Hangover Prevention: Scientifically Proven!

In reading a friend's post about abstaining from alcohol, I realized that I best post something about prickly pear cactus juice. In fact, I should have done this a week ago.

Anyhow, if you are one who does not abstain from alcohol and do get hungover at times, you will be happy to know that a plant that grows in Arizona is a friend of yours.

Prickly Pear Cactus, Opuntia ficus indica


Yep. The juice from prickly pear cactus is scientifically proven to help prevent hangovers. Compared to placebo:

• prickly pear reduced the nausea, dry mouth and appetite loss of being hungover
• prickly pear reduced the amount of c-reative protein by 40%
• prickly pear reduced the risk of a severe hangover by 50%

Those are some very solid numbers.

On your next drinking event, consider having Pricky Pear Cactus Juice on your shelf at home. It stays for a long time if frozen in little cubes.

How to Prevent a Hangover:
Before your night out, take a tablespoon of prickly pear cactus juice. That's it. This does not excuse the crazy evenings, empty wallet or otherwise obnoxious events that may occur.

Be safe. Be smart. Be less hungover.

Head Congestion: Ways to Relieve Naturally

A congested bounding head is not a pleasure. Neither is taking drug after drug in attempt to relieve it.

Head congestion can be due to a number of causes:

• lack of sleep
• lack of water
• laying down too long
• blocked sinuses
• lack of exercise
• food allergy
• cold or flu or other acute illness
  

There are a number of ways to relieve a congested head:

• Food: hot soups, spicey meals, hot broths
  
• Fluid: hot teas and plenty of water
• Nasal irrigation: i wrote an entire post about this.
  
• Hydrotherapy: using cold and how water to move blood about.
  
• Air humidifier: add salt and eucalyptus oil to it.
  
• Topical essential oils: vick's vapor rub on your temples, sinuses and chest.
• Avoid cold foods: limit dairy
• Thid-Eye Point: acupressure relief
  

Food
Make a steamy hot bowl of spiced broth. That will get your body core heated up and cause your nose to run. A running nose will allow your sinuses to drain which will ease off the pressure in your head.

Fluid
Not drinking enough water will cause your mucous membranes to be less watery and more sticky. This causes backup and backup causes pressure. Pressure equals head congestion.
Drink tons.

Nasal Irrigation
This is paramount if you have chronic sinus infections - or even a one-time blocked sinus that is not draining. Just last week I was laying down in bed with a bounding headache, nauseated and not wanting to get up. I forced myself to do so. After taking 10 minutes to get vertical, I found that my right sinus was blocked. I prepared a neti pot with my salt and neti wash plus and flushed both sides of my nose for a few minutes. My sinuses began to drain like mad and the headache was ...gone.

Hydrotherapy: Wet Sock Treatment
Sound goofy? It may but it is effective especially for kids with ear infections. It works by pulling blood away from your head to your feet. Blood is pulled as the temperature of the feet is low due to the cold damp socks. The body wants to maintain warmth to all tissues and if one area is made cold, the body will attempt to warm it. The contrast between hot to cold is the most desired effect so ensure that you warm the feet very well prior to placing the cold socks. This will help ensure a proper outcome.

1. Find a pair of light cotton socks.
2. Find a pair of heavy wool socks.
3. Place the cotton socks in a bowl of ice water...or put in the freezer.
   
4. Heat up feet in a bucket of hot water or just take a hot bath.
5. Dry the feet
6. Wring out the cold cotton socks.
   
7. Immediately put the ice cold socks onto the feet and cover with the wool socks.
8. Lay down for the night and go to sleep - or keep them on for the day while around the house.
   

I recommended this to a friend of mine with nightly migraine headaches. She did this prior to bed and her migraines did not appear.

It sounds like it will be a shock to the system but it is fine as the feet are hot. It actually feels nice.


Topical essential oils
These are wondrous yet can be problematic if not careful. They should not be in reach of children as they are deadly. Yes deadly. They are super concentrated oils and if swallowed or touched directly onto a little one's skin, serious burns or other harms can be done. Keep in a locked cabinet or way up high.

Visit your favorite health store to figure out which ones you like the best. I am a fan of eucalyptus, rosemary and cedar. One must dilute the essential oil in a base of olive oil before applying.

Apply to your temples, on your maxillary and frontal sinsuses and you may want to put some between your upper lip and nose. Do not put in your nose directly as they will burn your mucous membranes. Keep away from your eyes also.

Limit dairy products
Dairy products and sugar are major mucous forming foods and will only increase head congestion. Limit the amount eaten during this time and you will likely recover faster.

Third Eye Acupressure Point
According to acupressure.com, this point will help. "Directly between the eyebrows, in the indentation where the bridge of the nose meets the center of your forehead." Simply place pressure at this point using the method shown to the right. I have sourced the article in full for you. Simply click on the link above.

In health,

Ben

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to you all. I hope all is relaxing with good times.

In health,
Ben

Cow Milk: Harmful or Good?

I am not one to be a radical concerning cow milk. I believe I am on the fence still. Why?

Dairy products taste so damn good.

