TEN IDEAS TO HELP YOU MANAGE ANXIETY

December 26, 2022 by

Anxiety can be especially problematic during the holiday season – the time from November to February, generally. It can be hectic for some people. During this time of year feelings can shift from joy to grief at a moment’s notice. What does anxiety look like, though?

For some it might be the stress of not feeling “thankful.”

While people are setting goals for the new year, others might feel a sense of anxiety and overwhelm about what is to come.

The holiday season, and especially the new year, might be viewed as a time to reflect on what has happened. Valentine’s Day, however, might trigger a sense of loss or awareness of what we do not have or what has not happened. 

If you are a person that finds yourself with more anxiety as the new year approaches, here are ten ideas to help you handle your emotions:

  1. Address your mental and physiological stress response. In addition to the many options you have to remedy anxiety in your physical body, you could also work with a therapist to help your behavioral response to stress.
  2. Don’t only look for the quick fix. Testing and treatment can provide a long-term solution by getting to the root of things. It’s more than just going to the doctor and getting anti-anxiety meds.
  3. What are your adrenals telling you? Testing your adrenals can pinpoint physiological reactions that make you more prone to anxiety, and can calm cortisol (stress hormone) by measuring your cortisol levels throughout the day.
  4. Consider what you are eating and how it affects your body. Organic acid testing gives you an idea about neuro-transmitter levels in the brain and nutritional suggestions to change your diet based on those findings. 
  5. Unhealthy patterns are meant to be broken. If your behavioral response to anxiety is not serving you well, I can refer you for Neurofeedback/ Biofeedback to get to the root of how your brain is accustomed to handling stress. With interventions, you can actually change your brain patterns and learn new responses.
  6. There is wisdom in nature. Supplementing your diet with combination formulas like Gaba, or methionine can help stabilize your stress hormones. Also, adaptogens like Ashwagandha, Passion Flower, Cava, Lemon Balm, or Lavender can be of use.
  7. Look for indicators of inflammation. I offer functional testing that can assess your nutrient levels. Inflammation plays a part in stress – Magnesium, Turmeric, Fish Oil targets and helps reduce inflammation in your body and help to lower anxiety at the root.
  8. Think about the root of your symptoms. I am different from other doctors in that I will look at the big picture of your illness and search for historical indicators or reasons for why you are experiencing anxiety.
  9. Move your body. This is a huge part of managing your anxiety. Movement helps release endorphins that fight off cortisol, naturally. AND…the added benefit of movement is that it burns off energy and helps you sleep better at night.
  10. Practice healthy sleep habits. How you sleep affects everything else from energy to mood. It truly makes a difference to your anxiety levels if you get good sleep at night.

If any of this resonates with you and you are looking for a way to move forward in the new year, please contact me for a consultation. I would be happy to help you manage your anxiety naturally and help you reset in 2023! Please call (203) 453-0122 or CLICK HERE to schedule a consultation.

Filed Under: Anxiety, Diet and Nutrition, Environmental, Health and Wellness, Holistic Medicine, Inflammation, Sleep, Stress Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

10 FUNCTIONAL TESTS OFFERED BY DR. FISEL

April 4, 2022 by

Are you experiencing health symptoms that have left you feeling less than stellar?

You have tried everything you can think of to address your symptoms:

  • Practiced an over-the-counter medication or supplement regimen
  • Consulted with and obtained an allopathic doctor’s perspective
  • Made lifestyle adjustments related to nutrition, movement, sleep and stress management habits

After all of this, are you still struggling with your symptoms despite the fact that your tests have come back “normal”?

One important aspect of naturopathic medicine is the principle of “doctor as educator.” It is the cornerstone of naturopathic care. Naturopathic physicians teach their patients how to make conscious lifestyle choices, giving them the confidence they need to reach and maintain an optimal state of health.

As such, I want to help you get to the root of your symptoms. Following are ten additional lab tests – you might not have known about or considered – that we often utilize at our office. These tests can help you get a more complete picture of your health and also help you discern how your habits and symptoms are contributing to your overall wellness.

