Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Holistic Psychiatry & Hormones
This diet is not just for those with ADHD.
Whether you have ADHD, think you have ADHD, are told by others that you are completely ADD, are worried about age-related memory loss, have chronic brain fog, or simply cannot focus; a few simple diet changes can help improve your concentration abilities. Check out my blogs on Rosemary and Ginkgo biloba to help your concentration using simple and safe herbal medicines along with diet.
Eating smart and healthy should also improve your overall productivity.
Let’s face it, we all could benefit from being more focused and cognitive. If this list is overwhelming, then you will most likely REALLY benefit from changing your eating habits. Please don’t be overwhelmed though, adopting a new eating plan takes time and effort at first. When I first began to research "Alternatives to Ritalin," for my own purposes back in 1994, I had terrible eating habits and was binging on a lot of fast food and candy that greatly impacted my ADD. Since I spent all my time studying or working and I lived in a dorm my diet was terrible and my ADHD worsened. It took a lot of time and effort to get my eating on track and I struggled to make immediate changes. However, I can now live Ritalin free and stay focused without having to deal with all the yucky side effects of taking that medication that would make me feel sweaty, shaky, nervous, and would occasionally cause my heart to race.
So if I can do it... then anyone can do it. You just need to focus on one thing at a time if you struggle with dietary changes. Start adding in the easiest things on my list and you will notice improvements that will help you stay motivated to tackle the next steps. Simply try making one change at a time until you have it down. They say it takes 28 days to make a new habit. To overcome a bad case of the “I cants” simply find one thing that you CAN do at a time and work on that!
Let’s quickly review the dietary Do and Dont’s of eating for ADHD, ADD, and better concentration…
Do:
Don’t:
I hope that helps get you started in the right direction. Anyone with ADHD, poor concentration, or memory problems should see improvement within a week or so with this eating plan. Overall improvement will be noted after a month of following this eating plan for better concentration and memory. Many women with concentration issues are actually struggling with hormone imbalance from menopausal hormone changes, perimenopause, as well as hypothyroidism can also cause brain fog, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating.
Thank you for your Women's Health and Herbal Medicine questions. Please send them to me on a postcard to the address below as I love to get something in the mail that is not a bill. Remember if your question cannot fit on a postcard then you need to treat yourself to a Naturopathic visit with me. Simply pop over to my SCHEDULE page to get set up. I love helping women with their ADHD, memory, hormones, and chronic fatigue.
Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
(480) 837-0900
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones, she presents to women the best-integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones, and Naturopathy!
References:
1. PMID: 7247635 Effects of artificial food colrings in children with hyperactive symptoms. A critical review and results of a controlled study. Arch Gen Psychiatry
2. PMID: 3395307 Synthetic food colorings and behavior: a dose-response effect in a double-blind placebo-controlled, repeated-measure study. J Pediatr.
3. PMID: 349320 Hyperkinesis and diet: a double-blind crossover trial with tartrazine challenge.
4. PMID: 8257176 Effects of a few food diets in attention deficit disorder. Arch Dis Child.
5. PMID: 2857900 Controlled trial of oligoantigenic diet in the treatment of hyperkinetic syndrome. Lancet.
6. PMID: 9257090 Does oligoantigenic diet influence hyperactive/conduct disordered children. A controlled trial. Eur Child Adolesc Psych.
7. PMID: 8277950 Effects of diets high in sucrose or aspartame on the behavior and cognitive performance of children. N Engl J Med.
8. PMID: 3674234 Effects of sugar and aspartame on aggression and activity in children. Am J Psychiatry.
9. PMID: 194563 Effects of sugar on aggressive and inattentive behavior in children with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity and normal children. Pediatrics.
10. PMID: 16314082 Supplementation with flax oil and vitamin C improves the outcome of ADHD. Essential Fatty Acids 2006.
11. PMID: 15741051 The effect of fish oil on physical aggression in school children a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Nutr. Biochem.
12. PMID: 14985685 Effect of docosahexaenoic adic-containing food administration on symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder- a placebo-controlled double-blind study. Eur J Clin Nutr.
13. PMID: 2539203 Gamma linolenic acid for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; placebo-controlled comparison to D-amphetamine. Biol Psychiatry.
14. PMID: 12873849 Consumption of fish and n-3 fatty acids and risk of incident of Alzheimer disease. Arch Neurol.
15. PMID: 12580703 Dietary fats and the risk of incident of Alzheimer's disease. Arch Neurol.
16. PMID: 12380746 Similarities and differences between Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia from the viewpoint of nutrition. Ann NY Acad Sci.
Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Holistic Mental Health & Hormones
“What can I do to improve my ADHD, brain fog, and concentration naturally?”
~Judy M Tempe, AZ
Rosemary!
Hi Judy! Everything in my Scottsdale garden is pretty much dead at this point in the winter, except for my Rosemary which can thrive under constant unfortunate circumstances. It still thrives when I forget to water it in the harsh Phoenix summer. It thrives in the winter when the cold has killed off nearly everything else. The way this plant can thrive in nearly any circumstance is exactly what makes it so magical to use to improve your immune system, memory, concentration, mental health, circulation, headaches and pain.
Rosemary is indicated when women feel weak, tired, foggy, forgetful or in pain. Today I will teach you how to make Rosemary Oil, Rosemary Anti-Aging Oil, Rosemary Tea, ADHD Tea, and Rosemary Salmon!
I will also go over what you can do with your Rosemary Oil. Rosemary oil is amazing for women with autoimmune disease, dealing with arthritis, and achy joints. Rosemary is great to inhale as an antiviral, and especially important for those battling brain fog, memory issues, or ADHD concentration issues.
I love Rosemary and Dandelions and just about any other herbal plants that have some hardiness. Any persnickety rose highly tended to in a garden will usually thrive with all the attention, but I save my admiration for those plants that can grow through harsh conditions, cracks in cement and still come out beautiful. Or still manage to stay alive in my abandoned winter garden bed. Plants are some of our best Antiviral Herbs because they would not survive under harsh conditions if they did not have antimicrobial essential oils that protect them against the latest virus, bacteria, and fungus.
