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My new web site NaturoBase.com has a lot more information - over 6,000 research studies, etc!
Visit the NaturDoctor Store for professional nutritional supplements. Musculoskeletal Basic Nutritional Support Hormone Panels Children's Health. Men's Health Women's Health Detoxification Liver Digestion Support Heart and Cholesterol Musculoskeletal Lifexpand.com - tapping into the Brazilian rainforest. |
Information on Ankylosing SpondylitisDescription Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic, usually progressive, condition in which inflammatory changes and new bone formation occurs at the attachment of tendons and ligaments to bone (enthesopathy). Sacroiliac joint involvement (which limits lumbar flexion) is the hallmark of ankylosing spondylitis, although 20-30% of patients also have larger peripheral joint involvement. Causes The cause of ankylosing spondylitis is unknown. Risk factors include HLA-B27 tissue antigen, and a positive family history. Ankylosing spondylitis may be associated with psoriasis, ReiterÕs syndrome (venereal and dysenteric), inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and CrohnÕs disease), uveitis and iritis. Elevated serum titers of antibodies to certain enteric bacteria, particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae, are common in ankylosing spondylitis patients. There is an antigenic interrelatedness between B27 and certain enteric bacteria. Recent research has established a link between sex hormones (elevated luteinizing hormone, inversion of estradiol/testosterone ratio, and diminished testicular reserve for testosterone, and slightly increased for estradiol) in ankylosing spondylitis. Conventional Labs The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is elevated in 80% of cases, but it correlates poorly with disease activity and prognosis. Rheumatoid factor is negative. The synovial fluid shows mild leukocytosis and decreased viscosity. Cerebrospinal fluid has increased protein. An EKG will show conduction defects. The Wright-Schober test for lumbar spine flexion is abnormal. Measurement of respiratory excursion of chest wall is decreased. Less than 2.5 cm is virtually diagnostic. Imaging studies (radiographs) of the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joint will show degenerative changes. An early sign is sclerosis on both sides of the sacroiliac joint, followed by ankylosis. The "squaring" of vertebral bodies and ossification of annulus fibrosis gives a characteristic appearance of "bamboo spine". Symmetric erosive changes will appear in larger joints, including pericapsular ossification, sclerosis, and a loss of joint space. Specialty Lab Tests
Products to consider Natural Therapies Most natural health web sites put a list of herbs, vitamins and nutritional supplements along with citations from scientific studies. Have you found this to be confusing, since there are so many to choose from? A far simpler way is to choose a supplement from the appropriate body system, such as liver support, detoxification, etc. A well formulated supplement works a lot better than separate vitamins and usually costs a lot less. Please call me at (239) 659-2684 if you would like some assistance in choosing an appropriate product. I can't diagnose or treat diseases by phone, but I can assist you in making better choices. I also can send some relevant articles to read. The first ten minutes are free (as long as you purchase from my web site). |
The next step, after you have been diagnosed with a disease, is to find out what is the specific cause, and then choose supplements that address it. Phone consults are my specialty. Please call my at (239) 659-2684 to schedule a consultation.
I recommend that you make an informed choice, and the goal of this web site is to provide you with the information to make a wise choice when it comes to your health and wellness.
As you can see, I don't sell any vitamins on this web site. There are thousands of vitamin stores that will sell you whatever vitamin you want, and many of them offer discounts.
If you are interested in some high-quality basic nutritional supplements, I recommend visiting the Store You will find my recommendations for a multiple, tasty chewable fiber wafers, high-potency probiotics, and fish oils.
Good luck in your journey towards health and wellness!!
Unfortunately, that would be a clear violation of FDA regulations. Also, one of the most important aspect of naturopathy is: "Treat the person, not the disease". This is a profound statement, and many people have spent thousands of dollars on vitamins listed in books or web sites for a specific disease. This is what I call "vending machine medicine". It rarely works! The solution is to find a naturopathic physician, such as myself, to assist you.
© 2002