I was walking with a friend of mine the other day and I was telling her about a woman whose doctor, 10 years ago, did not write in her chart that she discovered some endometriosis while doing surgery on her ( the doctor told the present doctor this). She didn’t, of course, realize this at the time but since that surgery she has had growing abdominal pain and has finally found a doctor who decided not to give her pain meds but to find out what the cause of her on going pain.

Anyway, she is doing great now but it is a reminder of how important it is to get your medical records and labs from your doctor. I think it gives people more ownership of their health - which it turns may have people become more proactive in taking care of themselves.

To get your medical records you will need to sign a release form that all hospitals and most doctor offices will have. This should not be a problem and it is very important that you have a record of what your doctors have written about you to make sure nothing has been overlooked. Once you have these records, create a folder of all of the papers and put in a safe spot.

Be well,

The holidays have been full of late nights - at least in our house ( but I am sure we are not alone)! This coming weekend will be about getting the kids back on schedule so they are not tired and grumpy in school. Below are some things I did when when they were small and what I usually re-introduce after a school break.

BEDTIME!

I remember the nights, very well, when it was impossible to get my kids to go to sleep. I actually think it was the true test of my patience! I never let my kids “cry it out” as it was just too painful for us all. So I decided to come up with a plan that really worked for us. I allowed myself to relax and realize that bedtime was a special time for me to have with my kids. I focused more on peacefully reading to my tired kids instead of focusing on them going to sleep. Two books and a short discussion of the highlights of their day would work…so I thought. Well, I needed to devise a more diverse plan. I realized the number one solution was to find a ritual that works for everyone and then stick to it. Here are some suggestions for settling the mood for sleep:

* Having a tea party with a sleepy time tea (or something similar)

* Purchase an 8oz spray bottle and place 1oz of essential oil mixture (rose, chamomile, vanilla and lavender work well) in the bottle and fill the rest with water. Spray on your child’s bedding, but only for naps and bedtimes

* The essential oil mixture can also be put in the bath tub for night time soak

* Purchase a lullaby or a calming cd (better without lyrics) to play in the bedroom when the lights are turned off. Only play this music for nap and bedtime

* If all else fails, let your child colour or look at a book in bed but tell her them they may not leave their bedroom (make sure they have water so they will not holler for some)

Be well,

I am not a person who is drawn towards electronics and techno things. Anything that requires reading a manual or even a plug-in makes me somewhat nervous. I usually push forward on it but if there is another way to do it then I will find it.

There for, I am pro air filters - they are pretty simple to use. They are important aspects of keeping our homes’ air quality good and free from household toxins like plywood and particle board (woods found in furniture and in the building of most houses), and formaldehyde that floats around. I did own an air filter when I was living in Portland and I really liked having it until I needed a filter replacement, which was hard to track down.

I have now entered the world of using what nature has given us…houseplants. Not only do they  bring both beauty and peace in our home and they are able to break down these toxins by breathing in carbon dioxide and churning out oxygen thus making indoor air quality much cleaner. Yes, I have to remember to water them but my kids like to help, and we manage to keep them alive.

Here are some suggestions (and they are quite easy to find at a nursery).

• Most palms are great – I have a few bamboo palms in my house and I love the look of them. Others include: areca, lady, and dwarf date palm.

• Rubber plants

• English ivy

• Peace lily (my other favorite)
• spider plant

Be well,

PS this is a great healthy and green holiday gift!

My oldest daughter, Merrin, began to get headaches about a year ago. They are not very frequent and we have been good detectives and have pretty much figured out the triggers.  Although, I thought I would write a little bit about headaches and kids and what we do as they can be pretty intense.

One of my very first child patients was a 7 year old girl. She  was spending a lot of time in the school nurse’s office because she was having  daily headaches. She was  missing  a great deal of school and her mom was concerned so they came to me for some help. There are 2 things that I initially ask with headaches…

1. eye sight ( straining etc)

2. diet

She had recently had an eye exam and her sight was fine so we dove into her diet. Her diet was pretty good except for the fact she drank a lot of juice so we decided to start there. I suggested that her mom switch the juice with herbal ice tea ( I believe I suggested the Tazo Sweet Orange) and she could add a little honey to it or just a splash of juice. I also encouraged her to give her daughter a water bottle for school.

The results were amazing! Almost immediately, she had no more headaches.

With Merrin, I am thinking her hormones are slowly emerging and she is growing. I encourage her to drink more water and to be aware of her body. If she feels a headache coming on, I have given her some ideas so she can be proactive with it right away. She carries a homeopathic remedy at school with her ( Belladonna 30c works well for her) and when she comes home she immediately does magic socks.

If your child is getting headaches, make sure their eyes are checked and then take a good look at their diet and lifestyle ( maybe they are a little stressed with friends or school work?). You never know, it could be a very simple solution!

Be well,

When I was in school one of my teachers (also a doctor) spoke of a child patient who had cancer. They came to him for some alternative therapies and my teacher suggested some visualization.

He had the child close his eyes and start describing the cancer in every aspect - colour, hairy, ball-like etc. Once that was established, my teacher had him describe his own warriors or defenses in his body. The scene was set, the battle visualized with the  cancer was being destroyed.

This didn’t occur in one visit but over many. The weeks that followed were full of imaginative creative stories on how his body was destroying the cancer. Not only did the child feel better after the sessions, he was physically better.

This story made a big impact on me. It actually is one of the reasons that led me to write my series of educational adventure stories called, Human Body Detectives. And when my kids are sick, I have them visualize their white blood cells destroying the bad bug. They really get into it, describing the bugs in full detail and the battle scene.

We don’t know for sure if creative visualization really boasts our immune systems but as a parent and a doctor, I see how it allows us to be physically and emotionally stronger and proactive in our health.

Be well,

This was written by a colleague ( and good friend) of mine. We have very similar thoughts on disease, disease prevention and overall health and lifestyle choices. I was excited to read her updated perspective on the Swine Flu. She makes me laugh about being “naive” about the overall health of Americans. To me, it just makes sense to eat well, exercise, laugh, drink water, wash your hands and take a few supplements. But really that is what we need to teach the general public - the basics for optimal healthy living or just being.

I say we become proactive in our way of living, embrace what we have and strive towards making changes in our daily life so we can achieve optima health. We can all make healthier choices whether it be breathing deeply, to eating more vegetables or just being more present with life in general!

Please take a moment and read Dr. Anderson-Ross’s blog and my last blog entry on H1N1. I want to pass on as much as I can about health - the pros and cons to everything - people can then make the best decision for themselves and their families.

Be well,

The other day while my daughter, Merrin was grooming her ( well she wishes her) horse, she asked me to grab her camera out of her backpack. While, I was searching through all her books, I noticed a few things.

It was a moment of true parental satisfaction. The moment where all you teachings about certain things come into fruition.

She had a homeopathic Belladonna ( she sometimes gets headaches - middle school thing), Arnica and a tube of Arnica cream.

She is being proactive in her health. I love it. I want to send her off in the world knowing that she knows how to keep her body healthy and what do do if she gets sick. She is already doing it.

Happy mom!

This was written by a colleague of mine, Dr. Thad Jacobs.

H1N1 Flu Infection Prevention

Vaccination has its benefits, but do the risks associated with the H1N1 vaccine outweigh the benefits? The research indicates that the main groups targeted by manufacturers to take the flu vaccine are the most likely to suffer severe side effects, including:

-Pregnant women
• Children over the age of 6 months with chronic health conditions
• Adults with chronic health conditions such as chronic respiratory disease, asthma, or obesity

According to a vaccine manufacturer’s package insert, these side effects include life-threatening and debilitating Guillain-Barre Syndrome, vasculitis, paralysis, anaphylactic shock and death. Although these adverse side effects are rare, you and your doctor must determine the appropriateness of the H1N1 flu vaccine if you fall into any of the groups listed above or have a severe medical condition.

