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Cardiovascular Disease

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Cardiovascular DiseaseCardiovascular disease is a scary disease as it’s also known as the “silent killer” and often presents with no symptoms, it is just in routine check ups that a problem may become apparent. It is something we all need to be aware of, as it is the number one killer in Australia, with 45,600 deaths in 2011. Heart disease is more common in men in the earlier years, however once a woman has gone through menopause and she doesn’t have the protective effects of oestrogen, her risk for cardiovascular disease increases.

It’s never too early to start looking after your cardiovascular health as atherosclerotic plaque has been found in children’s arteries! This definitely should not be happening, so it’s important to ensure you are educating your children on the importance of a healthful diet and exercise, as well as leading by example.

 

Risk Factors.

  • Smoking
  • Stress, anger, depression and anxiety
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Diet high in trans fats and sugar
  • Obesity
  • Social isolation
  • Hypertension
  • Abnormal lipids and/or homocysteine
  • Diabetes
  • Family history
  • Insomnia, sleep deprivation and sleep apnoea

A lot of these risk factors are preventable, so you can make positive changes by adjusting your diet and lifestyle accordingly. Cardiovascular disease risks may be higher in certain families due to genetics, this doesn’t mean you are destined to have heart disease, but it’s imperative you make the positive changes in your life. If you are not seeing positive results it may be worth talking to your Doctor/Naturopath about medication/supplementation.

 

What can you do that’s good for your heart?

  • Quit smoking. Now
  • Manage stress and mood disorders with meditation, exercise and/or herbal remedies
  • Minimum of 30 minutes exercise most days, with a mix of cardio, strength and stretching
  • Cut out all trans fats from your diet and minimise sugar or find sugar alternatives
  • Consume lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats
  • Maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise, if this doesn’t work you may need to look at other reasons for weight gain (your Naturopath can help you with this)
  • Work on your social relationships and interact with people other than immediate family on a regular basis
  • Have routine check ups with your Doctor
  • Reduce caffeine and alcohol consumption

If you have tried these methods and not had any success, or would like a little guidance then it might be time to consult a Naturopath.  A Naturopath with talk in detail about your current health and future health goals, and support you in making the necessary dietary and lifestyle changes with appropriate herbal and/or nutritional supplementation.

 

Naturopathy and Weight Management

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naturopathy weight managementThere are more deaths from obesity than malnutrition. It is estimated that 63% of adults in Australia are now overweight or obese, and 25% of children. These figures are on a steady incline, as are all the complications that come with it.

With so many “health experts” giving advise on how to eat, it can get slightly overwhelming knowing whose advise you should actually take, and if the latest fad diet is the one that will work for you. Weight loss can be individual at times, as there are other factors that may be hindering you, such as insulin resistance, underactive thyroid and hormonal imbalances.

Your naturopath will take a thorough case history, delving into your personal history to come up with the necessary dietary and lifestyle amendments, as well as any needed supplementation.

 

Will I have to drink water and eat mung beans all day?

No! Food is one of life’s greatest pleasures, I think it’s important to not think of it as a diet, but think of it as a healthy lifestyle change. It’s not just about losing weight and keeping it off, it’s about feeding your body with nourishing and supportive foods, so you feel better and improve your life expectancy by lowering your risk of so many other illnesses.

 

Conditions associated with obesity?

So many of today’s deadly diseases have obesity as a causative factor,. Obese people have a 50-100% increased risk of death from all causes, most of the risk if from the following;

  • Hypertension
  • High Cholesterol
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Cancer
  • Infertility
  • Back pain

Naturopathy and Skin Disease

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naturopathy skin deseaseThe skin is an organ of elimination, and often we find that when skin problems arise, it can be a manifestation of something else that is going on within.  This could be toxicity, liver dysfunction, allergic reactions to foods and other substances, food intolerances, hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies and digestive disorders.

What sort of skin conditions can a Naturopath treat?

  • Psoriasis,
  • Eczema/Dermatitis
  • Acne
  • Rosacea
  • Dry flaky skin
  • Fungal infections
  • Bacterial infections
  • Slow wound healing

Conventionally, skin problems may be treated with steroids, antibiotics, and the oral contraceptive pill. If you do not react well to these, or are looking for a natural alternative, your naturopath could help. We look at things in a holistic way, with an assessment of diet, lifestyle and digestion. Getting to the cause of the problem, will give us the best chance to clear things up more permanently.