10 FUNCTIONAL TESTS OFFERED BY DR. MATTHEW FISEL ND:

  1. Cardiovascular – Testing done to screen for independent cardiovascular risk factors, such as hs-CRP, fibrinogen, and Lipoprotein(a). This test can give you a much more detailed assessment of your heart disease risk than just measuring cholesterol levels.
  2. Hormone – Detailed female hormone testing, including the DUTCH test, for women who are struggling with hormonal issues, and want more options than just a prescription for oral contraceptives.
  3. Glandular – Comprehensive adrenal and thyroid hormone testing, especially helpful for when you’re taking prescription thyroid medication, but still feel symptomatic.
  4. Environmental Toxicity – Heavy Metal testing, which can help to detect lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and other metals that have been linked to various neurological and autoimmune diseases.
  5. Environmental Allergens – Mycotoxin testing, to identify mold toxicity that doesn’t otherwise show up with typical allergy testing.
  6. Gut Microbiome – Comprehensive stool testing, like the GI Map or GI Effects Profile, which look at a number of factors that can have a negative impact on your digestive health, including parasites, bacterial infections, candida, and inflammatory markers, as well as looking at your healthy microbiome.
  7. Digestion – SIBO breath testing, particularly helpful for patients who have been diagnosed with IBS, or are experiencing persistent bloating that doesn’t seem to resolve with any treatments.
  8. Nutrition – Food sensitivity testing, which can help to identify foods that may be contributing to both digestive and system wide symptoms. 
  9. Metabolic – Genetic SNPs, such as MTHFR and COMT, which can identify predispositions to metabolic problems that may make you more prone to depression, anxiety, fatigue, and a number of other symptoms.
  10. Comprehensive Nutritional Testing – helps to help identify optimal levels of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and amino acids. Most conventional testing is only looking to identify blatant deficiencies, but doesn’t take optimal ranges into account. 

Navigating the information available to you in terms of your health and wellness can be a daunting task. I work to support your wellness by utilizing all perspectives. If after exploring your health options, you are left with the feeling – THERE MUST BE SOMETHING MORE I CAN DO –let’s talk about the different tests I offer in my office and determine a course of action you might not have already considered.

If you live in the Guilford/ Branford/ New Haven/ Madison/ Clinton area and would like to learn more about integrative solutions for your health care needs, I can help you get to the root of your symptoms by promoting health and healing on all levels – physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Call (203) 453-0122 or CLICK HERE to schedule a consultation.

Filed Under: Allergies, Diet and Nutrition, Digestive Health, Environmental, Heart Disease, IBS, Metabolic Syndrome Tagged With: , , , ,

Could it be SIBO?

March 7, 2022 by

Could my symptoms be caused by small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)?

It’s normal to grow bacteria in your large intestine, in fact it’s healthy to grow bacteria in your large intestine.

But what about when that good bacteria moves along into the small intestine and starts to grow?

The results are less than optimal and often uncomfortable.

When this happens, when bacteria from the large intestine moves into and grows in the small intestine, SIBO can create the following symptoms (Madormo):

  • Bloating
  • Flatulence
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation

Frustratingly, these same symptoms might also indicative of other bowel disorders like, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), for instance. In fact, research shows that SIBO could be an underlying cause of IBS – and often times goes undiagnosed because of the similarities. (Ghoshal).

With persistent IBS, it might be time to take a look at the root cause – SIBO should be considered.

“SIBO sufferers are usually divided into one of three different categories: diarrhoea-dominant (D), constipation-dominant (C) or alternating variations of both.” (Lindemann)

Although there are several ways to determine if SIBO is at work in your gut, breath tests are the main form of diagnosis. Kits can be ordered through our office to measure hydrogen, methane, and hydrogen-sulfide gases – the gases produced in the small intestine that cause such discomfort.

If SIBO is present, treatment options are available. A general naturopathic approach might include the following:

  1. Anti-Microbial Combinations – including some form of: “Candibactin AR” and Candibactin BR” from Metagenics; Neem; “Biocidin and FC Cidal” from Biotics Research; and “Allimax Pro” by Allimax.  (Please consult your naturopathic or medical physician before starting an anti-microbial regimen).
  2. Dietary Changes – Limiting foods that promote fermentation in the lower gut is advisable. Generally, a low FODMAP diet, monitored by a physician, is recommended.
  3. Intestinal Repair – Once symptoms improve, repairing the intestines so that motility normalizes, hopefully decreases the likelihood of recurrence in the future.  