For people who refuse vaccination or are poor candidates for vaccination due to a medical condition, flu may thwarted by basic hygiene and diet and lifestyle approaches. Basic hygiene involves not touching your face or mouth with unwashed hands, sneezing or coughing into a handkerchief which you DO NOT share with anyone else, and frequent hand washing or use of hand sanitizers, particularly before meal time. A few lifestyle modifications, such as healthy diet, managing stress, and supplementing with vitamin D and colostrum, may also go far in preventing disease.

Healthy Diet Prevents Flu

Put down that donut! A sugary diet suppresses important immune system cells responsible for fighting infections.1,2 In fact, it has been shown that a single sugary snack can suppress immune activity up to 48 hours after sugar exposure. Refined grains, such as white flour, likely has a similar effect when eaten because of how rapidly the carbohydrate in these foods are absorbed into the bloodstream. Limiting sugar and refined carbohydrate intake is not only good for preventing flu and other infections, it’s good for your health in general. Common sugary food sources are sodas, juices, honey, condiments, candies and many baked goods.

Some basic healthy dietary guidelines include:

•Do not over-eat.
• Eat a variety of foods.
• Consider organically grown food.
• Eat as much of your food raw or lightly-cooked as possible.
• Eat fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Avoid drinks containing sugar or caffeine.
• Avoid sugars.
• Avoid processed and refined foods; particularly refined grain flours and foods made with them.
• Avoid hydrogenated trans-fatty acids.
• Use only certain oils for cooking and frying; such as olive oil, for low-temperature cooking, or grape seed oil, for high-temperature cooking.
• Limit animal protein intake in the form of red meat, chicken, pork, eggs and dairy to a few ounces per day.
• Eat whole grains, pseudograins, nuts, seeds and legumes.
• Eat more fish.

With regard to eating fish, it is recommended to avoid fish known to contain unsafe levels of heavy metals and other chemical pollutants. The fish to avoid are tuna, Atlantic salmon, farmed salmon, sea bass, oysters, marlin, halibut, pike, walleye, white croaker, largemouth bass, shark, swordfish and fish know to be from polluted waters. The safest fish to eat are small fish varieties, such as anchovies and sardines, and those grown in minimally polluted areas like the Arctic, Antarctic or Alaskan waters. Wild northwestern US, Canadian and Alaskan salmon and halibut are good choices. Arctic white fish and farmed tilapia are known to be significantly less effected by pollution too.

Stress Can Make You Sick

Stress is a well-known contributor to many types of illnesses. Flu and other infections are higher in individuals who report higher levels of life stress and anxiety. Cortisol is a hormone released in higher amounts when one experiences excessive physical or emotional stress. Cortisol helps us adapt to acute bouts of stress and inflammatory conditions, but prolonged exposure to high amounts circulating in the system inhibits normal immune system cell function.3-7
There are many ways to manage stress to encourage healthy immune system function and health and well-being in general. Eating a healthy diet and getting regular aerobic exercise are the foundation for supporting physical and mental health. Stress management should be individualized to meet your specific needs; therefore, discuss ways to deal with stress with a health care provider who specializes in this area.

Vitamin D May Prevent H1N1

Vitamin D has been shown in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial to prevent colds and flu. Vitamin D, which is actually not a vitamin at all but a hormone, plays a crucial role in the production of antimicrobial compounds in the fluids that coat and lubricate the respiratory tract. Vitamin D deficiency is well associated with increased disease risk and supplementation has been shown to enhance immunity in many studies.
To treat active infection and prevent disease after recent exposure, I recommend taking very high doses of vitamin D to promote naturally occurring antibiotic compounds produced in the body. One thousand international units (1,000 IU) per pound of body weight can be used during active infections. Five to ten thousand international units (5,000-10,000 IU) can be used daily by adults preventively, but a blood test should be given after a two months to determine if this dose provides adequate protection.
For a more in-depth explanation of Vitamin D’s important disease-fighting role in relation to preventing H1N1 illness, I hightly recommend you read the views of vitamin D authority, Dr. John Cannell, MD.

Colostrum May Prevent H1N1

Colostrum is the first milk produced by a cow around the time of giving birth. It is rich in immunoglobulins (antibodies) and other components needed to support healthy immune function of the calf. Colostrum-derived immunoglobulins likely account for the majority of the immune system enhancing effects seen in colostrum studies.
Authors of a 2007 Italian study concluded, “Colostrum, both in healthy subjects and high-risk cardiovascular patients, is at least 3 times more effective than vaccination to prevent flu and is very cost-effective.”8 The study also revealed that colostrum was 3 times more effective than no vaccine prophylaxis. In fact, the flu vaccine was actually found to be worse than doing nothing at all; suggesting that the vaccine was the incorrect recombinant and the well-known immunosuppressive effect of vaccines played a role in predisposing individuals to another flu strain.
It is unknown whether colostrum would be effective against H1N1 specifically, but it sheds light on a potential new, inexpensive, food-based H1N1 prevention and treatment strategy.

References
1. Sanchez, A., et al. Role of Sugars in Human Neutrophilic Phagocytosis, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Nov 1973;261:1180_1184. Bernstein, J., al. Depression of Lymphocyte Transformation Following Oral Glucose Ingestion. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.1997;30:613
2. Ringsdorf, W., Cheraskin, E. and Ramsay R. Sucrose, Neutrophilic Phagocytosis and Resistance to Disease, Dental Survey. 1976;52(12):46_48.
3. Butcher SK, Killampalli V, Lascelles D, et al. Raised cortisol:DHEAS ratios in the elderly after injury: potential impact upon neutrophil function and immunity. Aging Cell. 2005 Dec;4(6):319-24.
4. Reiche EM, Morimoto HK, Nunes SM. Stress and depression-induced immune dysfunction: implications for the development and progression of cancer. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2005 Dec;17(6):515-27.
5. Godbout JP, Glaser R. Stress-induced immune dysregulation: implications for wound healing, infectious disease and cancer. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol. 2006 Dec;1(4):421-7.
6. Cohen S, Hamrick N, Rodriguez MS, et al. Reactivity and vulnerability to stress-associated risk for upper respiratory illness. Psychosom Med. 2002 Mar-Apr;64(2):302-10.
7. Arranz L, Guayerbas N, De la Fuente M. Impairment of several immune functions in anxious women. J Psychosom Res. 2007 Jan;62(1):1-8.
8. Cesarone MR, Belcaro G, Di Renzo A, et al. Prevention of influenza episodes with colostrum compared with vaccination in healthy and high-risk cardiovascular subjects: the epidemiologic study in San Valentino. Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 2007 Apr;13(2):130-6.

I am going to purchase this book although I may not need it but I have some friends who I think do!

I am all about teaching my kids to be proactive and independent in their daily life. I realized early on with my older daughter that they clearly give you signs when they are ready to be “left alone” to do things themselves. It first happened when Merrin refused to wash her hair so I just gave her the shampoo bottle and she preceded to wash her own hair and the second big memory is when she, at 20 months threw her diaper across the room and said, “NO!” That was a little scary for me as we were off to the park but I just went for it and she had very few accidents after that.

Now that the kids are older, the stakes are up. Should I let them walk home from school alone? Or with friends? It is a toughy but the more I talk to the girls and see where their comfort level is, I can see when the time is right. They really need and desire the independence and hard as it is for us to “let go” we need too.

If you entering this stage in life, this might be a great book for you to pick up, read and talk to your kids about.

Be well,

The sun is just starting to bring some light to the day as I sit here in my little office in complete peace. I love the morning…well the mornings that begin in peace when I can move slowly but productively with no interruptions.

My friend is also getting up at the crack of dawn to spend an hour or two working before the kids and craziness begins. She swears it’s the best kept “mom’s secret!” She is a writer and her creative juices flow at this time producing, what I believe, brilliant work.

I have to agree with her. I feel that if I get up early, I am truly amazed at how much work I can do in an hour. I am even making “cold sale” calls to book stores and museums on the east coast happily and making sales! I maybe a tad tired mid afternoon but I am completely fulfilled and more present for my children.

