The control of our Bladder and Bowels is a highly complex and coordinated system that runs from the highest parts of our brain to our brainstem and spinal cord and ends up in the bowel and bladder itself. Oftentimes, individuals with Bowel or Bladder disorders are only assessed for problems within the bowel and bladder without consideration for the nervous system control that is a vital part of the function of these organ systems.

 Functional Neurology may hold the key to assessment for the overall function of Bowel and Bladder disorders and applying treatment.

A skilled Functional Neurologist will perform a comprehensive history and examination to determine where problems may exist within the nervous system that may be causing a bowel or bladder disorder or contributing to the disorder. In addition, any other factors that might be affecting these conditions such as diabetes, anemia, inflammation, etc. will be addressed as the neurological systems are dependent on an appropriately functioning biochemical system to function properly.

• Incontinence
• Bladder Retention
• Chronic UTI's
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Spastic Colon
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

A Complex system of interaction exists between the human brain and regulation of our hormones. Conditions such as hypothyroid, hyperthyroid, and adrenal fatigue can have devastating effects on the human nervous system. More importantly, problems with the human nervous system can also have significant effects on these disorders as well.

In addition, the Immunological systems are also highly interactive with the Nervous system and Endocrine system. Therefore, it is important to assess all of these systems together in cases of Neuroendocrine disorders.

FUNCTIONAL NEUROLOGY holds the key to addressing problems with these disorders. In cases of problems with Neuroendocrine function, a skilled Functional Neurologist will perform a comprehensive history and examination that will indicate where problems may exist within these systems. Based on this information, an appropriate treatment can be developed to help with these disorders.

In addition, any other factors that might be affecting these conditions such as diabetes, anemia, inflammation, etc. will be addressed as the neurological systems are dependent on an appropriately functioning biochemical system to function properly.

• Thyroid
• Adrenal Fatigue
• Insufficiency

Many people suffer from a variety of cardiovascular related disorders. The first order of business is to make sure that there is no inherent problem with the heart or other cardiovascular structures.

However, the heart and cardiovascular system is highly regulated by the nervous system. This would make sense because the demands on our bodies that require fuel (blood) vary greatly with our everyday activities.

Therefore, we need a tight control over the cardiovascular system to meet those demands. It is reasonable to assume that if there are problems within the nervous system, we may also end up with problems in the cardiovascular system. If this is the case, a proper neurological assessment is also indicated and valuable with ongoing cardiovascular problems.

A skilled Functional Neurologist will perform a comprehensive history and examination that will indicate whether or not the nervous system is part of or generating any problems with cardiovascular function. This information will then be used to help design appropriate treatment recommendations in order to correct those problems

• Hypertension
• Hypotension
• POTS
• Tachycardia
• Bradycardia
• Arrhythmia

Current research indicates that the Nervous System, Immune System, and even the Endocrine (Hormonal) systems don’t operate independently of each other but rather, are intimately connected in their function and effect on each other. So what does this mean?

It means that immune conditions like Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, etc. are affected by the Nervous system and have effects on the human Nervous System. It means that problems with the Brain and Nervous System might have effects on Immunological conditions like Multiple Sclerosis including making an individual predisposed to the disease itself.

The interactions between these systems are much too complex to encompass here, but the implications are that all of these systems should be assessed together when inflammatory conditions are suspected. Functional Neurology is uniquely qualified to address the complexity of these NeuroInflammatory conditions.

In cases of problems with Neuroinflammation, a skilled Functional Neurologist will perform a comprehensive history and examination in order to determine where within these systems problems might be that can create or make conditions worse.

In addition, appropriate diagnostics such as blood analysis will be ordered when indicated to further the investigation. Based on this information, appropriate treatment measures can be developed for each individual that would give the best possible outcomes. In addition, any other factors that might be affecting these conditions such as diabetes, anemia, inflammation, etc. will be addressed as the neurological systems are dependent on an appropriately functioning biochemical system to operate properly.

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Autoimmunity
• Gluten Sensitivity
• Inflammatory Bowel Disorders

Seizures can come in many forms, from something as simple as the perception of an odor that is not present, to the significant grand mal type seizures most of us are familiar with that have loss of consciousness and significant movements of the body.

These neurological disorders are indicators of serious problems with the health and function of the brain. There are many factors that lead to a Seizure disorder, but at its most fundamental level there is a spontaneous activation of nerve cells which result in the symptoms of a seizure. This spontaneous activity indicates a level of instability in nerve cells and signals serious impairment to the health of the cells and the brain as a whole.

What can be done to help or fix these problems? Functional Neurology may have some of the answers that a person with seizures is looking for. In cases of problems with a Seizure Disorder, a skilled Functional Neurologist is well trained in evaluating the overall function of the brain.

Based on this information, an appropriate treatment program can be developed to help with Seizure disorders. In addition, any other factors that might be affecting these conditions such as diabetes, anemia, inflammation etc. will be addressed as the neurological systems are dependent on an appropriately functioning biochemical system to operate properly.

• Focal Seizure
• Tonic-Clonic (Grand-Mal)
• Absence (Petit-Mal)
• Complex Partial Seizure
• Simple Partial Seizure
• Partial Seizure
• Convulsion

Most of us have known or know of someone who has a neurodegenerative disorder like the ones listed above. These can be devastating to the afflicted individual as well family and friends involved.

Not only traumatic, but many of these degenerative disorders start years and even decades prior to the actual diagnosis which usually occurs when some of the more advanced symptoms start to become present. Indicators of early onset of these disorders can include loss of sense of smell, shoulder pain, constipation, heart rate changes or arrhythmia's, balance difficulties, and a general slowing of movement. But what can done for these conditions?

Functional Neurology is well suited to assess and treat neurodegeneration. An appropriate history and examination will tell the Functional Neurologist not only what the problems may be but also what state of degeneration an individual might be in. This information will then be utilized to devise appropriate treatment measures that may help with the condition, and in some cases, help to slow the progression of the disease.

• Alzheimer's
• Multiple System Atrophy
• Parkinson's plus Syndromes
• Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy