Should you get a flu vaccination?

Vaccination clinics abound in the community. Should you visit one?

With the weather turning unseasonably colder in northern California the flu season is in full swing.  The annual influenza is taking its annual toll on the population and with the addition of the Swine flu that has accounted for a few deaths locally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with local county health agencies have begun an advertising campaign geared toward motivating the masses to get the flu vaccine.

 This year, that campaign has been even more urgent due to outbreaks of the H1N1″swine flu” virus, which have spread from one country to the next in the past six months or so. Local H1N1 vaccine centers have been set up around the Sacramento County making the new Swine Flu vaccine available to most anyone that wants it.

 Should you get yourself and your children vaccinated against the flu? Just like all vaccines and medications, there are potential side effects associated with the flu shot. Minor side effects can include but are not limited to soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, low-grade fever and other aches and pains. More severe, life-threatening complications have proven to be rare, but the danger still exists that someone can suffer severe effects from this alleged beneficial vaccine.

 The most common dangerous side effect is an allergic reaction. Since the vaccine is grown in eggs, it is more dangerous for those who have had an allergic reaction to other vaccines in the past. These reactions can include breathing problems, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, and a fast heartbeat or dizziness.

 The most serious side effect is Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). This is a disease in which the body damages its own nerve cells, resulting in muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. While most people eventually recover, some have permanent nerve damage and 5 percent to 6 percent of those who develop GBS will die. The CDC would remind you that only six of every 1 million people injected with the flu shot will develop GBS. That’s small comfort if you’re one of the six, of course.

 The CDC talks about the benefits of being vaccinated, but are those benefits backed up with the facts? The flu vaccine is always changing because the flu strains change from one year to the next. (The swine flu is one such variation.) The manufacturers of the vaccine take a shot in the dark and hope they’ll hit the right strain each year, but the fact is the flu shot is only 70 percent to 90 percent effective.

 The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics advocate simple health habits to prevent the spread of illnesses like the flu. Taking these steps can help people avoid the flu without having to get a flu shot in the first place:

 Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough/sneeze; throw the used tissue away.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water as soon as possible after coughing or sneezing.
• Keep yourself and any babies and children in your care away from people who are coughing or sneezing.
• Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth if you in close contact with people who are sick or have been sick.

 Consider these suggestions, along with the above information regarding risks vs. benefits, before getting a flu shot this year after all, it’s your health and the health of your children at stake.

Natural Solutions to Sinusitis

Clear drainage is better than yellow sticky snot

How do you know if a runny nose should be of concern depends on the type of drainage.  If you have a clear and watery discharge it is likely the result of an allergic reaction to something in the environment causing a histamine reaction.  If the discharge turns yellow or green in color and becomes thick and sticky that indicates a potentially more serious condition and a probable viral or bacterial infection underway in the sinuses.

 Regardless of the cause, sinusitis is a common problem with frustrating symptoms: congestion, cough, sore throat, fatigue, fever, pain and pressure around the eyes, cheeks nose or forehead. What can you do to prevent sinusitis? Harvard Women’s Health Watch offers a few simple suggestions for reducing your risk or relieving early symptoms of the condition.

 First, keeping your nasal membranes moist is a great way to avoid/reduce sinus symptoms. Stir 1 teaspoon salt into 2 cups of lukewarm water; use a squeeze bottle to stream the solution through your nose. Do this 1-2 times daily to keep your nasal passages from drying out and clear excess mucus before it has a chance to cause congestion and/or infection.

 Drinking lots of water every day is another great way to keep mucus from building up; water keeps mucus thin, loose and easy to dissipate with the saltwater solution or simply by blowing your nose.

 If you have sinus symptoms, inhaling steam also can help to reduce congestion and other symptoms. You can do this several ways: by spending a little extra time in a hot shower or steam room; or by boiling water in a pan and then inhaling the steam. (Place a towel over your head to maximize the effect.)

 Finally, sleeping with your head elevated helps prevent mucus from pooling. When mucus builds up in your nasal passages, it’s a veritable breeding ground for infection. It might mean you spend a few days and nights with a runny nose, but it’s better in the long run than the alternative – congestion and infection.

