Patient Results

A patient that was in the office yesterday suggested that I post stories from patients who have gotten great results with their treatment plans. This would encourage people that are in at the start or middle of a treatment plan, or help people come in (she's had a hard time convincing her friends to go ahead and make an appointment).  So  here are two stories, just from yesterday and today of patients who have had great results from their treatment plans:

the first patient works in a beauty salon as a nail technician.  She had recently started getting red swollen rashes on her face.  In addition she had numbness and tingling sensations in her hands. She also felt tired in the mornings and on days off but managed to rally on workdays, having good energy throughout the day when needed. In addition to being around hair chemicals, laquers and nail polish thinners daily, she was in the process of renovating her kitchen, stripping and sanding her cupboards herself.  She was taking no medications or supplements at the time.

I tested her for environmental sensitivities and she was sensitive to solvents, turpentine, mold, dust, and spices.  Certainly these could cause an allergic skin reaction and a buildup of toxins could explain the neuropathy (numbness and tingling) in her hands.  The numbness could also have been a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome (which is usually caused by lack of B vitamins) or a pinched nerve in the neck.

I did an NAET allergy treatment for solvents, put her on a supplement that aids the detoxification of solvents from the body, a high dose B complex, and gave her a homeopathic remedy that matched the stinging, hot, red rashes.  I instructed her to come in for more allergy elimination treatments and a follow up.  I didn't hear from her for six months.

She came in yesterday saying that the reason she hadn't been back was that her symptoms were resolved!  The homeopathic had worked immediately for the rash so she had come in to the office to purchase more of it.  Her numbness and tingling were gone and when I mentioned the fatigue, she didn't even remember that it had been a complaint in the first place.  The reason she came back was she had a similar rash on her neck that had been on her face before.  I reminded her of the allergies we had not treated and we embarked on finishing the treatment plan.

Patient number two had originally come in for neck pain that was chronic for years.  She needed chiropractic adjustments monthly and massages weekly in order to keep the pain and tension down to a manageable level.  She was tired of maintaining this regimen and asked what I could do for longer term results or at least give her some advice on what she could do at home.  She had already done NAET allergy treatments in the past for hayfever and felt that her allergies were well under control.  She has a lot of work stress with long hours and knows that some of her neck tension comes from this but some from an unknown chronic problem.

Although she didn't want to explore allergies, some symptoms prompted me to think of metals.  We tested her and she was sensitive to metals. She was wearing a lot of metal jewelry--several earrings, a necklace, bracelets and a metal watch.  She also had a few amalgam fillings in her mouth which we discussed.  Her symptoms matched a certain homeopathic remedy often given for neck tension and pain.  We did an NAET treatment for metals and I gave her a dose of the homeopathic pellets. I instructed her to refrain from wearing metal jewelry for the time being and to do more metal treatments at home. I didn't hear from her for a month.

She called today to order more of the homeopathic. It had worked incredibly overnight.  She had awaken the day after our visit without any neck pain or tension at all.  She used a second dose of the homeopathic I gave her a week or so later and felt that it really released the tension and pain immediately.  She was pleased that homeopathic medicine is so inexpensive and without side effects and can be taken at home as often as needed.  She had been really afraid that going to a naturopathic doctor would mean embarking on a really expensive and lengthy treatment plan.

I had to update this blogpost a few hours later to include another great patient result today.  The third patient is an 11 year old girl diagnosed with autoimmune iritis and idiopathic juvenile arthritis.  She also had headaches daily.  She had been put on a strong dosage of steroids, methotrexate, and an experimental medicine.  It took a year to find this drug cocktail to make the iritis calm down. Every time they tried to cut back on the steroids, her iritis came back.  Mom really wanted her to come off of the steroids since it was causing weight gain, stretch marks, and fatigue.

On the first visit, we found allergies to gluten, casein, DNA, pollen, and flowers. The gluten was most likely to be causing the headaches and autoimmune condition.  I put her on a gluten free dairy free diet.   I suggested tapering off the steroids after being on the diet for 2 weeks.  They came back after three weeks to get an NAET allergy treatment for casein so she could add dairy back into her diet.

At the return visit at 4 weeks, the girl had no headaches and no iritis even though they had completely discontinued steroids.  Their M.D. insisted she stay on the experimental drug since she was in a study which paid for the drug, and he decreased the methotrexate by 20%.  We talked about tapering off methotrexate and started NAET treatments for DNA.

Now ideally, for all of these patients the first visits would be the start of a health journey in which we address various symptoms, health concerns, and lifestyle factors as quickly as possible and end up with a much healthier patient in the end. Many times when the initial complaints the patient came in for are remedied, as in the patients above, they don't come back for a long time.  It's important to remember all of your health concerns and stick with a doctor, being sure to come in for follow ups so they know how you're doing and can prevent as well as treat other illnesses that arise.  Even so, the above cases are very encouraging that naturopathic medical care really works, sometimes even with the very first treatment plan.

