As you all know, it is the middle of December 2010. I keep hearing repeated stories from friends and patients about being sick right now. I wonder a little bit what is really going on. Is it the cold weather and the snow? I live in Toronto and we have just had our first really frigid temperatures and lots of snow.
Is it stress as well? This time of year is sure a stressful one especially if you celebrate Christmas. The pressure of repeated family gatherings, spending money on presents for loved ones and lots of get-togethers. Just a lot of pressure. I think a lot of issues in our families tend to bubble up during this time of year because there is even more pressure and greater expectations for all of us to get along--even if we don't get along very well.
So, this combination of stress and expectations, cold weather seems to lead to lots of acute illness.
And, let me say this...I hate being sick. I mean I really hate it. But sometimes our bodies have other plans.
The good news is that there are lot of things you can do to prevent and manage acute illness.
1. Get plenty of rest- Are you regularily getting at least 8 hours of sleep per night? Quanitity and quality of sleep are play such a huge role in your quality of life. We need this even more during times of stress and with less hours of light.
2. Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables with lean protein- It is really important to eat healthy foods during the winter and minimize your intake of sugar and dairy.
3. Take Vitamin D- Although some recent recommendations of the Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board recently changed their Vitamin D intake to 600iu per day. There is plenty of research to show that we need much more than this to prevent disease and maintain health. I usually recommend 4000iu per day. Check out the recent article by Dr. Mercola on this topic http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/12/11/vitamin-d-update-carole-baggerly-and-dr-cannell.aspx
4. Get fresh air and some exercise- In the winter, I want to get outside much less just because of the effort required in getting dressed. This is the time when we all need to get out even if it is just for a 30-minute walk. There are also so many great winter sports to discover.
5. Make a conscious intention to reduce stress-This is really such an important part of health. In addition to cardiovascular exercise, there are a variety of techniques to explore such as yoga, meditation and relaxation techniques ( progressive muscle scans, deep breathing). As a Reiki Practitioner, I also give myself a Reiki treatment when I get into bed at night which I find to be very soothing and relaxing. I usually fall asleep before even completing the whole treatment.
6. Homeopathic Flu Prevention- this is a natural medicine that I use myself to help prevent the development of influenza. I also use this with any interested patients. My patients are generally very pleased with it and people report not getting Influenza and experienced reduced and less severe acute illness.
7. Acute Homeopathic Treatment- If you do get ill, you can always consult a trained Homeopath to treat your cold, flu, strep throat etc. I personally love treating people for acute illness. When I find the correct remedy, it often works like magic. One patient calls Homeopathic Treatment "my little magic pills" because it works so wondrously and often, quickly.
For more information, please visit my website at http://www.redpearlhomeopathy.com/. I also offer Homeopathic Flu prevention throughout the winter for free to current patients and for $10 to the general public. This fee includes both the remedy and a mini-consultation.
If you check earlier blog posts, I have have written extensively about Homeopathic Flu Prevention and Homeopathy for the Treatment of Influenza.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Anxiety- It isn't Just in your Head!
It seems that lately in my practice I have been seeing more and more people suffering from anxiety. In many ways, I think that anxiety (and stress of course) is the most common ailment in modern society, especially for those of us living in fast-paced urban centres.
Of course, a little anxiety is not only "normal", it is actually good for you. Our bodies naturally respond to situations of real or perceived danger. This is called the "fight or flight response". In such situations, our bodies produce hormones like adrenaline and cortisol which lead to changes in the autonomic nervous system like increasing heart rate, slowing digestive function and reducing blood flow. Once the period of danger or stress is over, the body's function return to normal. Imagine however, if you are chronically living in this state?
I am always struck about how debilitating chronic anxiety is and that most people who really suffer from it do so largely in silence. It is just not talked about very much. While it may not be associated with the same stigma of depression and other mood disorders, I think that many people think chronic anxiety sufferers can just snap out of it.
