OUR Top 20 Symptoms and Conditions

Fatigue is by far the most common complaint that folks have, it also happens to have the largest number of causes of any symptom. Along with many causes, fatigue can present in many ways: tired muscles, low energy, low stamina, and/or a feeling of being emotionally drained. Looking at how and when you experience your fatigue gives some insight into the causes but a full investigation of your health and life are even better to get to the root of your fatigue.

Our world is a busy place filled with electronic distractions, information overload, obligations, and toxic exposures which is a lot to ask the body to process without a balance of down time. Any time the body has to process an emotion, food, pain, toxins, viruses, bacteria, molds, or inflammation, energy is used, so it becomes important to investigate all of these to determine the cause of fatigue.

TOP 3 CAUSES OF FATIGUE

-Adrenal strain (Acute or chronic stress)- the adrenal glands are in charge of your stress response, if you are battling stress for a long time or are under extreme amounts of acute stress, they can get a bit tired.

-Environmental exposures: Toxins, viruses, bacteria, molds, electromagnetic frequencies (EMF).

-Nutrient deficiencies from an imbalanced diet or poor digestion/absorption of food.

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

-Assess stress levels (mental, emotional, and physical) and measure adrenal hormone levels and balance.

-Assess potential environmental exposures and measure immune markers as well as levels of toxins in the blood or urine.

-Assess diet and test nutrient levels in blood as well as investigate digestive health through stool analysis or symptom picture.

POTENTIAL TREATMENTS

-Lifestyle changes to decrease stress along with counseling and personalized stress management techniques.

Joint pain can present in many different ways. You may experience it only with or after physical activity or it may be there all the time; it could even get worse with weather changes. The most common joints that have pain are the knees, hips, and fingers, but any joint can give you trouble if it’s irritated.

TOP 3 CAUSES OF JOINT PAIN

-Inflammation in the joint from hidden food allergies or reactions.

-Muscle imbalance or tightness that pulls on the joint. Tightness if often related to dehydration.

-Arthritis and autoimmune disease such as Rheumatoid Arthritis.

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

-Assess diet for inflammatory foods.

-Investigate blood markers for inflammation, food sensitivities, and autoimmune markers.

-Assess muscle structure and tension as well as the alignment of the joints.

POTENTIAL TREATMENTS

-Dietary changes to reduce inflammation

-AntI-inflammatory supplements and herbs

-Therapeutic bodywork, stretching exercises, and kinesis taping

-Immune system support and balancing for autoimmune disorders

Allergies are the immune system's reaction to things we are exposed to in our environment. You can be allergic to just about anything: foods, medications, plants, pollen, and chemicals, just to name a few.

Allergies can range from mild annoyances to medical emergencies such as anaphylactic shock. The most common allergy symptoms are sneezing, nasal and sinus congestion, headaches, itchy eyes, rashes, asthma, and digestive complaints. They often effect the the mucous membranes that line our respiratory and digestive tracts, where the majority of our immune system lives.

TOP 3 CAUSES OF ALLERGIES

-Overactive immune system: if your immune system is on high alert, it is more likely to react to things you're exposed to. Chronic inflammation is an example of the immune system being active and can be a trigger for allergic reactions.

-Environmental exposures: Toxins, viruses, bacteria, molds, electromagnetic frequencies (EMF). Think of the body like a bucket, it can only hold so many exposures before it overflows in the form of symptoms. Often those symptoms can be allergy-like symptoms.

-Low grade food allergies (non-anaphylactic) that lead to low-level, chronic symptoms

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

-Assess the immune system and inflammation levels through blood work.

-Assess potential environmental exposures and levels of toxins in the blood or urine.

-Investigate diet for potential food allergies or sensitivities through elimination diet protocol or blood testing.

-Investigate nutrient deficiencies that could contribute to poor histamine break-down.

POTENTIAL TREATMENTS

-Support the immune system and decrease inflammation through diet, supplements, herbs, and hydrotherapy.

-Natural antihistamine supplements to replace common pharmaceuticals such as Benadryl and Claritin.

