Health Conditions > See the Complete List

ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a rare neurological disease that involves the nerve cells (neurons) that are responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement (chewing, walking, talking, etc). The disease is progressive, and the symptoms usually get worse overtime. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is 2-5 years, but some may live for decades. The general causes of ALS are environmental toxin exposure and genetics. ALS is a fatal disease. There is no definitive test to diagnose one with ALS with 100% certainly.  It is only by clinical monitoring that one can discern the ALS diagnosis. Our goal is to rule out other potential, treatable etiology, such as Lyme disease, and other chronic infections or inflammatory conditions, that can mimic ALS. Since 2003, we have seen 1000’s of patients with symptoms similar to ALS. Upon further investigation, we have found in many patients the diagnosis was in fact a tick borne illness and treatable. Managing symptoms of ALS is possible with dietary and supplementation therapies, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, acupuncture, prescription cannabis and medical massage.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive mental deterioration that can occur in middle or old age, due to generalized degeneration of the brain. The general cause is considered an abnormal build-up of proteins in and around the brain cells. Additionally, genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors can contribute to the likelihood of developing the disease. Symptoms include memory loss and cognitive difficulties. Overtime, these symptoms typically worsen and lead to dementia and difficulty in overall life functioning.  We look for the underlying cause, especially if it presents as a sudden onset and rapid decline. In these situations, we have found that the causation of symptoms can be related to chronic infection, especially tick-borne illness and slow growing viruses. Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy, IV therapies, along with treatment of the underlying possible infection can reduce symptoms or resolve them.

Anaplasmosis is a disease caused by a deer tick bite, primarily the blacklegged tick and Western Blacklegged tick. Like Lyme, they are both vector-borne bacterium and have interrelated symptoms. Anaplasmosis is sometimes referred to as a co-infection of Lyme disease as they are often seen together. Common symptoms include fever, severe headache, muscle ache or loss of muscle use, chills and shaking, nausea, abdominal pain, weight loss, change in mood, brain fog, loss of kidney function, and weakened immune system responses. When Lyme testing is done, anaplasmosis should be included in order to prescribe proper treatment. 

It is important to note that pharmaceutical and supplementation interventions to treat this tick born illness may be different than that used for the treatment of the Lyme bacteria. Therefore, treating co-infections as one would Lyme is not only ineffective but also inappropriate. The Stram Center has been diagnosing and treating Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses since 2003 and has seen more than 15,000 Lyme patients. This extensive clinical experience allows the Stram Center providers to recognize and properly diagnosis. In addition, we understand that testing alone is not a sole diagnostic tool, as currently the tests available can present with unreliable results. While we may use labs that offer better, more sensitive tests than what is conventionally used, the clinical diagnosis is paramount and in line with the CDC’s recognition of this fact. We do not follow the outdated guidelines for diagnosis and treatment set by the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) which is what most health insurance companies align with. For this reason, among others, we do not contract with insurance which allows us to diagnose and treat properly using specific antibiotics, sometimes for extended periods, other medications, along with supplementation and dietary interventions, IV therapies and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, when indicated. We are proud to say that we have helped 1,000’s of patients regain their lives from chronic untreated/misdiagnosed Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

Anti-Aging is the delaying of the aging process. Aging occurs when there is cell death. As you age you lose some of your hearing, the heart gets weaker, and joints get stiffer. Lifestyle and diet play a huge role in the aging process. However, there are therapies at the Stram Center that can delay and slow down cell death, which can lead you to feel more energized! Some of these include hyperbaric oxygen therapy, nutrition protocols, acupuncture, IV therapies, and supplementation.

Anxiety is understood as intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Rapid breathing, sweating, fatigue, and an increased heart rate are common symptoms. Minor anxiety can be a normal reaction to stress, however, if it is all-consuming and interferes with daily living, it is considered to be an indicator of an underlying condition.

Recent research strongly suggests a connection between a healthy gut microbiome and mental health. The Stram Center can do advanced testing to determine the status of one’s intestinal health and what impact it may play in the Gut-Brain dynamic. Mental health counseling can be important to combating anxiety when it is not a normal reaction to stress. Acupuncture and medical massage can be a good complimentary therapy.

Arthritis Rheumatoid is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, specifically those in the feet and hands. In this condition, the body’s immune system attacks its own tissue and joints. Symptoms include painful swelling, bone erosion, and joint deformity. There are many triggers to Arthritis Rheumatoid, specifically chronic illness, such as past Strep infection and untreated Lyme disease, food allergies (specifically gluten) and genetic predisposition are common. It is important to note, that often we see patients who are misdiagnosed with RA, when in fact they have a chronic tick-borne illness, such as Lyme.

At the Stram Center, we will examine and determine the true root cause of one’s symptoms and treat the problem. Dietary intervention, anti-inflammatory herbal supplements, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, treatment of the infectious etiology, if present, are tantamount to successful outcomes.

Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up inside your arteries. Overtime, this plaque hardens and narrows your arteries which limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs. Contributing causes of atherosclerosis is high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, smoking, insulin resistance, obesity, and inflammation. Symptoms of atherosclerosis are chest pain or angina, pain in your leg, arm, and other places that have blocked arteries, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle weakness, and confusion.

An integrative approach at the Stram Center will always look at one’s diet, lifestyle, predisposition and other conditions that can contribute to this disease. Advance risk assessment testing is available at the Stram Center that is not typically offered at other medicine practices, which helps us to determine root cause of this condition.

Babesiosis is a life-threatening infection of the red blood cells that is caused a deer tick bite. The signs and symptoms of Babesiosis include chills, fever, nausea, vomiting, neurological issues, muscle aches, and overall body aches. Often times, Babesiosis is present as a co-infection of Lyme disease and therefore testing for Babesiosis should be performed when symptoms present. Treatment for Babesiosis, a tick-borne illness, is essential to eradicating this disease. Any assessment of Lyme disease will most often include several of the co-infections such as Babesiosis. It is important to note that pharmaceutical and supplementation interventions to treat this tick born illness may be different than that used for the treatment of the Lyme bacteria. Therefore, treating co-infections as one would Lyme is not only ineffective but also inappropriate. The Stram Center has been diagnosing and treating Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses since 2003 and has seen more than 15,000 Lyme patients. This extensive clinical experience allows the Stram Center providers to recognize and properly diagnosis. In addition, we understand that testing alone is not a sole diagnostic tool, as currently the tests available can present with unreliable results. While we may use labs that offer better, more sensitive tests than what is conventionally used, the clinical diagnosis is paramount and in line with the CDC’s recognition of this fact. We do not follow the outdated guidelines for diagnosis and treatment set by the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) which is what most health insurance companies align with. For this reason, among others, we do not contract with insurance which allows us to diagnose and treat properly using specific antibiotics, sometimes for extended periods, other medications, along with supplementation and dietary interventions, IV therapies and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, when indicated. We are proud to say that we have helped 1,000’s of patients re-gain their lives from chronic untreated/misdiagnosed Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

Bartonella is a bacterium that lives inside the lining of the blood vessels that is caused by a deer tick bite. Like Lyme, they are both vector-borne bacterium and have interrelated symptoms. Often times, Bartonella is present as a co-infection of Lyme disease and therefore testing for Bartonella should be performed when symptoms present. Symptoms can vary depending on the person, however, common symptoms include fever, insomnia, fatigue, brain fog, memory loss, blurred vision, loss of coordination, muscle pain, swollen glands around the neck, arms and head, and headaches.

Any assessment of Lyme disease will most often include several of the co-infections such as Bartonella. It is important to note that pharmaceutical and supplementation interventions to treat this tick born illness may be different than that used for the treatment of the Lyme bacteria. Therefore, treating co-infections as one would Lyme is not only ineffective but also inappropriate. The Stram Center has been diagnosing and treating Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses since 2003 and has seen more than 15,000 Lyme patients. This extensive clinical experience allows the Stram Center providers to recognize and properly diagnosis. In addition, we understand that testing alone is not a sole diagnostic tool, as currently the tests available can present with unreliable results. While we may use labs that offer better, more sensitive tests than what is conventionally used, the clinical diagnosis is paramount and in line with the CDC’s recognition of this fact. We do not follow the outdated guidelines for diagnosis and treatment set by the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) which is what most health insurance companies align with. For this reason, among others, we do not contract with insurance which allows us to diagnose and treat properly using specific antibiotics, sometimes for extended periods, other medications, along with supplementation and dietary interventions, IV therapies and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, when indicated. We are proud to say that we have helped 1,000’s of patients regain their lives from chronic untreated/misdiagnosed Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroy body tissue. There are many different types of cancers, and the general causes can are environmental affects (sun exposure, radiation), diet, smoking, and genetics. However, random incidents occur as well without any genetic factors or other more common causes. There are many symptoms depending on the type of cancer, however, general symptoms are bladder changes, bleeding or bruising for no known reason, bowel issues, coughs, eating issues, weight loss, fatigue, and overall pain.

The Stram Center has been treating cancer patients since 2003. While we have not  utilized conventional therapies such as chemotherapy or radiation, we understand when these therapies are beneficial and also know there are more options than typically are given to patients in the traditional oncology environment. Patients with a diagnosis of cancer can receive ALL their options in a consultation with Dr. Stram which may include integrative cancer therapies like high dose intravenous vitamin C: known to be an effective agent in killing cancer cells and inhibit disease progression; hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT): which  creates an environment toxic to cancer cells in addition to enhancing the effects of chemotherapy uptake, and IV Vitamin C, reduces side effects of radiation, and encourages cellular repair and regeneration; anti-cancer diets and nutritional therapies to optimize energy levels and maintain lean body mass; as well as medical cannabis. Each type of integrative cancer plan is customized for the patient. In some cases, both traditional treatments (chemotherapy and/or radiation) are done in conjunction with these therapies if the diagnosis warrants this approach.