ALL Naturopath - What Do We Treat?
Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
Endocrine and metabolic disorders impact the body's hormonal and metabolic functions. They arise from imbalances in hormone production or issues with hormone receptors. Organs of the endocrine system include the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid, pancreas, adrenal glands and the gonads. The main organs of the metabolic system include the gut, liver, pancreas, kidneys and the brain.
Hypothyroidism
A disorder in which the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroxine.
Grave's Disease
An autoimmune disease that causes the thyroid gland to produce too much of the thyroid hormone thyroxine.
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
An autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland, resulting in a lack of thyroid hormone production.
Diabetes
A chronic condition marked by high blood glucose (sugar) levels due to the body's inability to produce or use insulin effectively.
Obesity
A chronic disease of excessive body fat that increases the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
Hyperthyroidism
A disorder in which the thyroid gland produces excessive thyroxine.
Metabolic Syndrome
A cluster of health conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are conditions that affect the digestive system, causing a range of symptoms, including bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Gut health and a balanced microbiome can help prevent and/or manage some conditions. Common gastrointestinal disorders include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) (such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis). Treatment varies depending on the specific condition and can include lifestyle changes, medication, or surgery.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS is a common condition that affects the digestive system and is often linked to food, lifestyle and stress.
Fatty Liver Disease
A disease characterised by fatty buildup in the liver, which can eventually lead to liver damage.
Constipation and Diarrhoea
Difficulty passing stools or infrequent bowel movements, and loose or liquid stools that are frequent and often urgent.
Food Intolerances and Sensitivities
Food intolerances and sensitivities occur when the gastrointestinal system has a chemical reaction to eating a particular food or drink.
Gut Issues (such as Dyspepsia, Bloating)
Common digestive problems, such as dyspepsia and bloating, can cause symptoms including gas, diarrhoea, constipation, and abdominal pain and discomfort. These may often be accompanied by early feelings of fullness, nausea, and belching.
Cardiovascular Disorders
Cardiovascular disorders damage the heart and blood vessels, leading to coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure. Plaque that builds up in the arteries (atherosclerosis) often sparks these conditions, and high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and inactivity all intensify the risk.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition in which the force of blood pushing against arterial walls is consistently too high. The heart has to work harder to pump blood through narrower arteries. Without treatment, high blood pressure is a significant risk factor for serious health problems like heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease. It often has no symptoms, so regular blood pressure checks are essential for diagnosis.
Hypercholesterolemia (High Cholesterol)
A condition characterised by excessive cholesterol in the blood. The primary cause is often a diet high in saturated and trans fats, but genetics can also play a role. High cholesterol can lead to the buildup of fatty deposits in arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Immune Disorders and Autoimmune Diseases
Immune disorders affect the immune system's ability to protect the body, while autoimmune disorders occur when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks itself.
Allergies
An allergy is an immune system response, almost always caused by a food protein, that the body mistakenly treats as harmful.
Autoimmune Diseases
A wide range of conditions where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells, tissues and organs.
Compromised or Poor Immunity
Immunodeficiency weakens the immune system, leaving the body more vulnerable to infections and illnesses. It may arise as a primary condition - an inherited gene defect that impairs immune function - or as an acquired (secondary) condition driven by disease, medical treatments, or lifestyle factors.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to symptoms like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.
Reproductive Disorders/Women's Health
Reproductive disorders such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and fibroids directly affect women’s reproductive health, causing abnormal bleeding, pain and infertility, and they often correlate with cancers, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and mental-health disorders.
Infertility
Doctors define infertility as failing to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse. This reproductive system disease can strike both women and men. Male factors, female factors, or a mix of both may be to blame - ranging from disrupted ovulation and poor sperm or egg quality to structural abnormalities in reproductive organs. Lifestyle choices and certain medical conditions can also contribute.
Dysmenorrhoea (Period Pain)
Dysmenorrhoea causes painful menstrual cramps. Clinicians classify it as primary when no underlying disease is present, or as secondary when conditions such as endometriosis trigger it. The cramps often strike the lower abdomen and radiate to the back and thighs, and they can bring nausea, diarrhoea, or fatigue.
