Holistic Medicine Blog

Soothe your Sunburn Naturally.

admin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 23:56:26 +0000

Sunshine

Summer is finally here (I live in WA, and we get excited when the sun finally comes out)! Sunburns are an unfortunate side effect of the much loved sunshine and warm weather, but you don’t have to suffer indefinitely. Here is some practical Naturopathic advice on how to treat sunburns.

1) Seek medical attention if the sunburn covers a large area of your body in blisters, you develop a fever or severe pain, or if your sunburn does not begin to get better in a few days.

2) Keep the skin cool and moist–apply cold compresses often or ta

ke a cool bath. Add baking soda or oatmeal to the bath for relief from itching and discomfort.

3) Aloe Vera gel–use pure aloe gel liberally on sunburned skin to help moisturize and speed the healing. Avoid the use of aloe lotions, since lotions can have a dehydrating effect on skin. Also avoid aloe products with color additives and other chemical ingredients.

4) Stay hydrated–drink plenty of fluids to help the skin heal faster and to prevent dehydration.

5) Tea tree oil–dilute some pure tea tree essential oil (5-10 drops) in aloe gel or massage oil and apply to burned skin to help ease pain and itching. Avoid contact with the eyes, and mouth, since tea tree oil can cause irritation.

6) Calendula cream–using a calendula based cream or salve on burned and blistered skin will help with healing, moisturizing, and pain relief.

7) Avoid the urge to pop blisters! This can lead to infection, which can become quite serious.

Avoid future sunburn by applying sunscreen and taking appropriate precautions when out in the sunshine. Also be aware of medications and supplements you may be taking that can increase photosensitivity (make you burn more easily). For more information about sunscreen, see my Natural Pediatric blog article: http://naturalpediatricblog.com/?p=101.

About the Author: Dr. Bowker is a Naturopathic Physician and owner of Snohomish Valley Holistic Medicine. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Bowker serves as a Board member for the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians. She has also been a guest speaker for community organizations and instructor of several community health classes. For more information, please visit her primary website: www.snovalleyholistic.com

Five Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally.

admin — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 08:29:26 +0000

Photo courtesy of: www.everystockphoto.com

Many Americans suffer from chronically elevated blood pressure. Depending on the severity of the blood pressure, treatments can range from diet and lifestyle changes to a combination of pharmaceutical drugs aimed at getting blood pressure under control. People with untreated high blood pressure are at an increased risk of death or serious complications from cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke. Using Natural therapies may help those with high blood pressure acheive their goals without the use of medications or at the very least, with a minimal amount of medications (and the side-effects that come with them). Here are five things you can do to lower your blood pressure.

1) Sleep–a good night’s sleep is critical for the body’s ability to regulate all of its systems. Many people who suffer from sleep disorders, especially obstructive sleep apnea, can develop high blood pressure as a result. The good news is that treating the underlying sleep disorder will often result in improvement or normalization of blood pressure in those who are treated.

2) Relax–stress is a major contributer to chronic high blood pressure. If you know this is the case for you, a simple exercise is to take a few minutes to do some deep breathing. Breathe in while silently counting to ten, hold your breath for a count of ten, then breathe out to the count of ten. This method, sometimes called triangular breathing, has been shown to have an immediate impact on blood pressure–usually lowering it by 10 to 15 points.

3) Diet–many people know that sodium and caffeine can have a negative impact on blood pressure, but how many people know that sugar sweetened beverages (soda, sports drinks, sweetened tea, etc.) can have a negative impact on blood pressure as well. Simply cutting back on all refined, processed, and artificial foods should result in an improvement in over all health, including blood pressure (and will often result in weight loss as well).

4) Magnesium–this mineral is necessary for proper relaxation of the muscles, including the muscles inside the arteries. Many Americans do not get enough magnesium from their diets (the best dietary source is dark green leafy vegetables), which means they are more likely to have muscle tension and high blood pressure. You should talk to a Naturopathic Physician for the appropriate dosage and to be sure that this supplement will not interfere with anything else you may be taking.

5) Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA & DHA)–these fats, found in fish oil, have been shown to lower blood pressure if taken in large quantities. Concentrated versions of the EPA/DHA are available in supplement form, so the large quantities used in the studies may not be necessary to get the same results. You should talk to a Naturopathic Doctor about specific product and dosing recommendations. Fish oil can have a blood thinning effect if taken in large doses, so you should notify any healthcare provider if you take this supplement or plan to take it, as it may interfere with other treatments.

An apple a day…Fight disease with Fiber!

admin — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:51:46 +0000

photo courtesy of www.everystockphoto.com

There are several studies linking diets high in fiber with decreased risk of a number of chronic health conditions, including colon cancer, obesity, high cholesterol, and diabetes. So how much fiber do we need and where do we get it? The American Heart Association recommends that adults get 25-38 grams of dietary fiber every day. This is nearly twice as much as the 15 grams daily that the average American consumes. Foods highest in fiber include legumes, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.

Fiber helps regulate the digestive tract, provides fuel for the “good” bacteria in our gut, and blocks the absorption of dietary fat and cholesterol. Many people are familiar with fiber supplements used to help with constipation, but even those who don’t suffer from constipation may benefit from fiber supplementation if they aren’t already consuming enough.