However, my experiences with cow milk and dairy products are more harmful than beneficial - especially in those with health conditions.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis: removed dairy products from my wife's diet and her arthritis pain went way down - to no pain or stiffness
• The American Academy of Pediatrics states that children under 1 years old should avoid dairy products as it causes the intestines to bleed.
• Humans lose the capacity to digest milk, as over time, many of us lose the lactase enzyme.
• There are other ways to obtain calcium beyond milk - collards, soybeans, tofu, sardines, OJ
  
• Slows digestion due to milk being mucous forming and high in fat.
• Contains high amounts of omega 6 fatty acids which cause full body inflammation.
  
• Major cause of ear infections in children (up to 40%)- and adults.
• Hormones and antibiotics in cow milk
• Found to be a cause of childhood asthma
  

Websites that have tons of research and latest news about the harms of cow milk:

• Not Milk.com
• Milk Sucks.com
• NewsTarget.com
  

These sites may seem radical and at times may be, but overall, they are a useful resource.

I am not yet completely opposed to milk. Older children who are not allergic may benefit from organic milk. I find it necessary to educate and inform those who have health conditions.

Milk may be a foe of yours.

Remove dairy products from your diet for a week and see how you feel. If your fatique, digestion, acne, weight gain, arthritis, constipation or other condition improves, then consider removing dairy from your diet all together. It may be difficult at first to remove cow milk products from your diet but in time you may find that the benefits far exceed the inconvenience.

Power of Natural Medicine: Illustrated in Pain Relief

Even I, as a naturopathic medical student, am awe struck by what I have seen in the last week.

My wife had major ankle surgery to restore movement once again. For two years, we have tried every form of physical medicine and rehabilitation. We managed to maintain some semblance of movement but no way could she point her toes upwards.

After meeting with 10+ orthopedic surgeons, all of which wanted to fuse her ankle joint, my wife's naturopathic physician finally found one that did not. Ankle fusion was not the way to go for her as she is only 28 years old and the outcome of fusion for her is not the best as she is quite young.

Dr Lowinger, a podiatrist, found that her condition was due to ankle arthrosis and may be improved by 'cleaning up the joint space.' This is what I was looking for the last year of searching. It was a welcome alternative to fusion even if it fails. We are at least giving it a shot.

The surgery lasted about 3 hours. A quick summary:

• 5 incisions
  
• calcaneal shift anchored by screws
• removal of osteophytes by hammer and bone chisel
• grinding down of calcaneus surface
• tendons pulled on to allow access by surgeons

Nadia, my wife, was prescribed Oxycontin - a potent narcotic designed to relieve severe pain. Along side oxycontin, she was prescribed a drug for nausea as it is a side effect caused by oxycontin. It was also necessary to prescribe another drug for bowel movements as oxycontin causes constipation.

Not pleased with these options, I purchased the drugs anyhow in case my pain relieving method failed her. Not a bad idea given the severity of her surgery and the likelihood of intense pain. I planned on using these prescriptions but wanted to give a natural alternative a shot first.

Natural Alternative for Post-Surgical Pain Relief
This is what I did and in no way am I suggesting that you self-treat for post-surgical pain. What worked for Nadia may not work for all and should not be played with without discussing with your physician.

Arnica Montana 200C, homeopathic based medicine. $6.00

According to Dr. Roger Morrison, MD, in his book, Desktop Guide to Keynotes and Confirmatory Symptoms, Arnica is "extremely useful in postoperative patients for both pain and to promote more rapid healing."

That was enough for me to try it. I have studied homeopathy for a solid year as well so I know what I am doing in terms of dosage and determining which remedy to use. It is a tricky business - especially when to dose, when not to and what strength to dose is even more complicated.

At the onset of pain, Nadia dissolved the remedy under her tongue. The next morning she said she was beginning to feel the onset of pain again. I repeated the dose. That evening, the onset of pain was apparent so I repeated the dose but this time a lower strength.

She has not repeated the dose since and has not had any pain beyond what she called "heaviness and pressure."

Not bad at all after such an event. Not one tear, grimmace, flinch or ouch. I am amazed. The surgeon is floored. So am I.

Nadia is on her 'roll-about' already. This device allows her to move around the house without crutches and without bearing weight on her leg. It's pretty handy. She cannot be on it long as the blood rushes down to her foot.

For those who doubt homeopathy, I completely understand. I still doubt it in certain situations. Yet when I doubt it, I may still try it as it may just be what is needed. I doubted it to relieve post-surgical pain and it worked way beyond my expectations.

When homeopathy is used properly, it can be an incredible medical tool. It is inexpensive, easy to administer, never expires and is used on infants to terminally ill.

What is homeopathy?
That is a question that takes books and books to answer. One must read the Organon of the Medical Art by the founder of homepathy, Samuel Hahnemann, to obtain the basic understanding. I've read it and re-read it. Time to do it again.

Naturopathic medicine and traditional medicine are a great mix. In Seattle, these two are quite integrated and patients are obtaining health more quickly, less expensively and more effectively.

As a future naturopathic physician, I am already finding myself integrating with the standard medical field and happy to be a part of it. One must not disregard either method of medicine as they are equally necessary.

Without MD's, my wife's ankle would be toast. Without ND's, her post-surgical experience would have been much different.

A recent publication in the Journal of Family Medicine outlines pretty well of what patients can expect from naturopathic medicine.

The surgical team and my wife:

Dr Dan Lowinger, MD, DPM
Dr Maegan, MD, DPM, 2nd year resident
Dr Pat Buckley, ND










I will post updates on Nadia every week or as major events happen.

In health,
Ben

Eating and Drinking Don't Mix

While eating your meal, for the most part, do not drink with it.

This dilutes the stomach acids and digestive enzymes. It is best to drink 30 minutes before your meal - this helps uptake of nutrients and move bowels. It is best not to drink for 1 hour post-meal to help the enzymes and stomach acids do their work.

If you feel your mouth is just so darn dry while eating, that is likely due to being:

• stressed while you eat,
  
• eating in a rush,
  
• not being aware that you are eating
• secretory glands not functioning well due to drinking during meals [conditioned not to secrete]

If any of those explain you while eating, try to adjust. Your secretory glands will regain proper function once you train yourself not to drink during meals.

If you absolutely cannot avoid drinking during meals then:

• avoid cold drinks
• drink warm to hot teas
• avoid milk during meals
• drink a tablespoon or so of apple cider vinegar prior to eating to encourage acidity in the gut

Drinking cold mucousy milk during a meal is like spraying foam on a fire. It totally kills it. The Chinese call your digestive system the triple burner. It burns from below and that fire works its way up properly digesting your foods. Cold milk and beverages douse that fire.

We had a patient come in to the clinic with chronic constipation for years. She was improving but not rapidly. She happened to stop by my website and read information about avoiding drinks and especially cold drinks during meals. Once she changed this, she now goes 2 times a day!

Simple.

Give it a shot.

Transition Pointers:
For those who have a tough time with changes (like me!), aim to drink room temperature beverages to start. Consciously realize how much fluid you are drinking while eating - don't just guzzle.

Salivary Glands
It takes time to retrain your salivary glands but in time they will regain proper function. If your salivary glands are not working, then you are losing pre-digestion also. Never thought your spit was so handy did ya? It helps kill bugs. Use it and don't dilute it.

Note:
If you're doctor told you to drink during meals - then by all means, listen to 'em.

Also drink plenty of water while you take your fiber supplement. If you don't you'll have a big bunch of fiber sitting like concrete.

Treating Common Warts: Duct Tape Wins

I have heard this a million times. Now that I know how to access research quickly and effectively, I have found that a research study proving this exists!

Cryotherapy - basically freezing off common warts with liquid nitrogen. This works by killing off the blood supply to the area thus depriving the pesky wart of nutrients. Without nutrients, warts and many other things in life...die.

Duct Tape - basically a cool invention designed to do everything. It works by adhering to the wart so strongly that it blocks off the oxygen supply to the wart cells. Without oxygen, warts and many other things in life...die.

Benefits of Duct Tape over Cryotherapy:

• Painless
  
• Basically Free
• No appointment needed
• Can be done by any person knowledgeable in applying duct tape
• Kids are more compliant in putting on duct tape...then sending to the doctor and getting burnt.
• Less barbaric
• More effective

How to Apply and Treat Common Wart with Duct Tape:
Simply apply duct tape the the wart ensuring that it is completely covering the wart and nearby area. Leave there. Do not remove. The action of duct tape remember is to prevent oxygen getting to the area. If one removes the duct tape, oxygen gets to the area. Simple? Yes. Do people remove the tape? Yes. Don't. Let it sit there. Maximum time for the tape to sit there, according to the study, is 2 months. They state that effectiveness was commonly seen by 1 month.

Source of Study:

• Published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine
• Researched by Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital Medical Center
• Abstract available in PubMed
• Full research publication available [I did the footwork so you can have the study!] Adobe PDF file

If you or someone you know is getting recurrent warts, boost their immune system with nutrients, food, sleep, water, relaxation. Warts tend to grow mostly in a person with a tired immune system.

Good luck!

Antiperspirant and Breast Cancer: Linked?

The information below is taken from the FDA newsletter that I receive:

"FDA is aware of concerns that antiperspirant use -- in conjunction with underarm shaving -- may be associated with increased risk of developing breast cancer. FDA continues to search scientific literature for studies examining this possible adverse drug effect. Unfortunately, there are many publications that discuss the issue but very few studies in which data have been collected and analyzed. Overall, the studies that contain data are inconclusive in determining whether antiperspirants, in any way, contribute to the development of breast cancer. FDA hopes that definitive studies exploring breast cancer incidence and antiperspirant use will be conducted in the near future."

The issue is the aluminimum found in antiperspirants. Given this fact, numerous companies in the beauty industry are shifting away from adding aluminum and other potentially harmful ingredients to their products.

Why wait for solid proof that aluminum is causing breast cancer - especially as there are alternatives. Visit your health store, pharmacy or even quality supermarket. There you will find aluminum free deodorants.

CBS did a two-part special on Tom's of Maine deodorants. Part 1 evaluates the correlation between cancer and use of antiperspirants and Part 2 evalutes Tom's of Maine's antiperspirant products.

