Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common set of digestive symptoms — such as bloating, diarrhea, or constipation — that may occur due to a variety of causes like food allergens (often lactose and gluten), inflammation, or chronic stress. Millions of Americans have IBS, affecting twice as many women as men. Patients visit our Denver…
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How much zinc you should take varies based on age, overall health, and whether you are pregnant or nursing. Its benefits for immune system health are well-studied, but for women, it’s also vital to hormone regulation, healthy skin, improved mood, and fetal development. Recommended Daily Dosages of Zinc for Women The Office of Dietary Supplements…
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Your thyroid gland is an essential part of your endocrine system. It secretes hormones that regulate metabolism, heart function, digestion, muscles, brain development, and bone health. As functional healthcare providers, we test for levels of thyroid hormones beyond just TSH. Comprehensive thyroid hormone testing allows us to identify the root cause of many thyroid problems,…
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Omega-3 fatty acids, or omega-3s, are essential to overall wellness, especially if you’re at high risk for heart disease or already dealing with cardiovascular concerns. As your body can’t make them on its own, it’s up to you to ensure you consume healthy amounts of omega-3s through foods like fatty fish, nuts, and seed oils.…
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Levothyroxine (brand name: Synthroid) is a synthetic thyroid hormone used for treating an underactive thyroid gland condition called hypothyroidism. It’s also used for other thyroid-related conditions, such as goiter, and in the management of thyroid cancer. Side effects from levothyroxine are common but not usually life-threatening. These can include both physical and emotional changes, such…
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What Is Dysuria? Dysuria is the medical term for painful urination. It may feel like simple discomfort, a burning sensation, or itching when you pee. Patients feel dysuria either in the urethra or around the urethral opening. Painful urination is generally not a severe problem; most cases are easily treated. If you’re experiencing symptoms of…
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Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic condition that causes bladder pain, bladder pressure, pelvic pain, and urinary urgency. Symptom intensity and duration can vary depending on the level of inflammation in the bladder wall. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the Interstitial Cystitis Association, this autoimmune disease is…
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No one knows exactly what causes interstitial cystitis, but inflammation certainly plays a role. (Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder.) Autoimmunity, injuries or surgeries, infection, and cross-talk with other pelvic organs may all contribute to inflammatory IC as well. Diet is one of the primary ways patients can control inflammation and, thus, their IC flare-ups.…
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Phytoestrogens are plant-based compounds found in foods such as soybeans, soy milk, kudzu root, and flaxseed, which happen to mimic the structure of estrogen. There has been a lot of confusion in the media about whether or not phytoestrogens actually have estrogenic, or estrogen-promoting, properties. Studies show that these phytoestrogens do not increase or alter…
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Testosterone is a sex hormone that impacts overall health in both men and women. Low levels of testosterone (often referred to as “low T”) can cause symptoms like: As you age, your body produces less testosterone. Many other issues can also reduce T, from using anabolic steroids to not eating enough calories every day to…
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