Thanks to some excellent new research and many professional sports figures we are becoming more aware of serious risks associated with concussions.

Most players, coaches and parents are aware of the major signs and symptoms of a concussion (loss of consciousness, vomiting, loss of memory, etc.) but are often unaware of the more subtle signs and symptoms of concussion. Fewer people still are aware that the signs and symptoms of a concussion can take hours or even days to manifest.

Things I have learned about concussions


1. Any violent, jarring motion can result in concussions

Concussions can be caused by more than just direct blows to the head. Anything that causes the brain to be shaken or bounce around in the skull can result in a concussion – think of: whiplash; players colliding together; or, flying through the air while tobogganing and landing with a thud. 

I feel like a harbinger of the fall cold & flu season…I guess I kind of am…except that, the main impetus for this post is actually Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) - a cold virus that is typically associated with summer colds!

You can find out more about EV-D68 here.

The best thing you can do for a cold or flu is prevent it! Check out Cold & Flu Season - Part 1: Prevention for the 5 Things You Can Do To Survive The Cold & Flu Season.

If you do start to feel the beginning of a cold or flu drop everything and rest ASAP – lots of sleep/rest now may save you 5-10 days of dragging yourself around at ½ speed. In the first 24-48 hours of the onset of a cold/flu try taking 3 doses (2 pellets) at 4 hour intervals of either:


Oscillococcinum (Anas barbariae): effective in treating the first stages (first 48 hours) of influenza (fever, chills, body aches & pains, etc.)
or
Aconite 30c or 200c: great for acute illness with sudden onset, especially after a shock or exposure.  Symptoms include: excitement, anxiety & fear; restless; a dry cough; and burning heat with a flushed face.

If the 'prevention' and 'nip-it-in-the-bud' ships have sailed and you are now SICK a great place to start is by following the recommendations provided in Cold & Flu Season - Part 2 Treatment. With colds and flus I generally only recommend homeopathic intervention if:

1. If there is either no improvement or a worsening of symptoms
2. If the symptoms are intense (headache, fever, etc.) or unbearable (aches & pains, sleeplessness, etc.)

EV-D68 is a respiratory virus that is currently circulating in the USA and has been impacting children and youth quite hard. Some reports have indicated that 15% of children with the virus are ending up in the intensive care unit. Most cases will be mild and self limiting with symptoms typically last for five to 10 days.

EV-D68 symptoms are similar to common cold: runny nose; cough; sneezing; fever; increased respiratory rate; and wheezing. The concern is that this particular strain of the virus appears to be causing respiratory distress – difficult/forced breathing -  particularly in children with a history of  respiratory illness, such as asthma.

Just like most colds & flus EV-D68 spreads via bodily secretions such as saliva, nasal mucus, or sputum – coughing, sneezing, close contact with infected patients and contact with contaminated surfaces.


Prevention

I was on vacation sailing for 2 weeks and it was amazing up until the last 3 days when one after another we all came down with stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis)…Homeopathy to the rescue? Sadly no. I forgot ½ of my first aid kit on my desk at home - the ½ that included the remedies we needed!...and the much needed Mozi-Q!

We had to manage our way through without the help of homeopathy – not easy or pretty but we all survived.  


Things I have learned about viral gastroenteritis

1. Antibiotics are unlikely to help you and may make it worse
Antibiotics will have no effect on the viruses that cause the majority of stomach flus. Antibiotics will destroy the healthy bacteria in your digestive tract.

Living in a post antibiotic world…a reality I would rather not experience – Part 2

This is part 2 of a 3 part blog on antimicrobial resistance. 

Part 1 – 5 Easy Things You Can Do To Reduce Antimicrobial Resistance and a  primer on the issue of antimicrobial resistance 

Part 2 – Alternatives to Medicinal Antimicrobial Use

Part 3- Antimicrobial Resistance – The Science Stuff 

As you can read in Part 1 of this blog series, the impetus for the series was the  World Health Organization’s release of the "Antimicrobial resistance: global report on surveillance 2014".  From the report overview: 

“The report makes a clear case that resistance to common bacteria has reached alarming levels in many parts of the world and that in some settings, few, if any, of the available treatments options remain effective for common infections.”


The good news…
There is evidence that suggests that antimicrobial resistant ‘superbug’ populations will lose their antimicrobial resistance if it is no longer needed – meaning that if antimicrobials are rarely used and the ‘superbug’ populations are no longer exposed to antimicrobials the populations will revert back to being susceptible to antimicrobials.

The even better news…
If you keep reading below you will learn about some effective, natural alternatives you can use to reduce you and your family’s reliance on topical and oral antimicrobial (antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic and antifungal) drugs.

The best news…
Unlike pharmaceutical antimicrobials that can upset and weaken you system (e.g. candida infections resulting from antibiotic use) homeopathic & herbal treatments combined with nutritional support will strengthen your system and leave you more resistant to subsequent microbial infections. 

