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Therapies
Say goodbye to tiredness!

Tired? Who isn’t these days? It’s all a part of keeping pace with the modern world, isn’t it? We’re conditioned to regard tiredness as something we just have to cope with, a sign that you’ve been working hard or something’s been keeping you awake at night. It’ll pass. Grit your teeth, dig in and get through it. But what if you never get through it? For a significant proportion of the world’s population – as much as 2.8% according to some estimates – the fatigue doesn’t go away and is often accompanied by pain. This isn’t everyday tiredness, it’s a condition known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and the pain that frequently accompanies it is called fibromyalgia or fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Both conditions have only recently been recognized by the medical profession and are the subject of ongoing research to determine the cause or causes. Recognized symptoms of CFS and FMS include a malaise (following any exertion) that lasts longer than one day, feeling unrefreshed after sleep, poor short-term memory and unexplained pain, including muscle pain, joint pain without any swelling or redness, new headaches, tender neck or armpit lymph nodes or a recurrent sore throat. CFS is defined as profound disabling fatigue that lasts at least six months and is not due to ongoing exertion or another medical condition. It affects at least twice as many women as men and until recently it was not recognized as a bona fide condition by the medical profession. While there is still much to be learned about the causes of CFS and FMS, it is possible to provide effective treatment through naturopathy – a holistic approach that addresses a range of possible causes, such as cell dysfunction, toxin build-up, hormone imbalance, and nutrient deficiency. For a significant proportion of the world’s population – as much as 2.8% according to some estimates – the fatigue doesn’t go away and is often accompanied by pain. Suspected causes of CFS Research into CFS and FMS has so far focused on a wide range of factors. It’s likely that a body-wide energy crisis underlies the condition and it has been suggested that this suppresses the activity of the hypothalamus – the part of the brain that controls sleep, hormone function, blood pressure, bowel activity, and many more functions. This could explain why sufferers experience such a wide variety of symptoms. A 2016 study into the metabolism (how the body turns food into energy) of people with CFS identified reduced levels of the amino acids and enzymes the body needs for turning carbohydrates into energy. Instead of getting energy from carbohydrates, the CFS sufferers were using less energy-rich substances like amino acids. Other research has found that CFS sufferers may have different variants of genes for mitochondria (the part of the cell that produces energy) and these genes may influence the severity of resulting CFS symptoms. Deficiencies of key nutrients, namely B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, coenzyme Q10, and essential fatty acids, have also been implicated in the development of CFS, along with a reduced ability to process and dispose of toxins, which could include the long-term ingestion of heavy metals. Hormonal imbalances and psychological conditions like depression and stress are considered to play a role in CFS by many authorities, including the UK’s National Health Service. Hormonal imbalances and psychological conditions like depression and stress are considered to play a role in CFS by many authorities, including the UK’s National Health Service. Treating CFS through naturopathy With so many factors implicated in the development of CFS, it makes sense to treat the condition with a holistic approach that doesn’t just focus on one possible cause but identifies and corrects a range of imbalances specific to each patient. To achieve this, advanced medical tests must first take place. The naturopathic treatment of CFS and FMS often begins with a mitochondrial health assessment to identify any problems the patient may have in producing energy. One of the easiest ways of assessing mitochondrial function is by testing urine for organic acids produced during normal metabolism. Blood tests are also taken to shed light on a patient’s mitochondrial function, nutritional deficiencies, and thyroid, adrenal and sex hormone imbalances. The build-up of toxins and waste products is investigated with phase one and two liver testing (in which the liver’s ability to convert a toxic chemical into a harmless one is tested), or heavy metal challenges (in which a patient is given a chelating agent that specifically binds to heavy metals and their urine tested to see how much heavy metal was picked up). Once testing is complete, naturopathic doctors have a clearer idea of the specific imbalances that need to be treated. If high levels of toxins are detected, a detoxification programme can be put in place, usually involving the elimination of dietary sources of heavy metals, such as mercury in fish, and supplementing with the amino acid glutathione, which binds to heavy metals and helps to remove them from the body. Nutritional deficiencies can be corrected by increasing consumption of key nutrients like magnesium through green vegetables, seeds, and nuts, as well as establishing good digestive practices, such as thoroughly chewing food, and supplementing with digestive enzymes and probiotics. Intravenous nutrient therapy (giving vitamins and minerals through a drip) can also be used to speed up the correction of nutritional imbalances. The use of ozone and ultraviolet irradiation of the blood to stimulate the immune system and boost vitamin D levels – a method that predates the use of penicillin – is also favored as a way to combat the many ‘silent’ infections that may contribute to CFS and FMS. Nutritional deficiencies can be corrected by increasing consumption of key nutrients like magnesium through green vegetables, seeds, and nuts, as well as establishing good digestive practices, such as thoroughly chewing food, and supplementing with digestive enzymes and probiotics. Tired of being tired While the exact causes of CFS and FMS continue to challenge scientific research, the important thing is that we do all we can to help sufferers lead a normal, pain-free life. The naturopathic approach has proven effective because it leaves no room for a possible cause to go untreated. The key to success is tailoring the solution to the patient’s personality, lifestyle, symptoms and test results. If you have any of the symptoms I described at the top of this article, or you’ve been living with tiredness and physical discomfort long-term, don’t ignore it or be put off from seeking medical help. A naturopathic doctor will take your condition seriously and can help to restore your energy levels, making a real difference to the way you feel day-to-day.

