Posted on Mon, Feb 15, 2010
by Cathy Scoblionko MSN, ANP-BC
After working as a nurse on the oncology unit in the hospital (many years ago) and then as a home care nurse, I realized that intervention at that point was too late and it made more sense to prevent problems and disease. The USA has epidemics of chronic diseases such as cardiac disease, diabetes, asthma, and obesity, to name a few. These diseases are often preventable and can be treated better than has been the norm. As a nurse practitioner working in primary care I could educate and care for patients at an earlier point. However, I soon found out that the traditional system in which I was educated did not have answers to many questions and people often did not get well.
A Holistic Health Approach
Using a holistic approach means that I use allopathic (traditional) medicine, Chinese medicine theory, diet and lifestyle management, herbal medicine, and homeopathic medicine among others. All have their place in the quest for health. There are limitless specialists to whom to refer for a multitude of other modalities. Each specialist has chosen his or her passion and developed the skills to be the best he can be in that realm.
The Patient as Partner
The role of the patient is to become a partner in his or her own journey toward health. There are some important questions to ask yourself when deciding to take charge of the health of your mind, body, spirit and emotional selves: What makes sense and resonates with you? Who do you trust? What do you know about the different traditional, alternative, complementary, and integrative approaches that are available? How do you find out what you need to know? How much time, money, and energy are you willing to invest in your current and future health? How good is your support system? How much encouragement do you have?
To be healthy means more than just that the whole you is free of disease. The whole person: body, mind, spirit, and emotions are optimally healthy. That is holistic health and it only makes sense to practice that way.
Cathy Scoblionko MSN, RN is a Masters prepared Board Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP-BC) at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, an integrative medicine and dental center serving the Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia metropolitan area. Her areas of specialty are holistic primary care, women's health, and anti-aging.
Posted on Tue, Feb 09, 2010
by Michelle Janbakhsh DDS
Teeth sensitivity or "dentinal hypersensitivity" is one of the most painful and chronic dental conditions with a prevalence of 4%-57% in general populations and an even higher prevalence in periodontal patients (60%-90%). Patients usually complain of chronic or recurring pain upon drinking cold beverages, hot foods, or breathing in and out. Pain is sharp and short, and lasting irrespective of the stimulus. Women may be affected more than men. It can affect all teeth but canines and premolars are reported to be affected the most often. Exposed root surfaces due to gum recession are a major predisposing factor to tooth sensitivity.
Dentin is one of the four major components of the teeth. It is the most abundant tissue that determines size and shape of the teeth. Dentin is found under the enamel in the crown. It is made up of many tubules that radiates from the pulp (nerve) to the surface. These tubules contain nerve fibers that are responsible for sensation of pain. In an open dental tubule any change in the surface (e.g. temperature change) will perceive as pain in the tooth. A sensitive tooth has more open tubules per surface area compared to a non-sensitive tooth.
What causes tooth sensitivity?
Dentinal hypersensitivity can have multiple etiologies, or causes. Certain conditions such as decays, defective fillings, fractured or cracked teeth or gingival conditions should be ruled out.
Gum recession, tooth brush abrasion, picking at the cervical area of the teeth with finger nails, poor oral hygiene and leaving bacterial plaque on the root surface, and overzealous brushing can leave the teeth sensitive. Exposure to acidic foods and beverages, ingestion of chlorinated pool water, GI reflux disease, bulimia as well as bruxism (clenching) can contribute to dental hypersensitivity.
Reduced salivary flow (hyposalivation) and dry mouth (xerostomia) are also a risk factor for cavities and tooth demineralization and may exacerbate sensitive teeth. Hyposalivation may be due to medical conditions, and it is also a side effect of more than 500 over the counter and prescription drugs.
Treatment Options
Correct brushing technique to prevent further loss of dentin, and avoid brushing teeth immediately after ingesting acidic food. Avoid picking or scratching at the gum line.
Use an over the counter tooth paste that contains 5% potassium nitrate (e.g. Sensodyne), which acts by decreasing the excitability of the nerve fiber in the dentinal tubule. These pastes may take up to 3-4 weeks to show effectiveness.
Professionally dispensed pastes such as MI paste and Proclude can help seal and clog the dentinal tubules. Oral sprays such as Mist Oral that contains CoQ10, green tea extract, propolis extract, and Vitamin K can support healthy gum and would be a good adjunct to the above pastes.
In office treatment options may include:
a) sealing the areas affected with bonding
b) polishing teeth with Proclude paste containing arginine that binds to the surface dentin and blocks the tubules
c) use of ozone trays that also acts by blocking the tubules and desensitizing the teeth
d) gingival grafting (surgical procedure)
As a part of the routine holistic dental exam the severity of teeth sensitivity should be addressed, diagnosed, and treatment options discussed. It is important to then follow up and reevaluate the therapeutic results during each recall appointment.
Michelle Janbakhsh, DDS, is a holistic dentist at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, a integrative medicine and holistic dental center serving the Washington,DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia metro area. Known as Dr. Jan to her patients, she practices integrative medical dentistry and treats the whole person.
Posted on Mon, Feb 01, 2010
Were you aware that non-organic fruits such as peaches, strawberries and imported grapes are some of the most contaminated produce you can buy?
After analyzing over 85,000 government tests, the Environmental Working Group dubbed twelve fruits and vegetables the "dirty dozen." So named because they're the most likely to contain pesticide residue, some of the "dirty dozen" can have dozens of different pesticides on them at once.
Of course, organic is your best option when buying produce. But, when you can't go organic, take note of what you're putting into your cart to make sure you're not getting more than you bargained for!
Here is the complete list of "dirty dozen" items that I recommend you purchase only if they're grown organically:
Peaches
Apples
Bell peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Kale
Lettuce
Imported grapes
Carrots
Pears
In addition to naming the Dirty Dozen, the Environmental Working Group identified the "Clean Fifteen". These are the fruits and vegetables that contain the least amount of pesticides even when they're not specifically organic. They are:
Onion
Avocado
Sweet corn
Pineapple
Mango
Asparagus
Sweet peas
Kiwi
Cabbage
Eggplant
Papaya
Watermelon
Broccoli
Tomatoes
Sweet potatoes
This information is so valuable to health, healing and weight loss that I've included an entire section on "Going Organic" in my holistic nutrition weight-loss program, "3 Months To Sexy, Slim and Energized for 2010".
This unique coaching course is an up-to-date health and energy management program which can be done from the comfort of your own home!
It includes twelve 60-minute recorded classes, twelve 30-minute live Q&A sessions and one 30-minute 1-on-1 session with me in which we discuss your progress and formulate an action plan for the future.
In our twelve weekly sessions we address topics such as:
To Eat or Not to Eat: Meat
Organic vs. Chemical-Treated Foods
Breakfast Solutions For People on the Go
Making the Switch from Processed to All-Natural
How to Love the Foods that Love You Back
Find out what's been keeping you overweight and tired. Get healthy, delicious recipes for eating in and resources for when you want to eat out. Discover your body's needs and learn how to meet them for now and forever.
LATE ENROLLMENT ENDS TUESDAY FEBRUARY 2ND, 2010!
Check out the program and sign up now:
Weight Loss For Tired People
Eve Colantoni, CHC, is the lead Nutrition and Wellness educator at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, a leading integrative medicine and dental center serving the Washington DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia metropolitan area, and founder and director of the Weight Loss for Tired People Nutrition Program.