Nutrition IV - Common Ailments in Clinic - Finding the cause

Question 1

Finding the cause

Answer 1

The emphasis in ‘modern’ medicine’ is placed on treating a symptom (e.g. using paracetamol for headache), rather than finding the underlying cause.
* This suppresses the underlying imbalance, driving it deeper into the body
* The question is not what is the disease, but why is it there, where did it come from and, therefore, what is the cause?
* Given the right conditions, the body has the innate ability to heal
* Finding the cause is paramount in Naturopathic Nutrition

Question 2

Fundamental factors to good health

Answer 2

Fundamental factors to good health:
* Clean water
* Good nutrition
* Fresh air
* Exercise
* Sufficient rest/sleep
* Exposure to nature and natural light
* Goals in life
* Meaningful work
* Harmonious social life
* Spirituality

Question 3

Obstacles to health

Answer 3

Obstacles to health:
* Exposure to chemicals and pollutants
* Overly processed foods
* Sugar, Coffee, alcohol
* Smoking
* Medications, vaccinations, drugs
* Poor digestion
* High stress
* No fulfilment, no goals in life

Question 4

The individual NOT the disease

Answer 4

Treat the individual NOT the disease
* While it’s important to recognize patterns of disease, each client bring his/her own story
* Five clients could present with the same medical diagnosis, but what got them to that point is often different
* Always ask WHY. For example: Insomnia – why you not sleeping well? When did it start? Why is it not getting better?
* Naturopath’s must be inquisitive in order to ‘peel back the layers’ – use open questions and follow-up questions. E.g. ‘what do you think has caused this? Does anything else worsen the pain?’

Question 5

Predispositions

Answer 5

Consider the lead up to the onset of disease manifestation (Symptoms). Whilst there is a root cause, an individual can be predisposed to disease by a certain environment.
For example into endometriosis:

• Predisposed by:
  o Inflammatory/acidic diet
  o High oestrogen environment due to cows dairy intake
  o BPA (plastic exposure)
  o Low-fibre diet (bind to oestrogens)
• Triggered (directly caused) by:
  o (Since… I have…’)
  o Stressful life events
  o Environmental toxin exposure
  o Etc.
  Endometriosis = endometrial tissue outside the uterus

Question 6

Disease is an end result

Answer 6

Disease is an end result. Symptoms and cause are not the same. Patients describe symptoms, we find the cause
Inflammatory bowel disease example:
Cause;
* Suppression (e.g. anti-diarrhoeals for gut infection; steroids for IBD; antibiotics – disrupt microflora, compromising the intestinal barrier and immune system, promoting dysbiosis)
* A diet high in refined carbs and low in fibre, low in essential fats and vitamins that support mucous membrane integrity and immune balance.
* Chronic stress (compromises gut integrity and immunity)
Symptoms;
* Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, bloating, urgency, rectal bleeding

Question 7

The whole person

Answer 7

Assessing the whole person: whilst applying naturopathic principles, you should:
1. Take into account the clients:
o Predisposing factors to illness
o Triggering event/cause
2. Uncover the individual’s lifestyle factors:
o Sleeping and relaxation time
o Exercise and movement
o Nutrition/hydration
o Stress levels and relationships
3. Plot the information on a timeline:
o Birth…. Events …… Present

Question 8

Finding the cause; Example

Answer 8

• Female, 22 years old
• Presents with: Ulcerative colitis (Bowel urgency, rectal bleeding, loss of appetite)
• Symptoms began aged 20 after returning from Asia, where she had a severe bout of food poisoning
• This information gives the likely cause, but does not provide information about potential predisposing factors. Comprehensive questioning is imperative to give the deep understanding needed. What else would you like to know about this individual?
  Further details and relevance:
• Caesarian section delivery and not breastfed: this can impair GI bacterial colonization and negatively impact both the immune and digestive systems
• Recurrent antibiotics aged 11 to 13 for repeated bouts of tonsillitis: further disruption to the GI microflora and immune system
• Tonsillectomy age 13: removal of lymphoid tissues (cells that form the first line of the means defence).
• Highly refined carbohydrates, cows dairy and general processed animal protein intake (e.g. cured meats, ready meals): pro-inflammatory, acidic, nutrient-depleted diet

Question 9

Aggravating and relieving factors

Answer 9

Identifying the aggravating and relieving factors can help to uncover the cause.
* Always ask: ‘What makes it better or worse?’
* Time of day, month, year, period (before, during or after)
* Eating, sleeping, exercising, drinking, relaxation, stress
* Specific foods or beverages
* Application of hot, cold or warm
* Application of remedy or drugs

Question 10

Aggravating and relieving factors Example

Answer 10

A 33-year-old woman present with abdominal bloating. Exploring aggravating and relieving factors can help to identify possible causes. Consider the following:

• Bloating immediately after food– possible low stomach acid
• Bloating 1 to 2 hours after food – possible fermentation of food associated with low pancreatic enzymes
• Bloating relieved by burping– suggestive of stomach or small intestinal problem
• Bloating during menses– possible reproductive problem

Question 11

The Chinese Body Clock

Answer 11

The timing of symptoms can direct you towards a possible cause. The Chinese Body Clock might help this.
* Consider this alongside the rest of the knowledge gained during the consultation
Examples:
* Waking 1am – 3am -possible liver stress
* Asthma symptoms at 3am – 5am– may indicate lung imbalance
* Energy slumps at 5pm – 7pm, but after that time client starts to feel better - to be an issue with the kidneys

Question 12

Food diary

Answer 12

Food diary’s help to collect valuable nutritional information and should contain a range of details such as:
* All snacks and meals consumed during the time-frame
* Portions of fruit and vegetables consumed
* All fluids, coffee, tea, alcohol, carbonated drinks
* Methods of food preparation (cooked, fried, bought)
* Symptoms following meals (identify triggers)
* Triggers for eating particular foods (mood, energy)
* Time of meals
* Supplements and medications taken each day
Food diaries provide a range of information, such as:
* Whether the diet is balance (macro and micro-nutrients)
* If food is correctly combined
* Whether particular foods or combinations of foods cause symptoms
* Whether the individual is hydrated or dehydrated
* Frequency and time of meals– may indicate unstable blood glucose levels, emotional eating etc
* Inclusion of junk food that impacts well-being