Subclinical hypothyroidism means you have normal T3 and T4 hormone levels but high TSH levels (thyroid-stimulating hormone). Physicians may refer to this as mild thyroid failure. It may cause mild hypothyroidism symptoms, but is usually asymptomatic and diagnosed by thyroid blood tests. It’s possible, and even normal, to have subclinical hypothyroidism and never know it.…
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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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The low-FODMAP diet is an evidence-based treatment for IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), but it’s not for everyone. This diet restricts the consumption of “FODMAPs,” which are specific types of fermentable short-chain carbohydrates that can resist digestion. “FODMAP” is an acronym for “fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols” which are all types of carbohydrates your gut…
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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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Your thyroid affects every single cell in your body. It makes sense that a thyroid disorder, like hypothyroidism, can greatly disrupt your daily life. Hypothyroidism arises when the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, causing levels of thyroid hormone to drop. Hypothyroidism is often classified as an autoimmune disorder and an endocrine disorder. This…
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What Is 5-HTP? 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is a chemical your body makes from L-tryptophan, an essential amino acid you eat in foods like turkey and pumpkin. Once tryptophan is converted to 5-HTP, it’s then converted to the neurotransmitter serotonin. Clinical studies show that 5-HTP supplements work by increasing serotonin production. Serotonin regulates sleep, body temperature, sexual…
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Living with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) may significantly decrease your quality of life and is more prevalent than experts previously believed. SIBO is estimated to impact up to 15% of healthy individuals, often without their awareness of its presence. SIBO may be caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hypothyroidism, or a whole host of…
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