Archive for November, 2008
Every year hay fever seems to ruin my summer
Monday, November 24th, 2008
Q : Every year hay fever seems to ruin my summer. What do you recommend to minimise the symptoms?
A : Hay fever or allergic rhinitis, is characterised by itchy nose, throat and palate, congestion and/or runny discharge from the nasal passages, itching or stinging eyes. Those who suffer from hay fever symptoms throughout the year are said to have perennial rhinitis. Animal hair, dust, feathers, fungus spores, moulds and/or some other environmental agent may trigger the symptoms. In individuals where food allergies and/or dermatitis accompany symptoms of hay fever we can suspect other factors that may be stressing the immune system allowing these symptoms to manifest:
• Food allergy and/or Food Intolerance
• Hidden ingredients in processed foods; food additives; medicinal drugs (e.g. penicillin) added to foods; environmental pollution; early weaning and solid foods given to infants; genetic manipulation of food components which cross-react with normal tissues.
• Impaired digestion
• Leaky gut syndrome
• Yeast Infections
Recommendations
• Rotation diet: prevents new allergies, gives immune system rest, and intestines a chance to heal; infrequent consumption of tolerated foods not likely to induce new sensitivities or worsen old ones.
• Rebalance bowel flora : probiotics and/or acidophilus, treat any underlying yeast infections with Goldenseal.
• Healing damaged gut: eliminate all factors injuring mucosa; re-establish bowel flora, remove intestinal toxins; improve digestion; decrease inflammation.
• Decrease inflammatory gut reaction: quercetin, vitamin C and fish oils are helpful.
• Stimulating regeneration of gut: glutamine stimulates regeneration.
• Re-establishing normal digestion: digestive enzymes.
• Immune support: Echinacea, Astragalus, Goldenseal are helpful. Vitamin A, B, C, and Zinc
• Quercetin & Bromelain: slows the realease of histamine into the blood stream
• Homoeopathic remedies: Grasses & Pollens 30C, Wyethia 6C, Euphrasia 6C, Galphimia Glauca 6X, Allium Cepa 6C are all very helpful. Consult your homoeopath.
For further information about Allergies, please visit ICIM Medics Allergy information page.
Check out Medical Thermography to see how bad your hay fever is. For further information on Hay fever please visit the Irish Centre of Integrated Medicine on www.icim.ie or tel. 045 844819
I Suffer From Restless Leg Syndrome
Monday, November 17th, 2008Q : I suffer from restless leg syndrome, is there anything I can do, or take, to help?
A : Restless legs syndrome is a condition that is characterised by a crawling, itching and sometimes painful sensation in the legs and thighs, which is relieved by moving the legs and thighs either by shaking or walking.
Underlying contributing factors include:
• Stimulants: caffeine, nicotine and alcohol
• Drug withdrawal
• Hereditary factors
• Deficiencies in iron, folic acid and vitamin B-Complex are frequently linked
• Digestive problems leading to malabsorption
• Anxiety and stress
Recommendations:
• Investigate through blood and hair analysis any mineral and vitamin deficiency and correct this through supplementation.
• Regular exercise, preferably in the evening, may reduce excessive stress chemical production at night
• Practice a meditation technique or Medical Qi Gong, Yoga or Tai Chi
• Consider doing a detox
• Herbally Valerian root possess excellent muscular relaxing properties when taken before bedtime.
• Homoeopathic remedies that may assist include Rhus Tox 6C, Causticum 30C, Tarantula Hispanica 6C, Zinc Mur 3C. Please refer to your homeopath for assistance.
For Further information on restless legs syndrome please visit the Irish Centre of Integrated Medicine on http://www.icim.ie/ or tel 045-844819.
Why My Face Gets Red So Easily?
Monday, November 17th, 2008Q : My face tends to get very red, especially when i am stressed or after drinking. I’ve had my blood pressure checked and it’s fine. Is there anything else it could be?
A : Flushing of the face can be caused by a condition called Acne Rosacea, often experienced in adults between the ages of 30 and 50, but more severe in men. It is a chronic skin disorder where the nose and cheeks are abnormally red and flushing is very commonly experienced and may be covered with pimples similar to acne.
Many factors suspected include alcohol abuse, stress or hormonal imbalances, vasomotor neurosis, local infection, B-vitamin deficiencies and digestive disorders.
The causes to this condition are unknown, however, underlying problems which may contribute include:
• Low production of stomach acid: stress, worry and depression reduce gastric acidity.
• Food allergy: reflex flushing by vasodilator substances due to food allergies.
• B-vitamins deficiency.
Diet: avoid coffee, alcohol, hot beverages, spicy foods, and any other food/drink causing flushes; eliminate refined and/or concentrated sugars, transfatty acids (milk products, margarine, shortening, synthetically hydrogenated vegetable oils, fried foods); avoid foods high in iodized salt.
Homoeopathic remedies that may assist this condition include sulphur iod 3C (where acne is quite pronounced, and itching present, arsen brom 3C where internal heat is noted).