As I stopped to really admire the magic of my beautiful blue Rosemary flowers blooming and flourishing next to a bunch of dead plants, I realized it is because Rosemary is truly a survivalist. That is why Rosemary is so helpful for the following health conditions:
Because rosemary is such a hardy plant you can afford to plant a ton of it as future shrubbery and pretty much abandon it to nearly any weather extreme and watch it flourish. Why have senseless shrubbery around your house when you can grow a hedge of amazing herbal medicine? Rosemary is also an excellent bug repellant so helps repel bugs from your garden and therefore is the perfect perimeter herb to surround your garden with.
With all your Rosemary you can make an indulgent Rosemary Oil to massage into your temples to improve your memory, concentration and pain levels.
How to make Rosemary Oil:
How to make “Rosemary Memory & Mood Tea”
“ADHD, Memory & Brain Fog Tea”
Add Rosemary to the 2 cups of boiling water bring to a brief boil and then turn the heat off. Add your Gingko, Gotu Kola, and Spearmint, and let infuse covered for 30-45 minutes. Strain and drink 1 cup twice daily for memory, mood, depression, or ADHD.
How to Cook with Rosemary
Try my favorite salmon recipe: “Dr. Nicole’s Rosemary Memory Salmon” great for anyone with ADHD, poor concentration, or poor memory!
I also love to add rosemary to cooked meats, soups, and baked goods. Rosemary is delicious with chicken, lamb, and seafood. If you have a bread machine you can easily make Rosemary Bread by adding a few tablespoons of fresh chopped rosemary.
Learning how to add “tonic” herbs such as rosemary into your meals will give you that added stamina as you become that much stronger and healthier. Cooking with herbs full of antioxidants such as Rosemary is a simple trick to add to any anti-aging program.
Who doesn’t need to be focused, strong, hardy, and durable like a Rosemary plant right now?
Rosemary Anti-Aging Oil:
Mix all ingredients together and place in a pump container to apply frequently to your skin. I like to add 1-2 pumps of Rosemary Anti-Aging oil to my moisturizer to help my skin be less dry in the Arizona desert. Studies show that Rosemary is Anti-Aging as is olive oil and vitamin E so this is the secret behind why I don't look 46 years old and many of my patients think I am too young to be a doctor!
Household uses for Rosemary
Sometimes a simple afternoon pick me up isn’t a big cup of coffee but the luxury of grabbing a big handful of Rosemary needles from my garden, crushing it between my fingers to release the essential oils (just don’t huff too hard and get a needle up your nose). I like to rub the bruised needles right on to my temples. Sometimes I pick a small sprig and eat it on the way to work to help wake up.
You can also simmer a couple lemons in water on the stove and add a sprig of Rosemary to freshen up your house in need of fresh air. Rosemary is also antiviral and useful for cleaning the air when people are sick in your home . The essential oils of citrus and rosemary are a great uplifting treat for anyone sick, shut in, depressed, or just in need of a little pick me up!
Herbal Medicine Safety Tips
Be careful using any new herbs as medicine, especially if you already take medications such as blood thinners or heart medications you should use Rosemary under the supervision of your Naturopathic Doctor. While Rosemary technically does not interfere with blood thinners it is very anti-inflammatory and by reducing inflammation my patients on blood thinners generally need less blood thinners so it is important that you work with someone such as myself that specializes in complex Women’s Health and Integrated Medicine! I have a lot of experience mixing blood thinners and herbs.
Thank you for sending me postcards with the questions you want me to blog about!
I love getting something in the mail that is not a bill and love your questions about Women’s Health, Hormones, and Herbal Medicine. Remember if your question is too big to fit on a postcard then you need to make an appointment with me by popping over to my SCHEDULE page!
Dr. Nicole Sundene
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum Depression, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones, she presents to women the best-integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!
Reference:
Dr. Nicole Sundene
"Are hemorrhoids caused by hormone imbalance?"
Hemorrhoids "do not happen" to any women because we are all perfect, so I will just leave this hemorrhoid information here for nobody. 😉
Okay all jokes aside, women generally have much worse hemorrhoids than men due to pregnancy and monthly hormone imbalance. Women are also scared to ask me how to fix this simple issue, and should never hesitate to ask their doctor for help. Just think of us as auto mechanics for your body. Doctors just like to "fix parts." So the part may be embarrassing to you, but it is just another day at the office for your doctor.
The majority of women filling out my paperwork state they have hemorrhoids, generally from pregnancy that never go away. Since women often ask me about this and many have thyroid disease, I wanted to mention the connection between hormones and hemorrhoids. More women also have thyroid disease. This particular hormone condition hypothyroidism or Hashimotos can also cause constipation and bloating that can contribute to forming hemorrhoids. We must treat the constipation to alleviate the hemorrhoids. Constipation also can occur with PMS, Perimenopause, PCOS, and Menopause.
Is that a picture of an ancient medieval torture device? Is the herbal medicine worse than hemorrhoids?
No, it is simply a horse chestnut seed. Don't worry, the outer spiky hull is not used in Naturopathy!
For women the inner nut or seed of Aesculus hippocastanum is a fabulous cure for hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Hemorrhoids are just varicose veins as well, so if you tend to have constipated, coupled with a weak veinous system, you might benefit from this herb.
The active constituent aescin has an astringent property that serves to tighten up loose leaky veins. It is also anti-edematous, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, anti-exudative, and decreases capillary permeability.
Check with your naturopathic doctor before taking this herb as there are potential drug-herb interactions and this herb should not be used by those on anti-coagulants as the coumarin properties may theoretically interact with blood thinning medications.
Any time there is bleeding or pain down there you should go to your doctor immediately as it could be indicative of colon or rectal cancer, and when caught early enough is highly treatable. Also do not make any herbal medicine preparations from wild plants unless you are 100% certain of the species for safety purposes. The colon cancer screenings have been changed to starting at age 45, so before using herbal medicine see your GI Doctor, or Gastroenterologist for a colonoscopy to insure it is not cancer or pre-cancerous polyps we need to worry about.
