Advanced Functional Medicine

Dysmenorrhea is defined as painful pelvic cramping associated with me**es, which may be associated with low back and thigh pain, headache, nausea, diarrhoea, and fatigue. Symptoms often start a few days before me**es and last through the first few days of bleeding. Many women are affected by this condition, with estimates ranging from 16%-97%.

The standard approach to treatment of dysmenorrhea includes NSAIDs and hormonal contraception, both of which help to suppress prostaglandin production. Research supports the use of many self-care and complementary approaches that should also be considered.

Here are some supplements that may help to alleviate the severity of your symptoms.

Thyroid disease is a common condition what often required thyroid treatment, it strikes 1 in 8 women as well as many men in the western world. Seeing a practitioner that has experience in thyroid disorders in Perth that can treat the underlying pathology of the condition is vital. The prevalence of the condition is likely to be further reaching as it is a disease that goes commonly undiagnosed.

Learn more: advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/thyroid-treatment-perth

Infertility in a male is defined as the inability to conceive after a year or more of regular sexual activity during the time of ovulation. Male infertility accounts for 30% of infertility and is a contributing factor in another 20-30% of cases.

Men should undergo semen analysis (count, morphology, motility) and examination for testicular abnormalities if conception is not being achieved within this timeframe.

Apart from trauma or a structural abnormality, there are a number of contributory factors that can contribute and cause a low s***m count or infertility in men.

Learn more: advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/male-infertility-low-s***m-count/

***mcountincrease

Female infertility is defined as the inability to conceive or maintain a pregnancy after 12 months of unprotected in*******se. Many of of Perth clinic patients fall pregnant after addressing underlying causes of infertility such as MTHFR, methylation, gut health and hormone imbalance. Natural infertility treatment is an excellent option to try before considering IVF.

Learn more: advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/female-infertility/

🌱 Meet Our Team Member - Jessica Welsford 🌱

Jessica Welsford is a qualified Clinical Naturopath and Integrative and Functional Medicine Practitioner.

She has a special interest in Gut Health, Hormonal & Reproductive Medicine, Fertility/IVF, Children & Family Health, Thyroid Conditions, Autoimmune Disorders, Mental Health, Longevity/Antiaging Medicine inc Genetics and Methylation, Detoxification, Fatigue & Chronic Disease in General.

Jessica is a highly respected practitioner with over 20 years of experience in the field of natural and functional medicine. Her career has been shaped by a deep commitment to understanding the root causes of illness and empowering lasting wellness.

🌱 Learn more about Jessica: advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/jessica-welsford/

🧘‍♂️ Embrace the moment! Discover these mindful activities to boost your mental well-being and find your zen. 🌿✨

🍏 Ready to upgrade your meals? Swipe through to discover 4 ways to build a healthier meal plan! Your body will thank you! 🌟

For a customised meal plan contact our friendly team either through our website or call 1800 11 22 36.

🚀 Busy and always on the go? We've got you covered! Check out these 3 game-changing meal prep tips to keep you fueled and ready! 🍽️💪

⏱️ Crunched for time? No problem! Check out these 10-minute healthy meal ideas to keep you fueled and feeling great! 🥗✨

Today is International Day of Yoga. Yoga is an ancient practice and meditation, has become increasingly popular in today's busy society. For many people, yoga provides a retreat from their chaotic and busy lives.

The scientific research into yoga’s benefits is still somewhat preliminary, but much of the evidence so far supports what practitioners seem to have known for millennia: Yoga is incredibly beneficial to our overall well-being.

🍽️ Ready to master meal prepping? Check out our dos and don’ts to make your week healthier and hassle-free! 🥗✨

(Infographic: Dos and Don’ts of Meal Prepping)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that and it is considered a “spectrum” because the symptoms can range from mild (poor eye contact, difficulty vocalising feelings and emotions) to more severe (nonverbal and unable to follow instructions). Individuals with ASD may also have restricted interests and exhibit repetitive behaviours.

