Most people experience fatigue at some point in their life. It becomes a problem when the fatigue is debilitating on a day-to-day basis. Feelings of sluggishness, low motivation, low energy or zest for life is common as we age. There are many illnesses that can cause fatigue such as chronic fatigue, chronic infections, blood sugar abnormalities, anemia, insomnia, hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue. Some causes of fatigue that aren’t related to disease may be part of aging, jet lag, poor diet and … [Read more...] about Common Causes of Fatigue Not Related to Illness
Christina Kovalik
Have You Had Your Thyroid Health Tested?
Twenty million Americans have thyroid issues. Sixty percent are unaware that they have an issue, often because a physician has not ordered the correct thyroid function tests. Most physicians only test for TSH, the thyroid stimulating hormone, and often miss Hashimoto’s (autoimmune thyroid), or low thyroid, simply by not ordering a full panel. Many physicians don’t know any better because that is what they were taught in medical school. The thyroid starts to become sluggish as we age, … [Read more...] about Have You Had Your Thyroid Health Tested?
Understanding Hormone Imbalance in Men
Men also can experience a decline in hormones and should know that it could happen at any age. Men rarely hear about this topic, or they think that hormone imbalances only occur in women. Hormone imbalance can happen at any age and stage of life for both men and women. More men need to be aware of hormone imbalance symptoms and management. Many people are aware of the normal changes teenagers experience during the hormonal shifts of puberty: acne, hair growth, deepened voice and muscle … [Read more...] about Understanding Hormone Imbalance in Men
Allergies Got You Down?
With springtime comes the beautiful blooming flowers, trees and plants. With the pollution and added winds picking up, high pollen and dust counts aggravate allergies. Poor dietary and lifestyle choices can increase the burden on the liver, making allergy symptoms worse. Eating a lot of fried, fatty or processed foods, foods that lack nutrients and vitality, will also increase the burden on the liver, creating more allergy inflammatory responses in the body. How do you know if you are showing … [Read more...] about Allergies Got You Down?
Hormone Safety Misconceptions: What Your Doctor May Not Know about Hormones
There are so many misconceptions, beliefs and media misinformation about the safety of bio-identical hormone replacement (BHRT) safety in women and men. One of the reasons is the blanket belief that all hormones are bad, when it is the synthetic hormones that have been shown to cause increased risk for cancer, blood clots, stroke and heart disease. The biggest challenge for physicians who decide that all hormones are bad is to see beyond what they are taught in their medical education, from … [Read more...] about Hormone Safety Misconceptions: What Your Doctor May Not Know about Hormones
Boost Your Immune System with Hydrotherapy You Can Do at Home
Hydrotherapy has been used in ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt, and has been utilized for its therapeutic benefits in the United States since the 1800s. Hydrotherapy consists of using various temperatures, pressures and forms of water for health benefits such as reducing pain and inflammation and boosting the immune system. Many physical therapists and doctors may recommend using hydrotherapy for treatment for pain and inflammation. Generally, most people are aware of advice to apply ice to an … [Read more...] about Boost Your Immune System with Hydrotherapy You Can Do at Home
The Vitality Doctor Christina Kovalik Helps Patients Navigate the ‘Hormone Shift’
Growing up in a health-conscious household laid a firm foundation for The Vitality Doctor, Christina Kovalik, but what really sparked her interest in the medical field was when her mom took her to observe a birth when she was 5 years old. “My mom was a childbirth coach and taught classes, so I became interested in the medical field at a very early age. The seeds were planted,” said Dr. Kovalik, who was born and raised in Phoenix. In pursuit of her dream, Kovalik attended Northern Arizona … [Read more...] about The Vitality Doctor Christina Kovalik Helps Patients Navigate the ‘Hormone Shift’
Gratitude vs. Appreciation: Tips to Create a More Joyful Life
Many people use gratitude and appreciation interchangeably. There is a difference between the vibrational feelings of gratitude and appreciation. Gratitude is being thankful and can come from a place of fear or lack by overcoming a struggle. You are happy to be over that struggle. Even when it is over, the energy lingers. Love and appreciation have the same feeling and energetic vibration. Appreciation is vibrationally aligned with who you really are. Reach for thoughts that make you feel … [Read more...] about Gratitude vs. Appreciation: Tips to Create a More Joyful Life
Hormones Out of Whack?
A hormone imbalance can occur at any age, but chances dramatically increase with aging. The fact is that after age 30, people produce 3-10% lower hormones each year. Although it is normal for hormone production to decline with aging, many people just don’t feel good. Many seek medical help to have all of their lab work run just to tell them they are “normal.” I commonly hear patients ask, “Why do I feel this way if everything is normal?” They breathe a sigh of relief to find out that yes, they … [Read more...] about Hormones Out of Whack?
Understanding the Hype about Peptide Therapy for Weight Loss
Obesity and diabetes cases are high in the U.S. and rising on a daily basis because of the American lifestyle and poor diet choices. Hormone imbalance may also contribute to weight challenges. The most recent drug that has been FDA approved for weight loss is a GLP-1 peptide called Tirzepatide-mounjaro (name brand). Another GLP-1 peptide that often is used for diabetic patients is semaglutide, name brand Ozempic, which also has been shown to lower hemoglobin A1c blood tests, balance blood … [Read more...] about Understanding the Hype about Peptide Therapy for Weight Loss