If it were only that easy.
I wanted to say that there is hope. I have treated many people suffering from various forms of anxiety including generalized anxiety, panic disorders and anxiety-induced insomnia.
Homeopathic medicine works by finding the best match for your type of anxiety in people like you. What does this really mean? It means that every person experiences their anxiety slightly differently. One person may notice that they have difficulty falling asleep because they cannot turn their minds off. Another person may experience anxiety that interrupts sleep during the night to the point they are driven out of bed because of restlessness. Other people may feel such anxiety in specific situations that can lead to actual panic attacks and even fainting. Each person is different. One person may feel anxiety when performing or doing public speaking. Other people may experience panic in social situations or in crowds. In Homeopathy, we are looking at the specifics of your type of anxiety and looking for that one medicine that is the best match for all of you including your anxiety.
I actually love treating people with anxiety. I have found that the correct homeopathic medicine has such an amazing impact on improving both a person's anxiety as well as their ability to better cope with it.
This means that over time, Homeopathy not only reduces the intensity and frequency of anxiety symptoms, it also increases a person's ability to better tolerate situations that tend to trigger the anxiety.
There is no better feeling as a health professional to help a patient regain their quality of life again.
If you want to learn more, please come and join me at my free upcoming workshop at the Big Carrot in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Thursday, December 9th, 2010
7-9 pm
The Carrot Common (next to Book City)
Room 212
http://thebigcarrot.ca/index.php?id=121
Hope to see you there!
Of course, a little anxiety is not only "normal", it is actually good for you. Our bodies naturally respond to situations of real or perceived danger. This is called the "fight or flight response". In such situations, our bodies produce hormones like adrenaline and cortisol which lead to changes in the autonomic nervous system like increasing heart rate, slowing digestive function and reducing blood flow. Once the period of danger or stress is over, the body's function return to normal. Imagine however, if you are chronically living in this state?
I am always struck about how debilitating chronic anxiety is and that most people who really suffer from it do so largely in silence. It is just not talked about very much. While it may not be associated with the same stigma of depression and other mood disorders, I think that many people think chronic anxiety sufferers can just snap out of it.
If it were only that easy.
I wanted to say that there is hope. I have treated many people suffering from various forms of anxiety including generalized anxiety, panic disorders and anxiety-induced insomnia.
Homeopathic medicine works by finding the best match for your type of anxiety in people like you. What does this really mean? It means that every person experiences their anxiety slightly differently. One person may notice that they have difficulty falling asleep because they cannot turn their minds off. Another person may experience anxiety that interrupts sleep during the night to the point they are driven out of bed because of restlessness. Other people may feel such anxiety in specific situations that can lead to actual panic attacks and even fainting. Each person is different. One person may feel anxiety when performing or doing public speaking. Other people may experience panic in social situations or in crowds. In Homeopathy, we are looking at the specifics of your type of anxiety and looking for that one medicine that is the best match for all of you including your anxiety.
I actually love treating people with anxiety. I have found that the correct homeopathic medicine has such an amazing impact on improving both a person's anxiety as well as their ability to better cope with it.
This means that over time, Homeopathy not only reduces the intensity and frequency of anxiety symptoms, it also increases a person's ability to better tolerate situations that tend to trigger the anxiety.
There is no better feeling as a health professional to help a patient regain their quality of life again.
If you want to learn more, please come and join me at my free upcoming workshop at the Big Carrot in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Thursday, December 9th, 2010
7-9 pm
The Carrot Common (next to Book City)
Room 212
http://thebigcarrot.ca/index.php?id=121
Hope to see you there!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
It's World AIDS Day Today
December 1st of each year brings with it a lot of contemplation for me. Today is World AIDS Day.
For me, today is the day I spend time reflecting about HIV/AIDS.
Today, I remember all of those people who died in the early years of the epidemic in North America. I also remember all the friends and colleagues I have personally lost to this disease. I also know that many people around the world are still dying and don't have access to any treatment.