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February 02, 2019
Novomed Integrative Medicine
Health & Wellness Partner
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Beauty
When should you start anti-aging therapy? Read interview with Dr Hazem Seif El Nasr

Interview with dermatologist and beauty Dr Hazem Seif El Nasr - Samar Hamdi  Dr. Hazem Saif Al-Nasr is one of the most famous dermatologists in the Arab world. He began his career at the Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, where he worked as a professor in the Department of Dermatology. He also served as Secretary General of the Egyptian Society of Dermatology. Dr. Hazem has extensive experience and reputation in the Gulf countries. He has been a Consultant of Dermatology in many hospitals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and has moved to the United Arab Emirates. He is currently working at the Junqueira Medical Clinic, which was recently opened in Dubai - Jumeirah in Nigeria Mall. He is the first skin and beauty specialist to join the clinic. The founder and director of the Junqueira Medical Clinic is Leandro, the renowned Brazilian surgeon. When should women be advised to undergo a process of embalming or using anti-aging techniques such as Botox? There is no specific age for beginning Botox therapy or other treatments, but most of them start late because they think it is only for those who are older and others who seek it after the mid-40s. My advice to them is to start by feeling and noting the need for them because some women show wrinkles at an early age due to factors other than age. Are women at risk when using Botox injections? Is it accompanied by a sense of pain? It does not have any problems or risks as long as it is used in the required doses and injected in the intended place, but it is prohibited to use pregnant and nursing women to avoid any aggravation and due to the nature of the body sensitive in this period. Pain is a pain-free procedure that has no side effects. A local anesthetic cream is used before injection. Do non-surgical solutions provide effective results for maintaining skin beauty without undergoing plastic surgery? Of course there are a lot of preparations, procedures, and treatments that help maintain the health and freshness of the skin and in turn, delay the need for skin for surgical intervention. Now with the advancement of these techniques and cosmetic products, it is easier and faster and gives immediate results. But there are cases that require surgical intervention in the event of chronic disease in the skin or the incidence of inflammation and exacerbated in some cases due to exposure to an accident or poor attention and care of the skin. We in our clinic always advise and repeat that prevention is better than treatment and therefore should take care and exploit and employ all that is provided to us by cosmetic medicine techniques and procedures non-surgical in the preservation of the skin and health and prevention of everything that could harm them. What is the best technique to combat skin aging and maintain skin freshness and attractiveness? There are a lot of techniques and procedures that work on anti-aging and wrinkles, including the radio waves and other ultrasounds as well as laser, but all the different types of it ultimately work to stimulate the production of collagen in the skin. Is the one who in turn restore the skin and thus protect it from wrinkles and that aging early may vary the type and method of treatment of the skin, but always on the therapist or a doctor to look for the most appropriate way to the situation of the patient. What are the latest techniques for removing excess hair permanently? Are there side effects? It is common knowledge that the best way to remove the body hair from unwanted areas is the laser, regardless of the different types and depends on the type of laser used depending on the type of skin and color and type of hair. For us, at  Junqueira Medical Clinic, we follow the use of the best three laser devices namely Alexandrite, Diode, as well as Andij Nd-YAG. As for side effects, there is nothing bad associated with the slight redness that occurs or may not occur in the treated area. The person undergoing treatment is given a cooling device for the area such as ice cubes and applying a protective cream that calms the treated area and prevents irritation. Of course, there is nothing permanent hair removal, but these devices and techniques prevent the emergence of a long time and reduce the color and gluttony and become like lint or the body's natural hair. And no matter how many types of lasers are all in stages and sessions separated, a session per month. The degree of laser used varies depending on the region. The waves have a certain degree of temperature, the area under the armpit and the rest of the body have different degrees. What are the basic steps of skin care to avoid problems and keep young people? Skin care begins from protection and protection from air conditions, sleep well, abstain from smoking and burning sun, attention to cleaning from time to time with the allocation of a lotion suitable for quality to be used on a daily basis. And do not forget the protective cream (sunscreen), which is one of the most essential preparations that must accompany each girl and a woman in her handbag. As well as a healthy diet, exercise and drink plenty of water, which is the largest contributing factor in giving the skin freshness, health, and youth. Are cosmetic surgery limited to women only and what are the most cosmetic procedures that attract men? Beauty is not only a matter for women, but also for men. Many of them suffer from aesthetic problems that require surgical or non-surgical intervention, and some of them have a position and a job that requires to be in the most beautiful and the most beautiful in terms of appearance and shape. Therefore beauty and beauty is a subject in hand and accessible to everyone and it is the right of everyone looking for it.