-Individualized detox protocols

-Dietary protocols to reduce high-allergen foods such as the elimination diet and anti-inflammatory diet.

-Reduction of allergens in environment through the use of high-quality, HEPA air filters such as the Austin Air Filter.

Asthma is a reaction in the mucous membranes and muscles lining the airways. It is often triggered by exercise, environmental exposures, cold weather, infections, or allergies and creates a tightening in the chest and limits the ability to breath.

TOP 3 CAUSES OF ASTHMA

-Inflammation in the airways from hidden food allergies or reactions.

-Environmental exposures in the air such as heavy metals, pesticides, and other chemicals.

-Nutrient deficiencies that pave the way for spastic muscles in the airways.

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

-Assess diet for inflammatory foods.

-Investigate blood markers for inflammation, food sensitivities, nutrient levels, low grade and chronic infections, and toxin exposure.

-Assess living and working environment.

POTENTIAL TREATMENTS

Dietary changes to reduce inflammation

Ant-inflammatory supplements and herbs

Nutrient supplementation to relax the airways and support the immune system.

Environmental improvements to reduce irritating exposures.

Diarrhea — loose, watery and possibly more-frequent bowel movements — is a common problem. It may be present alone or be associated with other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or weight loss.

TOP 3 CAUSES OF DIARRHEA

-Inflammation in the gut from hidden food reactions or Infectious agents from travel, spoiled food, or general exposure.

-Bacterial imbalance in the gut leading to too many bad bacteria and not enough good bacteria.

-Autoimmune disorders of the gut such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, or ulcerative colitis.

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

-Assess diet for inflammatory foods.

-Assess recent or past travel for potential exposures or exposures locally to infections.

-Stool testing to assess bacterial balance, parasites or other infections, gut inflammatory markers, digestive markers, and autoimmune markers.

POTENTIAL TREATMENTS

-Dietary changes to reduce inflammation in the gut.

-Anti-inflammatory supplements and herbs to heal the gut.

-Probiotics and live-fermented foods

-Herbal and nutrient immune support for infectious agents.

Constipation is a slowing of the the bowels that leads to less frequent bowel movements. Less than one bowel movement per day is considered constipation in the naturopathic world and ideally folks have 1-3 movements per day.

Constipation can present as a reduced urge, straining, or feeling of incomplete bowel movements. The stool is often hard and pellet-like, but can also be loose but infrequent.

TOP 3 CAUSES OF CONSTIPATION

-Dehydration and low fiber intake.

-Stress

-Bacterial imbalance in the gut leading to too many bad bacteria and not enough good bacteria.

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

-Assess hydration levels and fiber intake.

-Assess diet for inflammatory foods.

-Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA) testing to assess bacterial balance, parasites or other infections, gut inflammatory markers, and autoimmune markers.

POTENTIAL TREATMENTS

-Increase water and fiber intake.

-Dietary changes to reduce inflammation in the gut.

-Anti-inflammatory supplements and herbs to heal the gut.

-Probiotics and live-fermented foods.

-Stress management strategies and supplements.

-Neurofeedback and biofeedback to help manage stress responses in the body more appropriately.

Brain fog is incredibly common. Most folks experience brain fog as a slowing of their thought processes, difficulty focusing or concentrating, having a hard time word-finding, or poor memory.

TOP 3 CAUSES OF BRAIN FOG

-Food allergies and/or sensitivities.

-Environmental toxin exposure or poor detoxing abilities.

-Blood sugar imbalances, particularly low blood sugar.

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

-Assess diet and potential food allergies through elimination diets or blood tests.

-Assess potential toxin exposures and levels in the body through measurements of the blood and/or urine and assess the health of the detox organs.

-Assess labs for blood sugar levels as well as diet for potential blood sugar issues.

POTENTIAL TREATMENTS

-Anti-inflammatory or elimination diet protocols

-Personalized detox protocols and supplements to support proper detox and the detox organs.

