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Metabolic Syndrome:
Metabolic syndrome is a complex health condition that affects an estimated 25% of Americans - possibly more. It refers to a cluster of symptoms characterized by varying degrees of glucose intolerance, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, high blood insulin levels, and obesity - all of which are risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). In fact, metabolic syndrome and its associated risk factors are equivalent to cigarette smoking as contributor to premature CHD. Furthermore, it is estimated that 25% or more of individuals with metabolic syndrome will develop type 2 diabetes.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the chances of developing metabolic syndrome increase if you have three or more of the following symptoms:

-A family history of type 2 diabetes and/or metabolic syndrome
-Waist measurements greater than 40 inches for men and greater than 35 inches for women
-Levels of triglycerides of 150 mg/dL or greater
-Low levels of HDL-cholesterol (less than 40 mg/dL in men and less than 50 mg/dL in women)
-Blood pressure above 135/80
-Fasting blood sugar levels above 110 mg/dL (mg of glucose in 1 deciliter of blood)

Experts say that metabolic syndrome is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. Obesity, a lack of exercise, and improper nutrition appear to play significant roles in the development of metabolic syndrome.

Diabetes mellitus:
Glucose (a type of sugar) is the basic fuel that all cells in the body use to make energy. Optimal health depends on balanced levels of glucose in the blood. The body maintains healthy levels of blood glucose by secreting a hormone called insulin.

Chronically high levels of blood glucose can result in the development of type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus. Type 1 diabetes - also known as juvenile onset diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes - occurs when the pancreas produces insufficient amounts of insulin to regulate blood sugar levels appropriately. Type 2 diabetes - also known as adult onset diabetes or noninsulin-dependent diabetes - occurs when insulin produced by the body does not work effectively. There are several symptoms associated with both types of diabetes, including:

-Increased urination
-Dehydration
-Excessive intake of water and/or food
-Weight loss (despite increased appetite)
-Nausea
-Vomiting
-Abdominal pain or discomfort
-Weakness or excessive fatigue
-Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation)
-Blurred or poor vision
-Irritability, restlessness, or carelessness
-Increased susceptibility to infection and/or poor wound healing
-Impotence

Diabetes is a serious condition that can result in blindness, kidney disease, nerve disease, heart disease, and stroke. Fortunately, individuals with diabetes can significantly improve their health through dietary changes, increased exercise, and other functional medicine approaches.

Amenorrhea:
Amenorrhea is a term used to describe the cessation of menstruation. When a female reaches the age of 16 and has not yet menstruated, she may be diagnosed with primary amenorrhea. Secondary amenorrhea may be diagnosed when a female has not menstruated for three to six months or longer. The causes of amenorrhea can range from a mild condition, such as pregnancy, to a severe medical problem, such as a pituitary tumor.
The following factors can cause amenorrhea:
-Pregnancy
-Hormone imbalance
-Oral contraceptives
-Thyroid dysfunction
-Eating disorder (i.e., anorexia, bulimia)
-Rigorous exercise training
-Chronic illness
-Stress
-Medication (e.g., antidepressant, thyroid)
-Pituitary tumor

Dysmenorrhea:
Dysmenorrhea - or painful menstruation - affects approximately 40% of menstruating women to some degree, and is one of the leading causes for women to be absent from work, school, or other engagements. Dysmenorrhea is generally classified as either primary or secondary:

1. Primary dysmenorrhea is characterized by frequent and severe menstrual cramps that usually occur by age 20 and often decrease with age or after childbirth.
2. Secondary dysmenorrhea is characterized by painful menstruation that often occurs later in life and is caused by an underlying gynecological condition. Possible causes of secondary dysmenorrhea include:
-Endometriosis
-Pelvic inflammatory disease
-Uterine fibroids
-Abnormal pregnancy
-I nfection
-Surgical complications

Women who smoke, drink alcohol, are overweight, have a family history of dysmenorrhea, or began menstruating prior to age 11 are at increased risk for developing dysmenorrhea.

Endometriosis:
Endometriosis is a gynecological disease that affects the lining of the uterus, or endometrial tissue. Normally, the endometrial tissue is inside the uterus and comes out with menstrual flow. In cases of endometriosis, the endometrial tissue grows on the surface of other organs in the pelvic or abdominal area where it is not supposed to grow, which can cause swelling, scar tissue, and bleeding. An estimated 5.5 million women in the United States alone have endometriosis, making it one of the most common gynecological diseases.

Common symptoms of endometriosis include:
-Extremely painful menstruation
-Heavy menstrual flow
-Bleeding other than regular menstruation
-Constant pelvic pain
-Severe cramping or pain during intercourse
-Painful bowel movements or urination during menstruation
-Intestinal or stomach disorder
-Fatigue
-Infertility

Infertility:
Infertility is a disorder of the reproductive system that impairs the body's ability to conceive a child. It is different from sterility, which is the inability to conceive a child due to a physical problem. While infertility makes conception more of a challenge, it is not altogether impossible. Infertility may be diagnosed when a couple is unable to conceive after trying for one year. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, an estimated 6.1 million Americans are affected by infertility. This number equates to approximately 10% of the reproductive age population.
Roughly estimated, infertility affects one-third of women and one-third of men in infertile couples. The remaining one-third is generally unexplained.

Factors known to contribute to infertility include:
-Women
-Ovulation disorder
-Blocked fallopian tubes
-Pelvic inflammatory disease
-Endometriosis
-Birth defect
-Uterine fibroids

Men:
-Impotence
-Low sperm count (can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption, heavy marijuana or prescription drug use, smoking, and/or genetic predisposition)
-Malformed sperm cells
-Sperm die quickly
-Blockage in testicle
-Birth defect
-Spinal cord injury
-Autoimmune disease
-Genetic disease (e.g., cystic fibrosis, chromosomal abnormality)

Menopause-Perimenopause:
Menopause is a normal biological event that marks the end of the reproductive years. It is the final stage of a gradual process that is defined by the lack of menstruation for 12 months or longer. Menopause generally occurs between the ages of 51 to 55, however, age of onset may vary depending on the individual. The phase just prior to menopause in which menstruation is irregular and symptoms begin is referred to as perimenopause. Approximately 85% of perimenopausal women begin experiencing menopause-like symptoms.

Common perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms include:
-Hot flashes
-Night sweats
-Insomnia
-Mood changes (e.g., depression, irritability, anxiety)
-Loss of skin elasticity that causes wrinkles
-Weight gain in the abdominal area
-Headaches
-Vaginal dryness

Aside from bothersome symptoms, menopausal women are also at increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Careful preventative measures such as a heart-healthy diet, vitamin/mineral supplementation, and moderate exercise are suggested.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is often prescribed to women during this life transition. Unfortunately, long-term use of HRT has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and may not help prevent heart disease as previously thought. Natural approaches to relief of perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms have little or no adverse side effects and have become more widely accepted.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID):
Pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, is an infection of the female reproductive organs that can affect the uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix, and/or ovaries. It is usually transmitted through sexual contact, but may also develop naturally when vaginal bacteria are spread by insertion of a contraceptive device or through a gynecological procedure, such as an intrauterine device (IUD) or abortion. In the United States alone, approximately one million women are treated for PID each year.
Signs and symptoms of PID can include:
-Aches or pains in the abdomen, pelvis, or lower back
-Abnormal menstrual bleeding
-Vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor
-Painful urination
-Diarrhea
-Painful intercourse
-Fever
-Nausea
-Fatigue

These symptoms can range from mild to severe, and some women may not experience any symptoms at all. Even when there are no symptoms, PID can cause serious, irreversible damage to the reproductive organs and can increase the risk of infertility. In some cases, women who do become pregnant may have an ectopic pregnancy?or pregnancy in the fallopian tubes?which can be life threatening. Other long-term problems caused by PID may include frequent illness, chronic pain, or physical disability.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is characterized by a variety of physical or emotional symptoms that occur from two to 14 days before menstruation and usually end once menstruation begins. These symptoms usually occur in a predictable pattern and can range from mild to severe. Though PMS is more common in women during their twenties and thirties, it can occur in menstruating women of any age.
Signs and symptoms of PMS may include one or more of the following:
-Fluid retention or weight gain
-Breast tenderness or pain
-Mood swings or irritability
-Difficulty concentrating
-Nausea or vomiting
-Skin conditions
-Fatigue
-Changes in libido
-Food cravings
-Depression
-Tension or anxiety
-Headache or backache
-Joint or body aches
-Abdominal cramps or bloating

Basic lifestyle changes in regards to diet, exercise, and relaxation may help you to better manage your PMS symptoms. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and excessive consumption of salt. In addition, get plenty of sleep and engage in a routine exercise program that best suits your lifestyle. Your healthcare provider can help you with a more comprehensive program that may include complementary therapies.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH):
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition in which benign (noncancerous) growths cause swelling of the prostate gland. According to the National Institutes of Health, BPH is extremely common and is present in 80% of men over 40 years of age. While less than half of all men diagnosed with BPH experience symptoms associated with BPH, they can include:
-Increased urinary frequency or sudden urge to urinate (including the need to urinate two or three times a night)
-Difficult or painful urination
-Slowed or delayed start of the urinary stream
-Decreased urinary stream
-Blood in the urine
-Incontinence

While the actual cause is unknown, researchers speculate that the following may play a role in the onset of BPH:
-Genetic predisposition
-Advanced age
-Having normal functioning testicles (men who have had their testicles removed do not develop BPH)
-Excess testosterone or dihydrotestosterone - a chemical produced by the breakdown of testosterone in the body
-Certain over-the-counter or prescription drugs for allergies and the common cold have been shown to worsen BPH symptoms

Treatment of BPH generally depends on the age and overall health of the affected patient. Many cases of BPH clear up by themselves. If you are diagnosed with BPH, it is important to have regular check-ups to ensure healthy prostate functioning. Your functional medicine practitioner may recommend certain nutritional and herbal remedies - including zinc, saw palmetto, and stinging nettle - to support prostate health.

Infertility:
Infertility is a disorder of the reproductive system that impairs the body's ability to conceive a child. It is different from sterility, which is the inability to conceive a child due to a physical problem. While infertility makes conception more of a challenge, it is not altogether impossible. Infertility may be diagnosed when a couple is unable to conceive after trying for one year. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, an estimated 6.1 million Americans are affected by infertility. This number equates to approximately 10% of the reproductive age population.
Roughly estimated, infertility affects one-third of women and one-third of men in infertile couples. The remaining one-third is generally unexplained.
Factors known to contribute to infertility include:
-Women
-Ovulation disorder
-Blocked fallopian tubes
-Pelvic inflammatory disease
-Endometriosis
-Birth defect
-Uterine fibroids

Men:
-Impotence
-Low sperm count (can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption, heavy marijuana or prescription drug use, smoking, and/or genetic predisposition)
-Malformed sperm cells
-Sperm die quickly
-Blockage in testicle
-Birth defect
-Spinal cord injury
-Autoimmune disease
-Genetic disease (e.g., cystic fibrosis, chromosomal abnormality)

Conventional approaches for the treatment of infertility may include prescription medication or surgical repair of the reproductive organs, depending on the underlying cause. Nutritional supplements that support reproductive health may also be beneficial in certain cases.

Prostatitis:
Prostatitis refers to inflammation of the prostate gland. While usually caused by certain type(s) of bacteria, a non-bacterial form of prostatitis also exists. According to the National Institutes of Health, 35% of men over the age of 50 have prostatitis. Prostatitis symptoms often include:
-Recurrent urinary tract infections
-Frequent urination
-Urination accompanied by pain or burning
-Decreased urinary stream
-Fever and/or chills
-Painful ejaculation
-Blood in the urine
-Blood in the semen
-Sexual dysfunction
-Pain in the abdomen, lower back, penis, pelvis, or perineum (lining of the pelvic area)

There are several risk factors associated with prostatitis, including:
Recent urinary tract infection
-Sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia
-Having unprotected sex
-Having sex with multiple partners
-Trauma to the prostate area
-Smoking
-Excess alcohol consumption
-Advanced age