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Running Healthy and Strong with Naturopathic Medicine By Getting to the Root of Health Conditions When They Arise

March 22, 2020 carmenmicsa Leave a comment

As a runner I am in tune with my body, which is why when I started to feel tired and exhausted on every run last year in December, I knew that something was wrong. Even my Strava running app was telling me that every run was harder than my usual effort. As soon as January 2020 rolled around, I asked my primary doctor to run a full blood panel, which is what I like to do at the beginning of each year. To my surprise, my thyroid levels were out of control and I got diagnosed with Graves autoimmune disorder with a hyperactive thyroid. After having seen the endocrinologist and getting more tests done, I was put on Methimazole with no explanation why I got the Graves. My philosophy about healing a chronic condition that doctors tell patients that it might be lifelong is getting to the root of the problem. My next step was to research my condition by reading articles and two books on curing the thyroid and even reversing my Graves autoimmune, which was exciting and promising. Since both authors pointed out that one should seek out the care of a naturopath, I did some research online and that’s how I found Dr. Dennis Godby, a licensed Naturopathic Doctor with Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center.

Gov. Bill Clinton giving Dr. Godby the “Arkansas Traveler” award on his cross country run through Arkansas, from SF to DC, in 1985, for peace in Central America during the Reagan years. The name of the run was the “Central America Emergency Run.”

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

According to Dr. Godby, Naturopathic Medicine is a unique and distinct system of health care that emphasizes the use of prevention, natural therapeutics, and helping each patient attain their best health possible. The doctors who practice naturopathic medicine, called naturopathic doctors (NDs), are trained to serve as primary care general practitioners who are experts in the prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment of both acute and chronic health conditions. Naturopathic doctors are trained at accredited, four-year, post-graduate, residential naturopathic medical programs. The training consists of comprehensive study of the conventional medical sciences, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, immunology, clinical and physical diagnosis, laboratory diagnosis, cardiology, gastroenterology, gynecology, etc, as well as detailed study of a wide variety of natural therapies.

Naturopathic doctors are guided by six principles:

1. Do No Harm

2. The Healing Power of Nature

3. Find the Cause

4. Treat the Whole Person

5. Preventive Medicine

6. Doctor as Teacher

Dr. Godby’s run from Corvallis, Oregon, 1978, where he attended OSU, as an exercise physiology major, running 39 miles a day, solo, to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to raise awareness of exercise and nutrition when most adults didn’t exercise or even know what healthy food was. This picture was taken in the Canadian Rockies.

Why is it important to combine conventional medicine with naturopathic in many chronic illness and other health conditions?

Article from Anniston, Alabama, from the CA run in 1984-1985.

For most patients with chronic illness, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, hypo/hyperthyroidism, autoimmune diseases, and many others, it is typically not necessary for the naturopathic patient to also be treated conventionally. Most patients of Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) present to the Naturopathic clinic already under the care of an MD/DO. Since patients do not have a disease because of a pharmaceutical deficiency, but, more than likely because of issues related to lifestyle, the solution does not lie in Western/Conventional/Allopathic Medicine, but in finding and treating the cause of disease, which can be addressed with lifestyle change. Sometimes, conventional medicine is helpful and/or necessary for having another opinion, for testing that naturopathic medicine doesn’t do, such as referring a patient with extremely elevated “liver” enzymes that may lead an ND to ask the patient to get an abdominal ultrasound from their doctor.

While also using scientific methods and arriving at many of the same diagnoses as MDs, naturopathic doctors take a more holistic approach and try to understand causes behind a patient’s diagnosis so these can be effectively managed. So, for example, an ND may use herbal or nutritional substances to relieve pain and reduce inflammation in a patient with arthritis, while at the same time use therapies to support healthy joint function and restore damaged tissues. Using a more holistic model, the ND may also look into the role that food intolerances or gastrointestinal health may play in the patient with arthritis. Uncovering these clues can be important in helping patients understand the causes of their conditions and empower them to take a more active role in improving their general health while managing their current “diagnosis.”

Dr. Godby’s Recommended Test for Runners and Everyone Else Wanting to Determine Overall Health

One of the things that Dr. Godby recommended for me to get to the root of my thyroid problem was the hair follicle test to determine overall nutritional deficiencies, environmental challenges like toxic metals, radiation, bodily systems under stress, microbial picture, and even electromagnetic radiation exposure. Once the causes are identified, action can be taken to improve one’s body’s chemistry and cell functioning. This test is nutritional and toxin exposure. Blood tests are very important tests, but they show different things than the hair test. Both are important. One thing to point out is that the blood panel at their office is much more comprehensive than what an average MD primary care doctor will do. For example, Dr. Godby would like to have a standard thyroid TSH around 1-2, instead of a 0.3 to 4.5 range of many doctors.

