Disclaimer: Infants need nutrients from food, and any supplement is in tiny amounts. Parents should consult their health care provider to determine a safe amount of a supplement to administer to an infant.听

Eczema, Diaper Rash and Cradle Cap听

Typically, we would want to make sure the child is getting adequate nutrition while avoiding food sensitivities that could contribute to these conditions. Therefore, identifying what children are being fed is helpful 鈥� whether they are breast fed or formula fed, or whether parents and caretakers are starting to introduce certain foods.听

It is important to reduce food sensitivities as much as possible. If the patient is breast fed, proteins from foods that the mother ingests are significant, as these can crossover from breast milk to the child. Common allergens include cow鈥檚 dairy, gluten, eggs and soy. It is suggested for the mother or child (if they are eating solids) to avoid these foods for a period of time, and then reintroduce them to see if an allergic reaction occurs. For formula-fed babies, parents can switch from cow鈥檚 dairy to goat鈥檚 dairy at 6 months of age or older to see if it makes a difference.听

Soothing Solutions听

• Topical solutions to soothe the lesions while addressing diet include: topical calendula, yarrow, comfrey, marshmallow root, Vitamin E, coconut oil and olive oil.听

• Supporting gut integrity is helpful in treating skin conditions due to the gut-skin connection. Probiotics, fish oil and Vitamin D can help improve gut integrity, and therefore help with the absorption of nutrients and reduction in allergic reactions.听

Colic听

Colic is the frequent, intense and prolonged occurrence of crying and/or fussiness in otherwise healthy infants. Episodes can occur at any time of day, but frequently occur during the evening or at night. It can be extremely frustrating, because no amount of attention or consolation helps quiet the distressed infant.听

Soothing Solutions听

Using these strategies may lessen the length of time and severity of colic episodes, while reducing stress and nurturing the parent-child connection:听

• Avoiding known food sensitivities听

• Administering healing herbs (orally) to soothe baby鈥檚 tummy, including: fennel, chamomile and lemon balm.听听

• Supporting gut integrity with probiotics, fish oil and Vitamin D.听

• Trying abdominal massage to a child鈥檚 belly in a clockwise motion.听

• Trying the and rhythmic burping.听

Coughs, Colds and Flus听

For coughs, colds, and flus, it is important to make sure the child is still getting the appropriate liquids to avoid dehydration. Any difficulty in breathing or rapid rate of breathing is a clear sign to call a physician immediately, or go to an urgent care center. Try to feed regularly, and if the baby has been eating solid foods, do things that are lighter on the tummy like bone broths, soups, and drinking water or herbal teas.听听

Soothing Solutions听

• is a great option if a sore throat is a major symptom.听

• Herbs that can help stimulate the immune system to fight off a cold or the flu include: elderberry, echinacea, wild cherry bark, goldenseal, ginger root and osha root.听听

• Supplements include Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin A and zinc.听

• Steam inhalation with eucalyptus and peppermint, dehumidifiers, and menthol rubs can be helpful to clear congestion and sooth a sore throat.听

• A tepid bath, or wet towel over the forehead can help with fever. However, depending on the severity of the fever, it may be better to let a fever run its course. In the case of a high fever, or a fever that is visibly causing discomfort, you can (with the approval of your pediatrician) give acetaminophen or ibuprofen to break the fever. If a fever is 103掳 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, the child cannot keep down foods and liquids, and they are lethargic, seek emergency care immediately.听

While common health concerns may be part of life, there are safe, effective, natural solutions to alleviate pain and discomfort 鈥� even for the littlest patients.听

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Rather than simply prescribing medication, naturopathic medicine doctors (NDs) have a vast array of natural tools available to them to treat this condition. Here are some of the ways NDs are treating patients with anxiety today.

Getting to the root cause

In order to get to the root cause of a patient鈥檚 anxiety, NDs spend a significant amount of time meeting with patients to understand their specific symptoms and needs. During the first visit with an ND, a patient provides detailed medical history including information about underlying medical symptoms, family history and any past trauma.

This individualized approach is one factor that sets naturopathic medicine apart from conventional medicine. While conventional medical doctors typically spend an average of 20 minutes with patients, NDs spend between one and two hours听face-to-face with patients during their initial appointment, and 30 to 60 minutes in subsequent appointments, according to the .

Focusing on the determinants of health

For NDs, the basis of a patient鈥檚 treatment plan is ensuring that the patient is receiving the proper nutrition, lifestyle habits, sleep, other factors required for good overall health. NDs believe these determinants of health are the foundation for supporting the body鈥檚 natural healing ability. It is one of the tenets within naturopathic medicine that students in 911爆料 University鈥檚听ND program听build on in both their basic and clinical science training. These determinants include genetic and environmental factors like intrauterine influences, nutrition, patterns of exercise and rest, past illness and medical interventions, physical and emotional traumas, stresses and exposures.

