Category Archives: AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center

Chronic Fatigue and Mitochondrial Imbalances

January 29, 2015

Chronic Fatigue and Mitochondrial Imbalances

Chronic fatigue is a condition that affects 2.6% of the American population. It involves fatigue that tends to affect more than one part in the body and is worsened by mental or physical activity. Many people believe that chronic fatigue can be treated by bed rest but this is not the case. As you put yourself through physical and mental stress, fatigue becomes more severe leading to a condition known as chronic fatigue syndrome.

There has not been an official explanation as to what causes the disease. However several theories revolve around it which tends to explain its causes. Such include toxics, mitochondrial dysfunction, stress, hormonal imbalances, pathogens, allergens and many more.

Chronic fatigue not only affects your health but also the quality of your life. It can be a real issue to deal with when you find out that you are unable to carry out your duties because you feel tired all the time. Chronic fatigue can thereby be a risk factor for obesity. Since fatigue comes about because your body does not produce the necessary energy for normal body functions like breathing and blood circulation, you are unable to exercise.

Now we all understand that exercise is necessary for normal body functioning and general wellness. When we do not exercise, we are likely to start gaining weight a risk factor of obesity and other chronic illnesses. This is what chronic fatigue does. It renders you inactive and most of your time is spent in bed rest because you don’t have any energy to do anything not to talk about the muscle pains experienced.

Symptoms of chronic fatigue include depression, muscle aches and tenderness, anxiety, impaired mental ability, insomnia and general body weakness. Mitochondrial imbalances are among the factors that can cause chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic Fatigue

What are mitochondria?

To understand how chronic fatigue comes about, there is need to understand mitochondria and the role they play in the production of energy. Each and every cell in our body has mitochondria components that play the role of converting nutrients into energy. The foods we take consist of different nutrients which must be broken down to produce energy.

The mitochondria are present in each cell and they are responsible for giving cells the energy they require to carry out their functions. They supply the cells with energy in form of ATP. When the mitochondria are not functioning, this means that the cells are deprived of energy. Due to lack of ATP the cells are not able to function with the same speed they are used to. This translates then to slowing down of normal body functions.

Mitochondrial Imbalances

Since cells require ATP to function normally any factor that interferes with this process leads to fatigue of the body organs and muscle pains. When the mitochondria are not functioning properly the body ends up relying on anaerobic respiration in order to produce energy. This kind of respiration mostly causes fatigue, decline in concentration ability, muscle pains, gastrointestinal dysfunction, headaches and inability to recover energy lost during exercises.

Studies show that mitochondrial dysfunction is responsible for chronic fatigue syndrome as well as fibromyalgia. Studies have shown that this dysfunction is present in the leukocytes of patients suffering from chronic fatigue which explains the muscle aches experienced by such patients. The damage of the mitochondria can either be genetic or as a result of environmental changes. Studies show that mitochondrial dysfunction can be as a result of medications which inhibit the normal functioning of mitochondria, oxidation stress, toxic compounds, lack of enough nutrients and inheritance of genes that interfere with mitochondrial functioning.

Chronic_fatigue

Al these factors affect the ability of the mitochondria to produce ATP required by the cells. This then leads to a number of health problems such as chronic fatigue. Mitochondrial dysfunction not only leads to chronic fatigue but can cause tissue damage. A tissue is a mass of cell. When cells do not get the energy they require to function, the whole tissue can end up being destroyed and finally leading to organ dysfunction. This results in health disorders such as cardiovascular, metabolic, neurologic and immunologic problems.

The mitochondria are necessary for normal cellular activities. Basically our health depends highly on our diet and lifestyle. Adjusting these may prove a helpful way of treating mitochondrial dysfunction. This information can be found freely at www.awaremednetwork.com.  Dr. Dalal Akoury restores the mitochondria to cure chronic fatigue. Many people who have been her patients bear witness to her good works. You too can be part of this by visiting AwareMed today.

Chronic Fatigue and Mitochondrial Imbalances

 

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Cortisol and Adrenal Fatigue

January 29, 2015

Cortisol and Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal fatigue is a common health problem that affects many Americans today. It often occurs when you undergo some stressful situation that you can’t bounce out of. If you feel tired all the time or don’t feel like your body is functioning as it would, you are probably a victim of adrenal fatigue. When it occurs, it affects the quality of your life to a great extent. All of a sudden you face difficulties when trying to exercise and an attempt to just sit down and relax proves quite hard. There is more.  If you suffer from adrenal fatigue you tend to fall ill more often than you are used to and the healing process is a long one.

The condition is not a new one. It has affected people for year. Physician awareness of the disease is on the increase although many doctors are not conversant with it as a syndrome. Patients thereby end up suffering because the symptoms are not well diagnosed and therefore the treatment they are given is wrong.

What is adrenal fatigue?

First of all adrenal glands refer to glands that are located in the kidneys perform the function of secreting a number of hormones. Such hormones include; cortisol, DHEA, progesterone, testosterone and estrogen among others. Adrenal fatigue thereby occurs as a result of the adrenal glands not operating normally. This dysfunction is often brought about by pressure, stress or an illness the person may be going through. In the case of adrenal fatigue, the adrenal glands function at a lower level when the patient is under stress, rest or illness.

Adrenal-Fatigue-Patterns

Role of Cortisol in the Body

It is one of the hormones produced by the adrenaline glands. Cortisol is a stress hormone that is produced when we are under stress of tension in order to cool us down. Some situations are often stressful and no matter how much we try to avoid them, we find that at one point in our lives stress must be a part of us. It may be stress due to loss of property or relative, financial pressures, drugs or any other major event in our lives that takes a toll on us.

This is where the adrenal glands come in. They play a major role in the body and none of us can do without them. The hormones produced by the adrenaline glands are useful to us in one way or another. Adrenaline keeps you relaxed and in control of the situation.

cortisolSo when do things start going bad? It is common knowledge that too much or too little of something can wreak havoc in our bodies. In as much as adrenal glands are important especially during stress, too much pressure on then may lead to them wearing out. Cortisol as a stress hormone is produced by the adrenal glands. When you are constantly under pressure stress for a long time, the adrenal glands are under pressure to produce more cortisol. When this happens, hey become worn and therefore not able to function efficiently.  What happens after that is that the production of the stress hormone reduces. This means that the body is not in the position of handling subsequent stress, pressure or illnesses as they occur. This is the point when you begin to feel tired even after doing so little. Furthermore, you find it difficult to recover after exercises. Al of a sudden, you frequently fall ill and take long to recover.

Signs and Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue

People with adrenal fatigue will often experience the following symptoms:

  • Feeling tired for no particular reason.
  • Constantly feeling overwhelmed
  • You find it hard to recover from illnesses or stress
  • Difficulties waking up in the morning.
  • You feel more energetic after 6PM
  • Abnormal sugar and salt craving

Treatment for Adrenal Fatigue

Lifestyle Adjustment: the best way to treat the condition is by adjusting your routine for example encourage happy thoughts to avoid stress. You can also ensure maximum time to rest and relax as well as regular exercise.

Diet: avoid polished carbohydrates instead combine whole grain carbs with a good quantity of proteins and vitamins, fiber and essential oils. Also if you are suffering from adrenal fatigue ensure you eat regularly say at 10 AM and lunch time.

Supplements: supplements like vitamin C, E, B, B-6, niacin, pantothenic acid, magnesium citrate and minerals like zinc are essential in treatment of adrenal fatigue.

Dr. Dalal Akoury will provide treatment for adrenal fatigue. She has many years of experience in this and other medical conditions. To learn more about this topic visit www.awaremednetwork.com today.

Cortisol and Adrenal Fatigue

 

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Fibromyalgia and NAD Treatment

January 28, 2015

Fibromyalgia and NAD Treatment

There is often a thin line between chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. The two conditions exhibit almost the same symptoms. Many are the times when patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome have been diagnosed and treated for fibromyalgia.

So what is fibromyalgia? It is a health disorder that is often characterized by intense and widespread pain in the muscles. These pains are accompanied by other symptoms like increased fatigue, insomnia, mood swings and impaired memory and concentration levels. Studies show that the intense pains in patients with fibromyalgia is as a result of manipulation of the way pain signals are processed by the brain.

The symptoms of this disorder begin to manifest themselves after an individual has undergone a major stressful situation, physical trauma, infection or surgery. In some other cases the symptoms will continue building up over a period of time.

Contrary to many beliefs that fibromyalgia is a disease of the old folks, the condition can affect anybody from the young to the old. However, women are more at risk of developing the disease as compared to men. This is probably because women are more exposed to psychological stress than men.

Fibromyalgia

Most people who are diagnosed with the disease suffer from conditions such as temporomandibular joint disorders, anxiety, irritable bowel movements, headaches as well as depression. While fibromyalgia remains without a cure, the patients are given medications which aim at controlling the symptoms. Also some physiological measures such as relaxation, exercises and reducing the amount of stress you are exposed to also help ease the situation.

NAD Treatment for Fibromyalgia

Some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia are like those of chronic fatigue syndrome. NAD treatment is one that is used on patients suffering from this condition.

Basically we all need energy to survive. Every process in our bodies relies on energy and that is what keeps us healthy from circulation, breathing to even digestion. The mitochondria are responsible for generation of energy used by cells to perform their functions. Without this energy we are prone to diseases and medical conditions like chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) refers to a molecule whose function is to react with the oxygen found in the mitochondria. This reaction creates energy that is used by the cells to help you in breathing, movement, food digestion, blood pumping and thinking.  In short, this energy is what enables to live your life as it is.

Studies show that lack of this molecule is what causes chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, weakening of the immune system, impaired memory and decline in concentration levels, sleeping problems, muscle aches and weakness and even drug and alcohol addictions. Deficiency in this molecule is a cellular disease epidemic that may go undetected.

How Does NAD Works?

NAD is basically and active form of vitamin B3. NAD is converted into a co-enzyme that binds with hydrogen to become NADH. Hydrogen combines with oxygen in the body to generate energy. Naturally when hydrogen and oxygen react in their liquid forms they generate energy like in the case of hot air balloons. This same reaction takes place in the body.

However due to the explosive power of hydrogen, during NAD treatment it must be carefully inserted into the NAD molecule so that it can generate energy for the body without causing harm to the patient. NAD in this case acts as the hydrogen carrier before it reacts with the oxygen to become NADH.

The process of converting NAD into NADH undergoes through a cycle called Citric Acid Cycle. The fats, carbohydrates and proteins that we eat in our diet provide the necessary chemicals that enter into the cycle. At this point the NAD molecule becomes loaded with the hydrogen which enters into the mitochondria generating a reaction with oxygen that ends up generating energy.

Fibromyalgia

The energy produced by this reaction in the mitochondria is in form of ATP and also a bit of water. The ATP is what is used by the body to assist in blood pumping, contraction of muscles and also the energy that is required by billions of cells in the body.

It is clear how important energy is for normal body function. The energy produced is utilized by body organs like the heart and brain. When there is a deficiency in the energy production the brain is the first organ that is affected. This leads to decline in concentration, memory problems and reduced attention.

If incase this shortage of energy lasts a bit longer, the brain is unable to produce neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline which are useful in maintain consciousness. We thereby start experiencing depression, anxiety, moods swings and lack of sleep.  It is afterwards that the muscles begin to ache and fatigue creeps in because processes like blood pumping have reduced.

At AwareMed we believe in health and wellness and genera body health. Dr. Dalal Akoury will provide more information about this topic and more. Just visit www.awaremednetwork.com today and she will answer any questions you may have about Fibromyalgia and other health conditions.

Fibromyalgia and NAD Treatment

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Dihydroepiandrosterone Replacement, DHEA -The Mother of All Hormones

January 27, 2015

Dihydroepiandrosterone Replacement, DHEA -The Mother of All Hormones)

Dihydroepiandrosterone or as commonly referred to as DHEA is the most abundant hormone that occurs naturally in the human body. It is referred to as the mother of all hormones because it is responsible for all metabolisms in the body. The hormone is manufactured in the brain and adrenal glands.