Horsechestnut should absolutely not be used by children or pregnant women, anyone with a chronic health condition should check with their doctor before using any herbal medicine.
Dose: A tincture (1:5 in 40%) can be used, the standard dose is 1-4ml in a little bit of water three times daily. To make an herbal infusion pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of dried seed and allow to steep 15 minutes, strain and drink three times daily or apply with cotton balls to the affected area (best when applied cold so keep your witch hazel or horse chestnut solutions in the fridge). You can also try a 16% standardized aescin extract in capsules. Daily dose should equate to 50mg of aescin taken two to three times daily (so the entire capsule weight will most likely be 300 to 900 mg to receive the 50mg of aescin from the 16% standardized extract). Most of my hemorrhoid patients take 2 caps twice daily.
Although horse chestnut is wonderful for strengthening veins, just utilizing it alone is not going to fully address the problem. Straining with bowel movements because of a dry hardened stool lacking fiber, water, and probiotics are the ultimate causes of hemorrhoids. Basically everyone in America has hemorrhoids at some point because of the crappy white refined foods diet that we eat.
You can always apply the standard preparation H, or an herbal hemorrhoid cream with astringents such as witch hazel in it. Keep the area clean and take some stool softeners until it is healed so you don’t continue to rupture it back open, or feel like you are pooping razor blades.
Eat dark pigmented berries to ensure a strong healthy vasculature. Add a cup of frozen blueberries daily to the diet as well as citrus foods to heal blood vessels. When symptomatic do alternating sitz baths to tonify the vessels of the pelvic region.
For prevention be sure to not get constipated!
Try drinking a glass of warm water every morning when you wake up to give the intestines a bath. The heat from the water tends to relax the smooth muscle of the bowel and train your body to have a bowel movement each morning. For short term relief you can try magnesium 400-800mg but keep in mind that it is simply a short-term osmotic cure for diarrhea, it is not treating the cause.
Be sure to eat plenty of fiber, drink a gallon of water daily, and MOVE your body. Your digestive tract responds to movement. Sitting around all day will result in a sluggish bowel. Humans were not designed for sitting all day and it creates stagnation in our pelvis. Include foods in the diet that encourage bowel movements such as celery, pears, flaxseeds, apples, prunes, oatmeal and other whole grains.
Try a “High Fiber Breakfast” which consists of a bowl of oatmeal with 3 tablespoons of FRESHLY ground flaxseeds, a handful of raw walnuts, half a chopped apple pears, blackberries, blueberries (not bananas as they cause constipation) along with yogurt and cinnamon for flavor and garnish. Or eat this as a bed time snack to insure a normal bowel movement in the morning.
You may also benefit from taking some probiotics to help bulk up the stool, as a third of the weight of our stool comes from the bacteria in our digestive tract. If you have taken antibiotics in the past, your bowel flora may be compromised. I like HMF intensive, Megasporebiotic, and Klaire's probiotic you can pick up on my discount vitamin page. Rotat the different brands around each month to create a diverse amount of flora in your microbiome!
Please keep in mind your Naturopathic Doctor has heard EVERYTHING and simply just wants to help you with your constipation and hemorrhoids so you can feel fabulous again!
Need my help simply visit my SCHEDULE page. I would be happy to help!
Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones she presents to women the best integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!
Vaccines can be obtain via your local pharmacy. Most Naturopathic Doctors do not provide vaccines.
Vaccine Medical Exemptions are a complex medical and legal issue. It requires a doctor to provide proper documentation and is performed by a vaccine exemption appointment only.
Vaccine exemptions are provided and considered for patients that fit the following medical and legal vaccine exemption requirements. Upon completion of a vaccine counseling session, this is to be advised on the patient's risks vs benefits of obtaining a vaccine. Please read the legal requirements to receive and understand your vaccine exemption. You will schedule your appointment to receive your vaccine exemption letter at your own risk, only if you qualify for the vaccine exemption. While the following conditions qualify patients for an Exemption Letter if that is their choice, they do not mean they should necessarily not have the vaccine, and the patient may benefit more from having the vaccine in certain medical conditions which will only be discussed at a medical consultation.
Qualifying Medical Exemptions:
Patients with conditions that have limited data on the safety and efficacy of vaccines can request an exemption. No vaccine exemption can be legally provided if the above criteria are not met. Employers may have differing policies on vaccine exemptions and may or may not accept the above conditions even when provided with a letter of exemption for health reasons or underlying medical reasons. Please do not schedule an appointment to receive a vaccine exemption if you do not have one of the above qualifying conditions. Vaccine exemptions are a complex medical-legal matter that can only be provided under reasonable circumstances. No vaccine exemptions will be provided outside of scheduled appointments. All patients requesting vaccine exemptions must undergo vaccine counseling to ensure they understand the risks vs benefits of remaining unvaccinated.
Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones she presents to women the best integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!
"Is Bell’s Palsy related to menopause or hormones since it often happens in women?"
Women are especially susceptible to Bell's Palsy when they are pregnant. The most common age range for this condition according to John Hopkins University is 15-60 with it typically occurring in middle age.
The age range for Bell's Palsy leads me to wonder if there is hormone imbalance or a mild thyroid deficiency. In either thyroid extreme of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism such as Hashimoto's, the nerves are irritated.
The thyroid aids in nerve stimulation so a variety of neurological conditions can be made better or worse by a woman's thyroid being out of whack. Women can experience depression from hypothyroidism as T3 aids serotonin production.
The typical age range does lead me to wonder as a hormone doctor that if estrogen dominance is behind many cases of Bell's palsy. Since the nerve is damaged and inflamed, a hormonal state that predisposes a woman to inflammation is certainly not helping anything.
WHAT IS BELL'S PALSY?
Bell's palsy is a very frustrating typically benign medical problem that causes one side of the face to temporarily droop. Most patients with Bell’s Palsy are terrified they are having a stroke, however they are instead experiencing a temporary paralysis or weakness of the muscles of the face resulting from inflammation of the seventh cranial nerve, commonly referred to as the facial nerve.