To see if these needs are being met, NDs will not only gather medical history but perform a physical exam and conduct various laboratory tests. These tests can include a thyroid panel, food allergy testing, microbiome assessment, stress hormone testing and nutritional testing.

Lifestyle modifications

For anxiety, dietary modifications often make up a large portion of ND鈥檚 lifestyle recommendations. By eating less processed food and more whole foods high in omega 3s, patients will help reduce inflammatory load on the body. An ND will also recommend eliminating any foods they are allergic to and reducing caffeine consumption. According to , inflammation can affect brain regions relevant to reward and threat sensitivity and can lead to symptoms of anxiety along with reduced motivation and motor slowing.

Other lifestyle recommendations include exercise, which has shown can work just as well as medication to decrease anxiety and depression. NDs can also help identify stressors in their patient鈥檚 life along with ways to reduce those stressors.

Treating the gut microbiome

continues to recognize the role that bacteria in your gut can have on mental health. Since neurotransmitters are produced in the gastrointestinal tract, it鈥檚 important to ensure it is functioning properly. Some of ways an ND will make sure your gut microbiome is in top shape is by recommending a healthy diet of whole foods. Taking听pre and听probiotic supplements and eating probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kefir听has proven beneficial for diversifying gut bacteria while omega 3s, vitamin D, lion鈥檚 mane mushrooms, zinc, glutamine and turmeric have been shown to help heal the gut.

NDs will also focus on treating the vagal nerve, which runs down from the brain to the gut. Vagal tone exercises can help improve with the gut-brain connection provided by this nerve. These exercises include diaphragmatic breathing, singing, gargling and contrast showers that alternative between hot and cold.

Herbal supplementation

In addition to recommending nutritional and lifestyle changes, NDs specialize in using botanical and other herbal supplements to treat various ailments including anxiety. Many herbs have been听shown听to听be听effective听in the management and听treatment of anxiety and depression.

Some herbs that are commonly used for anxiety are magnolia, lemon balm and lavender. Other herbs like Siberian ginseng, rhodiola, and schisandra can even help lower elevated levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.

Physical modalities

Physical modalities such as constitutional hydrotherapy, chiropractic adjustments and manual therapy can have a significant impact on improving mental health. At 911爆料, ND students are trained in all three modalities. At the 911爆料 Whole Health Center鈥檚 Hydrotherapy Suite, interns are trained in constitutional therapy, which involves the alteration of hot and cold towels. This relaxing therapy has been shown to stimulate the parts of the nervous system that govern rest and digestion along with the flight or fight response.

Chiropractic adjustments, which are taught to 911爆料 University鈥檚 naturopathic students alongside its chiropractic students, have been shown to have positive effects on the nervous system as well.

NDs can also apply their training in manual therapy or recommend a massage. Both can help reduce blood pressure and, as a result, decrease symptoms associated with anxiety and depression.

Additionally, there are modalities patients can perform themselves. During a visit, an ND can help instruct patients how to practice mindfulness, yoga, breathing techniques and meditation.

Co-managing with psychotherapists

While NDs have many tools available to them for treating anxiety, they often work with other medical providers to ensure the most well-rounded care for their patients. When emotional and/or psychological factors are involved, NDs understand the positive effects of talk therapy as a treatment method.

In addition to medical doctors, NDs work collaboratively with mental health professionals to identify and address depression, anxiety and stress. As primary care physicians, NDs have the expertise to identify these conditions and provide appropriate referrals for counseling.

Prescribing medication

While NDs recognize that medication doesn鈥檛 cure anxiety, if symptoms are interfering with a patient鈥檚 day-to-day life, an ND may prescribe medication, depending on .

As part of the 911爆料 naturopathic program, students spend 100 hours studying pharmaceuticals, so they know how to safely use their treatments integratively with conventional medicine. They are well-equipped to prescribe medications depending on where they practice as allowed by state regulations. This is especially important when working with chronically ill patients who are often taking various other medications.

Depending on a patient鈥檚 specific needs, an ND will utilize various combinations of these natural and noninvasive treatment methods. Compared to simply taking medication, this individualized and whole-body approach is more likely to result in improvements in anxiety. ND patients are also more likely to see results that are long lasting.

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Before you choose a natural medical specialty to pursue, check out these five common myths about naturopathic medicine.

