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. 

Living in a post antibiotic world…a reality I would rather not experience – Part 1

I am not sure if you saw this in the news, my ears pricked up because I have been following antimicrobial resistance issues since university, this April the World Health Organization released their first report on global antimicrobial (antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic & antifungal) resistance.

I read the report "Antimicrobial resistance: global report on surveillance 2014". To tell the truth I have been a bit paralyzed in a state of shock since reading the report – I knew it was bad, but I didn’t really realize how bad things have gotten. REALLY BAD.

From the report this is “…a problem so serious that it threatens the achievements of modern medicine. A post-antibiotic era—in which common infections and minor injuries can kill—far from being an apocalyptic fantasy, is instead a very real possibility for the 21st century.”

Despite several valiant attempts to stick my head in the sand and not think about it,  I keep returning to this issue. I guess it is just not my nature to turn a blind eye…le-sigh. My first thought re: a solution was the establishment of a new world order that recognizes the value of traditional knowledge…in the interim I thought I would share what I have learned over the years re: antimicrobial resistance, use and the alternatives…and some good news! 

This a 3 part blog:

Part 1 – 5 Easy Things You Can Do To Reduce Antimicrobial Resistance

Part 2 – Alternatives to Medicinal Antimicrobial Use

Part 3 – Antimicrobial Resistance – The Science Stuff

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. 

An apple a day or statin drugs? Based on research recently published in the BMJ (formerly the British Medical Journal) both are equally effective at preventing vascular disease!

Personally I would pick the apple - far more delicious (full disclosure: I have never tasted a statin pill) and far fewer side effects…apple peel stuck in my teeth was the only one I could come up with. With statin drugs the more common side effects are:

Last weekend I read that on average people gain 3-5 pounds over the holidays. That made me feel a whole lot better. I am normal! Being ‘normal’ I have decided (a resolution of sorts) to not to worry about it. It feels great!

In previous years my extra lusciousness would have bothered me quite a bit, but not this year. Maybe I am maturing, maybe it is my broken toe, maybe it is the icy deep freeze we have been in that lead me to say ‘oh well’ when I donned jeans for the first time after many days of PJ heaven and they were extra snug. I am not adopting a defeatist ‘who cares’ attitude but rather an active ‘why worry’ state of mind.

Instead of worrying I am actively:

1. Aware of my extra lusciousness - pretty easy given the snugness of my jeans – and using that awareness to inform my decisions i.e. hearty kale dinner salad or poutine? Second helping?
2. Avoiding judgment, self deprecation and negative thinking.
3. Ending the holiday eating and drinking habits…Cookies and boozy coffee are less than ideal breakfast choices even if it is the weekend.

I am 100% confident that I am on to something here. And what if the weight doesn’t melt away? What is the option? Worrying about it?  We know that worrying creates a stress reaction in your body and that stress increases cravings for highly caloric foods, specifically fats & sugars, and stimulates the storage of fat!....Besides, who wants baggy jeans anyway?

For some delicious post holiday recipe ideas check out these ones from bon appetit.

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.