Dr. Susan B. Kowalsky, N.D. Gastrointestinal Articles -- Stomach Ulcers & H Pylori
Question: I was diagnosed with a stomach ulcer by an MD. He didn't test me to see if I had H. pylori. I only learned about H. pylori on the internet following my visit. Should I get tested? Does garlic help? Jon, New York Peptic ulcers are often caused by a bacterial infection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). When a patient comes to my office and describes a dull, gnawing ache in the stomach that comes and goes for days or even weeks then there is a good chance that this patient has a peptic ulcer and that they have an H. pylori infection. Other clues pointing to peptic ulcer include discomfort a few hours after eating and during the night that is relieved by taking antacids or simply by eating. Other less common symptoms related to peptic ulcers include bloating, burping, nausea and vomiting, weight loss and reduced appetite. I will sometimes test for the presence of H. pylori using a blood test that measures antibodies to H. pylori. More often I will want a more comprehensive assessment of the patient's gastrointestinal function. I will use a stool test that looks for the same antibodies to H. pylori as well as other measurements related to digestion problems, such as stomach acidity and inflammation. This comprehensive stool testing will provide a bigger picture of a patient's gastrointestinal function that will help direct treatments more specifically. While standard antibiotic therapy is effective for getting rid of H. pylori, the short and long term side effects make it a poor choice for most patients as an initial therapy. A naturopathic approach does not have the side effects associated with antibiotic treatment. I typically prescribe a combination of herbs and nutritional supplements that help eradicate H. pylori while healing the ulcer. These include bismuth citrate, L-carnisone, mastic gum and high doses of vitamin C. I will also recommend more specific therapies based on results of each patient's stool testing and digestive symptoms, as well as talk about diet and stress management techniques that can play an important role in getting well. There are some in vitro studies showing garlic is effective in killing H. pylori, but actual patient studies demonstrate a lack of effectiveness.
Chronic Diarrhea? Celiac disease is a common genetic disorder that affects an estimated 1 in 133 people. The symptoms listed above are three of the most typical symptoms. When people with celiac disease eat foods containing gluten (including wheat, rye, barley and other grains) their body sets off an autoimmune response which slowly damages their small intestine. Some other signs of Celiac disease may include abdominal cramping or bloating, severe food cravings, back pain, constipation, decreased ability to clot blood, dehydration, edema, electrolyte depletion, fatigue, reduced fat padding on feet, gas, mouth sores or cracks in the corners, muscle cramping in hands and/or legs, night blindness, dry skin, dental enamel defects, weakness, lactose intolerance, sensitivity to air-borne molds, food allergies, short stature or iron deficiency anemia. This damage to the small intestine affects its ability of absorb nutrients which leads to malnutrition. There are many more uncomfortable symptoms caused by celiac disease and a 2-fold increase in mortality among people with celiac disease compared to the general population. It is therefore essential that patients who have not been clearly diagnosed with the symptoms of weight loss, chronic diarrhea or abdominal distention be tested for celiac disease. Proper testing includes a simple blood test of anti-tissue transgulataminase IgG and IgA, total IgA and anti-gliadin IgA and IgG. If these tests are positive indicating celiac disease I will also test Endomysial antibody IgA which will also confirm the diagnosis. If a diagnosis of celiac disease is found then my first recommendation is to avoid all grains containing gluten. These include all varieties of wheat, rye, triticale, barley, malt, kamut and spelt Grains that do not include gluten (safe foods) include oats, rice, corn, millet, buckwheat, quinoa, amaranth and teff. I also recommend replacing lost nutrients and using natural anti-inflammatory herbs to promote healing of the gastrointestinal lining.
Question: Do you think there is such a thing as a "leaky gut". If so what can I do about it? Barry C., Vermont Your digestive tract has very specific ways of carrying nutrients into the bloodstream and preventing unwanted things from crossing the intestinal barrier. Leaky gut syndrome is any condition that causes increased permeability in the intestinal tract allowing bacteria, yeast and incompletely digested foods and toxins into the blood circulation. Leaky gut syndrome is an indicator of celiac disease or inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. In people with asymptomatic Crohn's disease, testing for leaky gut syndrome is a strong predictor of relapse. Most dramatically, a leaky gut may be a major cause of multiple organ failure - a leading cause of death in hospital intensive care units. Leaky gut is however, mostly associated with food allergies, chronic candida, asthma and arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis. There is a reliable urine test to detect the level of intestinal permeability (leaky gut), and treatment mainly involves supporting the mucosal lining of the gut and temporarily going on a low-allergy diet. Treatments include nutritional supplements such as L-glutamine, N-acetyl-glucosamine and phosphatidylcholine along with probiotics such as acidophilus. Stool testing for digestive function, yeast overgrowth, bacterial abnormalities and gut immunity can help assess the overall condition of the digestive tract thereby targeting treatment strategies.
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.
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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. |