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Allergies
The development of food and environmental allergies is a result of genetics, nutritional status, immune system and digestive system health and our emotional state. Allergies can cause a variety of symptoms including fatigue, joint pain, sinus infections, stomach upset and asthma. Dr. Tracy works with her patients to identify the key factors in their allergies and uses naturopathic treatments to reduce current allergy symptoms while improving overall health.
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Cancer
Integrative therapy, combining conventional cancer therapy with alternative medicine, offers a comprehensive approach to cancer. Natural medicines can be used to reduce the risk of cancer, prevent cancer formation and lower the risk of recurrent tumors.
A key factor to Dr. Tracy's approach to cancer treatment is her focus on the health of the immune system and optimization of detoxification pathways necessary to reduce cancer formation. In conjunction with your oncologist, Dr. Tracy can create a plan consisting of vitamins, minerals, herbs and other natural supplements to not only discourage cancer growth and enhance your current therapy (radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery) but also reduce the side effects of conventional cancer therapy.
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Chronic Candidiasis
Chronic Candidiasis, also known as Yeast Syndrome or Candida Related Complex, is caused by an overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans. While yeast overgrowth may be in one location (vagina, intestines, colon, esophagus, mouth, etc.), it affects our overall health. Chronic Candidiasis can cause a variety of symptoms in the digestive, endocrine, nervous and immune systems. If you have a history of using antibiotics repeatedly, recurrent vaginal yeast infections, frequent gas or bloating, fatigue or carbohydrate cravings, take the Candida Quiz to see if yeast overgrowth could be contributing to your symptoms.
The good news is that Chronic Candidiasis can be controlled with diet, herbs and other natural supplements and prevented by naturally supporting the immune system, digestive and detoxification systems and endocrine system.
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Detox & Cleansing
Periodic detoxification and cleansing rituals are an integral part of ancient traditions and modern medicine. Cleansing is a way for our bodies to deal with the toxins we encounter in our daily lives. Toxins are present in our foods, the chemicals present in our homes and workplace, in medications and in our environment.
Our bodies have five systems of cleansing to deal eliminate toxins: the skin, the lungs, the liver, the bowels and the urinary system. These systems must filter anything that enters the body or is made by our bodies including healthy nutrients, fats, hormones, and chemicals and eliminate them appropriately. Everyday our toxic burden is increasing and we must have healthy systems of elimination to retain health. Periodic detoxification and cleansing is a way to reduce our toxic burden and restore healthy systems of elimination.
Dr. Tracy can create a unique cleansing and detoxification plan for you based on your needs and lifestyle including diet, vitamins, supplements and lifestyle recommendations to reduce your toxic burden while optimizing your body's ability to eliminate toxins and restore health. While there are core strategies to a detoxification and cleanse, your plan may vary in terms of length, complexity and intensity depending on your needs and comfort level. Dr. Tracy takes pride in helping her patients create a plan that is best suited for them.
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Endometriosis
Endometriosis is the presence of uterine endometrial tissue outside of the uterus in the abdomen or pelvic area and it affects 10-15% of women ages 24-40. This condition can cause PMS, painful periods, heavy periods, pain during intercourse and infertility.
While the main risk factor for developing endometriosis is genetic, there are natural methods that can provide symptom relief and reduction. Dr. Tracy works with her patients to identify any factors contributing tot heir symptoms such as sub-optimal nutrition, lack of exercise, environmental toxins or vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Dr. Tracy will also evaluate the immune system and endocrine system health of the individual and incorporate natural methods to support these systems as needed.
Top Fatigue
Are you tired all day but can't get to sleep at night? Do you drink multiple cups of coffee or soda to get through your stressful days? While there are multiple causes of fatigue including hypothyroid, anemia, and infections, one overlooked cause of fatigue is Adrenal Fatigue/Exhaustion. To find out if Adrenal Fatigue is a concern for you, take the Adrenal Quiz .
The adrenals are walnut-sized glands resting on the top of each kidney. These glands are responsible for the production of hormones such as cortisol, DHEA, adrenaline, estrogen and testosterone which coordinate multiple functions in the body.
The adrenal glands are activated in times of stress and then release adrenaline which causes an increase in heart rate, release of energy stores and sharpening of our senses while simultaneously shutting down the digestive process and repair processes within the body. This was helpful in earlier times when humans were fighting off tigers and outrunning bears for survival but in present day, over-stimulation of this response can lead to health problems.
Presently we live in an environment of constant stress. We live demanding lives that often leave us tired, under-nourished and craving stimulants such as sugar or caffeine. With every minute we are stuck in traffic, trying to beat deadlines, rushing around town to pick up the kids, caring for elders, going on and off diets and eating fast food, we are triggering our adrenal glands into action and after a while, they become exhausted as well.
When the adrenal glands are continually activated by stress, cortisol levels dramatically increase above normal which causes the immune system to be weakened, destruction of healthy muscle and bone tissue, digestion and metabolism to be impaired (weight gain), and other hormone levels to shift out of normal range.