-Diet protocol, herbs, and/or supplements for proper blood sugar regulation

-Neurofeedback and biofeedback to help the autonomic nervous system function optimally.

Insomnia can be described as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or a combination of both. The type of insomnia you have tells us a lot about what may be causing it and how to treat it.

TOP 3 CAUSES OF INSOMNIA

Cortisol (stress hormone) imbalance and increased stress in your life.

Female hormone imbalance (often correlated with hot flashes)

Blood sugar imbalances, particularly low blood sugar in the night time that wakes you up.

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

Assess stress levels and cortisol levels at night and throughout the day.

Assess hormone levels and balance through blood or salivary lab testing.

Assess labs for blood sugar levels as well as diet for potential blood sugar issues.

POTENTIAL TREATMENTS

Adrenal support through herbs or supplements to balance stress and cortisol along with lifestyle changes.

Herbs, supplements, and nutrients to balance hormones.

Diet protocol, herbs, and/or supplements for proper blood sugar regulation

Relaxing nutrients and herbs to help with sleep until underlying imbalances are healed.

Neurofeedback and biofeedback to help manage stress and to learn tools to calm the mind.

Heartburn is a burning or discomfort in the central chest area underneath the sternum (breastbone.) It can also be accompanied by acid reflux, coughing, indigestion, or a sore throat.

TOP 3 CAUSES OF HEARTBURN

-Stress and anxiety.

-Food allergies or sensitivities.

-Hiatal Hernia (part of the stomach slipping up above the diaphragm.)

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

-Assess stress levels and where you feel your anxiety in your body.

-Assess diet for inflammatory foods.

-Physical exam to assess for minor hiatal hernia or gastric imaging to confirm.

TOP 3 CAUSES OF HEARTBURN

-Stress and anxiety.

-Food allergies or sensitivities.

-Hiatal Hernia (part of the stomach slipping up above the diaphragm.)

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

-Assess stress levels and where you feel your anxiety in your body.

-Assess diet for inflammatory foods.

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Infertility can have many different causes and can be seen in both males and females. It can be experienced as the inability to conceive or as miscarriages. The best time to work on infertility is well before you want to conceive as good preventative care, but there is certainly a lot that can be done as you're trying to conceive as well.

TOP 3 CAUSES OF INFERTILITY

-Hormone imbalance (in males and females) which is often related to stress levels.

-High environmental toxin load in the body.

-Genetic issues.

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

-Assess stress levels in your life and hormone levels in blood and/or saliva.

-Assess environmental exposures and test levels in blood or urine.

-Assess genetic markers that could effect fertility.

POTENTIAL TREATMENTS

-Stress and anxiety management through lifestyle changes, supplements, and relaxing bodywork.

-Herbs, supplements, and bio-identical hormones to optimize hormones for conception and carrying a pregnancy.

-Individualized detox protocols based on when you want to conceive.

-Supportive lifestyle changes and supplements for genetic factors.

-Neurofeedback and biofeedback to help with the emotional stress that often accompanies infertility.

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland, which is in charge of our metabolism, is low functioning. The thyroid receives signals from the brain that tell it to either increase or decrease the output of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4.) Low functioning thyroid is very common and one of the essential things I test for in annual lab work.

Some of the major symptoms of a low functioning thyroid include: weight gain or inability to lose weight, fatigue, slow reflexes, intolerance to cold or cold hands and feet, hair loss, and brain fog. One of the most common types of hypothyroidism, particularly in women is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This is where the body's immune system attacks the thyroid, preventing it from functioning properly.

TOP 3 CAUSES OF HYPOTHYROIDISM

-Chronic stress

-Lingering low-grade viral infections, Epstein Barr Virus (The virus that causes mono) is particularly suspect.

-Heavy metal toxicity and other environmental toxin exposures, also gluten can be a big culprit when it comes to Hashimoto's.

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

-Assess diet and other sources of toxin exposure and stress levels.

-Assess the immune system through a detailed history as well as blood work.

-Measure heavy metal levels in blood and urine.