Runners like myself and Dr. Godby strive to excel and have overall great health, not just get by. This test will reveal how to have that extra edge in determining your nutrition and removing the obstacles to being at your best, like exposure to toxic metals, like mercury, lead, etc., or electromagnetic radiation like cell phones, or radiation.

Additionally, some key points to remember when every run feels hard and you are exhausted is to check your health, your iron levels, thyroid, and any other vitamin deficiencies. As of now, I feel great and my Graves is under control, because of the prescription medicine, vitamins prescribed by Dr. Godby, and my diet change from vegan to adding some organic animal protein to my diet to heal the thyroid. Taking a holistic approach to our health is more beneficial and will speed up the healing process.

For more information on Naturopathic medicine, please visit:

https://sacramento.downtowngrid.com/listings/sacramento-naturopathic-medical-center/

Roseville today website: https://www.rosevilletoday.com/author/dr-dennis-godby-nd/

Dr. Godby’s information below.

https://www.bioidenticaldoctorsacramento.com/about-dr-dennis-godby-n-d/

For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Also mention this blog and receive a great offer whether buying (credit for closing costs) or selling (commission discount). Running for real estate with joy!

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Legal Documents You Need for Your Aging Parents

March 2, 2020 carmenmicsa Leave a comment

By Arthur Bretschneider, CEO & Cofounder, Seniorly.com

As your parents grow older, it’s important to make sure you will be able to step in if they become unable to make medical or financial decisions on their own. It’s also critical to ensure you have the legal documents needed to make sure their end-of-life wishes are carried out. The team at Seniorly.com has put together a list of essential legal documents every aging adult should have. If your mom or dad doesn’t already have them in place, discuss the need for them as quickly as possible.

Legal Documents to Obtain Before Your Parent Moves to Assisted Living

Before your parent moves into an assisted living community, part of the admissions process will involve preparing specific legal documents. Make sure you have this paperwork in place before they make their move.

HIPAA Authorization Form

The Health Information Portability and Accountability Act, often simply known as HIPAA, lays out legal standards for ensuring an individual’s health records and information are kept private. This means that healthcare professional can’t share information with you about your parent unless they have provided you with written consent for you to receive this information. A HIPPA authorization form is a straightforward yet critical document for parents to complete. This form authorizes doctors, medical facilities, and other healthcare professionals to keep you and other family members your parent approves informed on their medical status. Most doctor’s offices have them on hand, and they only take a few minutes to complete.

Durable Financial Power of Attorney

A durable financial power of attorney provides you or another appointed agent the authority to take care of financial transactions on your parent’s behalf. Keep in mind, your loved one has to be mentally competent when the document is created. The durable power of attorney differs from a standard power of attorney in that it will remain effective even when your parent is unable to make decisions. When your parent passes away, this document is automatically terminated.

Durable Medical Power of Attorney

A durable medical power of attorney names at least one person to make medical decisions on your parent’s behalf if they’re unable to communicate or make decisions on their own. It’s wise to have more than one agent in case one cannot be reached when there’s an emergency. Take time to discuss your parents’ wishes on critical medical decisions in advance so you are able to carry out their wishes if they become too ill to direct their own medical care.

Physical Assessment Form

Before your aging parents enter an assisted living community, their doctor will be required to complete a physical assessment form. It provides information relating to your parent’s medical history, current diagnoses, behavioral or cognitive status, and sensory or physical limitations they may have. Within the assessment, the physician can also indicate what therapy or medical services are needed by your loved one, as well as information on the amount of assistance that may be necessary with self-care and daily living tasks.

Legal Documents for End of Life

A few specific legal documents are needed to dictate your loved one’s end-of-life wishes as well as what happens to their estate when they are gone.

Living Will

A living will, often called an advanced directive, allows your parent to record their wishes for end-of-life care. It keeps family members from having to agonize over tough medical decisions in the future. Your parent can use a living will to make it clear whether they would like life support to be used in the case of a permanent coma, persistent vegetative state, or terminal condition. It can also be used to specify in which situations they would like to receive water and food via feeding tube, and when they’d like to be provided with comfort care.

Last Will and Testament

A last will and testament states what happens to your loved one’s assets after they pass away. It can include their property, money, estate, and possessions. Failing to have a will means that the government will determine how to divide your parent’s property, regardless of their wishes. When creating a last will, they’ll need to list beneficiaries and appoint an executor and alternate executor. By drafting a last will and testament, parents ensure their estate is taken care of according to their wishes instead of the will of the government.

DNR

A Do Not Resuscitate or DNR document informs medical professionals that your parent does not want cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or advanced cardiac life support if their heart stops or they stop breathing. A DNR differs from a living will in that it’s a medical order actually written and signed by a physician, making it a legally recognized medical order. In some states, the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) serves the same function as a DNR form.

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