RISK FACTORS FOR BELL'S PALSY
Associated risk factors for Bell’s Palsy are exposure to cold, diabetes, pregnancy, upper respiratory infections, and being over the age of 30.
NATURAL TREATMENTS FOR BELL'S PALSY
Physical Therapy modalities such as Acupuncture, Diathermy and Taping were demonstrated by research to be helpful for recovering muscle function in Bell's Palsy. [1,2, 3]
Diet for Bell's Palsy: Reducing Inflammation is shown to be beneficial for Bell's Palsy with steroids. [4, 5]
As a Naturopathic Doctor, of course I prefer we reduce inflammation with nutrition. Especially increasing Omega-3 fatty acids!
Although initially scary, this frustrating condition is typically not of much concern except cosmetically, and usually without long term negative outcome. However, it is possible to not completely recover function of the muscles of the face, or end up with annoying long term consequences like facial spasms and crocodile tears. Typical recovery time ranges from two weeks to several months. In order to have the best prognosis it is therefore important to provide the patient with natural complementary supportive and regenerative measures such as diet, herbs, supplements, and stress management.
A simple naturopathic cure to speed the recovery process is injectable B-12. Most doctors’ offices keep B-12 on hand for their patients with pernicious anemia, so it is a simple treatment for just about any medical office to implement. The recommendation according to the randomized trial listed below, is a 1000 mcg B-12 injection 3-7 times weekly. The injections can be tapered as the patient’s temporary paralysis of the face improves. Patients can come in to the office for injections, or can be sent home with a prescription for B-12 (methylcobalmin) as well as syringes and needles.
B-12 for Bell's Palsy: Natural, not synthetic in the injectable methycobalamin form is most likely helpful because it’s role in the body is to aid the production of myelin in the nervous system. Myelin is the fatty coating that surrounds our neurons (pictured above) and speeds the conduction of electrical signals in the nervous system.
Antivirals for Bell's Palsy: Recent evidence supports a viral etiology to Bell’s Palsy, either by herpes simplex, herpes zoster, or an upper respiratory infection. Using antiviral and steroid medication demonstrated improvement in Bell's Palsy research. [6]
Patients may therefore respond well to an herbal anti-viral protocol along with the B-12 injections. I would prescribe Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice root) for its steroidal anti-inflammatory benefits, pending that the patient does not have high blood pressure or is not pregnant. It is very common for pregnant women to develop Bell’s Palsy, especially in the third trimester, which in my mind just further supports the suppressed immune system theory, as the body’s elevated progesterone levels in pregnancy naturally suppress the immune system so that the woman’s body does not attack the developing fetus. This is why women tend to get sick with colds and flus more often while pregnant, and unfortunately upper respiratory infections are common culprits causing Bell’s Palsy.
Stress is most likely a precipitating factor as it also suppresses our immune system. I would strongly recommend some simple stress management techniques such as “Square Breathing.”
HERBAL MEDICINE FOR BELL'S PALSY
Many herbs can be helpful to boost the immune system, work as an antiviral, help heal and repair the nervous system, and restore facial muscle function. I have seen many patients improve with their Bell's Palsy using nutritional changes, herbs like ginger, licorice, and cinnamon. Please work with a skilled Naturopathic Doctor when using herbal medicine for Bell's Palsy as this is a very serious condition that does require a great deal of effort to fix. I don't see it improving when patients are not on board with working hard along with me to improve their health.
Bell’s Palsy can be a tough hit to a patients vanity, so it is extremely important to get the condition resolved as quickly as possible using the most effective Naturopathic treatments. Primarily we want to ensure the fastest recovery time, that the nerves and muscles recover in entirety, and that there is no long term negative sequalae such as crocodile tears, permanent paralysis, or facial tics.
Need my help testing hormones and using Naturopathy to treat your Bell's Palsy? Simply visit my SCHEDULE page to treat yourself to a Naturopathic visit. I would be happy to help!
Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones she presents to women the best integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!
References:
Dr. Nicole Sundene
"Is there a hormone related to Multiple Sclerosis? Why do more women have MS? What is the best diet for managing my Multiple Sclerosis symptoms?" ~Teri H.
Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune condition that attacks the central nervous system. Naturopathic Medicine can be helpful in reducing inflammation that triggers MS attacks, as well as addressing the insomnia, chronic fatigue, pain, and anxiety that many of my Multiple Sclerosis patients have.
Hormone imbalance in Perimenopause and Menopause can increase inflammation which can trigger autoimmune diseases like Multiple Sclerosis.
The attack of the myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibers (pictured) results in the sclerotic plaques that cause nervous system dysfunction.
Without this sheath functioning properly the nervous system is not able to quickly send the electrical impulses that control bodily functions.
Although I have suggested some diet and lifestyle self help ideas, any chronic disease diagnosis should have a skilled Naturopathic Doctor such as myself to help make important decisions, and understand safety rules combining herbal medicine, supplements and MS drugs.
Prescription drugs for multiple sclerosis can be very complicated. Please do not take any natural medicines for MS without first checking with a Naturopathic Doctor that is trained to understand how to safely combine herbs with prescription drugs.
If you need my help getting on a healthy Multiple Sclerosis regime simply visit my SCHEDULE page.
I would be happy to help with your autoimmune disease.
Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones she presents to women the best integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!
References:
Dr. Nicole Sundene
Kegels, bladder, and vaginal prolapse are all about prevention. Nobody tells you that when you are 80 you are going to pee a little bit every time you laugh, cough, or sneeze because you did not do your "Kegel Exercises. "
So consider this your pelvic floor PSA today and squeeze those muscles tightly that are used to cut off your urine stream. Every time you stop at a stop sign do 10 Kegels, every time someone puts you on hold do 10 Kegels, and every time ou are stuck bored waiting or waiting in line do 10 Kegels or as many as you can.