-Assess thyroid-specific nutrient levels in blood and urine.

POTENTIAL TREATMENTS

-Anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle changes to manage stress.

-Supplements and herbs to support the body's stress response and the thyroid gland

-Antiviral protocols that may include supplemental nutrients, herbs, diet changes, and hydrotherapy.

-Heavy metal chelation (removal) therapy and detox protocols.

-Neurofeedback and biofeedback to help your nervous system become more resilient to stress.

Autoimmune disorders are becoming increasingly common. Put simply, an autoimmune disorder is when the body's immune system starts attacking certain normal cells in the body.

For example, in Hashimoto's the immune system attacks the thyroid, in ulcerative colitis the cells of the colon are attacked, and in Lupus any number of organs can be attacked such as the kidneys, liver, skin, or reproductive organs.

Our plan for treating autoimmune disease is different for each person, however, it always includes reduction of inflammation and balancing support for the immune system.

TOP 3 CAUSES OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE

-Food allergies and sensitivities that cause activation of the immune system.

-Lingering low-grade viral infections such as Epstein Barr Virus (The virus that causes mono) and cytomegalovirus.

-Heavy metal toxicity and other environmental toxin exposures.

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

-Assess diet for inflammatory foods and assess sources of toxin exposure along with stress levels.

-Assess the immune system through a detailed history as well as blood work.

-Measure heavy metal and toxin levels in blood and urine.

POTENTIAL TREATMENTS

-Anti-inflammatory diet and Lifestyle changes to manage stress.

-Supplements and herbs to support the body's stress response and balance the immune system

-Antiviral protocols that may include supplemental nutrients, herbs, diet changes, and hydrotherapy.

-Heavy metal chelation (removal) therapy and detox protocols.

Hormones are chemical messengers used all over the body for many different functions. The most common hormones we think of are the male and female sex hormones of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. These hormones can have a dramatic effect on our health. In women, an imbalance of these hormones can lead to infertility, significant menopausal symptoms, PMS, painful or heavy periods, weight gain, low libido, anxiety, and fatigue. In men, they can lead to fatigue, low stamina, low libido, and infertility.

Hormones are a big deal in the environmental medicine world because many environmental toxins are what we call endocrine (hormone) disruptors, the biggest endocrine disrupting culprit in our environment is plastic; when's the last time you touched some plastic?

TOP 3 CAUSES OF HORMONE IMBALANCE

-Chronic stress

-Lack of proper fats in the diet

-Heavy metal toxicity and other environmental toxin exposures

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

-Assess diet for proper nutrients and fats which are building blocks for hormone production.

-Assess stress levels and sources of toxin exposure.

-Measure heavy metal levels in blood and urine.

-Assess hormone levels in the blood and/or saliva.

POTENTIAL TREATMENTS

-High healthy fat and Anti-inflammatory diet along with Lifestyle changes to manage stress.

-Supplements and herbs to support the body's stress response and hormone balance

-Heavy metal chelation (removal) therapy and detox protocols.

-Bio-identical hormone replacement if necessary for a short term boost.

Anxiety is a common complaint and it seems to be on the rise as we all learn to navigate a world that can be chaotic.

Most people think of anxiety as something that just happens in your head and in response to stressful situations, however, anxiety can also present with no apparent reason. This is frustrating for those who suffer from it as they will feel anxious and not know why or be able to make it go away. There are many causes to anxiety below are just a few and there is also a lot we can do about it.

TOP 3 CAUSES OF ANXIETY

-Emotional tension and stress.

-Hormone and neurotransmitter (brain and nerve messenger) imbalance caused by genetics, chronic stress, or toxin exposure.

-Nutrient deficiencies, food reactions, and poor blood sugar balance.

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

-Assess life stress and tension, past and present.

-Measure hormone, neurotransmitter, and toxin levels in the body to look for imbalances.

-Assess diet and test nutrient levels in blood along with blood sugar levels.

POTENTIAL TREATMENTS

-Lifestyle and dietary changes to decrease anxiety along with counseling and personalized stress management techniques.

