Blog Archive

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal imbalance disorders affecting women of reproductive age. Yet, it’s been notoriously underdiagnosed for decades.  For years, many women have struggled with unexplained symptoms like irregular periods, weight gain, acne, or excessive hair growth brought on by PCOS. Although we’ve...

Too many people trying to lose weight have tried every diet, workout routine, and trendy supplement yet barely see the scale move. Going by the latest celebrity interview and social media trend, weight loss injections suddenly seem to be all the rage.  However, they’ve been around for some time and...

Your hormones control many bodily functions, even more than you may realize. When balanced, they keep your skin healthy, energy high, and mood up.  However, even one hormone out of balance can throw your body out of whack. You may experience unexpected weight gain, mood swings, fatigue, and skin problems....

Eczema is a skin condition that often causes unbearable itching, redness, and irritation. It can be overwhelming to deal with, especially in chronic cases.  Many people think eczema is only treated topically. However, it’s a chronic inflammatory condition influenced by internal and external factors, so it can also be treated...

You encounter stressors every day. Troubles at work or in relationships are common stressors. If you feel persistently stressed over a long period, you have chronic stress. Chronic stress isn't having an occasional stressful day; it's feeling persistent and unrelenting pressure day in and day out. Your body doesn't do...

If you’re having consistent trouble getting or maintaining arousal during sex, you may have erectile dysfunction (ED). There are many reasons you could have difficulty getting an erection when you want. Anxiety, stress, and certain medications can affect your ability. It’s normal to experience occasional problems, but if you can’t...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that affects about 1 in 10 women. However, many women don’t know they have it until problems arise, such as difficulty getting pregnant or unexpected weight gain.  PCOS causes a hormonal imbalance in your body. That leads to a range of issues,...

Have you felt more tired than usual or needed an extra layer even when it’s not cold out? Maybe you’ve noticed some unexplainable fluctuations in your weight. You might brush off these signs as the fallout of a busy life or simply growing older. However, these symptoms could point to...

Your gut is home to your stomach and other digestive organs. Odds are you don’t think twice about it except if you have a tummy ache or indigestion. However, gut health can affect overall health and well-being. Neglecting it can cause problems that affect your body as a whole.  What...

Your menstrual cycle and reproductive years typically end between ages 45-55. The process and all it brings is called menopause, and for many women, its effects are significant. Some research shows that up to 80% of women experience symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and sleep troubles....

A hormonal imbalance is a common problem that causes a range of physical and emotional symptoms. If you have a hormonal imbalance, you may find yourself constantly tired, prone to mood swings, or experiencing unexplainable weight changes. Many signs of hormonal imbalances are easily dismissed or chalked up to stress....

If you're struggling with acne, you’re probably no stranger to countless skin care products and routines. However, if you have chronic acne, you may find to your frustration that they don't work for you.  In many cases, the key to clearer skin starts within. If a hormonal imbalance is causing...

Feeling tired at the end of a long day is typical. However, it might be a sign of something more severe if you're constantly fatigued and don't feel better after a night's rest. Hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, and poor habits can trigger fatigue. Whatever the reason, our mission at ARA...

Think of your gut as your body's second brain. It doesn't just help break down the food you eat; it produces hormones and communicates with your immune system.  An imbalance in your gut health can significantly affect your overall well-being. One dynamic to be aware of is the connection between...

Menopause is a natural and inevitable phase of a woman’s life, marking the end of her reproductive years. While it's commonly associated with physical symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings, you could easily overlook its significant impact on your mental health.  Here at ARA Integrative and Functional Medicine in Glen Mills,...

Each stage of life presents new challenges. A big one is weight management. It can be difficult at any age, but especially as you cross the half-century mark.  If you're over 50 and managing weight has become a significant challenge, you're certainly not alone. Physiological, psychological, and lifestyle factors are likely...

Cardiometabolic risk factors are silent but significant threats to your health, responsible for conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Addressing these risk factors is essential to battle these life-threatening conditions.  At ARA Integrative and Functional Medicine in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, Dr. Rina Kapoor emphasizes proactive health management. Dr. Kapoor...

Are you experiencing bloating, fatigue, and mood swings? Your gut could be the culprit. The state of your digestive system can have a far-reaching impact on your well-being.  An imbalanced gut is often linked to various health issues, including poor digestion, low energy levels, mood disorders, and even chronic illnesses....

Today more than ever, your body is constantly exposed to a wide range of toxins from your environment, food, and personal habits. Detoxification is a process to remove these toxins physiologically or medicinally. The body is designed to detoxify naturally, but the ever-increasing toxic load people carry due to modern lifestyles often...

Fatigue is a common complaint for most of us from time to time, especially during periods of acute stress or strenuous activity. But fatigue can also be chronic, affecting your routine on a daily or near-daily basis. Unlike acute fatigue that’s often linked with sleep disturbances or physical exertion, chronic...

Infrared sauna therapy is now becoming common and popping up at health and wellness facilities across the country. Traditional steam size work by heating the air, which means that the air temperature has to reach close to 200 degrees for the body to actually start sweating.  In contrast, infrared saunas...

Mold Toxicity, Biotoxin illness or CIRS Chronic inflammatory response syndrome, acquired following exposure to water-damaged buildings, is a multisystem, multisymptom illness mediated by persistent innate immune activations from mycotoxins ( aka mold spores).  Mycotoxins enter the body through inhalation, dermal absorption, and ingestion. Mycotoxins raise havoc in the body by...

Anxiety is the feeling of worry, fear, or being at unease. It can occur as a reaction to stress however it can also be experienced without any obvious trigger.Symptoms of anxiety can often include:A feeling of impending doomTingling or numbnessPalpitationsIrritabilityBrain fogTrouble sleepingDigestive issues including diarrhea and constipationConventional medicine identifies anxiety...

Hormone imbalance may manifest differently depending on your age as well as environmental exposures.  Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an extremely common intervention, but it has its own risks to health and may apiculate other cellular and hormonal functions in the body that can negatively impact mood, cognition and sleep. ...

Why Is This Happening? Often times aging can cause transient loss and an overall reduction in the number of hair follicles.  If you are, however,  experiencing ongoing heavy hair loss further investigation needs to be made into the following root causes:1. Poor Gut Health And Nutritional deficiencies.2. Autoimmune diseases including...

 Leaky Gut Syndrome  What is a Leaky Gut? Increased intestinal permeability, commonly referred to as leaky gut syndrome, occurs when tight junctions between cells of the intestinal lining are altered. This enables potentially harmful substances to pass through the intestinal wall.Your intestinal lining has 2 basic functions:1. Enable the absorption...

Here are some suggestions for making your work home environment more enjoyable, productive, and healthier. Physical Wellbeing with Computer and Visual Ergonomics *Use a chair or standing position that supports her back *When typing, make sure that your hands are at or below your elbows. Your knee should be level...

How to Start to Support your Body Through Natural Detoxification 1. Eat Fiber - 40 -70 grams per day help with elimination and binding of toxins. 2. Hydration - drink a minimum of half your body weight of water in ounces. 3. Cruciferous Vegetables - Broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, and...

Why can some people fall asleep like a baby after having caffeine in the evening while others will suffer from insomnia?  I get this question all the time and there is a VERY good reason. It comes from our GENETICS! There are specific genotypic variants called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP's)...

7 Tips To Improve Digestion and Gut Health  1. Avoid Distractions- Practice mindful eating by focusing on your food.  When we are sitting in front of the television or glancing at our phones are digestion becomes compromised. 2. Chew  Your Food Thoroughly- Digestion starts in the mouth.  The mouth releases specific...