 

What to expect from your Naturopath?

The initial consultation goes for approximately 1 hour, your naturopath will take a thorough case history, as well as physical examination (depending on the location) and then work out a program that will best help your condition. You will be advised on dietary and lifestyle changes, as well as medicinal herbs and/or nutritional supplements. There will generally be a follow up 2 weeks later to assess the changes, and from there the appointments are less frequent, depending on your progress.

 

Naturopathy and Mental Health

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naturopathy mental healthWe live in a stressful and busy world. Once upon a time our bodies went into fight or flight when we were chasing the woolly mammoth or sabre tooth tiger, and then we could sit back and relax and enjoy our well earned meal. Now many of us are in a constant state of stress, which leaves cortisol and adrenalin levels high and therefore contributes to a host of other problems such as cardiovascular disease, reproductive difficulties, digestive complaints and poor immunity to name a few.

What you may not realise is that diet and lifestyle are a major contributing factor to stress, anxiety and depression. There are certain things that would be beneficial to cut out, and other things that would be very helpful to add, to help balance your some of your neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin.

Can Naturopathy help with those not wanting to take medication, or reacting poorly to it?

If you are looking for natural alternatives for anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications, then your naturopath may be able to help. We will conduct a thorough investigation into your health, with initial consultations going for approximately 1 hour. We will then devise a treatment plan with food as medicine, necessary lifestyle changes and appropriate nutritional and herbal supplementation.

Some of the conditions Naturopathy can help with

  • Insomnia and sleep disorders
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • PMS moodiness
  • Low energy and motivation

Acupuncture for Neck and Shoulder pain

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acupuncture neck shoulderNeck and shoulder tension is one of the banes of modern life – when severe, the pain often extends down the arms and also can lead to headaches and jaw stiffness. It can really limit your life. But you don’t have to be stuck with it!

Acupuncture is great for melting those knots. Within 4-6 treatments we usually see substantial relief, with the hard areas becoming much looser. The time taken for this to happen depends on how long the tension has been there for, and how severe it is.

The treatments are very gentle – Acupuncture use extremely fine needles that you barely notice, plus moxibustion, a form of herbal heat treatment. The combination works really well in relaxing muscles, especially in the shoulders and neck

During a treatment, our Acupunctuirists uses a combination of Acupuncture points specifically targeted at any imbalance underlying the muscle stiffness, as well as local points to bring fast relief. We also look at lifestyle measures to help prevent the problem recurring.

Tara is a Registered Acupuncturist with many years’ experience in treating neck and shoulder issues. Health-fund rebates are available for Acupuncture treatments.

 

What to Expect from a Chiropractic Consultation

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Health In The Bay Chiro ImageWhat to Expect from a Chiropractic Consultation

Chiropractic treatments focus on restoring alignment and function to the musculoskeletal system. A chiropractor uses massage, manipulation and other techniques to provide relief from pain, improve function and restore balance to the joints and nerves.

Chiropractic Looks at Whole Lifestyle

Your chiropractor will take is a detailed medical history, including details of any specific problems. They will ask about prior health conditions, exercise, diet and lifestyle and may recommend an x-ray or other tests.

 

Chiropractic Observes Function

They will then conduct a manual examination using palpation and observation. They will assess the range of motion and function in different areas of the spine, pelvis and body. They may ask you stand, walk or balance. They may assess:

  • Cranial nerves
  • Reflexes
  • Muscles strength
  • Balance
  • Co-ordination
  • Bilateral weight scale measurement
  • Flexibility
  • Sensation

Undergoing Chiropractic Treatment

Treatment usually involves some massage and gentle adjustment or manipulation of the spine or other areas that aren’t functioning properly. He or she may also use heat or ice and acupuncture. The treatment will be designed specifically for your symptoms. You may experience initial soreness after a treatment or find it brings immediate relief to your symptoms. You can also expect advice about posture, exercise and lifestyle.
Chiropractor Treatment Plan

Your chiropractor will devise a treatment plan, usually outlining short-term goals – generally aimed at relieving pain and limitations – and long-term goals that focus on maintaining good musculoskeletal function.

A visit to the chiropractic should bring about relief from symptoms and arm you with a plan to enhance your overall health and well-being.

 

 

 

This article was reproduced with permission from Natural Therapy Pages www.ntpages.com.au – Australia’s most visited natural health site.