Enlarged Tonsils May Be Keeping Your Child from Sleeping!
Filed Under Wellness Based Dentistry® | 3 Comments
I have been undertaking a sleep study with Dr. Colin Shapiro, a medical sleep doctor, with respect to children’s tonsils and adenoids that may lead to undetected sleep apnea.
At each recall appointment, we are screening for children with enlarged tonsils, which may be an indicator of possible sleeping disorders such as sleep apnea. We check the size of the tonsils to see if they are restricting your child’s air intake.
Sleep apnea can decrease oxygen intake and interfere with your child’s healthy sleep patterns. As a result, your child’s behavior, attention span, and memory may be directly affected.
Dr. Dana Colson
Doing What I Want to Do with the Rest of My Life
Filed Under Natural Athlete | Leave a Comment
On February 1st, I started my third career.
My first career was as a member of the U.S. Navy, where I served as an enlisted sailor and as an officer for a total of 30 years. I started as a Recruit and retired a full Navy Captain in 2003, when I turned 60 years of age.
While I was serving as a Navy Reserve Officer, I pursued my second career in the business world.
I spent more than 30 years in the communications field, working for such companies as the New York Daily News, NBC-TV, MTV, Financial News Network (today CNBC), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, United Press International (UPI), The Weather Channel, The Learning Channel, and Eternal World Television Network (the Catholic channel). I held several executive positions in marketing, sales, and communications in these companies.
I started competing as a natural (drug-free) bodybuilder about four years ago and stepped onto a stage for the first time in 2005, at the age of 61. I have entered a total of 26 contests and am currently training for my fourth Pro show, the 2008 FAME World Championships in Toronto on June 14th.
During my time as a bodybuilder, I started a distance personal training business. I work with athletes around the U.S. and in a few other countries, providing ongoing training and diet assistance to aspiring competitors. As a Certified Personal Trainer, I also train athletes locally one-on-one as a part-time trainer (early mornings and weekends). This brings me to my third career.
On January 31st, I retired from my communications company as a vice president. After taking the weekend off to enjoy my retirement, on February 1st, I joined the YMCA as a Personal Trainer.
My new work clothes are sneakers and sweats. My new “office” has a weight room, tennis courts, swimming pool, track, tread mills, a sauna, deep tub, and steam room. How cool is that?
I have been working at the Y for about four weeks and already have 17 clients and nearly 200 hours of personal training time booked. Old Navy is in the house.
Scott “Old Navy” Hults
Naturopathic Medical Doctor vs. Naturopathic Doctor: What Is the Difference?
Filed Under Naturopathy | 6 Comments
Every year the same House Bill is introduced into the State of Colorado—one that endangers the future of naturopathy. The bill seeks to regulate the field by licensing Naturopathic Medical Doctors (NMD) who obtained their degrees from a handful of colleges.
The problem is that the degree of NMD goes against the very core of naturopathic philosophy. Graduates of Naturopathic Medical Doctor programs incorporate the use of prescription drugs, invasive procedures, surgeries, and other philosophies found in traditional medical schools. These same doctors would become primary care physicians (PCPs) but would be lacking the medical background traditionally found in medical schools. The frightening thing is that these NMDs would receive a valid state license to diagnose and treat injuries and diseases.
At the other end of the spectrum is the Naturopathic Doctor (ND). An ND is a traditional natural healer whose focus is on education: helping their clients to improve and maintain a healthy lifestyle, finding the underlying causes of disease rather than merely treating the signs and symptoms of them. Naturopathic Doctors rely on non-invasive procedures and herbal/homeopathic remedies. Their focus is on prevention and cures.
The big problem is that both practitioners are referred to as doctors. But remember: the title of doctor does not always mean medical doctor. (There are post-graduate degrees that give the title of doctor in a variety of fields such as counseling, education, philosophy, and anthropology.)
In any field, you are going to find good practitioners and some very bad practitioners. It is important for you to decide what type of partnership you desire for your health care needs. There should be a marriage between the two types of naturopathic doctors, a complement where the two disciplines work together to provide overall improved health.
No matter what option you choose, always check the practitioner’s credentials. The field is not highly regulated, so there are many who will hang a shingle to practice and go way beyond their scope and skill. Don’t fall victim to these charlatans.
A little knowledge goes a long way to those of us who take the time to become naturally savvy!
