Temple, Texas integrative medicine doctor, Shelley Cole M.D. treats neurodegenerative diseases using integrative medicine that focuses on optimal health and pain management.

There are over 600 neurologic disorders affecting millions of people worldwide. These diseases cause the progressive degeneration of the central or peripheral nervous systems, causing their cells to malfunction, or otherwise die off. As far as we know, these diseases only increase in severity with time and there are no cures.

Our understanding of these diseases may be far from complete, and the struggle with these diseases is real, but that won’t stop Shelley Cole, M.D. of Healthy Success from helping clients combat their illness. Dr. Shelley Cole doesn’t believe in quitting, and with the most in-depth knowledge, cutting-edge technology, and positive mindset, the scales can tip in your favor.

It’s time to call (254) 343-7837 and speak with Shelley Cole, M.D. of Healthy Success about your neurodegenerative diagnosis. Discover your options and schedule your consultation with integrative medicine practitioner, Dr. Cole.

Common Neurodegenerative Disorders

Neurodegenerative Diseases seem to be increasing in prevalence, certainly garnering more attention in the media. Of the 600+ Neurodegenerative Disorders some of the most commonly discussed include:

Alzheimer’s disease affects over 6 million Americans and is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases. This diseases destroys memory and cognition, eventually preventing a person’s ability to live a full and independent lifestyle.

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and the fastest growing, with nearly 90,000 new diagnoses each year. Parkinson’s shut’s causes uncontrollable shaking or chronic stiffness and tampers with balance and coordination, usually bringing about a major alteration in habits and mood.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or more commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease is a disease that forces the degeneration of nerves in the brain and spinal cord. The development can take days to months and might begin with weakness and progress into the loss of motor control, speaking, and may even develop into paralysis and trouble breathing.

Multiple Sclerosis has a wide variety of symptoms that affect a person’s physical and cognitive wellbeing and include dizziness and headaches to hearing impairment and seizures. Symptoms are more likely to appear in a person’s 20s-40s and is three times as likely to affect women than men.

Huntington’s Disease is a heredity disorder that is passed from parent to child by means of a gene mutation. While it may begin earlier, the symptoms usually begin from ages 30 to 50 and may start as mood swings, memory lapses, and clumsiness and may develop into involuntary movements, personality shifts, and inability to move or speak.

There are 4 types of Spinal Muscular Atrophy or SMA that are categorized by the age at which symptoms first appear:

  • Type 1, or Werdnig-Hoffman disease symptoms begin within the first six months of life, typically at birth
  • Type 2, or Dubowitz disease occurs between six and 18 months
  • Type 3, or Kugelbert-Welander appears after the first 18 months, and may even stay dormant until early adulthood
  •  Type 4 is rare, with symptoms that don’t usually appear until a person’s mid-30s

SMA causes muscles to atrophy – or become weak and deteriorate, because of this, the earlier a person displays symptoms more severe the degeneration.

Neurodegenerative Disease Risk Factors

The risk factors vary for any one particular neurodegenerative disorder and many of them are speculative, however some of the common ones include:

  • Age
  • Gender
  • Genetics
  • Diet
  • Stress
  • Illness

Other Environmental Hazards, such as ingested heavy metals or harsh chemical exposure or lifestyle habits, such as alcohol consumption or smoking.

Signs and Symptoms of a Neurodegenerative Disease

The symptoms and complications of each disease vary but, commonly, neurodegenerative disorders will cause shifts that alter a person’s cognitive or physical function. This may manifest as:

  • memory loss
  • mood changes
  • anxiety or depression
  • tremors, shaking, or stiffness
  • difficulty moving
  • weakness, soreness, and fatigue
Shelley Cole, M.D. of Healthy Success will discuss your symptoms with you and will help you to create a plan for your improved and sustained wellness.

Diagnosing a Neurodegenerative Disease

The tests for diagnosing a Neurological Disease will vary depending on the type of disease. They range from genetic testing – looking for a specific mutation within a certain gene – to variety testing – where tests may be conducted to rule out what you don’t have in order to pinpoint the actual culprit.

When you speak with Shelley Cole, M.D. of Healthy Success about your symptoms, they will be better informed and will know what tests to run. Be prepared to answer questions about your symptoms and lifestyle.

Treatment Approach

There may be over 600 neurodegenerative diseases, but there are nearly 8 billion unique people in the world. Shelley Cole, M.D. of Healthy Success‘s functional medicine approach focuses on the only important factor, you and the whole picture of your life.

Shelley Cole, M.D. of Healthy Success will sit with you to discuss your history, family health history, your employment, environmental factors, diet, lifestyle, and more. Once a complete inventory has been taken, and tests have been run, Dr. Shelley Cole will create a customized plan that is catered to what is sustainable and healthy for you; so you can start addressing your Neurological symptoms immediately.

An illustration of a brain cut out of cardboard, with wooden cogs inside, representing neurodegenerative diseases treated by Shelley Cole, M.D. of Healthy Success in Temple, Texas.

It’s Not Over. It’s Time to Fight.

Temple, Texas neurodegenerative disease provider, Dr. Shelley Cole offers a safe and compassionate environment to ask the hard questions. Call (254) 343-7837 and schedule a consultation today!

Shelley Cole M.D. of Healthy Success in Temple, Texas.

Central Texas Integrative Medicine Specialist

At Healthy Success, Dr. Shelley G. Cole leads a dedicated team committed to helping patients achieve lasting health through personalized, science-based wellness solutions. With extensive expertise in gynecology, bioidentical hormone therapy, and holistic wellness, Dr. Cole brings a compassionate, patient-centered approach to care. Located in Temple, TX, Healthy Success is designed to address health concerns at their root, empowering individuals to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Dr. Cole has built a reputation for her expertise in women’s health and hormone balance, but her practice extends well beyond these areas. She and her team offer services ranging from preventive wellness and detoxification programs to advanced support for COVID-19-related health issues. Whether you’re seeking routine care, guidance on hormonal balance, or specialized COVID-19 treatments, Healthy Success is equipped to meet your unique health needs.

Some of the Services Offered by Shelley Cole, M.D. of Healthy Success: