Conditions & Symptoms
These are some of the most prevalent conditions and symptoms treated with an integrative approach by Dr. Kucine.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Chronic and debilitating exhaustion lasting for a long period of time and not easily explained by an underlying medical condition.
- Affects daily life by making it difficult to conduct normal everyday activities.
- Lack of concentration that may also include memory loss.
- Tiredness after even minimal activity, which doesn’t improve with adequate rest.
- Body aches and unexplained muscle or joint pain.
- Headaches which may be accompanied by mental fogginess.
Fibromyalgia
- Pain throughout the whole body often described as a relentless dull ache which persists for more than 3 months.
- Joint and muscle pain without a specific triggering accident, injury or event.
- Neck and back pain that may be caused by amplified nerve sensations perceived by the brain.
- Headaches, including migraines, which can feel debilitating and may be associated with “fibro fog,” an inability to concentrate on even simple tasks.
- Depression and mood issues, which may be exacerbated by feelings of frustration and helplessness brought on by constant pain.
Hypothyroidism
- Tiredness due to the lower functionality of the thyroid gland, which produces hormones that regulate key bodily processes.
- Memory issues and difficulty concentrating.
- Hair loss or thinning hair without an otherwise identifiable cause.
- Dry skin and increased sensitivity to cold, which may be accompanied by muscle and joint tenderness or irregular menstrual periods.
- Depression, forgetfulness and overall slower mental processes.
GI Problems
- Food allergies which may present as itchiness in the mouth, a narrowing of the throat, sneezing, trouble breathing, muscle aches, abdominal pain or skin abnormalities including hives.
- Reflux which may be accompanied by heartburn, regurgitation, burping, nausea or feelings of abdominal bloating or discomfort.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) includes abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, excess gas, diarrhea or constipation, often as a result of eating specific foods, stress or a hormone imbalance.
- Candida overgrowth occurs when a common fungus often found in the mouth or intestines grows out of control, causing fatigue, recurring urinary tract infections, digestive issues, sinus infections and joint pain.
- Bloating associated with food or overeating that dissipates within a day or two isn’t typically of concern, but ongoing, unresolved abdominal bloating should be addressed with your health care provider.
- Gas—both flatulence and burping–that is excessive and chronic in nature can be a sign of an underlying digestive condition such as IBS, leaky gut, or small intestinal bacteria overgrowth (SIBO).
Depression
- Having problems sleeping? One symptom of depression is difficulty sleeping through the night and waking up early in the morning despite feeling tired and lethargic. Another is sleeping excessively and feeling unable to get out of bed for work, school or social activities.
- A lack of interest in daily life activities once considered fun or pleasurable that lasts for two or more consecutive weeks is a symptom of depression. The emotional turmoil of depression can cause significant problems in relationships, careers and social activities.
- Weight loss/gain or change in appetite are classic symptoms of depression. If your appetite increases suddenly or decreases significantly for no identifiable reason, depression could be to blame.
- Irritability and feelings of frustration are often a result of changes in brain chemistry associated with clinical depression.
- Mood swings go hand-in-hand with depression because of an imbalance in brain chemicals that affect your state of mind.
Anxiety
- Although it seems counterintuitive, fatigue is a common symptom of anxiety disorders, resulting from the increased level of stress the body is experiencing.
- A fear of leaving the house because bad things might happen to you may be a sign that you’re suffering from anxiety.
- Palpitations, nausea, dizziness, and feelings of being suddenly unable to catch your breath are hallmarks of anxiety disorders.
- Waking in the middle of the night with a panic attack or anxiety attack can be a traumatic experience, often involving an increased heart rate, shortness of breath, excessive sweating and feelings of being extremely worried, agitated and overwhelmed.
Integrative approach for treatment will include:
- Combining a medical and holistic approach to the condition. We don’t just treat symptoms; our goal is to bring your entire body back into a state of balance and ease where you can more readily heal and return to good health.
- While we aim to address the total patient, we prescribe medication if needed for discomfort or symptom relief.
- Whole food supplementation is a key of integrative medicine. Diet and nutrition have a huge influence on overall health, and our goal is to help you make smart food choices that support your body’s ability to heal itself.
- Nutritional program –Learning the medical significance of nutrition and choosing foods that nourish the body as it heals can play an important role in your treatment.
- Dietary changes may be necessary to support your body throughout the healing process. While these may feel unwelcome at first, we see patients regularly who grow to love their new healthy way of eating because they feel more physically energized and mentally alert than they’ve felt in years.
Back to Balance
Osteopathic, Functional & Integrative Medicine
Annapolis , MD - 410.263.3313