urinary tract Infection What is Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) ?

Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s) are a serious health problem affecting millions of people every year. It is a common infection and occurs when bacteria enter the opening of the urethra due to various causes. From there they travel up the urinary tract and multiply. Women contract more bladder infections than men. Although doctors are unsure why, they believe it is due to the shorter length of the urethra. Although bladder infections aren’t serious if treated quickly, they can cause damage if left untreated. Some patients experience recurrent or chronic bladder infections.

The body has natural defenses to help prevent bacterial infections; however, sometimes the bacteria grow faster than the body is able to kill it. This is especially true when a patient has a compromised immune system or other chronic medical problems.

Causes for Recurrent or Chronic Bladder Infections

There are numerous causes as to why some patients are more prone to bladder infections. Kidney disorders or bladder problems can cause urine to not drain properly causing a buildup in the bladder. When buildup occurs, it offers a perfect place for bacteria to flourish. Kidney stones or stones in the bladder also increase the risk for chronic bladder infections.

Low levels of estrogen in women and testosterone in men can contribute to an increased number of urinary tract infections. When levels are low, the urinary tract weakens allowing for an increasing number of bladder infections to occur. Many female patients report an increased number of bladder infections after sexual intercourse. This may occur due to the bacteria being pushed into the urethra or if there is slight damage to the urethra, allowing bacteria to thrive.

When diagnosed with a UTI most people are treated with antibiotics. This usually kills the infection effectively. However, it can leave the bladder prone to even more bacterial invasion. Research indicates that 10 to 20 per cent of women return to their doctor with a new bladder infection within 12 months of being treated with an antibiotic. The reason for this may be that these medicines do kill off the “bad” bacteria causing the infection, but they also destroy the “good” bacteria (probiotics) that we all have in our system which we need to fight off infections. Also, anything else that weakens the immune system, such as stress, diabetes, or a poor diet, increases the likelihood of a urinary tract infection.

Helpful hints for prevention of Urinary Tract Infections Urinary Tract Infection

1. Drink at least 6-8 cups of purified water every day.

2. Drink cranberry juice daily. Cranberry juice prevents bacteria from clinging to the linings of the bladder and urethra.

3. Natural diuretics that help flush out infection include watermelon, celery, or parsley (fresh or as juices). Eat a diet rich in these vegetables.

4. Avoid refined sugar products as they depress the immune system and encourage the growth of bacteria.

5. Also some food allergies can cause recurring bladder infections. Common allergies include cow’s milk, citrus fruit, and wheat. Elimination or reduction of food allergies may be especially important if you have recurrent or chronic problems.

6. Eat one cup (250 ml) unsweetened greek yogurt or other cultured product or use probiotics every day. These foods help return “good” bacteria to your body.

7. If antibiotics are needed, increase all of the above guidelines including probiotics through the course of the therapy.

Discuss your health in depth with your doctor to figure out what else can be done to eliminate these troublesome infections altogether from your life which should be devoted to living it the way you want to and not be bogged down with these constant health frustrations.

 

Are you suffering from Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)?  Please call us and set up an appointment with our integrative physician.

We gladly serve Northern Virginia including Fairfax, Loudoun, Alexandria, and Prince William counties, Washington DC metro area, and Maryland.

Mood Disorders What are Mood Disorders?

A mood disorder is characterized by abnormalities in a person’s emotional state. It encompasses several psychological disorders, including bipolar disorder and depression. The patient’s emotional state is often inconsistent with their circumstances. There are many things that can cause a mood disorder, including psychological and physiological issues. In addition to bipolar disorder and clinical depression, there are two other mood disorders. These are cyclothymic disorders and dysthymic disorders.

Cyclothymic Disorders 

Cyclothymic disorders cause ups and downs similar to a bipolar disorder; however, the ups and downs are not as extreme. During the high phase of this disorder, patients may experience euphoria, inflated self-esteem, aggressive behavior, agitation, risky behavior and racing thoughts. During the lows of this disorder, patients may experience suicidal thoughts, sleep problems, fatigue, hopelessness and loss of interest.

