The Thyroid Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide
Authored by Dr. Barrett Thyroid Conditions Overview 1. Hypothyroidism Definition: Underactive thyroid; insufficient production of thyroid hormones. Common Causes: Autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s), iodine deficiency, medications. Symptoms: Fatigue Weight gain Cold intolerance Hair loss Depression 2. Hyperthyroidism Definition: Overactive thyroid; excessive production of thyroid hormones. Common Causes: Graves’ disease, thyroid nodules, inflammation/recent viral infection. Symptoms: Weight […]
Naturopathic Approaches to PMS
Authored by Dr. Barrett PMS stands for Premenstrual Syndrome. It refers to a set of physical and emotional symptoms that over 75% of people experience leading up to their menstrual period. (1) The severity of PMS symptoms varies from person to person. During the menstrual cycle the levels of estrogen and progesterone rise and fall. […]
Naturopathic and Functional Approaches to PCOS
Authored by Dr. Barrett Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) impacts between 5-10% of people with ovaries. The word ‘syndrome’ is important. A disease generally has a known cause, clear symptoms and accepted treatments. A syndrome however is a collection of signs and symptoms that tend to appear together. Syndromes generally don’t have an understood cause. This […]
Mitochondria and COVID-19
Mitochondrial health has been implicated as a potential contributor to the symptoms of long COVID. Mitochondria are tiny organelles found within cells that play a critical role in human health. They are often referred to as the “powerhouses” of the cell because they generate most of the cell’s energy. This energy is essential for many […]
Long COVID and the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)
Authored by Dr. Barrett Long COVID or Post COVID Conditions (PCC) can include a wide range of ongoing health concerns after a COVID infection that can last for months or even years. General symptoms include: Fatigue that interferes with daily life Symptoms that are worse after physical or mental activity Brain fog Sleep difficulty Gastrointestinal […]
Embracing The Chill: Fall And Winter Tips
Authored by Dr. Barrett Staying active during the fall and winter months can be a bit challenging due to colder weather and shorter daylight hours. However, it’s important to maintain physical activity for overall health and well-being. Here are some tips for staying active during the fall and winter: Start planning now As our […]
My Experience with COVID
Authored by Dr. Barrett On the two-year anniversary of the WHO declaring a pandemic, I developed COVID-19. For me, it started with sinus congestion that escalated into a low-grade fever, sneezing, fatigue, sore throat, and a cough. My symptoms started on a Friday so I was able to rest through the weekend and then reschedule […]
Hashimoto’s Winter Research Update 2022
The researchers found that the level of TPO antibodies correlated with the grade of thyroid inflammation. This makes a lot of common sense, higher antibodies = more thyroid destruction. The following symptoms were found to be higher in the patients with elevated TPO antibodies: chronic fatigue, dry hair, chronic irritability, chronic nervousness, dysphagia, and easily fatigued. Remember, the study participants all have normal thyroid hormone levels. The researchers also found that higher TPO levels were associated with an overall decreased quality of life.
Atomic Habits: A Book Review
Authored by Dr. Barrett I will start off by saying, read this book. James Clear makes an excellent argument that the quality of our lives depends on the quality of our habits. Once he has convinced you that habit change is life changing, he outlines many practical and small (atomic) ways to shift your habits. […]
Take Care of Yourself This Year
Authored by Dr. Barrett As we enter our third year of the pandemic, the last thing we want to hear more about is healthcare. We’ve been inundated — it’s all anyone can talk about. Personally, I would love to talk about travel, art shows, concerts and book clubs, all the things I miss! Unfortunately, we […]