Dr. Susan B. Kowalsky, N.D.
Natural Treatments for Anxiety Question: I have terrible anxiety. I worry about everything and now I'm losing sleep. My sister takes anti-anxiety drugs but I worry about the side effects and becoming dependent on drugs. Do you have any suggestions? Sharon, Maine I have seen an increasing number of patients coming to me for anxiety. Some of my patients have obvious stressors in their lives (family or work problems), while others feel anxiety without being able to pinpoint the cause of it. I believe high levels of anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders are much more common than is generally believed. Many people take their anxiety level for granted, assuming that it is normal and don't get the help they need. Taking anti-anxiety drugs isn't the answer for most people when there are safe, natural medicines that are proven to be just as effective for anxiety. A naturopathic approach will also address underlying factors that may contribute to anxiety, such as cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory or neurological disorders. I check lab tests for low blood sugar, abnormal thyroid function, adrenal and other hormone imbalances and do a physical exam as well. I recommend my patients avoid caffeine, sugar and alcohol which will lower levels of lactate and increase levels of pyruvate acid. The ratio of lactate to pyruvate may be the sole cause of anxiety or a large contributing factor. I encourage regular exercise, counseling and emotional support, and last but not least I use combinations of B-vitamins, inositol, amino acids such as 5-HTP and herbs such as kava kava, valerian and other "nervines" with excellent results.
Treating Depression with Natural Compounds and Proper Evaluation My chiropractor gave me NADH for depression. Do you prescribe this to your patients? Molly, Rhode Island While NADH is a safe natural supplement and could possibly be helpful, there is little research on NADH for depression. Many physicians prescribe antidepressants (drugs or natural supplements) to their patients without ruling out organic causes, and secondly without properly determining possible biological mechanisms that may be causing, or at least contributing to each patient’s depression. A good work-up should include a physical exam and basic lab work including thyroid blood tests, iron and cholesterol levels. I will often test DHEA levels and 24-hour cortisol patterns measured from saliva samples. I will take a detailed medical history and evaluate the role that other medical problems, symptoms and current prescriptions may have in causing depression. There are many factors that can cause depression. These include toxicity from exposure to environmental poisons (such as heavy metals) which can be determined, as well as diet and lifestyle choices. Nutritional deficiencies can cause or exacerbate depression. Sometimes it’s not poor food choices that are causing the vitamin deficiencies but rather nutrient absorption difficulties from poor digestion. Neurotransmitter testing is another option that may prove beneficial for some depressed patients. Measuring levels of serotonin, dopamine, testosterone, epinephrine and histamine can reveal imbalances that can be treated with specific natural compounds, amino acids and hormones based on an individual patient’s imbalance. The two most effective antidepressants are not synthetic drugs, but rather the natural substance SAMe and the herb St. Johns’ Wort. Sixteen double-blind studies of SAMe (s-adenosylmethionine) and 27
About Dr. Kowalsky Dr. Susan B. Kowalsky is a naturopathic physician specializing in cancer and chronic medical conditions. She offers expert solutions integrating the best of alternative and complementary medical care. As a naturopathic doctor she is trained in both conventional medicine and natural therapies, providing her patients with the most holistic, integrative and effective medical care available.
Therapies Include: *Vitamin Therapies
Services Include: *Comprehensive physical exams
The Highest Standard of Care "I provide strong guidance and caring medicine that foster hope and optimal health. My practice is based on a holistic, patient-centered philosophy that emphasizes finding the underlying cause of a patient's medical condition and strengthening overall health as well as providing relief from symptoms. I recommend treatments that work with the inherent healing systems of the body rather than merely suppressing symptoms. I prescribe treatments based on the best scientific evidence available, while also developing a healing and supportive relationship with each patient. I adjust treatments to address the individual needs of each person based on mental, emotional and social factors as well as their physical health and symptoms. Only by really listening can a doctor understand the pieces of the puzzle that make up a patient's health concerns. I believe the highest standard of care can only happen when the doctor is totally dedicated and committed to your health and wellbeing." -- Susan B. Kowalsky, N.D.
COMPREHENSIVE DIAGNOSIS Dr. Kowalsky has built a reputation as a successful “medical detective,” diagnosing persistent, challenging and complex medical cases. With her experience and dedication to uncovering the many factors contributing to health and disease, she has achieved high rates of success helping her patients.
MENOPAUSE & WOMEN’S HEALTH Dr. Kowalsky provides comfortable gynecological exams and pap smears. She believes it's important to support a woman with menopausal or other gynecological concerns using safe and natural bio-identical hormones, homeopathy, herbal medicine and nutritional therapies. Her success in treating hot flashes, insomnia, vaginal dryness, memory problems and osteoporosis makes menopause a lot easier for many women. With natural therapies and Dr. Kowalsky's gentle guidance you can make this important time a stepping stone to a meaningful and healthy future!
NATUROPATHIC ONCOLOGY Dr. Kowalsky provides a responsible, rational and integrative approach to the treatment of cancer. Naturopathic medicines can help increase longevity, heighten quality of life and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation while enhancing their effectiveness.
CREDENTIALS Dr. Kowalsky received her undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin and earned her doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from The National College of Naturopathic Medicine. Dr. Kowalsky completed her clinical internship at the Portland Naturopathic Clinic. She completed the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations through the Oregon Board of Naturopathic Examiners and is a naturopathic physician licensed by the state of Vermont. She is a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
WHAT IS A NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN? Naturopathic physicians (N.D.s) are general practitioners trained as specialists in natural medicine. They are the only physicians with comprehensive medical training that includes a wide variety of natural therapeutics, such as herbal medicine, nutritional medicine, homeopathy, natural hormones, intravenous supplementation and physical medicine. Naturopathic physicians cooperate with all other branches of medical science, referring patients to other specialists for diagnosis or treatment when necessary. Health and disease come from a complex interaction of physical, emotional, dietary, genetic, and environmental, lifestyle and other factors. Naturopathic physicians treat the whole person, taking all these factors into account. Naturopathic physicians prefer non-invasive treatments which minimize the risks of harmful side-effects. Treatments are tailored to the needs of the individual patient based on a cogent philosophy that acknowledges the patient as participant. Naturopathic medical colleges are four-year postgraduate schools with admission requirements like those of conventional medical schools. Because the coursework in naturopathic theory and natural medicine is added to a standard medical curriculum, naturopathic doctors receive significantly more hours of classroom education than the graduates of leading medical schools, including Yale, Stanford, John Hopkins and Mayo medical schools. Patients are demanding evidence that medical practice be safe and effective. Natural medicine has been demonstrated to be both safe and effective through clinical studies and scientific evaluation. There are over 90,000 medical studies on complementary and alternative medicine, mostly from conventional medicine database resources. In fact, one textbook on naturopathic therapeutics references over 10,000 citations to peer-reviewed scientific literature documenting the efficacy of natural treatments.
To schedule an appointment or to request more information call: (802) 649-1064 16 Beaver Meadow Road Conveniently located near I-91 & I-89
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in the document and website is provided FOR INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY AND MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED, CONSIDERED OR USED IN PLACE OF MEDICAL ADVICE OR INSTRUCTION. No action should be taken based only on this newsletter. Readers should consult a licensed naturopathic physician or medical doctor. The information and editorials in this newsletter are believed to be accurate, but readers who fail to consult with a physician assume the risk of injuries. (C) Copyright 2002 - 2007 Susan B. Kowalsky, N.D. All rights reserved. |