CONDITIONS  WE  TREAT

CEIM provides various treatments for a number of conditions.  Some treatments are supportive, meaning they may relieve some symptom(s) and/or may arrest or slow down the disease process.  Other treatment is diagnostic and therapeutic, meaning once we diagnose the problem, we have therapeutic options or alternatives.  But many disorders have other underlying causes which we try to identify at our initial evaluation and with laboratory or other testing.  For example, heavy metal toxicity can cause symptoms which mimic Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or any number of other conditions.

Alzheimer's Disease is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system characterized especially by premature senile mental deterioration. It is the fourth largest killer in the United States! Approximately 4 million persons have dementia associated with aging and that number is estimated to increase to at least seven million in the United States by the early 21st century. Of these individuals, as many as two-thirds have Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is thought to affect five percent of people over age 65 and 20 percent of people over age 80.

With Alzheimer's disease and other dementia, problems with memory, judgment, and thought processes make it hard for a person to work and take part in day-to-day family and social life. Changes in mood and personality also may occur. These changes can result in a loss of self-control and other problems. Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease at this time, it may be possible to relieve some of the symptoms, such as wandering and incontinence.  The earlier the diagnosis the more likely it is that symptoms will respond to treatment.  At CEIM we first check for underlying causes and then we may provide supportive or therapeutic  treatment.  For a discussion of supportive treatments CEIM offers see www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/mOISW/2002_July/87719991/p1/article.jhtml.

Parkinson’s Disease  - Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the brain characterized by shaking (tremor) and difficulty with walking, movement, and coordination. The disease is associated with damage to a part of the brain that is involved with movement. The disease affects approximately 2 of every 1,000 people and most often develops after age 50. Sometimes Parkinson's disease occurs in younger adults and is rarely seen in children. It affects both men and women and is one of the most common neurologic disorders of the elderly. In some cases the disease occurs within families, especially when it affects young people.

Most late onset cases have no known cause. The term "parkinsonism" refers to any condition that involves a combination of the types of changes in movement seen in Parkinson's disease, which is the most common cause of these symptoms. Parkinsonism may be caused by other disorders or by external factors (secondary parkinsonism) like certain medications used to treat schizophrenia.

Parkinson's disease is caused by progressive deterioration of the nerve cells of the part of the brain that controls muscle movement (the basal ganglia and the extrapyramidal area). Dopamine, which is one of the substances used by cells to transmit impulses, is normally produced in this area. Deterioration of this area of the brain reduces the amount of dopamine available to the body. Without dopamine, the nerve cells cannot properly transmit messages, resulting in the loss of muscle function.

The exact reason that the cells of the brain deteriorate is unknown. The disorder may affect one or both sides of the body, with varying degrees of loss of function.
In addition to the loss of muscle control, some people with Parkinson's disease become severely depressed. This may be due to loss of dopamine in certain brain areas involved with pleasure and mood. Lack of dopamine can also affect motivation and the ability to initiate voluntary movements.

Although early loss of mental capacities is uncommon, with severe Parkinson's, the person may exhibit overall mental deterioration (including dementia and hallucinations). Dementia can also be a side effect of some of the medications used to treat the disorder.

There is no known cure for these diseases. At CEIM, we first check for underlying causes.  Treatment until now has been aimed at controlling symptoms. New advances in our understanding of these conditions have led to promising new treatments, including new pharmacologic agents, IV glutathione and orthomolecular therapies.

Candidiasis

Candidiasis can be the source of many troubling symptoms and can be frequently misdiagnosed without specialized testing. While this remains a controversial area, it is important to rule out Candidiasis when unusual symptoms are present, or if conventional therapies fail to relieve symptoms. Candida is a normal part of the bowel flora and has many functions inside our digestive tract, to aid in our metabolism and maintain the balance of “healthy” bacteria and also to recognize and destroy harmful bacteria. However, under certain circumstances an overgrowth in our bodies can lead to a wide variety of symptoms that can be readily treated.

 Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction (CFIDS)/ Myalgic Encephalitis (U.K.) 

