There are many patients who suffer from recurrent bronchitis, sinusitis , throat infections and recurrent vaginal yeast or thrush infections
Some of these patients will have a chronic illlness diagnosis and some will not. Many may also complain of feeling a bit ‘tired all the time’ depsite getting adequate rest. Some will have respiratory disorders like asthma. Many will not.
A fairly common example is the person who has a fairly busy life but finds that they are ‘down’ with a severe bronchitis two or three times per year and may, on occasion, need steroids added to their antibiotics. Read the rest of this entry »

Every month, under normal circumstances, women in their ‘child-bearing’ years experience their monthly ‘menstrual period’.
This blood loss comes about as a result of the monthly shedding of the lining (a.k.a. the ‘endometrium’) of their uterus or womb. On a monthly basis the womb is re-lined with a fresh endometrium and prepared for the implantation of a fertilised ovum which Mother Nature, who is forever planning to have more of us around, would eventually turn into a baby. Read the rest of this entry »

To make a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome there should be at least 3 months of continuous or recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort which is relieved with defaecation and associated with a change in either the frequency or the consistency of the stool.
Irritable bowel syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion which means that, as part of the initial investigation, other serious or life-threatening disorders are first ruled out.
Can anything be done apart from “more fibre, Madam, relax more and have an occasional yogurt” Do any therapies really work for Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Read the rest of this entry »

There is no evidence that any alternative or complementary medical techniques can ‘cure’ HIV and I would advise patients to be very cautious about anyone whether doctor or layman who makes such claims – which I would consider to be unrealistic and misleading.
From time to time I am consulted by people who are HIV positive.
My focus in treating HIV+ patients involves:
Attempting to improve Quality of Life
A. Attempting to, as far as possible, reduce or eliminate recurrent infections such as coughs, colds and pneumonias which can make life so miserable for those who are HIV+. The main tols used here to boost the immune system is nutritional medicine, homoeopathy and also advanced acupuncture techniques which are used preventively especially going into the Autumn of each year to prevent autumn and winter respiratory tract infections. Read the rest of this entry »

Currently there is no cure for Hepatitis C. Therefore, quality of life is the focus.
Some significant symptoms reported by people with hepatitis C include:
Flu-like illness, alternate chills and fever, Indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, joint pains, night sweats, depression, mood swings, SAD, Sudden fatigue/attacks of exhaustion, abdominal bloating, diarrhoea, itchy skin, mental fatigue, recurrent headache, brain fog, chest and muscle pains, blood sugar disorders, unrestorative sleep, irregular periods, severe PMT, lowered libido Some of the most significant problems: Read the rest of this entry »

Integrative Medicine, a holistic approach, combines Conventional Medicine with complementary / alternative health therapies such as Nutritional Medicine (including recognition and management of food intolerances) Homoeopathy, Acupuncture, Environmental Medicine (Clinical Ecology) and Natural Hormone Therapies. Read the rest of this entry »

Endometriosis is the deposition of endometrial tissue at abnormal sites in the body (usually in the pelvic area) instead of where it should normally be positioned which is as the lining of the womb. How does the endometrium function normally?
The endometrium lines the womb (a.k.a. the uterus). In the normal course of events the endometrium goes through a process of build-up and then shedding (this shedding is called the menstrual ‘period’ or monthly ‘bleed’) during the course of a woman’s monthly cycle. Read the rest of this entry »

Depression Fatigue Fibromyalgia Chronic Pain and Mood problems are closely related to brain chemistry and hormonal status. These are complex, frequently inter-related disorders. Below is a brief introduction to neurotransmitter chemistry – because the brain really does ‘pull the strings’ so to speak and mixed-up brain chemistry is frequently a cause of chronic pain problems.
INTRODUCTION TO NEUROTRANSMITTERS
(with acknowledgement for part of resource material to www.neurorelief.com and Neuro-Lab Ltd, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK)
NEUROTRANSMITTERS: A description of how they work and what they actually do Consider the analogy of a car with its brake and accelerator to gain a basic understanding of neurotransmitters. Read the rest of this entry »

Chronic pain implies pain that is ongoing – which persists after the original source of pain or injury has stopped but where full healing and a full return to health has not occurred.
It is important for anyone suffering from chronic pain to obtain an appropriate medical opinion which will usually include an opinion from both their General practitioner and a consultant neurologist or neurosurgeon or other medical specialist as appropriate. Read the rest of this entry »

There is certainly more than a grain of truth in ‘the Candida Syndrome’ – but it really needs to be put in perspective – it probably would be more accurate to speak of ‘fungal dysbiosis’. Candida is a fungus and not a virus or a bacterium and there are many other troublesome moulds that may affect the body other than candida.
My experience is that many people with chronic health problems ranging form PMS to irritable bowel syndrome to chronic tiredness including probably some forms of eczema have an illness that is likely fungus-related. Many people are helped by going on a low refined carbohydrate diet which is low in yeast-containing foods. Men also may be affected, but not as frequently as women. Read the rest of this entry »