are the best natural treatments including diet available?
Uterine fibroids are a very common condition and seen in our office frequently.
Typically they do not cause symptoms unless they grow large in size or become numerous. Excess estrogen is thought to be the cause of uterine fibroids. Therefore, to reduce the size of fibroids, therapies are targeted to reducing total estrogen in the body. This is accomplished through dietary changes, increases in fiber and vegetables, and herbs to assist with estrogen metabolism and balancing. I reccommend professional guidance before following any dietary changes. Regular ultrasounds can be performed to determine the progress of fibroid size.
Over the past few years I have developed small white patches over my legs and arms…
My doctor has called the condition “stucco” but has not offered a treatment. Can my condition be helped or cured?
Stucco Keratosis is a very benign condition that presents as small white lesion on the lower extremities.
It commonly develops in males after the age of 45. In fact, it is found in up to 10% of elderly persons in America. It does not appear to be genetic, and there is not an exact known cause. Since it is benign, or non-harmful, there is not standard treatment for it. However, because it occurs in older persons, this condition may be due to a nutrient deficiency. Also, in my experience, many skin conditions can be resolved with changes in diet (especially if there are food allergies) and supplementation with specific nutrients. Vitamin and nutrient blood testing can also be performed to see if there are any nutritional deficiencies.
My son has a very poor sense of smell. I suspect it may be an allergy. Can you offer any advise?
There are many causes for poor sense of smell or loss of smell. The most common causes are usually related to inflammation caused by allergies and chronic sinus infections.
Other causes may include nasal polyps, toxicities, or head trauma. There are other systemic causes as well that can usually be diagnosed by blood work. If allergies are the cause, there are many natural options for decreasing inflammation. We could also look at doing a food allergy test, which is also a common cause of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, including the nasal passageways and sinuses.