Hormones work together like a beautifully choreographed dance. 

The thyroid hormones, the adrenal hormones and the sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone) need to be in balance with each other for optimal functioning.  Treating a sluggish thyroid is going to be more difficult if you have adrenal fatigue.  If you think your moodiness is from your estrogen being out of balance you may be right but there is likely more to it. 

For effective treatment and thyroid, adrenal and hormone correction, think of the hormones as the points on an equilateral triangle.  If you shift one, they all shift.  That is why it is essential to monitor all the hormones, not just some of them.  There are differing opinions on what is the most effective way to measure hormones- is it with blood, saliva, or urine?  There is something to be said for consistency, and I like to use the same testing method each time to watch the change and fine-tune the treatment.

Symptoms of a Hormone Imbalance

When should I call the dentist? 

At Holistic Family Dentistry at National Integrated Health Associates, we get this question all the time, so we thought it would be a good idea to tell you what constitutes a “dental emergency.”

Emergency Dental Services in Washington, D.C.

Toothache: Call your dentist as soon as possible.

Loose or knocked out tooth: If you have a tooth that is loose or out of alignment, you should call your dentist for an emergency appointment right away. A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency that requires urgent attention.

Broken, chipped or cracked tooth: If a tooth is chipped and doesn’t hurt, this usually does not constitute a dental emergency and you may be able to wait a few days to see a dentist, but call immediately. However, it is important to be careful while chewing so as not to chip it more. A cracked or fractured tooth is a serious issue constituting a dental emergency; call your dentist immediately for an emergency appointment.

NIHA is pleased to announce the addition of Sherif Hassan, MD, to the medical team.

Dr. Hassan’s wide and comprehensive experience in medical practice in different international settings coupled with his personal experience as a patient suffering from Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) changed his focus to a more interesting and spurned area: Undiagnosed Chronic Medical Disorders. His own Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) went not only undiagnosed, but caused him to undergo two unnecessary surgeries. From this experience as both physician andpatient he can empathize with patients as they search for the underlying cause of ailments. This experience changed his outlook on medicine to a more fulfilling and rewarding medical philosophy whereby wellness is now the cornerstone of his practice.

The symptoms of a mold allergy are the same as with any type of respiratory allergy: sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes/nose/throat, nasal congestion, cough or post nasal drainage, headache, rash, even asthma. Only some types of mold spores actually cause a reaction but a mold allergy can be challenging because mold is common and thrives in so many places. A mold allergy can be year-round or flare up when the weather is damp and rainy or you are in a damp space.

What grows mold is moisture- but here are some other places to consider where you might see your mold allergy flare up:

Food poisoning is most common during the hot summer months when temperatures soar and foods made with creams or dairy can become breeding grounds for infecting microbes. Additionally, many foods and contaminated water can carry parasites. Under-cooked foods, sushi, ground beef and unwashed fruits and produce such as lettuce can also harbor bacteria.

Symptoms of Food Poisoning

As a holistic & integrative pediatrician, I see many children  with behavioral and psychological issues.  A significant part of my evaluation for these patients includes a work up to see if there is the presence of PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) or PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome).

PANDAS is a complex disorder that can occur suddenly and appears to be more common in boys. The symptoms can be behavioral and physical, and can be debilitating.

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is the major cause of tooth loss.

The foundation of biological dentistry is to promote a healthy mouth. When the mouth is in a healthy state the gums are pink and attached to the roots.  The roots are strong and completely surrounded by bone.  There is no inflammation and rarely is there bleeding; imagine a sturdy new fence post that has just been placed in the ground.   If you are following a daily regimen that involves brushing and plaque removal from the area around and in between the teeth there is a good chance that your mouth is in a healthy state.

However, if you notice swollen gums or bleeding gums, that may be a sign that the mouth is not healthy. Dental plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that can build up if left untreated. Plaque can produce toxins that can cause bleeding, inflammation and eventual bone loss.  If left untreated the gum tissue and bone can break down- and now that fence post is loose, making you vulnerable to tooth loss and serious periodontal disease.

"Detoxification is the foundation of all Integrative Medical treatment. Without good detoxification, healing from any chronic illness is impossible.” Dietrich Klinghardt MD, PhD.

The quote by Dr. Klinghardt, one of the world’s most accomplished Holistic Physicians and the teacher of teachers, is critical information for understanding the role of detoxification in not only treating chronic conditions such as cancer, heart disease, respiratory diseases, brain and nervous system degeneration, autism, autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue conditions and pain syndromes – but also the prevention of these chronic health issues and other diseases of aging. Unfortunately, these conditions are becoming more common and are now seen at earlier ages. 

We live in a toxic world, some of which is created by environmental factors, modern living and technological advances, but many people are unaware of the science and trends. Startling statistics in a recent study show that for the past two years the life expectancy of Americans has  decreased, and the average IQ of children has been declining for years.

Could this possibly be due to environmental factors? Is this how modern living is affecting our health? What now?

I have a friend who has instructions from one of her several physicians to slather herself with SPF 45 sunblock. Every day. All over. 

Apparently physical blocking like hats, shirts, long sleeves, etc. is insufficient, because of her autoimmune disease diagnosis. Her physician also said that she should plan to get all of her vitamin D from a bottle for the foreseeable future, since she needs to stay completely out of the sun.

She asked: how do I pick a sunscreen product I feel safe using every day, all over?

Good question.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or HBOT, is the infusion of pure oxygen deep into the tissues of the body.

Oxygen is essential for life and can provide many health benefits. There is a growing interest in hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatments as athletes and celebrities sometimes use oxygen therapy as a tool to promote healing after an injury. The earlier HBOT is administered, the better the opportunity for recovery. However, HBOT has been shown to resolve tissue swelling even after a lapse of years.

Conditions Where Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Therapy May be Helpful