Gout and Its Treatment

Gout is an acute type of inflammatory arthritis.  It occurs most often in people who eat a lot of rich foods (meat, gravies, spices and alcohol).  It is caused from a buildup of uric acid in the blood.  Whenever uric acid levels rise beyond a certain point, the kidneys cannot excrete it and it forms uric acid crystals in the joints, which cause intense pain.  These crystals can form in the body organs, as well, and do great damage there also. 

          Gout will typically attack the smaller joints of the hands and feet, usually the big toe.  Gout usually affects men in about 90% of all cases.  Most individuals affected are overweight. 

          Symptoms usually come on suddenly, sometimes in the middle of the night.  You will have extreme pain and swelling of a joint in the fingers or toes.  It can also affect the ankles, knees, hands, elbows and wrists.  Motion or pressure will increase the pain.  After the swelling subsides, the skin may itch and peel.  Whenever you are having an attack you may have loss of appetite, stomach and intestinal problems, fever, and decreased urine output. 

          Some natural remedies that may help include dietetic changes, drinking lots of water, and weight control.  If you suffer from this condition you need to reduce your weight to at least 15% below the calculated normal weight.  Lose this weight gradually, if you go to fast you will increase the intensity of the attacks.  Drink at least 2 quarts of pure water a day.  This helps the body to get rid of the uric acid and minimize the damage to the kidneys.  Vitamin B12 helps the body to distribute water and dilute the uric acid.  B complex helps the body to convert the uric acid into compounds which are harmless to the body.  At the onset of an attack, take 1,000 mg of vitamin C per hour and then slowly lower it to 500-8,000 mg daily.  Take 100 IU of vitamin E and gradually increase it to 500-800 daily.  This helps to reduce uric acid build-up.  Try to balance your diet.  High-carbohydrate diet tends to increase acid excretion, high fat diet will decrease the acid excretion and may bring on an attack.  Particularly eliminate meat and cheese from the diet.  Eat high-potassium foods.  Make a soup from potato peelings, this is rich in potassium.  Eating cherries is helpful, as is celery extracts.  Turmeric will stimulate the adrenals to release the body's own cortisone, which will reduce inflammation and the pain associated with this painful condition.  Useful herbal teas include yarrow, peppermint, devil's claw, juniper and birch.  These will reduce inflammation and pain.   

             Stop eating all kinds of meat.  Eat whole-grains peas, beans, asparagus, mushrooms cauliflower and spinach only in moderate amounts.   Your diet should consist of fresh raw vegetables.  Stay away from sugary foods such as cakes and pies.  Do not drink any alcoholic beverages.  All kinds of alcohol will increase uric acid production and can cause attacks.  A warm compress with comfrey root or leaves will help with pain.  Just apply for two hours or even overnight.  Avoid cold baths of any kind and do not immerse the affected part of your body in cold water. 

          If you have any questions about the treatment of gout, please contact me. 

Stay Strong!

ACETAMINOPHEN AND LUNG PROBLEMS -COPD

           Up to 24 million Americans show impaired lung function which is the third leading cause of death in the U.S.  Most common is COPD.  COPD is an acronym for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.  COPD is not just one disease, but a group of diseases.  This group of diseases block airflow during exhalation, which makes it increasingly difficult to breathe.  It also includes bronchitis and emphysema.

          Symptoms of COPD include:  a constant cough, can be called a "smokers cough"; shortness of breath while doing normal activities; a lot of mucus production; wheezing; smothering - feeling like you can't breath or even take a deep breath.   

          Research connects acetaminophen use with asthma and COPD as stated in the May, 2005 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.   "Oxidative stress may increase the risk of asthma, contribute to asthma progression, and decrease lung function," writes Tricia M. McKeever, MD, and colleagues from the University of Nottingham, England.   "Previous research suggests that use of acetaminophen, which is hypothesized to reduce antioxidant capacity in the lung, is associated with an increased risk of asthma."

          Increased use of acetaminophen has been associated with COPD and asthma.  The higher use of the drugs, the higher incidence of these lung diseases.  Acetaminophen will decrease lung function in general, even people who haven't developed these lung diseases.  Daily users have lower lung function than people who have never used this drug. 

          All of the pain relievers on the market cause side effects.  Two aspirin will cause your stomach to bleed for two weeks.  There are no "good" pain relievers.  The herbal world offers some safe alternatives.  They can relieve pain and heal the body at the same time.  Be very careful what you take for anything.  Just because it is sold over the counter does not mean it is safe. 

          If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me.

Dr. Sheila Miles graduated in 2000 and was Board Certified as a Naturopathic Physician by the National Board of Examiners in Integrated/Alternative Medicine and Natural Health Science.  In addition, she earned a Doctorate in Natural Health Science.  She is also certified in Iridology, Manipulation, Hydrotherapy, Acupressure Massage, Nutrition, Homeopathy and Herbal preparations,  Life Coach and NLP practitioner.   

           

Arsenic in Apple Juice - Poisoning our children!

As I was checking my email this morning I stumbled on an online article entitled "Arsenic in Juice:  New Study Prompts Action" and I thought this would make a good blog post.  So here it is.

Lately, whenever I do a hair analysis I am finding that arsenic is showing up in more people.  Therefore, there must be a common source for this exposure.  Is it our drinking water? Bottled water? Juice? This article and their sampling seems to believe so.  Dr. Oz tried to bring this situation to light not too long ago, but he was made fun of  for his report.  Personally, I think he is owed an apology, but anyway. 

In the article online, it states that an advocacy group, Consumers Union, is suggesting that the Food and Drug Administration lower its standard for arsenic levels in juice drinks.  10% of juices tested had arsenic levels greater than the FDA's standard for drinking water and 25% of juices also had lead levels higher than the FDA's bottled water limits.  The article goes on to say that "Although federal standards exist for arsenic and lead levels allowed in bottled and drinking water, there are no limits for fruit juices".  "Analysis showed that people who reported drinking apple or grape juice had, on average, about 20 percent higher levels of total urinary arsenic than those subjects who did not".  Consumer Reports recommends that we reduce the amount of juice we drink.  "A Consumer Reports poll also found that 26 percent of toddlers 2 and younger and 45 percent of children ages 3 to 5  drink seven or more ounces of juice a day"

 We are poisoning our children at an early age!  Since children are smaller, levels of arsenic and lead can build up quicker and cause more side effects than in an adult. 

What are the symptoms of arsenic poisoning?  They begin with headaches, confusion, severe diarrhea and drowsiness.  Of course, symptoms will continue to get worse with more exposure and can develop into convulsions and death.  Usually the lungs, skin, kidneys and liver are affected.  Arsenic can also be related to heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes.  Besides contaminated water or food, you can pick up arsenic from copper or lead smelting and wood treatments or application of pesticides.      

            Now, what about the lead?   Symptoms of lead poisoning may be different in adults and children.  Adults usually have headache, abdominal pain, kidney failure, and memory loss.  They may also have weakness, pain, or tingling in the extremities.  Chronic poisoning will produce gastrointestinal, neuromuscular and neurological symptoms.  These include short term memory loss, depression, fatigue, problems with sleeps and anemia.
            Symptoms in children include loss of appetite, abdominal pain, vomiting, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, irritability, constipation, and kidney failure.   Slow childhood development of normal behaviors and mental retardation are both common with lead poisoning.
            We seem to have an epidemic of autism, ADHD, and other learning problems.  These problems can be caused from lead and arsenic exposure.    Not only are kids served juices at home, but at school as well. Poisoned at both places.   Doctors prescribe drugs to try to control these problems.  They need to look to the cause and stop this problem at its source.   
            How do I know if I have arsenic or lead metals in my body?  What about my child?  A hair analysis is the best way to find out.  When your body is exposed to these poisons it pulls them out of the bloodstream and deposits them in the tissues.  A hair analysis is a tissue sample.  Therefore, a blood test will not show the amounts in your body.  Arsenic and lead can be removed from your body with chelation.  Certain minerals will bind with the arsenic and lead and pull it out of your body.   
            One way to minimize your exposure is to buy a reverse osmosis water filter.  This will convert your drinking water to the purest form or water on the planet.  You can buy one at the local home improvement store for about $150.00.  The filters will cost about $100. to replace but you only have to replace them once or twice a year.  This filter will pay for itself shortly, especially if you are buying all of your water.  Unlike bottled water, all of the heavy metals are removed, so you can be sure you are not getting any arsenic or lead, or other poisons for that matter.  
            Here is the link for the article I referenced above if you would like to read the entire article. 
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/30/us-arsenic-juice-idUSTRE7AT23120111130

Stay Strong!

