Instituut voor Functionele Geneeskunde B.V.
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Instituut voor Functionele Geneeskunde B.V. |
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| Attention
deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD)
Hyperactivity and Attention Deficit Disorder and ADD Attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) can severely disrupt a child's education and socialization process, incurring life-long effects if not properly diagnosed and treated. Increasingly, there is a tendency to prescribe stimulant medications, such as Ritalin (methylphenidate), to treat these types of disorders. While prescription drugs may sometimes be necessary for treatment of extreme cases, recently there have been reports of an epidemic of hasty misdiagnoses and overprescription. In fact, the rate of methylphenidate prescriptions for children in the U.S. has jumped three to six times in the last decade alone. In some locales, as many as 8-10% of elementary public school children take prescription drugs for ADHD symptoms. Although drugs can sometimes provide a quick, temporary solution to hyperactivity and attention deficit-related problems, it's important to remember that pharmaceuticals simply treat symptoms of attention deficit disorders--not causes. When medication is stopped, symptoms may promptly return, setting the stage for possible lifelong dependence on prescription drugs. The following GSDL tests can be used to detect possible causes and contributing factors linked to hyperactive behavior in children, and can provide the basis for natural, drug-free alternative methods of treatment. Hyperactivity
and Allergies: Identifying and treating food allergies has proven
to be an extremely powerful tool in helping hyperactive children. AIDS is caused by
the HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) virus, a virus found primarily
in blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. The HIV virus weakens
the immune system by infecting and often killing T-helper cells, making
the body more vulnerable to a host of other infections. Fever, weight
loss, swollen lymph glands, and the development of various cancers and
infections are all symptomatic of the disease. AIDS
and Oxidative Stress: Protecting the body against free radical damage
can help it better fend off viruses and may slow the progression of AIDS. Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Function Alzheimer's disease is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. As the baby boom generation ages, the incidence of Alzheimer's disease is expected to skyrocket. Although the symptoms of Alzheimer's usually appear after age 65, it can start developing much earlier–in a person's 40's or 50's. This underscores the need for early use of GSDL functional assessments to optimize the body's natural defenses against the brain neural loss associated with the disease. Alzheimer's
Disease and Adrenal Hormones: Chronic oversecretion of the adrenal
stress hormone cortisol is linked to accelerated brain atrophy, while
another important adrenal hormone, DHEA, seems to protect the brain from
degenerative damage. Autism is a developmental disorder usually diagnosed in early childhood that can manifest in a diverse set of symptoms that range from social and language communication problems, including chronic isolation and lack of verbal response, to mood and behavior disorders that result in aggression, irritability and self-injury. Autism is more prevalent than previously thought. A recent editorial in the Journal of Pediatrics reported that the condition "appears to be undergoing an almost epidemic increase." Formerly conceived as a "rare condition" that affected only 4 out of every 10,000 children, in recent times the rate has been estimated at nearly 100-fold greater, approaching 1 in100 children or even higher. Although the precise cause of autism not known, many theories now link the condition to early neurocognitive damage in the brain. Immune dysfunction, toxic exposure, gastrointestinal abnormalities, dietary habits and other factors could interact with various environmental and genetic influences to play a role in autism pathogenesis. Yet because there are many types of autism, ranging widely in their characteristic patterns, each specific case may have a unique set of biochemical factors contributing to the onset and severity of symptoms. G reat Smokies has
created the Autism Resource Center (ARC) web site for both parents and
practitioners as an extensive library of information on autism and autistic-spectrum
disorders. Autism
and Element Imbalances: Exposure to heavy metal toxins, especially
when combined with nutrient mineral deficiencies, pose a threat to the
healthy neurological development of children. The number one killer in America today, cardiovascular disease claims as many lives as the next 8 leading causes of death combined, including cancer, accidents, and AIDS. Perhaps the greatest tragedy is that this deadly disease is very often preventable. With advances in molecular medicine, researchers have discovered important early indicators that can significantly change the direction of preventative and therapeutic treatment, decreasing the incidence and halting the progression of the disease. The following GSDL assessments are powerful tools for this approach: Cardiovascular
Disease Markers: The most advanced and comprehensive analysis of the
biochemical markers associated with heart disease and stroke. Cystic fibrosis (CF) stems from the faulty transport of sodium and chloride (salt) within epithelial cells to their outer surfaces. This causes the body to produce a thick mucus that can obstruct passageways to the lungs, pancreas, and intestines, leading to severe infections and impaired digestion. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, CF is the most common fatal genetic disease in the United States today, affecting approximately 30,000 children and young adults. Each year about 1,000 new cases are diagnosed. The condition can be detected using a specific sweat test that measures salt content. The following GSDL tests can be used to evaluate and treat symptoms and conditions commonly associated with this disease. Cystic
Fibrosis and Digestive Function: Uncover important information about
the gut imbalances and pancreatic dysfunctions that commonly occur in
conjunction with CF. Feelings of hopelessness, chronic apathy, and low energy levels are some of the crippling symptoms of depression. Depression can appear as a consequence of a life change such as divorce, death of a family member, or loss of work—or it may insidiously unfold without a clear cause. For this disorder, the well-known adage, "sound body-sound mind" reveals a simple basic truth. That's because depression is commonly intertwined with a vast number of diverse conditions and illnesses--and uncovering potential imbalances can be a powerful tool for an effective natural and holistic approach to emotional healing. Depression
and Amino Acids: The building blocks of protein, amino acids are crucial
source material for the production of important brain neurotransmitters.
