At least once a year on average patients suffer from the afflictions accompanied by the common cold. Whether it is a cold or another immune challenge, we have all seen patients that are virtually willing to take anything to eliminate their symptoms, such as nasal congestion, dry and sore throats, inflamed nasal passages, achiness, swollen lymph nodes, and, all too often, sleepless nights. It…
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Chris D. Meletis, N.D. Cough is the most common presenting symptom seen in a general family practice. Clinically, a cough is almost always merely a symptom of an underlying condition. It is important to look beyond the cough to treat the cause and, hence, achieve maximal relief. Cough is a normal protective mechanism for clearing the airway of secretions, irritants, and foreign materials. Air expulsion…
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Chris D. Meletis, N.D. Anemia is not a disease per se but rather a symptom that arises from either a reduction in the number of red blood cells (RBCs) or the quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. Even the slightest sign of anemia represents an imbalance in the body that is worthy of clinical investigation. Only an in depth review and methodical elimination of possible etiologies allows for…
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Chris D. Meletis, N.D. There are nearly 2 million Americans, mostly men, that suffer from Parkinson’s disease. Since it was first described in 1817, it has been well researched, and much is now known about its etiology and the precise symptoms associated with the progression of neurologic degeneration. From a pathologic perspective, this condition results from the degeneration within the nuclear masses of the extrapyramidal system. Among…
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Chris D. Meletis, N.D. Impotenceis now a topic for open conversation. Even politicians are talking about impotence. Medically speaking, the term erectile dysfunction more specifically describes the inability to sustain physically an erection that is sufficient for intercourse. Impotence includes a broader grouping of conditions that contribute to less than fully successful intercourse, including diminished libido, inability to reach orgasm, and premature ejaculation. Current…
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Chris D. Meletis, N.D. Arthritis literally means “inflammation of the joint.” If the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder was easy, the 40 million Americans who are currently suffering from the most prevalent form of arthritis, osteoarthritis, would not be suffering the consequences of joint degeneration. Although arthritis can take on many forms, including gouty, septic, psoriatic, and rheumatoid, the ultimate degeneration that occurs in all forms involves cartilage…
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Chris D. Meletis, N.D. The symptoms that are associated with an allergic response serve an important and significant role—to flush out irritants that challenge the body’s well-being. However, when the allergic cascade gains too much momentum, the surge of histamine, leukotrienes, and other biochemical mediators can trigger an overwhelming avalanche of symptoms. Currently, the trend in the United States is towards increased reactivity and there is a significant…
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Chris D. Meletis, N.D. An ever increasing number of patients are presenting to primary care practitioners with immune dysfunctions and various common infections. Of course, the challenge for a practitioner who is faced with such a patient is to intervene acutely while addressing the underlying cause of the illness to prevent a chronic pattern from developing. Proper nutrition is truly the best approach to preventing…
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Chris D. Meletis, N.D. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the boundary between the external and the internal world. The GI tract’s function is to allow enough of the external world to be absorbed to allow life to be sustained but not so much that homeostasis is disturbed, leading to disease and possible death. The absorptive process of the intestines takes place primarily as…
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Chris D. Meletis, N.D. Heart Facts The heart begins to beat prior to our birth and pumps life-sustaining oxygen and nutrients to the trillion of cells in our body over the course of a lifetime. The human body has more than 60,000 miles of blood vessels that serve as conduits for the passage of more than 3000 gallons of blood per day.…
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