It may seem odd yet I have not used deoderant for about 10 years now. I do not need it. No I don't stink! It is based on what my observant older sibling told me years ago, "Don't eat dairy and you won't stink."

I thought he was full of it. Yet when I tried it, he was correct. I do not totally eliminate dairy from my diet as it tastes too damn good. Yet I do not drink milk.

Yet if one is in a stressful job and sweating all the time [which I am beginning to do being a medical student in clinical training], a safe anti-perspirant may be necessary.

I have located a review on a medical resesarch database about deodorants and breast cancer.

Another study entitled, "An earlier age of breast cancer diagnosis related to more frequent use of antiperspirants/deodorants and underarm shaving."

For more antiperspirant information, visit the full article on the FDA website.

Self-Treatment for Illnesses: Be careful

I am to blame for this as well. I believe we all are - especially given the easy access we have to over-the-counter medications, the desire to help our peers, the desire to seem knowledgeable and the sincere desire to save money in this horrid situation of our current healthcare system.

Yet yesterday in clinic made my eyes wide with understanding the importance of seeking advice from a trained, caring and knowledgeable physician.

Patient yesterday came in complaining of bloody stools, vomiting mucous and longterm parasite infections. Longterm meaning for 11 years plus. How did she know she had parasites? Her naturopathic doctor did muscle testing and she tested 'positive' for them. What kind of crap is that? I love natural medicine and am going to become a naturopathic physician as well but come on. Let's use lab tests, proper history taking, physical exams and medical equipment. Not muscle testing. It is naturopathic doctors [ND's] like these that give the rest of us ND's a bad name.

So that same doctor prescribed some nasty parasite killer which is recommended to be used only for 10 days maximum. The patient continued it for 3 months, self-prescribed colonics every week and did some month long fasts. Hardcore.

She saw us yesterday in despair. She still feels horrid even after she has purged and killed parasites. I bet.

She completely overburdened her liver with the prescription based anti-parasitic that she got somehow. She also poisoned herself by using potent anti-microbials such as wormwood and black walnut for months on end. Constant weekly purging of the bowels with colonics flushes out good and bad bacteria and creates an atonic bowel over time.

Her body has responded by producing voluminous amounts of mucous. So much in fact that she is vomiting handfuls of mucous each day. Why is her body producing so much? To protect what's left of her intestinal wall from the damage caused by her received and self-prescribed treatments.

It is a wonder she was even walking.

Why did she do all this self-medicating?

• numerous doctors failed to hear her out and determine what the true cause of her issue was.
  
• desperate in wanting to regain health.
• low income
• did not receive professional information from a qualified alternative physician.
• sought advice from friends and the internet about parasite killing
  

The good news is that she will improve with our treatments. It took only 1 hour for us to determine the proper course of action for her.

It has taken her 20+ years of self-medicating, inattentive physicians and a ton of money.

If you feel you are not being listened to by your physician - you have every right to seek another.

Doctors are not gods. Doctors are human with medical training. That's it. Find one who has the right medical training for your situation.

If your current doctor does not have the knowledge to improve your health, there is another who does. Believe me on this. Some physician out there knows and understands what you are going through. It may not be easy to find them. Yet not looking or trying to find them will not get you anywhere either.

Self-medicating will put you in this patient's shoes. And they are not fun shoes.

Massive internal hemmorhoids, bloody painful stools, full body rashes, likely fully inflammed colon, vomiting mucous each day and depressed. While your symptoms may be different than hers, I trust that they will not be fun.

Do not self-medicate in despair. Try to find a caring and effective physician. They are out there.

If you are in despair and have tried 'everything', you are more than welcome to email me a question. I cannot and will not give you treatment advice but I may provide information and point you in the right direction.

I wish you well.

Be safe.

In health,
Ben

Aspartame is Harmful: Avoid it

Was scanning the FDA site today and found dockets submitted in 2003 demonstrating scientifically proven issues and strong anecdotal evidence with aspartame.

The main issues of aspartame is that it contains a phenylalanine group, methyl group and aspartic acid.

The methyl group becomes formaldehyde. Formaldehyde itself is not dangerous. Yet when metabolized by the liver, its metabolites are carcinogenic. Not to handy.

I discovered a documentary that is riddled with scientific evidence, interviews with FDA inspectors, neurologists, MD's and patient's horrid stories. The documentary is made by Cori Brackett who herself was afflicted by aspartame.

The FDA claims aspartame safe due in amounts less than 40 mg/kg. Yet for those people who drink diet sodas like mad in Big Gulp form or by the 6 pack, or eat diet foods with aspartame, this value can be exceeded.

If a person drinks an aspartame-containing beverage or eats a food with it now and then, the hazards may be insignificant. Yet those people who are already having a chronic medical condition or otherwise not healthy, an extra load on the liver's system and other organs is not ideal.

Aspartame effects are dosage dependent. With that said, it doesn't take much for little kids to ingest over the recommended FDA limit nor does it take much for one who is already susceptible to migraines or cancer due to genetic makeup or exposure.

Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine states that aspartame is a main culprit in the cause of migraines. Some may say that this committee is quackery. Is Dr. Andrew Weil, MD a quack? He's on the Board.