Here are some links to websites with more information on dietary fiber, including amounts in standard serving sizes in various foods:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-fiber-foods/nu00582

http://huhs.harvard.edu/assets/File/OurServices/Service_Nutrition_Fiber.pdf

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002470.htm

http://www.healthcastle.com/fiber-solubleinsoluble.shtml

For the average American, the saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” should be heeded more closely. If more of us consumed whole foods high in fiber content as well as many other nutrients, we would be much healthier overall!

Restore your sense of smell–with Acupuncture!

admin — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 22:52:14 +0000

Many people have heard of acupuncture helping people with conditions ranging from pain to addiction, but did you know that it can help restore your sense of smell? A recent study published in the journal, Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, found that 8 of 15 participants who had lost their sense of smell following a viral infection had their sense of smell restored following a series 30-minute acupuncture sessions (once a week for ten weeks). This is fairly impressive, considering there aren’t really any conventional alternatives for restoring sense of smell.

Most of us take our sense of smell for granted, but it happens to be one of our most important and deeply rooted senses. Loss of ability to smell can affect appetite, memory, and mood. As can be observed in the animal kingdom, smell can also be used to warn us of dangers or prevent us from eating things that may be spoiled or poisonous. Although the recent study was small, it warrants further research and provides enough reason to give acupunture a try if you find yourself unable to smell.

Acupunture is unlikely to cause side effects and has very little risk involved, since needles used are sterile and only used one time. If you are interested in scheduling an Acupuncture appointment at Snohomish Valley Holistic, please call: (360) 282-4014 or visit our website:

www.snovalleyholistic.com

Difficulty breathing through your nose due to infection or allergies? Find out how Nasosympatico can help!

admin — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 23:15:44 +0000

Photo courtesy of www.everystockphoto.com

Nasal congestion is one of the most annoying symptoms associated with colds, seasonal allergies, and chronic sinusitis. Over the counter treatments include nose sprays, antihistamines, and decongestants, but many of these medications can have undesirable side effects or may even be contraindicated with other prescription medications or medical conditions. So what, then, can be done to help treat this annoying symptom safely and effectively? A naturopathic treatment called Nasosympatico may be the answer for you.

Nasosympatico involves the application of a special blend of essential oils directly into the sinuses. These essential oils can help decrease inflammation, encourage drainage, and may also help treat infections caused by viruses, bacteria, and even fungi, preventing the need for oral antibiotics. For infections, the treatment is most effective if done within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. Although I am not aware of any published studies, in my clinical experience, it can shorten the duration of head colds by 2 or more days. For allergies, it can help decrease symptoms and provide some temporary relief, and in some cases, prevent the development of a bacterial sinus infection. Because this treatment is not addressing the underlying cause for allergy sufferers, a Naturopathic Doctor can help you form a more comprehensive treatment plan.

The treatment only takes about 10-15 minutes and is reasonably priced. If you have insurance that covers Naturopathic office visits, there may not be an additional cost for the treatment. Call us to find out more information or to schedule an appointment (same day appointments for this treatment are usually available if you call before 10:00 am): (360) 282-4014.

Can I Benefit from Naturopathic Medicine? Take this Quiz to find out!

admin — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 05:08:20 +0000

Photo courtesy of www.everystockphoto.com

Unsure if Naturopathic Medicine can help you? Maybe you are generally healthy and rarely go to the doctor–take this quiz to find out if you’re missing an important aspect of health, and if you answer NO to any of the questions, consider scheduling an appointment with a Naturopath.

1. Do you have the energy to do all of the things you want to get done at least the 90% of the time?

2. Do you eat a balanced diet comprised mostly of whole foods high in nutritional value (less than 10% processed/refined/restaurant food)?

3. Do you eat at least 25 grams of fiber a day?

4. Do you get an average of 8-10 hours of sleep at least 90% of the time?

5. Do you get at least 2 1/2 hours of moderate cardiovascular exercise a week?

6. Do you practice daily relaxation/breathing/meditation techniques at least 10 minutes each day?

7. Is your blood pressure consistently lower than 120/80 (even when you’re stressed)?

8. When you catch a cold or flu, are you able to recover from symptoms (90% better) in less than 5-7 days?

9. Are you free of pain (with the exception of acute injuries) at least 95% of the time?

10. Do you have an annual physical and stay up to date with all the recommended screening exams based on your age, gender, and family medical history?

If you answered yes to all of the above questions, congratulations for living a healthy lifestyle! If you’re like me and an overwhelming majority of the population, you probably answered no to at least one of the questions above. There’s nothing to be ashamed of–it simply means you have room for improvement in your overall health and may benefit from a consultation with a Naturopathic Doctor.