I also honour those living with this disease. The medical advances in treatment and anti-retroviral treatment have been huge. In the West at least, a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS is not a death sentence. But, it is not easy. For many people, the side effects of medicine can really be difficult. Plus the stigma is still humungous for most people. It doesn't seem to matter which community you come from, there is still ostracization, misinformation and ignorance connected to having this disease. Plus, many people still have to give up their careers and financial security when they start treatment. Imagine paying a minimum of $1000 per month for the cocktail alone?
I wanted to contribute more than just being an ally and supporting HIV-positive friends. Several years ago, I thought about how best I can contribute to the AIDS movement. While I was in school for my Homeopathic training, I was working at the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation (PWA). I consistently had wonderful people in my office struggling with side effects of medication or health conditions caused by HIV itself. I really wanted to do something. I found out quickly that there were no other Homeopaths in Ontario actually treating people with HIV or AIDS. This saddened me and spurred me into action. So, I set out on my journey. I began treating a few HIV-positive people while in school under supervision. I noticed that Homeopathic treatment was capable of doing several things;
I consistently see people with HIV improve their wellness under homeopathic treatment. While I cannot promise a cure, I know from clinical observation that I can promise increased wellness. I hope that one day that all HIV specialists would refer their patients to see a qualified Classical Homeopath.
I do treat people with HIV based on a sliding scale. I also offer free Homeopathic flu prevention to people with HIV. For more information, check out this article on the website Positive Lite at http://positivelite.com/content/blog/categories/health/item/treating-influenza-naturally-with-homeopathic-medicine
For me, today is the day I spend time reflecting about HIV/AIDS.
Today, I remember all of those people who died in the early years of the epidemic in North America. I also remember all the friends and colleagues I have personally lost to this disease. I also know that many people around the world are still dying and don't have access to any treatment.
I also honour those living with this disease. The medical advances in treatment and anti-retroviral treatment have been huge. In the West at least, a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS is not a death sentence. But, it is not easy. For many people, the side effects of medicine can really be difficult. Plus the stigma is still humungous for most people. It doesn't seem to matter which community you come from, there is still ostracization, misinformation and ignorance connected to having this disease. Plus, many people still have to give up their careers and financial security when they start treatment. Imagine paying a minimum of $1000 per month for the cocktail alone?
I wanted to contribute more than just being an ally and supporting HIV-positive friends. Several years ago, I thought about how best I can contribute to the AIDS movement. While I was in school for my Homeopathic training, I was working at the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation (PWA). I consistently had wonderful people in my office struggling with side effects of medication or health conditions caused by HIV itself. I really wanted to do something. I found out quickly that there were no other Homeopaths in Ontario actually treating people with HIV or AIDS. This saddened me and spurred me into action. So, I set out on my journey. I began treating a few HIV-positive people while in school under supervision. I noticed that Homeopathic treatment was capable of doing several things;
- Improving wellness in HIV-positive people. This depends on each person and includes resolving complaints such as anxiety, headaches, heartburn, diarrhea, skin eruptions etc.
- Rise in CD4 counts- this occurs over gradually over time. I have consistently observed an increase of approximately 80-100 points within 2-3 months
- Reduction in side effects- HIV-positive people receiving chronic treatment experience less side effects
- Reduction in tendency to get sick with colds, influenza etc
I consistently see people with HIV improve their wellness under homeopathic treatment. While I cannot promise a cure, I know from clinical observation that I can promise increased wellness. I hope that one day that all HIV specialists would refer their patients to see a qualified Classical Homeopath.
I do treat people with HIV based on a sliding scale. I also offer free Homeopathic flu prevention to people with HIV. For more information, check out this article on the website Positive Lite at http://positivelite.com/content/blog/categories/health/item/treating-influenza-naturally-with-homeopathic-medicine
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