Naturopathic Doctor Blog | New!

I've just started a new blog which will broaden the information for all my readers.

I've invited numerous ND's to join me in authoring posts, providing case studies and research.

I highly recommend you keep tabs of this new blog, Naturopathic Doctor, as it is going to explode in information which may positively affect your life in many ways.

In health,
Dr Ben, ND

Scleroderma | Blood Flow Problems

QUESTION:
Dear Dr.

I have been diagnosed as having Scleroderma (the joint kind) and I have been taking a number of anti inflamitories as well as colchicine, imuran and azathioprine.

However, now my penis is turning blue around the rim of the head, and the head appears whitish a lot of the time. It appears that there is a lack of blood supply. I have not had a full errection in months. Who should I see...or what should I do????

Thank you,


ANSWER:
I'm sorry you're having this problem.

It would be best to get to the hospital right away as you don't want to lose blood flow to a body part or it will die and have to be removed.

The hospital will direct you to the proper type of physician. May be a rheumatologist, cardiologist, hematologist or all three or yet another.

There may be many causes for the lack of blood flow.

A naturopathic physician may have loads of ideas to help increase the blood flow to the area.

For now, get to the hospital and get checked out.

Applying a very warm towel to the area may help increase blood flow to the area. Doing that followed by a cold towel for about 20 seconds may help pump the blood into the area. So alternating hot towels (3 minutes) with cold (30 seconds) and finishing with cold - not freezing - just cold. Ask your doctor if this is a good idea or not - it may be and it also may not be. Depends on what the situation is.

Gingko biloba, Crataegus (Hawthorne), Bromelain, Boswellia, Turmeric, Proteolytic enzymes, Ginger, Castor oil topically are some possible things which may help but must be administered by a physician as dosages may need to be very high to get anywhere.

Laser treatment to the area may help as well.

A naturopathic physician can be a big help to you only after you get to your main physician and get evaluated.

Disclaimer: This is purely information and absolutely not a medical prescription or medical advice. One must see a physician and not self-treat as serious harm may occur.

Keep me posted how you are doing - and please - don't delay. Get to the doc.

In health,
Dr Ben

Cure for Fibromyalgia? | Prove it says they

Their COMMENT:
I have an good background in medicine myself. I know some treatments can work to relieve pain and symptoms. I was curious about your wording suggesting you "cured" fibromyalgia in a patient. I would like to see your research in this area or the studies you have seen as I have not come across any such study.


My RESPONSE:
FMS (fibromyalgia) is a complicated condition and each patient presents differently. Their causes may be different yet their symptoms are the same. I do not treat symptoms - I treat patients.

It is not about reducing pain or reducing fatigue, it is about restoring proper function to the body and eliminating the cause of the problem. I simply find the cause of the problem, remove it, provide support and then patients are better.

You treat symptoms of a FMS patient and you will be run around in circles and so will they. Dont treat the symptoms. Treat them.

Different FMS patients get different treatments.

One patient: I stopped her from taking all of her cleansing supplements and everything else as well. Had her take a hot peat bath. Next visit she literally ran up and gave me a hug. It used to take her 20 minutes to simply get out of bed in the morning. That was only after 1 visit.

Second patient: Removed medications which were causing issues, improved her digestion and thyroid.

Another: Healed the gut.

Another: Removed food intolerances and healed the gut.

This is not all about science here - it is methodology - which is what medicine has absolutely forgotten about. Medicine has broken everything down into tiny little pieces which is crap.

People's muscles, thyroid, ears, colon and lungs are all connected. Why see a different doctor for each one? What if the problem started from taking one medication causing dysfunction in all systems? That would be likely missed as the patient would end up being on 6 different drugs for 6 different problems from 6 different doctors who don't communicate with each other. Then the patient would become even more ill and require more drugs and then dead. That is medicine today.

I had a patient tell me they went to their family doc. Couldnt get in but finally forced her way in as she needed help. She asked about her menstrual pain - doc said I dont do that- go see the gynecologist. She then asked about her ankle, she said I dont do that - go see the rheumatologist. She then asked about her headaches - doc said I dont do that - go see the endocrinologist.

Crap.

So while there is a plethora of research and FMS, that is only a guide to help me but it does not dictate how I approach my patients.