If you live in the Snohomish/Everett, WA area, visit our website to learn more: www.snovalleyholistic.com

If you live in the state of Washington, you may search for a licensed Naturopathic Physician at: www.wanp.org

If you live in the United States, you may search for a licensed Naturopathic Physician at: www.naturopathic.org

How your diet can make you feel sick even if you eat well.

admin — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:24:24 +0000

Photo Courtesy of: http://www.everystockphoto.com

Many Americans eat poorly. They choose processed foods and fast food for the sake of convenience and continue eating junk food despite the rise in obesity rates and chronic disease. It is easy to point to the diets of these people and say “of course they feel lousy!” , especially after the movie Supersize Me made its debut. But what if you eat a balanced diet, low in refined sugar and processed foods and still feel sick?

Food sensitivies are a prevalent problem and are generally not acknowledged by conventional medicine experts as a cause of diseases and health complaints. Naturopaths view diet as one of the foundations of health, and often look at diet and digestion first when treating patients. Food sensitivities can be caused by a weak digestive system that fails to break foods down into small enough compounds in order for absorption and assimilation of nutrients to occur efficiently. Larger compounds that manage to get into the blood stream may trigger a reaction by the immune system or may themselves cause problems such as inflammation to occur. Most of us are familiar with true food allergies that can result in death–this is an example of a specific type of immune reaction that happens as soon as the food is ingested.

What many people do not know, is that other immune reactions (called delayed sensitivity reactions) can take place up to 3 days after a food is ingested resulting in a variety of symptoms including headaches, fatigue, joint pain, weight gain, depression, and digestive symtpoms (the list goes on). In some cases, the inflammation taking place primarily in the digestive tract can prevent the absorption of key nutrients resulting in nutrient deficiencies (which may show up on blood tests) or insufficiencies (often detected through clinical symptoms and patient history since lab tests may be normal).

Foods that are more prevalent in our diets tend to be the biggest culprits. Some of the top foods resulting in allergies and/or sensitivities are dairy, wheat, corn, soy, eggs, and citrus. Artificial ingredients and refined or heavily processed foods should generally be avoided, since these foods were not designed by nature to be digested by humans and many of these foods are devoid of nutritional value.

If you suspect you have a food allergy or sensitivity, you should consider consulting a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor. Licensed Naturopaths are trained to diagnose and treat medical conditions and approach health holistically, meaning they treat the whole person (body, mind, and spirit) rather than just a symptom or disease. Naturopaths can also help healthy individuals maintain optimum health and prevent future disease. Unlike the conventional medical model, where a patient is lucky to spend 10 minutes with their doctor, most Naturopaths spend two to three times as long during a routine visit and give guidance with the treatment recommendations in order to ensure the best outcome.

Are you getting enough sleep?

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:46:36 +0000

Photo courtesy of www.everystockphoto.com. Photographer: T. Keller

Chronic sleep deprivation is perhaps one of the most overlooked causes of chronic disease and health complaints. Sleep deprivation comes in all forms ranging from purposeful (not scheduling enough time to sleep) to insomnia or other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.

Besides the obvious daytime drowsiness, decreased ability to concentrate, and decreased energy, chronic sleep deprivation may also increase pain, promote inflammation (leading to heart disease and diabetes), increase blood pressure, and negatively inpact hormone balance (leading to diagnoses such as anxiety and depression). Medications currently prescribed for sleep can sometimes give people a false sense of security. While they help people fall asleep and stay asleep longer, the medications do not necessarily allow people to get the deep, restful sleep that they need to restore their bodies to an optimal state of health.

Another prevalent problem leading to sleep deprivation is the myth that we need less sleep as we age and that adults only require 7-9 hours of sleep each night. More recent studies have shown that when adults are chronically sleep deprived and allowed to sleep without interruption, they will naturally stay asleep for 9-11 hours at a time. Since sleep deprivation is so prevalent, this means that most of us need to allow more time in our schedules for sleep.

“But then I wont get everything done!” is the common exclamation from someone told they need to go to bed 2 hours earlier. The truth is, that our brains and bodies will function more efficiently when we are well rested, so we will more than make up for the 2 hour loss of awake time by increasing productivity and simply having enough energy to accomplish our goals.

If you believe that sleep is an issue for you or suspect that any of your health conditions or symptoms may be related to poor sleep, you should see a Naturopathic Physician for evaluation and treatment. Naturopaths can order the appropriate tests to diagnose sleep disorders and prescribe individualized treatments for patients. Naturopaths will also take other lifestyle elements that can interfere with sleep into consideration and approach diagnosed problems holistically rather than prescribing treatments for symptoms alone.

At Snohomish Valley Holistic Medicine, we are also able to offer Acupuncture and Massage Therapy which can provide additional benefit to those suffering from sleep disorders or who need help implementing major lifestyle changes. Call or visit our website to request an appointment today: (360) 282-4014 OR www.snovalleyholistic.com

Welcome to the official blog of Snohomish Valley Holistic Medicine.

admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 09:13:08 +0000

This blog is for anyone interested in Holistic Medicine. We will post original articles, interesting links, and news about Snohomish Valley Holistic Medicine (a clinic in Snohomish, WA offering Naturopathic Medicine, Acupuncture, and Massage Therapy services). Please bookmark this blog or subscribe to stay up to date with the latest news from our clinic and general, user-friendly information about Holistic Medicine. For more information about our clinic, you may visit our website: www.snovalleyholistic.com.