Dr. Christine Bowen

Conventional Medicine Limitations

christinebowennd — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 09:21:21 +0000

Conventional medicine looks at the symptoms above and tends to focus on medications for each symptom. Most conventional medications suppress symptoms so that we don’t notice them. Maybe the heartburn medication worked for a few months but now your heartburn is back. Maybe the tension headaches subside with medication but now, they’ve returned as migraines.

Another medication or two is prescribed for new symptoms and this often continues for years. Surgeries are usually the next step when the medications can no longer suppress symptoms.
It’s these limitations of the conventional medical system that causes patients so much frustration.
The reason so many of you have sought out naturopathic medicine or functional medicine is because of those frustrations and limitations. As an N.D., I know that naturopathic medicine or holistic medicine should be the first step during any imbalance. My life’s work is in empowering and supporting you as we rebalance your health.

If you are reading this newsletter, you value natural methods of health care and you’ve felt the difference it can have on your quality of life.

What have I been doing during the stay at home order?
LOTS OF LEARNING!!!

Though I am a specialist in using dietary and holistic approaches for digestive, autoimmune, and complex medical conditions, I have to tell you in all honesty that I promise to never stop learning. The 4 conferences that I attended this past year (I also spoke at 3 of them, what fun!) each had at least 3 major concepts or newly discovered treatments or tests that blew my mind! It just taught me that although I have spent 15 years gaining the knowledge that I have to help you all, that scientific progress and knowledge is forging ahead at a lightning pace, all the time. I value the ability to keep on learning and I hope that you will continue to benefit from my care as I stay on top of current literature and continue to blend my new knowledge with my tried and true treatments.

I am here for you if you are ready to start or continue your path to healing and living your best life. If you have family or friends who are frustrated with their conventional health care, they can contact me for a free consult.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a particularly difficult or complex health concern, I offer specialty protocols for Hashimoto’s Disease and other complex autoimmune diseases.

Complex autoimmune disease is one of the areas where natural medicine excels in comparison to conventional medicine.

Conventional medicine approaches auto-immunity as inflammation that needs to be halted and typically only through the use of medications, some are immunosuppressive and others may be strong anti-inflammatories but what they have in common is that both categories come with a long list of potential side effects. We’ve all seen the commercials for the medications with the long, long list of side effects (including death!)!!

In a holistic medicine approach, we reveal and address the underlying cause of the imbalance in the immune system and seek to correct it. We help to calm and balance the immune system through treating the gut, using diet therapy, and by offering suggestions for lifestyle changes, all of which help to calm and reverse the immune system attack on our tissues.

I deal more in the realm of side benefits than side effects when using these treatments and (just in case someone is needing to be on medications) feel very confident blending these holistic approaches with conventional medications.

There is no conflict with making diet changes while you are also on medications. Warning; using diet to help your auto-immune disease may come with some of the following side benefits: increased energy, improved digestion, clearer skin, weight normalization, and mood balance. Now that’s a commercial that I can really get behind:-)
In some cases, a complimentary approach is needed.
If you are already my patient, you know that while I value conventional medicine and recognize that holistic medicine does have some limitations. I believe that the blending of the two is really the sweet spot for how we can treat tough illnesses and also restore health and balance.

An example, if you have a nasty gut infection, you might still need an antibiotic but while using it, we might have you change your diet and protect your microbiome through probiotics and diet changes. Once the antibiotic is done, we would continue the work of rebalancing the gut to help return it to its state prior to the infection.

If you or a family member are currently taking prescription medications or are in the middle of a care plan with a conventional medical team, but your health isn’t improving, please let me know. We can discuss a complimentary medicine approach where we blend your current care plan with a naturopathic care plan. _______________________
This has been a particularly difficult year. Many of us have had a tough time prioritizing our health care needs. Maybe you’ve found yourself behind on ordering supplements, maybe your pantry has slowly filled with more processed foods than usual. It could be that you’ve had a solid natural health care approach but, as the year went on, some of your old habits have returned.

As you know, my passion is in helping patients with complex health care issues, particularly digestive disorders. If this year has left you needing more support or you are ready for a fresh 2021 start, I’m here for you and your family.