SIBO has a 40% chance of recurrence (Grace) complicated by fungal growth. Therefore, broad spectrum anti-microbial botanicals could provide benefits antibiotics do not. For this reason it always helpful to look at your symptoms from a whole health perspective.

Worried about whether or not you will ever feel relief from your intestinal discomfort? I would be happy to help you determine what underlying factors may be contributing to your symptoms.

If you live in the Guilford/ Branford/ New Haven/ Madison/ Clinton area and would like to learn more about SIBO and whether or not it’s affecting your overall health, Dr. Fisel is here to help. Call (203) 453-0122 or CLICK HERE to schedule a consultation.

REFERENCES

Bella Lindemann. “SIBO Series Part 1: Is Sibo the Hidden Cause of Your Ibs?” Bella Lindemann, Bella Lindemann, 30 Mar. 2021, https://bellalindemann.com/blog/sibo-series-part-1-hidden-cause-ibs.

Ghoshal, Uday C et al. “Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Bridge between Functional Organic Dichotomy.” Gut and liver vol. 11,2 (2017): 196-208. doi:10.5009/gnl16126

Grace E, Shaw C, Whelan K, Andreyev H. Review article: small intestinal bacterial overgrowth – prevalence, clinical features, current and developing diagnostic tests, and treatment. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2013;38(7):674-688. doi:10.1111/apt.12456.

Madormo, Carrie. “SIBO: Symptoms, Treatment, Diet, and More.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 14 Sept. 2021, https://www.healthline.com/health/sibo.

Veloso, Hazel Galon. “FODMAP Diet: What You Need to Know.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/fodmap-diet-what-you-need-to-know.

Filed Under: Digestive Health, IBS, Inflammation Tagged With: , , , ,

Gut Health: Six Things to Do About Gut Health

January 3, 2022 by

Starting off the new year right can be tricky.

There are millions of messages in our everyday lives that tell us we have to look or act a certain way to be acceptable.

What we need are ways to be intentional about our health without becoming obsessed by unattainable weight loss goals.

One of the most important systems in our body is the gut microbiome that regulates the functionality of both our heart and brain.

To maintain optimal wellness (not just a focus on weight)

we must ensure the overall health of our gut.

Here are six things you can do to intentionally change your life by changing your gut:

  1. Think about your food. A diet based mostly on plants is optimal for your overall health. If at all possible, opt for food that is whole (with no added fat, sugar or sodium). Chew your food slowly and completely to aid in digestion. Consider fermented foods (probiotics) and fibrous foods (prebiotics).
  1. Listen to your body’s signals. Consider that food cravings are sometimes caused by an imbalance within your gut microbiome. Other signals like brain fog, stomach aches, fluctuations in weight, sleeplessness, a change in bathroom habits and acute inflammation can also be indicators of an imbalance.
  1. Consider your sleep schedule. Getting an adequate night’s sleep is an essential way for your gut microbiome to restore itself naturally. It is suggested that adults get at least 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
  1. Choose to drink more water. Water aids gut health naturally. It’s a simple and efficient way to repair your gut lining and the good bacteria in your intestines.
  1. Pay attention to your poop. Notice whether there are fluctuations in the way your body eliminates waste. Notice whether your stools are loose or hard. Track how often you eliminate and consider whether that is regular for your body or not.
  1. Get tested. As you become more aware of how your gut is interacting with other parts of your body, you might have questions. I can help you assess the health of your gut and how it might be impacting your life. Together we can look at food sensitivities, supplements and beneficial ways to nourish your gut microbiome. Schedule time with me here.

Whether you set goals or intentions for the new year, make it a priority to focus on the health of your gut microbiome. It could literally change your life.

If you live in the Guilford/ Branford/ New Haven/ Madison/ Clinton area and would like to learn more about the innovative programs Dr. Fisel has to offer, call (203) 453-0122 or CLICK HERE to schedule a consultation.

