Customized Medicines

Customized Medicines
Dr. Sonja O'Bryan, Pharm.D., ABAAHP Board Certified Health Practitioner Diplomate-American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine: "Creative Medicines" for Hormones-Weight-Pain-Fatigue-Skin Diseases-Pediatrics-Autoimmune Disorders-Veterinary Needs. Using Complimentary, Integrative, Regenerative, Bio-Identical, and Lifestyle Medicine For Health and Healing.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Are Your Symptoms Due To Hormonal Imbalance?


Today I'm doing just a quick BLOG to list symptoms that can be related to hormonal imbalance.  Some of these symptoms appear sooner than others (even as young as 35) in the aging process, and the majority of people express that they are not willing to dry up and wear out without a fight against the natural progression of aging.  I know that personally, I am not.

Symptoms:
Hot Flashes
Night Sweats
Vaginal Dryness
Anxiety
Mood Swings
Irritability
Insomnia
Depression
Loss of libido
Hair growth on the face
Panic attacks
Weird dreams
Urinary tract infections
Vaginal itching
Low back pain
Bloating
Flatulence
Indigestion
Osteoporosis
Aching ankles, knees, wrists, shoulders, and heels
Hair Loss
Frequent urination
Snoring
Sore breasts
Palpitations
Varicose veins
Urinary leakage
Dizzy spells
Migraine headaches
Memory lapses
Weight gain
Inattentiveness
Blood pressure problems
Weepy or Tearful
Emotionally Sensitive
Short tempered
Blood Glucose Problems
Nausea


 I have had the privilege of helping thousands of women and men over the years.  I enjoy hearing feedback from each of them as they share all of the improvements and benefits they have noticed as a result of achieving hormonal balance again.   If you are having problems on this list, give me a call.  Don't suffer through the changes of "The Change"of life.   Testing kits are available from my office offering an affordable and convenient way to evaluate your body's hormonal change.  

To your good health,
Dr. Sonja

Thursday, August 14, 2014

The "Pauses" of Aging

Most people are familiar with the terms Menopause and Andropause, but did you know that there are other "pauses" that go along with the stages of aging?  It's true!!  Have you ever wondered if there truly are reasons for those "Senior Moments" that many will complain of as they 'pause' to find the right word, thought, or expression for something?  There's a true correlation to the stages of aging and the various 'pauses' that come about as a result of the biological clock ticking.  Memory, for instance, can change as speed of brain processing declines resulting in roughly 10msec of decline every decade after the age of 40.  This is why it can take 10-30 years for a person to 'develop' Dementia.  Other changes can be evident if a person will begin to pay close attention to their body and it's signs. 

Take a look and see how you measure up.

ElectroPause -a decline in electrical activity of brain waives-age 45

BioPause-neurotransmitters-Dopamine(age30)-Acetylcholine(40)-GABA(50)-Serotonin(60)

Pineal Pause-Melatonin-age 20

Pituitary Pause-Hormone feedback loops-age 30

Sensory Pause-Touch,hearing,vision, smell-age 40

Psycho Pause-personality, health, mood-age 30

Thryo Pause-Calcitonin and Thyroid Hormone levels-age 50

Thymo Pause-Glandular size and immune system-age 40

Cardio Pause-Ejection Fraction and Blood Flow-age 40

Pulmono Pause-lung elasticity and function with blood pressure increase-age 50

Adreno Pause-DHEA-age 55

Nephro Pause-Erythropoietin levels and Kidney Clearance-age 40

Gastro Pause-Nutrient Absorption-age 40

Pancreo Pause-Blood Sugar Levels-age 40

Insulo Pause-Glucose Tolerance-age 40

Andro Pause-Testosterone in Men-age 45

Meno Pause-Estrogen,Progesterone,Testosterone in Women-age 40

Osteo Pause-Bone Density-age 30

Dermo Pause-Skin, Collagen, and Elastin-age 35

Oncho Pause-Fingernails and Toenails-age 40

Uro Pause-Bladder Control-age 45

Geno Pause-DNA-age 40

~(Braverman, M.D., Bajaj, D.C.-A4M-Healthcare Practitioners Guide-1st Edition)

Now thinking about all of this and where YOU might stand, are you interested in knowing more about your "Biological Age"?  Are you interested in preventing or prolonging the onset of some of these markers? Are you interested in testing some of these things to be more specific?