Offering telemedicine via Zoom with extended services outside of the Washington State area. Contact me today for an initial consult or a second opinion about your health care needs.

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Biofilm Chronic Illness

christinebowennd — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 09:18:51 +0000

What is biofilm?
Biofilms are a type of protective slime that forms around microbial communities like bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses, and other microorganisms. This film layer or slime layer keeps the colony safe from your body’s natural immune response.

Biofilms are a relatively new concept for me but I guess I knew about their existence prior to my new understanding as the film that builds up on our teeth that needs to be dealt with periodically by our dentists. This is just one example of biofilms in and on our bodies. An example of a biofilm in nature is pond scum.

A less common example in our bodies would be cystic fibrosis.

Biofilms are often associated with chronic diseases.Why does biofilm form?
In order to survive, bacteria need to be especially creative and quick to adapt. This is especially true if they want to stay in the rapidly changing environment of your body.

For example, when you eat carbohydrates that ferment quickly (sweet treats), the bacteria in dental plaque secrets more acids which goes into the biofilm protecting the bacterial colony. That acid is stuck in the biofilm attached to your tooth enamel. The biofilm then causes demineralization of your tooth enamel.

Another example is cystic fibrosis where the patient has chronic bacterial infections. Those bacteria create an antibiotic resistant biofilm throughout the lungs. The persistence of this layer of slime in the lungs causes chronic inflammation by the body’s immune responses. This inflammation, in turn, results in severe damage to the lung tissue.

What are the components of biofilms?
Biofilms are made of the organisms themselves and also an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), An EPS is a network of sugars, proteins and nucleic acids (such as DNA). It enables the microorganisms in a biofilm to stick together. (according to the Center for Biofilm Engineering at Montana State University).

Attachment is followed by a period of growth. Further layers of microorganisms and EPS
build upon the first layers. Ultimately, they create a bulbous and complex 3D structure, according to the Center for Biofilm Engineering. Water channels crisscross biofilms and allow for the exchange of nutrients and waste products, according to the article in Microbe.

Is all biofilm bad?
Biofilms protect the good bacteria too but are most commonly known for negative effects on the body.

How can we break down biofilm to heal?
I like to approach biofilms gingerly because I consider it like cracking open “Pandora’s Box”, we don’t truly know what is locked inside of the biofilms or their effects on the system as a whole until we start prodding them. Phase 1 – Aromatic Herbs
First, certain herbs, called aromatic herbs, can start to open these biofilms and are also the same types of herbs that might also be able to help treat certain types of infection as well like fungal (yeast), bacterial or archaea infections.

Examples of aromatic herbs are:GarlicCinnamonGingerCurcuminOreganoThese are known to target the bad overgrowth while supporting the good microbial communities.

Phase 2 – NAC / ALA
If the aromatic herbs aren’t quite enough to open and start addressing the organisms stuck in the biofilm, we might progress to using nutrients like N-Acetyl Cysteine and/or Alpha Lipoic Acid. In my experience, I have found that one or the other works better for each patient. It is totally an individual response.

Phase 3
If the herbs or other nutrients aren’t enough then we may consider using an Over the Counter (OTC) or prescription Bis-Thiol compounds.
Why do we want to address biofilms in the gut?
Biofilms can be a reason that our bodies fail to heal from chronic disease. Organisms could continue to have activity in our guts and yet be resistant to being treated or eradicated because of this filmy protective layer that they are embedded in.

Cracking open biofilms and addressing the organisms that are hidden within can help our patients heal from long standing illnesses.

One other reason that I will do a brief period of treatment with biofilm disruptors is when we are preparing to do a 3 day stool test. This can help us get the most out of these (often expensive) tests by helping to release potential pathogens hidden in biofilms so that they can be detected by the lab. I have absolutely found an increase in tests that are positive (with pathogens being identified so we can treat them) since I started using biofilm disruptors in this way. If you have had ongoing, chronic gut issues that are not clearing with standard treatments, you may want to do a 3 day stool test or deeper level intervention with me and we may discover that biofilms are part of the barrier to your healing.