In health and wellness,
By Dr. Linda Mundorff
Global Skincare Secrets: Egypt
Filed Under Natural Goddess | Leave a Comment
This series will chronicle my journey through different countries and cultures searching for the ancient natural secrets to skincare around the globe. My first destination is Egypt.
In August of 2007, I had the opportunity to travel to Egypt. Not only was this journey a chance to rest, it was a chance to learn about a fascinating country, its people, and their traditional practices of beauty and personal care.
The markets are filled with vendors of herbs, flowers, and oils that can be combined to create elixirs, flower baths and fragrant body oils. My biggest treat was being able to visit one of Egypt’s most famous “perfume” houses in the Aswan region. This establishment provides many of the coveted essential oils to prestigious perfume makers in Europe who still use pure essentials oils as the scent of their perfumes. The oils were of excellent quality and extracted naturally, using traditional steam methods. Not only did I learn about Egypt’s most famous oils, but I learned much about natural beauty remedies of ancient Egypt.
Rose:
In Egypt the rose in one of the most coveted flowers. It is used in the form of pure essential oil and fresh or dried petals. In either form, rose lends gentle yet powerful healing and purifying properties to baths, body oils, and facial remedies. In fact, who needs modern acid-filled beauty creams!? One of the best ways to preserve the quality of your skin through the years is to blend rose, sandalwood, and frankincense oils with a small amount of almond oil and apply it directly to clean skin. This concoction doesn’t make you break out or create extra oiliness, yet it leaves your skin feeling pleasantly moisturized and firm.
Sandalwood:
Considered the best oil for general healing in Egypt, pure sandalwood oil is used for massage, in facial masks, for arthritis pain, and to heal dry, cracked skin. The pure oil is the consistency and color of liquid honey and has a deliciously woodsy fragrance.
Frankincense:
Frankincense oil has a calming affect on the mind. It can also help balance skin irritations. In ancient Egypt it was used as an offering to the gods. It was also used as part of a rejuvenating facial mask: a blend of sandalwood, rose, and frankincense oils mixed with whole milk goat yogurt.
Fenugreek seeds:
In ancient Egypt, the oil from fenugreek seeds were used as a natural skin softener. A tea made from the seeds was believed to increase milk production and breast size. I can’t attest to that one, but I have used fenugreek blended with other oils to create an earthy-smelling bath oil. Fenugreek oil is very pungent and should not be used without dilution in the skin.
As the owner of a natural body care company, I wanted to create products that are just a bit different from the norm—and make them chemical-free to boot. What I realized is that many of the ancient civilizations had the art of personal care down pat. These ancient cultures used the gifts of Mother Nature to cleanse and purify their bodies with great success. So join me in the future for information about the natural beauty secrets of Ghana, Japan, and the Maya of Mexico!
Jane Large
Fixing Other People?
Filed Under Law of Attraction | Leave a Comment
Have you ever seen a close friend or a family member struggle, and you yearned to step in and make a difference? Tonight at dinner, I had a wonderful chat with a friend about another lovely friend who is living with a whole bunch of drama. We all want to help her, but she is still not ready to receive. She feels safer in the drama. This is good for us to recognize, or we would be very frustrated. We love her, we let her know that, and then we move on with our lives until she is ready.
You will never make a difference for those who are waiting for you until you stop trying to help the people who are not ready. Love those you get frustrated by, adore them, hug them… but maybe it’s time to stop trying to teach someone who has not yet declared himself or herself a student.
When the teacher is ready, the student will appear. When you are done trying to “fix” others—spending time on people who are not ready—you will see all of the hundreds of people who’ve been waiting for you to make a difference for them.
Sometimes you think you know what someone needs… but really, you don’t. Only that person does. Let the Universe orchestrate your life, your family’ s life, and your friends’ lives.
Perfect timing, perfect teachers. It kind of takes the pressure off of you… you know, the pressure of being the general manager of the entire Universe.
Jennifer Hough
Keeping Your Kitchen Clean: How to Keep Your Kitchen Smelling Fresh
Filed Under Clean Quick and Green | Leave a Comment
I love cooking, but after broiling a beautiful piece of salmon, steaming some tasty broccoli, or roasting a delightful bulb of garlic, I have no interest in the odors coexisting with me. I’ve come across some excellent tricks to reduce and neutralize kitchen odors.
For starters, decaying food is a huge problem! Examine your fridge and remove old foods at once. Wipe the bottom of the fridge regularly to remove stains and odors.
While cooking, use the exhaust fan; it removes the grease from the air, which helps to reduce odors and also prevents you from inhaling the stuff.
