Mental Health
Depression and anxiety are two common mental health concerns that can decrease your quality of life. Feelings of apathy, or sadness and frustration effect millions of Americans each year. These symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe ranging from sleep problems, loss of energy, recurring thoughts, difficulty concentrating and self-hate. The causes of anxiety and depression are similar, but may differ as each person is unique. Both could involve genetic factors as in the case of abnormal brain chemicals or environmental factors, such as depression shortly after the birth of a child or with a change in season or lifestyle.
It is important to note that there are many options available to help you feel better. A comprehensive treatment plan for mental health may include a range of complementary and alternative therapies. Nutritional supplements and exercise may reduce the symptoms of some anxiety and depression. Studies of formerly depressed adolescent mothers, children hospitalized for depression, and women with eating disorders suggest that massage along with certain herbal medications can decrease stress hormone levels, feelings of anxiety, and symptoms of depression. Please note that it is important to see a professional before you start any protocol as there could be interactions between medications and certain health concerns.
Side effects from certain medications make it difficult for some to take their medications, but alternative therapies may be helpful in reducing the side effects from such medications and address the nutrients the medications depleted as well. Naturopathic doctors can work with your psychiatrist to get the right balance of medication and alternative therapies to help you feel better. Without treatment, these conditions can have a devastating effect on people's lives. By developing a solid support network with friends, family and professionals you can greatly improve your quality of life.
Prolotherapy for Arthritis and Muscle Aches
A good quality of life is one of the most important things we could strive for. But for some of us, the aches and pains of years ahead makes that a hard task to achieve.
Let us start by making this year, the year you will live pain free by introducing one of the most effective treatments out there for aches and pains, prolotherapy. Many health concerns from acute to chronic conditions could benefit from this treatment such as arthritis, sciatica and joint pain. In addition, it works to release muscle spasms and trigger points so fibromyalgia patients really do well with it.
Prolotherapy involves injecting non-pharmacological solutions into the regions of ligaments, tendons, and specific local acupuncture points. This process works to help your body heal itself through its own process of inflammation and repair. It will strengthen the weak connective tissue and decrease pain.
Seeing a naturopathic doctor that can perform prolotherapy has many benefits as they can also provide you with a complete treatment protocol consisting of a meal plan, exercise program and herbal medicines that are individualized to help your body heal from within.
Healthy Hydration
Water is essential for life. It carries nutrients to cells. It aids digestion by forming stomach secretions. It regulates the body's temperature and even lubricates joints.
On average, adults lose 1.5 litres a day through urination alone, not to mention an additional litre through breathing, sweating and bowel movements. To remain adequately hydrated, women need to consume about 9 cups, while men need as much as 13.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is best known for its role in helping blood clot properly after an injury. Vitamin K also plays an important role in bone health.
Vitamin K comes from the foods that we eat, and healthy bacteria that normally reside in our intestines also produce vitamin K. Antibiotics may interfere with this normal production, so it is important to take a probiotic to restore this important process. Most naturopathic doctors have probiotics in their dispensaries and will be able to set out appropriate guidelines for taking the two.
Breast-fed infants may be at an increased risk for vitamin K deficiency because human milk is not a very good source of this nutrient. But if a mother eats lots of green vegetables on a daily basis, she can improve the amount of vitamin K in breast milk. The elderly may also be at an increased risk for vitamin K deficiency.
Vitamin K deficiency can lead to excessive bleeding (hemorrhage) and bruising. Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, dietary supplements should be taken only under the supervision of a knowledgeable healthcare provider.
