There are countless autoimmune disease treatment options available, but how can patients figure out the ideal choice for their needs?

Treatments for autoimmune diseases are crucial for the patients suffering from these disorders. Symptoms can range from frustrating and inconvenient to potentially life-threatening. Autoimmune diseases develop when a person’s immune system identifies the healthy cells in their body as foreign. If you have an autoimmune disorder, the immune system, which defends your body from disease, attacks healthy cells. These illnesses can affect single or multiple types of body tissue, and they can actually lead to changes in organ function.

There is a considerable number of autoimmune diseases (there are at least 80 types, in fact), and many of them produce similar symptoms, thus making a diagnosis difficult.

As serious as these illnesses can be, some treatments can help with many of the issues associated with this type of disorder. Many of these treatment approaches are similar in that their focus is on addressing the symptoms and complications that arise as a result of autoimmune disease. The ideal treatment does more than treat symptoms, however. A functional approach to healing can achieve much more, as it emphasizes long-term resolutions.

At the forefront is a focus on improving the overall health of the body. The goal of this treatment is to achieve a healthier body through a multifaceted approach to healing on a cellular level. This, combined with a healthier diet and lifestyle, can lead to a body that is not only stronger but also much more capable of healing itself.

What Do Autoimmune Disease Sufferers Feel?

Autoimmune diseases can take a heavy toll on your quality of life. The symptoms, which range from inconvenient frustrations to very serious ailments, can spill over into every aspect of your life. There is a wide variety of them, given the vast quantity of different autoimmune diseases. However, some of the most common symptoms are fever, constipation, fatigue and a general lack of well-being. Organs and tissues typically affected by autoimmune diseases include red blood cells, muscles, joints, blood vessels, skin and endocrine glands.

How Are Autoimmune Disorders Typically Treated?

Curing this chronic illness is not possible. As such, treatment of autoimmune diseases usually revolves around decreasing symptoms and exercising some level of control over the illness. Lifestyle adjustments (such as resting more, avoiding stressful situations, etc.) can decrease the likelihood of flare-ups. Beyond that, healthier habits can cut down on the frequency and severity of symptoms. As for medical techniques, they tend to be on an ‘as needed’ basis, and can include:

• Blood transfusions in cases where the disease has affected blood

• Anti-inflammatory medication, for afflicted joints

• Immunosuppressive medication

• Pain medicineHormone replacement therapy

DR IAN’s Approach to Autoimmune Disease Treatment

My treatment program begins with addressing your symptoms to keep them under control. I will also seek to understand the underlying causes through my functional approach to healing. Lab work helps me zero in on whatever contributing factors might be present. I will use that information, coupled with your health status and genetics, to formulate a treatment plan designed for your specific needs.

I will target your specific areas of need, which can include detoxification (a common need with autoimmune diseases) and cutting-edge therapeutic technology. In-house therapies are an important aspect of my treatment plans, as they facilitate the healing process. These innovative therapies include whole body vibration, concentrated oxygen and an infrared sauna.These changes include a specially formulated diet and supplementation with vitamins, minerals and herbal remedies. The physical therapy I offer features an arsenal of unique approaches and strengthening exercises, as well as help from a massage therapist.

My autoimmune disease treatment also involves pulsed electromagnetic frequency (PEMF) therapy. The FDA approves this method to aid in bone regrowth as well as with alleviating the symptoms of depression. It is non-invasive, yet still penetrates the entire body with pulses that we can control. You’ll barely feel anything, but the therapy will still serve to heal your body’s cells and “recharge your batteries.” This contributes to a better sense of well-being and the improvement of fatigue-related symptoms.

Overall, I aim to optimize your body’s capacity for healing. The functional healing methods I adopt center on improving your overall health and seeking out resolutions that extend beyond the short-term. Wellness increases, beginning with healing on a cellular level.

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Even if relief from the symptoms of diabetes seems out of reach, there are ways to identify and treat the underlying issues-and even put into remission-this debilitating illness.

