Posted on the KeelyNet BBS on May 15, 1992 as HEPATITS.ASC
--------------------------------------------------------------------
This article was from Health Counselor magazine July/August 1991
issue. This is an excellent magazine for information on nature
health care and nutrition. You can usually find it, at your local
health food store. They usually give it away for free. Or ask your
health food store to carry it. I consider this a MUST HAVE to keep
up with the latest in natural health care. If you are unable to
find it, you can contact them at, Sante Publishing, P.O. Box 1914,
Green Bay, Wisconsin 54305.
Ronald Barker
--------------------------------------------------------------------
DISCOVERING A NATURAL CURE FOR HEPATITIS
`After contracting hepatitis B during surgery, here's how one
physician fought back and cured himself.'
By Karolyn A. Gazella
Carson B. Burgstiner, M.D., was at the height of his career. He had
developed a thriving practice as an obstetrician/gynecologist in
Savannah, Georgia. A highly trained and skilled microsurgeon, Dr.
Burgstiner was devoted to his profession. But his profession nearly
cost him his life.
THE ORDEAL BEGINS
"In 1983, I contracted hepatitis B after I had stuck my finger while
operating on an infected patient," recalled Dr. Burgstiner, who was
49 at the time.
The discovery of the disease and the disasters that followed nearly
devastated Dr. Burgstiner and his wife, Jacque.
After his diagnosis, Dr. Burgstiner notified the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) and the Georgia State Board of Medical Examiners. They
provided guidelines for him to follow. Because he intended to
cooperate fully, Dr. Burgstiner volunteered to have his patients
undergo epidemiologic studies.
His patients stood behind him through his ordeal, Dr. Burgstiner
explained. "I was very fortunate to have such loyal patients," he
said.
Unfortunately, the local media soon learned that Dr. Burgstiner's
patients were being tested for hepatitis. Headlines on the front
page of the morning newspaper declared: "Source of Local Hepatitis
Outbreak Discovered!"
A detailed account of Dr. Burgstiner's diagnosis was included in the
article. Immediately, his successful practice and sterling
reputation were jeopardized.
"The CDC and the local health department proved that none of the 26
reported cases of hepatitis in the county were patients of mine."
Dr. Burgstiner said. The newspaper subsequently published a
retraction on its back page.
The publicity added even more stress for the Burgstiners.
"After 26 years of medical practice without a lawsuit, suddenly I
had two past patients who claimed that exposure by surgery had
caused their hepatitis B," said Dr. Burgstiner. As it turned out,
both patients were infected by other sources.
Dr. Burgstiner was forced to discontinue obstetrics and major
surgery, limiting his practice to minor surgery and office
gynercology. He was an aggressive, motivated physician, and it was a
painful transition.
"The economic and emotional impact was truly devastating," he said.
DOCTOR BECOMES PATIENT
Coping with the shock of local publicity as well as the frustration
of having to refer all of his patients to colleagues for obstetrics
and major surgery was just the beginning of Dr. Burgstiner's
struggle. The devastating side effects and fear of dying from this
disease began to surface.
"A chronic hepatitis B carrier in the United States today has a 255
percent chance of dying of liver cancer," he said. "There is clearly
an epidemic of hepatitis B, with over 300,000 new cases being
diagnosed yearly."
The fear also haunted Dr. Burgstiner's wife.
"I remember when my husband and I attended a conference where one of
the speakers was discussing hepatitis B," Mrs. Burgstiner recalled.
This was when she realized the severity of her husband's condition.
Their fear and concern fueled their determination to fight the
disease. The devoted doctor soon became and equally devoted patient.
"I've always believed strongly in the teachings of my professor of
pathology, W.A.D. Anderson, M.D., who taught me that if you maintain
normal physiology, you prevent disease," Dr. Burgstiner explained.
Dr. Burgstiner is the first to admit that he is somewhat unique in
the medical establishment.
"For the past 29 years I have believed in preventative medicine,
nutrition, exercise, and hormonal replacement," he said. "If a
gland dries up, you need to replace it."
This philosophy virtually saved his practice and his life.
Other than the hepatitis B, Dr. Burgstiner was in excellent health.
He asked himself, what gland could be deficient? What gland could he
support in order to combat his hepatitis: Armed with a thorough
understanding of the human body, he realized the thymus gland was
the key.
THE CRUCIAL THYMUS GLAND
"I had always been taught that the thymus gland (which is located
within the upper chest) is large in infants but atrophies as we
age,"" he said. "The thymus gland has always been credited with
controlling the immune system."
Because hepatitis B is an immune disease, Dr. Burgstiner sought a
nutritional supplement containing thymus tissue extract. He visited
his local health food store, Brighter Day in Savannah.
Dr. Burgstiner began taking a thymus tissue extract supplement,
along with 25,000 units be beta carotene and a multiple vitamin.
Within three weeks, after a seven-year battle with an "incurable"
disease, the E-antigen became weakly positive and the liver studies
turned up normal.
