Dr. George Papanicolaou, a board-certified family medicine physician and functional medicine expert, shares insights on the intricate link between anxiety and physical health. He emphasizes the importance of treating anxiety holistically, exploring how gut health affects mental well-being. The discussion covers the differences between functional and conventional medicine, and the benefits of personalized lifestyle changes. Additionally, they delve into the gut-brain connection, genetics, and the critical role of nutrient support and sleep in mental health.
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Anxiety: A Physical Root?
Anxiety is often misunderstood as a mental issue, but it can stem from physical problems.
Addressing underlying physical imbalances can significantly improve or resolve anxiety symptoms.
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Question the "Why"
Don't just treat anxiety with medication; investigate the root cause of low serotonin levels.
Functional medicine explores the "why" behind the symptoms, unlike traditional medicine's quick fixes.
insights INSIGHT
The Gut-Brain Connection
Gut health plays a crucial role in anxiety, as gut bacteria produce serotonin.
Anxiety is a symptom of other problems, often multiple interconnected factors, not a standalone disease.
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The body and brain are one interconnected system, which means you can’t treat anxiety effectively by using only drugs or psychotherapy. You need to treat the body, because the body and brain are one interconnected system. Unfortunately, conventional medicine plays the name and blame game. It says, you are “anxious;” you need an “anti-anxiety” medication. But saying you are anxious explains nothing about why you have anxiety. Functional Medicine takes a different approach. By taking a detailed history and personalized approach, it seeks to get to the root of the issue.
In this episode, Dr. Hyman sits down with his colleague, Dr. George Papanicolaou, to discuss how they treat patients suffering with anxiety.
George Papanicolaou is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and is Board Certified in Family Medicine from Abington Memorial Hospital. He is also an Institute for Functional Medicine Practitioner. Upon graduation from his residency he joined the Indian Health Service. He worked on the Navajo reservation for 4 years at the Chinle Comprehensive Medical Facility where he served as the Outpatient Department Coordinator. In 2000, he founded Cornerstone Family Practice in Rowley, MA. He practiced with a philosophy centered on personal relationships and treating the whole person, not just not the disease. He called that philosophy “Whole Life Wellness”. Over time as the healthcare system made it harder for patients to receive this kind of personal care Dr. Papanicolaou decided a change was needed. He began training in Functional Medicine through the Institute of Functional Medicine. In 2015, he established Cornerstone Personal Health – a practice dedicated entirely to Functional Medicine. Dr. Papanicolaou to join The UltraWellness Center in 2017.
This episode is sponsored by AirDoctor. We need clean air not only to live but to create vibrant health and protect ourselves and loved ones from toxin exposure and disease. Learn more about the AirDoctor Professional Air Purifier system at a special price at www.drhyman.com/filter
In this conversation, Dr. Hyman and Dr. Papanicolaou discuss:
The conventional medicine vs Functional Medicine approach to treating anxiety
Why making yourself more psychologically resilient makes you more physically resilient
How Dr. Papanicolaou treated a patient with panic attacks, difficulty focusing, and bloating
DNA testing to determine how your genes might be influencing anxiety
How gut issues, including SIBO, IBS, and gluten sensitivity, can lead to anxiety
Urine peptide testing
How Dr. Papanicolaou treated a patient with, anxiety, brain fog, hair loss, and fatigue
How anxiety can be related to hormones and autoimmune issues
The Dr. Hyman Show