Posts Tagged Health & Fitness
Posted by Laura Nelson on May 10, 2010
By Dr. Ruth Martens, M.D., D. Ht
Water is essential for life, we all know this. After all, our body is 75% water. But most people think of dehydration as dying of thirst on a desert island. That is dehydration in its acute form.
Chronic dehydration may start with thirst and a dry mouth, but if water intake is not increased, ironically, thirst vanishes and is replaced by other symptoms over time. The less water in our body, the more difficult it becomes to expel waste, chemicals or toxins from the body since everything travels in a fluid highway. Less fluid also means oxygen and nutrients reach our cells more slowly–so it would be no surprise to experience slower thinking, digestion, lower energy, etc. For every 1% of water weight we lose, our capacity to do work or exercise goes down 10%. So if a 160 pound person loses 1.2 pounds of water, his physical ability decreases 10%. (1.2 pounds water = 2.3 cups)
Other signs and symptoms of chronic dehydration include: fatigue, low energy, weak muscles, longer healing time, increased or decreased blood pressure, constipation, cystitis, eczema, rheumatic pain, dry wrinkled skin (premature aging), and increased weight.
Dehydration causes an increase in histamine which can mimic allergies or asthma, cause heartburn, GERD, colitis, chronic pain or depression.
How much water is enough? Eight glasses of water a day has been touted as the gold standard for many years but for some individuals and circumstances (marathon runners, hot climates, profuse perspiration, dry weather, high altitude, wind) even 8 glasses may not be enough. The best indicator is when your urine is clear or lightly colored.
If you drink coffee, tea, soda, or juice, doesn’t that count? There is indeed water in those drinks but the body has to work to extract it. In addition, drinks containing caffeine, alcohol, sugar or other chemicals actually carry out more water when they are eliminated than you took in, making the overall effect negative. Many drugs also have a similar diuretic effect. The best option is pure, clean, filtered water. Tap water is better than no water but a reverse osmosis filter will remove chemicals, contaminants, bacteria and parasites. It is my experience that I drink more filtered water because it just tastes better.
Avoid things which dehydrate, such as: coffee, tea, soda, juice, beer, anything sweet containing aspartame (Nutrasweet, Equal), sparkling water.
I started water therapy 2 1/2 weeks ago and have noticed a decrease in gastrointestinal symptoms, increased alertness in the morning (without coffee), decreased appetite and, strangely, more thirst. This could possibly be the most inexpensive therapy you will ever try. So go have a drink of water right now, and make it a double.
Dr. Martens is a family physician specializing in natural medicine and homeopathy in Wheaton. For more information or to make an appointment, call (630) 668-5595. References for this article are available at www.martenshealth.com.
Posted by Laura Nelson on March 14, 2010
Before
If you need dental work done, chances are you want to have as few visits as possible. In the past, crowns or restorative procedures required multiple visits. Not so at Park East Dental in Wheaton.
Park East Dental has added technology that makes crowns and porcelain fillings in a single visit so there’s no need for follow up appointments, interim temporaries, or multiple injections of anesthesia.
Cerec tooth restoration is more than convenient–it’s also healthy. The porcelain fillings are metal-free. They also feature a lifetime guarantee. Materials are chemically bonded to teeth, so the dentist can save as much health tooth tissue as possible, while providing a restoration that strengthens teeth.
After
Besides crowns and fillings, Cerec can be used to repair chipped or discolored teeth.
To learn more about improving your smile, call Drs. Dean Francis and Terry Anderson at (630) 668-1420. Park East Dental is at 1749 S. Naperville Rd., Suite 102, Wheaton. www.parkeastdental.com
Posted by Laura Nelson on March 14, 2010
By Dr. Dan Rasper
Auto accidents, rough housing with kids, snow shoveling and lifting too much may cause injuries to the neck and low back resulting in pain symptoms. These pain symptoms such as radiating pain, muscle weakness, or tingling in shoulders, arms, and legs can arise either immediately or up to a few months after the injury.
A pain in the knee doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the source of the problem. Often, an interference in the nervous system creates mysterious aches and pains. Here is how that happens:
– Nerves carry messages between the brain and body parts;
– The nerves pass between the back bones, called vertebrae;
– Vertebrae can misalign, pinching the nerves that pass between them;
– A pinched nerve will interfere with messages, creating symptoms.
It is very important not to ignore these symptoms. Your first step is to consult with a chiropractor. He or she is an expert at locating and correcting misalignments. With adjustments, a chiropractor can take the pressure off pinched nerves. By improving nerve flow, pressure is reduced, allowing the body to heal itself. A treatment plan can be created to correct the misalignments.
To learn more about easing your pain, call Dr. Dan Rasper at (630) 665-5469. Consultations are free.
Rasper Chiropractic, in Wheaton since 1984, is at 1934 Greensboro Dr., Wheaton. www.rasperchiropractic.com
Posted by Laura Nelson on March 14, 2010
By Dr. Ruth Martens, M.D., D. Ht
Most of us know that vitamin D is an essential part of our diet that is manufactured in the skin when exposed to sunlight. Textbooks state that the principal function of vitamin D is to promote calcium absorption in the gut and calcium transfer across cell membranes, contributing to strong bones and teeth. This is old news.