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFIDS) affects 1/2 to 1% of the U.S. population.  It crosses all boundaries of race, sex, and socioeconomic factors. Although many conditions can cause fatigue, the fatigue experienced by people with CFIDS is persistent or recurrent, causing debilitating tiredness with no apparent reason.  Fatigue forces people with CFIDS to substantially reduce their occupational, educational, social and personal activities. The fatigue is not due to ongoing work or exertion and is not substantially relieved by rest.  In addition, people with CFIDS often report a variety of other problems including, problems with short-term memory and concentration, tender lymph nodes, muscle and joint pain and headaches.

These symptoms tend to wax and wane and may last for many months or years. All segments of the population (including children) are at risk, but women under the age of 45 seem to be the most susceptible.

Environmental and Food Allergies 

Environmental medicine explores the role of dietary and environmental allergens in health and illness. Sensitivities to factors such as dust, molds, chemicals, and certain foods may cause allergic reactions that can dramatically mimic or influence diseases ranging from asthma and hay fever to headaches and depression, IBS or ADHD. Many of these symptoms appear in a delayed response in our bodies, making the difficult to recognize and diagnose.

Virtually any chronic physical or mental illness may be improved by the care of a physician competent in this field. Dr. Rich has a Masters degree in Public Health and is fully trained and Board qualified in accordance with the American Board of Preventive Medicine and American Academy of Environmental Medicine guidelines.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome

FMS (fibromyalgia syndrome) is a widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder for which the cause is still unknown. Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons--the fibrous tissues in the body. Most patients with fibromyalgia say that they ache all over. Their muscles may feel like they have been pulled or overworked. Sometimes the muscles twitch and at other times they burn. More women than men are afflicted with fibromyalgia, but it shows up in people of all ages. Fibromyalgia syndrome affects up to 5% of the population, including children. This disorder might be hereditary (run in families).

FMS sufferers feel like they have a bad flu. Every muscle in their body aches and is in pain. In addition, they have virtually no energy. While the severity of symptoms vary from person to person, FMS in many ways resembles a post-viral state, which is why a number of experts in FMS and CFIDS believe that these two syndromes are one and the same and may be caused by an as yet unidentified viral agent.

Heavy Metal Toxicity

Mercury, lead, arsenic, and aluminum are only a few of the environmental toxins found in East Tennessee.  Many people suffer from subtle, mild, or severe behavioral and physical symptoms resulting from chronic exposure to the air/ food/ water or other environmental exposures they have been in contact with for even a short time.  Proper evaluation and testing are necessary to establish diagnosis prior to treatment.  As the only clinic fully certified for intravenous detoxification/ chelation therapy in East Tennessee, many conditions can be effectively treated. Other intravenous modalities include high dose vitamin C, glutathione, alpha lipoic acid, and other IV therapies. UVB blood irradiation and oxidative therapy using peroxide/ ozone are also available.  Many of these have been suggestive as beneficial in conditions where oxidative stress in the body has contributed to disease such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, chronic infections, and even some cardiovascular disease.

Immune System Dysfunction

The immune system protects the body from potentially harmful substances (antigens) such as microorganisms, toxins, cancer cells, and blood or tissues from another person. The immune response consists of general actions such as phagocytosis, where white blood cells engulf and destroy "foreign" material. It protects against specific antigens by producing antibodies (immunoglobulins), which are molecules that attach to a specific antigen and make destruction of the antigen more efficient. It also protects against specific antigens by producing lymphocytes (a group of white blood cells) that become specialized (sensitized). The sensitized lymphocytes "recognize" the foreign substance, and they destroy it. Immune system disorders occur when the immune response is inappropriate, excessive, or lacking.

Most commonly we hear of immunodeficiency states (such as AIDS, malnutrition, or with steroid or immunosuppressive medications), but many people suffer from dysfunctions of their natural immune defenses, leaving them more susceptible to disease. They also can suffer from a variety of recurring symptoms or signs that baffle their personal physicians, such as chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia. 

There are a number of supportive intravenous and orthomolecular therapies available.

Mercury Toxicity

Mercury is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant.  It enters the environment as a result of the breakdown of minerals in rocks and soil from wind, water, volcanic activity and the natural degassing of the earth's crust.  The air now has three to six times the mercury it had prior to 1800. Approximately 80% of the mercury released from human activities is elemental mercury, which comes from fossil fuel combustion, mining, smelting, from solid waste incineration, and from the vaporization from amalgam fillings in the teeth of humans. The other 20% comes from fertilizers, fungicides, and municipal solid waste.  An association has been made between the presence of a mercury containing preservative in childhood vaccines (thimerosal) and Autism, but this is an area of controversy.