Imbalances can result in several major dysfunctions of the central nervous
system linked to depression. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is characterized by persistent or relapsing debilitating fatigue for at least 6 months in the absence of any other definable diagnosis. Symptoms of CFS may include depression, hypotension, weight loss, and inability to endure stress. Over time, CFS can make life miserable, wearing down the body, depressing the spirit, and making a person much more vulnerable to a wide range of related illnesses. Living with CFS can be even more difficult when the individual--and those others around him or her--do not fully understand the factors behind this debilitating condition. CFS is often part
of a complex, multifactorial health condition. There are myriad possible
internal and external mechanisms whereby the body's metabolic system can
get thrown "out of whack" and induce feelings of exhaustion--and
many of these mechanisms are interrelated. Fatigue
and Thyroid Function: Fatigue is a hallmark symptom of thyroid hormone
imbalances. Fibromyalgia, or
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a complex condition triggering chronic,
widespread pain and fatigue. As many as 10 million Americans are estimated
to have FMS.1 A specific set of diagnostic criteria for FMS has been set forth by the American Rheumatology Society. Even within these defined parameters, however, fibromyalgia may still manifest with a unique constellation of symptoms in each individual. Associated symptoms can include sleep disturbances, digestive problems, anxiety and depression, headache, and environmental sensitivities (to toxins, allergens, noise, as well as temperature). Accumulating evidence suggests that FMS is a systemic biochemical condition influenced by multifactorial imbalances throughout the body. Proper testing can identify many of these imbalances, and help determine which interventions are likely to be most effective for each patient. Fibromyalgia
and Cellular Energy: Cells vitally depend on organic acid nutrients
to produce energy for muscle and other tissues throughout the body—imbalances
can lead to energy depletion and chronic pain Researchers have long puzzled over the biochemical mechanisms responsible for recurring headaches and migraines. Recent evidence points to a strong neurochemical influence, with a variety of other possible factors playing an important role in provoking headache pain. The following GSDL tests can uncover functional imbalances linked to recurring headaches and migraines: Headaches
and Allergies: Headache symptoms are often alleviated by pinpointing
and eliminating offending foods in the diet provoking allergic reactions. Hyperactivity and Attention Deficit Disorder Attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) can severely disrupt a child's education and socialization process, incurring life-long effects if not properly diagnosed and treated. Increasingly, there is a tendency to prescribe stimulant medications, such as Ritalin (methylphenidate), to treat these types of disorders. While prescription drugs may sometimes be necessary for treatment of extreme cases, recently there have been reports of an epidemic of hasty misdiagnoses and overprescription. In fact, the rate of methylphenidate prescriptions for children in the U.S. has jumped three to six times in the last decade alone. In some locales, as many as 8-10% of elementary public school children take prescription drugs for ADHD symptoms. Although drugs can sometimes provide a quick, temporary solution to hyperactivity and attention deficit-related problems, it's important to remember that pharmaceuticals simply treat symptoms of attention deficit disorders--not causes. When medication is stopped, symptoms may promptly return, setting the stage for possible lifelong dependence on prescription drugs. The following GSDL tests can be used to detect possible causes and contributing factors linked to hyperactive behavior in children, and can provide the basis for natural, drug-free alternative methods of treatment. Hyperactivity
and Allergies: Identifying and treating food allergies has proven
to be an extremely powerful tool in helping hyperactive children. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation that results in clinical symptoms such as diarrhea, bleeding, abdominal pain, fever, joint pain, and weight loss. These symptoms can range from mild to severe, and may gradually and subtly develop from an initial minor discomfort, or may present themselves suddenly with acute intensity. IBD is a prevalent cause of chronic illness in a large segment of the patient population. It can manifest itself in two different forms: Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn's Disease (CD). Although the two conditions can appear clinically very similar, UC primarily involves inflammation of the colon and rectum, as opposed to the upper GI tract. Crohn's Disease, on the other hand, impacts a greater area of the upper intestinal digestive tract, and is thus more likely to trigger malabsorption, along with chronic vitamin and nutrient deficiencies. GSDL offers several assessments that specifically target the physiological mechanisms associated with IBD, allowing physicians to design focused and precise treatment strategies to help prevent development and halt progression of the disease. IBD
and GI Dysbiosis: IBD is believed to develop as a "gut"
reaction to intestinal dysbiosis--chronic imbalances in the microbial
flora that set off a chain of pathogenic events. Indigestion: gas, bloating, abdominal pain, etc. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are among the most common and widespread of health complaints among the general populace. One survey found that over a 3 month period, almost 7 of every 10 American households reported someone suffering from some type of gastrointestinal symptom.1 What's more, a recent Swedish study revealed that, next to headache, gastrointestinal problems are the number one medical complaint among school children. For successful, long-term treatment, it's crucial to pinpoint the gastrointestinal dysfunctions that underly these complaints, and to exclude the possibility of more serious digestive diseases. In up to 50% of such cases, symptoms are the result of a treatable imbalance within the gastrointestinal tract. Great Smokies offers several accurate non-invasive assessments that offer clinical insight for treating a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders: Indigestion
and Lactose Intolerance: A simple breath test can reveal one of the
most common causes of chronic indigestion—the inability to properly
digest lactose, or milk sugar. Lactose intolerance is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders, estimated to affect more than 50 million Americans. This condition arises
from an enzyme (lactase) deficiency in the gut. Without adequate amounts
of lactase, the digestive system is unable to properly break down and
absorb lactose, the main sugar in milk and dairy products. When this happens,
lactose is fermented by bacteria in the colon, causing symptoms of bloating,
diarrhea, flatulence, and abdominal cramps. Lactose
Intolerance Breath Test: This sensitive and specific noninvasive test
measures the amount hydrogen and methane gases released in response to
a lactose challenge drink. Research studies indicate that sperm counts may be declining worldwide over the last half-century, particularly in men from developed regions such as the United States and Europe. Increased stress, lifestyle changes, and environmental contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and hormone-altering chemicals have been cited as possible causes. As noted in a recent review on the topic, "a multi-faceted therapeutic approach to improving male fertility involves identifying harmful environmental and occupational risk factors, while correcting underlying nutritional imbalances to encourage optimal sperm production and function."2 The following functional assessments provide valuable clinical guidance in utilizing this approach to optimize sperm quality in men. Male
Infertility and Oxidative Stress: Men with higher levels of free radicals
in their bodies have a seven-fold reduced likelihood of initiating a pregnancy.
