Mixing Remedies – A Bad Idea
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Did you know that you should never combine prescription medications with any other type of remedy unless prescribed by a doctor? All medications have the potential for side effects. Some side effects are minor and not life threatening such as, dry mouth or slight gastric upset. Conversely, some medications have severe side-effects that can be very life threatening, interfere with the absorption of key nutrients and the function of many enzymes, and counteract the important benefits of other medications.
Did you know that most medications are synthesized from their natural counterparts? So, just because something is touted to be natural doesn’t mean mixing them is safe. For example, before there was aspirin there was its natural plant counterpart found in willow bark. Both can help reduce a fever, manage pain, and thin the blood. The problem arises when willow bark is taken with other products that have the same properties, such as warfarin, coumadin, and vitamin K. Or when an individual who is allergic to aspirin but has the false belief that willow bark is safe, takes willow bark, again because it is natural. For this reason, as well as others, I tend to categorize all remedies, whether natural or synthetic, whether an herb or a vitamin, as drugs.
A drug is defined as a substance taken to: diagnose, medicate, prevent, and treat. A drug can effect non-targeted organs in the body thus resulting in unwanted side-effects, can neutralize or counteract the effects of other drugs, and can worsen certain pre-existing health problems
Although remedies taken in their natural form are not as potent as their synthetic pharmacological counterpart, they are still capable of doing great harm in large doses or when combined with other medications or remedies. Therefore, all supplements, whether vitamins, minerals, herbal, or homeopathic need to be reported and discussed with your doctor. The doctor can review for: proper dosing, interactions with other remedies, reduced absorption potential, harmful effects, and the like.
Armed with knowledge you can improve your chances of better-informed decisions about your health and the health of those you love. You’ll be glad you did!
Dr. Linda Mundorff
Erythritol: The New Kid on the Block
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Just when we thought scientists were done messing around with our sugar substitutes, another one pops onto the market. Erythritol, not really new, as it is found in our diets, is now available as an artificial sweetener. I know that I probably shouldn’t refer to it as artificial but I don’t have much faith in the powers that be.
First there was saccharine, A gift for our parent’s generation (until the scare in the 1970’s that it caused cancer in rats). Then there was acetoacetamide, circa 1988, found in everything from drinks to chewing gum, and then it was linked to thyroid cancer. And then there was aspartame, it tasted better than saccharine and was touted to be healthier, until we found out it was possibly linked to brain tumors and may contribute to the formation of formaldehyde. Isn’t formaldehyde used as an embalming agent?
Remember sorbitol? It is produced naturally in the body, yet it is poorly digested. Too much sorbitol has been linked to cellular damage. I bet you didn’t know that sorbitol is an ingredient in some cosmetics and hair gels as a thickening agent, and as a humectant in some cigarettes. When sorbitol is combined with potassium nitrate it becomes a crude form of rocket fuel!
Other sugar substitutes have come along and although less harmful they still have been known to cause considerable havoc on the gastric system. I am referring to sugar substitutes such as manitol, maltitol, and xylitol. If you have a history of gastric problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, ulcerative colitis, leaky gut syndrome, and others you may want to avoid ingesting these substitutes, as they can worsen your already aggravated condition. I was really disappointed when independent research showed that my favorite sugar substitute, sucralose (Splenda) may have caused thymus shrinkage, damage to the kidneys and liver, decreased red blood cell production, and was linked to pelvic hyperplasia, among other problems.
Indeed new products are constantly being added. The latest group advertised as coming straight from plant sources, aid in digestion, and taste very sweet are Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), inulin, and Stevia. Let’s talk about FOS first. FOS is indigestible in our bodies and is therefore a good bulking agent. It gets transported to the large intestine where it feeds on microbes. At first glance, this sounds good as it keeps the bad microbes in check. But upon further investigation, FOS also destroys the good microbes in our gut. Inulin, an oligosaccharides, is found in the roots of plants such as burdock and dandelion, both of which are common herbal remedies. It produces fructose and so is supposed to make our foods taste sweeter. Stevia is a plant found in parts of South America and Japan. It is sold as a dietary supplement and not as a sugar substitute.
I started this blog introducing Erythritol and so find it fitting to finish it the same way. It is about 75% as sweet as sucrose and has virtually no calories. It doesn’t affect blood sugar so it is safe for diabetics, and it doesn’t cause tooth decay and so we will soon find it in gum and dietary candy bars. Erythritol is processed in the kidneys and therefore bypasses the large intestine. But, yes you knew it was coming, excessive amounts of erythritol can spill over and be transported to the large intestine where it can cause severe diarrhea. I tried it and it tastes very good. It doesn’t have the funny after taste that many of the sugar substitutes on the market have.