Kegels are something I wish every woman on the planet did three times a day to prevent chronic bladder and uterine complaints. Gravity is constantly working against us as women so if we do not do Kegel Exercises our irritable bladder or uterine symptoms will continue to just worsen as the pelvic floor muscles weaken with age and pregnancy and cause incontinence. The good news is that Kegel Exercises are completely free to do and the best thing in Women's Health to help strengthen the pelvic floor. Kegel Exercises are a simple way to prevent and treat many unpleasant bladder conditions women experience.
Kegel's work best for prevention and once the bladder or uterus has descended too far in to the pelvic floor then surgical correction with a mesh sling becomes the only option for women with ongoing Bladder Pain, Urgency and Incontinence. If you have to go the bathroom every hour or more often than that or pee a little bit every time you sneeze, laugh or cough you absolutely must be doing your Kegel Exercises!
Stress incontinence
There are muscle fibers which form a sphincter mechanism around the base of the bladder enabling the bladder to retain urine even when it is full. When the muscle is voluntarily relaxed urine is allowed to be released, while voluntary contraction stops the flow.
If the integrity of these muscle fibers is compromised from being traumatized, stretched, or torn during childbirth, such things as sneezing, coughing, or laughing can result in a dribble or even a gush of urine which cannot be controlled.
This is known as stress incontinence. The exercises increase muscle volume that will increase the degree that the urethra closes against downward pressure. This will increase your ability to consciously contract the pelvic floor when necessary (as with a sneeze, cough, or lifting). The overall health of the pelvic muscles is improved due to an increase in blood flow to the area.
Tonify muscles of the pelvic floor following childbirth
There are muscles known as the pelvic floor or pelvic sling which support the organs in the pelvis. They often become stretched during childbirth. Maintaining muscle tone helps hold the organs in place.
Aid in repair of cystocele or rectocele
A cystocele is the term used when the bladder herniates or pouches out into the vagina following tissue injury. A rectocele is a similar condition involving the rectum rather than the bladder. The exercises may actually change the shape of the vagina and decrease degree of organ prolapse.
HOW TO DO KEGELS
Kegels can be done anywhere and anytime – - standing, sitting or lying down. The action of the exercise is to contract the muscle in the pelvic region.
Need my help with chronic bladder issues, Recurrent UTI, or bladder pain? That is my area of expertise in Women's Health, I would be happy to help. Simply visit my SCHEDULE page to treat yourself to a Naturopathic visit! In addition to Kegels, we can use herbal medicine, nutrition, and supplements to help improve the elasticity of the bladder as well as the mucosal barrier that gets inflamed from infection and hormone imbalance. My simple Naturopathic bladder process involves rejuvenating the bladder, strenthening the muscle, reducing inflammation, improving elasticity, improving the mucosal lining of the bladder, and identifying specific triggers for each women's bladder.
Dr. Nicole Sundene
(480) 837-0900
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones she presents to women the best integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!
Gout is a common type of arthritis that causes chronic pain and occurs when there is too much uric acid (sodium urate) in the blood, tissues and urine.
The uric acid that accumulates ultimately crystallizes and takes on a needle-like shape, jabbing into the joints (big toe, mid-foot, ankle, knees, wrists, and fingers).
Acute joint pain is usually the first symptom, then the joints become inflamed—red, hot, swollen and extremely sensitive to touch. Repeated gout attacks can eventually lead to joint damage.
The uric acid that accumulates is the end product of the metabolism of a class of compounds known as purines. If there is a physiological deficiency of the digestive enzyme uricase, then uric acid is not made sufficiently water-soluble and it accumulates and crystallizes, especially at lower temperatures, which may explain why joints in the extremities are most affected.
Approximately 70% of those who suffer from gout actually produce too much uric acid while the other 30% cannot properly make uric acid water-soluble and eliminate it. About 25% have a family history of gout. Poor kidney function can also play a role in the development of the disease.
Uric acid is the byproduct of certain foods, so there is a significant relationship between diet and the development of gout. Historical depictions of King Henry the VIII of England often illustrate him with his toe or foot bandaged and elevated, suffering the pain of gout.
Gout has been called the “rich man’s disease” since it is associated with obesity and the consumption of too much rich food and alcohol. However, it affects people from all walks of life, most commonly men (90%) between the ages of 40 and 50. Besides the propensity for developing gout that can be inherited, calorie-restrictive dieting, drinking, certain medications, overeating, stress, surgery or injury to a joint can also bring on attacks. Uric acid kidney stones may also be related to the condition.
Several other diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, infections and pseudogout, can mimic the joint symptoms of gout. Pseudogout is another form of arthritis that occurs in the larger joints—usually knees, wrists or ankles—caused by the development or deposition of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals. The best method for getting a definitive diagnosis of gout is by taking a joint fluid sample by needle aspiration and examining the joint fluid for the characteristic uric acid crystals.
Note: The dietary recommendations and considerations described below contain foods to which some individuals may have food allergies, intolerances and sensitivities. In those cases, those foods should be avoided. Dietary choices should be modified to meet your personal dietary needs. Consult your physician/clinician for further information regarding nutrition and your individual medical condition and for a comprehensive gout prevention/management protocol.
The basic treatment goals involve: (1) dietary and herbal measures that maintain uric acid levels within the normal range (2) controlled weight loss in overweight individuals (3) avoidance of known precipitating factors (alcohol, diet, etc.) (4) the use of nutritional substances to prevent further attacks and (5) the use of herbal and nutritional substances to inhibit the inflammatory process. Urinary 24-hour uric acid levels can be used to monitor the effectiveness of dietary therapy.
Dietary Recommendations
Need my help treating your Gout or chronic pain condition? As an autoimmune patient I understand how to go about managing pain naturally. Simply visit my SCHEDULE page to treat yourself to a Naturopathic visit. I would be happy to help!
Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones she presents to women the best integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!
Dr. Nicole Sundene
Scottsdale Naturopathic Doctor
Long Covid symptoms and other chronic conditions such as West Nile virus, are challenging for both the patient and the doctor. There are currently no miracle cures that exist and Naturopathic Doctors such as myself are left with zero research to support our questions and needs, and thus are literally left to establish our own Long Covid treatments via limited research studies, collaboration with other Naturopaths, and a lot of trial and error. My previous "post viral" protocol was minimal compared to this.