Pregnancy Care
Pregnancy care, also known as antenatal care, involves regular appointments with a doctor, midwife, or obstetrician to monitor the health of both the mother and baby.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age, characterised by irregular periods, excess androgen levels (causing symptoms like acne and hair growth), and polycystic ovaries. The exact cause is unknown, but genetics, hormones, and lifestyle are involved.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which cells similar to the lining of the uterus, or endometrium, grow outside the uterus. Endometriosis often involves the pelvic tissue and can envelop the ovaries and fallopian tubes. It can affect nearby organs, including the bowel and bladder, and can be extremely painful.
Women's Hormonal Issues
Women's hormonal problems can stem from an imbalance in the body's hormones, which can cause physical and emotional symptoms like irregular periods, weight changes, fatigue, acne, mood swings, and low libido.
Menopause
Menopause marks the natural end of a woman’s reproductive life when the ovaries stop producing oestrogen and progesterone. Doctors diagnose it after 12 continuous months without a period, usually between the ages of 45 and 55. As hormone levels fall, many women experience hot flashes, mood shifts, and joint pain.
Fibroids
Fibroids are common, non-cancerous growths in the muscle of the uterus that can vary in size from tiny to as large as a melon. While many women have them without symptoms, they can cause heavy or painful periods, pelvic pain or pressure, and problems with fertility or pregnancy in some cases.
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries or diseases that affect the bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. They can happen suddenly (acute) or develop over time (chronic).
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint condition in which the protective cartilage between bones breaks down, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. It commonly affects the knees, hips, hands, and spine. While often associated with aging, factors like joint injury, being overweight, and repetitive stress also contribute.
Integumentary (Skin) Disorders
Disorders of the integumentary system encompass a range of common conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, and acne, as well as infections like cellulitis and impetigo. Other examples include skin cancer, alopecia (hair loss), and conditions such as rosacea, vitiligo, and jaundice. These disorders can cause symptoms such as rashes, itching, and changes in skin appearance. Various factors, including genetics, infections, and systemic diseases, can trigger these conditions.
Skin Issues
Common skin problems include acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and hives, which can cause symptoms like pimples, itching, redness, and rashes. Other issues, such as cellulitis and fungal conditions, can be caused by infections.
Neuro-Psycho-Endocrinological/Stress Axis Disorders
Neuro-psycho-endocrinological (stress-axis) disorders occur when chronic stress disrupts the brain-to-hormone feedback loops of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is the body’s central stress-response network. This mis-wiring sparks a cascade of symptoms - from anxiety and insomnia to thyroid, gut, and immune dysfunction - until balance is restored.
Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression are common mental health conditions that often occur together, with many people experiencing symptoms of both simultaneously. Depression is characterised by a persistent low mood and loss of interest, while anxiety involves overwhelming worry and fear.
Stress
Stress is the natural reaction your body has when changes or challenges occur. It can result in many different physical, emotional and behavioral responses. The stress response activates the "fight or flight" mode, releasing hormones that prepare the body to react, but chronic stress can lead to the failure of these defense mechanisms.
Post Viral Fatigue
Post-viral fatigue is a persistent, overwhelming exhaustion that persists after a viral infection has passed. Often associated with ME/CFS, it differs from normal tiredness because it doesn't improve with rest and can significantly impact daily life, including work, social activities, and concentration.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or ME/CFS, is a complex, disabling illness characterised by profound fatigue that is not relieved by rest and worsens with physical or mental activity, known as post-exertional malaise.
Multi-System Disorders
Nutritional deficiencies don't affect a single body system but rather affect multiple systems, including the metabolic, nervous, musculoskeletal, and immune systems, because they involve fundamental cellular processes such as energy, growth, and function. Deficiencies can compromise a wide range of bodily functions, from enzyme activity to nerve signalling, and can lead to diseases such as anemia, osteoporosis, and impaired cognitive function.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Lacking essential nutrients impairs your body’s functions and increases your risk of disease. Insufficient intake or poor absorption often triggers these deficiencies, leading to fatigue, slow wound healing and hair loss - or, when severe, anaemia, blindness and stunted growth. Iron, vitamin A, iodine, zinc, and B-vitamin shortfalls are ubiquitous.