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Do food sensitivities affect your child's asthma? (The case of 11 year old Sean.)

Do food sensitivities affect your child’s asthma?  (The case of 11 year old Sean*) 

March 21, 2018
2
0
Adolescents 13-18, Children 5-12

Mary and Jeff grew concerned when their 11-year old son, Sean,* was waking up multiple nights a week gasping for air necessitating albuterol treatments. This was a pattern that was getting increasingly worse during peaks of allergy season over the past few years. Even on his short and long acting bronchodilators, steroids and allergy medications, his asthma would worsen. Sean was equally frustrated as his asthma was causing him to lose sleep and made it hard for him to skateboard outside. Asthma is common and growing. With a staggering 8% of children in the US struggle with asthma1 and the number growing2...

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Food allergies & Breastfeeding - is my baby reacting to something I'm eating? From Naturopathic Pediatrics.

Food Allergies and Breastfeeding: Is my baby reacting to something I’m eating?

February 12, 2018
9
1
Babies 0-2, breastfeeding

My baby is exclusively breastfed and has never eaten solids, but seems to react to my milk. What could be causing it? Proteins from the foods you eat are passed to your baby through your breastmilk and may be causing an allergic or hypersensitivity reaction. The foods that most commonly cause these reactions in young children are cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, gluten, soy, tree nuts, corn, fish, and shellfish. The allergies show up as digestive issues, skin rashes, and respiratory concerns, and often with multiple symptoms at once.1,2 If you or close family members have food allergies, your baby is more...

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Nipping Winter Nosebleeds - a naturopathic approach. From NaturopathicPediatrics.com

Nipping Winter Nosebleeds – A Naturopathic Approach

January 24, 2018
3
0
Children 5-12

  It’s not uncommon for children to experience nosebleeds in the winter.  The blood vessels that line your child’s nose are extremely delicate.  When air temperature and moisture drop in the winter this can dry out the nasal passages.  This leads to tiny cracks and crusting, which can cause those little blood vessels to swell and break open1,2. These small blood vessels can also break open due to inflammation from a cold, or even just by blowing a dry nose in the winter. While minor nosebleeds can be safely treated at home, more serious nosebleeds should be assessed by your naturopathic doctor...

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Accidental needle sticks and the opioid epidemic - is your child at risk? From Naturopathic Pediatrics.

Accidental Needle Sticks and the Opioid Epidemic: is your child at risk?

January 10, 2018
3
0
Adolescents 13-18, Children 5-12, Toddlers 2-4

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Perhaps you've heard that we are in the midst of the "opioid epidemic."  But do you know what that means for your child? What is the opioid epidemic? Many people in this country have become addicted to pain killers (opioids).  According to the NIH, more than 90 Americans die every day after an opioid overdose. Some people taking prescription pain killers will eventually turn to heroin (also an opioid).  For more information on the details of this crisis and how it came about, read this article. Why does it matter to me and my kids? There are three main reasons...

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5 Reasons to Take Probiotics During Pregnancy

December 11, 2017
4
1
Pregnancy

Probiotics are the “good” bacteria or microorganisms that live in and on our bodies. We actually have more bacteria living in us than we do cells! Probiotics live in our digestive tract and perform a number of functions like helping us digest food and communicating with our immune system to fend off bad bacteria. Probiotics are one of the supplements that I routinely recommend to pregnant women that I see in my practice because they offer so many benefits to Mom and baby. Probiotics are naturally found in fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut (my favorite!), kimchi, kombucha, and kefir. I encourage...

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A #naturopathic approach to cyclic vomiting and abdominal migraines.

Why So Many Belly Aches? Cyclic Vomiting and Abdominal Migraines

November 22, 2017
3
0
Adolescents 13-18, Children 5-12

Recurring and prolonged abdominal pain and vomiting are, unfortunately, not uncommon in kids. Often, they occur together, although a child may have pain without vomiting. What are Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome and Abdominal Migraines? The terms Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS) and Abdominal Migraines (AM) refer to two different conditions that have a lot in common, including recurring pain and possibly vomiting. Another thing they share is that they both often occur in children of migraine sufferers. If your child vomits in the absence of illness with any sort of regularity, it might be CVS. If your child complains of abdominal pain with any sort...

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Seven Ways to Kick Athlete’s Foot

November 1, 2017
2
0
Adolescents 13-18, Herbal Medicine, Naturopathic Tricks and Tips

Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is caused by a fungus. Because fungi like to grow in warm, damp, dark climates, the infection often strikes in athletes, who tend to have sweaty feet stuck in tight-fitting shoes for long periods of time. The rash can affect non-athletes as well, however, and can also be spread from person-to-person via unwashed clothes, shared towels, and even contaminated floors. The scaly, itching rash typical of athlete’s foot can appear between the toes (most commonly in the webbing between the fourth toe and pinky toe), on the toenails, or even on the hands. It...

