Meet Your Instructor
Dr. Altman is a Naturopathic Physician (ND), Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Gastroenterology (FABNG), Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc) and an Associate Professor at Bastyr University.
Dr. Altman received her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and her Masters of Science in Acupuncture from Bastyr University in 2011. She went on to complete a 3-year residency at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Naturopathic Primary Care prior to becoming an adjunct professor and now a full-time Associate Professor at Bastyr University. She has worked in a variety of integrative clinical settings providing her with a broad experience in integrative medicine.
Dr. Altman is considered an expert in the field of mast cell activation disorders, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), intestinal Fungal overgrowth (SIFO/IFO) and digestive health. She has written articles, given continuing medical education lectures and performed interviews in several venues on these topics. Dr. Altman also developed and currently supervises the Digestive Wellness Clinic shift at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health and has been integral in developing the fellowship in naturopathic gastroenterology.
Dr. Altman also teaches several classes and supervises clinical education at Bastyr University and recently completed her Clinical Teaching Certificate from the University of Washington School of Medicine. Additionally, she currently provides patient care in her private practice and at the teaching clinic at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Seattle, WA and at Health Moves in Woodinville, WA.
Course Outline
Week 1: SIBO Part 1: Introduction and diagnosis
-Introduction to course
-SIBO
o Definition
o Symptoms
o SIBO vs IBS soap box
o Underlying causes
o Autoimmunity and SIBO/post infectious SIBO
o Associated conditions
o Diagnosis
o Breath test interpretation and practice
Week 2: Breath test interpretation, Start SIBO treatment part 1-Diet, herbs and antibiotics
-Low FODMAP diet
o In general
o With herbal or antibiotic treatment
-Antibiotic treatment
o Rifaximin
o Neomycin
o Metronidazole
o Others
- Herbal treatment
o Combination herbs
o Individual herbs
Week 3: SIBO treatment part 2-Elemental diet (start)
-Elemental diet
o What is it?
o How to evaluate a formula?
o When should you use it?
o When is it contraindicated?
Week 4: SIBO treatment part 2-Elemental diet (finish)
- Elemental diet
o Troubleshooting
o Transitioning off of an elemental diet
o Cases
Week 5: Advanced topics in SIBO
-Methane only treatment
-Hydrogen sulfide treatment
-Adjunctive treatment options
o Physical modalities
o Supplements/herbs/nutrients
o Mind/body practices
o Exercises
-Prevention of SIBO recurrence
o Prokinetics
o Antimicrobials
o Diet
o Lifestyle
-Cases
Week 6 Fungal overgrowth
-Signs and symptoms
-FRDQ7 questionnaire
-Testing
-Treatment options
o Herbal/nutraceutical
o Pharmaceutical
-Cases
Week 7: Mast Cell activation disorders part 1
-Etiology
-Types
-Diagnosis
Week 8: Mast Cell activation disorders part 2
-Treatment
-Cases
Week 9: Functional testing and interpretation
-Comprehensive stool analysis and interpretation
-Stool yeast testing
-ALCAT testing and interpretation
-IgG vs IgE and IgG soap box
-SIBO breath test prep and performance
Week 10: Cases
Meetings
The mentorship group will meet weekly starting pm 9/28. The meetings will be held on Zoom and will take place from 6:30-8/8:30 pm. The meeting will be recorded for those who are unable to attend. The slides fro the lecture will be emailed and/or dropped in the zoom chat weekly. The zoom recordings will be available for approximately 4 weeks after each meeting.