If you’ve been living with diabetes, you’re familiar with the strain this disease can put on every single aspect of your life. The people who come to us for help have suffered through symptoms that only seem to grow worse over time. These include lack of energy and libido, depression, hand numbness, leg pain and vision loss. The harmful impact of diabetes multiplies when you consider just how common it is. Nearly thirty million Americans are living with it today, and millions more are diabetic without even being aware of it! Over time, diabetes that isn’t managed properly (or at all) will bring about even more serious side effects, including kidney disease, heart problems and even blindness. With the right treatment, you can avoid serious complications like these. If you choose a program with a functional focus on healing your body on a cellular level, you can actually put these diseases into remission. However, this is only possible if you’re willing to make the necessary lifestyle changes.

MY Diabetes TREATMENT Programs

Your medical doctor might prescribe medications designed to ease your diabetes symptoms, which is part of what I do as well. The main difference is apparent in our combination of multiple approaches; I will apply a “quick fix,” a temporary solution intended to help you in the short-term, while we also take a long-term healing approach. Although we’re always going to strive to help you manage the discomfort caused by your illness, the focus is not on chasing symptoms. Instead, we look to improve your overall health by finding long-term solutions that will elevate your quality of life. By identifying and addressing the underlying problems, we can strengthen your body and optimize its ability to heal itself. My approach to treating diabetes involves lab work that I use to examine the illness’s contributing factors. I base the plan I put together for you on your specific health status and genetics, and conduct tests to make sure the program fits your needs. I will also perform additional checks over the course of your treatment as well. It is important that we ensure the numbers are moving in the right direction (and monitor sugar levels) so we can make adjustments as needed. I will work with you to help you make the necessary changes to your lifestyle. I will also spend time educating you on the proper ways to exercise for ideal results. Our therapeutic herbal, vitamin and mineral combinations will supplement your nutritional needs. All these methods contribute to the ultimate goal — developing the strength your body needs to accelerate its healing. You’ll be watching your diet, but our focus isn’t on a restriction of calories. Instead, it is about eliminating the foods that cause insulin spikes. Sugary, unhealthy food is a no-no, and there is a heavy emphasis on vegetables and protein. This ties into the healthier lifestyle needed for our program to achieve maximum effect. I strive to help your body reach levels of health that allow you to live independently of the prescribed medications you currently use for your symptoms. Traditional doctors might say that you’ll need them for the rest of your life, but we can change that. I will coordinate with your medical doctor to wean you off the medications as your body’s overall strength and wellness improve.

Other Complications Can Go Hand in Hand with DiabeteS

Diabetes is an illness that tends to come along with a multitude of additional health issues. Often, these complications link to one another. Therefore, if we take the right steps to address the underlying problem, most (if not all) of the other problems will also resolve. Medication geared toward the symptoms of diabetes might ease some of the discomfort caused by the disease, but the other issues will still be there. Those symptoms might require their own prescriptions, and in many instances, a patient will find that they have to stay on them for an extended period (if not for the rest of their life) in spite of the potential side effects.Luckily, Valhalla Wellness’ functional approach to healing focuses on treating the underlying causes, not the symptoms we see on the surface. For example, instead of directly addressing the need for weight loss, the cause resolves and the body becomes stronger, which leads to weight loss as a side effect. With this type of approach, it is possible to put diabetes into remission — and other issues connected to it. These complications, all of which respond to a functional medical approach, include: being overweight, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and lethargy.

MY Diabetes Treatment Plans Cater to You, Taking Your Needs into Account

For diabetes patients, a common theme is a special diet that focuses on anti-inflammatory benefits and cellular healing. For patients with specific dietary needs or unique health statuses, we will make adjustments as needed. I customize plans based on blood work, as well as your genetics. Much of my focus is on diet and lifestyle; however, for patients suffering from side effects related to neuropathy, I have other options. I can provide treatments geared toward relief of the tingling and pain you might be experiencing. Neurostimulation technology will regenerate, stimulate and regrow damaged nerves while also improving circulation. I even use herbal body wraps for localized, accelerated healing in afflicted limbs.