 Remember; always consult with your health care provider to make sure your symptoms aren’t indicative of something more serious. There are other natural methods of treating your sinus problems without having to rely on decongestants or other over-the-counter medications

Give yourself a little TLC

Give yourself some TLC and take control of your health to avoid the chronic diseases of aging

They’re all around you: people suffering from, or at risk of developing, lifestyle-related chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease or arthritis. Perhaps you’re one of them. In fact, in the United States, these chronic diseases have reached epidemic proportions.

A therapeutic lifestyle changes program (TLC) teaches wellness habits such as healthier eating and regular physical activity, with the goal of achieving health that lasts a lifetime. TLC should not be confused with weight-loss programs or diets. Where these programs generally fail, TLC has been remarkably successful in helping people achieve long-term results.

In numerous studies, TLC has been shown to be highly effective in helping prevent, manage or even reverse some of our most prevalent chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes. For example, a study published in the American Journal of Cardiology concluded that many patients with conventional risk factors for coronary heart disease can reduce their risk without medications within 12 weeks of starting a TLC program, refuting the notion that intensive lifestyle modification is not worth the effort.

A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, involving 3,051 men ages 60-79 years with no diabetes mellitus or diagnosis of heart disease, concluded that modification of lifestyle factors, even later in life, has considerable potential for primary prevention of metabolic syndrome. A randomized, clinical trial of 348 Caucasian, middle-aged adults indicated that a TLC program incorporating various behavior modification tools, such as live lectures, workbooks and professional advice, could reduce the risk factors for cardiovascular disease after six months.

Ask your doctor about TLC – it isn’t just good for patients, it’s also good business for doctors. Your doctor might already be considering it. If not, ask for a referral to another health care professional who practices TLC. You also can ask your employer. Your employer might offer wellness benefits in the form of health insurance coverage or a corporate wellness program. Additionally, ask your tax professional if you can pay for TLC using pre-tax dollars available from an employer-sponsored flexible spending account or federal health savings account.

TLC has been shown to be a powerful tool for the prevention, management, and reversal of many of our most prevalent chronic diseases. Those who participate in a TLC program have the opportunity to protect or regain health for better, more enjoyable living.

30 minutes a day may keep the stroke away

Exercise 30 min. per day at home or go to the gym. Just be consistant with doing something vigorus and make it fun!

As little as half an hour a day of moderate exercise may reduce your risk of suffering a stroke, say researchers at the University of South Carolina’s Prevention Research Center. That’s good news because stroke is the nation’s third leading cause of death.

The research was presented recently at the International Stroke Conference in New Orleans. Researchers studied more than 61,000 adults at the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas. After taking an initial treadmill test to assess fitness, study participants periodically answered health surveys. The study divided subjects into four levels of fitness and then looked at how many of them suffered strokes, following them for an average of 18 years. Overall, there were 863 stroke events during the study: 692 in men and 171 in women.

The study found that the more fit men had a 40 percent lower risk of stroke than the least fit men, while the most fit women had a 43 percent reduction in their risk of stroke compared with women in the least fit group. For moderate levels of fitness, the risk reduction ranged from 15 percent to 30 percent for men and 23 percent to 57 percent in women. These risk reductions held true even when considering other known risk factors for stroke, such as smoking, weight, high blood pressure, diabetes and family history.

Many people think they don’t have the time to exercise regularly, but all it takes is 30 minutes a day, five days a week – definitely worth it, considering the health and wellness benefits. Your doctor can help outline an exercise program appropriate to your fitness goals.

Three quick ways to loose weight and stay healthy too

Loosing weight isn’t just about dieting; scientific research indicates the need to keep the metabolic motor running.  Maintaining an active metabolism in the aging process can be challenging, but researchers list three actions that will work for most people.

On a cellular scale, metabolism is the breakdown of fats, proteins or carbohydrates and how cells, organs, and tissues process these fuels. On a broader scale, metabolism is not merely the process of burning up the calories consumed from food, but rather how the various nutrients from that food help maintain a healthy body. Here’s what current science is saying about ways to jump-start the bodies metabolism and keep it working for a lifetime.

