There are different types of anemia, however the one you might hear about most often is iron-deficient anemia. This means your body does not have enough iron either because you do not eat it, you do not absorb it, and/or you are bleeding it out somewhere (most commonly due to your period).
What many women don’t realize is that the symptoms of out-right iron deficiency, and having low iron stores (ferritin) can be very similar. Therefore your initial screening test is normal (the CBC) however your ferritin is low or low-normal.
The common symptoms include:
Fatigue
Fatigue with physical exertion (not because you are out of shape!)
Pale skin, mucosa and nail beds (not because it’s winter)
Cracking/splitting nails
Cracks at the corners of your mouth
Dizzy – especially when going from sitting to standing
Shortness of breath
Weakened muscles
Heart palpitations
Restless Legs
Craving/chewing on ice, dirt, paper, wax, and/or hair
Cold hands and feet
If you are experiencing the above symptoms, please ask your healthcare provider about testing for iron-deficient anemia that also includes a ferritin test.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Natural Ways to Fight the Flu
Given the news lately, the word ‘flu’ seems to be on everyone’s mind. There are many strains of the flu and yours isn’t necessarily the ‘swine’ kind. If you are experiencing fever, body aches, chills, cough, headache, and sore throat then you may want to talk with your doctor. Remember that allergies don’t cause a fever and not all sore throats or headaches are flu related.
To improve your immune system and give it the support you need, consider using natural anti-viral herbs to ward off the flu or in addition to the medications given to you by your healthcare practitioner.
Echinacea is a great anti-viral herb but must be used at the absolute very start of the yucky symptoms. I tell my patients to take Echinacea when they think that maybe they might possibly be getting sick. Not when it’s full-blown. Do not use for longer than 6-8 weeks and do not use it if you have an autoimmune disease.
St. John’s Wort is also an anti-viral herb. Most commonly thought of for depression, this great little remedy works wonders for the flu. Best not to use it if you are already taking an anti-depressant or L-dopa.
Lemon Balm, also anti-viral, has calming and soothing effects especially when sipped as a tea. It is commonly in mixtures for sleep or relaxation but can be used in viral situations.
Licorice (not the candy!) is great for the flu and for coughs. It can also be sipped on as a tea and is commonly found in respiratory mixtures. Do not use licorice for longer than 6 weeks and do not use it if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or are using corticosteroids.
Astragalus, is a great all-around herb for the stressed and tired. It has been used for hundreds of years in Chinese medicine and is great for protecting against the flu. It is an immune-stimulating herb and should not be used if you have an autoimmune disease, or are on a corticosteroid.
Remember to consult with your healthcare practitioner if do get the flu and/or if you are interested in adding these great anti-viral herbs into your treatment. Also, please do not use these herbs if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
To improve your immune system and give it the support you need, consider using natural anti-viral herbs to ward off the flu or in addition to the medications given to you by your healthcare practitioner.
Echinacea is a great anti-viral herb but must be used at the absolute very start of the yucky symptoms. I tell my patients to take Echinacea when they think that maybe they might possibly be getting sick. Not when it’s full-blown. Do not use for longer than 6-8 weeks and do not use it if you have an autoimmune disease.
St. John’s Wort is also an anti-viral herb. Most commonly thought of for depression, this great little remedy works wonders for the flu. Best not to use it if you are already taking an anti-depressant or L-dopa.
Lemon Balm, also anti-viral, has calming and soothing effects especially when sipped as a tea. It is commonly in mixtures for sleep or relaxation but can be used in viral situations.
Licorice (not the candy!) is great for the flu and for coughs. It can also be sipped on as a tea and is commonly found in respiratory mixtures. Do not use licorice for longer than 6 weeks and do not use it if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or are using corticosteroids.
Astragalus, is a great all-around herb for the stressed and tired. It has been used for hundreds of years in Chinese medicine and is great for protecting against the flu. It is an immune-stimulating herb and should not be used if you have an autoimmune disease, or are on a corticosteroid.
Remember to consult with your healthcare practitioner if do get the flu and/or if you are interested in adding these great anti-viral herbs into your treatment. Also, please do not use these herbs if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Natural Remedies for the Allergy Season
Did you know it’s almost springtime? Here in Oregon we were lucky enough to have a weekend of sunshine and 70 degree weather. This meant that everyone was outside, in their yard, and on their bikes playing in the fresh air. This also means that allergy season is quickly upon us. If you are an allergy sufferer and are looking for a more natural way to support your nose then read on!
There are a variety of natural supplements that are useful for allergies and you may consider starting now so that your system is ready for that first bit of pollen to hit your nose.
The most common is Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica). Yes, this is the same plant that can cause major irritation when touched (hence ‘stinging’ nettle) however taken in freeze-dried capsule form, it acts like a natural anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory that can reduce your allergy symptoms. Side effects are rare but it is wise to start out with a low dose before increasing your amount.
The next most common are bioflavonoids such as quercetin and rutin. When an allergen enters your bloodstream, you have two types of immune cells that react – your mast cells and basophils. These cells leak histamine and serotonin out of their membranes causing you to feel sniffy, sneezing, itchy, and irritated. Bioflavonoids are cell membrane stabilizers meaning they come in and make sure the mast cells and basophils don’t leak out histamine so that you don’t get an allergic response. I commonly recommend quercetin be taken with bromelain for better absorption.
Vitamin C in higher doses is another great way to help your mast cells and basophils stabilize more and reduce histamine. Vitamin C is great for your immune system and can often be found mixed with quercetin or bioflavonoids for added benefit.
