Updates in Sleep Medicine: Pandemics, Procedures, and Pills

A broad survey of new or updated information in the world of sleep medicine over the last 5 years, including effects of the pandemic, new guidelines on the indications for and use of melatonin, advice on developing a more inclusive lens for sleep disorders (women, neurodivergent, genetic disorders, young children), updates on narcolepsy etiology and treatment, discussion of how we can influence societal/institutional factors that violate natural sleep architecture, and exploration of how sleep deprivation affects our relationships with each other at the levels of community and society.

The prevention, diagnosis and treatment Babesiosis, an emerging parasitic tick-borne disease.

Babesiosis is an emerging tick-borne disease caused by Babesia in the United States. Transmitted by blacklegged (Ixodes scapularis) ticks, the highest incidence of Babesiosis is seen in the Northeast and Midwest. The largest increase in incidence of Babesiosis in the United States from 2011-2019 occurred in Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire. It is well-known that cases of Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia bacterium, are also on the rise. Proficiency in the diagnosis and treatment of Babesiosis is essential because it is caused by the parasite Babesia and therefore requires different diagnostics and treatment from that of Lyme disease.

In this presentation, we will review the history and epidemiology of Babesiosis in the United States. We will discuss how to identify the Ixodes scapularis tick, the main vector of Babesia. We will discuss ways in which to prevent tick bites. The signs and symptoms of Babesiosis will be explained. Laboratory testing for the identification of Babesia will be reviewed. Pharmaceutical therapeutics used in the treatment of Babesiosis such as atovaquone and azithromycin will be reviewed along with contraindications, side effects, interactions and required monitoring. Emerging treatments like high dose pulsed dapsone will be described. Natural therapies will be discussed including contraindications, side effects, interactions with pharmaceutical medications and required monitoring. Recent research on botanical medicine such as cryptolepis and its clinical use will be discussed. Clinical pearls regarding critical thinking and decision making as well as the medical management of a patient with Babesiosis will be shared.

The Components of Digestion and Their Respective Interventions

Digestion is the mother of the body. In common medicine, the role of digestion is discounted and the treatments tends to be suppressive. Digestion is a complex interaction of nerve function, hormones, acid, enzymes, immune system, bacteria and delicate linings. Naturopathic doctors must understand and treat digestion, to optimize health and remove obstacles to healing. Dr. Steve Clark's goal is to empower Naturopathic Doctors to improve their digestive treatments and help our patients be more healthy and comfortable. This session will include a review of all the steps in digestion. The remainder will be a detailed understanding of interventions for each level of the digestive process including prescriptions, nutraceuticals and herbs. The ability to improve digestion and empower patients is one of our greatest strengths!

Postbiotcs + the Microbiome: Why You Need to Care

The microbiome plays a critical role in the health and happiness of our patient populations. As naturopathic doctors, we know the gut is the center of health, and at that center resides an organ system called the microbiome. This organ system has mass implications to health and is under constant attack via environmental and medical exposures (pesticides and pharmaceutical medications). What we do to support, restore, and regain health in the microbiomes of our patients is imperative to their success and health outcomes. Many of us are aware of probiotics, and some are even up to speed on the data using fecal transplant as a restoration tactic, but what if it's simpler than that? What if our theories around diet have been true all along, and the diversity we challenge our patients to achieve, is at the heart of feeding this pertinent organ system that ultimately feeds and nourishes our body? The heart of naturopathy lies within the mystery of the human microbiome, and the approach we often take, perturbs the biome. I'd like to propose a different way. Let's work to restore these biomes, exalt them rather than demonize a few bad actors. The purpose of my talk will be to provide a better understanding of the microbiome, its impact on health, and how we as providers can create better health outcomes working with, not against, this beautiful organ system.

Bonus Pre-Conference Keynote

Case Management of Menopause in Special Populations

Hysterectomy; Surgical Menopause; POI; Breast and Endometrial Cancer Patients.

Women that fall into any of these circumstances require a different and specialized approach with select considerations in regards to indications, cautions, contraindications for hormone therapy. Many questions that will be answered include: Is it safe to use vaginal estrogen in breast and endometrial cancer patients? Do I need to prescribe progesterone with estrogen in women with no uterus? Should women with no ovaries get estrogen therapy? What are the special risks for women with surgical menopause and POI?

Emotional Adhesions: When Trauma is Held in our Fascia

This lecture will look at the ways our body can hold onto trauma and its impact on the fascial system. Pain is one of the most common problems we see in modern medicine. When we experience emotional, physical, or psychological trauma our bodies go into survival mode (aka sympathetic over-drive). When our nervous system is in survival mode it will hold onto things that cannot be processed in the moment and store the trauma on a cellular level. When the trauma is not examined and worked through (energetically, emotionally, and physically) adhesions can start to form within the fascia.

New research demonstrates the importance of an integrative approach to the deep impact of trauma and how it shows up in all disease processes, including mental health disorders. It also shows the impact of emotional stress as a cause of chronic pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia and migraines. These pain neural pathways are shown to change in response to a large stressor or traumatic experience creating a more attentive (sometime hyper vigilant) central nervous system. The shift in the neural pathways can be the cumulation effect of many small life events or larger traumatic events that change the course of a life. This can change the way our glial cells work within our brains and the types of neurotransmitters released into to cerebral spinal fluid. This shifts result in physiological changes in the way our body move, heal, and respond to our environment.

Modalities in our tool box such as craniosacral therapy, homeopathy, drainage remedies, lymphatic massage, and energy work have vital impact on the physiological effects of trauma. These modalities bring the body closer to a healing vibrational state and allow the body to be supported by bringing it back into balance. Patients can also begin to break up these adhesions and create space for emotions to be released at a cellular level. Bringing this awareness into practice can allow physicians to bring a deeper level healing to patients who suffer greatly from their trauma.

Trauma Informed Care

This session will introduce concepts related to Trauma-Informed Care by understanding how traumatic experiences in childhood have implications for individuals throughout the life span and how we, as providers and health care organizations, can address the impact of trauma with our patients in a therapeutic and healing way.

Analgesia: The Search for Effective Pain Relief - Botanical and Nutritional Protocols

The search for effective, safe and non-addictive pain medication is an age-old quest. Studies show many people, especially the elderly, the poor, people of color and women are under-treated for chronic pain. While herbs are not as powerful as opiates and other pharmaceutical medications, they can offer safer and often highly effective pain management. In this talk we will discuss how specific herbs can relieve specific types of pain, how to combine herbs to create a synergistic effect and reduce inflammation, pain perception and spasm and how botanicals can enhance the effects of pharmaceutical pain medications. The focus of this class is to give the clinician the precise tools needed to manage pain with herbs, so we will learn to describe the types and nature of pain, the location of the pain and the most effective combinations of herbs to treat pain syndromes.