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February 02, 2019
Hazem Seif El Nasr
Dermatologist
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Beauty
Unveil your beauty with integrative skin & hair solutions

At Novomed Centers, our unique combinations of safe and effective treatments for men and women transcend temporary beauty solutions. Our experts address the root causes of hair loss and skin problems with a carefully selected menu of services customized to your unique condition, unique biology and unique needs. Botox, fillers, PRP, stem cell therapy, lasers, and thread-lifts can go a long way to improve skin sagging and signs of aging. However, there is no beauty without  skin beauty. Make-up can camouflage a lot of problems but isn’t it smarter to have beautiful skin naturally by addressing uneven skin color, large pores, and dull or saggy skin? We can achieve this with skin health restoration using products that have active ingredients such as a high concentration vitamin C, retinol, stem cells, and sunscreen. We also use bio-identical hormones where indicated, especially for women who are in their 40s. They are 100% natural, and specially compounded for everyone. These excellent natural remedies keep skin and hair in optimal condition, and hormones are never prescribed without first conducting a genetic test to ensure your liver can handle them safely. Bio-identical hormone supplementation also addresses intimate conditions like vaginal dryness, hair loss, and low libido, as well as chronic fatigue, bone fragility, and memory loss.   Dealing with hair loss There are 51 medications and dozens of medical conditions including thyroid problems, anemia, and poorly balanced diets that result in hair loss. In women, once we exclude them, we then address the so-called female pattern boldness, a common genetic condition that can devastate the most resilient women. We replace the minerals or vitamins that you may need after a comprehensive assessment of your nutritional status including your vitamin levels, mineral levels, amino acid, and fatty acid levels. We use Minoxidil when indicated and stem cell injections derived from your fat cells (you get to choose where we take the fat from!). We frequently augment the results with PRP.   Unveil your beauty from within Our natural, evidence-based treatments to ensure hair and skin health include: Combat fatigue and enhance vitality from within with IV wellness and powerful detoxification protocols. Accumulated environmental toxins affect the skin, bones, brain, heart, and kidneys, as well as your hair. Discover the healing power of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy sessions targeting the skin, delivering 100% oxygen at high atmospheric pressure for ultimate rejuvenation. Smart diagnostics is the way to go with individualized blood tests to measure your nutritional and vitamin status. Once results come in, supplements and customized solutions for diverse conditions like zinc for thinning hair as well as magnesium and amino acids for vegetarians or victims of nutrient-depleting yo-yo diets. We can help you quit smoking and alcohol dependency without gaining weight, using a personalized program. Supplements, medications, IV Ketamine, low-dose Naltrexone therapy, nicotine patches, SR Bupropion, and CBT are amongst the evidence-based protocols that are offered at Novomed Integrative Medicine and Novomed Aesthetic clinics. Optimizing your gut health by enriching the microbiome naturally can treat chronic yeast that creates sugar cravings, chronic fatigue, autoimmune disorders, and interferes with vitamin B synthesis and regulation of the balance of absorbable fatty acids. Dehydro-testosterone (DHT) blockers, when indicated for men on Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), can prevent thinning hair. We can help wean you off some of the pharmaceuticals that contribute to hair loss by reversing disease and oxidative stress and accelerated aging.

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February 02, 2019
Max Sawaf
Dermatologist
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Therapies
Don’t let allergy-proofing overwhelm you