You can also boil vinegar to remove odors. See the previous vinegar blogs for more detail.
I came across the coolest trick a while back, and use it whenever necessary. You have to try this to believe it! Broccoli is amazing, but we all know how it smells when being cooked. Simply take a slice of bread and place it in the pot on top of the broccoli, then close the pot and let it steam. The bread acts as a natural sponge, absorbing the odor from the broccoli!
I have a lampe berger, which is a catalytic alcohol- and oil-burning lamp; I use it to burn “crème brulée” to deodorize. A lampe berger is incredibly effective at neutralizing odors and leaving a beautiful scent in your home, without the chemical effects of scented candles and air fresheners.
Finally, you can investigate air purifiers which can be helpful, too.
Melissa
Running During Pregnancy
Filed Under Fitmom Wellness | Leave a Comment
Running during pregnancy has been and continues to be a controversial issue in which clear answers seem often hard to find. This is because there is no right answer for everybody. Individual factors need to be taken into consideration.
Here are some guidelines to follow:
New Ventures: If running is a new venture for you, don’t start during pregnancy. Running in and of itself does involve some impact that can be hard on the joints when you’re not accustomed to this type of exercise. Try a specifically prenatal fitness class or a non-impact running machine at the gym where you can start at a nice low level.
Body Awareness: The single most important thing to remember about exercising during pregnancy is that you pay attention to and honor your body. If your body is calling it quits, then you must listen to it. Pregnancy is not the time to indulge your competitive nature.
Relaxin: This hormone runs through your body during pregnancy, leaving your joints less stable as it prepares your body to accommodate the delivery of your baby. The risk of injury here is increased. Balancing your workout with strength training, yoga, and light stretching will help to maximize stability and prevent injury.
Heart Rate Intensity: The talk test is the easiest and most reliable way for an individual to determine what is safe. 1-2 minutes of comfortable conversation is a good guide to know that you are in the safe zone.
Footwear: Make sure the footwear you select is right for you. This goes for running even when you’re not pregnant. However, when selecting footwear during pregnancy, recognize that your feet may change. It is important to monitor your footwear and its compatibly with your feet.
Hydration: Stay hydrated by drinking before, during, and after exercise. Lots of water taken frequently in small sips tends to be the most effective approach.
Caloric Intake: Pregnancy requires an additional 150-200 kcals per day. On exercise days, make sure you throw in a few more “quality calories.”
Heat Dissipation: Take care to wear clothes that will allow you to release heat. Make sure the weather is appropriate, and don’t run on extremely hot days.
Contraindications: Don’t run if you suffer from pubic symphisis, joint pain, or lower back pain. Pregnancy-related contraindications include pregnancy-induced hypertension, incompetent cervix, placenta previa, threatened pre-term labor, and bleeding.
Most importantly, try to find a caregiver that is familiar with exercise and pregnancy, and work together to make sure that continuing to run is good for you at any stage of pregnancy.
Cheers,
Andrea Page
A Business and a Baby
Filed Under Mom Talk | Leave a Comment
No one said it would be easy, I think to myself some mornings at 2 a.m. as I’m working away at my computer, catching up on paperwork before baby Isaiah’s next feeding. It’s one of those challenges where ignorance is bliss. Looking back, I couldn’t have prepared for even less sleep than the lack of sleep most new mothers experience. However, there is something to be said for loving what you do and wanting its success that gives you that extra energy just when you need it.
It is hard to be positive all the time, though. Sometimes when I hear new moms talk about all the things they get to do with their babies, I certainly do feel a little envious. It’s at this moment that I do need to stop and remember that quality of time spent with children is most important—not necessarily the amount. I feel that society is very judgmental of the working mom and the stay-at-home mom at the same time. It seems to be a no-win situation.
It’s about BALANCE. And with that in mind, I always say that the moms who don’t get maternity leave must schedule in their down time (or else it won’t happen), delegate without guilt, be prepared to make some mistakes, create social opportunities that meet more then one need (like exercising with your baby), shop for groceries with a friend. Also, don’t do things that other people can do—like clean your house. Even if you don’t have a lot of disposable income, you can justify this expense. If you, the entrepreneur, are cleaning instead of working, then you’re actually losing money!!!