Still I can’t help wonder and worry if Eythritol is just another on the evolutionary chain of sugar substitutes that will be found to cause harm. Our diets are bombarded with chemical – chemicals to process the food, to preserve and extend shelf live, chemicals to help with digestion, to add flavoring, color, and over-all enhance the appearance of the food. What ever happened to getting back to nature? Why do we have to enhance the flavor of fruits and vegetables? My children have always eaten their vegetables. Vegetables were always (and still are) a primary component of our meals. They know and appreciate the fact that snacks and desserts are secondary and a treat. But vegetables are a given and not to be passed over for ice cream and the like.
I will always advocate for a natural sugar alternative. I will always stress that anything 100% natural is better - as long as its taken in moderation. I have one cup of coffee a day and in that coffee I have one teaspoon of pure sugar. After the scare with splenda I threw my hands up in the air and gave in taking regular sugar. I don’t abuse it, and that is the key to my success. But don’t get me wrong, I’ll always keep looking for that great, all-natural sugar alternative that awaits me around the corner.
Take control of your health, go natural. You will be glad you did!
In health and wellness!
Dr. Mundorff
Health Inventory
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The health inventory provides baseline information that can assist your health care provider in determining potential risk factors. You can develop your own health inventory by incorporating data such as demographics (age, height, weight); lifestyle (physical activities, alcohol and smoking consumption, eating habits, and stress-relieving activities), hospitalizations (outpatient procedures and surgeries), medical history (past and current medical problems); and medication history (including prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, and homeopathic remedies). The health inventory can be adjusted to include whatever data you feel is important for your health care provider to know about you and your family. Keep the health inventory current and make copies for all of your health care providers.
Once the health inventory is completed, each family member then develops their individual health goal table. The health goal table is a plan of health. What is it that I want for my body? For example, if you have chronic back pain, one of your health goals might be to reduce or eliminate that back pain. Make the goal and the action plan reasonable and feasible or else you won’t implement it. Health goals need to be reviewed and updated regularly. You can best determine the frequency of those reviews with your health care practitioner. Be health wise and take control. You’ll be glad you did.
In health and wellness,
Dr. Mundorff
What is Naturoprathy?
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Naturopathy is a non-traditional health modality that seeks to improve overall health and treat diseases predominately by stimulating the body?s innate ability to heal. Naturopathic treatments are non-invasive and developed to stimulate the body?s own immune system. A Doctor of Naturopathy (or N.D.) focuses on prevention, achieving wellness and dealing with chronic problems that traditional medicine may have failed to cure.
Dr. Linda
Treating a Childhood Fever
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Treatment of a mild to moderate non-concerning fever should not be suppressive. The body produces a fever for a reason and we must respect the body?s innate ability to heal itself (unless the fever in itself is cause for concern). Here are some simple and effective ways to holistically help treat a child?s fever:
? Herbs are a useful tool to help manage fevers. Equal parts of yarrow, peppermint, chamomile, and elderflowers can work to help support the body move through the fever without suppressing it. Use 1-2 tsp of total herbs/cup of water and steep up to five minutes. Offer the child ? to 3 cups/day depending on the age of the child.
? Sponge baths in lukewarm water (do not use cold water or alcohol) for no longer than twenty minutes are useful to help reduce fevers. Ensure that the child is protected from drafts during and after the bath. Stop the bath immediately if he/she begins to shiver.
? Essential oils of lavender, rosemary, peppermint or eucalyptus can also be quite beneficial. Add 4-6 drops into a lukewarm sponge or foot bath. These essential oils can also be added to massage oil and rubbed into the back of the neck, shoulders and feet. Do not ingest the essential oils orally ? they are only for external use.
? Garlic massaged into the feet with a little olive oil before bed will act slowly during the night to stabilize the fever. Use fresh pressed, room temperature garlic.
? Homeopathy, a system of medicine that stimulates the innate defensive systems and inner vitality of the body in a very subtle manner, is often one of the most effective treatments for fevers. If the correct homeopathic medicine has been chosen, the child will show noticeable signs of improvement quite quickly. For information on how to choose the ?right? remedy for the child, consult a Naturopathic or Homeopathic Doctor.
If you prefer to take the more conventional route, there are numerous over the counter medications (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, etc.) that are fever-suppressant. Remember, fevers are generally a supportive measure that the body uses to fight infection. Avoid giving aspirin to a child with a fever. Many fevers are virally caused infections, and the combination of aspirin and viral illness has been linked to the development of Reye?s syndrome. Consult your pharmacist or medical doctor for further information.
If the child has a temperature above 103?F and the child does not respond to fever-reducing interventions, acts confused or loses consciousness, begins to have body twitching or eyes rolling, is under six months old, is unusually sleepy or extremely irritable, is having difficulty breathing, has a significant decrease in urine output, has symptoms of a fever accompanied by a headache and/or stiff neck, or looks and feels really sick, consult a health care practitioner at once. These are situations that may require professional intervention.