Dysthymic Disorders

Dysthymic disorder is a chronic form of depression; however, it is not as severe as clinical depression. During episodes of dysthymia, patients may experience sadness, fatigue, hopelessness, irritability, poor appetite and feelings of guilt. In children, symptoms can include poor social skills, low self-esteem, poor educational performance, ADHD and learning and developmental disorders in addition to the symptoms listed above.

Bipolar Disorders

Many people call bipolar disorder a manic depressive disorder because it is associated with intense mood swings. Patient’s mood swings can occur a couple of times each year or they can happen several times each day. Additionally, some patients may experience depression and mania at the same time. Symptoms of bipolar disorders are similar to cyclothymic disorders; however, the symptoms are more intense.

Clinical Depression

Clinical depression affects how patients think, feel and interact with others. Many sufferers have trouble doing day to day tasks and Mood Disorders may think life is not worth living. Clinical depression is much more than a few days of feeling sad. Patients suffering with depression may feel an emptiness that cannot be filled, experience appetite changes, have thoughts of suicide, suffer with physical pain and can no longer find pleasure in activities that they once enjoyed.

Causes of Mood Disorders

Physicians do not know the exact cause of a mood disorder; however, researchers have found that changes in the brain occur during a mood disorder. Some patients exhibit changes in serotonin levels, dopamine levels and norepinephrine levels in the brain. These neurotransmitters send signals to the synaptic passages in the brain that controls emotions. Additionally, traumatic events can cause a mood disorder. During a traumatic event, the mind utilizes any means necessary to cope with the event. Oftentimes, a traumatic event can change the chemical makeup of the brain.

Risk Factors for Mood Disorders

One of the primary causes of mood disorders is alcohol or drug abuse. The toxic substances can cause changes in the brain, which can result in mood disorders. These drugs include opioids, sedatives, hallucinogens, amphetamines and cocaine. These substances can cause a variety of mental disorders, including clinical depression and bipolar disorder.

Family history, sleep disorders, traumatic events and medications can also cause mood disorders. The term mood disorder encompasses mild depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), anxiety as well as bipolar disorder and clinical depression. Patients with mood disorders have inconsistent moods, such as mania and hypomania. During a manic stage, patients will exhibit feelings of euphoria, impulsiveness and racing thoughts. During hypomania, patients may feel fatigued, depressed and have suicidal thoughts.

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Are you suffering from mood disorders?  Please call us at (571)529-6699 and set up an appointment with our integrative physician.

We gladly serve Northern Virginia including Fairfax, Loudoun, Alexandria, and Prince William counties, Washington DC metro area, and Maryland.

Staying healthy in winterThe winter is a time for hibernation. Our bodies want to slow down, our energy is a little lower, we want to sleep more, we want warm, heartier foods. Leaves have fallen, animals are hibernating, plants are underground, nighttime comes sooner. How can we be in harmony in the Winter? By recognizing and accepting our connection to nature. The answer is around us. In Chinese Medicine, Winter is the season of the Kidney organ. The Kidneys house the root of our energy – the energetic fire that activates all our body’s functions. The cold weather drives this “fire” deeply inward, where the body can conserve this energy so it is important to protect ourselves from cold. Make sure to protect the lower back area where the Kidneys are located. Wear lots of layers- a scarf, hat, and gloves. Protect yourself from the wind, especially wind hitting the back of your neck and your lower back.