Learn more about the functional medicine approach to autism: advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/approach-to-autism

Low Testosterone or Andropause, also known as “male menopause”, refers to symptoms relating to low testosterone or the the decline in testosterone production in the ageing male. Unlike female menopause, testosterone declines gradually over many years rather than the more abrupt decline in estrogen experienced by females at menopause.

Testosterone decline appears to be worsening in recent times, with significantly lower mean testosterone levels reported in middle-aged men in the early 21st century compared to the 1980‘s.

Low testosterone is also associated with increased cardiovascular risk (e.g. hypertension, high cholesterol and atherosclerosis) and prostate cancer.

Learn more: advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/andropause-low-testosterone

💔 Did you know 3 in 4 suicides are men? This Men’s Health Week 2024, let’s break the silence, support each other, and prioritize mental health. You are not alone. Reach out, speak up. 💙

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Our Mental Health Blogs: advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/category/conditions/mental-health-conditions/

Enlarged Prostate or Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland that gradually narrows the urethra. The clamping effect can obstruct the flow of urine, leaving the patient vulnerable to infections, bladder stones and kidney damage. BPH affects 50-60% of men over 50, and 75% of men over 75.

Learn more: advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/enlarged-prostate

🚨 Every day, 50 men in Australia die from preventable causes. This Men’s Health Week 2024, let’s take action. Prioritize your health, get regular check-ups, and spread awareness. Your life matters! 💙

Erectile dysfunction refers to the inability to achieve or maintain an er****on adequate for normal sexual in*******se. It may affect men of any age, but is typically seen in older male due to vascular and hormonal dysfunction, such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and androgen deficiency.

It affects 2% of males at 45 and 25% of males at 65.

Erectile dysfunction can be very embarrassing for a male. There are natural treatment options available, they involve addressing the underlying cause of dysfunction, whether it be psychological, nutritional, a problem with hormone production or a combination of factors.

Learn more: advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/erectile-dysfunction

🚨 Did you know 1 in 2 men will face a mental health disorder in their lifetime? This Men’s Health Week 2024, let’s break the stigma and support each other. Talk, listen, and care. Your mental health matters! 💙

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Our Mental Health Blogs: advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/category/conditions/mental-health-conditions/

Today is World Food Safety Day. It’s a day when people worldwide focus on the importance of keeping food free from contaminants and diseases. The United Nations and various health organisations mark this day to highlight how crucial safe food is to our health and well-being.

Why do we celebrate this day? Because unsafe food can cause over 200 diseases, ranging from diarrhoea to cancers. Approximately 1 in 10 people fall ill yearly from eating contaminated food.

For children under five, the stakes are even higher, with hundreds dying every day due to foodborne diseases.

Mental Health is a broad subject that affects most Australians and Perth residents at some point in their life. Depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia and paranoia are some of the more common conditions. In addition to these common mental illnesses, many people do not class themselves as having a mental health disorder. However, often they don’t feel great. They don’t feel like themselves or feel the need to withdraw on a regular basis.

From pharmaceutical medications to meditation, there is a range of treatment options. Many pharmaceutical drugs can cause long-term side effects. These are often used long-term instead of treating the underlying cause of the condition.

There are other ways to address these imbalances. Natural mental health treatment has a high success rate and resolve the problem at the root cause, rather than just masking symptoms and continually requiring medications to be increased or added. Correcting brain imbalances and key nutrient imbalances will achieve excellent results without unwanted side effects. Addressing detoxification pathways and underlying body system dysfunctions in areas such as the gut and methylation are also key in resolving long term mental health disorders.

Learn more: https://advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/natural-mental-health-treatment-perth/

The incidence of food allergies and intolerances (including anaphylaxis), has increased dramatically in the last three decades. The exact cause of food allergy and sensitivity is unclear. There may be a genetic predisposition, but not in all cases.

Learn more about Food Allergies, Sensitivity & Intolerances: https://advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/food-allergies-sensitivity-intolerance-symptoms-causes-natural-treatment/

Today is World Thyroid Day (WTD).

Thyroid disease is a common condition what often required thyroid treatment, it strikes 1 in 8 women as well as many men in the western world. Seeing a practitioner that has experience in thyroid disorders in Perth that can treat the underlying pathology of the condition is vital. The prevalence of the condition is likely to be further reaching as it is a disease that goes commonly undiagnosed.

Thyroid Symptoms
Are you feeling constantly fatigued?
Have you recently gained weight?
Are you experiencing dry skin, cold extremities or hair loss?
Do you have digestive issues, anxiety or low mood?

Learn more from our blog: https://advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/thyroid-treatment-perth/

Schizophrenia is a complex mental health disorder characterised by:
- Difficulty differentiating between what is imagined and what is real (hallucinations, delusions)
- Difficulty thinking and concentrating
- Abnormal emotional responses or lack of emotion
- Abnormal social behaviour

Schizophrenia affects men and women equally and usually begins in adolescence or young adulthood. For males it usually develops between 15-25 and females 16-35 years of age. The symptoms such as paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions can be quite confronting to watch for family members.

Learn more about Schizophrenia: https://advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/schizophrenia/

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disease of the bowel. The disease can occur at any age but generally affects young adults 15 to 35.

There are two main types of IBD:

Crohn’s disease: a type of IBD which usually affects the intestines, but may occur anywhere from the mouth to the a**s. Inflammation generally extends the entire thickness of the intestinal wall. Prognosis is generally more favourable than UC and malignancies are unlikely.

Ulcerative colitis: a type of IBD which affects the lining of the large intestine and re**um. Inflammation usually affects the lining of the intestinal wall only. There is an increased risk of carcinoma after 7-10 years.
Symptoms can vary in intensity and depend on the part of the GIT affected. The disease is often characterised by period flare-ups.

Learn more: https://advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/ibd-symptoms-causes-natural-treatment/

Today is World Hypertension Day.

Hypertension, in short High Blood Pressure is defined as a sustained rise in resting blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg. Blood pressure that is persistently between 120/80 and 140/90 is known as pre-hypertension and increases the risk of hypertension.

Hypertension significantly increases the risk of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, left ventricular hyperplasia, stroke, aneurysm and damage to the retina and kidney.

Generally people with hypertension are four times more likely to experience a major cardiovascular event. Also, it is believed to contribute to 75% of all strokes and heart attacks.

Hypertension may be classified as:

Primary (or essential) hypertension: accounts of 90-95% of cases. Orthodox medicine defines this as idiopathic (no known cause); however, a complementary medicine approach considers a number of risk factors (see below)
Secondary hypertension: most commonly caused by kidney disease; other causes include endocrine disorders and pregnancy.

Learn more: https://advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a medical disorder that is generally defined by unexplained, chronic or relapsing fatigue, accompanied by other symptoms, which is persistent for six months or more. Many of our patients in Perth and Australia wide suffer some degree of chronic fatigue

The fatigue is not due to ongoing exertion or other medical conditions, not substantially relieved by rest, and results in a significant reduction in previous levels of activity.

Onset is usually sudden and often accompanied by flu-like symptoms.

Diagnosis is made after exclusion of recognisable diseases. Four or more of the following symptoms must be concurrent and persistent for six months or more:
- Chronic, often severe, mental and physical exhaustion
- Sore throat
- Impaired short-term memory and concentration
- Tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes
- Widespread muscle or joint pain without arthritis
- Headache of a new type, pattern or severity
- Unrefreshing sleep
- Post-exertional malaise lasting for more than 24 hours
- CFS is also referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS), or chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS). Milder forms are also known as Adrenal Fatigue.

