Frequently
Asked Questions

Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue ME/CFS:

Post-exertional fatigue

Sleep disturbances– sleeping too much or too little.

Attention deficit disorder and Brain fog

Intermittent fevers

Feeling wobbly or unsteady

Headaches

Body Pain

POTS-Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.

Muscular aches and pains

Sore throats and tender glands

Problems with temperature control

Treatment

We found the key to treatment is identifying and treating the triggers of the Cell Danger Response. Given the fact that there could be many triggers, this is not an easy task. Treating any underlying mast cell disorders is often a key priority. At the same time, supporting various detoxification pathways, supporting methylation, and mental and emotional support are often needed. Various organ systems, such as the adrenals and thyroid, may need to be rebooted and supported. Hormone replacement is often needed.

Read this article for more information on Chronic Fatigue.

Another condition that is often masked as chronic fatigue is Adrenal Fatigue. For more information, go here

Symptoms of acute Lyme may include:

A red rash called erythema migrans (EM). Most people with Lyme disease get this rash. It gets bigger over several days and may feel warm. It is usually not painful or itchy. …

Fever.

Chills.

Headache.

Fatigue.

Muscle and joint aches.

Swollen lymph nodes.

Symptoms of Chronic or Persistent Lyme may include:

Fatigue

Restless sleep

Pain

Aching joints or muscles

Pain or swelling in the knees, shoulders, elbows, and other large joints

Decreased short-term memory or ability to concentrate

Speech problems

Treatment

Treating coinfections can result in a dramatic reduction of symptoms and people feel like they have beaten their Lyme disease. In reality, the Lyme infection is likely still present and must be addressed with comprehensive treatment.

While treatment directed at the Lyme bacteria is essential, so are treatments targeted at the coinfections, especially viruses and parasites. Since most patients present with chronic Lyme that has been undiagnosed or untreated for months, years, or decades, lots of time has passed for these infections to take hold in the body. This is one of the primary reasons why recovery from Lyme disease is so tricky. You are not battling one bacteria; you are fighting multiple infections that invade many different body parts.

In summary, Lyme is a very complex and misunderstood illness. We combine the very best functional and integrative approaches to evaluate and treat Lyme and Co-infections.

Read this article for a fuller exploration of Lyme disease and its coinfections

Some of the potential causes for auto-immunity may include:

Toxins (such as Mercury and Heavy Metals)

Low-grade chronic infections, such as Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)

Stress (including mental and emotional stress)

Leaky Gut Syndrome

And many other stressors…

Often, the source of auto-immunity is Leaky Gut Syndrome, where undigested proteins may be mistaken as foreign. Through molecular mimicry, the body proceeds to attack these proteins, which unfortunately may have a similar structure to proteins that make up the thyroid tissue, resulting in thyroid tissue antibody formation, leading to a condition called Hashimotos Thyroiditis. Similarly, the body may mistakenly attack collagen and produce autoantibodies against its joint tissues, leading to Rheumatoid Arthritis.

For more info on autoimmune disease, read this article

Symptoms of low thyroid function may include:

low energy

depression/anxiety

inability to concentrate or memory problems

cold intolerance

poor digestion, constipation, etc.

sleep disorders-either sleeping too much or too little

brittle nails

hair loss

low libido

For more information on Thyroid disorders, read this article

If you have any of the following symptoms, then heavy metal toxicity could be affecting your health:

Tremors

Headaches

Infertility

Mental “fogginess”

Anxiety and depression

Deteriorating eye health

Memory problems

Poor kidney function

Digestive problems

Tingling sensations in the hands, feet, and/or around the mouth

Poor immune function (recurrent infections, an autoimmune disease)

The heavy metals in the environment that are most commonly found to be linked to adverse health problems include:

Mercury

Lead

Cadmium

Arsenic

For more information on heavy metal toxicity, read this article

some of the signs and symptoms of chronic mold exposure include:

