Dr. Susan B. Kowalsky, N.D.
Chronic Fatigue - Comprehensive Evaluation & Treatment Diagnosing a patient with chronic fatigue involves a thorough physical exam and comprehensive lab work to rule out other diseases as the direct cause of the fatigue. I always test salivary levels of cortisol, DHEA and other indicators of adrenal gland fatigue that are very often huge factors in chronic fatigue. I always check iron, ferritin (storage iron), thyroid function, blood sugar, blood counts and electrolytes. These simple blood tests should not be overlooked. I may also selectively test for less likely contributing causes such as parasites, Epstein-Barr virus, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, chemical exposures, lactose intolerance and other food allergies, mercury and heavy metal exposure and testosterone deficiencies, depending on each patient's medical history and symptoms. I don't wait to get every test done before treatment begins. I usually begin treatments on the first visit that have shown evidence of decreasing the symptoms of CFS. These may include multi-B vitamin injections, Thymic Protein A, the amino acid L-carnitine, NADH (a type of B vitamin), potassium and magnesium aspartate; the herbs eleuthero, licorice extract, ginseng, ashwagandha, astragulus, ginger and rhodiola; essential fatty acids and a high potency multi-vitamin and mineral supplement. Intravenous nutritional therapy is another option. While there have been no controlled trials examining the efficacy of I.V. treatment, there are a number of published case studies that show significant improvement with intravenous magnesium, ascorbic acid, calcium and B vitamins.
Fatigue & Iron Question: I lead a very busy life and sometimes I feel fatigued. Someone recommended that I take iron pills. How much should I take? Jan K., New Hampshire Although iron supplements are available without a prescription, I am strongly against self-medication with iron, including iron-containing multi-vitamin and mineral supplements, without proper laboratory testing and follow-up because iron is potentially toxic. Fatigue is a very common symptom of iron deficiency. It may even be a symptom of low iron reserves in spite of normal blood levels of iron. I strongly recommend that you have your blood's iron reserves, called ferritin, tested along with actual iron levels which will detect iron deficiencies normally missed by the routine blood "count" tests. While a serum ferritin level of less than 12(ng/mL) is considered a diagnosis or iron deficiency, three studies published last year demonstrated that a person with a low, but normal ferritin level may show major improvements with iron supplementation. I like to see serum ferritin levels well over 20. If you experience fatigue and iron and ferritin tests are totally normal, you should be checked for another cause such as low thyroid, blood sugar abnormalities, low electrolytes, adrenal fatigue or depression.
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. |