June 2004 | Choice Health
CASE STUDY: Naturopathy
Like conventional M.D.s, licensed naturopathic physicians (N.D.s) are college graduates who have received an additional four or more years of advanced medical education accredited by state and federally recognized agencies.
N.D.s are licensed in many states (in Illinois they are limited to practicing in a setting with an M.D.) and are familiar with many treatment approaches, including those used in “conventional” medicine. Patients of N.D.s often have conditions that are complex and difficult to treat and require a truly individualized treatment plan.
Take, for example, the case of Peggy, in her 30s, who had a skin condition on her face. Her conventional practitioners diagnosed it as “rosacea.” Prescribed steroid creams did not work and she continued to feel quite self-conscious. From a naturopathic perspective, skin conditions are a reflection of what is going on both inside and out and are often associated with stress, diet and lifestyle.
On Peggy’s first visit we asked many questions about her skin problem, other medical conditions, medications and supplements, diet and lifestyle. This helped us to understand her from more than just one dimension. We discovered the skin problem was actually a combination of rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis — two separate conditions that are treated differently. Both cause redness, irritation, small bumps and/or flaking of the skin.
We recommended eliminating alcohol, caffeine and chocolate from the diet, plus increasing water intake. We asked Peggy to wash her face after workouts with a gentle cleanser, avoiding hot water.
Her exercise habit was one we encouraged because it can cut down on stress. Another strategy was to evaluate and improve her sleep, considered a major foundation of good health to N.D.s. A soothing topical cream (the herb calendula was an active ingredient) contributed to Peggy achieving 90 percent improvement in three weeks (by her own report). Because the changes worked, Peggy chose to make them habits. She figures it is well worth the effort.
CASE STUDY is a column from practitioners at Bastyr University in Seattle, a natural health medical school. Catherine Jones, a Bastyr N.D., wrote this column.
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