Acne Rosacea would need a definite diagnosis from a medical professional and must be distinguished from dermatitis, perioral and the facial rash of systemic lupis erythematosus.
For further information on Acne Rosacea please visit the Irish Centre of Integrated Medicine on www.icim.ie or Tel: 045-844819
What Alternative Can Help For Bleeding Gums?
Monday, November 17th, 2008Q : I’m on medication for heart problems, and as a side effect my gums bleed badly. What can I take that could help?
A : Gingivitis is a condition which develops at the early stage of periodontal disease, where pockets of bacteria accumulate and produce more plaque, separating the gums from the teeth. Bacterial growth causes the gums to become red, soft and shiny. Therapeutic considerations for general gingivitis sufferers include assistance in the following areas.
• Hygiene: Biannual visits to your dentist for a full exam and removal of plaque and calculus; Brush after meals with sanguinaria toothpaste and floss daily.
• Diet: High in dietary fibre – protective via increased salivary secretion; Eliminate sugar from your diet.
• Cigarettes: Introduce a smoking cessation programme.
• Vitamin C (improves the integrity of the gums)
• Vitamin E, selenium (boosts anti-oxidant status)
• Vitamin A, beta-carotenes, zinc (decreases the healing time).
• Folic acid (reduces inflammation)
• Quercetin (rich in flavonoids which also helps reduce inflammation)
• Homoeopathic remedies that may assist include Merc Cor 6C where the gums are spongy, swollen and purple in colour. If you have increased saliva production and loose teeth with a salty or bitter taste, try Kreosotum 3C. if your symptoms are worse after cold drinks, water or air, try Silica 6C or Phosphorous 13C if you’ve a tendency for boils and abscesses.
• Botanical medicines that possess anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties include Sanguinaria Canadensis (bloodroot) when used as a toothpaste, and Centalla asiatica (gotu kola) which possesses gum healing properties.
For further information on Gingivitis please visit the Irish Centre of Integrated Medicine on www.icim.ie or tel 00353-045-844819
What Alternatives Can Speed Up Weight Loss?
Friday, November 14th, 2008Q : I’m quite overweight and I want to get in shape for the summer. Are there any supplements I can take to speed things up a bit?
A : Being overweight is generally defined as exceeding the recommended weight for one’s height and build.
Tips for weight loss:
• Diet: a balance between protein (20-25%), carbohydrate (60-70%) and fats (10-15%).
• Fibre: binds fats and cholesterol and excretes them
• Exercise: 20-30 min of aerobic exercise, three times a week.
• Cut down on alcohol and other liver stressing drugs.
• Television: reduces the metabolic rate to that of a trance-like state! Do not eat in front of the television. Positive lifestyle improvements together with a balanced diet and regular exercise are needed to become healthy long-term.
Some suggestions:
• Supplements: chromium picolinate, hydroxycitrate, coenzyme Q10, Fibre such as psyllium husks, ground flax seeds.
• Botanical medicines: Ephedra sinica, Garcinia, Wild angelica, Mate, Dandelion, Aloe Vera and Astragalus may be of assistance.
• Homoeopathic remedies such as Calc Carb 30C may help; however, constitutional prescribing by your homoeopath would be suggested to assist the underlying problems e.g. hormonal imbalances, metabolic disturbances, water retention etc. Weight gain would need to be looked at carefully by a medical professional and must be distinguished from diabetes, under-active thyroid, and kidney and heart disorder etc.
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For further information on Obesity please visit the Irish Centre of Integrated Medicine on www.icim.ie or tel. 045-844819
What Can Help Ease Psoriasis Symptoms?
Wednesday, November 12th, 2008Q: My boyfriend suffers from psoriasis. Is there anything he can use apart from hydrocortisone creams?
A : For general psoriasis sufferers, assistance in the following areas can help ease symptoms:
1, Incomplete protein digestion – digestive enzymes, Hydrastis Canadensis (goldenseal) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice root) help to promote better digestion.
2, Diet – limit sugar, meat, animal fats, and alcohol; increase dietary fibre and cold-water fish. Eliminate gluten, identify and address food allergies and take a multivitamin supplement and omega supplement too like Udo’s oil.
3, Physically – ultraviolet light (sunlight) is extremely beneficial. Ultraviolet B (UVB) alone inhibits cell proliferation with fewer side effects.
If you suffer from dry, rough or scaly skin that becomes more inflamed after scratching, or indeed during bouts of cold weather, Arsen Alb 6C will help. Whereas if your skin is swollen and inflamed Borax 3c should help to ease it. If it is aggravated by the warmth with intolerable itching Kali Arsen 3C is great. If your psoriasis is further irritated washing or if you have hot feet and hands at night I would recommend Sulphur 12C.
Botanical alternatives to hydrocortisone creams including Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice root), Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile), Capsicum frutescens (cayenne pepper), Aloe vera, Hydrastis Canadensis (goldenseal), Silybum marianum (milk thistle), provide great benefit.
For further information on psoriasis please visit the Irish Centre of Integrated Medicine on www.icim.ie or tel. 045-844819 .