Don’t Settle for a Lifetime of Medication and Side Effects. Give Your Body the Ability to Beat Diabetes for Good

My staff includes a traditional family doctor as well as naturopathic and chiropractic physicians, so we will always be ready for whatever your health needs might be. Diabetes treatment is a long-term program, and it’s not one that we will begin without first taking the necessary steps to prepare. If you’re the right fit for my program, and willing to make the lifestyle changes needed for a full commitment to the program, my team will conduct in-house testing and a blood-draw before proceeding further. Another appointment will give us the chance to go over your results together, and then we’ll come up with a plan based on your health status and needs. Call us today for a consultation, and get started on the path to beating diabetes!

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With an ever increasing number of Alzheimer's patients in the US, Cognitive Decline is on the minds of doctors and researchers everywhere. Approaching Cognitive Decline is like repairing a roof with many holes- each hole must be carefully attended to. This means a one-size-fits-all approach cannot be sufficient, since the factors at play in cognitive decline are rather complex. Even if it were possible to produce a pharmaceutical treatment, it would need to be strong enough to accommodate all the many complexities of the disease. Adding chemical upon chemical would be a solution drenched in side effects. All hope is not lost however. Recent studies show that cognitive decline is not an inevitable defeat. The approach in these studies was methodical, comprehensive, and personalized. Doctors at Valhalla have integrated this cutting edge research into an effective Cognitive Decline program that is methodical, comprehensive, and personalized. 5.7 Million Americans currently suffer from Alzheimer's Disease. This number is expected to rise to 14 Million by 2050.  Alzheimer's is currently the 3rd leading cause of death. This is more deaths than breast and prostate cancer combined.  2/3 of all Alzheimer's patients are female.  Early onset Alzheimer's can develop in people as young as 30.  Nearly 1 in 8 adults 65 and older have Alzheimer's. This rises to 1 in 2 for adults 85 and older.

MY Program

After extensive testing and analysis, my doctors put together a personalized program for you designed to improve cognition and put into remission the cognitive decline of SCI, MCI, and early Alzheimer's disease. The program includes strict directions on health and lifestyle changes as well as a variety of system modalities. In one of the studies our program is derived from, patients who had to discontinue work were able to return to work, and those struggling at work were able to improve their performance. The patients, their spouses, and their co-workers all reported clear improvements. 9 of 10 patients tested displayed subjective or objective improvement in cognition beginning within 3-6 months, with the one failure being a patient with very late stage AD. These results suggest that cognitive decline may be driven in large part by metabolic processes- something my program addresses. Furthermore, given the failure of monotherapeutics in AD to date, the results raise the possibility that such a therapeutic system may be useful as a platform on which drugs that would fail as a monotherapeutics may succeed as key components of a therapeutic system.

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A different approach to treatments for thyroid disease could be the answer you need

The thyroid gland has many different responsibilities, which makes health issues related to it especially impactful. If you’re suffering from a thyroid-based illness, you could experience a lack of energy and libido, excessive weight gain, and even cosmetic issues like dry skin and hair that keeps falling out. This gland, which influences how fast you burn calories as well as your heart rate, ties directly to your overall sense of well-being. Because of that, thyroid diseases can leave you feeling depressed, which can then make all your other symptoms feel even worse. You might be taking medications for your thyroid problems, but the medicine isn’t guaranteed to help the way it should. You might not feel like your prescription is really helping, or you might have concerns about the potential for serious side effects.Regardless of why you may be unhappy with the treatment options currently available to you, fortunately, there’s another way! If you’re tired of being dependent on medication that doesn’t seem to be doing its job, a functional approach to healing could be the solution you need.