The human body is instinctually intelligent — children are as well. Fevers are generally a healthy response to alert the body that there is a deeper underlying illness within the body. Fevers are an ally, a tool the body employs to ward of infection and disease. If we suppress fevers, we do not respect the innate ability of the body to heal itself. As I mentioned previously, fevers can be dangerous and should not always be left to ride themselves out; however, where possible, allow the body to manage the fever on its own and do not interrupt its purpose of fighting the underlying cause. Children will notify you with both verbal and non-verbal cues when they are not managing a fever well. Pay close attention to their cues and allow them to rest as much as possible. Children are amazing creatures of strength with innate healing powers.
How to Manage a Fever
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Managing a fever involves a lot of rest and plenty of fluids. Dehydration can occur quickly in infants and children and must be carefully monitored, especially if diarrhea and/or vomiting accompany the fever. For children older than 2 years old, you can offer them water, light broth, vegetable juices, diluted fruit juices and fruit juice popsicles, lemon water, herbal teas, and breast milk, if applicable. A decrease in appetite is often quite normal when a fever is present ? do not force the child to eat. Food will often place more strain on a child?s system and inhibit the body?s ability to fight the underlying infection. Ensure that the child has enough clothes on to prevent a chill, but be sure not to overdress them.
When is Intervention For a Fever Necessary?
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Reducing a child?s slight fever is often unnecessary and may in fact prolong the length of the illness. Evaluating when intervention is necessary is the key to supporting a child?s experience when a fever is present. Generally, unless the child?s fever is higher than 102?F, fever-reducing medication may not be necessary. With a temperature of 103?F or higher, children will often look and feel awful, independent of what is causing the fever. An infection or simple cold will often not produce symptoms that are as physically draining as the fever itself. It is important to always assess if the fever is beneficial or complicating the situation. There are times when you will want to actively work to lower a fever. As previously stated, a fever between 101.5?F and 103?F is helping their system overcome infection.
The following are situations where it may be necessary to work at lowering a fever:
? The child?s temperature is 103.5?F or higher for more than an hour
? The fever climbs above 105?F
? The child has a history of febrile seizures
? The child is really exhausted or uncomfortable because of the fever
A fever over 107?F can damage a child?s central nervous system. It is more uncommon for a fever to raise that high unless there is another factor complicating the acute illness. Lowering a fever may help to assess the severity of the illness. If a child feels significantly better after the fever is lowered, there is generally less cause for concern than if he/she continues to feel terrible. Remember to always search for the cause of the fever and not just treat the symptom of an increased temperature.
What is a Fever?
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A fever is defined as a body temperature elevated to at least 1?F above 98.6?F. However, there are natural variations amongst people?s set body temperatures. Orally, a child?s normal temperature can range, on average, anywhere between 96.8?F and 99.4?F. Although fever is often a sign that there is an infection in the body, in children (especially under the age of eight) the height of the fever does not always correlate with the severity of the illness. For example, a child may have a slight runny nose and cough and exhibit a raging fever, whereas another child may have a more serious cold but exhibit no fever at all. Thus, drawing conclusions about a child?s health or sickness based exclusively on the symptom of a fever is not representative of the whole picture. It is important to evaluate a child?s behavior in areas such as appetite, mood and temperament, level of activity, degree of lethargy, responsiveness and ability to be consoled in order to determine how sick they are. Fever may often be the first sign of an illness, even when no other symptoms are present; however, it is essential to always investigate for the cause of the fever. Some common causes of childhood fevers may include chicken pox, ear infections, and influenza, to name a few. Other common causes of elevated temperatures that are non-illness related include over-excitement, overdressing, exercise, dehydration, mosquito bites and bee stings, or an allergic reaction.
Understanding and Managing Childhood Fevers - Are They Bad?
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Fevers are often a source of stress and confusion when it pertains to children. ?How long should I let a fever linger for??, ?Is a fever good or is it dangerous??, ?When does a fever become too high?? These are a few of the most commonly asked questions posed to me in my Naturopathic Medical practice by teachers, childcare workers, and parents. As a parent, I know the distress of an uncomfortable, cranky, fevering child; as a Naturopathic Doctor, I witness the discomfort of caregivers as they struggle with the questions around treatment of a fever. Please find below a guideline for managing childhood fevers. However, I want to be clear that every child is unique, and therefore every fever situation must be addressed on a child by child basis by either a medical and/or naturopathic doctor.
Fevers are a common symptom associated with many childhood illnesses, not a disease in and of itself. Fevers are a defence mechanism employed by the body to fight infections ? they occur in response to bacteria and/or viruses and are a sign that the immune system has been triggered to help fight an infection in the body. Many viruses and bacteria do not survive as well in a body with an elevated temperature, thus making the fever an ally in the process of fighting the infection. In addition, fevers help to increase the mobility and killing ability of white blood cells which also help to fight infection. A rise in temperature enhances the immune system?s ability to destroy the infection and is actually a strong and vital sign that the immune system is competently doing its job.