Filed Under: Diet and Nutrition, Digestive Health, Health and Wellness, Weight Loss Tagged With: , , , , ,

INSOMNIA: HOW TO STOP THE CYCLE OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION

December 7, 2021 by

You feel stressed during the day and it’s hard to quiet your mind at night.

Then you can’t sleep at night because there are too many things to worry about.

The next day you feel a bit depressed because you are tired and stressed out.

So starts the cycle of stress, sleep deprivation and depression. I can tell you why this might be happening and help you get yourself back into a healthy pattern of sleep.

Here are some common questions people ask about insomnia and sleep deprivation:

HOW MUCH SLEEP DO I NEED?

It is generally recommended that you get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Depending on your age you may need more or less. It’s always important to evaluate what works best for you as an individual. I can help you figure out what is most healthy for your body.

WHY IS SLEEP SO IMPORTANT?

There are so many benefits to getting a good night’s sleep. Here are just a few things that a restful night can provide you during the day:

  • A calm mind
  • Less anxiety and stress
  • Increased immunity
  • Improved mood
  • More energy
  • Weight management
  • Healthy human connections
  • Better memory

WHAT CAUSES INSOMNIA?

Insomnia can generally be thought of as a perpetuating cycle. Lack of sleep can be caused by behavioral factors, physiological factors, or a combination of both.

For instance, it is common for people to lose sleep over stress which can bring about forms of anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression are known causes of insomnia.

Another contributing factor to insomnia is the presence of poor sleep habits.

I like to get to the root of, and address, the underlying symptoms of insomnia to alleviate your issues from a whole human perspective.

HOW DO WE GET TO THE ROOT CAUSE OF MY SLEEPLESSNESS?

In looking for the root cause of your insomnia, we can look at BEHAVIORAL FACTORS such as:

  • Daytime routines that contribute to stress
  • Eating habits that may lead to heartburn, indigestion or other internal issues
  • Movement habits that may cause pain
  • Lack of movement

We can also look at PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS such as:

  • Hormone issues like peri-menopause or menopause
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Sleep Apnea

It is important to reiterate that sleep disorders, like insomnia, are part of a cycle that perpetuates itself. Sometimes the contributing behavioral factors create physiological factors and vice versa.

WHAT ARE SOME NATURAL WAYS TO GET TO SLEEP?

As a naturopathic doctor, I want to help you find natural solutions for your insomnia. Here are a few general tips that you can try on your own:

  1. Manage your daily stress. This may mean letting go of work or nighttime commitments, delegating responsibilities, practicing mindfulness about what you say yes or no to, and even taking a pause in your day to meditate.
  2. Practice sleep hygiene. Make a conscious effort to slow your mind down before you go to bed. Turn off screens and put away reading materials at least an hour before sleep. Wind down by taking a warm bath, turning off overhead lights, and putting a few drops of lavender oil in a bedside diffuser.
  3. Think outside the box. Acupuncture is one of the services I provide that is a supplemental therapy beneficial to insomnia and other sleep issues. Another suggestion would be to try Integrative Therapeutics Cortisol Manager, a stress hormone stabilizer, I sell in my office.

I can help you find natural solutions and relief if you are suffering from insomnia, and help you get out of the cycle of sleep deprivation naturally.

If you live in the Guilford/ Branford/ New Haven/ Madison/ Clinton area and would like to learn more about the innovative programs Dr. Fisel has to offer, call (203) 453-0122 or CLICK HERE to schedule a consultation.

Filed Under: Acupuncture, Anxiety, Health and Wellness Tagged With: , , , , ,

Why Your Injuries Aren’t Healing Properly

May 15, 2014 by

injuryOveruse injuries are something I see in my practice on an almost daily basis.  Whether it’s low back pain from running, shoulder pain from lifting weights, or neck pain from being in the wrong position for too long, most of us have experienced an issue related to muscle pain.  Most of us have been told what to do when it comes to dealing with the immediate trauma-rest, ice, compression, elevation, etc.  But what about the majority of you who aren’t getting relief weeks, months, or sometimes years after the initial trauma? What I’m finding is that the typical approach to soft tissue injuries (muscles, tendons, ligaments) is actually leading to further damage, and a long-term weakening of tissue.   [Read more…]