 Probably the most controversial issue concerning mercury toxicity is in dentistry. Although mainstream dentistry does not agree that the mercury amalgams cause so many problems, there are some dentists who believe that the best thing to do is to remove the amalgams and not use them to begin with. After proper testing, at CEIM we can help to remove any mercury load identified through chelation and other IV and orthomolecular therapies.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity is an abnormal state of health where intense and adverse responses occur to components of the patient’s environment, whether it is water, food, air or physical properties. The signs and symptoms are chronic and relapsing and multi-organ system in nature. The triggers are chemicals, foreign molecules, or energy - well tolerated by the general population, but causing illness in the individual concerned. The diagnosis can be suspected by a history, physical and laboratory evaluation, but it can be proved only by removal of the individual from the offending environmental factors and re-challenging with the suspected agents, under controlled conditions, watching for the same reactions that the patient presented with. Once the triggers have all been identified, we can treat this individual by changing the environment through varied environmental controls and immunologic modulation to improve resistance against these negative life triggers. Along with correcting the abusive nutritional state and healing the damaged organ systems, we strive to naturally heal the patient and bring his biochemistry back to a state of balance and efficiency.

Nutritional Deficiencies (Malnutrition)

Nutritional deficiencies are caused by inadequate intake or inadequate digestion of nutrients. Malnutrition is the condition that develops when the body does not get the right amount of the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function. It may result from eating an inadequate or unbalanced diet, digestive problems, absorption problems, or other medical conditions. Malnutrition may be mild enough to show no symptoms or so severe that the damage it has done is irreversible even though the individual may be kept alive.

Malnutrition occurs in people who are either undernourished or over-nourished. Undernutrition is a consequence of consuming too few essential nutrients or using or excreting them more rapidly than they can be replaced. Overnutrition results from eating too much, eating too many of the wrong things, not exercising enough, or taking too many vitamins or other dietary replacements. Risk of overnutrition is also increased by being more than 20% overweight, consuming a diet high in fat and salt, and taking high doses of certain vitamins and minerals

Nutritional disorders can affect any system in the body and the senses of sight, taste, and smell. Malnutrition begins with changes in nutrient levels in blood and tissues. Alterations in enzyme levels, tissue abnormalities, and organ malfunction may be followed by illness and death.

Treatment consists of normalizing the nutritional status and restoring the body’s internal balance.

Obesity / Overweight

According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 2/3 of all Americans are

overweight and ½ of these overweight individuals are obese. The most alarming

trend has been the rapid growth of obese children and adolescents, increasing at

twice the rate of adults. The last two Surgeon Generals have both declared obesity to

be epidemic in this country.

 Our lifestyle and society itself has also changed. We rarely sit down for dinner with our families and are often forced to eat “on the run” grabbing quick food along the way and never having time to use the calories we consume. We eat out of boredom; we eat out of despair, trying to find comfort in food, as a substitute for other things in our lives.

Everyone knows about the negative effects of excessive weight on their health. For over twenty years, we have dealt with weight issues from a comprehensive and holistic standpoint by helping people to gain control over the food they eat, instead of food controlling them.

Wilson's Syndrome/ Borderline Hypothyroidism

While “borderline” thyroid hypofunction (low thyroid function) is becoming more widely accepted by traditional endocrinologists, Wilson's Syndrome is an often overlooked and somewhat controversial diagnosis. This is in part because it exhibits so many different symptoms (ranging from headache, to bad breath, to fatigue, etc.), but also because definitive laboratory testing may or may not be diagnostic. When tests are ordered and come back normal, the patient is either treated symptomatically or told, "It is all in your head." However, now we know that these same symptoms can be caused by a condition of hypometabolism, which in turn can be caused by a variety of factors, one of which is an imbalance of thyroid hormones, rather than a simple deficiency. The incidence of hypometabolism is about 20% in the general population.

 Careful testing is necessary to properly establish this diagnosis and rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. The treatment also needs to be carefully monitored to insure a safe and successful outcome.