Where do you go when your office mates are sick, you hide out at your desk. What most people do not know is that there desks are most likely crawling with germs. A study by the University of AZ in 2002 found the typical workers desk has hundreds of times more bacteria per square in than an office toilet seat. Disturbing, to say the least. Most people I know drag themselves to work nose running, coughing, and sneezing all over the place. The peak cold and flu months are December and January. Unfortunately most people in December have used up all their sick time, so they go in, much to the dismay of everyone around them. Plus, they are not helping in getting themselves better. The best thing to do when you are feeling this way is stay home! Even better, is preventative medicine, which acupuncture and Chinese herbs are excellent for. If you do start feeling under the weather, please feel free to give me a call!
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The Alliance for Aging Research recommends these 10 steps for improving brain health:
Eat a Brain-Healthy Diet. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids (commonly found in fish), protein, antioxidants, fruits and vegetables and vitamin B; low in trans fats; and with an appropriate level of carbohydrates will help keep your brain healthy.
Stay Mentally Active. Activities such as learning a new skill or language, working on crossword puzzles, taking classes, and learning how to dance can help challenge and maintain your mental functioning.
Exercise Regularly. Exercising often can increase circulation, improve coordination, and help prevent conditions that increase the risk of dementia such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Stay Social. Spending time with friends, volunteering, and traveling can keep your mind active and healthy.
Get Plenty of Sleep. Not getting enough sleep can have a negative impact on brain health.
Manage Stress. Participating in yoga, spending time with friends, or doing other stress-relieving activities can help preserve your ability to remember and learn.
Prevent Brain Injury. Wearing protective head gear and seat belts can help you avoid head injury, which has been associated with an increased risk of dementia.
Control Other Health Conditions. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet, and controlling stress can help reduce your risk of diseases that affect your brain, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and hypertension.
Avoid Unhealthy Habits. Smoking, heavy drinking and use of recreational drugs can increase the risk of dementia and cognitive decline.
Consider Your Genes. If your family history puts you at risk for developing dementia, work with your doctor to find ways to maintain your brain health to help avoid or slow the progression of cognitive decline.
Source: Alliance for Aging Research, news release, December 2006
We all know that a diet rich in whole grains, a variety of fruits and vegetables and low in red meats is good for us. This wholesome balance nourishes our bodies and provides our cells with the nutrients needed for healthy functioning. Olive oil can be part of this healthy balance as well. There was a recent study in Europe that found that people who lived in Southern Europe who had a diet rich in olive oil had a lower occurrence of cancer rates than those in Northern Europe. This is attributed to the antioxidant compounds found in olive oil that are called phenols. Oxidation in the body can lead to a variety of diseases including cancer. This is great news for olive oil lovers! As always though, a varied diet along with exercise and reduction in stress is the key to promoting healthy balance in your life and body.
A recent study in the Journal of American Medical Association looked at the records of more than 145, 000 patients in England and noticed that patients over 50 who used proton pump inhibitors for more than a year had a 44 percent higher risk for hip fractures than nonusers. Proton pump inhibitors are a class of drugs that include Nexium, Prevacid, and Prilosec. Pepsid and Tagamet are in another class that has shown similar effects. This is pretty major for people whom have been prescribed these medicines for relief of heartburn. Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, and nutritional modifications can also be effective in the treatment of heartburn. A practitioner will go over your whole health history from head to toe seeing how everything is working together, not just the stomach. The next step to come up with an individual diagnosis from Chinese medicine perspective and treat accordingly. The idea is to treat the root (the cause) as well as the branches (the symptoms) so that over time the body readjusts and heals.
Nutrition therapy has been used for thousands of years to help to prevent and treat disease. Science is now starting to discover and quantify the effects of several herbs and spices n the treatment of many common diseases. In this enclosed article, oregano, cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric were discussed. We are what we eat. Good nutrition can help our bodies function at their optimum and why not include some yummy herbs and spices to help it even further.
Many people do not think twice about taking over the counter remedies that contain acetaminophen (the primary ingredient in Tylenol) for a headache, or pain symptom. What most people do not know is that they are easily reaching 4-6g of it daily, and over a few days it can cause damage to your liver! Your liver processes pretty much everything, so if you are taking several medications, drugs (or alcoholic beverages) as well, it may even be more vulnerable to damage. There are many options if you are experiencing regular pain on a daily basis. I would recommend seeing an acupuncturist, chiropractor, naturopathic physician to talk about other, more natural options that are gentler for your body. If you need recommendations for any, please do not hesitate to contact me.
No. Between 50 and 70% of patients who go into a doctor and are diagnosed with sinusitis are prescribed antibiotics. There is a new study that shows that prescribing antibiotics is not shown to speed recovery. Most cases of it are of viral origin which antibiotics are ineffective against. Acupuncture, Chinese herbs, dietary modifications, and neti pots are wonderful treatments for this common winter problem. Neti pots have been used for hundreds of years to clean out the nasal passages to improve breathablility. A basic dietary modification can be to cut out dairy products and sugar while you are phlegmy. It can increase the production of phlegm in your body, compounding the situation. I recently was in NY for the holidays and was “coming down with the gook,†ie. A head cold which leads to a sinus infection. I gave myself an acupuncture treatment, went on a herbal regiment and neti potted daily and cut it from the “normal†week to two weeks, to a couple of days! I would highly recommend it J
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"I look forward to my visits with Stephanie. They are the highlight of my
work week, and the only time I get to completely relax. Stephanie takes a
holistic, thoughtful approach, and truly cares about her patients".
- K