Archive for June, 2009

17
Jun

Home Hydrotherapy – Get Stimulated

   Posted by: Dr. Tonia Mitchell ND    in Cough and Cold and Flu

Home hydrotherapy is the use of hot and cold water to stimulate the body’s immune system. Outlined below are several treatments that you will find helpful for colds, coughs and flus.  When you feel a germ trying to get the best of you (indications might be a scratchy throat, a head ache, a stuffed up nose…  you know your symptoms best) then try some of the following home hydrotherapy ideas:

WARMING SOCK TREATMENT: (Excellent for improved immunity, detoxification, circulation and lymph drainage) Before bed at the onset of symptoms of a cold / flu:

  1. Take cotton ankle length socks;
  2. Wet them with cold water;
  3. Ring them out so they are damp but not dripping;
  4. Apply to feet;
  5. COVER WITH WOOL SOCKS (very important step);
  6. Go promptly to bed.
  • In the morning, the socks should be dry (your body has sent blood to the feet to warm them up and in doing so has relieved the upper body and head of congestion).  Do this for 3-5 nights to ward off infection or until your symptoms subside. You can also do this on your hands or feet if you suffer from chronically poor circulation.

COLD COMPRESS (FOR SORE THROATS):

  1. Wet a piece of cloth that is long enough to wrap around your neck (a long sock might work nicely for this);
  2. Wring out fairly well.  Apply to your neck;
  3. Cover this with a piece of wool.  A long wool sock can be used for this purpose;
  4. Keep this on for about 20 minutes or until the wet cloth is warmed;
  5. Dry your skin following the above application and do not get chilled;

BATHING FOR FEVERS: (Indicated in mild fevers up to 38.9°C, to hasten the body’s attempt to create a fever; to optimize the fever). Consult your physician before using this treatment for children.

  1. Draw the bath as hot as tolerated and maintain the temperature throughout the treatment;
  2. Add ice to a bowl with a little water and with a handcloth;
  3. Apply the ice water to your forehead throughout the treatment to prevent the occurrence of headaches or faintness that is often experienced during hot baths;
  4. Maintain a body temperature of 38.3°C or 38.9°C while in the bath for 15-20 minutes;
  5. Finish the bath with a cold splash or shower;
  6. Cover yourself well following the bath.  DO NOT CHILL.  It is preferable not to go to bed until the sweating response has subsided;
  7. Repeat 1-2 times per day if you are acutely ill.

WARMING GINGER BATHS:

Follow the protocol in bathing for fevers above and add 2 tbsp of freshly grated ginger to the water. This acts to warm a chronically cold body.  Home hydrotherapy at its tastiest.

WET SHEET WRAP: (avoid if you have a severe cold or flu, diabetes or circulatory problems):

  1. Prepare cotton sheet by saturating with cold water.  Wring out well.  Spread out over top of a thick wool blanket;
  2. Take a hot bath and then, without drying yourself, lie on the wet sheet;
  3. Wrap the sheet around your body so that the sheet comes between your extremities and your body;
  4. Wrap the wool blanket snugly around your body from head to foot. You may wish to cover your head so only your nose is showing;
  5. Remain until the wet sheet is completely warm, about 20-40 minutes;
  6. Repeat daily or as long as you are acutely ill;
  7. Do not allow yourself to get chilled when getting out.  Jump into bed immediately with lots of cozy covers;

HOT MUSTARD PLASTER: (to help cough up phlegm that feels stuck in the chest):

  1. Mix 1 part of dried mustard and 4 parts flour;
  2. Add enough water to make a paste;
  3. Spread paste to ½ of an old facecloth (mustard may stain so choose a facecloth you are not that attached to);
  4. Fold the facecloth in half and place it on your chest for no longer than 20 minutes;
  5. Check every 5 minutes to make sure that your skin isn’t burning;
  6. After 5 minutes you will feel the dry heat penetrate!

HOT FOOT BATH:

  1. Place feet in a bucket full of hot water while applying ice to the nape of your neck;
  2. Keep treatment up for 20 minutes, replenishing the hot foot bath as required and keeping your neck cold with ice;
  3. Add 1 cup of Epsom salts (optional);
  4. You can also add freshly grated ginger to the foot baths as well.

STEAM INHALATIONS:

  1. Boil a kettle of water;
  2. Pour into a glass, ceramic or stainless steel bowl and place on your table;
  3. Add 2-3 drops of essential oils (thyme, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree – see Herbal Healing for more ideas);
  4. Put your head over the steaming bowl;
  5. Cover with a towel and breathe for 15-20 minutes;
  6. Rinse your face with cold water.

Home hydrotherapy is both inexpensive and effective.  It is a great way to keep your family well!

Naturopathic Medicine is a safe, effective and natural approach to you and your family’s health.  Naturopathic doctors can and will empower you to live a healthy lifestyle while treating and preventing disease.  Find more information on the services I offer at Arbour Wellness Centre at Nanaimo Naturopathic Doctor.

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15
Jun

Minimizing Hair Loss After Pregnancy

   Posted by: author1    in Hair Loss

It is natural to notice your body going through some changes, when you are pregnant. While a lot of the changes are expected, not many women are prepared for hair loss after pregnancy. Generally, people know that funny things happen to their hair when they’re pregnant. However, most don’t realize that a great amount of hair loss happens after pregnancy.

In fact, it is about three months after giving birth that most of the hair loss takes place. Hormones are on a high during pregnancy which helps avoid too much hair loss during the nine months. Hormone levels will begin to go back to normal about three months after having a baby.

As the body adjust to hormones returning to normal, you’re bound to lose some hair. This is completely natural. So, there’s no need to panic. The hair thins a little with the hormone changes and then the normal cycle for your hair will be back on track. It is possible and you will notice that the hair comes back completely; though it may take up to six to twelve months. This is a completely natural process. Let’s look at it this way. You didn’t have to pay a thing for the luxurious hair you gained when you were pregnant.

If the hair loss really bothers you, there are ways to deal with it. You should actually talk with your doctor so you can make sure that your hormones are at the level they are supposed to be at. Also try to avoid pigtails, braids, or tight hair rollers. Anything that pulls on your hair and gives it stress should be avoided. You should also make sure that your diet is high in vegetables and fruits.  These type of food have antioxidants and flavanoids that will strengthen hair follicles. Silica and biotin in your shampoo and conditioner would help.

When using a blow dryer make sure that you are using the lowest setting, as wet hair is very fragile and can be easily damaged. Also, your going to want to make sure that you don’t brush your hair while it’s wet, because this can lead to more hair loss. Take vitamin supplements if you feel as though you are not getting enough nutrients and vitamins in your diet already. Take as many precautions as you can and you will end up in a better position.

Just keep in mind that you will not be able to stop hair loss after pregnancy completely. The best thing you can do is protect the hair that you already have, making it as healthy and strong as possible to minimize your hair loss. And remember, if everything fails you, it is only a matter of a few months before you have the head of hair that you are used to and you stop noticing the loss of hair after pregnancy.

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15
Jun

Immune Boosters Help With Cold Prevention

   Posted by: author1    in Cough and Cold

 

There are several proven ways to reduce your chances of catching a cold. First of all you can avoid contact with infected people and items that they have touched. Second, if contact DOES occur, you can take preventative measures by keeping your hands out of your eyes and nose and washing them often. Finally, you can take care of your body and keep it healthy and strong so that it can better fight off the sickness should contact with the virus still occur. Let’s delve into this area a little deeper as it is one of the key components of cold prevention.

Improving your immune system function is one of the best ways to keep your body strong and healthy . The immune system is a complex network of interacting cells, cell products, and cell-forming tissues that protects the body from pathogens and other foreign substances, destroys infected and malignant cells, and removes cellular debris. Good eating habits play a very important role in improving your immune system. There are certain foods, vitamins, and supplements that can boost your immune system and keep your body healthy.

Vitamins/Antioxidants

Antioxidants like vitamin C & E offer direct protection for your immune system. Everyone should be taking a multi-vitamin daily not only to aid in immune system health but also for general health and well-being. Some immune system vitamins are packaged as a specific product and sold as a specific immune booster supplement.

Immune Boosting Foods

Sometimes taking vitamins is not as effective as actually eating the foods that contain them. Some of the best immune-boosting foods are yogurt, turmeric, garlic, oregano, red bell peppers, green tea, pumpkins, ginger, oysters, and broccoli. Each of these foods have properties that can boost your overall immune system health.

Physical Factors

Being generally physically fit is a huge factor in boosting your immune functions, but make sure not to overdo it as over-stressing your body can reduce the effectiveness if your immune system. A few other physical factors that can maximize your immune response are minimizing damage via UV and other radiation to the immune system and minimizing the aging process.

If you focus on improving your diet and engaging in immune boosting activities you will reduce the number and severity of colds that you catch.

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