Six Simple Things That Helped Me Recover From My Breast Cancer Surgery

In May 2022, I was diagnosed with an early-stage breast cancer, detected by a routine screening mammogram. I chose to undergo a skin-sparing double mastectomy with reconstruction in late June 2022 and spent the summer recovering. Fortunately, the cancer was caught very early, and I was given an excellent prognosis without chemotherapy.

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Integrative and Functional Medicine Carin Nielsen, MD Integrative and Functional Medicine Carin Nielsen, MD

5 Root Causes of Low Mood

I have been practicing in Northern Michigan for over 20 years, and year after year, I see two waves of seasonal mood changes in my patients and friends: November and February.

Many begin to feel the symptoms of seasonal mood changes in November when the days become darker and shorter. Fatigue and lack of motivation are common complaints in November when we are digging out our light boxes and preparing for the winter ahead.

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Integrative and Functional Medicine Carin Nielsen, MD Integrative and Functional Medicine Carin Nielsen, MD

Setting your New Year’s Intentions

Do new year’s resolutions work? Many research studies suggest they do not. So what if, instead of a new year’s resolution, this year, you set a new year’s intention? Because even though there is value in setting specific goals and resolutions, there is also value in zooming out to bring clarity on what matters to you most. That’s the power of intentions.

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Seasonal Allergies Part Three: 8 tips to allergy-proof your home.

Whether it’s seasonal sneezing or a year-round runny nose, it’s possible that your home could be making allergies worse! When it comes to improving our health, it’s easy to forget about the importance of our surroundings. Even if nobody in your family struggles with allergies, taking these steps can improve your odds of staying allergy-free!

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Seasonal Allergies: Three Nutrients to Calm Seasonal Allergies.

Seasonal allergies happen when the immune system reacts to a substance that should otherwise be harmless. It’s like an immune response gone rogue. What happens next is the release of histamine—a tiny chemical messenger released from mast cells that leads to a cascade of inflammation. Histamine is at the center of seasonal allergies and causes most of the irritating symptoms.

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Integrative and Functional Medicine, Allergies Carin Nielsen, MD Integrative and Functional Medicine, Allergies Carin Nielsen, MD

Seasonal Allergies: Hidden Triggers can Worsen Symptoms.

The snow is melting, the temperatures are rising, and most of us are excited to start spending more time outdoors. For many, however, this transition to spring and summer weather also brings the unwanted symptoms of seasonal allergies, such as: Sneezing, itchy or Runny Nose, Itchy or Watery Eyes, Headache, Dry Cough, Fatigue and “Brain Fog”

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Integrative and Functional Medicine Carin Nielsen, MD Integrative and Functional Medicine Carin Nielsen, MD

Mycotoxin Illness - One Patient’s Story

Mycotoxin Illness is not something I learned about in medical school and something that I was initially hesitant to explore with patients. Yet as is often the case when you have a medical practice like mine, you tend to see patients with multiple symptoms who have consulted with multiple providers and have not been given an explanation, diagnosis, or clear treatment plan.

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Integrative and Functional Medicine Carin Nielsen, MD Integrative and Functional Medicine Carin Nielsen, MD

What you need to know about Mold & Mycotoxin Illness

Mycotoxin Illness is not something I learned about in medical school. In fact, even in my early years of practicing Integrative and Functional Medicine, I was reluctant to explore the concept of Mycotoxin Illness with my patients. Similar to conditions like Lyme disease (which I also now treat frequently), Mycotoxin Illness seemed “taboo” and dismissed by traditional Western Medicine. Yet as is often the case when you have a medical practice like mine, you tend to see patients with multiple symptoms who have consulted with multiple providers and have not been given an explanation, diagnosis, or clear treatment plan.

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Thyroid, Integrative and Functional Medicine Carin Nielsen, MD Thyroid, Integrative and Functional Medicine Carin Nielsen, MD

Low Thyroid - Five Keys to Getting the Results You Are Looking For

Are you tired of feeling sluggish and foggy only to be told that your thyroid tests “look normal”? You are not alone! Thyroid health is one of the most common reasons why patients seek my care - and for good reason! Optimal thyroid function is an essential component of your health and well-being, as thyroid hormones play a major role in regulating many bodily functions.

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