5 Ways to Treat Asthma Naturally… July 13, 2007

__

You are running after your kids in the back yard when it strikes! You are unable to catch your breath and you start frantically looking for your inhaler. As you puff on the little device you think, “There has to be a better way to take care of this.” Asthma, a condition that affects 15 million people, is traditionally treated with bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids which can have potentially serious side effects with prolonged use.

So what can you do? Are there any natural techniques that have shown to help this epidemic? Well, as a matter of fact there are. Just take a look below.

1. Go to the chiropractor. Preliminary studies are showing that by receiving regular chiropractic adjustments have demonstrated promising results for asthma sufferers. Chiropractors will look for subluxations (misalignments in the spine) and correct them. The upper back region contain nerves that affect the lungs so this area may be of interest to your chiropractor as a potential source of subluxations.
2. Get that weight under control! When you carry extra weight on your frame your organs, including your lungs will have to work harder to keep up with the extra demand of your added girth.
3. Drink water! Many Americans are plagued with chronic dehydration, especially for our fellow caffeine addicts in which caffeine acts as a diuretic. Good old fashioned water will help rehydrate your body and restore moisture to your lungs, allowing breathing to be an easier task. Shoot for 8-10 glasses a day. Trust me, as a former Diet Coke addict, it gets easier to drink over time.
4. Stay away from the fumes! Whether you or someone around you smokes, get away from it. If you smoke you need to quit to avoid a whole host of health problems. If you are around smoke on a consistent basis – ask the person to smoke outside. Luckily, many states are starting to pass laws prohibiting smoking in bars and restaurants.
5. Use natural cleaners! Many cleaners on the market have some pretty toxic fumes that can irritate sensitive lung tissue. There are many ways to clean your house using just vinegar, some lemon juice, water and baking soda.

Try these suggestions and see how your attacks will become less severe and less frequent. Feel free to leave your story in the comments!

Oh the horror of the scales… June 27, 2007

Being pregnant is definitely not the time to get overanxious about the scales and what they read. So, how do we cope and not get overly upset about the creeping numbers?

We have to face the fact, that we WILL gain weight. Okay so now that is out of the way, how much are we going to gain and can we lose it all? I’m a firm believer of “anything is possible”. After my first pregnancy and 30 pound weight gain, I did get back to my pre-pregnancy weight within a few months. However, with this pregnancy (I’m gaining a little slower) I have been on modified bedrest for almost 4 months and I worry about how much I’m eating and whether I will tip the scales over my 25-35 pound gain range, once this is said and done. Point is, I’m with you about the weight worry and since I have more time to dwell on it, it’s driving me crazy. So I’m going to make some suggestions for both of us that we can follow and focus on something more important than those stupid scales or the nurse “tsk, tsking” us if we gained more than the recommended pound a week.

1. The most important reality here, is that we are growing another human life! Okay, and if that isn’t enough we need to gain enough weight for his and your health.
2. You’re pregnant, not FAT! Realize that many of those pounds are breasts (yay!), uterus, baby, placenta, blood volume and fat stores. It’s recommended to eat an average 300 extra calories a day (so we can’t literally eat for two=(
3. If you find that you are bored and want to eat, call a friend or take a walk. If you are on bedrest, try some easy exercises like isometric contractions and ankle circles.
4. If you do gain more than the recommended amount, let it go. Once the weight is there you can’t get rid of it, until baby comes. Since you can’t change it, release it and move on. This is the hardest for me since I like to dwell on it. Big waste of thoughts and energy. By the way, you will find that some months you will gain more than others as baby has growth spurts. Just keep that in mind when the scales take a huge jump.
5. Take heart, you CAN lose the weight after the baby is born. Breast feeding can burn an extra 500 calories a day. So a very nice side effect.

Hang in there! Enjoy your diet, your pregnancy, and enjoy some ice cream (just not the whole half gallon!)

Ditch the diet sodas! June 21, 2007

I was practically raised with Diet Coke as my primary drink of choice. As many of you know, aspartame is the sweetener for many diet sodas. But how safe is aspartame and how much can we safely ingest? For debating purposes, I’m going to leave Splenda out of this topic, but we’ll cover that one in a future post.

I have read quite a few articles on the detrimental effects of aspartame. Many people get quite excited about talking about it’s pros and cons. For us women, the idea of drinking something that tastes good and is CALORIE-FREE can be very enticing. However, when we decide to drink a diet soda at a fast food restaurant, it doesn’t give us the freebie calories to extra-size our meal. Studies show that people how drink diet sodas can possibly gain weight at the same rate or more as those who drink regular colas.

So if diet sodas sweetened with aspartame are bad, what can we drink instead? Good old fashioned Adam’s Ale (as my papaw called it), aka water. Yuck, there’s no taste to that. Yeah, I know, but since your body is made mostly of water it is the healthiest form of drink. I used to buy diet sodas by the case and finish them in two days. I gave up my soda guzzling days three years ago, just before I got pregnant with my son. I have noticed since giving up aspartame and caffeine, I have felt healthier and my weight has been easier to control. Point is, I understand your reservations about giving it up, but as you reach for the next Cherry Diet Pepsi, think about how much healthier you are by avoiding a drink that breaks down into formaldehyde (a human pickling substance that is also carcinogenic). My thought? No level is a safe amount to consume.

