Here's your latest edition of Dr. Marcantel's Health and Wellness News.

Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. If you find this information helpful, please help spread the word about the letter and our web site by forwarding this e-mail to a friend.

*******************

This issue's topics:

Adrenal Fatigue: How Stress May Be Affecting Your Health

Check out our "Meet Dr. Marcantel" video on the home page!

Our new Patient Referral Program is a hit! Are you taking advantage of it?

Is it time for YOUR "Fall Check-Up"?

An exciting new website feature in the works: Teaching videos from Dr. Marcantel

*******************

Adrenal Fatigue:

How Stress May Be Affecting Your Health

by Dr. Tina Marcantel

Adrenal fatigue (also called adrenal insufficiency) is a common health problem that is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. One of the biggest contributing factors in adrenal fatigue is stress—something we all tend to have in abundance in our lives. Interestingly, some people get so used to living with stress that they don’t even realize how much of a toll it’s taking on their bodies. Weight gain, diabetes, depression, and high blood pressure are just a few of the physical problems that can result from this potentially debilitating illness.

The adrenal glands are part of the endocrine system and are anatomically located on the superior aspect of the kidneys. The adrenals produce a variety of hormones that are responsible for handling stress. Cortisol is released for the purpose of coping with long-term stresses such as chronic allergies or infection, insomnia, poor diet, repeated stresses, overexertion, fear, lack of or excess of exercise, and helping the body process prescription or non-prescription drugs. Epinephrine and norepinenphrine are released in acute stress situations such as sudden job loss, the death of a loved one, surgery, divorce, or physical or mental trauma.

Your body usually recovers from a stressor within 1-3 days after proper rest. However, if the stressors in your life become chronic and levels of cortisol remain elevated, the elevation may result in weight gain, insulin resistance, diabetes, increased susceptibility to infections, autoimmune conditions, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, depression, and other degenerative diseases.

Chronic stress can eventually cause adrenal exhaustion, resulting in lowered cortisol production that can lead to lack of energy, decreased ability to handle stress, lowered libido, chronic fatigue syndrome, low motivation, fibromyalgia, anxiety disorders, and even death. A complete failure of the adrenal cortex is called Addison’s disease.

Diagnostic Tests

There are specific lab tests that I use to diagnose adrenal insufficiency. I check salivary cortisol levels that tell us the amount of hormone inside cells. We collect saliva specimens four specific times during the day. It is a simple non-invasive procedure that can be collected in the privacy of your home. The patient can then mail in the take-home kit to the lab after collection. I also will test other steroid hormones such as DHEAs and testosterone that if low can be indicators of adrenal exhaustion. We’ll also check your blood pressure in the office to monitor hypotension (low blood pressure) and light-headedness when standing. If I suspect insulin resistance, I will run a fasting insulin lab.

Treating Adrenal Fatigue

The treatment options vary depending on the clinical signs and symptoms the patient presents and the results of the individual lab results. There are combination herbal adrenal support formulas or single herbs. It is also important to integrate appropriate vitamin/mineral mixtures specifically to support adrenal/hormone production. There are also glandular extracts that are designed for adrenal support. In severe cases of adrenal fatigue steroid therapy is recommended. DHEA supplementation may help protect from overproduction of cortisol and enhance the immune system. Since the adrenals also release sex hormones these must be supplemented according to lab results. All hormones given are compounded bioidentical hormones that act more like the body.

Proper nutrition is also an important factor in healing the adrenals: small, frequent meals with protein, whole grains and healthy oils should be part of the patient’s diet.

Most important of all, the patient must begin to incorporate lifestyle changes. You should minimize stress, seek to balance work and relaxation, and consistently engage in moderate exercise. Other stress reducers would include daily meditation, minimizing contact with negative people and events, and sleeping eight hours per night with mid-afternoon naps, if possible.

You can also find this article  on our website under the menu bar heading "Adrenal Fatigue."

*******************

We've added a new video on the home page: "Meet Dr. Marcantel." In this short video, Dr. Marcantel shares her philosophy of medicine and her approach to patient care. If you haven't seen it yet, click here to go to the site and then click on the picture of Dr. Marcantel. This video is also a great way for patients of Dr. Marcantel to introduce their friends to our services--and speaking of that...

*******************

....Lots of our patients are spreading the word to their friends and taking advantage of the discounts we're offering through our patient referral program. Find out how you can qualify for a $200.00 gift certificate to a Valley day spa by simply referring 5 new patients to Dr. Marcantel!

*******************

Is it time for a "Fall Check-Up?"

During the "dog days" of summer, it can be tough to stay motivated and on track with a good health regimen. The kids are out of school, the temperatures are in the triple digits, and we're hitting the road for vacation--and all these things can sideline our best intentions about proper diets, regular exercise, and visits to the doctor. Now that fall is here, is it time for you to take control of your health again? Whatever your challenges may be--weight control, menopausal symptoms, pain management, allergies, type 2 diabetes, chronic fatigue, or a host of other issues--Dr. Marcantel will work with you to help you get and stay healthier. Call our office today to make your appointment: (480) 985-0000.

*******************

We're currently working on an exciting new series of teaching videos by Dr. Marcantel that we'll be introducing to DrMarcantel.com over the coming months. Keep an eye on these newsletters to learn what subjects they cover and when they'll be available for viewing!

*******************

We want to hear from you about your experiences with Dr. Marcantel's services. Patient feedback is extremely important to us because it tells us how we're doing in providing you with the quality care we strive for. We would really appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to print the Patient Feedback Form, fill it out, and drop it in the mail to us. You can print it directly from the pdf file link above or, if you prefer, you can download the text file and copy it into Word and fill it out on your computer.

*******************

Have you tried IV therapy yet? A growing number of Dr. Marcantel's patients are reporting great results from their IV therapy treatments. Read Dr. Marcantel's article on How IV Therapy Can Benefit YOU and give her a call to see if this program might be right for you to give you more energy, supply your body with much-needed vitamins and nutrients, and boost your immune system.

*******************

Did you receive this newsletter as a forward from a friend? Would you like to receive future letters like this one? Click here to go directly to our e-newsletter subscription page at DrMarcantel.com. It's fast, easy, and completely free! Thanks for your interest!

Please do not directly reply to this newsletter. Send comments or questions about the letter to drmarcantel@cox.net 

Dr. Tina Marcantel

5416 East Southern Avenue #110

Mesa, AZ 85206

480-985-0000

Newsletter written by Peter Marcantel, webmaster for DrMarcantel.com.