The Importance of a Detox

Every day we are bombarded with toxins.  We live in a very toxic world.  Our filtering systems, kidneys, liver and blood, are overworked.  Illnesses such as asthma, lupus, headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, fatigue, fibromyalgia, psoriasis, cancer, insomnia, and memory loss are directly linked to toxins in our bodies. 

Our food is full of pesticides, antibiotics, steroids and chemicals.  Our water supply is full of who knows what.  We absorb this into our system every time we wash our hands or take a shower.  Prescription drugs and over the counter medications are so toxic they often do more harm than good.  We keep our outer body clean but what about our inner body.  How long has it been since you cleaned your inner body?  If your answer is never, you might want to consider a detox.  Most people think that the body cleans itself and doesn't need any additional help, but that is not true.  Maybe in the 1800's that idea worked but now we are just faced with too much.  The detoxication process in your body takes energy to work.  This energy could be used elsewhere.  When your system is overloaded with toxins and working overtime, other parts of your body will suffer.  These toxins aren't just waiting to be eliminated, they are causing disease.  The faster you can get these toxins moving out of your body the better.

There are several ways to detox.  You can target your liver, colon, gallbladder, kidneys, blood, or a whole body cleanse.  If you do nothing else, please consider a colon cleanse.  You would be surprised how much that alone can help you to become healthier.  Our bodies are packed together much like an engine in our car.  There is no extra room inside.  If our colon gets packed and swells, even just a little, it can cause pressure on all of our organs, which in turn will cause all kinds of health issues.  I have known people whose colon was so backed up they would vomit bile.  Definitely time for a cleanse.  People have lost large amounts of weight simply because they cleaned themselves out.  They are literally "full of poop".  98% of the time colon cancer can be "cured" with a good colon cleanse.  Cancer will develop from toxins just "hanging out" in your colon. 

Ideally you should have a bowel movement after each meal.  In my practice I have seen people who go about once a month.  This is NOT natural and definitely not healthy.   If this describes you, don't wait --- detox NOW. 

Contact me and we can work out a plan for you.  You can do these over a weekend.  You won't have to take off from work.  The sooner you detox the sooner you can be enjoying great health.

Stay Strong! 

Cold and Flu Season

With the coming of cold weather and schools in session, we all start to be concerned about cold and flu season.  "Get your flu shot" signs are everywhere.  I personally think that the flu shot has way too many side effects and no one in my family will get one.  You may think that you have no other options but actually you have several, not just for the flu but for all other infections as well. 

          The microbes that can make you sick are:  viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic. 

          Viruses are the most abundant type of organism.  They will cause infections ranging from a common cold to certain types of cancer.  Modern medicine has no treatments for viruses, just treat the symptoms ---  natural medicine does.

          Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics.  There are approximately ten times the number of bacteria in the body as there are human cells.  These bacteria are located in the gut and on the skin.  Not all of these bacteria are bad.  We have good bacteria in the GI system.  Whenever we take antibiotics we kill this good bacteria as well as the bad bacteria.  This leaves us open for more infections.  Once again natural medicine to the rescue.

          Funguses - they include yeasts and molds.  They tend to behave more like parasitic infections in the body.  People with poor immune systems are more susceptible to opportunistic fungal infections. 

          Parasites - these can cause infection within the body and also on the surface of the body.  Symptoms include gastrointestinal distress, joint aches and pains, chronic fatigue, excessive hunger and problems with the immune system. 

          Building up the immune system - do you seem to catch everything that is going around?  Maybe you need something to strengthen your immune system. 

          All of the above can be taken care of with simple natural remedies.  These work with your body - not against it.  They will nourish the body, not harm it. 

          Call me today at 270-524-0305 or 270-774-1734 for your flu remedy.  Have it ready before you catch the flu.  Also available is a very effective viral infection formula, remedies for fungal and parasitic infections, and remedies for building a strong immune system.  It doesn't hurt to keep these in your medicine cabinet.

Stay Strong!

I CAN'T LOSE WEIGHT AND I AM TIRED ALL THE TIME - HELP!!!

I had such an over whelming response to my blog post on Adrenal Glands, I decided to do a "part 2" to the post. So here goes…..