If you're still not sure if naturopathic medicine is right for you, come in for a free 15 minute consult where you can ask more questions about the services offered, whether your insurance covers our visits, and more.  360-573-2273.  Go to www.drsherylwagner.com    for more information.

Latex Allergy and Reaction Triggers

Latex Allergy

Many people know they are sensitive to latex. Others don't know why they get rashes, scaly skin, or itchiness.  This is because some allergic reactions can happen 12 to 36 hours after exposure to latex (or other allergens).  Latex allergies can be:
delayed
immediate
anaphylactic

Symptoms can include redness, itchy skin, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, itchy watery eyes, swelling, itchy throat, swelling of the mouth, tongue or throat, wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, vomiting, diarrhea, and sudden pale skin.  The more life threatening symptoms happen right away, giving away the allergy, but the rash and itchiness can occur hours later.  I have also seen tics stimulated by allergy to latex.

People often do not realise they have been exposed to latex.  Common sources of latex exposure are medical gloves, condoms, balloons, Bandaids, rubber balls such as basketballs, athletic shoes, carpeting, rubber bands, disposable diapers, swim goggles, motorcycle and bicycle hand grips, and some soft sided above ground pools.

Not all latex is natural latex. Many latex paints and memory foam mattresses are not natural latex and will not cause an allergic reaction.  However some are.  Some car interiors have latex in the dash covers, floor mats and in carpet backing.

Foods can also stimulate a latex allergic reaction.  Some food proteins cross react with latex antibodies.  Foods with high incidence of causing allergic reactions in latex sensitive people are: bananas, avocado, chestnut and kiwi.  A smaller incidence of this has been noted with apple, carrot, celery, papaya, potato, tomato, and melons.

If your or your child's symptoms seem difficult to predict, it may be a latex allergy with hidden sources of latex exposure as well as cross reactivity to foods which stimulate a latex response.  Luckily, in our office, we can test for allergy to latex as well as to foods.  In addition we can do an allergy treatment (no shots!) to decrease and eliminate the allergy.  Call today! 360-573-2273

NAET

NAET

Just got back from the annual NAET Symposium.  NAET practitioners from all over the world attended, hailing from Europe, India, Japan, and Australia.  NAET, short for Nambudripads Allergy Elimination Technique, was created by Dr. Devi Nambudripad in 1983.  She used to be allergic to most foods and discovered that a simple accupressure treatment could clear an allergy.  She has trained people in this technique for over 20 years.  Over 12,000 practitioners have learned to do NAET worldwide. Many practitioners at the symposium gave talks on patient cases or how they are using NAET in their practices.  All of us have seen allergic responses such as hayfever and skin conditions completely eliminated by NAET.  However, two doctors had particularly interesting presentations.

One doctor from India uses NAET with HIV positive orphans.  Normally babies born HIV positive suffer from poor growth, chronic illness and repeated infections.  With NAET, Sister Naina has brought the children out of sickness and into wellness.  Despite their HIV status remaining, the children are healthy, grow well, and do not even get the colds and coughs that non-HIV positive children get.  This is without anti-viral medication. What a success!

You can donate to the non-profit organization supporting the treatment of these orphans by clicking the link below:
http://www.naet-europe.com/en/naet-association.html

Children in developed countries are suffering from an different epidemic: autism.  Another presenter gave his report on a scientific study he recently published regarding the treatment of autistic children with NAET.  The study had a treatment group and a control group.  23 out of 29 autistic children treated with NAET recovered enough to be mainstreamed into regular classes at school.  Here is an interview shown on Fox News about that study:



NAET can be used for almost any disease.  Many symptoms we don't consider to be allergic responses stem from sensitivities to foods, chemicals, substances, and even emotions and other people.  The week of the conference, I had been experiencing muscle tightness in my neck on the right side and neck pain.  On day four of my trip, we moved to a hotel for the conference, an accupuncturist in the vendor area that day gave me a treatment in my neck which completely released the muscle tension and resolved the pain.  The same day I also started to use the pens provided by the hotel.  My neck felt better the entire day and into the next.  Halfway through the next day, I lost my hotel pen, which happened to be all plastic, so I reached into my purse for the pen I had been using--a pen with both plastic and metal on the outside.

After taking notes with my pen for about an hour, I began to experience a return of my neck pain.  Also the muscles along the thumb and forefinger were crampy and sore.  Could this be an allergy to the pen?  I had my neighbor, another NAET practioner, test me and sure enough, I was allergic (or sensitive) to the metal on the pen.  I switched back to an all plastic pen and the soreness in my hand as well as the neck pain disappeared.  Now I need to get treated with NAET for sensitivity to metals.  I can't begin to think how many massages, accupuncture treatments or chiropractic visits I may have had if I kept using that pen! It would also be a good idea to check sensitivities to jewelry I wear--perhaps some of my necklaces or earings have been creating neck pain by local contact with the metal to which I'm allergic.