The levels of DHEA are highest in the fetus stage and continue to increase until a person is at the age of 30. Afterward, the level begins to drop rapidly as the person continues to age.  This decline is the one that enhances the aging process. Studies show that by the time we are 70 the level of DHEA production reduces to around 10% less of what we used to produce when we were younger. The work of this hormone is to support as well as to regulate the functioning of other hormones in the immune system.

Dihydroepiandrosterone Replacement, DHEA

Given that DHEA is very critical for the normal functioning of other cells, if anything goes wrong with the hormone all other hormones are affected. If the level of DHEA declines, it means that its functions cease to balance. In this case, this imbalance brings about an imbalance of all other hormones like estrogen, progesterone, cortisol and testosterone. Hormonal imbalances lead to medical conditions like depression, low sex drive, and anxiety among others.

Facts about DHEA

DHEA is used by the body to produces sex hormones such as progesterone, testosterone, estrogen and cortisol. In addition to this, the hormone is also responsible in regulating the levels of insulin and cholesterol in the body. If the levels of insulin and cholesterol increase beyond normal, then there is bound to be inevitable damage in the body leading to health conditions like obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease. It also decreases the risk of cancer and diabetes in addition to enhancing the immune system.  It also prevents the breast cancer in women in premenopausal stage and in men prostate cancer.

DHEA is probably the most important hormone in the body. It plays a crucial role in metabolism and is the foundation of sex hormones in both women and men. It is basically responsible for the normal functioning of our bodies. It is a precursor hormone which means that it is responsible for the production and normal functioning of other hormones in the body. It is surely the mother of all hormones because without it, the other hormones would be useless or they would not even exist.

DHEA is responsible for maintaining a balance in the metabolism process. It does this by enhancing loss of excess fats, increasing tissue mass, and enhancing formation of new bones as well as inhibiting their degeneration.

DHEADHEA replacement therapy is performed on patients with low levels of the hormone. When this level declines as we have seen the balance of other hormones is offset. Mostly patients will come in with symptoms of hormonal imbalances.  The test is performed by an expert who runs a couple of tests to find out the level of DHEA.  When done correctly, the replacement therapy helps restore the hormonal imbalance and reverses symptoms associated with this condition. When combined with the right diet and regular exercises, DHEA is crucial in restoring hormonal balance.

It is also effective in reversing conditions caused by hormonal imbalances such as impaired memory and concentration ability, loss of lean muscles, depression and reduced focus which most people take as conditions associated with old age and therefore inevitable.

Factors that may cause DHEA levels to decline

Diet: First of all our diet plays a major role in our well-being. What you eat translates to the health of your body.  Eating a balanced diet works miracles in preventing hormonal imbalances. Lack of exercise will also increase your chances or hormonal imbalance.

Toxics: toxic compounds such as pesticides and herbicides find their way into our body systems either through the food we eat or the water we drink. These compounds are known to offset hormonal imbalances like DHEA.

Stress: this is one of the major factors that may throw your hormones completely off balance. When DHEA is affected by stress that means that the production of cortisol that is supposed to help you deal with the situation is not produced efficiently.

Importance of adequate levels of DHEA

When the hormone DHEA is in adequate levels, it leads to restoration of lean muscles, improved memory, increased stamina, improves the fat ratio, increased testosterone levels, increased concentration and focus among others. All these functions make DHEA the ultimate mother of all hormones because it has direct effect on the production and functions of other hormones.

Find out more about DHEA by visiting www.awaremednetwork.com today. Get your healing through the expert advice of Dr. Akoury who has helped thousands of patients get back on their feet. She has years of experience in the field of medicine. AwareMed provides you with not only information about illnesses but we also help you solve them.

Dihydroepiandrosterone Replacement, DHEA -The Mother of All Hormones)

 

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Memory Loss Causes and Natural Treatment

January 27, 2015

Memory Loss causes and Natural treatment

We all experience forgetfulness at one time in our lives. That moment when you find that you don’t remember a conversation you had with someone you just met. When you can’t figure out the name of a person you just talked to minutes ago. This in some cases is normal memory loss that is temporary. Most of this is caused by something major happening in our lives, for example when you are undergoing mental stress or have too much on your plate to handle. This can make you forget simple things happening around you.

On the other hand, aging plays a role in our forgetfulness. It is absolutely normal to forget some things along the way as we become old. This is normal aging process which comes with a package of forgetfulness.