Memory Loss and Senile Dementia A recurring memory loss can make daily life extremely frustrating and stressful. If the memory loss is progressive, as in Alzheimer's disease, it may be part of a steady deterioration of brain neurons that eventually creates a state of permanent confusion that can last for years, until the person dies. Early intervention based on the following GSDL assessments, however, can help safeguard the body's natural protective mechanisms against the brain neural loss associated with impaired memory function. Memory
Loss and Adrenal Hormones: Chronic oversecretion of the adrenal stress
hormone cortisol is linked to brain atrophy, while another important adrenal
hormone, DHEA, seems to protect the brain from degenerative damage. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disorder characterized by progressive deterioration of the myelin, or fatty sheaths, that protect the nerve axons in the central nervous system. This deterioration impairs the transmission of nerve impulses, resulting in weakness, numbness, locomotor difficulty, pain, loss of vision, and other health problems. MS is viewed as an autoimmune disorder that transpires when internal antibodies mistakenly direct their "attack" against the body's own nerve cells; the disease often unfolds in intermittent periods of relapses and remissions. Scientists remain puzzled over the precise cause of MS. Although the existence of an instigating viral agent has been hypothesized, and genetic susceptibility seems to play a role, a variety of environmental factors are believed to strongly influence both the onset and progression of this disease. These factors are believed to be multifactorial, and include dietary, metabolic, immunological and hormonal triggers. The following GSDL assessments can help pinpoint potential triggers implicated in the etiology of MS, and specifically monitor the effectiveness of complementary therapy for MS patients. Multiple
Sclerosis and Essential Fatty Acids: Researchers have linked the increasing
prevalence of MS in modern times, along with its unique pattern of geographical
incidence, to dietary imbalances of essential fatty acids.Multiple Sclerosis
and Allergies: Food allergens may trigger the initial cascade of autoimmune
events that characterize MS. The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis (also known as degenerative joint disease) strikes over 16 million Americans, and is a major cause of disability among older individuals. Typically osteoarthritis presents as pain, stiffness, or swelling in joints such as the hip, hand, and knee or spine, but it may affect other joints as well. Women run a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis than men, and other risk factors include heredity, excess weight, joint injury, and hormonal imbalances. Although many people associate osteoarthritis with the "natural" wear and tear of joint cartilage, there are actually a variety of physiological factors that play an important role in the prevention, monitoring, and treatment of this condition. Recently, investigators have strongly emphasized the importance of working to undo actual degenerative mechanisms in the body rather than simply treating symptoms with anti-inflammatory drugs or analgesics. The following GSDL assessments offer important clinical insight into the dysfunctional mechanisms underlying the development and progression of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis
and Bone Resorption: Two collagen crosslinks measured in the urine
assess the impact of osteoarthritis upon bone tissue. Osteoporosis is the progressive thinning of the bones that takes place when new bone formation does not keep up with bone removal, leaving the bone progressively brittle. As bone is lost, the skeleton continues to have a normal composition, but it becomes porous, hyper-mineralized and more fragile, leading to spinal deformities (dowager's hump) and painful fractures of the wrist, hip and spine. Osteoporosis is the
most common bone disorder in America.1 More than 50% of healthy American
women aged 30-40 are likely to develop vertebral fractures as they age
due to osteoporosis.2 Unfortunately, treatment is only partially successful
(at best) once progressive bone weakening has occurred. It is important
to identify women and men who are currently losing bone at an accelerated
rate so that effective treatment can begin when the therapeutic burden
is prevention instead of reversal of bone loss. Osteoporosis
and Bone Resorption: If bone loss is detected early enough, interventions
can arrest loss and protect against future osteopororis and bone fractures. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) refers to a set of recurring symptoms arising during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, 7-14 days before menses. Irritability, headaches, fatigue, bloating, water retention, breast tenderness, joint pain, acne, depression, nausea, tension, food cravings, pelvic cramping, anxiety, and low sex drive are some of the distressing symptoms that regularly plague women who suffer from PMS. Although as many as four out of every 10 fertile women experience these symptoms either moderately or severely, until recently these women were afforded little help from conventional medicine.1,2 Based on their own experiences, however, many women have intuitively come to understand the importance of proper exercise, healthy diet, and reduction of stress in lessening the severity of their symptoms. Clinical studies have uncovered a wide range of physiological imbalances that are believed to trigger or contribute to PMS symptoms. These include female sex hormone imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, imbalances in fatty acid metabolism, yeast overgrowth, thyroid dysfunction, glucose/insulin dysregulation, and disruptions of the body's natural circadian rhythms. Because of its diverse etiologies, and because symptoms are so varied among women, some researchers have attempted to categorize PMS into different types, each with its own specific causal factors. These classifications are not necessarily consistent among experts, however, and perhaps the wisest approach is to realize that a number of functional imbalances--especially in conjunction with each other--may trigger or exacerbate PMS in its different forms, as well as create other health problems. However, detecting these imbalances early can allow women to alleviate some symptoms of PMS. PMS
and Female Sex Hormones: The symptoms of PMS correlate with specific
menstrual cycle changes modulated by the female sex hormones estrogen
and progesterone. In rheumatoid arthritis, a dysfunctional immune response causes the joints of the body to become inflamed, leading to severe stiffness and acute and/or chronic pain. An excess of synovial fluid around the joints also contributes to swelling and lack of mobility. All joints are affected by the disease, especially the wrist and hand joints. As the disease progresses, chronic inflammation ultimately destroys cartilage, tendon and ligaments in the elbows, shoulders, knees and ankles. Rheumatoid arthritis often strikes women and men in the prime of their lives. Symptoms can increase in severity over time, or they may remain relatively constant over the years. Although there is no known cure for this disease, scientists are increasingly discovering the importance of various functional mechanisms in the body that can greatly influence the development and progression of the disease. The following GSDL tests can expose these imbalances and monitor the effectiveness of treatment, helping patients alleviate some of the debilitating conditions associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid
Arthritis and Oxidative Stress: The oxidative damage caused by free
radicals is a pivotal mechanism implicated in the progression of rheumatoid
arthritis. Sexual Dysfunction and Low Libido Sexual dysfunction is a common disorder affecting both men and women, and can lead to severe emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, and loss of self esteem. Although the likelihood of sexual dysfunction increases with age, many experts stress that it is not simply a "natural" or "inevitable" consequence of aging. Impotence is estimated to affect as many as 30 million men in the U.S. alone. After menopause, many women experience a decline in libido, sexual pleasure, and the ability to express orgasm. Some men, too, as they age, experience reduced sex drive and steady decline in sexual ability. Others do not--and the difference often lies in hormone function. Several GSDL tests can uncover imbalances that may be triggering diminishing sex drive, impotence, and other problems of sexual function. Sexual
Dysfunction and Male Hormones: Low libido, weakened sexual performance,
and a gradual decrease in the size of sexual organ can be caused by falling
levels of testosterone in men as they age. Classification of skin disorders can be confusing because of overlapping terminology. The common lay term "rash" is loosely used to signify any number of skin disorders characterized by itchy, red, irritated skin eruptions, including dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and urticaria (hives). Other common skin problems include acne, keratosis (hardening of the skin), canker sores, premature aging, and dryness. The largest organ in the human body, skin serves as the crucial mediator between the inner body and the external environment and reflects the status of the body's internal health. Although surface irritants can be the source of skin problems, many skin conditions are actually systemic in origin, and thus may be effectively treated by correcting physiological imbalances within the body. The following GSDL assessments pinpoint dysfunctions that can trigger a wide range of skin disorders. Skin
Disorders and Allergies: One of the most common causes of dermatitis
and eczema is sensitivity to food and/or environmental allergens. Chronic sleep problems can seriously disrupt a person's life, taking a heavy toll in both in personal and professional relationships. And although sleep disorders can be debilitating in and of themselves--over time they can spur additional health problems by weakening the immune system and decreasing natural resistance to infection, depression, cell breakdown, and disease. The National Institute on Aging has estimated that over 80% of the aged population experience some type of sleep problem at one time or another--with insomnia regularly striking one-fourth of this population. Besides insomnia, sleep disorders can also take specific forms such as late-phase sleep syndrome, restless legs syndrome, and jet lag. Sleep
Disorders and Melatonin: Melatonin is known as the body's "biological
clock," for its crucial role in shaping our physiological responses
to the 24-hour cycle. The proper regulation of blood sugar (glucose) is critical for optimal health. Every cell in the body depends on an adequate, yet not excessive, supply of glucose for the energy it requires to function properly. Type-2 diabetes mellitus is a breakdown in blood sugar regulation that can begin to develop slowly and insidiously in adulthood, or earlier, in adolescence or even childhood. Obesity, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and genetic predisposition can gradually desensitize the body to the actions of insulin, the hormone that transports glucose from the bloodstream into cells. Eventually this malfunction may trigger a vicious cycle of imbalances that promotes further obesity and metabolic imbalances. Inability to maintain normal glucose control can lead to many metabolic diseases, including obesity, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, chronic fatigue, accelerated aging, as well as numerous mental and emotional disorders. Unfortunately, without early and accurate preventive testing, the first "sign" that surfaces may be a permanent complication from type-2 diabetes such as nerve loss, impotence, or even blindness. The following functional assessments can detect early signs of glucose and insulin dysregulation that may precede type-2 diabetes by many years. These tests are also important for monitoring the effectiveness of treatments aimed at improving metabolic health. Type-2
Diabetes and Metabolic Dysglycemia: This test pinpoints pre-diabetic
patterns of metabolic dysfunction and can identify at-risk individuals
years before permanent complications develop. Obesity affects much more than a person's appearance and sense of self-esteem--it also represents a serious health risk for a wide range of illnesses and diseases. Often obesity is just one part of a much larger clinical picture of interrelated imbalances inside the body. Besides poor diet and overeating, there are a variety of physiological dysfunctions that can lead to increased fat production and other sources of weight gain. Weight
Gain and Thyroid Hormones: Thyroid hormone imbalances can slow the
body's metabolic rate, promoting an increased tendency to put on weight.
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