"Certain beverages and additives are also among the worst triggers, including alcoholic beverages (especially red wine), caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea, and colas), monosodium glutamate, aspartame (NutraSweet), and nitrites."

Thus, it would be best for the FDA to remove aspartame from the market shelves.

Why don't the FDA remove it from the shelves? That is a damn good question. I know the answer. I don't want to spoil it for you.

Watch Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World by Coni Brackett of Sound and Fury Productions. I about fell of my couch when I saw who ran the manufacturing company for aspartame. This person is still wildly at large running our country in even more powerful places.

Watch. Learn. Act.

Tell those you know who drink diet soda to please stop. Normal soda is better. Hell - what is wrong with juice?

In health,
Ben

PS - The main site that maintains research and information about aspartame is Dorway.

Yellow Ooze from Finger: A personal inquiry

QUESTION:

Hi,
I recently received an avulsion on the pad of my finger. It's not horrible and I didn't go to the hospital because my brother is an EMT (I am in school for it) and he said it didn't need stitches. He told me to flap the skin back over the wound so it would heal. Now, 5 days after the incident, a yellow liquid is building up around the edges of the wound, under the skin, and seeps out when I happen to bump it. I have two questions. First, what is the yellow liquid? Second, my the wound doesn't have any feeling and I was wondering if I would regain the feeling.

Thank you very much for your time,

Seeps

-----------------------

ANSWER:

Seeps -

Sounds like you have an infection in there. You may consider soaking it in warm to hot salted water a couple times a day. This will help draw out the infection and salt kills most bacteria.

The limited feeling may be due to the inflammation. Inflammation can compress nearby nerves and when compressed they do not transmit very well. The feeling likely may come back once the swelling is gone. The swelling likely will go when the wound becomes clean and free of bacteria.

Get and keep the area very very clean. Have a trained paramedic do this for you - or someone who knows what they are doing.

Disclaimer: Given that I have not seen your wound and that I am not a physician, this information is for educational and informational use only - not a recommended course of action or treatment.

Problem Supplement? A personal inquiry

QUESTION:

I have started taking a nutrional support for thyroid containing the following ingredients:

• rhodymena palmetta
• thyroid 100 mg
• adrenal 50 mg
• Ltyrosine
• selenuim
• bladderwrack
• irish moss
• pituitary 15 mg
• thymus 5mg
• spleen 5mg
• calcarea fluorica
• lycopus virgincus

Question is, I have been on it for 5 days and have GAINED 4-5 lbs. Have I suppressed my thyroid instead of stimulating it? I feel tired and wierd, not necessarily bad though. What is the best herbal solution to those last 5-10 stubborn ppounds if this isnt it?

Thanks!
Gained

------------------------------

ANSWER:

Gained:

That is a potent supplement - one that a doctor should only prescribe in my eyes. I would stop taking it. This mixture is affecting your hormone levels big time.

L-tyrosine is a precuror to numerous hormones and is not to be played with. The other main ingredients are also potent.

What was your desired effect by taking this product? Perhaps I can help point you in the safe proper direction! ;)

In health,
Ben

Swollen Penile Foreskin: A personal inquiry

QUESTION:

Dear Sir,

Over the last year, my husband undertook surgery for colorectol cancer and then took radiation on top of chemo. all has been going well...we have mixed traditional medicine with homeopathic remedies all along the way. We are stumped, however, with an odd side effect that none of our doctors are able to deal with apparently. During the process of surgery, chemo and rad we did well dealing with side effects but now, 6 months after the fact from all treatment, he is suddenly having a swelling problem with the fore skin of the penis. This swelling does not affect elimination at all. The only answer we are given by all the doctors is that due to so many glands being taken out in the pelvic area, this swelling will come and go as the lymph nodes try to compensate and learn new rtoutes for drainage out of the body (at least I think this is what they are telling us) The urologist actually told my husband to hold and squeeze the penis to try to squeeze the fluid back out...i thought this sounded ridiculous! I can tell you that it does not work! In the mean time, you can imagine how my husband is feeling...depressed, anxious, etc...is there anything we can do to help this problem, or is this something we will have to just "live" with for the rest of his life? Thank you for any information you might be able to give us!

Sincerely,
Stumped and Swollen

---------------------------------

ANSWER:

Stumped and Swollen -

Does it look like this?

It may be phimosis.

If it is fluid due to a lack of lymph nodes, some physicians use electrical stimulation which helps pump the fluid back into the tissues - but in that area, it may be difficult.

Breast cancer patients have similar issues when the lymph nodes are removed from the arm pit - their arm swells like crazy. There it is easy to apply a compression bandage and provide electrical stimulation. The groin area proves challenging.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational and informational use only - not a recommended course of action or treatment.

Thank you for your question. I hope he improves.

In health,
Ben

Itchy, Red Pelvic Region: A Personal Inquiry

QUESTION:

I have been very red & itchy around the outside lips of my vagina for the past 2 weeks. What is it & what should I do?

---------------------

ANSWER:

Hello -

It may be a yeast or fungal infection. It is a common issue in that location. I recomend that you ask your gynecologist and follow their advice.

There are effective natural products that can take care of yeast and fungus. Ask your gynecologist or naturopathic physician which one they recommend.

