Identifying Underlying Causes of Illness
Dr. Michael Doyle has found that the best way to do this is to start the old-fashioned way: medical history, physical examination and the best available tests. As doctors have known for many years, the medical history (what the patient tells the doctor) is the most important step in understanding the cause of an illness. By listening to the patient and asking the right questions, a physician can go a long way toward making an accurate diagnosis.
Experience across many countries and many years taught us much about how specific patterns of symptoms point toward specific causes of illness. The next step is examining the patient. Over the years, doctors have identified patterns of symptoms and physical changes that point toward specific cases and of illness. Therefore, in manycases, simple medical history and physical examination are all that are needed to make a diagnosis. The next step is to use scientific testing, when needed, to further clarify what the underlying cause of an illness is. The key to this step is to use tests that accurately identify what ails the patient. Ultimately, the best test is the one that helps a doctor make a diagnosis and leads to effective treatment and improved health.
Focusing on Lifestyle, Nutrition, and Hormones
Dr. Michael Doyle has found that the most effective way to help his patients is to focus on nutrition, hormones, and lifestyle. First, he looks for factors in these areas that are contributing to or causing illness. For example, deficiencies of key nutrients can cause many symptoms and conditions. Similarly, hormone problems, especially hormonal deficiencies are common causes of illness. An unhealthy lifestyle can, of course, contribute to or cause many health problems. When such problems are identified, the solution is usually obvious, if not always easy.
Restoring Health Metabolism
Dr. Doyle’s philosophy is that the safest and most effective way to treat a chronic illness or to maintain health, is usually to restore healthy metabolism. That is, to help reestablish a healthy balance of nutrients and hormones in order to allow the body to function normally once again. In many cases, this simple concept is to replace what’s missing. In the area of nutrients and hormones, patients are often given supplements of nutrients and hormones to restore healthy levels. This approach works best when it is used in the context of healthy exercise, sleeping and eating patterns. Throughout the process, Dr. Doyle remains committed to treating patients, not numbers. He recognizes that the best medicine focuses on two goals: living longer and feeling better.