wellness messages
The following article was featured on a CBS affiliate. While it may be out of the box thinking for many, it is a way of life for some. Please continue on the end for commentary. Chiropractors Treating Kids To Fight Infections Feb 13, 2007 4:53 pm US/Central Karen Borta Reporting (CBS 11 News) Next to the common cold, ear infections are the most commonly diagnosed childhood illness in the United States. More than three out of four children have had at least one ear infection by the time they`re three. As a nation we spend more money on healthcare than any other, yet the World Health Organization ranks the health of Americans at 37th! Perhaps we are simply spending our healthcare dollars in the wrong way! Isn`t it time to start living a healthier lifestyle? Come on over to our Wellness Culture . . . we`ll be sure to take real good care of you! Dr. H. Are Acid-Suppressing Drugs Making You Sick There seems to be one extra case of pneumonia among every 100 people who take acid-suppressing drugs for one year. The finding comes from researcher Robert J.F. Laheij, PhD, of the University Medical Center St. Radboud in the
Lifestyle changes can reduce the risks of heartburn. They are: • Avoid foods and beverages that contribute to heartburn: chocolate, coffee, peppermint, greasy or spicy foods, tomato products, and alcoholic beverages. • Stop smoking • Lose weight • Eat slowly • Do not lie down after eating. How might these drugs cause infection? Exactly the same way they work, by suppressing stomach acid. Stomach acid is the body’s first line of defense against swallowed germs. The acid kills the bacteria and the viruses that cause pneumonia. Laheij’s team found the risk of severe pneumonia to be highest in the elderly. Children and people with weakened or suppressed immune systems were also at higher risk. There was also a greater risk of pneumonia in users of acid-suppressing drugs who had asthma or lung disease. If you’re taking acid-suppressing drugs, Martin says, it’s a good idea to know the early symptoms of pneumonia: • Fever, usually over 100.5 degrees and up. • Cough, especially a wet cough with phlegm production. • Chest pain, especially on one side, that is made worse with deep breathing. • Shortness of breath without exertion. Gregor says many doctors are prescribing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, Motrin, and Aleve, to relieve arthritis pain. These drugs have a small risk of causing stomach ulcers, but doctors are prescribing acid suppressing drugs along with them. What I love so much about chiropractic is that it helps the body heal itself from the inside out - without drugs. Combined with the lifestyle changes that the Creating Wellness System provides, you are giving yourself the best possible chance for a long and healthy life.
For years, parents have depended on an antibiotic to cure the pain. But now doctors are warning about the overuse of antibiotics. In some cases they are advising parents to take a wait-and-see approach to find out if the infection clears on its own.
Now some parents are trying to stop the infections before they start. How?
They are taking their kids to see chiropractors who specialize in children.
Dr. Peter Martone is one of those doctors. "Chiropractic care is simply the art and science of aligning the spine to take pressure off the nerve and ultimately allow the body to heal itself," he explained.
Susan Lekborg says her son Cooper suffered from chronic ear infections and traditional treatments did little to ease his suffering. "We were up all night, he was miserable, cranky," she said, remembering the long, sleepless nights. "He was on antibiotics all winter and it just wasn`t helping. It would go away and come back, go away and come back," she said.
Feeling frustrated and helpless she went to a chiropractor. "I`ll be honest, I was a little skeptical, nervous about a chiropractor adjusting my baby," she said.
But after only one treatment he started feeling better.
Dr. Maronte says adjusting Cooper`s spine helps prevent fluid from building up in his ears. "So what happens with the adjustment, it allows for those ear canals to open up and the ears will drain, preventing any ear infection," he explained.
There are some pediatricians who are skeptical about chiropractic care. Others think it may be worth a try. Pediatrician Linda Nelson said there`s a lot about the body doctors just don`t understand. "I`m very open to anything that`s benign," she said. "And it`s certainly isn`t going to hurt the child."
Susan Lekborg says it`s worked for her children. "This will be their third winter, no antibiotics, no Tylenol, no Motrin. They`re clean. I just feel like they`re healthier," she said.
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