The treatment of age-related disorders is a complicated branch of medicine that has the potential to touch almost every aspect of how we live. Though the unfortunate reality of life is that as we grow older, our health tends to decline, it is also true that the degree of that decline is partially within our control. In fact, many people are surprised to learn just how much we can do to mitigate the age-related deterioration of our health. What’s more, this ability to remain healthy in old age is greatly helped along by the care of a skilled physician. To learn more on this subject, we sought out Dr. Dov Rand, a noted practitioner in the field of anti-aging. By exploring some of the ways in which he and his staff treat patients at his practice, you’ll gain a better insight into the tactics modern medicine can use to help fight the ravages of age.
Overview of conditions treated
It’s no exaggeration to say that most elements of human health can be affected by the age of a patient. From this perspective, almost any malady can be considered to be either caused by age, or at the very least complicated by it. Though this is important to keep in mind, as it can affect the larger picture of a person’s health, it is also true that some conditions are more related to age than others. There are also of course some conditions that present in elderly populations, such as Alzheimer’s, that are rare or non-existent in younger populations.
In contrast, there are many conditions that can commonly present at early stages in life but that may get worse with age, especially if left untreated. In these areas, the doctor and his staff have plenty of tools to help patients regain control of their health and combat illness. By focusing on getting a handle on these types of disorders early in a person’s life, either through prevention or proactive treatment, patients find that they can often diminish many of the negative effects of aging that might otherwise be felt.
Examples of the above types of conditions that are treated at the doctor’s practice include depression, anxiety, low libido, insomnia, and fatigue. These types of disorders are notably complicated in nature, due to a large list of possible causes, and cannot typically be entirely attributed to age. Therefore treatment of these conditions requires an approach that is tailored to the needs and profile of each individual patient. This kind of integrative approach, which relies on evidence-based medicine from a variety of emerging sources, is a specialty of Dr. Dov Rand and the staff at his practice, the Healthy Aging Medical Centers.
Important role of hormones
Our bodies undergo a number of changes as we age, making it sometimes difficult to pin down exactly what it is about aging that exacerbates or causes certain illnesses. For instance, many people find that the level of fatty tissue in their body increases as they age, which is often seen as a precursor to cardiovascular disease or certain negative neurological events, like having a stroke. This, of course, can be mitigated through lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise, but is sometimes not wholly in a person’s control.
A similar analysis can be made for a number of different factors of aging such as bone density or neurological health. As these disparate factors begin to compound, the question emerges as to what degree they interact with one another to produce the collective deterioration commonly seen as people age. This is one of the prime reasons that the science of combatting aging is necessarily nuanced and focused on many different aspects of health at once. However, there is one issue that seems to present in the majority of people as they grow older that has the potential to explain many of the negative effects of aging — changes in hormone levels.
Hormones are substances produced by our body that are designed to stimulate a wide range of actions across different bodily systems. Even slight changes in the levels of these hormones can have severe ramifications for our body. For instance, elevated levels of cortisol, a hormone often produced during times of stress, have been linked to increased risk of erectile dysfunction, heart attack, and even cancer. Conversely, decreased levels of sex hormones such as testosterone have been linked to conditions such as low libido and depression.
Hormone therapy to combat aging
Seeing the above severity of even slight changes in hormonal levels, it may come as no surprise that such shifts are one of the key factors that appear to contribute to aging in our bodies. As we age it appears that many hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone decrease causing a range of negative issues. In addition, some hormones such as cortisol and insulin increase, bringing with them their own difficulties.
These changes in hormone levels have become a particular focus for Dr. Dov Rand in his work to treat patients. Through attending conferences, reading extensively, and collaborating with other professionals in the field, he has worked to accumulate a large body of knowledge on the subject. This knowledge, underscored by scientific research, points to the conclusion that the ability to manipulate hormone levels in the human body may have far-reaching positive benefits for people suffering from age-related disorders.