Cheers,
Andrea Page
Adrenal Stress: Part Three
Filed Under Dr. Zoltan Rona (MD) | 1 Comment
Adrenal Insufficiency
A long list of suboptimal health conditions and diseases are stress-related. These conditions can stem from either a weak or an exaggerated adrenal response. The following is just a partial list of conditions requiring adrenal glandular support:
• Anxiety/Panic attacks
• Asthma
• Autoimmune diseases (e.g., fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, Graves’ disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.)
• Cancer
• Diabetes mellitus (Type II)
• Depression
• Headaches (tension, migraine)
• Hypoglycemia
• Infertility
• Premature menopause
• Menstrual problems (premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, amenorrhea)
• Multiple chemical hypersensitivity/allergies
• Recurrent flus, colds, and other infections
Adrenal Glandular Support
The vast majority of cases requiring adrenal glandular support programs can help themselves without prescription hormones. A combination of diet and lifestyle changes with or without nutritional supplements is usually all that’s required.
Diet
Avoid foods and beverages that unnecessarily stress the adrenals, especially alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, fried foods, processed foods, pork, sugar, and refined carbohydrates. A high percentage of symptomatic individuals are allergic to gluten (wheat, spelt, rye, barley, oats) and casein (dairy products) and should avoid these foods altogether. Eat more of the following (unless allergic): deep water ocean fish, salmon, tuna, trout, fresh fruits, and green leafy vegetables, garlic, onions, shiitake or maitake mushrooms, olives, and legumes.
Lifestyle
Regular moderate exercise, meditation, biofeedback, or other relaxation techniques to reduce stress; in more severe cases, consultation with a health care provider is required.
Nutritional and Herbal Supplements
Dosages depend on severity of symptoms and individual tolerances.
• Multiple vitamin and mineral supplement
• Green drink (spirulina, chlorella, barley, Kamut, etc.)
• Bee pollen
• B complex vitamins with extra vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) or royal jelly
• Vitamin C and bioflavonoids
• Raw adrenal extract
• Raw liver extract
• Coenzyme Q10
• Astragalus
• Echinacea
• Licorice root (can raise blood pressure if used excessively)
• Milk thistle
• Siberian ginseng
Hormone replacement
In more severe cases that fail to respond adequately to the natural approach, low-dose adrenal hormones could be prescribed for short periods of time. These include:
• DHEA
• Pregnenolone
• Cortisol
• Testosterone
• Progesterone
• Estrogens
The use of steroid drugs (e.g., prednisone) for extended periods of time can cause the shrinking (atrophy) of the adrenal glands and should be monitored regularly to prevent long term side effects. This is far less likely to occur when one takes low-dose DHEA, pregnenolone, or other natural steroids but should not be ignored as a remote possibility.
For more information on reversing adrenal woes, see the references below and consult a natural health care practitioner for an individualized adrenal enhancement regime.
Dr. Zoltan Rona
REFERENCES
Cleare, Anthony, J. and Wessely, Simon, C., “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Stress Disorder?” British Journal of Hospital Medicine, 1996;55(9):571-574.
Freeman, Roy, M.D. and Komaroff, Anthony L., M.D., “Does the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Involve the Autonomic Nervous System?” American Journal of Medicine, 1997;102:357-364.
Goldberg, Samuel, M.D., et al. “Adrenal Suppression Among Asthmatic Children Receiving Chronic Therapy With Inhaled Corticosteroid With and Without Spacer Device”, Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, March, 1996;76:234-238.
Rubin, Robert T., et al. “Adrenal Gland Volume in Major Depression: Relationship to Basal and Stimulated Pituitary-Adrenal Cortical Axis Function,” Biological Psychiatry, 1996;40:89-97.
Selye, H. “Stress in Health and Disease.” Buttersworth, London, UK, 1976.
Tintera, John W. HYPOADRENOCORTICISM, 1969; the Adrenal Metabolic Research Society of the Hypoglycemia Foundation, Inc., 153 Pawling Avenue, Troy, New York, USA 12180.
Tintera, John W. “The Hypoadrenocortical State and Its Management”: N.Y. State J. of Med., Vol. 55, No. 13, 7/1/55.
Wilder, Ronald, L. “Adrenal and Gonadal Steroid Hormone Deficiency in the Etiopathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis”, Journal of Rheumatology, 1996;23(suppl 44):10-12.
Bonding or Veneers?
Filed Under Wellness Based Dentistry® | Leave a Comment
Did you know that bonding is less expensive than veneers, easier to repair, and (in certain situations) can last as long as veneers? Bonding is great to fill in gaps, reshape tooth contours, and widen smiles with minimal tooth reduction!!
Dr. Dana Colson
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