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Fatigue: The Pervasive Problem WhichMust Be Examined Carefully SBWe have all experienced fatigue, from over work, staying up too late, and just plain not sleeping well due to many causes. But what about fatigue that persists? Comprehensive labs may hold the answer and guide an intervention.A peri-menopausal patient came to my office with the complaint, “Too tired to do anything”. At first, she seemed to fit the category of simply doing too much. She owned 2 companies, had 2 children and a husband who loved her. She said that on weekends if at all possible, she stayed in bed. She no longer accompanied her husband on company social events. She was typical of the person who takes care of the whole world, while neglecting herself— her husband had actually demanded she do “something,” and her friends recommended me,She had not seen a physician in several years. She had periods which lasted 10 days and were “heavy”. The medical definition of a “heavy period” is using 20 products or more per cycle. She told me she easily met those criteria.Her labs revealed striking iron deficiency. I explained to her that it was probably due to her excessive flow, but that she needed to see gastroenterologist to make sure she didn’t have bleeding from her colon. I also ordered a pelvic sonogram to rule out a bulky fibroid as the cause of the excessive periods. I explained to her that iron carries oxygen to all the body, and without enough carriers of oxygen, her body had no energy.I prescribed a type of iron combined with vitamin C to enhance absorption. IHave You Heard Of Cervicogenic Headaches?y Dr. Donna Beckerymptoms of a cervicogenic headache often include unilateral pain. This means it occurs onlygave her progesterone in a cyclic fashion, less the first 2 weeks of her cycle and more the last 2 weeks. I prescribed vaginally applied testosterone.As always, laboratory analysis guides therapy. Mood disorders may be a cause of fatigue, but again, the doctor should first rule out a treatable cause. Low thyroid? Sleep Apnea? Or, poor sleep which may be due to lack of progesterone. Labs help the doctor find and treat the cause of pervasive fatigue.Dr. Donna Becker, practicing physician for over 30 yrs. Residency trained in Emergency Medicine, Certification in Advanced Bio- Identical Hormone Replacement with World Link Medical (not recognized by TX board of Specialties). Call for a free 15 min. appointment.Dr Donna BeckerSpecializes in anti-aging & health maintenance medicine.(210) 545-5224 www.antiagingsa.comon one side of the head or face. The pain is steady and does not throb and may last for hours or days. The pain also can stay in one spot, like the back, front or side of the head or eye, says WebMD. Often people with cervicogenic headaches experience stiffness in the neck or a reduced range of motion in the neck. They may also have pain in the arm or shoulder. Additional symptoms can mimic those of migraines and may include feeling sick to one’s stomach and feeling sick or uncomfortable in bright light or with loud noises.A cervicogenic headache may be caused by whiplash or another injury to the neck. It also can occur with problems in the neck joints, such as arthritis. Cervicogenic headache also happens from holding the head in a less-than-desirable posture, such as something called “forward head motion.”This puts extra weight on the neck and upper back. Forward head motion has become prolific as people spend more time looking at computer and phone screens.Adjusting posture may help. However, if the pain persists, a doctor may prescribe imaging to determine if there are any abnormalities in the neck or brain.Sometimes doctors will inject a nerve block into the neck as a diagnostic tool. If the pain goes away, it means the headache is neck-related. The doctor may then come up with a treatment plan that includes physical therapy, continued nerve blocks, pain medication or muscle relaxers, or even surgery.Cervicogenic headaches stem from the neck but refer pain to the head and face.Get Your Life Back with All NaturalHormonesFocus of Treatment:• Weight Loss• Hot Flashes• Vaginal Dryness• Insomnia• Loss of Libido• Thyroid Issues• Erectile Dysfunction• Weakness• Brain Fog• Vitamin Deficiencies• Bone Loss• Men & Women Anti-AgingEnhancement of Life CenterCall to schedule yourFREE consultation!(210) 545-522414603 Huebner Rd., Ste. 2601 (Huebner & NW Military)Dr. Donna BeckerTreatment Plan Includes:• 3 pages of Blood Work• Detailed Analysis• Individualized Treatments.Forest Hills Presbyterian Church Welcomes The New Leadership Rev. Patrick DennisSTubmitted By FHPChe Forest Hills Presbyterian Church family welcomes the new leadership of Rev. Patrick Dennisto their staff as Interim Pastor. His first Sunday was May 5.Pastor Dennis will provide spiritual guidance to the congregation for at least one year. He will help to ensure that the Pastor Nominating Committee develops a Mission Discernment Profile to be used in their search for a permanent pastor.“I believe that God has given me the gift of compassion,” Rev. Dennis said. “I have learned how to use my gifts in pastoral ministry with active listening.”A graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, Pastor Dennis served churches in Virginia for 15 years and currently also serves as a chaplain at Morningside Ministries at Menger Springs in Boerne.Pastor Dennis and his wife Sarah, who is also in ministry, have three young childrenand two Golden Retrievers.Forest Hills’services are at 10:30 am eachSunday at 13200 Bandera Rd in Helotes. Other FHPC ministries include Coffee and Conversation on Tuesday mornings at 9 am, Vacation Bible school, July 15-18, women’s Bible study, Habitat for Humanity, and monthly lunch gatherings.Learn more about our Forest Hills community at FHPConline.org, or call 210- 695-3123.June 2024www.heloteshighlights.com9