What Physical Symptoms Can Tell Us About Brain Symptoms

How a Detailed Review of Systems Can Help Point to Contributing Factors

When I evaluate someone from a holistic and functional perspective, I care as much about physical symptoms as I do brain related symptoms.  As a psychiatrist, I’m not necessarily treating physical symptoms (though some may improve while addressing contributing factors of brain symptoms).  I look closely at physical symptoms, however, because they can help point me to potential underlying factors.  

Because many people wouldn’t think that things like hives or morning nausea are worth mentioning, I use a detailed symptom checklist as part of my evaluation.  The below list is not my complete “Review of Symptoms”, but I think it will give you an idea of the importance of physical symptoms.

Most of these symptoms won’t relate to one root cause. I’m sharing what I often think of first when someone has these symptoms, traits or conditions. And again, because I’m a psychiatrist, those I am evaluating have brain symptoms. The listed physical symptoms, traits and conditions can occur without brain symptoms.

I’ve included links to the many of the mentioned underlying factors at the end of this newsletter.

1. Skin, hair & nails

   • White spots on fingernails - low zinc, high pyrroles

   • Premature graying of hair - high pyrroles

   • Fungal infections on nails or skin - mold and or candida

   • Hives - mast cell activation

   • Stretch marks - white (pyrroles), red (bartonella)

   • Facial flushing - mast cell activation, candida