The Memory Loss Question

However, you have to be careful. When this memory loss is not as a result of aging, then there is a problem. In this case you could be experiencing abnormal memory loss also referred to as amnesia. Amnesia is an abnormal memory loss that manifests itself in a person. It is characterized by an abnormal ability to recall events that happened in the past which you would normally remember. This poses a lot of problems to not only the victim but also the people close to him or her.

Depending on what is causing the amnesia it could occur gradually or you may just wake up one morning and find that you are not remembering anything that happened in your past. Some memory loss may just be temporary but in some cases it may affect someone for the rest of their life. Amnesia can be limited to inability to recall past events or even those that happened recently or a manifestation of both.

Memory Loss

Aging brings with it some degree of forgetfulness as we have seen. This memory loss may result into difficulties in learning or retaining new knowledge. However, aging is not necessarily a cause of abnormal memory loss. In this case you will find that the victim has other factors causing the memory loss to be extreme like a disease.

This gives us three types of amnesia that people may experience in their lives. Transient global amnesia is a type of memory loss that results in the loss of all memory both from recent or past events. It’s like your entire memory is scrapped off. This kind of memory loss however is very rare and if it happens it is temporary and through medication a person is able to recover.

Anterograde amnesia on the other hand comes about after a person has experienced a trauma of some kind. It is characterized with inability to remember recent events that happened after a trauma but the distant past events remain unaltered.  Retrograde amnesia on the other hand is characterized by inability to remember events that may have occurred before a trauma. However, your ability to remember events afterwards is not affected in any way.

There are several factors which may cause memory loss like alcohol and drug abuse, depression, nutrition, medication, trauma, infections or psychological stress.

Aging and Hormonal Imbalances

Hormones are very important in the normal body functioning. However as we grow older some processes in our bodies begin to slow down. As we age hormone production decreases creating an environment of hormonal imbalances. Studies show that this decline in hormones is responsible for certain conditions that are as a result of the aging process.  Such conditions include cardio vascular infections, degenerative illnesses, memory loss as well as hair and muscle loss.

The endocrine system becomes ineffective with aging. The system which is responsible for secretion of all hormones becomes inefficient and hormones are not produced as they normally would. This ends up throwing hormones way off balance. Such hormones include insulin, sex hormones like testosterone among others.

Most anti-aging doctors recommend hormone replacement therapy to overcome these aging effects. The therapy involves replacing the hormones with artificial ones which are of similar molecular properties.

Memory Loss

Nutrition

You have heard that what you eat translates into your general health. This is the case with memory loss. It may be caused by the wrong diet and lack of exercise. Some foods inhibit the functioning of brain cells resulting in amnesia.

Alcohol

Prolonged alcohol and drug abuse results in amnesia. It works by damaging the cells in your brain leading to gradual memory loss. You find that your ability to learn or retain new information is impaired. You are also not able to recall recent and past events.

Depression

This is another causative factor of amnesia. Depression will naturally results in throwing your hormones off balance. When hormones are not balanced conditions such as memory loss and impaired concentration levels occur.

Natural Remedies for Memory Loss

Avoid stress: stressful situations will only result in depression which is a bridge to memory loss. Always try living on the positive side of life and avoid in as much as possible anything negative.

Diet: eating the right diet that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants works to prevent memory loss. These can be found in foods like vegetables, fruits, dark chocolate, tea, flaxseed, cold-water fish and walnuts.

Mind exercise: strive to keep your brain active in all ways. Things like mind games, crossword puzzles and reading all work to exercise the brain and keeps it active and strong.

Avoid alcohol: alcohol end ups damaging your brain cells inhibiting the functioning of neurotransmitters.

Avoid stress: depression is dangerous to your health. It ends up throwing your hormones off balance which results in memory loss. Avoid situations that are likely to stress you.

To find out more about this topic visit www.awaremednetwork.com today. For any questions you may have about this topic or any other health topic, Dr. Akoury will be more than happy to offer the assistance you require. She has many years of medical experience which has seen her help many patients recover from conditions like memory loss.

Memory Loss Causes and Natural Treatment

 

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