This tactic for treating both chronic and acute conditions is in use by many in the medical establishment, though there is often a key difference in the treatments used by other doctors when compared to the work done at the Healthy Aging Medical Centers. For many medical practitioners, synthetic hormones are used to adjust hormone levels in a patient’s body. Though these chemicals can sometimes achieve the desired effect, their efficacy has often been called into question. In addition, synthetic hormones may actually be dangerous in some situations, causing more harm than they alleviate.
Instead of these synthetic hormones, the doctor opts to make use of bio-identical hormones when treating patients. These substances, which are derived from natural sources such as soy or yam, are created to be chemically identical to the hormones that our bodies produce when healthy. Bio-identical hormones are supplied by specialized pharmacies and are custom-tailored to an individual’s particular hormonal makeup. Typically these hormones are applied in the form of a cream or a capsule and are rarely administered via an injection. Patients usually tolerate bio-identical hormones extremely well, in part because the body tends to identify them as a product of its natural hormonal production.
Treatment of excessive bodyweight
Another key factor previously mentioned in the age-related decline of otherwise healthy individuals is the accumulation of excess fat as a person gets older. This process can be due to a number of different issues, such as the leading of a sedentary lifestyle, the excessive consumption of calorically-dense foods, or a lack of exercise. Whatever the reason, being overweight can be extremely detrimental to a person’s health and can greatly contribute to the cause and exacerbation of medical conditions.
One of the key tools that Dr. Dov Rand uses to help his patients reduce their bodyweight down to healthy levels is the human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG) diet. HCG is a hormone that is found in high levels in the female body during the early stages of pregnancy and is in fact often used as an indicator for pregnancy tests. The hormone also has a history of being used to treat fertility issues in both women and men.
The HCG diet used by the doctor and others is a weight loss program that entails the restriction of calorie consumption while also receiving supplemental doses of HCG. One of the benefits of the diet is that the hormone helps to suppress appetite so, despite the low levels of caloric intake, patients typically do not feel excessively hungry. This can help patients who have struggled with other diets in the past and may need help committing to consuming fewer calories in their daily life. HCG also has the benefit of preventing degenerative muscle deterioration while it is being supplemented. This helps patients on the diet target their weight loss more towards fat instead of muscle.
Patients on the HCG diet have reported a number of positive benefits that have helped to make the program well-received amongst those seeking a weight loss solution. Patients often report an increase in energy, allowing for participation in a greater amount of exercise. Another benefit of the diet is the departure from the “yo-yo” cycle of dieting that plagues so many other plans of this nature. Many patients find they are able to stick to this diet more easily than others they have tried in the past and as a result are able to see much more durable results in terms of their weight loss, mental health, and overall sense of wellbeing.
Alleviating erectile dysfunction
For men, another common affliction that tends to manifest alongside aging is erectile dysfunction. The condition, which affects over 40% of men at some point in their life, can stem from a variety of causes such as the cardiovascular system, neurological system, or musculature. In addition, the inability to achieve or maintain a healthy erection can have a severely detrimental effect on a number of different aspects of a man’s life. As sexual dissatisfaction increases, the tendency for depression and increased levels of stress and anxiety kicks in. This points to the idea of erectile dysfunction being a very real danger to a man’s overall wellbeing.
While many doctors reflexively turn to prescription drugs such as Viagra and Cialis to treat this condition, Dr. Dov Rand seeks out treatments that can go beyond the simplistic “pill for ill” approach. The reason for this is, in part, that these prescription drugs only seek to alleviate symptoms while leaving underlying causes intact. As such, the root cause of a problem may continue and eventually reemerge should the prescription drugs lose their efficacy.
One of the ways that the doctor treats patients with erectile dysfunction is through the above-mentioned bio-identical hormone therapy. Since the decreased levels of testosterone that often accompany aging have the common side effect of provoking erectile dysfunction, the administration of bio-identical hormones can help to reverse this condition. As touched on previously, the use of bio-identical hormones over synthetic hormones helps to reduce side effects and achieve superior results in many patients.
Another therapy employed by the doctor and the staff at his practice is the use of the GAINSWave method. This procedure involves repeatedly applying shockwaves directly to a man’s penis over the course of multiple short sessions. These applications have been shown to stimulate the vascular function of the penis and help repair old and damaged blood vessels in the region. In addition, the therapy can promote the growth of new blood vessels and general improve blood flow, which is necessary for a man to achieve and maintain an erection.
IV Nutrient Therapy
A variety of issues in otherwise healthy individuals can be traced back to deficiencies or imbalances in vitamins and nutrients. By addressing these imbalances, via intravenous supplementation, health professionals can help patients overcome these issues and boost immune function to allow the body to fight off illnesses on its own. This type of therapy can prove more effective than orally taking vitamins due in part to the way it places needed nutrients directly into the bloodstream.
This process of supplying patients with nutrients through the use of IV therapy helps to circumvent what is known as the “first pass effect.” Since oral supplementation must first pass through the digestive system and liver, by the time the nutrients reach the bloodstream their potency has been greatly reduced. Administering nutrients directly into the bloodstream in the manner performed at the Healthy Aging Medical Centers is an effective means of doing away with this potency-reducing process. Balancing bodily nutrients like this can help alleviate a number of conditions including IBS, chronic fatigue syndrome, hypertension, and fibromyalgia.
Emphasis on healthy eating
Though much of the work done at the doctor’s practice takes advantage of emerging trends in scientific research, there is still a strong focus on many tried and true methods of practicing preventative medicine that have been known for generations. One of the most potent methods of preventative medicine available to the health-conscious person is to engage in good practices related to their diet. By properly incorporating modern knowledge on healthy eating into their daily lives, patients can seek to spend more time enjoying their health and less time worrying about it in the first place.
When it comes to dietary recommendations, much of the information the doctor passes along to his patients is based on the scientific understanding of the importance of consuming a variety of fresh whole foods. The importance of eating many different types of fruits and vegetables is paramount to keeping our bodily systems functioning optimally. The cancer-fighting antioxidants found in these types of foods are another important consideration for patients seeking to live their most healthy lives.
In addition to the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption, other points of emphasis from the doctor are the need for portion control and the health benefits of a diet rich in whole grains. When patients do indulge in less-than-healthy foods, the doctor recommends keeping portions small. Being cognizant of not indulging in these types of foods too often is another key takeaway for patients seeking the doctor’s help in this area.
Exercise as preventive medicine
The significance of proper levels of exercise is also an important factor in maintaining a healthy body and mind. Regular cardiovascular exercise helps to stave off cancer, keep our hearts functioning properly, and avoid depression. Regular cardiovascular exercise will also help patients keep their weight in check which will ultimately help reduce chronic pain in their back and joints in addition to improving self-esteem.
Regular strength training is also emphasized by the doctor to help patients feel their best into old age. By engaging in regular strength training, patients can work to improve bone density which can help to avoid the disastrous effects of an accidental fall, such as a broken hip. Maintaining a well-developed musculature can also help to encourage high levels of beneficial hormones, such as testosterone in men. In the areas of both diet and exercise, the doctor works to act as a role model for patients, maintaining his own focus on keeping his body in peak condition.
Though keeping patients healthy as they age is a complicated matter, it is a pursuit that is attainable for doctors that are well-versed in a variety of areas of health and science. The focus that Dr. Dov Rand exhibits in researching scientific literature and attending professional conferences helps greatly in this area. The methods summarized above are just some of the fruits of the labors undertaken by the doctor and his staff towards keeping their patients healthy as they progress through the many phases of life.
More about Dr. Dov Rand at https://harcourthealth.com/how-does-dr-dov-rand-treat-erectile-dysfunction/