"After being tested every week for seven years, I almost didn't
believe the test results," Dr. Burgstiner said. "Before I shared
the news with Jacque, I waited until a few more tests came back."
"I was so happy. My prayers had been answered," Mrs. Burgstiner
said.
After another three weeks of following his own protocol, Dr.
Burgstiner became E-antigen negative and antibody positive. He was
cured of hepatitis. To confirm his finding, he notified the CDC and
had blood drawn at Candler Hospital, which was sent to Mass General
(Harvard) and Scripps Institute in California. These prominent
health facilities conducted many tests on his blood, and all of them
showed there was absolutely no trace of the virus in his system.
Dr. Burgstiner shared his good news with a colleague he'd been
communicating with about hepatitis research. Dr. Milton G.
Mutchnick, a gastroenterologist/hepatologist at Wayne State
University in Detroit,, Michigan, had published controlled studies
where he converted 75 percent of his patients who were hepatitis B
carries.
"I was planning on getting into his next treatment group," Dr.
Burgstiner explained. "When I called him and told him that I
converted myself, he asked what I took."
When Dr. Burgstiner told him he was taking an oral thymus extract,
Dr. Mutchnick explained that he was using thymus injections in his
studies. After their conversation, Dr. Burgstiner sent Dr.
Mutchnick a bottle of the oral thymus supplement. Dr. Mutchnick's
preliminary tests with the product have him the same startling
results.
Today, Dr. Burgstiner is excited about the potential for helping
others. "The impact of thymic hormonal replacement has enormous
potential in immune system diseases, from allergies and hay fever to
rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, cancer, and AIDS," he said. "This
simple glandular hormone could answer a lot of prayers."
Understandably, Mrs. Burgstiner is thrilled. Her husband has
regained his thriving practice, but even more importantly, he has
regained his health.
"I've gotten a second chance, and I want to help as many people as I
can," Dr. Burgstiner said.
DEALING WITH HEPATITIS
Hepatitis is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis
virus. Basically, there are two main strains of the hepatitis virus.
Hepatitis A is more common and more contagious. The chances of
complete recovery from hepatitis A are very good.
Hepatitis B, on the other hand, is much more serious. With
hepatitis B, the symptoms are more severe and last longer than with
hepatitis A. One of the more serious outcomes of hepatitis B is
chronic liver disease.
TRANSMISSION: Transmission of hepatitis B is very similar to
transmission of the AIDS virus. Common sources of infection include
blood transfusions, intravenous drug abuse, needle punctures from
acupuncture or tattooing, and sexual contact.
The virus can spread through contact with infected saliva, nasal
mucus, sperm and blood. Hepatitis B may also be transmitted through
pregnancy from the infected mother to her unborn baby.
SYMPTOMS: The symptoms of any type of hepatitis include fatigue or
extreme weakness, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of
the eyes), nausea, dark brownish urine, fever, and abdominal
discomfort. The severity and range of symptoms vary from case to
case.
DIAGNOSIS: Hepatitis is suspected when the above-mentioned symptoms
are present. Exact diagnosis is confirmed by specific blood tests
that determine elevated liver enzymes and measure antibody activity.
TREATMENT: Although there is presently no known cure for hepatitis
B, a vaccination is available. Health care workers are especially
encouraged to get the vaccination.
Various nutritional factors should be considered in the treatment of
hepatitis B. Many natural liver-supporting techniques are also
recommended. The use of an oral thymic fraction supplement to
convert hepatitis B carries is presently being explored in more
detail.
Because hepatitis A is so contagious, scrupulous sanitation is
essential. Clothing and bed linen require special handling when they
are visibly soiled, and should be laundered with a detergent that
kills germs. Contaminated toilets and floors should be cleaned with
a disinfectant.
Patients with hepatitis A are advised to get plenty of bed rest. In
the first few weeks of the infection, alcohol is prohibited. After
a bout with hepatitis A, patients develop an immunity to the
disease.
INCIDENCE OF SYMPTOMS IN HEPATITIS, ALL KINDS
SYMPTOM % OF PATIENTS
Dark Urine ........................ 94
Fatigue ........................... 91
Loss Of Appetite .................. 90
Nausea ............................ 87
Fever ............................. 76
Vomiting .......................... 71
Headache .......................... 70
Abdominal Discomfort .............. 65
Light Stools ...................... 52
Muscle Pain ....................... 52
Drowsiness ........................ 49
Irritability ...................... 43
Itching ........................... 42
Diarrhea .......................... 25
Joint Pain ........................ 21
(Source: Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Michael Murray, N.D.
and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.)
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Dr. Burgstiner remains very active within his community and his
profession. He is past president of the Medical Association of
Georgia and presently serves as vice-chairman of the AMA's Georgia
Delegation. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
and of the American College of Preventative Medicine. We would like
to thank the Burgstiners for sharing their inspirational story.
Health Counselor has welcomed Dr. Brugstiner to our staff of
contributing authors.
--------------------------------------------------------------------