Baltimore fibromyalgia specialist, Eric Nager, M.D. offers Baltimore - Washington DC Metro patients cutting-edge fibromyalgia treatments using functional medicine and customizable bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
Fibromyalgia most commonly affects women in their 50s and 60s and causes a wide range of potentially debilitating symptoms. It can also be very difficult to diagnose and is often misdiagnosed or misunderstood. Fibromyalgia causes a variety of symptoms however the most disruptive symptom of fibromyalgia is the widespread body pain that affects muscles and joints.
Are you dealing with fibromyalgia? You are not alone. Eric Nager, M.D. of OptiHealth Institute understands how challenging this condition can be, and is here to help reduce pain, inflammation, fatigue and other difficult symptoms of the condition that disrupt your life. Baltimore - Washington DC Metro fibromyalgia specialist at OptiHealth Institute treats patients in Baltimore with personalized treatments designed specifically for their unique symptoms – offering safe, natural, non-invasive fibromyalgia relief that is backed up by science and experience. Eric Nager, M.D. of OptiHealth Institute invites you to find out more about functional medicine and discover a path towards managing your fibromyalgia effectively and naturally so that you can live your life without fibromyalgia pain.
Call (443) 737-4456 to speak with Eric Nager, M.D. of OptiHealth Institute to schedule your fibromyalgia consultation today!
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Eric Nager, M.D. of OptiHealth Institute is dedicated to helping Baltimore patients with fibromyalgia by focusing on reducing inflammation, pain, and other uncomfortable symptoms. Fibromyalgia specialist, Eric Nager, M.D. offers numerous non-invasive therapies that help improve fibromyalgia symptoms safely and effectively.
About Fibromyalgia
Conventional medicine often offers those suffering with fibromyalgia few–if any–solutions. Typically heavy painkillers are prescribed to battle the effects of this syndrome.
Hormones play a vital role in pain management. Research is being done to discover how certain hormones–such as pregnenolone, DHEA, and testosterone–may influence the nervous system and pain receptors.
- Pregnenolone influences the nervous system and works with neurotransmitters to increase calmness.
- DHEA reduces inflammation.
- Testosterone can work with neurotransmitters to reduce the transmission of pain signals.
Keeping hormones balanced to maintain adequate levels can help suffering clients to potentially reduce existing symptoms of fibromyalgia and prevent other symptoms from occurring.
Diagnosing Fibromyalgia
The main symptoms of Fibromyalgia—pain and fatigue—are shared among numerous other conditions. Currently, there is no specific laboratory or image testing that can be done to diagnose Fibromyalgia. The primary factor of a Fibromyalgia diagnosis is widespread pain throughout the body for a minimum of 3 months. To qualify as widespread pain, an individual must have pain in at least 4 of the 5 areas of the body. These areas include:
- Left and Right Upper Region
- Left and Right Lower Region
- Axial Region (neck, back, chest, abdomen)
In addition to pinpointing areas of pain, doctors will most likely work to rule out other serious conditions that share symptoms of pain and fatigue. This process involves doctors looking through an individual’s family medical history, performing a physical exam, and blood testing. Once other conditions are eliminated, Fibromyalgia can be diagnosed.
Find Answers To Frequently Asked Questions About BHRT
Beginning a Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) protocol typically comes with several questions. We’ve gathered some of the most common questions related to starting BHRT and answered them here below. If you have any further questions or need any clarification, please contact Dr. Eric Nager at (443) 737-4456.
How Is BHRT Different From Regular HRT?
The main difference between bioidentical HRT and other forms of HRT is the kind of hormones that are used. In regular HRT, the synthetic hormones used contain additional chemical components that allow the drug manufacturers to patent their chemicals. At best, these added components do nothing for you. At worst, your body may recognize them as foreign chemicals and they may cause unpleasant side effects.
In BHRT, the hormones used are bioidentical, which means that they are the exact chemical structure as the hormones naturally produced in your body. This means there is no risk of your body not accepting them. Plus, they are derived from natural plant sources such as yams and soy.
Can I Buy Bioidentical Hormones Online?
While you may find websites claiming to sell bioidentical hormones, there are many risks involved in purchasing hormones online. First, it is often difficult to trace the origin of these products, meaning they may not be regulated for accuracy. This leads into the second problem, which is that it is very hard to be sure of the ingredients of these products. You may not be getting hormones at all!
Even if you find legitimate bioidentical hormones online, without seeing a doctor you can’t know for certain which hormones you need, what dose you need them in and what form of BHRT will work best for you. Here at Dr. Eric Nager, you will receive proper care and treatment while experiencing minimal side effects.
What Form Does BHRT Come In?
Bioidentical hormones are prepared by a compounding pharmacy where they are produced into several forms including: pills, patches, subdermal pellets, creams, injections and more. Everyone responds to these various forms differently, and your BHRT doctor can help find the form that will most benefit you and your body.
What Is The Cost Of BHRT?
The cost of BHRT varies by the hormones needed, the doses needed, the form of BHRT, and the length of time that you receive treatment. For a more accurate quote, please call Dr. Eric Nager at (443) 737-4456 to schedule a consultation.
Is BHRT Covered By My Insurance?
Because insurance plans and providers vary considerably, there is no way for us to provide a blanket statement. Your plan may cover BHRT under certain circumstances. The best course of action is to call Dr. Eric Nager at (443) 737-4456 to discuss whether we accept your current insurance plan and provider. After you call us, we recommend contacting your insurance provider as a follow-up to ensure that your treatment is covered or to discuss how your treatment may be covered.
Are Bioidentical Hormones Safe?
When prescribed and supervised by a BHRT doctor, BHRT is generally safe. Any risks or side effects associated with your particular treatment will be reviewed thoroughly before you begin BHRT.
What Conditions Are Treated With BHRT?
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy is used to treat a number of conditions caused by hormone imbalance or that result in hormone imbalance. In some cases, BHRT is used to treat the underlying condition while in others it is used to treat the symptoms. You can find some common conditions that BHRT may be used to treat listed above.
What If My Question Is Not Listed Here?
Patients often have a great many questions before beginning BHRT. We will be happy to answer any questions that you may have before, during and after treatment. Contact Dr. Eric Nager today with any further questions or to schedule your initial consultation.
Start Feeling Better With A Customized BHRT Plan Today!