Yeast and fungus like to grow and reside in skin folds and warm areas. If you do not have 100% cotton undergarments - consider getting some. They breathe better than synthetics.

Taking a probiotic - acidophilis and lactobacilis - may not be a bad idea either. It is best to get these from the refridgerated section of your health food store.

Yeast infections occur from not having an acidic enough pH in the vagina. This can occur from various causes. A main cause is an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria [undersired]. The pathogenic bacteria overwhelm the limited number of remaining healthy bacteria and change the pH to benefit them. Acidophilis and lactobacilis change the pH back to acidic which destroy the pathogenic bacteria. They reside in the intestines and vagina.

If it is a fungal infection, you can try Saprox which is a natural antifungal. Do not get Saprox inside your vagina. It is only recommended for external use.

Your sexual partner may have a yeast or fungal infection as well. They should be treated as well to avoid re-infection.

Please see your doctor.

I wish you well! ;)

In health,

Benjamin Lynch

Naturopathic Physician: How to Choose?

If you are looking for a licensed naturopathic physician who has full medical training, please visit the American Association of Naturopathic Professionals. There are numerous 'naturopaths' who are not licensed and who are not graduates from accredited naturopathic univerities.

'Naturopaths' who are graduates of non-doctorate programs are dangerous and are far from properly trained.

Naturopathic physicians are fully trained medical professionals that study the same coursework as medical doctors. Accredited schools are 4 yr doctoral programs. The accredited naturopathic schools are few. The schools that are accredited are:

• Bastyr University
• National College of Naturopathic Medicine
• Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine
• University of Bridgeport's Connecticut College of Naturopathic Medicine
• Boucher Institute in Canada
• Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine
  

That is it. If the naturopath has not graduated from one of those institutions, then you are in dangerous hands.

To locate a licensed naturopathic physician, there are a few free referral services. Two main ones are:

• AANP website
• MedND
  

Should you have any questions about naturopathic training or natural medicine in general, I am here.

Be safe in locating a naturopath. There are good legitimate ones - and there are deadly certificate holding people who are not qualified at all.

In health,
Ben

Anthrax Vaccination Causing Hospitalizations

An Incomplete Picture

Despite promises that hospitalizations after anthrax vaccinations would be reported, the Pentagon withheld data on more than 20,000 cases.

The Pentagon never told Congress about more than 20,000 hospitalizations involving troops who'd taken the anthrax vaccine, despite repeated promises that such cases would be publicly disclosed.

Instead, a parade of generals and Defense Department officials told Congress and the public that fewer than 100 people were hospitalized or became seriously ill after receiving the shot from 1998 through 2000.

They also showed Congress written policies that required public reports to be filed for hospitalizations, serious illnesses and cases where someone missed 24 hours or more of duty.

But only a sliver of those cases were reported, while the rest were withheld from Congress and the public, records obtained by the Daily Press show.

Read the rest of the article

Using Fear to Sell Vaccinations

POLIO "NON-OUTBREAK" AMONG THE AMISH

Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, DO

On October 14, the major media outlets shrieked a report of "the first outbreak of polio in the United States in 26 years," occurring in an Amish community in central Minnesota. The specter of hundreds of children in braces and iron lung machines lining the halls of hospitals immediately danced through the air, and directly into the minds of parents who have chosen to not vaccinate their children.

More than a month later, phone calls and emails from concerned parents continue to pour in. The fears surrounding this "outbreak" need to be put to rest.

First of all, there wasn't an "outbreak of polio." There was only the discovery of an inactivated polio virus in the stool of four children. The first confirmation was in a 7-month old Amish infant, presumably hospitalized, with severe immune deficiency. The "find" prompted screening of other children in the community; four children were confirmed positive. None experienced any type of paralysis.

Part of the panic can be blamed on inaccurate reporting. The virus that was identified was not "wild polio." It was a virus that is found only in the oral polio vaccine (OPV). Oral vaccine-strain viruses are inactivated with formaldehyde and are generally considered by the CDC "too weak" to cause disease. Even though the OPV is still used extensively in Third World countries, it has not been used in the United States since 2000. How did children in an isolated Amish community, with no exposure to foreigners, become exposed to vaccine-strain polio virus? That remains a mystery.

The unasked question is why was finding this strain front-page news? My suspicion is that it was because it was an Amish child; a large number of the Amish choose to not vaccinate their children. A confirmation would serve a dual purpose: to make an "example" of the Amish and scare parents into believing polio still being "in circulation," when in fact, it is not.

A review of polio is important to alleviating the fears about the disease. Keep in mind that the last case of "wild type" polio virus in U.S was in 1979; the last case the Western Hemisphere was in the Peru, in 1991.

Polioviruses are transient inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tract. Up to 95% of all polio infections are completely asymptomatic. Approximately 5% of polio infections consist of a minor, nonspecific illness consisting of an upper respiratory tract infection (sore throat and fever) and gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea). This influenza-like illness, clinically indistinguishable from the myriad of other viral illnesses, is characterized by complete recovery in less than a week with resultant life time immunity.