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in Perth and Australia wide. There are a number of natural treatments to assist with the management of heart disease. It is associated with a numerous conditions that cause plaques to build up in the blood vessels causing a restriction of blood flow to the heart, brain and peripheral areas of the body.

Atherosclerosis is a build-up of lipids, cholesterol, calcium, cellular debris and other substances in the inner lining of arteries, forming hard structures called plaques. Over time, these plaques cause narrowing and can eventually block arteries, disrupting the flow of blood and oxygen to organs such as the heart and brain, and causing tissue death. It is one of the leading causes of illness and death in both males and females in western countries.

Atherosclerosis is the usual cause of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease.

Damage to the endothelium caused by factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, trans fats, stress and high insulin leads to the formation of plaques, involving the deposition of cholesterol, calcium, fibrin and immune cells in the arteries, which can eventually build up and obstruct the flow of blood, known as ischemia. There are a number of natural heart disease treatments to reduce and reverse heart disease.

Learn more: https://advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/heart-disease/

Lupus, also called SLE, which stands for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects people in Perth and Australia wide. Lupus can affect many different parts of the body and there is no cure for lupus.

About 20,000 people in Australia and New Zealand have lupus. About 9 in 10 are women and the majority develop the condition between 15 and 45 years. [1]

Common signs and symptoms of lupus include fatigue, headaches, joint pain, insomnia, GI issues and skin rashes. All these symptoms can be indications of other health problems, so lupus can take some time to diagnose.

Traditional medications for lupus include corticosteroid drugs, NSAID pain relievers, thyroid medications and synthetic hormone replacement drugs, some of which have unwanted side effects.

There is, however, a natural approach to lupus treatment that is available for people who don’t wish to take pharmaceuticals or would like to reduce their use. Removing autoimmune triggers, targeted supplements, exercise and a healthy tailored diet and lifestyle can work towards managing symptoms and improving overall immune function.

Learn more: https://advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/lupus/

Asthma is chronic inflammation of the airways associated with excess swelling, mucous and bronchospasm, resulting in reversible obstruction of airflow. It may be classified as atopic or intrinsic, depending on whether symptoms are triggered by allergens.

Atopic asthma is triggered by exposure to airborne allergens (e.g. pollens, animal dander, dust mite, mould, fragrance) or food (e.g. cow’s milk, wheat, eggs, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, MSG, tartrazine and sulphites) allergens, leading to Th2 dominance. It is often associated with hayfever and/or eczema. Th2 are a type of immune regulatory cell that become upregulated when they are overstimulated by allergens.

Intrinsic asthma is usually exercise induced but may also be triggered by cold, dry air, chemical irritants, stress or respiratory tract infections. The bronchospasm is thought to be triggered by loss of moisture from the respiratory tract and increased airway cooling due to an increase in ventilation. In this type of asthma, however, increased IgE and Th2 activation still appears to feature.

Asthma generally develops in children between the ages of 2 and 7, and mostly resolves by puberty. In the last 30 years, the incidence has increased 75% in adults and 160% in children which may be related to factors such as air pollution, the hygiene hypothesis, gut dysbiosis, lack of breastfeeding and poor diet.

Learn more: https://advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/asthma-symptoms-causes-natural-treatment/

May is Arthritis Awareness month.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease causing inflammatory arthritis. The immune system attacks the synovial membranes of the joints, causing pain, inflammation and deformity. It can occur at any age, but is more common between 30 and 50, and affects more three times more women than men.

Auto immune diseases are becoming a lot more common in today’s society and the number one body system to address prior to anything else is the gut. The attack on the body with foreign antigens or mistaken antigens must be reduced or eliminated to allow the body to recover from the overstimulated immune system and attack. More commonly and compromised intestinal barrier and reactive foods are major driving cause of symptom and disease progression. An Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) or similar diet that reduces common reactants along with targeted care is required.

Learn more: https://advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/rheumatoid-arthritis/