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Dr. Laurie Mischley
Dr. Leanna Standish
Dr. Chris Holder
Dr. Michelle Sexton
Cancer
Diabetes
Heart Disease
Hepatitis C
Neurological Disorders
Psychiatric Disorders
Prevention
Research
Naturopathic Physicians
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COMPREHENSIVE NATURAL MEDICINE FOR HEPATITIS C
The physicians at the Seattle Integrative Medicine help patients evaluate which therapies might benefit them the most, including conventional and holistic approaches. Assessing appropriate therapy involves evaluating a myriad of factors including: a detailed review of biopsy results, liver function tests, subtype (genotype) of the virus, viral load and the length of infection. This decision also involves evaluation of the personal history of the patient (such as a history of anemia or depression), the patient's current symptoms, the goals and philosophy of the patient and the timing of conventional therapy if chosen. We help educate patients about the full range of options available to them. In some cases, interferon/ribavirin therapy is the most appropriate choice and for others it is simply not an option. For these patients, a personalized approach using natural medicines may be the best choice.
INDIVIDUALIZED NATURAL TREATMENTS FOR PEOPLE WITH HEPATITIS C
Hepatitis C is a serious chronic condition, but it needs to be evaluated in context, and therapy should be individualized for each patient. We individualize treatment for each patient. Using botanical medicines, nutrients, diet and lifestyle therapy, the main focus of a natural medicine approach to chronic hepatitis C is to reduce the cycle of inflammation in the liver that can lead to fibrosis and cirrhosis, the latter of which is a major risk factor in the development of liver cancer.
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WHO DO WE TREAT?
- People who are newly diagnosed with hepatitis C who want to understand all of their options.
- People who have been treated with interferon/ribavirin with no sustained viral response.
- People concerned about the side effects of conventional therapy for hepatitis C.
- People who want to keep their livers healthy until a better conventional therapy becomes available.
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SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
Phone: 206.525.8012
Email: info@seattleintegrativemedicine.com |
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COMMUNICATION IS ESSENTIAL
We communicate with your hepatologist and other members of your health care team. In this way, we utilize the best therapies from both conventional and alternative medicine to integrate your care.
U.H.C. IS THE LARGEST CLINIC DEVOTED TO HOLISTIC CARE FOR HEPATITIS C
Research on alternative therapies for hepatitis C is crucial. With over one hundred hepatitis C positive patients thus far, the Hepatitis C Clinic at the U.H.C. is the largest clinic in the Northwest devoted to holistic care for people with hepatitis C. We are in a unique position to gather data on the effectiveness of alternative approaches to hepatitis C, and analyze the impact of these therapies in terms of liver function as well as quality of life. We are currently engaged in this research. Dr. Standish is also collaborating with researchers at the University of Washington Hepatology Clinic on a study to evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized milk thistle extract (silymarin) in patients with hepatitis C. The N.I.H. (National Institutes of Health) Division of Alternative Medicine is funding this study.
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Did You Know?
Vitamin E has been shown to significantly reduce liver enzymes in patients with hepatitis C who have not responded to interferon therapy.
Von Herbay A., Vitamin E improves the aminotransferase status of patients suffering from viral hepatitis C: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Free Radic Res. 1997 Dec;27(6):599-605.
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Did You Know?
Deficiency of the mineral selenium can contribute to the development of liver cancer in patients with hepatitis C.
Yu MW, Plasma selenium levels and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma among men with chronic hepatitis virus infection. Am J Epidemiol. 1999 Aug 15;150(4):367-74.
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Did You Know?
Obesity can contribute to the progression of liver fibrosis (scarring) in patients with hepatitis C.
Ortiz V., Contribution of obesity to hepatitis C-related fibrosis progression. Am J Gastroenterol. 2002 Sep;97(9):2408-14.
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