645: Lymphedema, Calcified Kidneys, Low Libido, Detox Sweats, Hormone Acne (HouseCall)

Welcome back to our weekend Cabral HouseCall shows! This is where we answer our community's wellness, weight loss, and anti-aging questions to help people get back on track! Check out today's questions: Irene: Hi Dr. Cabral, about 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with lymphedema. The area associated with it is my left ankle. It stays swollen 24/7. Most of the time it isn't painful, but it looks horrible. It looks like an elephant's leg. I have these chamber type contraptions that zip onto my legs from toe to groin. A machine then inflates the chambers in order to compress my legs from toe to groin. I'm supposed to "pump" my legs twice a day. I'm not faithful at doing this, but even when I am for a few weeks at a time, I don't see much of a difference. The same left leg also has about ten areas that have spidery looking veins from my ankle to my knee. Are the two possibly related? Is there a cure for my lymphedema? I'm a committed listener to your podcasts and I appreciate your commitment to helping others get well. Tony: Dr. Cabral, Thanks again for everything you do! I have been sharing your information with almost everyone I know and just completed my OAT and Food sensitivy tests...needless to say I am excited and I have newfound hope on my journey to healing. Now that I have addressed my own issues, I wanted to write on behalf of my wife. She is 29 years old, very fit, and for the most part in good health. She has a history of kidney stones dating back to her late teens. We have been blessed with three children, but each pregnancy progressively got worse with more kidney complications each time. While she was pregnant she developed several stones, passed some, but we know at least one or two remain. This last pregnancy (two years ago) she actually had to have a nephrostomy tube for the last 10 weeks of pregnancy. Her nephrologist said that her kidneys had become very compressed and were not functioning well under the strain. She has had several follow up appointments over the last couple of years and Doctors have deemed her kidneys to be very low functioning due to "kidney disease". They stated that her kidneys are in pretty rough shape and have began to basically "calcify". Is this an actual condition? If so, what can be done to revitalize the kidney and restore its functionality..? Once again, a big thanks! My family appreciates you! JL: Dr. Cabral, Thank you for your podcasts. I have just recently taken a functional medicine approach to my life and I appreciate all the information you give on a daily basis. My question is about female libido. What can be causing a low libido besides the stress of daily life? I cannot accept the diagnosis of hypoactive sexual desire disorder. I feel there has to be a hormonal imbalance that is causing this and can be treated. What is your advice to identify any potential imbalances in the body that could be causing this? Any proactive or natural remedies would be very helpful. Thanks again. Anonymous: For as long as I've paid attention (Approximately two years) about two weeks before my cycle I get night sweats. They stop completely after day one or two of my cycle and are very predictable and consistent. Often times I have trouble sleeping because I'm so hot and I'll even wake up out of a dead sleep sweating like I did a workout. Is this normal? I know body temp rises after ovulation, but is it normal to sweat that much? Judy: Dear Dr. Cabral, I am so grateful to have found your podcast. I am a 34 year old woman battling acne since my teenage years with the exception of when I took Yaz birth control for about 2 years. I later tried a generic brand to help with acne but it never worked. It has been at least 5 years since I was last on birth control. My acne continues to get worse mostly on my chin and cheeks. I have been on a vegan, plant based diet for almost a year. Several of my digestive issues improved once I gave up animal products such as I can now process beans and most cruciferous foods that for years I just thought I was allergic to. However, my acne continues to get worse. Starting a month ago, I am now taking about 5mg Maca, and 2tsp of flax oil and a vegan epa/dha supplement and eliminating all other oils and my beloved nuts to reduce inflammation and boost my omega 3s which I heard could help acne. However, I am constantly craving sweets especially before my cycle and I often binge on sugar on the weekends. Also, my eyelashes fall out causing bald spots so I started using a lash enhancer to keep the balding at bay although I can clearly see the new growth that is replacing the hairs that fell out. I am also concerned that I have lost my half moons on all my nails except my thumbs which are starting to go away too. Do you have any suggestions on what may be causing my acne, binging, hair loss and nail issues? Is there a vegan solution for me? I look forward to you reply. Thank you for tuning into today's Cabral HouseCall and be sure to check back tomorrow where we answer more of our community's questions! - - - Show Notes & Resources: http://StephenCabral.com/645 - - - Get Your Question Answered: http://StephenCabral.com/askcabral