Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care system that merges modern scientific knowledge with natural and traditional forms of medicine. It is based on the philosophy that stimulating the healing potential of the body, and treating the underlying cause, the body can return to a state of balance and health. Symptoms are viewed as warning signs of imbalance or improper function that need to be corrected. By addressing root cause(s) of disease many patients with chronic illness have found tremendous benefit. Although naturopathic medicine is a distinct health care system, treatments run in conjunction or support of your current medical plan.
WHAT NEUROPATHIC MEDICINE CAN DO FOR YOU
Naturopathic medicine addresses many health concerns — pediatric – geriatric, from acute symptoms – chronic illness, and from physical – psychological concerns. They are able to treat a wide variety of patients with a variety of therapeutic tools. In addition to diet and lifestyle changes, botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, naturopathic manipulation and traditional Chinese medicine/acupuncture. Naturopathic doctors also have access to a variety of special tests to help identify any underlying issues, and create a plan specifically for you. Naturopathic doctors are able to treat you as an individual not a condition with a single course of action.
DIGESTIVE HEALTH
The digestive tract and the microbiome influence every aspect of our health. These effects can promote health or promote disease depending on the health of the microbiome. Naturopathic medicine has long valued the importance of digestive health and the microbiome, and have a variety of tools to repair a damaged digestive tract and improve the health of the microbiome. Diet and targeted supplementation, healing herbs, pre and probiotics are among the more common interventions. The food that we eat is more than enjoyment and calories. It is information and fuel for our microbiome and is the source material for every cell in our bodies.
EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON THE DIGESTIVE TRACT
Nearly every system in the body can be impacted because of the damage done to the digestive tract and the liver. In large amounts, alcohol can devastate the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and liver which results in direct damage to the digestive tract and other organs. Alcohol can cause inflammation through a variety of mechanisms. Chronic alcohol intake leads to intestinal inflammation by: altering intestinal microbiota composition and function, increasing the permeability of the intestinal lining, and affecting the intestinal immune balance.
Changes to the digestive tract create a vicious loop of inflammation and tissue destruction eventually leading chronic inflammation and tissue destruction. This can lead to a wide variety of systemic conditions like: malnutrition, liver disease, altered immune function, altered sugar metabolism, neuroinflammation and psychiatric disorders. In fact the three leading causes of death attributed to alcoholism are liver disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
HOW NEUROPATHIC MEDICINE CAN HELP
Naturopathic medicine is an excellent fit because Naturopathic medicine takes a whole-person approach to addiction management and recovery with treatment plans varying depending on the specific needs of the patient. Naturopathic interventions include but are not limited to counselling, lab testing, herbal medicine, orthomolecular interventions (vitamins, minerals and amino acids) and acupuncture. Choosing a treatment regime for any patient is influenced by the patient history, the amount of time used, type of drugs used and the impact the addiction has had on the body
Editorial – Dr Andrew Byrk, ND.