-Therapeutic bodywork, such as craniosacral therapy, to address tension patterns in the body caused by emotions.

-Nutritional supplements and herbs to support hormone balance and a healthy stress response.

-Neurofeedback and biofeedback to train the brain to think more calmly, be more resilient, and less reactive.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is officially diagnosed with consistent measurements of 140/90 or greater. Optimal blood pressure is closer to 120/70. The top number (systolic) represents the amount of pressure in the blood vessels when the heart contracts and pumps more blood into them, and the bottom number (diastolic) represents the pressure in the blood vessels in between heart beats.

High blood pressure is a problem because it makes the heart muscle work harder to pump blood into the vessels which can damage the blood vessels, lead to the heart growing too large or fatiguing too early in life.

TOP 3 CAUSES OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

-Inflammation in the blood vessels.

-Stress, chronic stress, and anxiety.

-Heavy metal toxicity, particularly lead.

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

-Assess diet and other sources of blood vessel inflammation and measure blood inflammatory markers.

-Investigate acute and life-long stress and anxiety levels

-Measure heavy metal levels in blood and urine.

POTENTIAL TREATMENTS

-Anti-inflammatory diet and Lifestyle changes to manage stress.

-Supplements and herbs to reduce blood vessel inflammation

-Heavy metal chelation (removal) therapy and detox protocols.

Cholesterol is a component of every cell in our body and is also the building block for most of our hormones and vitamin D. Unfortunately, it has gotten a bad reputation with the increase in heart disease over recent years, but it is actually essential to optimal health.

Along with having healthy levels (not too high, not too low) of cholesterol in the blood, it is important to have a healthy balance of the different kinds of cholesterols, such as HDL (more protective) and LDL (less protective).

TOP 3 CAUSES OF HIGH CHOLESTEROL

-Diet high in sugar and carbohydrates and low in fiber and healthy fats.

-Lack of proper exercise and movement.

-Genetic mutations that inhibit your ability to process cholesterol properly.

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

-Assess diet in detail.

-Assess exercise and movement regime.

-Investigate blood markers for a break down of different types of cholesterol, blood sugar levels, insulin levels, and genetic markers for cholesterol absorption and processing.

POTENTIAL TREATMENTS

-Optimize diet for cholesterol control (Generally low carbohydrate, high fiber and high healthy fat diet) and for genetics.

-Develop an individualized exercise plan

-Cholesterol lowering supplements and herbs

Approximately thirty percent of the American population is obese and that percentage increases even more dramatically when you add in folks who are overweight. It is unfortunate that there continues to be such a stigma around weight with many people believing that it is purely related to how many calories you eat versus how many you burn. The truth of the matter is that there are many factors that go into weight gain and weight loss.

Diet and exercise most certainly play a large role in weight management but they are only part of the picture. For instance, in the environmental medicine world there is a whole category of toxins that have been named "obesogens" because research is finding a high correlation of these toxins with obesity. Here, at Northwest Life Medicine, we look at the whole person when it come to weight management and pay special attention to the emotional aspects that weight issues often present with.

TOP 3 CAUSES OF WEIGHT GAIN AND OBESITY

-Stress: Stress puts the body into fight or flight mode, like running from a bear. If you are constantly "running from a bear" (aka stressed out) your body will want to hold on to all the energy reserves (fat) it has because who knows how long you'll need to run!

-Environmental exposures: Toxins, viruses, bacteria, molds, electromagnetic frequencies (EMF).

-Lack of optimal foods and movement in your life.

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

-Assess stress levels (mental, emotional, and physical) and measure adrenal hormone levels and balance.

-Assess potential environmental exposures, particularly obesogens, and levels of toxins in the blood or urine.

-Assess diet and lifestyle for potential improvements.

POTENTIAL TREATMENTS

-Lifestyle changes to decrease stress along with counseling and personalized stress management techniques.

-Individualized dietary and movement plans for optimal weight management such as a ketogenic or anti-inflammatory diet program to address weight loss and detox at the same time.