No I am not rushing things, I got my first mosquito bite of the season the other night while harvesting some greens (…hostas) from the garden or dinner!

Coming from Winnipeg – mosquito capital of Canada?…the world?...I know that mosquitoes can range from annoying pests to flat out insanity inducing menaces. Here in southern Ontario we have the added bonus of having to worry about West Nile Virus.

Last year I posted a blog Mosquitoes vs Homeopathy = Homeopathy Wins. In it you will find information for natural, safe and very effective herbal repellants, effective homeopathic bite prevention (including Mozi-Q) and some general prevention tips. This year I want to add a list of pretty, edible plants that you can add to your garden or just keep in pots near your favourite outdoor spaces and a West Nile health warning. 

I have a wart – a big ugly plantar wart on my right heel. It is my stigmata. I mean that quite literally. I had plantar warts forever as a kid and it was awful – they physically hurt, the removal methods were barbaric, and I was teased.  I have a lot wrapped up in my wartiness.

The logical part of my brain is telling me that the presence a wart is a sign that my immune system is compromised and that there are obviously issues I need to address. The emotional part of my brain is saying hide it, ignore it, hide it, ignore it, hide it, ignore it…something I am tempted to actually consider were it not for the pain and that annoying logical part!…like I said, I have a lot wrapped up in my wartiness.

Things I have learned about warts:

1. Warts are caused by the virus HPV
Which means that, like all pathogens, you will only become infected by HPV (human papilloma viruses) if you are susceptible. Having a wart means your immune system is not functioning optimally. There are over 150 known types of HPV that cause warts.

2. Warts are superficial but tenacious
Warts form in the your skin/mucosa and cause rapid overgrowth in the top layers. It may take several months of slow, persistent growth beneath your skin/mucosa before you can even notice a wart.
- Plantar warts are warts that are formed on the pressure points of feet and driven inward…I am getting smacked with the symbolism here….

3. Conventional treatment methods are largely ineffective
Conventional treatment methods still rely on the physical removal of the warty growth via burning or other mechanical methods. Since the immune system weakness and susceptibility remains, warts treated conventionally often return despite the painful and invasive procedures.

I woke up with a headache this morning  - what an awful way to start the day. If I had a corresponding amount of fun the night before then the headache would be justified, but I went to bed at a decent time after reading in my living room. I didn’t even have any wine with dinner! After guzzling a glass of water – dehydration is a common cause of headaches – doing some yoga to relieve the tension in my neck & shoulders and some breathing/mediation I realized the headache was not getting better. Homeopathy to the rescue.

I am happy to say that these days I very rarely experience headaches…at least unjustified ones. In my pre-homeopathy days I occasionally suffered from migraines and when I did nothing helped that pain. It flatted me for a day or 2. Sleep was my only salvation. I remember being so desperate for pain relief that I would chew sleeping pills trying to get the drugs into my system so that sleep would overtake me and numb the pain. I wish that I had known about homeopathy then.

Now as a practitioner I am actually able to help people that suffer from headaches and migraines. I commonly see reductions in headache frequency and severity in the people that I treat – often we are able to prevent the headaches all together.  It is great.

If you suffer from recurrent headaches, menstrual headaches or migraine headaches please consider professional treatment. In the interim you may find some acute relief from these homeopathic remedies commonly prescribed for head pain. 

Of course the smart thing to do would be to not overindulge and avoid a hangover in the first place, but sometimes despite my good intentions I end up feeling far less than chipper after a night out. On these mornings I particularly love the seemingly magical power of homeopathy to help me feel better. With some homeopathic help you can start 2014 with a smile, despite any 2013 overindulgences! Most of the homeopathic medicines I have listed below are commonly available at health food stores, natural pharmacies and the natural health sections of larger grocery stores.

First some helpful things I have I have learned about hangovers and the effects of overindulgence…I am not saying how...

Things I have learned about avoiding a hangover:

1. Hydrate as you go
Alternate each alcoholic drink with one glass of water. This may be the best hangover avoidance advice ever!…with the exception of obvious drink in moderation.

I am excited to let you know that I am offering free homeopathic flu vaccinations for this year’s flu season. Homeopathic flu vaccination has has an efficacy rate of 90% and has been in use for over 150 years. There are no reported side effects.

Homeopathic flu vaccination is suitable for everybody and is particularly recommended for infants, children, the elderly and those with existing health conditions or compromised immune systems. Due to its extremely gentle and non-invasive nature, homeopathy can be safely integrated into your existing health care regime (i.e., supplements, prescription medication, etc.). 

For more information on how to survive the cold & flu season and on homeopathic flu vaccination please see visit my website .

To protect yourself and your family naturally this flu season just contact me via email or at 416-579-6234.