♦Fatigue ♦Weakness ♦Aches ♦Muscle Cramps ♦Unusual Pain ♦Ice Pick Pain ♦Headache ♦Light Sensitivity ♦Red Eyes ♦Blurred Vision ♦Tearing ♦Sinus Problems ♦Cough ♦Shortness of Breath ♦Abdominal Pain ♦Diarrhea ♦Joint Pain ♦Morning Stiffness ♦Memory Issues ♦Focus/Concentration Issues ♦Word Recollection Issues ♦Decreased Learning of New Knowledge ♦Confusion ♦Disorientation ♦Skin Sensitivity ♦Mood Swings ♦Appetite Swings ♦Sweats (especially night sweats) ♦Temperature Regulation or Dysregulation Problems ♦Excessive Thirst ♦Increased Urination ♦Static Shocks ♦Numbness ♦Tingling ♦Vertigo ♦Metallic Taste ♦Tremors

Treatment:

We use a combination of mycotoxin binders, antifungals, immune support, detoxification support, emotional support, and various organ supports. We find that frequency-specific microcurrent to be a helpful adjunctive treatment. There are also various ways to reduce multiple accounts in the home.

For more information on mold and mycotoxins, read this article

If you are experiencing some of these symptoms, you may have CIRS:

Headache
Light sensitivity
Memory issues
Word searching

Difficulty concentrating Numbness/tingling
Unusual skin-sensations
Red eyes

Blurred vision
Confusion/Brain Fog
Icepick-­‐like pains
Mood disturbances

Vertigo Disorientation
Metallic taste
Tearing of the eyes

Body temperature
Body aches
Muscle pain
Shortness of breath
Sinus issues
Cough

Increased thirst
Urinary frequency
High or low appetite
Abdominal Pain

Gastrointestinal issues
Static shocks

Treatment:

Visual contrast sensitivity (VCS) testing measures the ability to see details at low contrast levels and is typically used as a nonspecific test of neurological functions

For more in-depth information on CIRS, read this article.

Unfortunately, SIBO is not recognized as a medical condition, and many go undiagnosed and untreated. One can experience gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhea, abdominal pain, food allergies, or other symptoms of IBS. Due to antibiotic use, environmental toxins, and infections, we have seen a dramatic rise in SIBO and IBS-related cases. SIBO can be a precursor to Autoimmune diseases, joint pain, brain fog, nutritional deficiencies, and many other conditions.

Treatment:

Treatment may include digestive enzymes, betaine, cultured foods, special diets like FODMAPS, vagal nerve supports, elimination diets, specialty pre-biotics, specialized probiotics, herbal anti-bacterial and anti-fungal regimens, and herbal and pharmaceutical prokinetics, as well as prescription antibiotics and/or antifungal treatment.

For more info, please read this article and watch the video

Some symptoms of Candida overgrowth may include:

Feeling tired, worn down, or suffering from chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia

In men, a red rash, itching, and burning on the penis.

In women, vaginal itching, soreness, and redness; a white, clumpy discharge from the vagina; and painful or uncomfortable intercourse

Difficulty concentrating, poor memory, lack of focus, ADD, ADHD, and brain fog

Severe seasonal allergies

Strong sugar and refined carbohydrate cravings

Irritability, mood swings, anxiety or depression

Digestive issues, including bloating, constipation, or diarrhea

Skin issues such as eczema, psoriasis, hives, and rashes

White coat on the tongue, redness or discomfort in the mouth, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, or cracking at the corners of the mouth

Skin and nail fungal infections, which include athlete’s foot or toenail fungus

Treatment:

Some natural treatments include Caprylic acid, oregano oil, garlic, and black tea, all effective treatments for candida overgrowths. The beneficial yeast S. boulardii was also effective against candida overgrowth, decreasing the inflammation from the overgrowth and the spreading of candida in the gut. Generally, a Candida diet with limits on starchy sugars, carbs, sweets, alcohol, and fermented foods is recommended.

For more info, please read this article.

Read This article for a complete list of the conditions we have treated at Tree of Light Health