Hashimoto's hypothyroidism and breast implants

For individuals with breast implants or who are considering a breast enhancement procedure, it’s essential to be aware of all of the potential risks. Breast implants can put the immune system into a heightened state, triggering inflammation, and increasing the risk of autoimmune disease. In susceptible individuals, an autoimmune disorder known as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism can be either triggered or exacerbated. Since your thyroid gland controls metabolism and helps to regulate other bodily functions, the consequences of Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism can be severe. I provide skilled and compassionate care to help maintain a healthy, balanced, and functional immune system. With functional medicine, I can help patients prevent and manage Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism and remission from autoimmune disease.

What Is MY Approach to Treating Thyroid Disease?

My approach to medicine involves multiple disciplines, as my unique programs include a traditional medical doctor, a naturopathic physician, a chiropractic physician and a wide assortment of therapies and supplementations. We will address your symptoms with prescribed medications to help in the short-term. While this is happening, we will also target the underlying problems with our functional approach. My methods place emphasis on long-term resolutions, and we won’t chase symptoms. Instead, we’ll focus on healing the body and increasing overall wellness. The goal of my treatment program is to optimize your body’s ability to heal itself, which can happen when using the right mixture of functional medical strategies and lifestyle adjustments. When the body is healthier and stronger, many symptoms end up resolving themselves. We can address even more serious complications in this manner, although some might require more focused attention than others. Regardless of what ails you, a functional approach to healing can improve your body’s health on a cellular, fundamental level.

What Issues Can Arise from Unmanaged Thyroid Problems?

Unpleasant as the symptoms associated with thyroid disease can be, the complications linked with untreated thyroid illnesses can be much worse. An early diagnosis can make a crucial difference in the severity of these issues. However, choosing the right treatments for your needs is also of vital importance. Complications you’re at risk for if you don’t seek out the right help include: Birth defects, if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Children born to mothers with untreated thyroid problems can be much more likely to have congenital disabilities than infants with healthy mothers. Due to the importance of thyroid hormones in relation to development, defects can include both physical and mental development issues. Heart problems, due to the increased levels of LDL (or bad) cholesterol associated with an under-active thyroid, this complication can lead to increased risk of heart disease, atherosclerosis and an increased likelihood of heart attack or stroke. Infertility, as thyroid hormones can have a significant impact on ovulation and a woman’s chances of conceiving. Decreased mental function, which couples with depression that worsens over time.

How MY Thyroid Treatment Programs Address Your Specific Needs

My functional approach to medicine takes your needs and health status into account. This means the beginning of your program will involve a heavy focus on analyzing your diet and lifestyle. I will turn to lab work to understand the underlying causes of your health issues, before supplementing you with specially formulated vitamin and mineral combinations that will help your health reach new levels. If you’re in need of detoxification (even a heavy-duty version of it), I can include it in your program. Your treatments will reflect your needs, after all. And although I will prescribe medications to help you over the short-term, I will coordinate with your medical doctor to gradually wean you off the medicine, even if you might believe that you’d need it for the rest of your life. Surgeries don’t always come with a hopeful outlook, and patients who’ve used prescribed medications to no effect and are now faced with impending operations have turned to our program and discovered improvement. In some cases, positive results appeared after only a week of treatment, and the need for surgery vanished. Although your genetics will have an impact on the nature and length of your ideal treatment, more serious issues like thyroid disease could require programs lasting a year or even longer. However, you’re free to begin with a shorter program to see if you truly believe in the treatment’s ability to help you before opting for a longer timeframe.

Don’t Settle for What Isn’t Helping Your Thyroid Issues — Take the Initiative to Get Better Today

Feeling depressed and fearing nothing will ease your condition is no way to live. If the treatments you’ve received aren’t helping you get better, don’t settle for more of the same. There are other options out there, and a functional approach to your health problems can be the solution you need. My multifaceted treatment can improve the overall health of your body and provide it with the tools to heal itself, so you can be free of the harmful medications you thought you were stuck with for life. If you’re willing to make the necessary commitment to the program and adjust your lifestyle in a way that will elevate your physical and mental well-being, there’s no reason you can’t achieve the level of health you desire and deserve. Call me today for a consultation, and get started on the path to a healthier, happier existence.

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