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Why we have to STOP telling our kids Sugar Is Bad.

Why we have to stop telling our kids that sugar is “bad”

October 27, 2017
3
5
Nutrition

I recently saw a video shared social media that praised a mother for strictly keeping her kids away from sugar. I won’t post it here, but it labelled her as the “Anti-Fat Mom” and the person that shared it suggested we should all try and be more like her. Ok, this got me all fired up and I’ve got a LOT to say about this! We need to end fat phobia.  Bodies come in all shapes and sizes, largely determined by genetics. The research is pretty clear that diets don’t...

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Conquering #Celiac Disease. What to do if your child gets a diagnosis of Celiac. #Naturopathic.

Conquering Celiac Disease: What to Do When Your Child is Diagnosed with Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathy

September 20, 2017
3
2
Nutrition

What is Celiac Disease? Celiac disease (also called Celiac Sprue and Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathy) is an autoimmune condition that is triggered by contact with gluten, a protein found in some grains like wheat, rye, and barley. Autoimmune conditions are immune reactions where the body starts to attack its own tissues. In the case of celiac disease, the antibodies that are produced cause damage to the small intestine. The exact cause of celiac disease is not known, but like many things it seems to be a combination of genetics and...

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Lemon Balm - an herb you MUST have in your medicine cabinet. #Herbs. #Naturopathic.

Lemon Balm: An Herb You Must Have In Your Medicine Cabinet

September 13, 2017
3
10
Adolescents 13-18, Children 5-12, Herbal Medicine

Lemon balm is a gorgeous, vivacious, delicious smelling plant that flourishes all over the United States, though originally from Europe. It need only be planted once and comes back yearly, yielding high amounts of leaves. The fresh leaf or the dried leaf may be used to make infusions: strong medicinal tea. Lemon balm is in the Lamiaceae family, which is the same family as mint. Lemon balm tastes exactly as the name implies: like lemon. It isn’t quite like drinking lemon juice but rather it has a nice lemon-like flavor. This herb is a staple in my house and often comes up in...

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Top 4 #BackToSchool #Sleep tips

Top 4 Back to School Sleep Tips

September 7, 2017
2
0
Adolescents 13-18, Children 5-12

Wise Woman Herbals has amazing products to help you catch your Z's! Click here to learn more. Back to school is a time for packing lunches, meeting new teachers, and also getting back into a regular routine. Transitioning into a regular sleep routine once school starts can be difficult because of less restriction on sleep times in the summer, that later setting sun, and vacations that throw a sleep schedule out the window. Getting a good night’s sleep is important for a number of reasons including maintaining good energy throughout the school day, supporting concentration and focus in class, and good growth...

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Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream (Just 2 Ingredients!)

August 9, 2017
2
1
Adolescents 13-18, Children 5-12, Nutrition, Toddlers 2-4

We have a policy in our house: if a banana turns spotty or brown, it gets peeled and put in a glass container in the freezer. These frozen bananas come in handy for smoothies and peanut butter banana ice cream, an all time favorite among kids and adults alike. Ingredients: 4 ripe bananas 2 tablespoons organic peanut butter (preferably creamy) (Yep, just two ingredients!) Directions: Peel bananas and place in a plastic freezer bag or container. Freeze for 2+ hours. You can also slice them, for faster freezing. Place bananas in the blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Add in the peanut butter and blend to...

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"Dry What?" What you need to know about Dry or Secondary Drowning! Prevent deaths!

Dry What? What you need to know about Dry Drowning

July 13, 2017
3
0
Adolescents 13-18, Babies 0-2, Children 5-12, Toddlers 2-4

10 drowning deaths per day. Drowning is a far too common cause of death and disability in children.  The CDC reports than in an average year, over 3,500 children die from drowning.  That works out to 10 drowning deaths a day. Kids who are lucky enough to survive a drowning accident may suffer from brain damage that can lead to severe disabilities.  Furthermore, they may suffer from "dry" or "secondary" drowning, meaning they actually do die from suffocation, hours after the drowning event. What is "dry" drowning? So just what are "dry" and "secondary" drowning?  In dry drowning, the water ingested causes irritation and...

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Music Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorders

July 5, 2017
2
0
Adolescents 13-18, Children 5-12, Toddlers 2-4

Music therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorders? There are many studies showing how children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, or ASD are more likely than their peers to be musical prodigies. This is certainly something to consider in weighing the utility of music therapy among behavioral therapies offered to individuals with ASD. More compelling in the case for music therapy for ASD is the improvement of skills that all children gain with exposure to music. All children and adults benefit from the motor, sensory, academic, and cognitive skills strengthened by...