So many of my clients complain that they have picked up weight and are unable to lose it or they say "I stay so tired all the time."  These are two statements that lead me to check the adrenals and the thyroid.  Namely the adrenals.  Hormones secreted by the adrenals powerfully effect metabolism, which has an impact on your body weight.  These hormones regulate the way your body responds to daily stress and how you generate energy.  The three main hormones released by the adrenals are cortisol, aldosterone and adrenaline.  If the adrenals secrete either too much or too little it will interfere with your ability to process nutrients, circulation of fluids, protection from infections and your reaction to stress.  When you are under stress the hormone cortisol will cause the liver to release glycogen (glucose) and give you a boost of energy (fight or flight).  Daily stress will cause your body to release more cortisol than you need and the excess is converted into fat, usually stored in the belly area.  If cortisol is circulating constantly in the body, (daily stressful situations) you will crave high calorie foods such as fats and sugars.  These contribute to weight gain.  Fatigue from this constant bombardment will make it hard to establish a fitness program or just eat healthy. 

If you have adrenal fatigue you must change the way you eat.  First of all, never allow yourself to get too hungry. In an effort to keep your energy levels up and your body functioning normally, your adrenals will release more cortisol (remember excess cortisol converts to fat). So getting too hungry will cause you to gain weight.  You should eat three meals and two to three well-timed snacks during the day.  This will help to balance your blood sugar and help the adrenal burden.   When you eat will make a difference because cortisol has a natural cycle.  It usually reaches its peak around 8:00 a.m. and gradually decreases throughout the day.  Remember the old saying "Eat like a king in the morning and like a pauper at night".  Eat breakfast around 8:00, lunch around 11:00 -12:00, a snack around 2:00-3:00 and dinner around 5:00 - 6:00 in the evening and make it the lightest meal of the day.  Now, consider what you eat - when you are under stress you tend to reach for a "burst of energy" - sugar and caffeine.  After the "burst" from these foods you bomb out even lower than you started and you feel worse.  Caffeine and gluten  (wheat) are very hard on the adrenals.  If you have adrenal fatigue you should consider a gluten-free diet and limit caffeine.  If you crave caffeine, your body may be calling for rest (I know that sounds crazy). Take a break and try a ten or fifteen minute walk.  This is a great stress reliever.  If you must have that morning cup of coffee, make sure you eat a nutritious meal and put the cream in your coffee to dull the effects of caffeine. 

Eat fresh whole food, preferably organic.  Include protein in all your meals and snacks, these help to stabilize blood sugar and help you with caffeine and sugar craving. 

Women with adrenal problems will often crave salt.  If you feel lightheaded when standing up quickly or getting out of a bath or hot tub, this can be a sign of low blood pressure, which is often a symptom of adrenal fatigue.  You may find that salt in your diet can be helpful.  The adrenals also work with the sodium/water balance and fluid retention.  You may need salt.  I know this sounds strange coming from me but adrenal fatigue can change all the rules. Actually salt cravings are a result of low aldosterone.  This hormone regulates blood pressure.  When cortisol levels go up, your aldosterone goes down, which lowers blood pressure.  This can disturb electrolyte balance and cell hydration.  Salt restores these imbalances.    I like Himalayan crystal salt.  It is not as harsh on your blood pressure.

Time your meals and watch what you eat.  Stay away from sugar and caffeine.  Restrict you gluten (wheat) containing foods.  Eat protein at every meal and snack.  Start an exercise routine - even if it is just walking 10 minutes a day.  Just move!!!!! This will help with the weight gain and fatigue. 

Although changing your eating habits will help, you need to take further steps to correct the problem.  I don't agree with just covering up the symptoms - you need to get to the root of the problem. A hair analysis will show which stage of adrenal fatigue you are in.  There are three stages and each stage requires different treatment.  The doctors offer no help because they do not test the adrenals.  They only test the thyroid and that test is not accurate.  They test the circulating T3 (thyroid hormone), but this may not be available for use to the thyroid.  Just testing the circulating hormone does not accurately test the thyroid.  The adrenals and thyroid are under the control of the pituitary gland (master gland) which is under the control of the hypothalamus. Either of these may need treatment also. Once again, this is where a hair analysis comes it.  It can pinpoint exactly where the problem is.  Call me today for an appointment and start on a wellness journey. 

Stay Strong!

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