Dr. John Pittman to Discuss Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases at Upcoming NCIMS Conference

RALEIGH, NC, August 13, 2010 (Press-News.org) John Pittman, MD, founding medical director of The Carolina Center for Integrative Medicine and current President of the North Carolina Integrative Medical Society, will present "An Integrative Medicine Approach to Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases" at this year's NCIMS conference. The event, entitled "The Nutritional and Biological Integrative Medical Treatment of Diseases" will be held on August 20-21 at the Haywood Park Hotel in Asheville, NC.

NCIMS was founded in 2003 by North Carolina physicians and health professionals with a mission to provide continuing education for health professionals and conduct a proactive campaign to shift the paradigm of medical practice in North Carolina to one of prevention and open-mindedness toward empirical evidence-based findings. At the request of NCMIS, Senator Martin Nesbitt introduced legislation for due process for physicians to the NC legislature that passed in 2003 and 2009. Today, under the direction of NCIMS Executive Director Janis Ramquist, longtime lobbyist and concerned citizen who values her freedom of choice in healthcare, NCIMS continues to help safeguard physicians' and patients' rights.

"We're looking forward to an exciting first annual conference in Asheville and hearing from Senator Nesbitt," says Ramquist. "While we're there, NCIMS will be meeting with the Asheville Hub in order to explore potential future collaborative endeavors".

Ramquist adds that Dr. Pittman's Lyme discussion is especially well timed given the recent attention by North Carolina to this disease. In an October 1, 2009 News and Observer article titled "State Affirms Lyme Disease Danger" written by Sarah Avery, North Carolina health leaders have begun advising that tick-borne illnesses can, in fact, be acquired in the state. According to the North Carolina Lyme Disease Foundation, Inc., Lyme Disease may be greatly underreported and the most debilitating chronic form of the disease, known as neuroborreliosis, is frequently dismissed by proponents of academic medicine.

"NCIMS is proud to have several members that are able to provide our citizens with expert care when treating chronic conditions, such as Lyme Disease," adds Ramquist. "We're grateful to Dr. Pittman for sharing his knowledge and expertise on this subject and look forward to an informative presentation and discussion."

Dr. Pittman founded the Carolina Center in 1994. He is currently only one of six medical practitioners in the state of North Carolina who is a Diplomate through the American Board of Clinical Metal Toxicology. Dr. Pittman was also recognized by Business Leader magazine as one of their 2008 Triangle Impact Health Care Leaders and was awarded the 2009 Health Care Hero Award by Triangle Business Journal. Dr. Pittman says given the increasing rate of tick-borne infections in this state and throughout the country, it is especially important for physicians to recognize the symptoms and understand available treatment options in order to help patients overcome this difficult disorder.

"In my experience, I have found that many individuals with mysterious symptoms—who have been to numerous doctors—will eventually be diagnosed with chronic Lyme Disease," says Dr. Pittman. "Unfortunately, treatment options are often limited and confusing. The seriousness of these conditions, the challenges posed by their diagnoses, and their resistance to treatment all necessitate an individualized, integrative treatment approach that supports the immune, endocrine, neurological, digestive, and musculoskeletal systems. Early detection is definitely the key to fighting this disease."

According to the Center for Disease Control Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, between 1993 and 2005, there were 1,036 confirmed cases of Lyme Disease reported in North Carolina. If left untreated, individuals with Lyme Disease can end up with serious complications including arthritis in the large joints, nervous system problems, and irregularities of the heart rhythm. Early detection is the key to fighting this disease.

During his 60-minute presentation, to be held on August 20th from 12:30-1:30pm, Dr. Pittman will review the causes of Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Illnesses; review the key issues in diagnosis, staging, and laboratory testing for Lyme Disease; identify secondary disturbances found in many tick-borne illnesses; recognize the benefits of treating infections and secondary disturbances using a combination of conventional and CAM (complimentary alternative medicine) modalities; highlight antibiotic strategies; and delineate the therapeutic rationale for using specific supplements, hormonal support, oxygen therapy, and other CAM strategies for treatment and management of Lyme Disease.

Cost to attend this event is $360 for NCIMS members and $460 for non-members. Registration fees include meals. For more information about NCIMS or their upcoming conference, visit http://www.ncims.com.

About the Carolina Center for Integrative Medicine
The Carolina Center utilizes a combination of the most progressive alternative therapies, along with dietary and lifestyle modifications, to treat a wide variety of chronic illnesses and immune system dysfunctions. Conditions treated include Atherosclerosis & Disorders of Circulation, Chronic Digestive Disturbances, Chronic Infections & Immune Dysfunction, Degenerative Neurological Disorders, Fibromyalgia, Lyme Disease, Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity/Environmental Allergies, and Pediatric Program for Autism. The Carolina Center also provides Chemical Detoxification and support for patients injured through exposure to mold, pesticides, mercury, and sick building syndrome. For more information, call (919) 571-4391 or visit http://www.carolinacenter.com.

Media Contacts:
Louise Cottrell
FireBrand Marketing, Inc.
(919) 848-1025
louisec@firebrandmarketing.com

Janis Ramquist
North Carolina Integrative Medical Society
(919) 833-5092
janram@nc.rr.com

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