I keep current - very very current on research. But I simply use it as a guide. Nothing dictates my treatment plan more than what comes out of the patient's mouth.

Best
Dr Ben

NOTE: This is an excerpt from my Natural Health Forum. If you'd like to follow the discussion, look here. Who knows how heated it may get - I'm trying to remain calm ;)

Care to comment? Please do. This is exactly why I decided to become a naturopathic physician and I am honored to be among such passionate colleagues. ND's treat the person - not symptoms.

Itchy Red Eyes for 2 Years | Help

QUESTION:
Dr. Ben,

I have had watery, itchy, red eyes for 2 years now. I have had tear duct surgery on both eyes. I have been to many eye specialists, dermatologists, etc. I had a skin patch recently, but they still couldn't help me. My eyes look like a raccoon, but with red instead of black circles.

Any information will be appreciated.

Thanks so much

ANSWER:
Sorry that you've been having this issue for so long - cannot be fun.

Sounds like a classic allergic presentation. The question is: allergic to what?

You need to ask yourself: What happened 2 years ago? What changed then?

You get a pet? Moldy house? New job with environmental exposures? Work with printing, chemicals, paints, solvents? Dust mites in your bed? New home that is off-gassing formaldehyde from new carpets, new floors, new paints? What hobbies do you have? What hobbies does your partner have or kids? What do you do for work?

Contact lenses? Solutions?

Getting a HEPA air filter, dust mite covers, having pets sleep outside your room, removing the carpets from your home, cleaning up your work environment and finding the cause of the problem is what must be done. There are loads of effective itch-relieving drops out there but the fact is: What is causing it?

You're body is telling you that something is wrong with your environment. Listen to it. Discover what it is. Think back two years ago - what changed?

If none of that is the case - ask yourself "Am I positive?" Take your time in answering those questions - don't dismiss the importance of them. Think hard.

Let me know what you think of. I have more thoughts but start there.

Best,
Dr Ben

Flat Warts Everywhere | Natural Options

Question:
Dr. Ben,

I have flat warts on my leg, hundreds of them, but most people would never know because you can barely see them unless I'm out in the sun then you might just notice a few spots on my leg. A few have spread to my belly and a couple to my arm.

What is so mysterious, is my sister has them too. She lives in Louisiana and at the time five years ago, she came to see me in Missouri, we were sitting outside and she said I have these little warts all over the top of my leg. I said that is weird because so do I. Now we live hundreds of miles apart and see each other maybe once a year, so how could this happen to both of us. I am 45 and she is 43 as of date.

I have been told I could never get rid of them and then I have been told they will go away on their own. Well I have tried everything. I eat lots of garlic for my immune system and now am using an infrared sauna hoping maybe that will help. My sister has had some of hers frozen off by a doctor but it left scars.

Dr. Ben I'm desperate for a cure. I'm scared eventually they will spread all over my body.

Is there anything I can do????

I would great appreciate your response.

Live happy & healthy!

ANSWER:
Hi there.

Flat warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) strains 3 and 10.

Naturopathic physicians treat HPV by improving the immune system, as you're doing, and also by altering the diet. Reducing stress is an important factor as well.

Limiting unhealthy forms of carbohydrates such as sugars, white breads, white rice and white potatoes is necessary as these depress immune function.

Balancing digestive flora is paramount as bacteria play a large role in immune support. Taking a quality probiotic supplement may provide significant results. Doctors commonly recommend taking acidophilus right before dinner. The probiotic supplement that I trust is typically taken for 14 nights only.

Simply open one full sachet of acidophilus, mix it into a bit of water, drink and then eat your dinner.

Spa-grade Peat, also known as moor mud, may assist in removing the warts as peat is naturally high in humic acid. Humic acid is a potent anti-viral compound. Peat baths also improve immune function if done repeatedly over a few weeks.

The peat may be applied directly to the skin which may show the highest effects or one may take a peat bath. This will require daily application for a minimum of two weeks to see any results I would imagine.

You may want to have your vitamin D levels evaluated. Low vitamin D is very common and may be compounding the problem. Talk with your doctor about ordering a serum 25 (OH) Vitamin D test.

To have full support, visit a naturopathic physician in your area. They are sure to help you.

Keep me posted on how you're doing and if you've further questions.

Disclaimer: this is only information and not medical advice or treatment.

In health,
Dr Ben, ND