So first and foremost be careful when you are buying things listed as helpful for "Long Covid." Anyone in holistic medicine professing a one sized fits all magical long COVID cure is likely making false promises. As a Doctor that has treated many long COVID patients over the past few years I know that is a fallacy, that my treatments require multiple products and nutritional changes for my patients to improve.
I have also seen it impact my previously healthy patients hormones and cause sudden onset thyroid, adrenal, perimenopausal and menopausal changes.
I also know, that some of my patients will need to remain on the natural supplements and will not be able to go off them without rebound worsening, so I am unaware of anything natural that is completely curative in those with severe long COVID.
I am posting today for my potential long COVID patients to understand what we will be doing if we are working together, and also sharing my over the counter, non prescription containing long COVID protocol below that I will continue to update with new research studies.
Otherwise my protocols are a hybrid of treating many patients over the years with chronic mono or "EBV", chronic Herpes, shingles, hepatitis and HIV. There is very little evidence concluding what is effective so my position as a Naturopathic Doctor is to generally use time tested natural remedies that I trust are safe for the long run and good for reducing inflammation, pain, and improving immune function as I will discuss later in great detail.
My long covid protocols are from the existing evidence based research I have listed below, as well as trial and error. Successful outcomes require a highly compliant patient and/or care team to support my patient. Today I would like to walk you through what I generally do to achieve successful outcomes with my Long Covid patients, as I am constantly asked this question as more and more women are diagnosed with Long covid.
Since this does require some work on the patients end, I hate for anyone to sign up to work with me and not be willing or able to do the detective work we will need to do together that generally requires testing for hormones, nutrition, blood clotting, inflammation, as well as specialty testing with a Neurologist, Cardiologist, Hematologist, or Infectious Disease Doctor to assist me in each patient's individualized diagnosis resulting from an initial symptomatic or asymptomatic Covid infection.
My Goals when treating patients with long Covid as a Doctor are:
Recent research found that biopsies of muscles in long COVID patients had blood clots forming in the muscles as well as lack of mitochondria or "fuel" aka "energy" for the cell to be able to properly function.
Think of mitochondria as the battery that makes a child's toy work. It still looks cute, but it does not function properly without it's battery. Many patients with "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" are suffering from lack of Mitochondrial Support and their cellular batteries are running on empty.
When treating Long Covid we must understand that the symptoms are vast, and the presentation is quite different for many women, although I do commonly see certain patterns and risk factors.
LONG COVID SYMPTOMS: RISK FACTORS
As a Women’s Health Doctor, I was concerned to read the research study concluding that women are much more likely to develop Long Covid symptoms than men! First women must have periods, pap smears, and birth babies, and now bear the brunt of Long Covid! I find this the perfect excuse for women everywhere to never have to go to the grocery store, or run errands again (unless they want to. 😉
Other risk factors for Long Covid include being overweight, old age, diabetes, smoking, and pre-existing chronic disease conditions. Whether or not a patient has been hospitalized and also required oxygen while hospitalized is also a #1 increased risk factor.
LONG COVID SYMPTOMS
According to the CDC, a cluster of the above symptoms must persist for longer than four weeks to fit the criteria for Long Covid. Patients generally have a few of the above symptoms and don’t need to have every Long Covid symptom to benefit from treatment.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON LONG COVID SYMPTOMS?
After twenty-three years of listening to patients complain about their health, I am now regularly hearing the same type of post covid complaints. Patients describe to me that they feel “rapidly aged, poisoned, sick with something I cannot shake," or state “I feel nasty, dirty, polluted, and rapidly aged like I am suddenly 100 years old. My brain feels like it's 100 years old.” In addition to feeling “exhausted, moody, struggling to remember tasks, easily overwhelmed, constantly tired, achy, sore throats that come and go, and in chronic pain.”
Of greater concern are the patients developing liver and kidney failure due to long covid. I have been taking care of many of the same women for fifteen years and have suddenly seen their kidney and liver function become impaired, as well as elevated ferritin or iron stores as it is an "acute phase reactant" that shows us the patient is inflamed when elevated.
Hair loss is one of the #1 most common symptoms women complain of after Covid, and while hair can grow back, we must preserve kidney and liver function by taking this seriously, taking daily antiviral immune boosting support, and properly addressing Long Covid from an aggressive nutrition and herbal medicine approach.
From Silver to Singing for covid....I have heard it all, read it all, and am here to confirm what is considered safe and trusted by myself and many colleagues. Many of us have been working with similar protocols and are seeing similar patterns of efficacy.
I also don't want anyone to fall victim to misinformation or scam herbal medicine products. There are many snake oil salesmen in the alternative industry making false claims not backed by research, that are profiteering off expensive sales of products. Please work with your own doctor when treating covid or long covid, and be very skeptical of taking any advice from people that sell supplements and lack research to support their statements.
If the person advising you is not a doctor working in the trenches against covid but just selling supplements....please be concerned about their motives.
While I have read some terrifying misinformation on alternative medicine, I will also confirm that using herbal medicine for Long Covid symptoms will likely be the most successful, and also the least harmful for the patient. Herbal medicine is generally inexpensive and ineffective at the worst-case scenario.
As a doctor working on the front lines, I developed Long Covid in April of 2020. So my recommendations are based on my own experience as an autoimmune patient battling Long Covid for eight LONG months in 2020. From what I know now I should have taken the immune support supplements for a month past my covid infection, but I was not that concerned because my initial symptoms were not that bad. I had a fever, mild cough, chest pain, and fatigue but otherwise I would normally have gone to work feeling like that if it was anything but Covid.
PREVENTING LONG COVID
My patients that I instruct to continue their immune support past their infection are not developing Long Covid. This is also what we do when someone is first exposed to Herpes or HIV. We treat immediately and agressively with antiviral medications and supplements.
This compilation of information is from my own personal experience, as well as reading numerous research studies, and collaborating with other Naturopathic Doctors treating Long Covid symptoms. Keep in mind these treatments are in developmental stages, this is a fluid situation that can change at any moment, and that I expect anyone reading this to work with their own doctor or me, as you should not attempt to self treat your Long Covid.
