Conditions Treated
While the Carolina Center was originally established to help patients with chronic degenerative conditions, especially those affecting immune function, there have been many other health conditions that we have successfully treated using our comprehensive cellular approach. In addition, we see a number of patients with no particular health challenge, but who are interested in optimum health and advice on nutrition, supplements, and preventive medicine. We have developed protocols for the treatment of a number of conditions that we see routinely.
Atheroscierosis & Disorders of Circulation
Chronic Digestive Disturbances
Chronic Infections & Immune Dysfunction
Degenerative Neurological Disorders
Diabetes
Fibromyalgia
Heavy Metal Toxicity
Hormonal Therapy for Anti-Aging Effects
Lyme Disease
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity/Environmental Allergies
Nutritional Deficiencies
Pediatric Program for Autism
Weight Management
Atherosclerosis & Disorders of Circulation
Still the number one killer in the United States, coronary artery disease is a condition in which plaque containing calcium, cholesterol, and fibers of protein invade the walls of the blood vessels in the heart. Over time, this can cause blockage of these vessels resulting in inadequate oxygen delivery to the heart muscle. This can cause only mild symptoms of fatigue and shortness of breath all the way to chest pain and heart attack. Through the use of therapies that remove calcifications from all blood vessels and eradicate the potential infectious cause of these calcifications, circulation can be dramatically improved as evidenced by heart scans that show reduction in calcified areas. Chelation therapy is the principal method employed to address circulatory disorders and there have been some incredible breakthroughs in the past few years in the development of even better methods of administering this treatment.Autoimmune Disorders
We have treated a number of patients with various types of autoimmune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, psoriasis, and dermatomyositis. Multiple therapies are often utilized in treating these patients including nutritional replacement of deficiencies, cellular and intestinal detoxification processes. The main approach here is to calm down the immune system, rather than increasing its activity. New evidence suggests that infectious agents may be the trigger that starts these autoimmune processes and revolutionary therapies to address these infections have the potential to resolve these health problems.Cancer
Treating cancer is very complex and neither Dr. Pittman nor any staff members of the Carolina Center are trained in the use of conventional drug or radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Our goal is to provide natural and/or alternative therapies to complement conventional treatment of cancer or to provide an alternative to a patient who, after careful consideration and informed consent, chooses a non-conventional therapy as their sole treatment for cancer. Before consideration for acceptance to the Carolina Center, we require all cancer patients to have undergone a complete evaluation of their condition by a physician trained in conventional oncology and/or cancer surgery. Our approach to treating cancer is very much like that used to treat any other chronic disease. Evaluation is directed toward determination of cellular nutritional levels, assessment of digestive function, and screening for heavy metal toxicity.
Chronic Digestive Disturbances
These include everything from mild problems (indigestion and heartburn, abdominal bloating and excessive gassiness) to more serious problems (gall bladder dysfunction, chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease). Often patients with these problems are found to have some degree of intestinal dysbiosis—an overgrowth of pathogenic organisms in the presence of inadequate beneficial bacteria. Dietary factors contribute significantly to these symptoms, with some patients having underlying food allergies as the main issue. Through a methodical approach, it is often possible to identify the culprits responsible for these symptoms and therefore construct a treatment regimen that addresses all the components of the problem, not just treat the symptoms.
Chronic Fatigue
This can range from mild, functional fatigue (gets through the day, but feels tired all the time) to severe, incapacitating fatigue requiring constant bed rest. Variant forms can be associated with manic episodes with hyperactivity alternating with profound fatigue. Some individuals are hyper all the time, but complain that underneath they are exhausted. 40% of these patients also have many allergies and multiple chemical sensitivities. It should be noted that Chronic Fatigue doesn’t necessarily equate to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has established specific guidelines for giving the diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and many patients who complain of fatigue and body aches often don’t meet the specific criteria set by the CDC.