Myth #1: Naturopathic medicine is not based in science.

The foundation of naturopathic medicine, which focuses on preventing and treating the underlying causes of illness through lifestyle changes, has long been supported by research. According to a by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seven of the top ten leading causes of death could have been prevented or delayed, and quality of life could have been improved through lifestyle changes, including healthy diet, physical activity, avoidance of tobacco, and other types of risk reduction.

According to the (AANMC), naturopathic doctors go through rigorous four-year science-based medical education at an accredited or candidate school of the (the only naturopathic programmatic accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education). A minimum of two years is spent studying the same biomedical sciences that prepare conventional medical students to be doctors. Naturopathic medical students learn to appraise and weigh the research evidence base as a part of developing patient treatment plans. ND schools are also leaders in developing primary research in natural medicine.

Naturopathic doctors also use botanical medicines, physical medicine and clinical nutrition, which have scientific literature that supports their use. The naturopathic field boasts multiple peer-reviewed scientific journals, including the , Natural Medicine Journal, and .听 Naturopathic doctors consult these journals along with medicine databases such as and as sources of proven results rather than theoretical outcomes. Naturopathic students also write research reviews and case studies throughout their education, which commonly cover subjects such as nutrition, botanical medicine and homeopathy.

Myth #2: Naturopathic and conventional medicine are opposed to each other.

A common misconception is that naturopathic practitioners are completely opposed to all conventional medicine, or that they advise their patients to forego traditional health care. In fact, naturopathic practitioners who have attended accredited universities are trained to recognize the necessity of some patients to use pharmaceutical medicines and support situations when naturopathic treatments are best used in conjunction with traditional medical care.

Similarly, many conventional medical doctors support their patients seeking naturopathic care when indicated, particularly to avoid the use of pharmaceuticals.

In fact, naturopathic care is often referred to as 鈥�integrative,鈥� because it is meant to be integrated with conventional medicine to maximize the health of the patient. Many naturopathic doctors work alongside medical doctors in their practices and at hospitals, clinics and specialty medical centers.

Myth #3: Naturopathic doctors undergo little training and can get a degree online.

Naturopathic doctors must attend four-year, accredited medical schools. Jurisdictions that regulate naturopathic doctors require completion of an accredited, in-residence, doctoral level program that includes hands-on, supervised, clinical training. Graduates must also obtain a license by passing the (NPLEX), as well as apply for licensure in their state or province. According to AANMC, graduates of online programs are not qualified or eligible to sit for the licensing exam.

The 911爆料 Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program, for example, trains students in integrative, naturopathic medicine while preparing them to become primary care doctors. In addition to two years basic and clinical science education, 911爆料 students spend 100 hours studying pharmaceuticals, so they know how to safely use their treatments integratively with conventional medicine.

Myth #4: Naturopathic treatments are just dietary supplements.

Some people think visiting a natural food store and stocking up on supplements is equivalent to seeing a naturopathic doctor. This is far from the truth! Naturopathic doctors learn to treat all aspects of family health and wellness, from pediatric to geriatric, acute colds and flus, to chronic aches and pains. Licensed naturopathic doctors work in primary care settings across North America and are able to manage most outpatient concerns typically seen in primary care practices.

Naturopathic doctors generally spend much more time with their patients than conventional doctors. They then develop comprehensive treatment plans based on the , a hierarchy of principles used during the naturopathic treatment process. If necessary, they will make referrals to other doctors to perform surgeries and prescribe medications.

Naturopathic doctors can also perform minor surgeries such as cyst removals and stitching. They are thoroughly trained to find and implement the best treatment options for their patients, allowing them to develop plans that are highly individualized.

Myth #5: Naturopathic doctors are against using drugs/pharmaceuticals.

As mentioned above, 911爆料 students spend 100 hours studying pharmaceuticals, so they know how to safely use their treatments integratively with conventional medicine. They are also well-equipped to prescribe medications depending on where they practice as . It is the job of naturopathic doctors to provide for the best interests of their patients. Prescription medications can be part of that care.

The post What You Don鈥檛 (but Need to) Know 911爆料 Naturopathic Medicine appeared first on 911爆料.

Each year, there is an increasing amount of studies that show how people are stressed, and even sad, during the holiday season.

The most common causes of stress are the additional demands on time and money that are created during the holidays. There never seems to be enough time to accommodate all the traditions and activities while still maintaining your normal life. The cost of traveling, buying gifts and decor, or preparing your home for visitors also adds up rather quickly. Family situations are another factor that add to increased stress levels during this time of year. Deciding where to celebrate the holidays or who to invite can be a struggle in itself.