In an ideal world, avoidance is the best solution for dealing with allergies. But this is not always possible, especially when it comes to environmental allergies, whether to mold, dust, pet hair, airborne pollen, fabrics, or any others. The two best tools in allergy relief for you or your child are an effective house-cleaning method and controlling your air quality. Patients can find plenty of allergy-proofing tips on the internet, but tend either to go overboard – wasting vast amounts of time and money – or they feel so overwhelmed by all the options and information available, that they do nothing! The good news is, just a few simple measures can make an enormous difference. Furnishing options As we spend so much time in our bedrooms, this is the main area to focus on. If you are moving or can change the furnishings, there are several initial choices that will make allergy-proofing much easier. The key is to keep furnishings simple and avoid anything that collects dust, such as open bookshelves or ornate furniture. Even houseplants attract dust and mold. Also, think about coverings and flooring: replacing carpets with a hard-surfaced floor can eliminate over 90% of dust mites. Similarly, prefer foam to feather pillows and synthetic roll-up window coverings to curtains, and choose furnishings in wood, vinyl, leather, canvas or rubber, rather than upholstery. Look for durable bedding that can withstand frequent washing.   Cleaning tips Again, our focus is on the bedroom as, in addition to being the room where we spend about 1/3 of our time, it has the highest concentration of dust mites. You will need to regularly wash bedclothes and other fabrics at a temperature of at least 130? F (55?C) to kill the dust mites. Use allergen-proof encasings for pillow, mattresses and box springs. For the mattress and any carpets, curtains, and furniture, you will need a vacuum cleaner with a high-quality HEPA filter (a High-Efficiency Particulate Air-filter – it’s expensive, but your allergy clinic should be able to organize a discount). While regular vacuuming is essential, remember that it can stir up the dust mite particles and leave them suspended in the air for about 15 minutes, so the allergy sufferer should not be there. In addition, clean all surfaces in the room with a damp cloth once or twice a week to minimize dust. For mold control, be particularly vigilant in cleaning the bathrooms using a suitable preparation containing bleach and ammonia. Air-quality solutions Air-conditioning (set between 20-22?C) is vital as dust mites thrive in high heat and humidity, while mold and pollen particles need to be filtered. Luckily we have excellent air-conditioning systems in the UAE. However, without proper cleaning and maintenance, they could add to your problem, with mold collecting in the ducts. Don’t rely on your landlord for this upkeep, get a company that uses robots to clean and provides before-and-after photos (your clinic’s environmental advisor should be able to arrange this). Also, avoid air sprays, and ensure that no one smokes in your house – children exposed to cigarette smoke have a 21% increased risk of developing asthma. Unless you are dealing with an infant or young child with croup, the air-conditioning should be sufficient and a humidifier is not necessary.

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February 02, 2019
Ahmed El-Rafei
Allergist
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Therapies
Allergy prone? Immunotherapy might help

Allergies are very common in the UAE, in fact, one in five residents suffers from them. They can affect the lungs, nose, sinuses, eyes, skin or digestive system, or lead to asthma. In addition to the allergens – that is, allergy-causing substances – found across the world, such as pet hair and food allergies, there are some that are particularly prevalent in our region. Airborne Particles The main airborne allergens here are pollen and dust – depending on the season – and indoor substances like house dust mites and mold spores, which are behind allergy attacks all year round. Studies have shown that in UAE, grass/pollen allergies are clustered in the winter, spring, and summer. Dust is non-seasonal and animal allergy are worse in the winter and spring. These allergens cause symptoms such as coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath; a stuffy or runny nose; sneezing; tearing eyes or dark under-eye circles, or itchiness in the nose, eyes, throat or roof of the mouth. Black ants In the UAE, the black (samsum) ant sting is considered a health hazard. Anti-allergy reactions can range from mild to severe, and include respiratory symptoms such as hoarseness, wheezing, and a spasmodic cough, skin symptoms such as urticaria (hives) and angioedema (painful or itchy swelling), as well as gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms, to the most severe of all: life-threatening anaphylaxis, with swelling of the airways, low blood pressure (hypotension), bronchospasm and shock. Treatments include antihistamine and steroid injections, and patients with an allergy to black ants should carry an Epipen with them at all times. But, most importantly, we recommend being desensitized, which is where allergy shots (immunotherapy) come in. Immunotherapy as a solution Finding out what you are allergic to is an important first step to effectively manage your allergic condition. Allergy tests are convenient and accurate but should be performed by allergists, who are specialists trained in the best methods for testing and treating allergies. With skin testing, suitable for adults and children, we can identify the culprit allergen. Drops of suspected allergens are pricked onto the surface of the skin on the back or forearm. If you have redness and swelling at the test spot, then you might be allergic to that allergen. Skin tests are not only more accurate than blood tests, but they also give faster results because, with blood tests, the sample must be sent to a lab. Once we know the cause of your allergies, we can treat your allergic disease with immunotherapy (allergy shots). These stimulate the immune system to fight allergies effectively and, most importantly, naturally. Most children and adults, including pregnant women, can be candidates for allergy shots. Treatment involves injections of a small number of allergy extracts into the skin using a tiny needle, which means very little pain perception, especially by children. The extracts are made from the substances causing the reactions, such as pollen, mold, cat or dog dander or dust mites. Allergy shots begin with small doses and increase gradually. Therapy continues until a maintenance level is achieved. With allergy shots, fewer medicines may be needed over time. Work or school days are no longer missed. And allergies will become something the patient doesn’t think about anymore.

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February 02, 2019
Ahmed El-Rafei
Allergist
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