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Paleo banana blueberry muffins. #YUM!

Paleo Banana Blueberry Muffins

June 28, 2017
1
0
Children 5-12, Nutrition

These yummy paleo banana blueberry muffins are a healthy morning treat for the whole family. They are grain-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free, with just the right amount of sweetness. Even the pickiest of eaters will be sure to enjoy them. Because they are made with almond flour, almond butter, and eggs they also have a good amount of protein. These muffins are a favorite in my house and I hope they will become a favorite in yours too! Makes 15-18 muffins Ingredients: 3 very ripe bananas, peeled and mashed2 eggs1/4...

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How to find a safe, natural sunscreen for your child

June 14, 2017
3
0
Babies 0-2, Children 5-12, Toddlers 2-4, Uncategorized

Is sun exposure safe? While sunlight is wonderful for obtaining Vitamin D, which has many health benefits, the sun also has the potential to cause skin damage.  Right now the research is pretty clear that intermittent, intense sun exposure in childhood and adolescence is linked to melanoma.  Melanoma is the most dangerous of the 3 types of skin cancers.   Occupational or long-term (less intense) exposure to the sun does not appear to be linked to melanoma.  Interestingly, melanoma is less likely to develop on chronically sun-exposed areas like the face and hands, and usually appears on the back or legs. It’s important to prevent sunburns...

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What you need to know about Lead Exposure in children. From Naturopathic Pediatrics.

What You Need to Know About Lead Exposure in Children

May 31, 2017
1
0
Babies 0-2, Children 5-12, Toddlers 2-4

Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal that can be found in a variety of sources. Lead exposure is often associated with lead paint or high levels of lead found in drinking water in cities like Flint, Michigan. Both children and adults are exposed to lead, but children are particularly sensitive because their brains and nervous system are still developing. Lead sources beyond paint: Rates of lead poisoning in children have decreased as lead has been removed from paint and gasoline in the United States. However, lead can be found in the following sources: Pre-1978 homes (have you been remodeling?) Lead dust...

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Healthy Snacking for Kids (Tips and Tricks from a Naturopathic Physician) #Naturopathic #Pediatrics

Healthy Snacking For Kids (Tips and Tricks from a Naturopathic Physician)

May 17, 2017
2
0
Nutrition

  Why is it that when I walk into a day care snack time, I see kids eating pretzels, goldfish, crackers, or other variety of simple carb loaded with salt and almost void of nutrition?  Why, when kids gain the ability to feed themselves, do we swap their pureed veggies, fruits, meat, and grains, for crunchy, salty, refined white flour products in a plastic bag? Sure, I know that it's easier.  But is it even a conscious choice anymore?  Or have we all been lulled into forgetting the wise old adage that we are what we eat? Feed to nourish, not to fill Please...

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A #naturopathic approach to treating heartburn in #pregnancy

A Naturopathic Approach to Treating Heartburn in Pregnancy

May 4, 2017
2
0
Pregnancy

Most pregnant women experience some degree of heartburn during their pregnancy, often towards the end when that sweet little baby is making its presence known!  For some, it's a mild inconvenience after a large meal, for others it's more bothersome making sleeping and eating an unpleasant chore. Why am I getting heartburn? Heartburn is extremely common in pregnancy.  Many - or most - women will get heartburn in the last trimester of pregnancy when the baby puts pressure on the stomach, which can cause the stomach contents to be pushed up the esophagus. But some women can get heartburn even early on in...

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Dr. Teresa's Top 5 Kitchen Remedies for Kids! #Naturopathic

Dr. Teresa’s Top 5 Kitchen Remedies For Kids

April 27, 2017
2
1
Children 5-12

I absolutely love it when my child has a need I can address by walking into my kitchen or back yard. It’s so easy, and makes me feel so empowered. And these remedies work - quickly I might add! Plantain For Stings No, I’m not talking about that starchy treat that fries up so nicely in Caribbean food, but rather the weed that infiltrates my grass so prolifically (Plantago lanceolata). Grab a leaf, chew it up a bit (this is technically referred to as a “spit poultice”) and throw it on the sting (after removing the stinger of course). This has been...

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Did you know you can use a naturopathic physician for your child's pediatrician?

What to expect at your newborn’s well-visit with a naturopathic doctor

April 19, 2017
2
1
Babies 0-2

I love to see newborns in my practice and to be a part of this special time in a family’s life! As a naturopathic doctor, my newborn visits (and other well-child visits) are similar to any standard pediatrician, except my visits are typically longer. I spend a whole 45 minutes face-to-face with families, which allows me ample time to answer questions and concerns, as well as to review preventative care techniques for newborns or children. When should newborns go to the doctor? The timeline for well-visits depends on where the baby was born. If a baby was born in a local hospital,...

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