This stress can lead to many听, including, but not limited to:

• Elevated blood pressure
• Exhaustion
• Headaches
• Moodiness
• Trouble sleeping

While holiday stress may seem quite inevitable, don鈥檛 worry, there are many ways to naturally cope with holiday stress! Methods such as acupuncture, massage therapy, aromatherapy, yoga, meditation, and exercise can all contribute to a stress-free time of year.

Acupuncture

Using tiny needles that penetrate the skin, acupuncture stimulates certain points on the body to alleviate pain or to help treat various health conditions.听 has discovered that stress hormones were in fact lower in patients that received acupuncture. This natural remedy has been known to reduce stress in patients after just one session! For most individuals, acupuncture is an extremely pleasant and calming experience. If holiday stress starts to become a burden, consider acupuncture as a way to calm yourself.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy can help you decrease your holiday stress on both physiological and psychological levels. In addition to significant changes in emotional states and stress levels, massage therapy has been shown to decrease heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen consumption and salivary cortisol levels.

You don鈥檛 need an hour-long massage to achieve these benefits either.听 found that these physiological and psychological changes occurred after 10 to 15 minute chair massages. So, no matter how busy your holiday schedule is, you can easily make time for this de-stressing method. For enhanced relaxation, massage therapy can also be combined with aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy

uses naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to help balance and promote the health of both mind and body. Inhaling the scent from the essential oils and absorbing them into your skin is believed to stimulate brain function and promote whole-body well-being. In fact, at hospitals, mental health, nursing and hospice facilities, aromatherapy is becoming听 as a natural alternative to treating anxiety, depression, and pain.

For relaxation, there are听 of aromatherapy that can be used. The oils can be used as either massage oils or bath products. However, you decide to use aromatherapy, this treatment can immensely help reduce your holiday stress.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy, a naturopathic medicine modality, utilizes the therapeutic benefits of water at various temperatures and is meant to soothe, regulate, or stimulate various systems in the body. In addition to the calming effects of a warm bath or hot tub, constitutional treatments that alternate between hot and cold-water temperatures can have profound effects on mood and stress hormones. This is because hot and cold treatments help enhance blood circulation throughout the body and brain.

Various hydrotherapy treatments can be performed by a听naturopathic medicine doctor or by yourself at home in the shower. To relieve stress, try starting your shower at a warm comfortable temperature then slowly cool down the water to about 70 degrees and maintain for 2-3 minutes.

Yoga

Yoga can help release a lot of stress and pressure. Yoga trains you to breathe using your diaphragm and allows you to utilize your whole lung capacity, which gives you the opportunity to breathe more effectively. Learning breathing techniques is the best way to take advantage of all yoga has to offer and help relax you even more during your sessions.

Yoga also trains us to listen to our bodies by being sensitive to each movement. This encourages us to exist in the present moment and to live in a more mindful, conscious, and connected way. Certain postures, such as forward bends and inversions, have calming effects. Postures that release the hips and shoulders are very effective in releasing emotional energy. Both types of postures are beneficial to your body during high stress moments. Consider trying these yoga postures if you are starting to feel stressed about the upcoming gatherings and festivities.

Meditation

is a relaxation technique that has been used for many years. If practiced for as little as 10 minutes a day, it can be an excellent way to combat stress, especially when you鈥檙e caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays. According to a听 by John Hopkins University, meditation can improve psychological stresses such as anxiety, depression, and pain. It鈥檚 no surprise that mediation is becoming more popular among the public and health care professionals.

There are various types of meditation techniques, allowing you to choose the most effective to relieve stress:

• Guided – patients form mental images of places of things that they find relaxing.
• Mindfulness – patients learn to have an increased awareness and acceptance of living in the present moment.
• Transcendental – this requires less concentration. People repeat a personally assigned mantra, such as a word, sound or phrase, in a specific way.

Exercise

Any type of exercise, whether it is aerobics, Pilates, or weight training can significantly help reduce stress. Exercising pumps up endorphins, allowing you to take your mind off things and improve your overall mood. Find an activity that you enjoy and stick with it! Exercising on a daily basis will allow you to take your stress out on something in a positive way. Exercising is especially important during the holiday season, not only to relieve stress, but to balance out the many seasonal treats you will be consuming.

There are many natural ways to cope with holiday stress that will help lead to a positive impact on your overall wellbeing. Any of the natural remedies discussed above can help you this year when it comes to combating听holiday anxiety! We encourage you to try some of these tactics when things start to get hectic and invite you to share a comment below about what works best for you. Happy Holidays!听

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