The foods to eat are the ones that naturally grow in the Winter. Squashes, root vegetables, winter greens, mushrooms, apples, pears and citrus fruits. Foods harvested in the fall and dried for the winter include nuts, beans and grains. Fermented vegetables are a naturally preserved food that are wonderful to add beneficial enzymes and healthy bacteria to our diet. In the Winter our body needs warm foods- so soups made from vegetables and rich stocks made from animal bones are nourishing in this season. Drink warm herbal teas throughout the day to keep warm. As for cooking methods, it is best to bake, roast, stew and slow-cook foods in the Winter. Warming spices such as cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom are delicious to add to recipes. In Traditional Chinese Medicine we don’t recommend very hot spicy food in the Winter because these foods create sweating, which is actually a cooling process. However, a small pinch of hot spice helps increase circulation, which is beneficial. So, add a small amount of pepper and other flavorful spices for taste, but avoid lots of hot spices.

Specific foods to nourish and warm the Kidneys include black beans, kidney beans, bone broths, lamb, chicken, walnuts, chestnuts, black sesame seeds and dark leafy greens. A small amount of unrefined sea salt added to home-cooked foods is also helpful since the taste associated with the Kidney organ is “salty.” Choose Celtic sea salt, french fleur de sel, and himalayan salt which contain beneficial minerals. Seaweeds also provide a salty quality when cooked in soups, grains and beans. Remember that we are always looking for balance. If we eat overly salty, high sodium foods from packaged, canned and restaurant foods, we will damage the kidneys from excess salt. So, we need to maintain moderation.

In the Winter it is healthiest to consume very little raw foods and definitely avoid cold temperature foods. The Winter is not the time for smoothies with frozen fruit and ice or for cold milk with cereal in the morning. Instead, eat warm grain porridges, eggs, toasted bread, and even warm soups. Iced foods and drinks are best avoided. Instead of cold, raw salads make delicious cooked salads with greens, roasted vegetables, and a flavorful dressing. Instead of sugary cold ice cream for dessert, I suggest baked apples and pears with cinnamon. You can add a drizzle of raw honey if you need some more sweetness.

Satisfy Winter cravings for fats by eating healthy fats instead of fried and packaged/processed foods. Eat fattier cuts of meat from local, grass-fed animals which contain a healthier balance of Omega 3 fats than grain-fed animals. Add whole fat organic coconut milk to soups, stews and curries. Organic butter, olive oil, and coconut oil are stable fats to include in the diet. To help digest fats, eat sauerkraut (eat this at room temperature instead of straight from the refrigerator) or other fermented vegetable with your food. Bitter leafy greens also help in the digestion of these heavier foods.

Winter is a time to slow down in all aspects of life. It is healthy to respect our need for more sleep. “Early to bed and late to rise” is the key to Winter. Winter is a time for introspection and planning, but not thinking too much. It’s a time to replenish our reserves through rest. Spring is the time for new ideas and manifesting our ideas into action. Winter is a time for staying home and resting- a time for our social life to be less active. It is recommended for physical activity to be less strenuous and intense. If you enjoy outdoor physical activity, wear layers, and protect yourself from the cold air. In Chinese Medicine, we always think about balance. If we stop moving completely, we can cause stagnation in which our energy doesn’t move properly. To prevent stagnation, we need to maintain balance. Social connections, activity and exercise are still important. If you are feeling overly tired and unmotivated, I suggest scheduling a Chinese Medicine consultation and acupuncture treatment to help move stagnant energy.

In order to experience the lively, dynamic energy of the spring (the time of re-birth), it is important for our bodies to slow down and experience our roots in winter (the metaphorical death). When we are in harmony with the seasons, we are naturally healthier.

Bone Broth Recipe

1 lb bones (beef, chicken, etc.) grass-fed and organic. After I roast a chicken, I store the carcass in the freezer until I’m ready to make bone broth.

¼ cup cider vinegar

Enough water to fill your crock pot so that the bones are submerged.

Put all ingredients in the crock pot and set on low, cooking for 48 hours.  Strain solids.  Drink 1 cup of bone broth 3 times per day. Bone broth can be kept refrigerated up to 5 days or store bone broth in freezer for up to 3 months. You can use the bone broth as your base broth and then add foods like carrots, kale, garlic, beans and mushrooms for a heartier soup.

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