Get started on a regimen for Anti-Aging TODAY!  PAUSE for a moment and give me a call.

To your good health,
Dr. Sonja

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Bone Loss With Aging

Stats:
Over her lifetime, a typical woman will lose 42% of her spine and 58% of her femur.  In the U.S. an estimated 34 million people are at risk for developing bone loss, and 80% are women.  Fractures result in 800,000 emergency room visits, 2.5 million office visits, and 180,000 nursing home placements costing an estimated $14 billion.  20% of women die within the first month of their femoral fracture.  Sadly, most screenings for bone loss do not begin until age 65 when a significant amount of bone loss has already happened. 

Anti-Aging Bone Health
It is imperative that young women have regular menstrual cycles, adequate Vitamin D levels, and adequate calcium and protein during the ages of 15-25.  This is an important time of bone maturation, strength, and density.  I encourage young women to be on a supplement that contains Vitamin D, calcium, and multivitamins because this time in life is so important.

Biphosphonates
This class of medication was first developed for Pagets Disease in the 1960's. They were not intended for the treatment of osteoporosis, but in the 1990's we saw marketing for these agents come about to help with bone density loss. 

~Reversible side effects of this drug class: Kidney toxicity, join pain, muscle aches, fever, musculoskeletal pain, gastritis, low calcium (wow!!), eye complications, asthma (aspirin-sensitive), altered taste, and central nervous system side effects.

~Irreversible side effects with chronic use
Osteonecrosis of the jaw.  (Awful!!)  Have you ever wondered why dentists offices want to know if you are on Fosamax, Boniva, etc?  This is why.  Look up information about the mini-epidemic called "phossy jaw" related to factory workers with jaw necrosis after continuous exposure to phosphorous fumes. 

Spontaneous femoral fractures.  Even though some might consider this a rare side effect, when one considers that 190 million prescriptions are written worldwide for osteoporosis, this could translate into millions of men and women with the risk of potential fractures.

Hormones and Bone Health
Vitamin D is a steroid hormone and along with parathyroid hormone, and calcitonin, carefully control calcium metabolism. Limited sun exposure, skin pigmentation, and geography are well recognized causes for low Vitamin D.  I suggest 10-30 minutes (at least) in the sun each day.  It's a natural way to obtain Vitamin D.  In the winter months, it might be advisable to increase your Vitamin D supplement regimen due to less exposure to the sunshine.  D essentially drives calcium into the bone. It's important to have both in your vitamin regimen.

Sex Hormones
~Estrogen deficiency accelerates bone loss. 
~Progesterone deficiency is connected with reduced bone growth.  Women who have consistent low progesterone and those who do not have menstrual cycles are at risk.  It is important to supplement progesterone in young women especially who have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).
~Androgens (DHEA and Testosterone) are important for bone health in both sexes.  Low free T is associated with increased hip fractures. DHEA levels directly correlate with bone mass. 
Plain and Simple: IT IS IMPORTANT TO ASSESS AND ADDRESS HORMONE DEFICIENCIES!!

Melatonin
Melatonin has positive effects on bone.  It directly stimulates osteoblasts (bone builders) and increases collagen production.  It also enhances sleep which indirectly raises growth hormone levels.

Vitamin K
Specifically K2-of the 3 forms of Vitamin K, this one is made by bacteria in the gut, ensures calcium is deposited in the bone and not into the arteries. 

Here's a good protocol to follow:
Vitamin D3: 2,000-5,000 units/day
Vitamin K2: 50-150mcg/day
Vitamin C: 1000-4000mg/day
B Complex Vitamin
Vitamin E: 200-800 units/day

Magnesium
This is one of the most common mineral deficiencies in adults.  High doses of calcium, without magnesium, can worsen magnesium deficiency. 

Potassium Citrate
Oral supplementation has shown an increase in bone density of postmenopausal women. 

Diet and Exercise
An alkaline diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, with limited protein and avoiding dairy, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives promotes an alkaline environment leading to improved bone health.

Exercise two times a week helps to maintain bones, and three times a week (or more) has been shown to increase bone.  Get out and exercise!

To your good bone health,
Dr. Sonja