Less than 1% of all polio infections result in paralysis. Most importantly, the vast majority of individuals who contract paralytic poliomyelitis recover with complete-or near complete-return of muscle function. Any weakness that is still present 12 months after onset of paralysis is usually considered permanent.[1]

The take home message from the "Amish outbreak" is this:

1. Polio is not a synonym for paralysis.
2. The presence of vaccine-strain polio identified in the stool of 4 asymptomatic children is not a "polio outbreak."
   
3. There have been no wild polio viruses identified in the Western hemisphere since 1991.
   
4. The WHO certified the Western hemisphere "polio free" in 1994.

For parents who choose not to vaccinate, assessing the risk of contracting polio, based on the facts of this so-called outbreak and the truth about the disease, needs to be put in perspective.

Here are some things to think about:

In 1997 alone, 112 children died from falls.

In 1999, in Georgia alone, 53 children died in drowning accidents; 4 drowned at home in a bathtub.

Would you stop bathing your children or prohibit swimming and playing due to these small risks?

What is the real risk of contracting polio? Certainly, it is zero from this Amish "outbreak." The entire vaccine industry is based on fear. Learning the facts about polio will dissipate personal fears and so will putting the risks in perspective.

REFERENCES:
1. To read this for yourself: CDC: The Pink Book, pub. 2005, Chapter 8, page 90 2. 1999 Report on child welfare and safety.

Computer and Desk Ergonomics: Relieving Musculoskeletal Pain

This information was summarized by a classmate of mine, Chante Wiegand. Office ergonomics has been on my mind a ton lately as I'm finding myself with wrist pain. Sitting at a desk typing on a keyboard for hours on end is not ideal.

After reading this, I found that my keyboard tray was way out of whack. I now use it appropriately and immediately noticing a reduction in wrist pain. Awesome.

Beyond what Chante has so clearly laid out, I would recommend some stretches as well. As one sits for hours with their back curved forward, it only makes sense that one should arch their back the opposite direction every so often. We see cats do it all the time after they nap - so why don't we do it after sitting on our bum for so long?

A device which has helped me over the years is the Body Bridge. In the beginning days of using it, I could only lay backwards on it for about 10 seconds before I had to get off. The stretch was too intense. Now I can fall asleep on my back or stomach. It is excellent for those who hate stretching and who have chronic back and shoulder pain.

For those of you who sit at a desk for hours on end, you'll find this fast to read and quite informative. Enjoy.
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Using your computer improperly and having an unbalanced desk set-up can lead to chronic musculoskeletal complaints such as wrist pain, neck and shoulder tension, and even low back pain. Simple shifts in your desk arrangements can make a big difference in alleviating chronic aches and pains.

Quick Tips for Computer and Desk Set-Up and Use:

Desk

• A normal desk height is 28-30” above the floor. This is comfortable for writing on paper, but it is too high for keyboard and mouse work. You may need to raise your chair slightly to get the optimal height.
  
• Make sure to use a foot rest to maintain proper seating posture. Another option is to consider using a height adjustable keyboard/mouse tray system beneath the work system.

Chair Adjustable:

• Adjust chair so thighs are roughly parallel with the floor.
  
• Your knees should be at an open angle (90° or slightly greater).
  
• Your feet should be flat on the floor or on a foot rest.
  
• Sit back in your chair or use a cushion for lower back support.
  
• The seat should not apply pressure to the back of your knees and there should be about an inch on both sides of your legs.
  
• Do not use the armrests while typing, only between typing sessions.

Non-adjustable chair:

• An adjustable chair is a good investment to prevent long-term problems.
  
• If chair is too low, use a cushion to boost you up. If your chair is too high, consider using a footrest to bring your thighs parallel with the ground (you could use a telephone book!)
  
• If your seat is too deep (creating pressure on the backs of your knees), use a pillow, rolled towel, or backrest to support your lower back.
  

Monitor

• Center your monitor directly in front of you.
  
• Sit arms length away when you’re sitting back in your chair.
  
• Position the top of your screen level with your eyes (unless your screen is 20” or larger then position the top of the monitor 3” above eye level).
  
• Tilt your monitor slightly upward.
  
• Reduce glare and balance the brightness of the monitor with its surroundings.

Keyboard

• Consider using an adjustable keyboard/mouse tray.
  
• Your keyboard should be just above the level of your lap which is lower than most people place their keyboard. This lets your arms tilt downward, leaving your elbows at a comfortable, open angle (>90°).
  
• Adjust your chair upwards to get this effect if you do not have a separate tray.
  
• Use a slight negative tilt with your keyboard (tilt back edge of keyboard slightly down) versus an upward tilt. If there are “legs” attached to the underside of the keyboard, do not extend them.
  
• Keep your wrists neutral, your shoulders relaxed, and your elbows at your side.

Mouse

• Place your mouse close to your keyboard and within easy reach to avoid constantly outstretching your arm which leads to neck and shoulder pain. Use of a touchpad or scroll wheel reduces the distance and amount your shoulder has to travel.
  
• Mice come in different sizes. Make sure it fits comfortably in your hand.
  
• Use your elbow, not your wrist to move the mouse.
  
• Flicking of the wrist leads to increased intracarpal pressure leading to wrist/finger pain.
• Use keyboard short-cuts when possible.

Documents

• Do not lay documents flat on your desk while you are working on them. Use a screen-mounted or free-standing document holder to keep them at the level of your screen.
  
• Make sure you have enough light to see your documents to avoid unnecessary strain.

Below is a list of common musculoskeletal complaints and associated ergonomic problems and solutions:

Neck and Shoulder Pain

• Problem: You’re cradling the telephone between your head and your shoulder.
  
• Solution: Keep your head straight and shoulders relaxed while using the phone. Consider using a hands-free headset.

• Problem: The documents you’re working from are too low and too far to the side.
  
• Solution: Position the documents at the same level as your monitor. Consider using a document holder that attaches to your computer or sits beside it.

• Problem: You wear bifocals and tilt your head back to see the computer screen.
  
• Solution: Consider positioning your monitor slightly below eye level. Sit back in your chair and avoid hunching.

• Problem: Your chair is too far away from your keyboard or desk, or the back of your chair is tilted too far back.
  
• Solution: See suggestions in above section to learn how to set-up your chair and keyboard properly.
  

• Problem: Your monitor is not the right height.
  
• Solution: Make sure your monitor is directly in front of you and in line with your chair

• Problem: You’re leaning forward to see the screen.
  
• Solution: Be conscious about sitting in upright posture against the back of your chair.

Shoulder Pain

• Problem: Your keyboard is too low or too far away. This causes you to raise or lower your shoulders to accommodate.
  
• Solution: Keep your elbows close to your sides as your type and arrange your keyboard at proper level. See proper keyboard set-up in above section.

• Problem: Your mouse is too high, to the side, or too far away.
  
• Solution: Position your mouse close to and approximately at the same height as your keyboard. Consider using a touchpad or trackball to minimize distance your shoulder has to travel.

Wrist and Forearm Pain

• Problem: Your wrists aren’t in a neutral position.
  
• Solution: Keep your wrists straight in line with your arms. People with broad chests may prefer a split design keyboard as their elbows are already pushed outward.
  

• Problem: Your keyboard feet are extended, giving your keyboard an upward tilt.
  
• Solution: Your keyboard should have a neutral or slightly downward tilt.

• Problem: The edge of your desk or hard wrist rest is putting unwanted pressure on the palm side of your wrist.
• Solution: Consider using a soft wrist rest and check the height of your keyboard.

• Problem: You’re typing too hard or for too long.
  
• Solution: Use minimal force when typing. Make sure to take frequent short breaks (30 seconds) and consider performing quick stretches.

Low Back Pain

• Problem: Your chair isn’t offering proper lumbar support.
  
• Solution: If your chair is adjustable, make sure it’s properly adjusted to fit your body. If it’s not adjustable, considering purchasing a lumbar support or using a pillow or rolled towel to support your lower back.

• Problem: You’re not maintaining good posture.
  
• Solution: Your chair may be too high or too low. Your feet should not be dangling; they should either reach the floor or a footrest.

• Problem: You’ve been sitting too long without a break.
  
• Solution: Make sure to get up every few hours. Consider stretching to relax muscles and improve circulation.

• Problem: You’re leaning forward to view your screen.
  
• Solution: Be conscious about sitting in upright posture against the back of your chair if necessary.

Hip and Leg Pain

• Problem: Your legs are cramped under your desk.
  
• Solution: Clear the space under your desk so that your legs can move freely.

• Problem: The padding on your seat is too firm.
  
• Solution: Make sure your seat is padded. The angle between your chair back and seat may be too tight. Adjusting the backrest backwards slightly or the seat downward may help.

• Problem: You’ve been sitting too long without a break.
  
• Solution: Your legs need occasional movement to keep blood flowing and to avoid stiffness.

Knee Pain

• Problem: Your chair is too low or too high. Dangling feet may cause knee pain.
  
• Solution: Raise or lower your chair as necessary.

• Problem: Your seat is too deep which can cause pressure on the back of your knees.
• Solution: Tilting the seatback slightly forward or using a back pillow may help. Some adjustable chairs now have sliding seats that adjust for depth.

To sign up for a free newsletter giving you ongoing ergonomics suggestions, go to the following web-site:
www.healthycomputing.com/newsletter/
Source: Healthy Computing

Electrostatic Charges: A personal inquiry

QUESTION:

Hi,

I have accumulating too much electrostatic charges lately. I'll have sparks on my cloths when there is a slight abrasion. The same thing happen when I comb my hair. I am not using a dryer. The only possible cause I can think of is the electric baseboard heater that is running in my room.

Can somebody out there kindly provide me some clues for what I should do to contain this problem? I'm not quite sure of the side effect of it. But it's troubling me...

I actually come from a tropical country. This is my first time using a heater & having this kind of experience. Just for your information in case you find it weird why people ask this kind of common sense questions.. :)

Thanks,
Zapped

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ANSWER:

Zappy -

If you dry your clothes too long they will become static - turn off the dryer when the clothes are just dry - dont over do it. That simple!

There may be other factors as well but that is a major one!

You probably didn't have a clothes dryer in the tropics did you!? Didn't need one. Ahh - the good ol' clothes line.

In health,

Ben