Advanced naturopathic case taking Flashcards
Name the 5 naturopathic principles
The healing power of nature
treat the cause not the symptoms
treat the whole person
prevention over cure
A naturopath is an educator - empower
Explain Hering’s Law of Cure
- From the inside out (boil clears internal toxins)
- From more important organs to less (from lungs/asthma to skin/eczema)
- Mind gets better before body (anxiety before IBS)
- Symptoms disappear in reverse order
- From above to below (progression of disease fingers, wrist, elbow… elbow, wrist, fingers)
Explain ATM
Antecedents (predisposing factors to illness). Genetic, enviornment (xeno-oestrogens exposure), low fibre
Triggers (something that started the problem) eg stressful life event, environmental toxins, meds, allergens
Mediators (what keeps the illness going/things we can fix). eg work stress (raised cortisol), poor sleep
what three steps should a practitioner undertake to assess the whole person
- Take into account the ATM
- Uncover lifestyle factors
- Plot on a timeline
What factors should be considered in antecedents
Genetics, family history of disease, constitution, age, sex, lifestyle and environment (drugs, deficiencies), Historical trauma
What does the term epigenetics mean
the study of modifying gene expression rather than the genetic code itself
What is genomic testing
analysis of genetic material to detect genetic predispositions
Name some common TRIGGERS
TRAUMA - never been well since…
Microbes - H, pylori
Meds
dietary allergens
stressful life even
environmental toxins
Temperature changes - eg asthma in winter
What are mediators
factors that contribute to pathological changes and dysfunctional responses.
Name some physiological mediators
chronic stress - hormones (eg work). can increase cortisol and reduce progesterone. Associated with menstrual problems
Intestinal dysbiosis - neurotransmitters (eg caused by diet or antibiotics) reduced melatonin and increased oxidative stress
Sedentary lifestyle - neuropeptides: increase substance P which increases pain
Name biochemical mediators
free radicals - increase risk of alzheimers and CVD due to free rads
Electromagnetic frequencies (EMF) (TV, phone, WiFi) can disrupt sleep and lower melatonin
What biochemical mediators might lab tests be helpful in discovering
inflammatory mediators: C reactive Protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum ferritin, calpropectin
Endocrine mediators: TSH, fT4 fT3, oestrogen metabolism, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, DHEA, HbA1C
When deciding which symptoms are under stress, there are 7 core areas of clinical imbalance which need to be considered. Each impacts overall health due to influencing multiple systems and structures. Name the 7 areas
- ASSIMILATION
2.STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY - COMMUNICATION
- DEFENCE AND REPAIR
- TRANSPORT AND CIRCULATION
- ENERGY: MITOCHONDRIAL HEALTH
- DETOX AND ELIMINATION
Explain the clinical imbalance ASSIMIILATION and list key signs an symptoms
All aspects of digestion and assimilation
- digestive secretions
- Digestive motility and innervation (vagus nerve, SNS, PSNS, enteric nervous system)
- Digestive hormones
- Absorption of nutrients (villi)
- Microbiota imbalance
SIGNS
Pallor, short of breath, dysbiosis, gas bloating, food allergies, weight loss/gain, illness that impedes absorption, heartburn
Explain the clinical imbalance STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY and list key signs an symptoms
- cell membrane health (EPA/DHA balance)
- Mucous membrane and skin integrity (vit A, E, glutamine)
- none and teeth (minerals)
- joint and cartilage (Ca, Mg, Phosphorus, Vit D and C)
SIGNS
structural pain/injury, skin problems, gut membrane integrity, autoimmune conditions, low dietary EFAs , low sun, low minerals eg Ca, Mg, Zn, B P
Explain the clinical imbalance COMMUNICATION and list key signs an symptoms
Hormones and endocrine system
Neurotransmitters and nervous system
SIGNS
hormonal issues from reproductive to fatigue, stress mood and sleep
Explain the clinical imbalance DEFENCE AND REPAIR and list key signs an symptoms
- Acute and chronic inflammation
- infections - WBC, ESR, lymphocytes
- Microbiota imbalance
- allergies/autoimmune disease indicating imbalanced immune system
- lowered immune functions eg reduced secretory IgA which protects the mucous membrane
SIGNS
recurring infections, fatigue, poor wound healing, skin issues, autoimmune conditions, intestinal permeability, low vit D, high free rads
Explain the clinical imbalance TRANSPORT AND CIRCULATION and list key signs an symptoms
- Lymphatic structures (tonsils, spleen, thymus, nodes)
- Vascular structures (arteries, veins, capillaries, high waist circumference, high BP, high ferritin
- mobilisation of blood lipids (high triglycerides, High LDL, low HDL
SIGNS
CVD, raynauds and peripheral neuropathy. Oedema
Explain the clinical imbalance ENERGY: MITOCHONDRIAL HEALTH and list key signs an symptoms
- cofactors for energy production (Mg, Fe, B1,2,3,6, Zn)
- biochemical imbalances in the energy production pathways due to heavy metals, etc
- mitochondrial integrity and oxidative damage
SIGNS
anything around ATP production - weakness, fatigue, CFS, ME, Parkinsons, MS, poor cognitive function, poor memory, intestinal permeability
Explain the clinical imbalance DETOX AND ELIMINATION and list key signs an symptoms
Liver, kidney, bowel, skin and lungs, biochemical imbalances in teh biotransformation pathways (eg lack of methyl donors)
SIGNS
When clients are on meds, poor diet, lifestyle, poor stool quality, alcohol, low antiox in diet, jaundice, lethargy
Naturopathic case analysis - list 5 steps to gathering the case analysis
- GATHER all of the clients information
- HIGHLIGHT ATMs
- PLOT the information within a timeline
- IDENTIFY which systems are under stress
- DECIDE which are the core clinical imbalances for the naturopathic summary
Naturopathic evaluation tools.
What should a practitioner do when taking a case
OBSERVE – skin tone/condition/markings, nails, tongue, posture
LISTEN
CLARIFY
EMPOWER
Face evaluation
What do MANY and ONE lines across the forehead indicate
MANY: poor intestinal health
ONE: SI issue - decreased absorption etc
Face evaluation
What do lined between the eyebrows indicate
one
two
one: stomach insufficiency (eg HCl, pepsin)
two: Liver imbalances (alcoholic, suppressed anger)
Lines above the lip (purse string)
Smoking
reproductive organ weakness
blood deficiency