Metabolism Booster #1: Consistent Exercise:

At present, exercise is the closest thing to a anti-aging pill that exists. Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day can reduce a person’s risk of developing heart disease by 50 percent, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Research has shown that three 10-minute burst of activity are just as beneficial as one long session, so the recommended daily quota could be achieved simply by taking a few short walks during the day. According to the WHO, such simple measures to incorporate 30 minutes of exercise into our daily life could halve the risk of developing inactivity-related disease such as obesity, typeII diabetes, and heart disease.

Metabolism Booster #2: The Right Nutrition:

Chromium is an essential trace mineral that helps the body make glucose available for energy and to maintain normal blood sugar levels. It is also important for the metabolism of amino acids and fats. Chromium is widely believed to be useful in the treatment of diabetes. Chromium may lower the risk of heart disease. It is easily found in supplement form at most health food stores.

Green tea increases fat metabolism and helps to regulate blood sugar and insulin levels. Green tea is also thought to prevent cardiovascular disease by lowering cholesterol levels, inhibiting LDL cholesterol oxidation, and reducing the tendency of blood platelets to stick together. It also is a potent antioxidant. It can be found in many forms other than a tea bag for those that don’t like to drink tea.

Magnesium is essential for life, as it plays a major role in the metabolism of glucose. It is also used in the production of cellular energy and to create protein. In addition, magnesium may help to protect against cardiovascular disease. It is easy to find in supplement form.

Potassium is important for intracellular chemical reactions and regulates the transfer of nutrients to the cells. Potassium is required for proper carbohydrate metabolism. Studies have found that potassium can reduce high blood pressure and help to prevent heart attacks. Additionally, potassium supplementation may help to prevent type II diabetes in people taking thiazide diuretics.

Metabolism booster #3; Get plenty of Rest & Breath Deep.

Appropriate amounts of rest and deep breathing increase the metobolic rate by increasing blood flow and oxygen which makes the whole system work.  Oxygen is necessary for the metobolic process to function so like turbo-charging your car engin, practice deep breathing exercises throughout the day.  Breath in through your nose and blow out forcefully through your mouth three times.  You may experience light headedness at first so brace yourself.  Don’t rest just after you eat, but plenty of rest gives you a break from eating and a chance for you digestive system to do the same.  The organs of your body will also have time to detoxify and get rid of waste.  Periodic fasts for upto 24 hours is also a good thing to give your system a natural cleanse.

Breast cancer may be linked to antibiotic use

Studies in the Journal of American Medical Association may cause women to rethink asking for antibiotics as possible links to breast cancer have been brought up.

It all started with a study done in Finland in 2000 that reopened a link between breast cancer and antibiotics.  This study sparked interest in the University of Washington school of Medicine to examine data collected on over 10,000 women enrolled in a large health plan in the state.

Two groups were studied; one group consisted of 2,266 cases of women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.  The second nearly 8,000 women randomly selected with no breast cancer.  Researchers used health plan data to determine the number of antibiotic prescriptions each person was given, as well as the total number of days that each woman used antibiotics over a 17 year period.

The data was shocking as it showed the risk of breast cancer was doubled among women who received 25 or more prescriptions for any antibiotics when compared to women who took none.  The group of women who took from 1 to 25 prescriptions increased their risk by one and a half times those that took none.

Death from breast cancer was highest among the women with a high rate of cumulative days on antibiotics.  According to the Washington researchers this does not definitely prove that antibiotics cause breast cancer.  There are many other factors to consider such as the possibility that the illness being treated by the antibiotics may play a roll in breast cancer development as well.

As a side note; as much as eighty percent of the total antibiotic production in the U.S. is used in agriculture.  Dairy, livestock and poultry animals are injected or fed antibiotics not for illness but to promote growth.  As these products make their way into the food chain everyone is getting exposed to antibiotics without a prescription.

A University of Maryland study supported the conclusion that agricultural antibiotic use may be introducing new antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria into the human population.

Local Organic Farms make it easy to eat well

Local Farmers markets provide fresh produce and several organic crops that can be delivered directly to your home.

Most local super markets now offer large sections of “organic” food usually in the fresh produce departments. Even Safeway has found success in its Organic brands of several traditional foods that now can be found in most sections of the food ales.