Fun Fact About Biofilm Research:
For medical implants and catheters, surfaces are being re-engineered so that they are less prone to develop biofilm. Shark skin inspired this change! Researchers noticed that sharks don’t have anything that attaches or grows on their skin.

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Laboratory Services

christinebowennd — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 09:42:25 +0000

Dr. Bowen may choose to order laboratory work from one of many places within the course of your treatment. Some of the lab companies she works with often and the types of testing she might order are listed below (this is not a comprehensive list):

Veridia Diagnostics: comprehensive screening for cardiovascular and metabolic health (covered by most insurance except Medicare and Medicaid)
Quest Laboratory: general health blood, urine and stool tests might be ordered through this lab. may be eligible for self pay or for insurance billing. Not Medicare or Medicaid eligible.
Paclab: general health blood, urine and stool tests might be ordered through this lab. may be eligible for self pay or for insurance billing. Not Medicare or Medicaid eligible.
Cyrex Laboratory: not eligible for insurance billing. Self pay food allergy screening and comprehensive immune health tests.
Meridian Valley Labs: small and large food allergy panels not eligible for insurance billing. The most comprehensive # of allergens for the most reasonable price. Combination of IgG and IgE testing done.
SIBO Tests: lactulose breath test kits are ordered for in home collection for our patients $150.00-$180.00 per test kit.
Genova Diagnostics: GI Effects comprehensive stool test with rule out for ova and parasite infection ~ 3 day stool test. May be eligible for partial insurance payment (not AETNA or Medicare/Medicaid)

Do it Yourself Labs
You don’t have to be a patient of Bothell Natural Health to have access to this revolutionary way of ordering tests. Anybody can follow this link to order tests and pay for them without needing to consult with a doctor first. You will be amazed at the selection of tests that are available to you today. If you are asked for an access code R-BOTH is the access code for ordering lab tests. To order self-pay and self-order labs, please visit our page on our partner’s website, Direct Labs.
Order Labs

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Men’s Health

christinebowennd — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 09:38:35 +0000

We do annual blood-work, hormone balance, reduction of risk factors for heart disease, and much more through realistic dietary and lifestyle modifications.

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Women’s Health

christinebowennd — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 09:37:32 +0000

We treat hormonal imbalances, annual blood-work, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, menstrual disorders and menopause with realistic dietary and lifestyle modifications to start. We have many other treatment options that can be individualized to help create optimal health for you.

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Pediatric Care

christinebowennd — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 09:35:46 +0000

For naturopathic pediatric gastrointestinal care or autoimmune concerns, contact Dr. Bowen at (425) 485- 7441 or click here to schedule your appointment online. We look forward to helping you and your family.

Dr. Christine Bowen is a autoimmune and gastrointestinal specialist in the field of naturopathic medicine. She understands that complex health issues take time, special attention, and a unique approach for each unique individual. After many years of offering primary care, Dr. Bowen has found that many issues relate back to autoimmune and GI problems. If your child is struggling with complex health problems, please contact us. Even if, especially if, you’ve been told there are no other options other than than illness or medications with harsh side effects.

Dr. Bowen is here to search out a new path for you and your little one.

We can help if you are looking for naturopathic support or functional medicine for your kids related to:

acid reflux or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
heartburn
inflammatory bowel disease (IBS)
chronic constipation
chronic diarrhea
nutritional problems
food allergies or intolerances
food sensitivities
chronic abdominal pain

Dr. Bowen can also discuss natural alternatives for children who have been prescribed:

antacids
H2 blockers
proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
prokinetics
antibiotics

Along with her work as a naturopathic pediatric gastrointestinal specialist, Dr. Bowen also gives special attention to the management of asthma, allergies, behavioral challenges and acute or chronic digestive trouble.

Bothell Natural Health is no longer offering general primary care for pediatric patients unless there is a complex digestive health concern or a complex care issue. If you’d like a referral for general primary or pediatric care, I’m happy to offer contact information for one of my colleagues.

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Conditions Treated

christinebowennd — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 09:32:45 +0000

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