Chronic Infections & Immune Dysfunction
One of the most common histories given by many patients we see is a pattern of frequent and recurrent infections of various types and an overall tendency to get sick more often than others. These patients often have been treated with numerous courses of antibiotics over the course of their life, or either have a history of specific periods of time when large doses of powerful antibiotics were given. This has often resulted in damage to the population of beneficial intestinal bacteria needed to process micronutrients from one’s food. This can lead to progressive cellular nutrient deficiencies, but also to damage to the lining of the intestine and increased tendency to develop food allergies. With the immune system overworking trying to deal with what it thinks are foreign invaders, there will be a gradual decline in its ability to handle the day-to-day organisms with which we all come in contact. Therapies to address the deep underlying sources of these infections and the restoration of cellular immune function to a more normal state can reverse years of chronic illness.
Degenerative Neurological Disorders
Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, ALS, and other more obscure neurological disorders represent some of the most terrifying health conditions a person may experience. Many theories have been suggested as to the ultimate causes of these degenerative conditions and in our experience, these theories have been correct. Infectious causes are the most important to address as chronic viral infections have been implicated in MS and the right therapy can have dramatic effects on a patient who is progressively getting worse. Probably more disturbing is the finding of mercury toxicity in so many patients with degenerative neurological conditions and as that person undergoes removal of heavy metals, their conditions greatly improve.
Diabetes
Diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions in our country, for the most part due to the parallel epidemic of obesity. While insulin may need to remain the mainstay of treatment of juvenile onset diabetes, adult onset diabetes can often be corrected with dietary changes, weight loss, and specific nutritional supplements. In either case, lifestyle management can play a significant role in stabilizing blood sugar and reducing the complications inherent to this condition. Often associated with diabetes, elevated triglycerides and cholesterol further increase risk factors for heart disease and organ damage, making management of these conditions paramount. While pharmaceuticals may still play a central role in the control of diabetes, lifestyle factors and other supportive care can reduce the need for medication and result in fewer long-term complications.
Fibromyalgia
This chronic and often debilitating condition is frequently associated with chronic fatigue. It is not usually the initial symptom of the syndrome, but one that develops gradually after onset of other symptoms, ultimately surpassing these symptoms as being more aggravating. Often patients cause further harm to themselves in this stage because they take large, daily doses of anti-inflammatory medications, resulting in damage to the intestinal lining and the development of “leaky gut syndrome”. This can lead to more rheumatologic complaints as the immune system begins to overreact to undigested materials entering the blood stream. These antigen-antibody complexes then deposit into joint spaces and muscle tissue, further aggravating the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Musculoskeletal complaints can also vary widely in CFS/Fibromyalgia patients, with symptoms often coming and going in cycles. This is a strong indicator of an underlying digestive disorder as one of the factors contributing to this condition.
Heavy Metal Toxicity
Our chemical environment has long been known to be a threat to our health, and the concept of poisoning has undergone a substantial evolution. We are now only beginning to understand the consequences of increased body lead burdens in the absence of the anemia, colic, or clinically apparent encephalopathy. It is because of these concerns that we now routinely perform testing to evaluate for the potential for heavy metal toxicity. This involves the use of a specific IV chelating drug followed by a urine collection. This is considered the gold standard in making a definitive diagnosis. If metal toxicity is identified, a series of chelation treatments can be very effective in removing these substances and subsequent urine collections can be performed to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. Often within 6 to 12 months, patients can be shown to be free of heavy metals and many of their chronic symptoms have also resolved.
Hormonal Therapy for Anti-Aging Effects
Hormone replacement therapy has evolved tremendously over the last 15 years with a much greater understanding about the processes of aging and its effects on various organ systems. Evidence continues to build that replacement of hormones in older individuals can both reverse many of the effects of aging, as well as prevent many serious degenerative conditions. Only by performing accurate hormone testing is it possible to know a patient’s individual status and determine the exact hormones they need. Many patients are expressing an interest in “natural hormones”, concerned about negative effects that synthetic pharmaceuticals may precipitate. We offer patients a combination of pharmaceutical grade bio-identical hormones dispensed through a compounding pharmacy along with appropriate herbal preparations that assist the hormonal effects. As with any health condition, a thorough evaluation of all body systems and correction of any abnormalities should accompany a hormone replacement program. Each system in the body is connected with every other system, and imbalances in one can very much affect the other.
Hormonal Therapy for Anti-Aging Effects
Hormone replacement therapy has evolved tremendously over the last 15 years with a much greater understanding about the processes of aging and its effects on various organ systems. Evidence continues to build that replacement of hormones in older individuals can both reverse many of the effects of aging, as well as prevent many serious degenerative conditions. Only by performing accurate hormone testing is it possible to know a patient’s individual status and determine the exact hormones they need. Many patients are expressing an interest in “natural hormones”, concerned about negative effects that synthetic pharmaceuticals may precipitate. We offer patients a combination of pharmaceutical grade bio-identical hormones dispensed through a compounding pharmacy along with appropriate herbal preparations that assist the hormonal effects. As with any health condition, a thorough evaluation of all body systems and correction of any abnormalities should accompany a hormone replacement program. Each system in the body is connected with every other system, and imbalances in one can very much affect the other.
Lyme Disease
Tick-borne infections are increasing at a drastic rate throughout the country and especially in North Carolina. According to the Center for Disease Control Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, between 1993 and 2005, there were 1,036 confirmed cases of Lyme Disease reported in North Carolina, though this is thought to be only a small percentage of the actual number. If left untreated, individuals with Lyme Disease can end up with serious complications including arthritis in the large joints, nervous system problems, and irregularities of the heart rhythm. Early detection is the key to fighting this disease. Many individuals with mysterious symptoms who have been to numerous doctors will eventually be diagnosed with chronic Lyme Disease, but treatment options are often limited and confusing. If diagnosed early, Lyme disease can be successfully treated with antibiotics and immune system support.
Nutritional Deficiencies
In the evaluation of anyone with a chronic health problem, one of the first things to consider is the nutritional status of that person’s individual cells and whether they have all the things they need to function efficiently. Many individuals we see are found to have profound cellular nutrient deficiencies, making it very difficult for them to generate the energy needed to carry out cellular function. This can be the cause, or at least a contributing factor, to nearly every abnormal health condition there is. Through the use of comprehensive nutrient analysis testing, we are able to construct a replacement regiment of nutrients and help patients with diet so that these deficiencies can be corrected over time and proper levels maintained in the future.
Pediatric Program for Autism
Great excitement has been generated over the last year with the recognition that the neurological and immune system damage seen in autism may be the result of mercury toxicity from the preservative that is used in childhood vaccines. Because mercury is heavy, it sinks to the bottom of a multi-dose vaccine vial so when the nurse draws up the last amount in the vial to give to a two-month old, a tremendous amount of mercury may be injected. Because of damage to the immune system, these children often experience a greater than usual number of chronic infections and untimely receive multiple course of antibiotics. Repeated antibiotic use leads to destruction of beneficial bacteria within the digestive tract, creating an abnormal environment that promotes the growth of yeast, often Candida. This organism robs the body of nutrients, and then dumps its waste products back into the body where they can have a toxic effect on the brain and nervous system. In a young child who has yet to complete full neurological development, these symptoms may manifest as developmental delay, inability to learn age-appropriate tasks, and erratic behavior. We routinely perform urine testing on these children looking for these waste products of fungal metabolism, and most of the time they are found. Treatment is then based on eradication of the infectious agent with cycles of anti-fungal medications followed by therapies that are directed toward repair and restoration of the normal intestinal flora. In addition, nutrient analysis testing often reveals significantly low levels of important nutrients, particularly amino acids and minerals. Often these children eat a diet primarily of carbohydrates that effectively “feed” the Candida and continue promoting the infection. Dietary changes are therefore necessary along with nutrient replacement and direct treatment of the infection. In addition, therapies that address the removal of heavy metals using the oral chelator DMSA are useful.
Weight Management
It is now estimated that nearly one third of our population is overweight. The implications this has for the development of chronic disease are staggering, especially with an aging baby boomer population. Along with the epidemic of obesity, our country and all of western society is experiencing an epidemic of adult onset diabetes. Assistance in regaining a proper relationship with food is a primary concern at the Carolina Center, and we offer methods to help patients gain greater control over their diet and discover how to turn on their metabolism to improve fat burning. Many factors can influence the success that one may have in trying to lose weight and our goal is to be sure that all issues have been considered.