To be classified “Organic”, foods are grown or raised (meat and dairy) in an environment free from anything artificial including chemical fertilizers, pesticides, weed killers, drugs, antibiotics and hormones. Organic food is produced in a manner that helps retain powerful nutritive value and avoids unnecessary exposure to potential toxins.

One of the easiest ways to purchase organic food is locally from farmer’s markets, family farms and food co-ops, many of which use organic production methods. One of the longest and most successful is held in the Sunrise Mall south parking lot every Saturday morning. If you like the idea of consuming an apple grown down the street, picked at the peak of its ripeness without post-harvest pesticides, and that didn’t travel thousands of miles from another country (which may or may not have appropriate pesticide regulations), then a farmer’s market, farm or co-op is an excellent resource.

Home delivery is another great source of organic foods that has been developed near here in the Capay Valley. Farm Fresh to You farms have a unique program of home delivery through out the Sacramento area. These flexible plans bring fresh fruits and vegetables delivered to your home or business as frequently as you want in prices that meet most household budgets.

There is probably no better way to gain access to the healthy organic foods your body craves most than by growing them yourself. More and more people are getting on the home-gardening bandwagon as food, fuel and energy costs continue to rise. Home gardening, especially organic gardening, can be a great help in avoiding the consumption of manufactured foods and offset some of the cost concerns with organic produce. The City of Citrus Heights has begun a large community co-op gardening program just this year at the corner of Sylvan & Stock Ranch Road.

To learn more about the health benefits of organic foods, visit the Organic Consumers Association Web site.

Keep your balance to avoid hip fractures in the elderly

According to the National Institutes of Health, hip fractures account for up to 300,000 hospital admissions per year in the U.S., many of which are directly attributable to falling. Posture and balance through core muscle strength is a key throughout life, but particularly in the elderly.  Hospital statistics show that in the geriatric population (over 70), elderly hip fractures from falling often lead to other debilitating conditions and pre-mature death.

 Here are three NIH-recommended exercises to help improve your balance.

Side Leg Raises: Stand behind a table or chair, holding it for balance, and slowly lift one leg to the side (6-12 inches), keeping your back and both of your legs straight. Hold, lower, and repeat with other leg. Do 8-15 reps per side.

Heel-to-Toe Walk: Position the heel of one of your feet in front of the toes of your opposite foot each time you take a step. Your heel and toes should touch or almost touch. This can be a little tricky, so start slow and avoid close confines.

One-Foot Stand: As the name of this exercise suggests, stand on one foot for as long as you can without relying on any support. You should be prepared to lean, wobble or fall back to two feet at any time. Repeat while standing on the other foot. Record your times for each side and track improvement.

To learn more, visit www.nihseniorhealth.gov.

Four Easy, Natural Energy Boosters

Much of the work force today is sedentary looking into a computer monitor.  This can create a serious energy drain that necessitates some intervention. Before you reach for one of the many sugar-loaded “energy” drinks that will inevitably send you “crashing” down, try an all-natural approach to boosting your energy. Here are a few simple and natural ways to raise your energy level during an afternoon slump.

1. Take a brisk walk. Taking a walk outside not only causes your body to produce endorphins for a natural high, but it also allows your skin to soak in vitamin D from the sun’s rays. This essential vitamin is associated with maintaining healthy bones, kidneys and immune system.

2. Drink plenty of water. According to MayoClinic.com, even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired. It makes sense, since nearly all of the major systems in your body depend on water including body temperature regulation and cell absorption of nutrients and oxygen.

3. Take a deep breath. When we are stressed or tired we take short, shallow breaths, which directly affect our energy level by slowing oxygen flow to our brain and other organs. Try this: Inhale through your nose (filling your lungs to capacity) and hold for three seconds. Then exhale slowly until all air has left your lungs. Repeat and revive.

If you get up and stretch, others will join you.

4. Get up and stretch. Much like taking a walk, stretching facilitates healthy blood flow. Circulation is a key factor in your body’s energy level. Try standing at your desk (or other appropriate place, depending on your work environment). For the next 30 seconds do these maneuvers to boost your energy.  Go up on your tip toes and reach over head for 10 seconds, stand flat with your arms over laced at the wrist and interlock fingers, dip your head between the arms and count to ten.  Next, stretch each arm across the body then roll the shoulders back three times ending with a deep inspiration through the nose and out through the mouth.