Chronic adrenal stress eventually leads to “burnout” which is characterized by low cortisol levels and low DHEA levels. DHEA is the precursor to estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. When DHEA is low, you are at a risk of extreme fatigue, bone loss, depression, low blood pressure, hypoglycemia, fibromyalgia, decreased sex drive and depressed immune function. Other conditions related to adrenal stress include migraine headaches, insomnia, poor memory, alcohol intolerance and low body temperature.
There are multiple means of testing for adrenal exhaustion. One of the simplest ways is called the Iris Contraction test (Hippus test) in which Dr. Tracy will shine a light in your eyes and evaluate the contraction of your pupils. Another way is called the Postural Low Blood pressure test where she will take your pulse and blood pressure readings both while lying and standing to evaluate the difference between the two positions. These tests are helpful in identifying if an Adrenal Fatigue is present.
Saliva tests are a reliable way to accurately quantify adrenal function. These tests are relatively simple and non-invasive for the patient and provide a wealth of knowledge for Dr. Tracy. Cortisol can be measured throughout the day to track the adrenals' daily pattern. The most comprehensive adrenal panel combines cortisol tests with DHEA, insulin, immune function and digestive function tests to determine the level of Adrenal Fatigue and guide Dr. Tracy in customizing your individual treatment plan.
Top Hormonal Imbalances
A woman's hormone fluctuations and cycles reflect her health as a whole. Throughout a woman's life there are many hormonal changes and transitions from puberty to pregnancy to menopause and beyond. These changes are normal and a natural part of life.
Unfortunately, a woman's hormonal balance is often disrupted by stress, sub-optimal nutrition, environmental toxins or other lifestyle factors. These disruptions cause PMS symptoms, irregular cycles, hot flashes, constipation, anxiety or depression, fatigue or insomnia.
Herbal medicine is a trusted resource for Dr. Tracy when managing a woman's hormone imbalances. Herbal medicines can balance the endocrine system naturally and safely combine with nutritional strategies to improve a woman's health and vitality.
Top Interstitial Cystitis
Chronic Interstitial Cystitis is a condition that causes pelvic pain, urinary frequency and the constant sensation of urinary urgency. Foods that are aggravating to the bladder and other food sensitivities contribute greatly to the symptoms of interstitial Cystitis. Dr. Tracy counsels her patients on specific dietary strategies to reduce these symptoms while using herbal medicines to heal the bladder.
Top Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Naturopathic Medicine is adept at addressing IBS from multiple angles. Food sensitivities, Chronic Candidiasis, gynecologic conditions, stress and digestive imbalances are all possible causes of IBS. As the symptoms of IBS vary from person to person, so do the treatments.
A comprehensive approach is necessary for successful management of IBS. Dr. Tracy uses vitamins, minerals and natural supplements to heal the digestive tract while using herbs and Craniosacral Therapy to ease nervous tension, pain, gas and bloating.
Top Optimal Wellness
Optimal Wellness is a concept strongly supported by naturopathic medicine. Health is more than the absence of disease, it is the optimal functioning of the body that leads to the greatest vitality possible. Optimal Wellness incorporates the importance of physical health, mental health, emotional health and spiritual health to our wellbeing.
In addition to creating a plan for her patients' specific needs, Dr. Tracy works with her patients to strengthen their Foundations of Health so that they may achieve Optimal Wellness.
Top Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS affects almost 10% of women and causes irregular or the absence of menstrual cycles, weight gain, infertility, acne and facial hair. A woman with PCOS may or may not be diagnosed with ovarian cysts as PCOS is actually a metabolic and endocrine disorder caused by genetics, obesity, drugs, aging, pregnancy, smoking or other lifestyle factors. PCOS is a serious condition because it increases a woman's risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Fortunately there are many dietary and lifestyle strategies to reduce the hormonal imbalances underlying the development of PCOS by supporting the liver, pancreas and adrenal glands. Herbal medicines can also be used to bring metabolism and hormones in balance and reduce the symptoms of PCOS (weight gain, acne, facial hair, etc.)
Top Stress, Anxiety & Insomnia
Stress, anxiety and insomnia are all too often a vicious cycle leaving us tired, irritable and in pain. This cycle can be broken by supporting our daily rhythm and enhancing our energy levels by restoring our adrenal gland health. The hormones produced by our adrenal glands govern our daily sleep-wake cycle, our immune system, our ability to handle stress and how our body processes fats and carbohydrates. To see if stress is affecting your adrenal glands, take the Adrenal Quiz .
Dr. Tracy also uses herbs and minerals to help her patients get a restful night's sleep safely and without feeling groggy in the morning. The advantage of using herbal medicines for sleep is that they are non-addictive and can be used nightly or less often, depending on your needs.
To manage anxiety, Dr. Tracy may recommend an herbal formula to help calm nerves and promote clarity, vitamins and amino acids to support the nervous system, homeopathic medicines to help ease tension and prevent anxiety. These strategies may be used alone or in conjunction with your current medication.
Top Dr. Tracy is also trained to work with other conditions such as Fibromyalgia, Heartburn/Gastroesophageal Reflux, Arthritis, Diabetes and High Cholesterol. If you have a question of whether Dr. Tracy can help you, please call Advanced Health & Wellness at 978-327-5960 to speak with us.
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