Filed Under: Acupuncture, Health and Wellness, Inflammation, Pain, Prescription Drugs Tagged With: , , , , ,

Digestive Health In Early Life Linked To Allergies

March 27, 2013 by

dandelionAs a naturopathic physician, I’m always paying close attention to the connection between intestinal health and systemic complaints. Allergies in particular are something that our profession has recognized as having strong ties to the digestive tract. When people present to my office complaining of allergies, one of the first things I ask about is whether or not they’re having any digestive symptoms. I also want to know about their history of antibiotic use, their diet, if they were breastfed as an infant, and whether or not they were born via Caesarean section. So, what do these birth-related issues have to do with someone’s current allergy symptoms? Well, we know that allergies are symptoms that result from antibody responses to antigens (dust mites, pollens, mold, etc.) that our body recognizes as foreign. But what your doctors don’t often discuss is why this occurs in the first place. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Allergies, Digestive Health, Environmental, IBS, Immune Health Tagged With: , , , , ,

Light Therapy Not Just For Seasonal Affective Disorder

November 29, 2012 by

Since it was first described by psychiatric journals in 1984, artificial light therapy has been used successfully to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This therapy is meant to simulate exposure to sunlight in winter months, preventing people with SAD from suffering as much during periods where exposure to sunlight is more limited. In the past few years, more evidence has suggested that light therapy may be beneficial for other types of depression as well. In 2005, for example, a study in the American Journal of Psychiatry reported that the effects of light therapy are comparable to those found in many clinical studies of antidepressant drug therapy for mood disorders. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anxiety Tagged With: , , ,

Are Annual Exams Really Necessary?

August 15, 2012 by

I hear it at least every week, if not more. “My doctor gave me a clean bill of health.” OK. So maybe the annual battery of tests and exams didn’t reveal any serious underlying diseases, but that hardly equates to being healthy. Unfortunately, we’ve become so accustomed to physical exams, even the insurance companies consider them “preventive care.” The chief cited rationale is that the annual offers a regular opportunity to address risk factors and health or life concerns. There may be some truth to this, but both insurance companies and doctors could be doing so much more to provide preventive care for patients. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerance?

February 9, 2012 by

When people are experiencing nutritional deficiencies, anemia, weight changes, and/or other symptoms that seem to be of an unknown origin, it’s fairly common practice for doctors to rule out the presence of celiac disease with a small intestinal biopsy. While this is certainly considered the “gold standard” for identifying the pathological changes associated with celiac disease, many experienced physicians are finding that patients can still have a sensitivity to gluten containing grains, making celiac disease and gluten intolerance separate entities altogether.  This led experts at the recent International Celiac Disease Symposium to define the term gluten insensitivity for patients who don’t meet the criteria for celiac disease or wheat allergy, yet improve dramatically when following a gluten-free diet.

The incidence of Celiac disease has doubled since 1974, and gluten sensitivity alone is estimated to be 6 times the prevalence of celiac disease. Fortunately, for patients and doctors who have recognized this phenomenon for quite some time, there is finally a more established definition of gluten sensitivity. Some of the criteria being used to separate gluten sensitivity from wheat allergy and celiac disease include: Negative testing for the presence of IgE antibodies to wheat; Negative endomysial and ttg antibodies (typically present with celiac disease); Negative small intestinal biopsy; Resolution of symptoms following as gluten-free diet. Researchers have concluded that the genetic makeup and immune response of gluten sensitivity patients is unique, and may be more enzyme mediated (like lactose intolerance), rather than immune based.

Since objective testing is still lacking, people who are symptomatic should consider implementing a gluten-free diet. Some of the most common symptoms associated with gluten sensitivity include abdominal pain, rashes, headaches, “brain fog”, fatigue, depression, anemia, and joint pain. If your doctor tells you that celiac testing is negative, don’t give up hope!

Filed Under: Diet and Nutrition, Digestive Health, Eczema, Food Allergies, IBS Tagged With: , , ,
Next Page »

© 2024 Dr. Fisel, ND. All Rights Reserved.