Adult Health Problems
Dr. Mary Ann Block`s Approach is to look for and treat, whenever possible, the underlying causes of the health problem instead of covering the symptoms with drugs.
- Menopause and PMS with Bioidentical Hormones
- Allergies/Sensitivities
- Asthma
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Eczema
- Attention Problems
- Other Chronic Problems in Adults
"ALLERGIES AND SENSITIVITIES IN ADULTS ARE OFTEN MISDIAGNOSED AS STRESS, HORMONES CHANGES, ARTHRITIS, CHRONIC FATIGUE, HEADACHES, MENTAL FUZZINESS, DIFFICULTY FOCUSING AND OTHER CHRONIC PROBLEMS. ALLERGIES AFFECT HOW WE THINK, FEEL AND ACT."
There is more to allergies and sensitivities than runny nose, watery or itchy eyes and sneezing. Allergy cells, called mast cells, are found throughout the body, including the lungs, the skin, the bladder, the muscles and the brain. This is why each of these body areas can be affected when exposed to certain allergens.
It is not uncommon for parents of children with allergies to also suffer with allergies since allergies tend to run in families. We do not outgrow our allergies. Instead our symptoms change as we get older. Adult allergies are often attributed to hormone changes, aging or stress. An adult may react to allergens with such symptoms as chronic headaches or fatigue. Others may suffer with body aches and pains that are misdiagnosed as arthritis. The list of symptoms is long and as individual as each patient. Instead of taking medication to treat the symptoms, many adults find relief from their chronic problems with well-targeted allergy treatment.
Specific nutrients are needed in our body to make the biochemical processes work properly. The body depends on nutrients to function. If we don't get enough of the right nutrients, the body can't work appropriately. The pollution in our atmosphere and the toxins in our foods cause our bodies to use more nutrients to dispose of these toxic chemical byproducts. There are blood tests available to help identify nutritional deficiencies.
Testing All The Allergens At Once Can Miss A Finding
There are two different ways to do skin testing. One method is to test all the allergens at one time by placing a drop of the allergen under the skin on the arm or the back. With this test, the doctor is looking for the reaction to the allergen on the skin. The skin may turn red or grow a red, irritated skin blister. If the testing is done all at once, a finding could be missed.
The other method is to test one allergen at a time. This is the method used at The Block Center. After a comprehensive history and physical examination, we can usually determine which allergens are most likely to be a problem and test them first. By testing one substance at a time and provoking the symptoms, the patient and the doctor can tell exactly which part of the body is affected by which allergen. During each test the patient is monitored for any changes in heart rate, breathing capacity, mood, concentration and physical and emotional symptoms as well as a skin reaction. Many adults have a history of headaches, asthma, joint and muscle pain and gastrointestinal problems that can be incited during testing. Once the allergens are uncovered, the most appropriate treatment can be determined.
There is no one pill or one health plan for menopause or peri-menopause (pre-menopause) that will fit every woman. In addition, many women have other chronic health problems that are exacerbated by the onset of menopause that also need to be addressed in order to feel better. A plan that is developed after a comprehensive history and medical workup can provide an individual program with the best possibility to benefit each unique woman.
Hormones play a vital role in maintaining our health. Any imbalance can cause a host of problems and symptoms. Many times, women suffering with menopausal or peri-menopausal symptoms are treated with either high levels of non-compatible estrogens or with psychiatric drugs to try to control the symptoms. The problem with this approach is that both of these types of drugs expose the woman to serious and even life-threatening side effects and fail to address or help the underlying health problems. The approach at The Block Center is to treat the underlying problems. If hormone level tests indicate that hormones are needed, then the appropriate and individual amount can be prescribed. Dr. Block only prescribes those hormones that are bio-identical to the hormones made in the body. These bio-identical hormones are made for each individual woman by a compounding pharmacy. These are not the same hormones that have recently received negative publicity in the news.
One hormone that has been marketed as a natural is made from horse estrogen taken from the urine of pregnant mares. Although "natural," the horse estrogen is composed of molecules not found in the human body, so it is NOT a “natural” hormone for women. Hormones made in a laboratory, however, can be natural to your body if they are made to be exactly like the hormones your body actually makes. It does not matter if the body makes the hormone or if it is made from a plant extract. If it is the identical molecule, then it is the identical hormone.
Bio-identical hormones are identical in chemical structure to the hormones that your body naturally produces. This means that the bio-identical hormones interact in the same way with your hormone receptors and produce the same results as your own hormones do. Premarin and synthetic hormones may have similar (but not identical) molecular structures but they can produce different responses. It is the different responses that can prevent a woman from feeling better while on these hormones as well as cause potential side effects. That is why Dr. Block prescribes only bio-identical hormones for her patients.
Menopause is not just about reduced levels of estrogen in the body. There are other hormones that are also diminished with menopause. To simply prescribe only estrogen to a woman ignores the fact that there has been a loss of these other important hormones. Adding only one lost hormone and ignoring the loss of others only serves to further disrupt the body`s delicate balance. Estrogen is a potent and potentially dangerous hormone when not balanced by adequate progesterone. Too much estrogen can cause many serious health problems. Studies have shown that estrogen can cause cancer in the uterus and the breast.
NATURAL AND EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS TO PREVENT AND RELIEVE HEADACHES, FATIGUE, ANXIETY & DEPRESSION
TOO OFTEN THE SYMPTOMS OF THESE DISORDERS ARE TREATED WITH DRUGS THAT HAVE POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS AND DO NOT ACTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEMS
Many individuals have been labeled and treated for psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety without having a thorough physical evaluation. There are many medical conditions that can cause a person to feel depressed or anxious. It does not mean that the person has a psychiatric disorder. Many people have been treated for years with psychiatric drugs when they actually had undiagnosed health problems such as a thyroid disorder, a nutritional deficiency, allergies or a hormone deficiency. Everyone deserves a thorough evaluation to find the real underlying causes of their depression and anxiety symptoms.
Dr. Block`s approach to headaches is similar to her approach to other health problems. It is vitally important to find the underlying cause or “trigger” for the headaches. The cause can be hormone imbalances, allergies, low blood sugar, nutritional deficiencies, sensitivities to fragrances and many others toxins. Taking prescription drugs for headaches may help in the short term but finding the underlying cause can provide the tools to prevent chronic headaches.
Chronic Fatigue
Everyone has felt tired from time to time. Usually causes for this are staying up late at night, high levels of exercise or heavy work load. Chronic fatigue is persistent and there is usually no apparent cause. Underlying and unidentified problems can cause significant ongoing fatigue. These include dietary imbalance, thyroid problems, food allergy, nutritional deficiency, environmental toxicity, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and physical or emotional stress. There are some basic approaches to reducing fatigue such as eating properly, exercising, and reducing emotional and physical stressors. Identifying and treating food allergies and sensitivities and avoiding environmental toxins can help reduce reactions to these chemical stressors. Dietary supplementation is important, especially if there is an underlying deficiency or imbalance causing the fatigue. A complete medical examination can help to uncover the causes.
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