-Nutritional supplements and herbs to support adrenal glands, detox, digestive health, and/or nutrient levels.

-Individualized detox protocols

Diabetes is quickly on the rise in both adults and children in the United States. The body uses glucose (blood sugar) as an energy source for pretty much all of its cells. Glucose primarily comes from the break down of sugar and carbohydrates and is then transported out of the blood stream and into cells with the help of insulin.

If cells become resistant to insulin's signal (known as insulin resistance), glucose accumulates in the blood. Too much glucose in the blood creates inflammation and damage in the blood vessels which is why diabetes is often considered a cardiovascular disease.

TOP 3 CAUSES OF DIABETES AND PRE-DIABETES

-Diet high in sugar and carbohydrates and low in fiber and healthy fats that leads to inflammation in the blood vessels.

-Toxin exposure and accumulation and poor detox abilities that lead to inflammation in the blood vessels.

-Lack of proper exercise and movement.

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

-Assess diet for imbalances.

-Assess potential toxin exposures and levels in the body through measurements of the blood and/or urine and assess the health of the detox organs. Also measure blood sugar and blood vessel inflammatory markers in the blood.

-Assess exercise practices and areas of potential improvement.

POTENTIAL TREATMENTS

-Anti-inflammatory or elimination diet protocols

-Personalized detox protocols and supplements to support proper detox and the detox organs.

-Personalized exercise strategies and motivation.

Depression or a depressed mood can effect many of us on any given day as we navigate the daily stresses of life. Depression can be constant or intermittent and can effect all ages. Just like anxiety, there are many underlying causes that can be investigated and they are definitely not all related to just your emotions.

For example, much of your serotonin (a "feel good" neurotransmitter) is actually produced in your intestines. If your digestion is impaired or inflamed, you may not make enough serotonin which can lead to a depressed mood!

TOP 3 CAUSES OF DEPRESSION

-Emotional tension, life events, and stress.

-Hormone and neurotransmitter (brain signaling compounds) imbalance caused by genetics and chronic stress, and toxin exposure.

-Nutrient deficiencies and inflammation in the digestive tract.

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

-Assess life events, stress and tension.

-Measure hormone, neurotransmitter, and toxin levels in the body to look for imbalances.

-Assess diet and test nutrient levels in blood along with signs of inflammation in the digestive tract.

POTENTIAL TREATMENTS

-Lifestyle changes to decrease anxiety along with counseling and personalized stress management techniques.

-Determine a daily exercise or movement routine.

-Dietary recommendations to support a healthy mood and reduced inflammation in the digestive tract.

-Nutritional supplements and herbs to support neurotransmitter balance and a healthy stress response.

-Neurofeedback and biofeedback to help manage stress and to help your nervous system become more resilient.

Headaches and migraines can be quite frustrating for those suffering from them. It can be hard to tell when they will show up and how bad they will be from one time to the next.

Often folks will resort to taking anti-inflammatory and pain-suppressing medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen which may work well but can be particularly hard on the liver and stomach. Interestingly, the location of your headaches gives insight as to the cause and will certainly be one of the questions we ask about.

TOP 3 CAUSES OF HEADACHES & MIGRAINES

-Food allergies and/or sensitivities.

-Environmental toxin exposure or poor detoxing abilities.

-Muscle tension and/or structural imbalances in the bones of the head, neck, and pelvis.

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

-Assess diet and potential food allergies through elimination diets or blood tests.

-Assess potential toxin exposures and levels in the body through measurements of the blood and/or urine and assess the health of the detox organs.

-Assess muscle tension and alignment of bones in the head, spine, and pelvis.

POTENTIAL TREATMENTS

-Anti-inflammatory or elimination diet protocols

-Personalized detox protocols and supplements to support proper detox and the detox organs.

-Therapeutic bodywork, particularly craniosacral therapy. Address hydration and nutrient levels that can also contribute to muscle tension.

-Neurofeedback and biofeedback to help balance nervous system responses that could be contributing.