See you around 6am tomorrow?

Be well,

Funny name, eh? Yup I am a Canadian!

A friend emailed me a link to this company. I may get his title wrong but basically he goes into businesses and residential homes and suggested to his clients how they can make their businesses and homes more “green” and “sustainable.” He is full of knowledge that I completely respect and admire.

I like how this company, on the right side box, clearly states why this product is beneficial.

• Kills mold and bacteria
• Destroy circulating cold and flu viruses
• Reduces allergies, asthma
• Safe and ozone free

This I like. Mold is a humongous issue where I live in most houses and can really cause many respiratory ailments. I suggest to many families to keep their bedroom a sanctuary. Having a few green plants in the room and keeping your laundry baskets in their bathrooms. Another suggestion I have made, especially people with allergies, is to run an air purifier in your room during the day. The Sterile -Aire seems to be a perfect one to go with.

Let me know what you think with the site or even if you have the product. Maybe you prefer the Germ Guardian, if so, let me know as well.

Be well,

With school just around the corner, I thought it would be a great time to introduce my new discovery, Jonesy’s Allergy Cards.

An allergy card is a custom card created for your child with their name, birth date, allergies, EpiPen directions and your contact information.

To me, they seem quite essential if your child has any type of allergies from food to bees.

Jonesy offers 2 types of cards, one for a restaurant and one for play dates, that will escort your child wherever they are going.  Jonesy will help design a perfect card that fits your child’s own specific needs.

Please pass this information on to anyone you may know who has a child with allergies. It is really an inexpensive way to inform people about your child’s needs.

Be well,

PS Jonesy designs an array of beautiful cards (they do custom work as well), so take a minute and check out her site

My kids have started school …..and now I am working, quietly except for my few YIPPPEEES, with no interruptions.

Every year before school starts I take them to visit their doctor. Since she became their doctor, this is the really the only time and reason we go see her. My older daughter always complains but I think it is important to establish a relationship with your doctor in case something does happen and you really need them.

Ok well this is what happened. Our health insurance changed this year and when I handed over the new cards the receptionist told me that the girls check up would not be covered. I was baffled. How could they not cover something clearly so preventative. And then later in the day I stumbled across this article, “Rate of severe childhood obesity up sharply in U.S.” Maybe if parents didn’t need to pay the $100 or so for the yearly check up, this number may not be so high!

I realize that no simple answer exists but do realize something needs to occur and that it will have to be multiply of things,for example, free yearly check ups, more outdoor play time (PE), and educating the children more about their bodies ( this is where Human Body Detectives could play a role).

Let me know what you think and what problems you may have with your insurance company.

Be well,

A few months ago I started hanging my clothes outside. It was a test…..as my electric bill was still much too high despite our installation of a solar water heater.

At first I thought I would be adding to my overflowing “to do” list, but I found the time I spent outside, in the sun, was a perfect time to relax and think about all that I am grateful for.  I am more in tune with weather and just being present.

Then came the electric bill. ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS lower! And I was still using the dryer on rainy days.

I am now fully addicted and committed.

With the summer months approaching I suggest to everyone to get that line up! Have the kids help (although they are much better at taking the clothes off than hanging!).

Be well,

www.drheathernd.com

When Merrin was about 2 years old, she started to fight me in the tub about washing her hair. It was so frustrating that I gave up and said, “Okay, do it yourself!” Well, those words were life changing for my parenting style. When I told her to do it herself, she just did! I sat there mesmerized as she washed her hair and body perfectly (or close enough!)

From that moment on, I decided it was best for me to allow and encourage Merrin to be more proactive in her own being. I was amazed to see how capable she was to do things at such a young age. Giving her some space (and time) she became more confident in her own care.

Even now that she is10 years old, I see how important it is to trust my kids to take charge and make mistakes and (hopefully) learn from those mistakes. It builds strength, courage and most importantly self- reliance and independence.

Be well,

www.drheathernd.com