Print this article, highlight the vitamins, minerals, herbs and diet recommendations and take it to your own doctor to determine if the treatments are safe for you to do. The last thing you should do is self treat your own Long Covid symptoms. I always want patients with chronic disease to have a safe and successful outcome.
LONG COVID SYMPTOMS: COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
Long Covid symptoms are even more confusing to diagnose and treat due to the plethora of misinformation propogating about the internet. Many patients falsely believe they cannot develop long covid if they are vaccinated, have mild symptoms, or have had no symptoms or no known exposure to covid. While these scenarios are less likely to result in Long Covid, it is not always 100% true.
Generally, my Long Covid patients improve within a few months with treatment, but without proper diagnosis and treatment, Long Covid symptoms can actually continue to progressively worsen. Optomistic patience with Long Covid symptoms is 100% the wrong approach. I am now treating new patients with Long Covid symptoms that progressively have become worse since onset in 2020.
Instead of the covid symptoms going away with time, they have turned into worse fatigue, worse pain, worse brain fog, and overall worse health. It is not until Long Covid patients seek out treatment that we can begin to halt and resolve the symptoms that are otherwise persistent and progressive. Many patients will resolve without treatment, but symptoms like neuropathy, heart, lung, and brain issues should be treated.
I have already tried and failed with many popular treatments in the media. Ivermectin and Plaquenil are essentially useless in my experience treating Long Covid symptoms. And also now confirmed per recent research studies.
When I first heard of Covid in 2020 I thought, "Well that is going to be a nightmare for doctors in the ER. It is a good thing I don't work for a hospital anymore." At the time I didn't know that Long Covid symptoms could persist. I also didn't know that the Herbal Medicine and Naturopathy I practice is some of the best medicine for Long Covid patients.
Herbal Medicine is inexpensive, anti-inflammatory, relatively harmless, and actually seems to be the most efficaceous approach between all the different antiviral medications herbs, and supplements I have personally tried on myself and my patients. My experience working at Bastyr University clinic on the Ryan White HIV shift taught me a lot about how herbal antivirals can be just as effective if not even more effective than many antiviral medications.
Plants have to constantly upgrade their antiviral mechanisms to survive in nature and therefore we see less antibiotic and antiviral resistance because plants that are not able to upgrade to fight off the latest virus will simply die.
LONG COVID TESTING
Lab Testing for long covid should include Complete Blood Count, Comprehensive Metabolic Panel including glucose and liver enzymes, TSH, Ferritin, EBV Titers, CRP, and if the patient is vaccinated and unsure if they have been exposed to covid: SARS-Cov-2 nucleocapsid. If this test is positive this differentiates antibodies formed by the vaccine vs a natural infection. If a woman has had a change to her menstrual pattern after having covid or a covid vaccine then hormone testing should also be conducted. Women have reported loss of period, abnormal period, painful periods, heavy bleeding and miscarriage after covid infection.
LONG COVID TREATMENT
Do your research and don't trust anyone making false promises about your Long Covid symptoms. If you feel a fraction of as bad as I once did, then you are already frustrated enough, so I will not lie to you or create false promises with my recommendations.
This is a serious disease and patients deserve my brutal honesty.... Nobody knows the best treatment right now. Even if they did it has not been studied by double blind randomized controlled trials and proven effective and safe. These research studies will take time, and Long Hauler's do not have any time to be wasted.
I am not making any promises, and only sharing what I see working with myself and my patients as a doctor that went through Long Covid and has treated many long covid patients as a result of my horrible experience ever since.
I know many people have become unemployed from Long Covid and cannot afford a Naturopathic Doctor, therefore it is important I share everything I know at this time to help other patients struggling with these annoying symptoms. I also want to bring hope to anyone that is suicidally depressed about their health. It is possible to improve. I am better. I have seen many patients get better.
Preferably you work with me or another experienced Long Covid Doctor, but I want this information to be free and available to the public, and for other doctors searching for my protocols.
We need to give your very sick body the right things it needs to heal, remove the obstacles to cure, and identify the reason why you got Long Covid at the ROOT CAUSE to properly restore health. As many of my patients know I have Lupus, an autoimmune disease. Being immunocompromised is the reason I ended up with Long Covid symptoms. It also took my adrenal function and thyroid function down, and required a greater amount of hormone supplementation, therefore testing hormones is imperative for women with Long Covid symptoms.
My General Holistic Treatment Plan for Long Covid (subject to change based on research.)
If you or a loved one need an empathetic doctor to help you work through your Long Covid symptoms I would be happy to help. I promise I will not treat you like you are crazy or lazy, because I know firsthand just how frustrating, scary, and hopeless these Long Covid symptoms can feel.
Rest assured I am feeling much better from my own Long Covid journey and I have more information and better treatment plans along with a better understanding of this condition than in 2020 when I first was challenged with it myself.
I would be happy to walk you through my basic blueprint and antiviral herbs that should help restore your system back to normal over time. Ordering hormone labs and bloodwork is also important to ensure everything is properly balanced.
Often patients ask if I can help them out of state via telemedicine, and the answer is yes. Treating long covid generally does not require me to prescribe any medications, therefore I can easily order lab testing and treat Long Covid patients in all 50 states. Simply pop over to my SCHEDULE page to treat yourself to a Naturopathic visit!
Dr. Nicole Sundene
(480) 837-0900
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology, Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema, and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 23 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones, she presents to women the best-integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease.
She has been an Herbalist for over 28 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan (not Medicaid) and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones, and Naturopathy!
REFERENCES:
"Can Naturopathy help patients with Restless Leg Syndrome? Are hormones related to restless legs?"
RLS: Restless Leg Syndrome is a complex syndrome that generally requires a "Naturopathic Process" to evaluate the "Root Cause" which we will discuss today. Oftentimes I cannot really help super impatient RLS patients that are shaking their legs at me and demanding answers in one visit, so I want to explain the process that needs to happen to understand it at it's root cause, since I am commonly asked this question.
