» Atherosclerotic Vascular Dissease
ALSO KNOWN AS "HARDENING OF THE ARTERIES"
DEFINITION: Atherosclerosis and Arteriosclerosis are the most common clinical forms of vascular disease. Both conditions are usually operative at the same time, but one process may be more obvious in any particular patient. A simplified definition of Athero-sclerosis is the deposition of organic molecules (cholesterol, homocysteine) blocking the lumen of the artery. A simplified definition of Arterio-sclerosis is the abnormal accumulation of inorganic molecules (calcium, cadmium, lead, etc.) in the artery wall. Atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries" is the leading cause of death and disability in America. Heart attack, stroke and peripheral leg vascular disease are now epidemic in modern society. In the "old days" of 10 to 15 years ago, hardening of the arteries was always treated as a structural "plumbing problem," with surgery or angioplasty. Although this approach is still in use, the result has been very expensive, disappointing from a prevention aspect and more dangerous than most realize. Invasive Cardiovascular procedures were recently officially listed as the 9th leading cause of death in the America! In theory, the Fundamental Principle of western medicine is "First Do No Harm." However, between the dangers of correctly prescribed FDA approved drugs, now the 4th leading cause of death in America, and invasive surgical and diagnostic procedures, one begins to wonder about conventional medicine's "first principle!"
DIAGNOSIS: Disease can be diagnosed clinically (heart attack, angina, stroke, leg aches, cold hands/feet, physical exam of the heart and blood vessels, etc.) or using diagnostic testing (non-invasive vascular testing, stress testing, catheterization, CT scans, etc.). Homeopathic Integrative Medicine emphasizes prevention and early intervention whenever possible. Therefore, screening tests are usually employed earlier than in conventional medicine in order to detect and treat any problem in it's earliest stages, providing a greater opportunity for arresting and reversing this process. At Bio Health Center we firmly believe a better fundamental principle than "First Do Know Harm" is "Prevention Is Better Than Cure." These approaches can be used to both treat disease that is already present and prevent disease from developing or progressing. In addition to the standard risk factors of smoking, high blood pressure, sedentary lifestyle, being overweight and having vascular disease run in the family, these "new" approaches have made it possible to arrest and reverse hardening of the arteries. In addition, Chelation therapy, Plaquex therapy, External Counter-Pulsation (ECP) Therapy, high doses of B-vitamins to treat Homocysteine and high protein/low carbohydrate diets to treat insulin resistance. These approaches can be used to both treat disease that is already present and prevent disease from developing or progressing. In addition to the standard risk factors of smoking, high blood pressure, sedentary lifestyle, being overweight and having vascular disease run in the family, these "new" approaches have made it possible to arrest and reverse hardening of the arteries. In addition, Chelation therapy, Ozone therapy, Bio Oxidation therapy, Orthomolecular therapy using vitamins, phosphatidyl choline infusions and other biological response modifiers, and Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation Therapy (UVBI) all can be used to prevent or treat vascular disease from atherosclerosis.
From our perspective, Cardiovascular disease is both preventable and reversible. The sooner it's identified, the easier it is to arrest and reverse. Comprehensive screening tests to evaluate the entire circulation and metabolism are the key to early detection and prevention. If any problem is identified, an individualized prevention or treatment program based on patient choice can be crafted. And at Bio Health Center we believe it really is ALL about personal health care choice.
"The healthy patient is a harmonious integration of Mind, Body and Spirit. Dis-Ease may occur on any or all of these levels. After practicing clinical medicine for over 25 years, I have reached the profound recognition that much Disease that afflicts Humanity is due to Man's imperfect understanding of himself and Nature. Although 'science' rejects any endeavor it views as 'metaphysical,' it is my professional opinion that any discipline that rejects the Spirit of Man cannot achieve final Wisdom."
- David A. Edwards, MD, HMD
