host posted on July 20, 2008 13:33
In Texas, the seasons of the year are not usually well defined. Spring, summer, and autumn all share a common denominator - heat! The defining feature of summer is summer vacation and the presence of children, everywhere, all the time. So, the first official case study of summer centers on a young person who would be considered very healthy by most physicians. With that said, let’s get started.
Before we begin, I must give this disclaimer: This case study is for educational purposes only. I am using it to show you how a typical patient presents and the things I consider when I make a diagnosis. The patient’s name has been changed to protect her identity. I practice integrative/alternative medicine and my recommendations for treatment are often considered outside traditional practice. It is not my intent to criticize or denounce traditional medicine. I am merely providing an alternative opinion. Most importantly, the information provided here should not be used as a substitute for an examination and/or treatment by a licensed health care provider.
Presenting concerns: Ms. July is a nineteen year old female, accompanied by her mother, who presents for a consultation. She states that she has been having a problem with “bad burning” in her stomach. She also reports that she is always tired and has been told that she is anemic, although she has not had any recent lab work done. Ms. July tells me that she experiences a transient “blacking of her vision” when she stands or changes her position from laying down to sitting up. This problem has been “going on for awhile.” She does not lose her balance although she occasionally experiences nausea when this occurs. She recently developed a total body rash which was red and very pruritic. Her physician diagnosed this as hives and had recommended steroids. The rash has since resolved.
Medications: Ms. July is on no prescription medications. She usually takes oil of oregano or olive leaf extract and probiotics on a fairly regular basis. Ms. July has no known drug allergies.
Past surgical history: Ms. July has had her wisdom teeth removed.
Social history: Ms. July is attending college and, at present, she is on summer vacation. She does not drink or smoke. Ms. July makes an effort to exercise regularly.
Diet: Ms. July has been following an antifungal diet for most of her life. Her mother is very familiar with the Initial Phase Diet and Doug Kaufmann’s healthy lifestyle philosophy. Ms. July is also knowledgeable about the diet and generally follows it with occasional “planned” lapses.
Review of systems: Ms. July reports that she occasionally feels as though she cannot get a “deep enough breath.” She does not have any history of asthma or breathing problems. She reports occasional headaches. She does report some problems with constipation. Ms. July also reports problems with recurrent yeast infections. She is not on any birth control and her menstrual cycles are regular. Ms. July also has a small area of psoriasis on her scalp. In addition to removal of her wisdom teeth, Ms. July also has one root canal. She states that she “is always cold” and feels tired. Ms. July’s mother was present for the consultation and she reports that her daughter has rarely been on antibiotics. The remainder of the review of systems was unremarkable.
Physical examination: Ms. July’s physical examination was unremarkable. Her weight is appropriate for her height.
This is a case of persistent, chronic fungal infection in a teenager as evidenced by acid reflux, constipation, psoriasis, and recurrent yeast infections. The real question is why? She doesn’t have a history of repeated or chronic antibiotic use. She has been on an antifungal diet for most of her life. She isn’t on medications and she exercises regularly. Furthermore, she alternates natural antifungals and takes probiotics. She seems to be doing everything right. Ms. July should be the picture of health, but she isn’t, and her mom is worried enough to bring her in for a consultation. The persistence of chronic fungal infection suggests that there is a problem with Ms. July's immune system.
Those of you who have read any of my previous articles know that I believe the gastrointestinal tract is one of the most underappreciated systems of the body. If it isn’t healthy, you aren’t going to stay healthy. In fact, the gastrointestinal tract is really the first line of defense in the immune system. This line of defense breaks down when the individual has chronic fungal overgrowth of the gastrointestinal tract (dysbiosis or “leaky gut”). Ms. July has symptoms of dysbiosis with her acid reflux and constipation. One of the goals of treatment will be to get rid of the fungus and replace it with normal gastrointestinal flora. I recommended that Ms. July begin on fluconazole daily for one month and nystatin twice daily for three months. She will continue on daily probiotics (replacement bacteria for the GI tract) and the antifungal Phase One Diet.
Ms. July reported feeling ”cold all the time,” as well as feeling tired. These symptoms are often associated with thyroid dysfunction. The thyroid gland controls your metabolic rate through the production of thyroid hormone. Your metabolic rate determines how quickly you burn up energy and affects rate of function of many other systems in the body, including your immune system. A lowered metabolic rate, (under-active thyroid), can cause a decrease in the immune system’s ability to fight off infection. I have asked Ms. July to take and record her temperatures three times a day over the course of the next month. This will give us an idea of how well her thyroid system is functioning and whether laboratory testing will be necessary. In the meantime, I have recommended that Ms. July start on a thyroid support supplement, such as kelp, which is a rich source of iodine. Iodine is essential to the manufacture of thyroid hormone.
What I am going to discuss now is very controversial, so I am going to give another disclaimer: My recommendations and opinions are not considered standard of care by traditional/allopathic physicians. My opinion regarding root canals is even more controversial and may not be held by the majority of alternative/integrative practitioners. Please do not use this article as a substitute for consulting your own healthcare provider or doing your own research on this subject.
Ms. July reported that she has had a root canal. This was as a result of an accidental injury to her tooth. Root canal therapy is used to preserve teeth whose vital tissues are diseased or severely traumatized. This is thought to aid in the maintenance of the structural integrity of the mouth. However, there are concerns being raised today regarding the potential for these areas in the jaw to become toxic and lead to chronic medical conditions, such as neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases, as well as cancer. Actually this isn’t a new idea. In 1923, Weston A. Price, DDS wrote two books, Dental Infections Oral and Systemic and Dental Infections and Degenerative Disease. His research was essentially ignored for over fifty plus years.
The root canal becomes an ideal breeding ground for anaerobic bacteria and fungi. The mouth is not a clean environment and it is difficult to get the root canal sterile, despite best efforts. It is also virtually impossible to get a complete seal of the root canal, which leaves a space where fungi can hide. The metal in the root canal helps to maintain the acidic environment in which fungus thrives. The root canal becomes a “true weapon of mass destruction” for the human body - a mycotoxin factory. Mycotoxins are fungal by-products which are some of the most toxic substances known to man. They have been shown to inhibit the function of vital enzymes necessary to the human cell for the production of energy. “No energy” equals “dead cell.” Unfortunately, these toxins and fungi can escape from the root canal and wreak havoc on other areas of the body. In Ms. July’s case, I cannot rule out the possibility that her root canal is having a serious effect on her health. As I noted before, she seems to be doing everything right, but something is still wrong.
I discussed this briefly with Ms. July and her mother. I strongly urged Ms. July and her mother to do further research and to consider having her root canal removed in the future.
For those of you who are interested in learning more about the fungal link or root canal line to chronic disease and I recommend the following books:
• The Fungus Link Volumes 1-3 by Doug Kaufmann.
• Root Canal Cover Up by George E. Meinig, D.D.S.
• Uninformed Consent: The Hidden Dangers in Dental Care by Hal A Huggins, D.D.S., M.S. and Thomas E Levy, M.D., J.D.
Blessings,
Lynn Jennings, M.D.
Champions Clinic