Low-Dose Naltrexone Specialist
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Remedi Health
Bioidentical Hormone Specialist & Functional Medicine located in Golden, CO
Whether you have an autoimmune disease or you suffer from a chronic pain condition, treatment with low-dose naltrexone may be the answer you need. Shasta Van Sickle, PA-C at Remedi Health is an expert in low-dose naltrexone therapy, an innovative medication that triggers your body’s own pain-relieving and inflammation-fighting biochemicals to improve your quality of life. LDN works by neutralizing bad antibodies. This is especially important for those with autoimmune antibodies. If you have questions about low-dose naltrexone or you’d like to learn if it could work for you, schedule an appointment, call our office in Golden, Colorado. 720-557-9363
Low-Dose Naltrexone Q & A
What is low-dose naltrexone?
Naltrexone is a medication known as an opioid antagonist. When naltrexone is used at a full dose, it blocks the effect of opioids. As a result, it has been used for decades to help treat patients with an alcohol or opioid addiction.
At a low dose, however, naltrexone has a different therapeutic impact, producing three important responses in your body:
- Increases levels of endorphins
- Boosts your immune system
- Reduces inflammation
Your body normally releases endorphins when you’re in pain or under intense stress. Endorphins have a chemical structure similar to opiate drugs. As a result, they serve as your body’s natural pain relievers, mood boosters, and stress reducers
The increase in endorphins triggered by low-dose naltrexone also strengthens your immune system and activates the release of biochemicals that fight inflammation.
What health conditions are treated with low-dose naltrexone?
Low-dose naltrexone has the potential to treat numerous conditions, ranging from cardiovascular and endocrine problems to skin and neurological diseases. While many studies are in the works exploring its direct impact on specific diseases, low-dose naltrexone is currently used to treat chronic pain and inflammatory conditions.
Low-dose naltrexone is especially beneficial for conditions such as:
- Crohn’s disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Multiple sclerosis
- Autoimmune diseases
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Skin conditions (pruritus, eczema)
- Complex regional pain syndrome
Studies suggest that low-dose naltrexone may also support conventional cancer treatment by strengthening the immune system, stopping cancer cell growth, and causing cancer cell death.
What should I know about treatment with low-dose naltrexone?
Based on the information currently available, low-dose naltrexone therapy is well tolerated and causes few side effects. Even when it’s used at the full dose to treat addiction, naltrexone produces few side effects.
Some patients experience vivid dreaming and insomnia at night when they start low-dose naltrexone treatment, especially if they take it at bedtime. These problems are usually temporary, but if they persist, Paul can adjust your dose. In rare cases, low-dose naltrexone may cause increased fatigue or spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis or cause flu-like symptoms in those with chronic fatigue syndrome.
If you suffer from chronic pain or an inflammatory condition, call Remedi Health to schedule an appointment to learn whether you’re a good candidate for low-dose naltrexone.