Improving your gastrointestinal health will also help your allergies. Just like the commercials say, 70-80% of your immune system lives in and around your intestines so let’s take care of it with probiotics that include lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus. Make sure you buy a high potency product that guarantees what is on the label is in the capsule and take them once or twice a day for your health.
If you are already feeling stuffed up and congested, try inhaling scents such as peppermint, spearmint, and eucalyptus. Commonly found in teas or as an essential oil, their aromas help clear nasal passage ways to help you breath again!
Finally, consider using apple cider vinegar. This old time trick works wonders to improve digestion and reduce histamine. Take 1-2 tablespoons in a little water just before meals everyday and you’ll notice a difference quickly. Please be cautious if you are prone to over-acidity and talk with your healthcare provider.
There are a variety of natural supplements that are useful for allergies and you may consider starting now so that your system is ready for that first bit of pollen to hit your nose.
The most common is Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica). Yes, this is the same plant that can cause major irritation when touched (hence ‘stinging’ nettle) however taken in freeze-dried capsule form, it acts like a natural anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory that can reduce your allergy symptoms. Side effects are rare but it is wise to start out with a low dose before increasing your amount.
The next most common are bioflavonoids such as quercetin and rutin. When an allergen enters your bloodstream, you have two types of immune cells that react – your mast cells and basophils. These cells leak histamine and serotonin out of their membranes causing you to feel sniffy, sneezing, itchy, and irritated. Bioflavonoids are cell membrane stabilizers meaning they come in and make sure the mast cells and basophils don’t leak out histamine so that you don’t get an allergic response. I commonly recommend quercetin be taken with bromelain for better absorption.
Vitamin C in higher doses is another great way to help your mast cells and basophils stabilize more and reduce histamine. Vitamin C is great for your immune system and can often be found mixed with quercetin or bioflavonoids for added benefit.
Improving your gastrointestinal health will also help your allergies. Just like the commercials say, 70-80% of your immune system lives in and around your intestines so let’s take care of it with probiotics that include lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus. Make sure you buy a high potency product that guarantees what is on the label is in the capsule and take them once or twice a day for your health.
If you are already feeling stuffed up and congested, try inhaling scents such as peppermint, spearmint, and eucalyptus. Commonly found in teas or as an essential oil, their aromas help clear nasal passage ways to help you breath again!
Finally, consider using apple cider vinegar. This old time trick works wonders to improve digestion and reduce histamine. Take 1-2 tablespoons in a little water just before meals everyday and you’ll notice a difference quickly. Please be cautious if you are prone to over-acidity and talk with your healthcare provider.
Allergy Season Is Coming: Are You Prepared?
In some parts of the country, this weekend was a real kick-off to spring. The weather was beautiful and warm enough for all of those trees and spring bulbs to pop out some color. Unfortunately for allergy sufferers, this means the start of itchy eyes and runny noses. Here are some tips to help you combat the sniffles and sneezing this year.
1)Rinse out your nose. Consider using a Netti pot or other similar device that rinses water up one nostril, into your sinuses and out the other. This amazing little tool removes all of that pollen, dust, and mold that has settled in for the season. If you are already somewhat inflamed, consider adding a tiny pinch of sea salt (not table salt) to reduce the redness and irritation.
2)Shower at night (or after you spend all day in the outdoors). Even doing a quick rinse off will help to remove any pollen or dust that your hair and skin has collected during the day. You will sleep much better because you won’t be rolling around in those allergens.
3)Regularly wash your sheets and blankets during allergy season. Like showering yourself off at night, this removes those allergens from the surface of your bed so you aren’t breathing it in all night long.
4) Consider running an air filter in your room. I have had multiple patients swear that because they are so sensitive during the spring, a filter in their bedroom helps reduce the load of allergens they breathe in while sleeping. If you don’t like white noise, run it for an hour or two with the door closed before you are actually ready to fall asleep.
5)Reduce your sugar and dairy intake during allergy time. Dairy doesn’t cause your body to produce more mucus but it does thicken what you already have causing you to be more congested – and who needs thicker mucus while you’re sneezing? Sugar can suppress your immune system and during this time you need all hands on deck to remove those pollen, dust, and mold spores.
1)Rinse out your nose. Consider using a Netti pot or other similar device that rinses water up one nostril, into your sinuses and out the other. This amazing little tool removes all of that pollen, dust, and mold that has settled in for the season. If you are already somewhat inflamed, consider adding a tiny pinch of sea salt (not table salt) to reduce the redness and irritation.
2)Shower at night (or after you spend all day in the outdoors). Even doing a quick rinse off will help to remove any pollen or dust that your hair and skin has collected during the day. You will sleep much better because you won’t be rolling around in those allergens.
3)Regularly wash your sheets and blankets during allergy season. Like showering yourself off at night, this removes those allergens from the surface of your bed so you aren’t breathing it in all night long.
4) Consider running an air filter in your room. I have had multiple patients swear that because they are so sensitive during the spring, a filter in their bedroom helps reduce the load of allergens they breathe in while sleeping. If you don’t like white noise, run it for an hour or two with the door closed before you are actually ready to fall asleep.
5)Reduce your sugar and dairy intake during allergy time. Dairy doesn’t cause your body to produce more mucus but it does thicken what you already have causing you to be more congested – and who needs thicker mucus while you’re sneezing? Sugar can suppress your immune system and during this time you need all hands on deck to remove those pollen, dust, and mold spores.
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