So, the next time you’re at work daydreaming about curling up on your couch instead of working, try these simple suggestions to boost your energy. Your body will thank you for it.

Emotional aspects of health

Great relationships are an important part to total health

Health is more than the absence of disease; it encompasses all aspects of life that are good and uplifting to you and those around you.  Health philosophies around the world have various aspects that all life is part of and derives vitality from elements in our physical universe.

  In traditional Asian philosophy there are five elements Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood.  In India where all holistic health care is said to have derived, Ayurvedic traditions also has five elements but they are expressed as Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth.  Keeping a balance in all these elements is how we maintain optimal health in the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of our lives.

In Meridian Therapy (a part of the Asian traditions) as I have practiced it for many years, there are two factors in keeping these elements balanced, our environment and our emotions.  Because our bodies are essentially a processing plant, we take in air, water and food that our body digests and assimilates the nutrients then eliminates the waste.  It does the same thing with the electrical energy (chi) that is produced from the air,

The energy in the body (Chi) permeates all tissues and is life to the cells

water and food.  Our body generates Chi that flows along the Meridian pathways as seen on acupuncture charts and then eventually is eliminated down through the legs and feet and back into the ground to recycle back into the environment.  So, as David Caradine learned from his master in the TV series Kung Fu, “you are one with the Universe Grasshopper.”

The two things that throw off these elements have to do with the environment and emotions’, so keeping them in balance is the key.  Environmental elements that you have direct control over deals with what you put into and on your body.  Some of those things were pointed out in another article dealing with Anti-oxidants and aging.  In the remainder of this article let’s take a look at the emotional aspects of balancing these elements and how it can affect our health.

The key emotions that throw the five elements off balance are;

1. Grief & Guilt
2. Worry & Pensiveness
3. Anger
4. Fear

As with the environmental issues each of these emotional aspects has specific symptoms that arise when they are off balance.  That help’s to identify which emotion is the cause for the imbalance you may be experiencing.

Grief & Guilt are associated with the Lung and Large intestine meridian in Traditional Oriental Medicine.  The classic symptoms would be Sinus headache and congestion, constipation or diarrhea, upper extremity pain, symptoms of the lower bowel, skin conditions, and head and neck symptoms.  Any respiratory symptoms e.g. asthma, emphysema, COPD, bronchitis coughs and colds.  Dermatological syndromes e.g. eczema, acne, psoriasis, dry skin.

Worry & Pensiveness are associated with the Spleen meridian dealing with Female and/or male pelvic dysfunction including sexual dysfunction, infertility, hormonal involvement, menopausal/menstrual dysfunction.  Blood formation, anemia, hyper/hypo glycemia, pancreatic dysfunction, immune function, lack of energy, gastro-intestinal syndromes, reflux disorders, heaviness in the legs, edema and lower extremity pain.

Anger is associated with the Liver meridian which has symptoms related to muscle spasms, cramps, ligament/tendon dysfunction throughout the body.  Fibromyalgia syndrome, any eye symptomatology and vision disorders, neurologic syndromes, allergy and histamine responses, immune system disorders and migraine headaches.

 Fear has two meridians associated with it the Kidney and Bladder meridian.  Symptoms associated with this emotion are kidney or bladder dysfunctions, renal diseases, symptoms affecting the osseous system osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, lower back pain or general and severe pain, bed wetting, prostate, uterus, ovary disorders, sciatica.  Conditions affecting the ears, hearing disorders, vertigo and equilibrium problems.  It is associated with coldness in the body and can affect scalp hair.

These lists are not comprehensive but they do give you some idea of the magnitude that our emotions can play on our overall health.  For a more comprehensive list of associated symptoms, call or stop by the office and I can provide it for you.

One way to treat these symptoms if an emotional component is present is through the Emotional Freedom Technique or EFT.

It is based on the meridian system and stimulating various acupoints with a finger tapping along a specific sequence.  I have used it with a few patients and find validity to what this technique proposes.  You can go to the EFT web site and download for free a manual on how it is self administered and even watch some video clips on various conditions that respond to EFT.  Try it and have fun experimenting with balancing your emotions to eliminate related symptoms.

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