Radio Naturopath Episode 358: Help for your Poison Ivy, Stool Shape and Your Health

This week it was about less fun but necessary topics. Poison ivy is no fun, super itchy, and can range from annoying to problematic to even dangerous. Here's some useful tips to deal with it naturally. Of course, if the rash is progressing over your whole body, going into your mouth, throat, nose, eyes, or genitals, it's time to go to the doctor or urgent care. Sometimes it's just safer to get a steroid pack. But if it's merely annoying and not in a dangerous spot, there's lots to try, from menthol to grindelia to clay! I also had an interesting question from Eliana, a listener in Israel. She wanted the lowdown on stool shape and consistency! So we talked about the Bristol Stool Chart and what conditions can cause various stool changes. Somewhat unpleasant but necessary. And wasn't the bathroom called the "necessary" in Revolutionary War times?

Radio Naturopath Episode 348: All About Irritable Bowel Syndrome

This week is for the folks with tender bellies. We reviewed irritable bowel syndrome, which is always worth a discussion. We talked about what it is, how food intolerances are involved, what supplements to take, and of course, the most important item, stress reduction. Stress reduction can really reduce symptoms!

Radio Naturopath Episode 316: Neti Pots, Nasal Sprays and Gargling; Help for Diverticulosis-Itis

This week we talked about the benefits of nasal rinses, such as neti pots and nasal sprays with salt and xylitol. These can be helpful in preventing and treating respiratory infections. Although they are not strictly proven, it does make sense to have good respiratory hygiene. I think it's a useful practice during the pandemic.

We also talked about diverticulosis and diverticulitis. This is a very common problem so I get frequent requests to discuss it. Acutely, you need bowel rest, probably antibiotics, probiotics, and a liquid diet. For prevention, it's fiber, fiber fiber! Fiber improves bowel tone and makes it so that food does not get stuck in the diverticular pockets.

Radio Naturopath Episode 280: CDC on How COVID-19 Is Spread; It's 11:11; Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

This week I talked about the CDC's statement on how COVID-19 is spread, basically being exposed to aerosols, worse if unmasked, within 6 feet of an infected person for more than 15 minutes. Droplets are easier to avoid, and fomite spread, although possible, is not as significant. I also talked about the discussion around taking elderberry for COVID-19, and the advice is mostly favorable.

It's 11:11! Some people feel like there is a spiritual significance to this.

The main topic today was dysfunctional uterine bleeding. I'm seeing it more in my practice, so I thought I'd discuss it more. Of course, help for it is multifactorial, and involves diet and lifestyle change, exercise, and nutrition and homeopathy.

Radio Naturopath Episode 271: COVID-19 Safety Reminder, Bowel Habits During Travel, Gout

I gave a review of good COVID-19 safety practices, reminding everyone that the way we're still spreading this virus is spending time with too many people in close quarters, especially indoors and without masks. This is not a great time to go to bars or attend parties, and probably not even to eat in restaurants! The virus will die out without hosts, so if we mask, sanitize, limit how many people we come in contact with, and do it in a safe way, the virus will eventually die out. We are by no means there yet, so all those practices still need to be followed. 

Ron asked a great question: why do my bowel habits change when I travel? Mostly because of the stress of not being in your own, safe bathroom! Also diet change to some extent, but I think it's mostly that we need to feel safe when we're in the bathroom, and the hotel or highway bathroom doesn't cut it!

I talked about gout: what it is, where it tends to occur, how to eat and drink to prevent it, and some meds and supplements that are used. 

Radio Naturopath Episode 221: Lyme Update, Why Is Constipation Bad For You?

This week, we once again did an update on Ron's Lyme treatment because we changed some things, and we talked about how we were going to handle his supplements based on his symptoms. We talked about the importance of binders and substances to carry the Lyme toxins and remnants of killed bacteria out of the body. We also talked about ways to deal with "Lyme brain", the cognitive deficits that can happen during Lyme disease.

I got a great question: WHY isn't it good for me to only have a BM 3-4x/week? I explained the whole thing! Toxins that are supposed to be excreted and can be reabsorbed; hormones marked for excretion that can cause high hormone problems, like PMS and enlarged prostate and even cancer; the need to slough off old bowel cells and have them regenerate; the need to maintain the tone of the colon so that regularity can be perpetuated. Such a simple everyday function and it's so important!

Radio Naturopath Episode 171: Naturopathic Principles: The Healing Power of Nature, Chia Seeds, Flax Seeds

It's time to get back to basics! Let's review naturopathic medicine, and the six basic  principles. We'll start this week with The Healing Power of Nature, Vis Medacatrix Naturae. I realize I like food, so I've been talking about it lately. I had no idea that chia seeds were SO high in antioxidants, but there you have it! They are energizing, help with regularity, and have omega-3 fatty acids, mostly alpha-linolenic acid. Flax seeds on the other hand, are high in lignans so they're the ones to help with women's hormonal issues. Unlike chia, they need to be ground, and are not as high in antioxidants. BOTH seeds are very beneficial for health, and you get somewhat different benefits from each! 

Radio Naturopath Episode 146: NHAND Conference Redux: Detoxification, Fatty Liver, Sleep Apnea, Hormesis, Alcoholism and Depression, Lyme Disease

I just came back from the New Hampshire Association of Naturopathic Doctors conference. Can you say Information Overload? Here's some great nuggets! Get help for constipation, because you can otherwise reabsorb toxins, like pesiticides! Sleep apnea is NO GOOD. Not only can it increase chances of stroke and heart attack, but it lowers testosterone, leading to no sex drive, reduced muscle mass, and weight gain! It's important to address biotoxins, by reducing them in the community and by assisting personal everyday detox. Some people drink alcohol because they're genetically predisposed to it making them happier! For these folks, gamma linolenic acid, like in evening primrose oil, can help. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is on the rise; if it finally leads to an inflamed liver, it can lead to liver cancer! So, reduce that starch and sugar, and get exercise. Hormesis: a little is good, there's a sweet spot, and then too much is no good. The biphasic nature of dosing any compound! And the highest mortality from Lyme disease is suicide. People feel desperate, frustrated, and misunderstood. Let's get some understanding and support for people facing chronic Lyme!