The anti-aging trend – 5 tips to keep in mind June 11, 2007

To botox or not. To nip/tuck here and there. We have become a culture that is obsessed with youth. I admit being somewhat swept up by the idea of looking 20 forever. But what can we do for ourselves that doesn’t involve injections and scalpels?

1. Keep active – if we stop moving and start “feeling our age” we’ll freeze up like the Tinman and then the aches and pains really begin. This helps with weight control which can also decrease other weight induced health problems.
2. Stop the sun worshiping – I’m guilty of laying in the sun for hours in college only to turn my fair skin into a lobster colored hue. Keep the sunblock handy and save your skin!
3. Live your life for the long haul – meaning, treat your body like it’s going to live to be at least 100. That means stop the smoking, drink in moderation, get plenty of rest and all that. Statistics show that by the year 2050, one MILLION people will be labeled a centenarian. Wouldn’t you like Willard Scott to say your name on the Today show?
4. Treat yourself well – keep the stress under control. Remember Richard Carlson’ s book – Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff? Some events are just not worth getting worked up about. Studies show that stress can increase your risk for chronic illnesses.
5. Have meaningful relationships – many have heard of the health benefits of a happy marriage. By having nurturing, healthy relationships, you exude love to others and yourself.

Live LIFE every day and I’ll see you well into the second half of this century!

Cheers to your health! June 8, 2007

How many times have you thought about changing your health by either dieting, exercising, or quitting smoking? Many of us have daily thoughts/battles about improving our health. Just like New Year’s Resolutions our initial gusto quickly fizzles out.

Why do you think that is?

My theory is that we have good intentions but our follow-through falters, big time. I suggest that if you want to make a change in your life such as eating healthier, take baby steps. If you make major changes all at once such as following a very strict diet, you will set yourself up to fall. Too often when we severely restrict our diets, we crave that food with an intensity that will plague you. So try little changes, such as eating whole grain pasta instead of white. Moderation is the key. Believe you can do it and visualize your healthier lifestyle. Live it!

ADHD – to medicate or not June 5, 2007

Is it just me or does it seem that every other kid is being medicated for some condition or other? Over 7% of our children are being diagnosed with ADHD (boys are more than two times as likely to have the condition). Many of these children are being placed on various forms of stimulants (such as the infamous Ritalin) or anti-depressants at the tender age of 2! Check out all the fun side effects of these drugs.

This is where I become an Alpha mom. I have serious issues giving a small child a medication to treat a potentially subjective condition. I know that there are kids out there that truly have issues that the ADHD diagnosis address, but rather than resorting to our “quick fix” attitude towards everything, why don’t we take a closer look at what could really be going on.

More often, our children are losing their time for creative or imaginative play. Their lives have become more scheduled with limited time to be “just kids”. Other stresses such as divorce and a lack of getting outdoors can lead to children being unable to focus on tasks. There are other treatment options such as behavior modification and counseling that have shown to give some benefits, but are still being evaluated for effectiveness. Chiropractic care is also an important contender to the caring of this problem. Check out this case study that was recently televised.

Personally, I would rather see our kids get outside, get regular holistic health care such as chiropractic, and eating a healthy balanced diet. On top of that, we need to spend QUALITY time with our kids that doesn’t involved devices that need batteries or an electrical cord.

Weight, what else? June 4, 2007

Since two thirds of the population is overweight, I felt I should dedicate a post to dealing with weighty issues. The overweight epidemic is causing a plethora of issues in the health care industry, not to mention home and work life. Rather than focusing on the direness of this trend, I would rather look towards a more positive pathway to health.

Countless people begin diets everyday only to fail within weeks to months. How many times have you lost a little weight, felt great and then started back to your old eating habits? All the while, you are berating yourself as you open that refrigerator door reaching for the potato salad. I don’t believe dieting has to be about focusing on the negative consequences. In fact, I think the word dieting should be eliminated from your mental thoughts altogether. The act of dieting means to withhold something you want in order to lose weight. Don’t you think you are going to want that something again at some point, thus, leading to the weight gain?

I’m suggesting for you to change your way of thinking in regards to your body, weight and overall self. Take a look at yourself. What do you see that is positive? Think of those traits and write them down and keep it in a place that you can refer to often. While you are working on your overall mental wellbeing, imagine how you want your body to be. This is the part where you need to be realistic. Not everyone is meant to be a size 4 and you know what? That’s okay. You should find a goal for your body that will allow you to enjoy your life while maintaining a healthy body. You should even eliminate your weight number from your thought process. Try focusing on goals as to what you want to do with your healthier body. Imagine you are unable to go up a flight of stairs without being winded. Give yourself a goal to go up five flights without barely increasing your heart rate. By changing your thought process of weight loss, you can turn the experience into a wonderful journey in learning about the person you are meant to be.

