If you’ve been to one of our centers, I’m sure you’ve seen the large leather recliner chairs, often containing a patient, busy on their smartphone, tablet or reading a book while on the receiving end of an intravenous drip. Over the next few Health Tips, I’ll be talking about what these infusions are used for […]
Category: Functional Medicine
Functional medicine is an individualized approach to medicine that focuses on the underlying causes and prevention of serious chronic disease rather than disease symptoms.
VITAMIN B-12: OUR MOST POTENT VITAMIN
Over the years of writing Health Tips, I was surprised to discover that one I’d written a few years ago about Vitamin B 12 Deficiency had received the most comments and questions from readers. Since there have been some interesting developments in both the diagnosis and treatment of B12 deficiency, and since B12 deficiency remains […]
WHEN YOU’RE NOT GETTING HELP WITH YOUR THYROID
Let’s start with two thyroid facts: The diagnosis of hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid hormone) is missed by most physicians. Patients arrive with obvious symptoms of hypothyroidism every doctor learned in medical school: sensitivity to cold, hair loss, weight gain, dry skin, fatigue, constipation, depression, irregular periods, and infertility. The doctor listens, sometimes attentively, and […]
HEAVY METALS AND YOUR HEALTH
For those who were inattentive that day long ago in high school chemistry, the “heavy metals” refer to a group of especially dense metals or metal-like substances (called metalloids) found in our environment. Best left outside and not inside our bodies. These metals–specifically lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and aluminum–unfortunately can all be absorbed by your […]
IS A ‘LEAKY BRAIN’ THE CAUSE OF YOUR ‘BRAIN FOG’?
If you’ve been troubled by any of the symptoms listed below and your doctor(s), including your neurologist, has told you, “We can’t find anything wrong,” you probably should get tested for ‘leaky brain’ syndrome’ (LBS). It’s the same mechanism behind the familiar ‘leaky gut’ (a/k/a intestinal hyperpermeability) which took conventional physicians decades to accept as […]
Delay Aging and Monitor Your Progress
Most people figure they must be getting older based on how they feel and look. We wince at our first grey hair, deepening wrinkles, and shifting body fat. We huff and puff climbing the stairs, forget names, and occasionally leak fluids. We relate to the line from a Leonard Cohen song, “I ache in the […]
Repair Your Gut…Immediately
Last week, I talked about how naturopathic and functional medicine experts often start the healing journey (and aim to prevent future health issues) by focusing on the 30-foot digestive tract running from your mouth to your anus. The essence of good gut health is essentially how well you’re digesting, absorbing, and using the food you […]
What is “FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE”? and Can it Help Me?
More and more new patients to the WholeHealth Chicago Network are asking for a “functional approach” to their longstanding undiagnosed symptoms. Many times these are digestive in origin (bloating, GERD, food intolerances), but other symptoms are vague: “fatigue”, “brain fog”, or just “feeling old”. They’ve been reading about “Functional Medicine”, but when asked their primary […]
I’m Taking So Many Meds! What Can I Stop? Part One: Antidepressants
Although many new patients arrive at WholeHealth Chicago with chronic symptoms and a history of no help elsewhere (“You’re my 12th doctor.”). Others pour out a bagful of medications with a mournful, “I’ve got to get off of some of these!”. Going off a bevy of psych meds is a popular request, especially when the […]
Reversing Cognitive Decline and Preventing Alzheimer’s
You saw a movie last week and in discussing it with friends simply can’t remember the important parts. Plus you just missed another appointment. Planning to drive to a north suburb, you instead got on the southbound expressway and after 15 minutes of Loop traffic realized your error. You’re mixing up words and forgetting too […]
Wellness Path To Cancer Prevention 2024
After a certain age, every person fears getting cancer (and believe me, doctors are just as fearful as everyone else!). Being told, “I’m sorry but the biopsy confirmed it. You have cancer,” or “we need to find you a good oncologist,” is a moment you will remember the rest of your life. As you leave […]
“Your Tests Are Negative. There’s Nothing Wrong. I Think You Need A Psychiatrist.”
I hope you never have to hear these words from any doctor. Dismissive and ending anything useful you hoped from a consultation. You scheduled this appointment months earlier. You wanted help for longstanding and unexplained symptoms. But you’re also not stupid. You actually have an idea what might be wrong. You’ve read a book or […]
If You Play Your Cards Right, You’ll Live Longer Than You Think.
If you make healthy choices, you can live longer than you think. Exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding excess salt are key. Consider anti-aging supplements, like curcumin and green tea extract. Don’t forget basics like vitamin D and vitamin C. Stay healthy and enjoy a longer, happier life.
The Predicted Covid Uptick is Back: Here’s What To Do.
In response to the resurgence of COVID-19 cases, it’s imperative to remain vigilant and proactive. Recent events, including a busy Labor Day weekend with increased Paxlovid prescriptions and rising hospitalizations, signal the virus’s ongoing presence. Acting swiftly, even before a positive test result, is advised if you experience mild to moderate COVID symptoms within the first five days, especially if you’re at risk of severe complications. Regular self-testing and monitoring kit expiration dates are essential. Strengthening your immune system through supplements like Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and zinc is crucial. For maximum potency, consider the Immune Boost IV, which delivers nutrients directly to your cells. Stay informed about COVID booster recommendations and mask precautions while remaining vigilant in these challenging times. Be well and prioritize the health of yourself and your loved ones.
Gluten Triggers Visible Brain Inflammation In Mice
Don’t breathe a sigh of relief because you don’t have whiskers and a tail. Our digestive systems, and their immune response to gluten, happen to be very similar. If you’re a new patient at any of the WholeHealth Chicago offices, arriving for help with a symptom or symptoms that may have been going on for […]
Platelet Rich Plasma for My Joints! My Hair! My Vagina! Oh My!
PLATELET RICH PLASMA INJECTIONS (PRP) HAS BEEN PROVEN TO HELP WITH CHRONIC JOINT PAIN, HAIR LOSS, AND TROUBLES WITH YOUR VAGINA
I Just Don’t Feel Right, and My Tests Are Normal.
Readers of these Health Tips know the usual suspects we look for at WholeHealth Chicago: chronic Lyme disease, toxic mold, multiple chemical sensitivities, but to me, as a physician, the most exasperating source of symptoms are those caused by correctly taken drugs, whether over-the-counter or prescribed by another physician. Because when this is the case, […]
How To Take Care Of Your Gut
I must admit being intrigued by a New York Times article earlier this month entitled, “How a Gastroenterologist Cares for Her Gut”, because, let’s face it, we do a lot of “gut rehab” work here at WholeHealth Chicago. I was curious about the conventional recommendations. In fact, all of us pretty much agree with the […]
Alternative Approaches For Your Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia, And Even A.D.D.
Maybe the increases in these diagnoses began with the COVID pandemic but more likely we just weren’t paying attention. We’ll not really know until a few years from now when statisticians look over the data, compare notes with each other, and can finally say, “Wow! Look at these numbers! More mood disorders, more anti-depressants and […]
This Health Tip Might Make You Anxious: Keep Reading
I scan all sorts of medical information sources to write these Health Tips. The usual ones that every doctor should be reading (JAMA, Medscape, etc.), but I don’t miss the New York Times and the Washington Post. I often find something I might have missed elsewhere. This article from the Times startled me, but it […]