Treating RLS is a marathon, not a sprint which requires us to meticulously check through the different hormone, nutrition, and neurotransmiter systems related to the nervous system. I also always recommend visiting a Neurologist if you have RLS and getting a diagnosis established and confirmed, as the symptoms could be worrisome or just annoying. Testing that can be done such as nerve biopsy, EMG, and MRI may be important to understanding the cause of the RLS. The Neurologist will test the RLS patient to ensure that nothing serious is going on.
This is an important step that RLS patients should not skip. Especially since it confirms in my mind this is now a biochemistry mystery for me to solve with my RLS evaluation methods.
DOES NATUROPATHY HELP RLS?
When someone asks me if I can help their RLS, my next question is "Are you willing to walk through the process of testing hormones, fine tuning them, checking your vitamins and minerals, improving your nutrition, and searching for root causes such as Neurotransmitter imbalance?"
My patients that also want answers to these things usually resolve their symptoms. I cannot help everyone with RLS. But many patients are not aware of what Naturopathy can potentially do for managing annoying RLS symptoms.
Generally the RLS patients I get are not easy ones with a simple electrolyte imbalance or anemia. They have already visited a multitude of specialists, Neurology, Orthopedics, Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, Internal Medicine, Podiatry, and so forth to no avail and now have been forced to abandon western medicine and seek an alternative approach.
When an MD cannot fix RLS it generally means there is something hormonal or nutritional out of balance.
HORMONES RELATED TO RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
Thyroid hormones whether too high or too low can adversely impact the nervous system. Just as thyroid hormone is well known to cause fatigue when too low and anxiety and jitters when high, it can also cause restless legs in the case of both low and high function. So it actually doesn't matter which extreme the patient is on with their thyroid whether it is hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's, Graves, the legs may be restless. Swelling is often common with restless legs from thyroid disease, as is a sensation of "bugs crawling on the skin."
Sometimes thyroid labs are actually normal, and "in the normal range" but the levels are simply not optimal, and beginning to decline in production which naturally occurs for most women around thirty five with perimenopausal and menopausal hormone changes. Women also develop varicose veins at this point, which can make thyroid leg swelling worse, so RLS legs will feel more itchy, burning, and ultimately restless. Oftentimes mild symptoms in the twenties become more disruptive with natural age related hormone changes and intolerable by forty or fifty.
Female hormone imbalance from low progesterone, high estrogen, and/or high testosterone can also worsen Restless Leg Syndrome symptoms. Women with PCOS and PMS are also more likely to notice symptoms of RLS worsen during their cycle.
Adrenal Gland Hormones such as cortisol, DHEA, and "androgens" in general are excitatory and stimulating and thus can worsen the symptoms of Restless legs. Patients with restless legs tend towards insomnia and should avoid caffeine after 2 pm if not completely, and not exceed 200mg of caffeine daily. Having a Naturopathic Hormone Doctor check Adrenal gland health is as critical as neurotransmitter and nutrition testing.
VITAMINS, MINERALS, NUTRITION AND RESTLESS LEGS
Meticulously checking that the different hormones and nutrients related to RLS are not deficient is imperative. Oftentimes my RLS patients have anemia and/or are low in calcium and magnesium.
TYPES OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
There are at least two patterns I commonly see in Restless Leg Syndrome. In the first, pain and/or numbness occur in the lower limbs, sometimes also in the upper limbs, which is relieved by movement or local massage. The pain may range from mild discomfort and “jumpiness” upon going to bed, to more severe stabbing pain, or perhaps crawling sensations. It should be distinguished from nocturnal leg cramps, in which one is awakened from sleep with calf pain not relieved by massage, movement or pain medications.
The second type of RLS involves no pain or discomfort, only movement. It occurs at night and may not disturb sleep (one may not be aware of the movement) although it often occurs in those suffering from insomnia. It is most commonly found in people in their fifties.
RLS has been a frequent complaint of pregnant women, menopausal women, and of individuals on dialysis due to kidney failure. However, it is possible for anyone to experience these symptoms.
WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF RLS: RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
The ultimate cause or causes of RLS remain unknown, but it has been associated with certain nutritional deficiencies and hormone imbalances. Folate supplementation has brought relief in cases of the first type. Other symptoms that can be seen in folate deficiency are depression, irritability and forgetfulness.
Once an individual has developed a deficiency, the ability to absorb the nutrient may be diminished, so that additional measures may be required to restore normal functioning. Ultimately, if there is no problem with absorption, a diet with foods rich in folate, from "foilage," such as green leafy vegetables, nutritional yeast, and egg yolk, may be adequate following a period of supplementation and alleviation of symptoms.
RLS has also been found in cases of iron deficiency anemia, and in those cases iron supplementation has alleviated the symptoms. Standard blood work will not always indicate this level of deficiency of iron (and the same may be said of folate).
Proper anemia testing should first be conducted. Iron supplementation should be accompanied by vitamin C for increased absorption, and it should not be tried unless it is indicated as I discuss on my anemia blog that most menopausal women no longer need to supplement with iron as they are not losing blood once a month and it can become toxic. Foods high in iron include organic grassfed beef, beans, clams, molasses and green leafy vegetables.
Vitamin E has also been used effectively to treat RLS. It protects red blood cells from damage, averting a mild or local anemia. It has also been useful in the treatment of nocturnal leg cramps, although there may be other nutritional factors involved in the latter. Foods rich in Vitamin E include wheat germ, green plants, egg yolk, vegetable oils, nuts and liver.
Some sufferers of RLS have found relief by eliminating xanthines from their diets. These include caffeine and similar stimulants found in coffee, tea, soda pop and chocolate. As mentioned in the above adrenal hormone health section, I do recommend stopping caffeine by 2pm if not cutting it completely for a few months to see if your RLS goes away. If you cannot do that then at least limit cafeine to 200mg daily which is less than one to two cups of coffee or tea.
Need my help solving your RLS: Restless Leg Syndrome mystery? Visit my SCHEDULE page I would be happy to help!
Dr. Nicole Sundene
(480) 837-0900
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Specialist in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones she presents to women the best integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!
