Allergy Natural Treatment
By Bernie Noe, ND
Allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, are a common condition affecting more than 1 in 5 people. Generally they occur in the spring, summer, and/or fall, depending on the allergen, but can also occur in the winter. The most common allergens are tree pollen in the spring, grass pollen in the summer, and ragweed pollen in the fall. Other allergens that are not seasonal include dust, dust mites, mold or mildew, and animal dander.
The most common allergy symptoms are runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and decreased sense of smell, but can also include cough, headache, and sinus infections.
Strategies for allergy natural treatment include the following:
Avoid the allergen: This is easier with some allergens than others. To begin with you have to know what you are allergic to in order to avoid exposure to the allergen. This can be determined either with a skin test in an allergist's office or via a blood test for IgE antibodies in any doctor's office. Allergen specific guidelines are as follows:
|
Cigna Recognizes NDs as PCPs
As of April 15, Cigna health insurance now recognizes naturopathic doctors (NDs) as primary care providers (PCPs). While naturopathic doctors have previously been able to unofficially provide Cigna members with primary care services, it is now official. The biggest effect of this new designation is that Cigna members who have chosen a naturopathic doctor as their PCP only have to pay their primary care copay, rather than the generally higher specialist copay. There are also other benefits that are likely to surface as health care reform progresses in Vermont.
Naturopathic physicians provide primary care to children and adults of all ages. We do all of the standard screenings, exams, and laboratory tests performed by any physician, as well as in-depth dietary, lifestyle, and nutritional assessments not done by other physicians. Our goal is not just to prevent disease such as cancer and heart disease, but to promote optimal health as you age. For more information, see our "10 Steps to Optimal Health."
To continue reading, click here
|
Cholesterol Screening
By Bernie Noe, ND
High cholesterol is a concern primarily because it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. While not the only risk factor (about one half the people who have heart attacks have normal cholesterol), it is a significant one. Other risk factors include family history, smoking, overweight, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, diabetes, stress, and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP is a blood test for inflammation). To reduce risk, it is important to address all of these risk factors. The focus of this article, however, is on cholesterol screening.
While cholesterol and heart disease are primary thought of as concerns for adults, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recently recommended that children as young as 9 years old begin cholesterol screening. While children at this age are unlikely to have actual heart disease, the risk factors that lead to disease as an adult often begin in childhood.
To continue reading, click here |
|
Do I Need to Call the Doctor for Asthma?
One of the most important steps in managing an asthma attack takes place before the attack even starts: working with your doctor to develop an asthma action plan. An asthma action plan is a written plan that tells you how to manage your asthma symptoms at home. It helps take the guesswork out of treating your asthma. The plan will outline the medication you will take for your asthma symptoms and when to take it, depending on the zone you are in (green, yellow, or red). In order to determine what zone you are in, you need to know how to use a peak flow meter to measure your ability to exhale. The plan may also tell you when to talk to your health professional about your asthma symptoms.
The asthma action plan zones include:
- Green zone: Routine care to keep asthma symptoms from starting.
- Yellow zone: How to stop asthma symptoms and keep an asthma attack from getting worse. This may involve taking other medications in addition to the ones you usually take to control your asthma.
- Red zone: What to do for a severe asthma episode. This is a medical emergency.
|
|
The Research Says...
Cruciferous Vegetables Improve Breast Cancer Survival
Researchers have found that greater consumption of cruciferous vegetables during the 36 months following a breast cancer diagnosis is associated with a lower risk of mortality from breast cancer, lower risk of mortality from all causes, and lower risk of breast cancer recurrence. (The cruciferous vegetable family includes cabbage, broccoli, kale, cauliflower and others.) The study included 4,886 women diagnosed with breast cancer ranging from stage 1 to stage 4. The improved survival rates with greater cruciferous intake were dose-dependent, meaning scientists found no cutoff point for benefit: every increase in intake was linked to reduced mortality. It is important to note the difference in cruciferous choices between Western countries and the location of the research, which was China. The most commonly consumed cruciferous vegetables in China include turnips, Chinese cabbage (bok choy) and greens; in Western countries, broccoli and Brussels sprouts are the more commonly consumed cruciferous vegetables. The level of beneficial bioactive compounds such as isothiocyanates and indoles do vary by type of cruciferous item. This study was presented April 3, 2012 in Chicago at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting. It has not yet been published or posted.
Berries Reduce Parkinson's Risk
Scientists have found that men who regularly consume flavonoid-rich foods may significantly reduce their risk for developing Parkinson's disease, but no such effect protection was found among women. (Flavonoids are naturally occurring compounds, including anthocyanins, present in many plant foods and drinks, including berries, apples, certain vegetables, tea and red wine. Parkinson's is a neurological disease caused by the death of certain brain cells, resulting in insufficient dopamine, which affects ability to control movement.) In this research, the main protective effect appeared to come from a subclass of flavonoids known as anthocyanins, which are present in berries such as blackcurrants and blackberries, and in other fruits, and in certain vegetables, such as aubergines.) The study adds weight to the growing body of evidence that regular consumption of certain flavonoids may lower the risk for developing a wide range of human diseases, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, dementia, and some cancers. However, it is the first to show the compounds may protect neurons against brain diseases such as Parkinson's Released early by the journal Neurology, this study will appear in a future issue but is available online now at http://bit.ly/HpPFXP with subscription or access fee.
|
Diet Support Group Meets May 8
If you have food allergies, have been prescribed a low glycemic eating plan, or have other dietary restrictions and struggle with your eating this new support group may be just the thing for you. Started by Jane Benoit, a longtime adherent to restricted diets, and sponsored by Green Mountain Natural Health, this group aims to help people on restricted diets be more successful.
Many people on restricted diets struggle with finding the right foods and making the right choices. Support groups can be very effective in helping people to make dietary and lifestyle changes. Join Jane and others to support one another and to share ideas to help conquer your dietary challenges.
The support group meets on the second Tuesday of every month from 12-1 PM at Green Mountain Natural Health. Feel free to bring your lunch!
For information call Jane at 279-3376 or email her at janembenoit@hotmail.com.
|
|