Otitis media – also known as miserable May 26, 2007

Otitis media, aka middle ear infections, plague many youngsters every year. Antibiotics have been the standard course of treatment for many ear infections. However, studies are finding that treating with antibiotics may only shorten the infection by half a day. That isn’t much of an advantage when you think about other side effects that can occur with antibiotic use. Such fun disadvantages can be diarrhea, allergic reactions, and a build-up of antibiotic resistance.

Another helpful option to diminish the length of time that children are dealing with their infections is chiropractic. Having your child receive chiropractic adjustments can diminish the time and frequency of ear infections. Need further proof? Check out this study.

Next time your child appears to have an uncomplicated ear infection, consider consulting a chiropractor. As long as the ear infection is not severe, antibiotics may not be the best way to treat. However, keep an open dialogue with your pediatrician and ask questions if they think antibiotics are the best way to go forward. Good luck!

5 techniques to a happier YOU!!! May 25, 2007

How many of us have days where the morning starts with the kids screaming, you ding your door on the lawnmower in garage, your hair has a mind of its own, and the day continues with a seemingly endless array of mishaps?

I have found while I have been on “a timeout” due to bed rest, I have been given an opportunity to reflect about life and the next step. I’ve been guilty of just “getting through the day” without taking an opportunity to figure out who I am and where I want my life to head. I was recently given a copy of “The Secret” to read and discovered a new perspective. This book discusses attracting the life you want by having forward thinking and positive thoughts. I find that I can make it very hard on myself by letting those negative thoughts eek their way into my brain. Of course, our life is a journey and I want to share with you what has helped me through this timeout and will hopefully make an impact for you.

1. Banish negative thoughts from your consciousness – much easier said than done. I find that when negativity starts to overtake the positives, one needs to step back and focus all your energy on something positive in your life until the negativity begins to recede.
2. Express thankfulness frequently throughout the day. Even if you feel that your day is headed downhill, change your thinking and be thankful for even the smallest event in your life. Examples of this could be as simple as being thankful that you have food for breakfast or your shower allows you a moment to yourself. Whatever it is, give it a moment of thought and focus on the gratitude you feel toward that thought.
3. Find at least 10 minutes for yourself. Whether you are a stay at home mom or working 60 hours a week, you must squeeze 10 minutes in to take your own timeout. You could take a short walk, meditate, take a bath, write in your journal, or read a book. Whatever it takes to re-center yourself, JUST DO IT!
4. Exercise your body as well as your mind. Once you have control of those thoughts, it is essential to move your bod! Exercise can mean a number of different activities. Get into the habit of moving it every day. This could include vigorous cleaning, gardening, walking or playing ball with the kids in the yard.
5. Share your joy with others. Once you have re-charged yourself, you are ready to give to others. As a mom, we are constantly giving to our children, our knowledge, our love, our time and when you are feeling complete the temper tantrums are much easier to weather. Love others that come into your life as you love yourself and you will reap countless rewards.

Take care of yourself in a loving way and you will find those “bad” days are less frequent and severe. Smile for no reason and enjoy this beautiful day!

Ouch, my back hurts… May 24, 2007

“Ouch, my back hurts and I don’t even want to think about attempting to tie my shoes”. Sound remotely familiar? Many poor, unsuspecting pregnant women deal with low back pain at some point during their pregnancies. What to do about it is another matter.

As a natural health care provider, I’m a big advocate of avoiding medication – especially while pregnant. So, here you are with pain shooting down your legs – you can’t sleep, you can’t roll over in bed (thanks to that bump in the front), and forget about the stairs. What do you do?

After you have consulted with you health care provider, I would suggest visiting a chiropractor. Just because you are pregnant does not mean chiropractic is not an option. For those of you who have never been or had only been while non-pregnant, this option is ideal for pregnancy. Chiropractic involves an adjustment to the spine that allows the spine, and thus the body, to function more appropriately. Imagine as your bump takes on a shape of its own, there is a shift in your center of gravity causing your lower back to want to cave forward, further stressing your pelvis and lower back. To add insult to injury, your ligaments are more lax causing a lack in spinal stability.

Once you take the plunge to visit a chiropractor you will be evaluated and a complete history will be taken. Please ask lots of questions so that you can feel comfortable with your experience and health care. This is so important. Don’t just let the experience occur without you being present with what will be happening to your body. When you are satisfied with your chosen chiropractor and you have both agreed to proceed with care, you will go through the adjustment which will help correct the stress on your body.

However, I must caution you. Unlike taking an Ibuprofen, you may not get immediate relief. It takes time to work with the body to allow it to heal and work in a more appropriate position. Please be patient. If you are are in significant pain, your chiropractor should give you instructions on exercises and/or advice to ice or heat.

There are so many options out there to alleviate back pain. As your body takes on the adventure of pregnancy and your hormones are closely following, treat your body as the sacred temple that it is. The beautiful thing about pregnancy is, it’s a temporary condition and this pain, too, shall pass.