The new headlines read: Vitamin D may help prevent as many as 16 different types of cancer and decrease risk of heart disease, diabetes, age related memory impairment, and autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Optimum levels of vitamin D can improve hypertension, osteoporosis, depression (including Seasonal Affective Disorder), chronic pain, chronic fatigue, Parkinson’s disease, and inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s). Adults and children with higher vitamin D levels have fewer colds, flu or other viral infections.
How much vitamin D do you need? The National Institute of Health (NIH) established Adequate Intakes (AIs) for vitamin D to be 200 IU for children and adults to age 50 years, 400 IU for adults 51-70 years and 600 IU for adults over 70 years. Because of the burst of new research that has been published in the last 10 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics has increased its recommendations for children to 400 IU/day and the Institute of Medicine has announced a report updating recommendations for vitamin D and calcium will be issued by May 2010.
Can you get vitamin D from your food? Vitamin D is found in fatty fish (herring, salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines), cod liver oil, eggs, beef liver and vitamin D fortified milk, orange juice and cereal. Several steps then occur to convert it to its active form through exposure to UVB rays (sunlight) in the skin and through liver and renal metabolism. The level of vitamin D absorbed varies greatly from person to person based on skin color (more melanin in the skin decreases absorption), duration of sun exposure, angle of the sun’s rays (geographic location and season of the year), use of sunblock and interference from certain medications.
Can I just sit in the sun? Since I live closer to Chicago than to Cancun, the answer is no. Even the NIH admits that it is impossible to obtain enough sun exposure during the months from November to February if you live north of Los Angeles. So what can you do?
Fortunately, vitamin D is easily obtainable in supplement form. In fact, in a strange twist, the over the counter form (vitamin D3) is more effective than the prescription form and is the only form you should take. Vitamin D2 is no longer recommended.
Is too much vitamin D a bad thing? Overdosing on vitamin D in your diet is unlikely unless you take large amounts of cod liver oil. Your body has countermeasures to keep absorption in balance. There are no such balances for taking too many supplements however. Since vitamin D is stored, it is possible over time to accumulate toxic levels (a blood level >200 ng/ml).
Since there are so many things that affect vitamin D levels, the only way to determine if you are deficient or at an optimum level is through a blood test.
Dr. Martens is a family physician specializing in natural medicine and homeopathy in Wheaton. For more information or to make an appointment, call (630) 668-5595.
Posted by Laura Nelson on March 14, 2010
By Judy Flickinger, RN
As our parents, relatives, and friends age, medications are often prescribed. Whether it’s a simple vitamin or a vital high-blood pressure medication, sometimes older people are reluctant, or unable to, correctly take medications.
Elderly people can be at risk for many reasons:
– The aging body can be more susceptible to side effects of medication.
– The physical effect of aging, such as arthritis, can cause particular problems with getting medications out of childproof containers. Administering eye drops and using inhalers can be difficult with stiff, painful fingers.
– Forgetfulness can be a problem. Remembering what medications are for, or whether they’ve been taken that day, can become an issue.
– Failing eyesight can cause problems with reading small print labels and information leaflets.
– Elderly persons sometimes mistakenly take old or expired medications for an ailment or condition they no longer have. Deadly drug interactions and over-medication are among the primary reasons why caregivers are urged to check medication for elderly family members. Always dispose of medications no longer needed.
– Some elderly may think they feel better and discontinue treatment, or think it’s not working and stop–or double–the amount.
BrightStar Care offers a free assessment of care in the home. Care givers can monitor, and remind, people to take medications properly. It can be as simple as coaxing a patient to take medications; or a med-box can be set up for a week at a time to make pill-taking easier.
BrightStar Care offers home care to seniors, new mothers and patients recovering from surgery or illness. Companionship care, live-in caregivers, in-home blood draws, injections and personal services are available also.
To learn more about BrightStar home care, call (630) 260-5300. www.brightstarhealthcare.com/wheaton.
Posted by Laura Nelson on March 14, 2010
By Shellie Carter,
Certified Colon Hydrotherapist
The colon has been called the sewer system of the body. It is the place where we store waste material that most of us would rather not think about–and most of us don’t, until our colon is out of balance. Poor health, acid reflux, diarrhea, or constipation can be a sign of this imbalance.
Colon Hydrotherapy is a safe, effective, method for removing waste from the large intestine without the use of drugs. By introducing filtered and temperature-regulated water into the colon, the waste is softened, loosened and eliminated through natural peristalsis. This restorative process cleanses the colon of trapped impurities and prevents the recycling of toxins into the blood stream, causing disease or an unhealthy condition.
Colon Hydrotherapy is best used in combination with adequate nutrition and fluid intake, as well as exercise. Today’s technology promotes both the safety and sanitation of this cleansing process.
To learn more about colonics, contact Shellie Carter at (630) 701-1117. The Alder Healing Center is at 3925 75th St., Ste. 105, Aurora.
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »
