SUMMARY
Larry R. Bergstrom, M.D., researches integrative medicine (IM). IM is healing-oriented medicine focusing on the whole person, including all aspects of lifestyle. It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship between practitioner and individual, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapies. These treatments include exercise, nutrition, nutritional supplements and stress management.
Focus areas
- Turkey tail mushroom (TTM) study. Dr. Bergstrom is studying if turkey tail mushrooms influence growth of newly diagnosed breast cancer in postmenopausal women. These are HER2- ER+ women planning surgical treatment.
- Cardiovascular effects of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). He explores the cardiovascular effects in people with ME/CFS and post-exertional malaise.
- Individuals presenting with unexplained symptoms and illness. Dr. Bergstrom researches if there is a relationship between childhood psychological trauma and development of non-specific illnesses later in life.
Significance to patient care
Dietary supplements are widely used by people for cancer and other conditions. The TTM study will determine if there is objective evidence that TTM affects breast cancer growth. This could lead to new uses of natural products in cancer treatment.
There are many conditions such as ME/CFS that are associated with profound fatigue but have no objective evidence of disease. Dr. Bergstrom identifies people with severe post-exertional malaise for further evaluation and treatment.
Many individuals are affected by their story, but often conventional medicine discounts the importance of story in evaluating medical complaints. Integrative medicine evaluations often reveal how old trauma affects present-day symptoms and provides new avenues for healing.