2265 North Clybourn Avenue  •  Chicago, IL 60614  •  P: 773.296.6700   •  F: 773.296.1131
Category: Lyme Disease & Morgellons

Making Sense of “Controversial” Diagnoses

Posted on by Posted in Alternative Therapies, Blog, Diseases, Environmental Sensitivities, Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue, Healthy Lifestyle, Immune System, Inflammation, Integrative Medicine, Knowledge Base, Lyme Disease & Morgellons, M, Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements, Vitamins, & Herbal Remedies — 3 Comments ↓

I’m warning you in advance. You’re entering a minefield here, with explosive views among seemingly conservative health care professionals. At least wear a helmet. Protective eyewear wouldn’t hurt either. You wouldn’t think a slew of conditions you’ve heard about (including chronic Lyme disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic Epstein-Barr, toxic mold syndrome, food sensitivities, intestinal dysbiosis, chronic inflammatory response syndrome, and mast cell activation syndrome) Read More

Porochista Khakpour’s Ongoing Battle With Lyme

Posted on by Posted in Alternative Therapies, Blog, Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue, Healthy Lifestyle, Immune System, Integrative Medicine, Knowledge Base, Lyme Disease & Morgellons, Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements, Vitamins, & Herbal Remedies, S — 4 Comments ↓

In novelist Porochista Khakpour’s memoir Sick she describes her struggle with chronic Lyme disease and her uphill battle with the US healthcare system. Likely she had been bitten as a child by a long-forgotten tick, which is quite the usual case, the average age of acquiring Lyme disease being about 11. As a result of a youth defined by what’s best described as serious self-neglect Read More

The Stealth Bug From Hell: Chronic Lyme Disease

Posted on by Posted in Blog, Diseases, Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue, Immune System, Inflammation, Knowledge Base, Lyme Disease & Morgellons, Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements, Vitamins, & Herbal Remedies, S — 2 Comments ↓

Last week we discussed the stealthy nature of Lyme and other infectious organisms, like chickenpox. To start, this week I’ll say by now everyone should be familiar with the basics of avoiding acute Lyme disease. When you’re in the woods or tall grass wear long pants tucked into socks and a long-sleeved shirt, spray DEET over exposed areas and clothing, do frequent tick checks, and Read More

Chronic Lyme, Stealth Organisms, And You

Posted on by Posted in Blog, C, Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue, Immune System, Integrative Medicine, Knowledge Base, Lyme Disease & Morgellons — 6 Comments ↓

Over the past several months I’ve been reading memoirs of patients with chronic Lyme disease. When the victim is a celebrity (Ally Hilfiger, Kelly Osbourne), she’ll land a contract and a book tour with a mainstream publisher. When the victim just lives down the block but believes she has something important to say, she’ll self-publish through companies like lulu.com. Currently, there are more than 1,000 Read More

Controversial Diagnosis #6: Chronic Lyme Disease

Posted on by Posted in Alternative Therapies, Blog, C, Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue, Healthy Lifestyle, Immune System, Knowledge Base, Lyme Disease & Morgellons, Pain Management — 7 Comments ↓

Since no one argues about the existence of Lyme disease, right up front you should know that the controversy here centers on the word “chronic.” In my view, the arguments among physicians about whether or not such an entity exists are becoming a bit ridiculous. First, let’s briefly cover acute Lyme disease. Although certain states have more cases than others, acute Lyme disease has been Read More

Reversing Mental Decline Part 4: Nine Immediate Steps to Prevent Dementia

Posted on by Posted in Aging, Alternative Therapies, Blog, Cardiovascular Health, Healthy Lifestyle, Immune System, Inflammation, Integrative Medicine, Knowledge Base, Lyme Disease & Morgellons, Mental Health, Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements, Vitamins, & Herbal Remedies, R, Thyroid, Adrenal, & Sex Hormone Issues — 4 Comments ↓

We’ve covered a lot of scientific territory in this series, from the basics of Alzheimer’s to the tests used to evaluate risk. This final installment is something you can follow up on right now, regardless of where you fall on the risk spectrum. Concerning your brain, let’s say you’re in one of these four situations: There’s dementia in your family and you’ve checked your APOe Read More

Reversing Mental Decline Part 3: Tests For Alzheimer’s Prevention

Posted on by Posted in Aging, Alternative Therapies, Blog, Cardiovascular Health, Healthy Lifestyle, Immune System, Inflammation, Integrative Medicine, Knowledge Base, Lyme Disease & Morgellons, Mental Health, Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements, Vitamins, & Herbal Remedies, R, Thyroid, Adrenal, & Sex Hormone Issues — 1 Comment ↓

Dale Bredesen, MD, author of The End of Alzheimer’s: The First Program To Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline, refers to the tests you should undergo if you’re concerned about brain health as a “cognoscopy,” sort of a colonoscopy for your brain. Perhaps thinking back on your own colonoscopy, it’s reasonable to ask, “Do I really need a cognoscopy?” There are three groups of people I Read More

Your First Step For Any (Any!) Chronic Symptoms

Posted on by Posted in Allergies & Food Sensitivities, Alternative Therapies, Blog, Digestion, Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue, Immune System, Knowledge Base, Lyme Disease & Morgellons, Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements, Vitamins, & Herbal Remedies, Y — 10 Comments ↓

Here’s an unfortunate trend: more and more young people (at my age, everyone under 50 is young) are troubled by chronic physical and emotional symptoms. Sometimes there’s a diagnosis: rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s, fibromyalgia. But just as often there are plenty of symptoms and no diagnosis. I can’t count how many times patients have told me they went to multiple doctors who told them Read More

Lyme Disease Fundraiser, Just When We Need It Most

Posted on by Posted in Blog, Lyme Disease & Morgellons — 1 Comment ↓

Here are some well known people who have chronic Lyme disease: singer-songwriter-fashion designer Kelly Osbourne, TV star Ally Hilfiger (Tommy’s daughter), singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson, punk singer Kathleen Hanna, Marisol Thomas (wife of Rob Thomas), Real Housewife Yolanda Hadid and supermodel Bella Hadid, as well as Alec Baldwin, Amy Tan, and Avril Lavigne. Each of the links above goes to an article in which the celebrity Read More

Tagged with: , , ,

Invasion of the Body Snatchers!

Posted on by Posted in Alternative Therapies, Blog, Diseases, I, Immune System, Integrative Medicine, Knowledge Base, Lyme Disease & Morgellons — 4 Comments ↓

I’d been reading Ally Hilfiger’s new autobiography Bite Me: How Lyme Disease Stole My Childhood, Made Me Crazy, and Almost Killed Me, preferring the Lyme parts to those devoted to fashion and her MTV “Rich Girl” series. Her symptoms were typical of chronic Lyme and simply dreadful. Hilfiger’s very supportive family watched helplessly through hospitalizations and visits to dozens of specialists. As I read, it crossed Read More

Tagged with:

Quick Connect

Get One Click Access to our

patient-portal

The Knowledge Base

Patient education is an integral part of our practice. Here you will find a comprehensive collection of staff articles, descriptions of therapies and nutritional supplements, information addressing your health concerns, and the latest research on nutritional supplements and alternative therapies.

Read More

Join our Newsletter

Get health recommendations, recipes, medical news, supplement reviews, birthday discounts, and more!

Upcoming Workshops

***WholeHealth for Winter Digestion
Saturday December 1, 2018, 10:30am-12:30pm
An Integrative Workshop with Yoga Therapist Renee Zambo, Dietitian Olivia Wagner, and Occupational Therapist Valarie McConville
Fee: $75.00 (includes take home materials and snacks)

Do you suffer from a sluggish digestive system, constipation, and/or bloating? Does it feel like those symptoms get worse as we head toward the holidays and winter season?  Are you looking for ways to optimize your digestion?  

Join us for two valuable hours of digestive health and cleansing!

Space is limited and registration is required.
Please register online.
Call the Center for additional information at (773) 296-6700
More>>

 

***Healing Touch for Focus, Creativity, and Stress Management
Thursday, December 6, 2018, 5:45-7:30
Katie Oberlin, HTCP/I
Healing Touch Certified Practitioner/Instructor
Fee: $55.00 (includes take-home materials)

Are you feeling overwhelmed and stressed at the end of the year? Want to find a way to feel less scattered and more focused? In this workshop, you will learn how to use energy healing to feel more centered and grounded so you can bring more clarity and creativity to your life and work.

Space is limited and registration is required.
Please register online.
Call the Center for additional information at (773) 296-6700
More>>

 

**Winter Solstice Celebration: Drumming Circle and Shamanic Healing
Wednesday, December 19, 2018, 5:45-7:30pm
Katie Oberlin, HTCP/I
Healing Touch Certified Practitioner/Instructor
Fee: $55.00

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season to enter the stillpoint of the Winter Solstice, reflect on the lessons of 2018, and set intentions for the new year. This will be an evening of individual and group healing, ceremony, and celebration.

Space is limited and registration is required.
Please register online.
Call the Center for additional information at (773) 296-6700
More>>

Recent Health Tips

  • Making Sense of “Controversial” Diagnoses

    I’m warning you in advance. You’re entering a minefield here, with explosive views among seemingly conservative health care professionals. At least wear a helmet. Protective eyewear wouldn’t hurt either. You wouldn’t think a slew of conditions you’ve heard about (including chronic Lyme disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic Epstein-Barr, toxic mold syndrome, food sensitivities, intestinal dysbiosis, chronic inflammatory response syndrome, and mast cell activation syndrome) Read More

  • Getting Tough With Your Immune System

    No reasonable physician (I modestly include myself here) can refrain from crowing delightedly when a clinical study confirms the value of a treatment he or she had been using for years, even if that treatment had contradicted prevailing standards. Ever since I learned something about natural medicine, I’ve been reluctant to prescribe antibiotics for respiratory tract infections, such as colds, sore throats, and bronchitis. Many physicians had Read More

  • For A Longer Life…Stand Up Now!

    By far the most common answer to my question, “Exercising these days?” is “Not enough.” This is usually accompanied by the briefest flicker of melancholy regret, as if by such a confession my patient has permanently abandoned the hopes and dreams of both a svelte body and enviable longevity. “Don’t worry,” I say, “It’s just a temporary glitch. You’ll start up again.” (Nod, nod). I Read More

December Sale: 20% Off the UltraLux IV Light Box

Full Spectrum Solutions has been an industry leader for the past 20 years, offering therapeutic lighting that is made right here in the Midwest (Michigan). The UltraLux IV is the first and only LED light therapy unit on the market that is both fully adjustable. Unlike many of their competitors, they boast a high CRI rating (90+) and a lifetime warranty so you never have to purchase replacement bulbs again. Full spectrum light therapy is often recommended in cases of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) to help make up for the sunlight that is missing from these shorter, winter days.

To learn more about and purchase the UltraLux IV, click here.

To see past Health Tips on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Dr. Edelberg’s recommendations, including a full spectrum light box like the UltraLux IV, click here.