Friday, February 25, 2011

Anti-Antibiotics

My son has been troubled with reoccurring ear infections since he was a baby.  The first time we went to the doctor with a sick 5 month old baby, the doctor prescribed an antibiotic liquid and sent us on our way.  I gave my son the medicine exactly as prescribed, and after ten days his ears were still red and sore and to top that off he had loose stool and upset stomach.  He was miserable.  I went back to the doctor, and guess what they prescribed?  More antibiotics! 

Being an advocate for natural living and whole life wellness, I knew there was no sense trying a medicine that did not work the first time.  My girlfriend worked for a chiropractor at that time, and she suggested taking him in for an adjustment.  She said that her clinic treated many children and infants and that chiropractic adjustments could drain the fluids in the ear to clear the infection.  I took her advice, and within a week my son was back to his normal vibrant health.

Over the next two years we made several trips to the chiropractor any time his ears became a problem, and saw the same amazing results every time.  Within a few minutes of being adjusted his nasal and chest congestion would clear and usually within a week of treatment his ears were clear. 

Last week we noticed that his ears were red and he complained of pain in his left ear at preschool.  I called the chiropractor and he had a few adjustments with good results.  Then this week he began to develop a rattly cough and a fever.  He was so lethargic and not like himself that I felt we better go in to the doctor.  No surprise to me he was diagnosed with an ear infection and of course was prescribed an antibiotic.  Thinking that we needed to take care of this sickness fast so he could get back to his usual spunky activities, I decided to give him the antibiotics.  He took the medicine as prescribed for two days, and within about 12 hours he was running around and playing again.

On the morning of the third day, my son told me his arm itched.  When I checked it out I noticed there was a red rash forming all over his elbow.  Within a half hour the rash had spread all the way up the arm and was starting in on his other arm and even his cheeks.  By the time we got to the clinic the rash had spread onto his belly and back as well.  The doctor explained that it was a reactive side effect of the antibiotic and he should stop taking it immediately.  He had little else useful to say other than to watch for any hives or shortness of breath which are signs of a serious allergic reaction and would require emergency medical attention.

I headed straight for the local health store and bought a fresh bottle of garlic ear drops and silver hydrosol liquid, which is no doubt what I should have done in the first place rather than even start the prescription.  Garlic has powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties and when used as an oil in the ears can help treat and prevent ear infections.  Silver has been renown for its antibacterial properties for centuries, but has only recently been released as a readily available immune boosting remedy.  It is available as a throat spray which works miracles on sore throats, a nasal spray for congestion, a salve for burns and other skin infections and also a liquid which can be taken orally in small doses to increase immunity and relieve bacterial and viral infection symptoms.

In addition to the silver and garlic, I have been ensuring that my family is taking a high quality whole food liquid multivitamin and mineral complex and of course eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.  Prevention is the best medicine, but when illness occurs, we don't always have to rely on antibiotics to treat our symptoms.  Often we can achieve the same or better results with a little help from nature and thousands of years of traditional medicine.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Be your own Valentine!

A short post today to remind us all to give ourselves some love today.  Yes, that's right!  You.  Give it to yourself, too!  You may have planned a special surprise for a loved one, or made a thousand valentines for your kids to give to their friends at school, but if you haven't taken the time to show yourself some true compassion, you are missing a vital ingredient of health and happiness. 

Self love is so often overlooked and can even be seen as selfish, but this could not be more untrue!  Being proud of who you are is healthy and loving yourself is a major key to staying well.  It is critically important to show yourself the compassion and understanding that you strive to show others.  If you don't love yourself, how can you love another?  How can you be happy?

Take a moment today to think about the things that make you truly unique and beautiful.  Write them down if you can, or even make yourself a valentine card that lists your best qualities and the things you are most proud of in your life.  Don't be ashamed of this!  Hang it on your fridge or bedroom mirror and revisit it any time you are feeling low. 

Do something nice for yourself as well.  Buy yourself something indulgent (not necessarily expensive) that you normally wouldn't, or simply do something you love but rarely find the time to do, like take a walk or a bath, or fix your hair or makeup so you look fabulous.  Whatever it is, feel good about it.  You are a beautiful and unique person, and no matter how much love you get from others, make sure there is always a special place in your heart for yourself.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Live in Balance

Balance is the most fundamental principal of wellness. When we lead a balanced life we have the least chance of disease, because our bodies are not being stressed by excesses. But what does it mean to live in balance?

The first definition of balance, according to Dictionary.com is:

  1. a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal distribution of weight, amount, etc.

The nature of balance is equality. The saying “all things in moderation” comes to mind. Think about the things you eat for a moment. Do you have certain foods that you eat more of than any other? Do you eat processed meals and fast food? Are you addicted to sugary snacks and drinks?

When we eat too many processed, deep fried and microwaved foods, we create a build up of toxins in our bodies. Our bodies become stressed out fighting for balance, and our immune system weakens. This creates a constant lack of energy that is often misdiagnosed as chronic fatigue or depression.

Start balancing yourself by reducing foods and drinks that do not enhance your health and give you true lasting energy. Then begin to add more fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It is not necessary to completely omit foods that are less than wholesome, as long as there is a larger portion of the diet being made up of nutrient rich, high energy foods. Dark leafy greens in particular have an extraordinary ability to counteract the toxins that are so abundant in our Standard American Diet. Superfoods and foods high in antioxidants should be consumed daily to ensure that we are doing our part to stay balanced.

Nutrition is not the only area of our lives that we must achieve balance. The third and fourth definitions of the word balance from Dictionary.com are:

  1. mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgment, etc.
  2. a state of bodily equilibrium
Balance is a state of wellness that encompasses all areas of our lives. Our minds must be focused to achieve our goals, and a strong, limber body is crucial to getting the job done. Our mind, body and spirit are all equally important to Whole Life Wellness. This means that in addition to proper nutrition and exercise, we must also keep our emotions and convictions in balance. Make a list of all the things that create true happiness for you, then make another list of things you don't enjoy. Take a good long look at these lists, and decide how you can create more joy and less suffering in your life. Make a plan, write it down, and stick with it. Setting and achieving goals is one way to ensure that you are increasing balance and living up to your full potential.

No matter how determined we are, it is probably impossible to achieve complete balance, at least for any length of time. Imagine an old fashioned scale of weights, with a pointed fulcrum between the two suspended trays. The point is so small, that even the slightest difference of weight causes the scale to tip. Then it seesaws back and forth, a slave to the laws of science, with only the resistance of the air to slow it down. No one can live in perfect balance all the time, but if we make smart choices and strive for balance, we can ensure that we are not swinging out of control.