To find out more about NAET, read "Say Goodbye to Illness" by Dr. Nampudripad.  This book is available at our office or on Amazon.com.  Or if you're ready to get tested and treated, call our office at 360-573-2273.  For more locations and information, go to www.drsherylwagner.com.    If you are not in the Northwest near either of my offices, go to www.NAET.com to find a practitioner in your area.

MTHFR Genetic Mutations--is it the cause of your disease?

     
  MTHFR

Much information has come to light about the prevalence of genetic mutations causing decreased levels of active folate in the human body.  Lack of folate used to be thought of only as the cause of serious birth defects such as spina bifida and cleft palate.  These defects are commonly caused by lack of folate in the diet which is the main reason these birth defects are mostly seen in lesser developed countries where quality food is scarce for poor people.

However, we now realise that genetic mutations altering the absorption and processing of folic acid from the diet cause decreased folate in the body and lead to many diseases we are seeing on the rise in developed countries today: autism, IBS, infertility, cardiovascular disease, cancer, fibromyalgia, and schizophrenia to name a few.  Each person has two genes affecting the metabolism of folate in the body. Both of these genes have two copies, one from the father and one from the mother.  If both genes in a person have one mutation or one gene has two mutations, the activity of folate in the body is severely decreased, especially in diets low in folate.  Folate is abundant in romaine lettuce, spinach, asparagus, turnip greens, mustard greens, calf liver, parsley, collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, and lentils.  These are obviously not foods high on the list of "favorites" for most americans.  Many people don't even know how to cook things like beets and mustard greens.  This is one reason why diseases caused by these mutations are on the rise.

Since folate is needed for RNA and DNA replication, many processes in the body happening at the mitochondrial level don't happen as efficiently as necessary.  These processes are responsible for energy production, red blood cell production, detoxification, recycling of homocysteine, and more.

For a detailed scientific explanation, click here

MTHFR genetic mutation and IBS, fibromyalgia Story



There is a simple genetic test costing only $150 that can find these genetic mutations.  It is highly valuable to anyone wanting to get pregnant or has experienced the above diseases in themselve or their close relatives.  I urge everyone to get tested. People with more complex diseases such as Autism, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia should get a complete genomic profile test that costs $385.  This will check a variety of genetic mutations that affect many processes in the body explained by the first link given above ("scientific explanation").

Call the office if you'd like to explore these questions with us at 360-573-2273 in Vancouver and 360-353-3822 in Longview, WA.

^ Frosst P, Blom HJ, Milos R, Goyette P, Sheppard CA, Matthews RG, Boers GJ, den Heijer M, Kluijtmans LA, van den Heuvel LP et al. (May 1995). "A candidate genetic risk factor for vascular disease: a common mutation in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase". Nat. Genet. 10 (1): 111–3. doi:10.1038/ng0595-111. PMID 7647779.
^ Skibola CF, Smith MT, Kane E, Roman E, Rollinson S, Cartwright RA, Morgan G' (October 1999). "Polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene are associated with susceptibility to acute leukemia in adults". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 96 (22): 12810–5.doi:10.1073/pnas.96.22.12810. PMC 23109. PMID 10536004.
^ "Meta-Analysis of All Published Schizophrenia-Association Studies (Case-Control Only) for rs1801133 (C677T) polymorphism, MTHFR gene". Schizophrenia Research Forum. Retrieved 2007-03-11.

Easy Gluten Free Crepes, Chocolate Banana or Blueberry

Some people think you have to have a special mix to make gluten free desserts or at least a bunch of different flours.  Not the case! I make these gluten free crepes all the time--for breakfast or dessert.  They are quick enough to make in the morning or after a meal--no planning necessary. The only "GF" product you need is brown rice flour.  I made them almost dairy free as well by using almond milk, but you can use any kind of milk you like.  Cow milk does make them a bit more "crepe-y"--more pliable, but most people won't know the difference no matter what milk you use.  They do have butter, so they are not truly dairy free.
To make crepes for two people, all you need is:

• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup brown rice flour or sorghum flour
• 1 egg
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1-2 teaspoons butter (if you are using a non-stick pan, 1 tsp should be enough)
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional substitute: Nutella)
• one banana 

Put 1/2 cup milk into a 2 cup measuring cup

Add 1/2 cup brown rice flour and 1/8 tsp salt

Add one egg and mix well

Add one Tablespoon of butter, melted.  If using a non-stick pan, you can cut butter in half.  I used an iron skillet.  Mix into batter well.

As you pour the batter into the pan, tilt the pan around so the small amount of batter you add will cover the bottom of the pan, making a thin crepe

When an edge is cooked enough to be pulled up, pick it up with your fingers and flip it over.  Cook only for about 10 seconds before taking it out of the pan. Set aside while you make the rest of the crepes.  Also in the meantime...

put some chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl and cook on high for 1 minute.

Stir until they are all melted.  Keep stirring, they will melt.  I don't know why people use double boilers anymore, microwaves are great for melting chocolate.

Assemble crepes.  Chocolate in the middle of the crepe, sliced bananas over that, then roll and turn over.

Top with chocolate and/or powdered sugar.  I didn't have any powdered sugar today.  

Here's a pic of sorghum crepes with blueberries on top.  I've found that sorghum flour works better with almond milk while brown rice flour works better with soymilk or regular milk.  To make the blueberry topping, put a cup of frozen blueberries, a splash of water,1 tablespoon sugar and 1/2 tsp cornstarch in a saucepan. Turn on medium high until it starts to boil, then turn down and simmer just until blueberries are warm and juice thickens.

I know some of you will say--this is full of sweet stuff, it can't be healthy!  Come on now, I know you eat sweet stuff all the time:  granola bars, cereal, juice, cookies, candy.  This dessert actually has no sugar beyond what is in the chocolate and the bananas.  Just because a person is gluten free, that doesn't mean they never get to eat dessert!  Here is a sneak peak at my upcoming cake episode on Eat Here Now, my gluten free cooking show...

Gluten Free Pineapple Upside Down Cake!

It's half gone because it's that good.  I made it last night.  Tune in soon!

Hidden effects of Mold

Got fatigue? Got Spring and Fall allergies? Got night sweats? Mold could be the source of your problem.

Two patients came to me this week, both with fatigue, both who had already made great lifestyle changes--special diets, more sleep, eliminated caffeine, taking beneficial supplements. Their fatigue would not go away, in fact, it was getting worse. They thought maybe it was hormones or low iron. However, testing for food and environmental sensitivities revealed that mold was their biggest problem.

 Mold is a big problem in the northwest. We think of mold as only being in old homes or damp enclosed spaces such as a basement. However out here one can see mold growing right on tree trunks along nature paths. Window sills are tough to keep mold free--even vinyl double-paned windows accumulate black mold during the winter months. Bathrooms and laundry rooms can easily breed mold in hidden places due to the high humidity when in use. Proper surface choices, including the right kinds of paint, wallpaper, grout, etc. as well as getting a renovation job done to code can make a big difference in whether or not these rooms have a problem later. Buying a house that has been renovated by the previous owner rather than a certified contractor may be a high risk.

 If you've bought a foreclosed house, mold could be an issue no matter how old the house was or what the estimated value of the home is. Moisture evaporates from homes with the aid of heating, air conditioning, and doors and windows opening on a regular basis. None of these things happen in foreclosed homes, sometimes for years.

Mold can cause longterm or short term problems. Some people will get hayfever such as sneezing and burning eyes from mold. Others will get skin conditions. Children often get asthma and adults may contract other types of long term respiratory problems from entering a house with a high mold count. This very thing has happened to countless people who have tried to rescue their homes in Louisiana post Katrina. Many people I've met have unexplainable fatigue, nausea, and headaches.

Taking allergy medicine or even getting allergies treated will not solve the problem if your house is infested with mold. In addition to creating an allergic response, molds can give off mycotoxins and microbial volatile organic compounds. Effects of mold in the northwest are often seen in the Spring and Fall when it is both wet enough to spread mold and warm enough for the mold to release spores. If your allergies or other health problems get worse in Spring, consider a mold problem.

Everyone should take these precautions in their homes:
1. Check window sills monthly for mold and clean them with a bleach solution
2. Make sure exhaust vents for clothes dryers are hooked up and free of lint plugs.
3. check under sinks for dripping pipes
4. Check shower and tub stalls for soft walls or cracked or missing caulking.
5. Occasionally check walls behind furniture such as bookcases or chests of drawers.
6. When trouble areas are found, remove all layers of damaged material to check subfloors and drywall for mold.
7. Check houseplants for mold on the soil.
8. find out if your refrigerator has a drain tray. This should be checked and emptied.
9. Check the air in the house with mold check kits (available at Home Depot). Do this before and after repairs and renovations.
10. Get the crawl space below your house checked for pools of water during the wet season.
11. make sure the outside of your house is in good condition including the roof, siding, rain gutters, and any roof additions such as skylights. Make sure the land next to your house slopes away from the foundation and that there are no sprinklers hitting the house directly and no plants prefering wet soil up against the house. 12. Do repairs correctly. This may require hiring a professional.

Splendiferous Cruciferous!

Cruciferous vegetables, also known as brassicas, are splendid indeed. Brassicas such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage, collard greens, kale, and kohlrabi may look unassuming, but they are powerhouses of phytonutrients that can protect against cancer.
Cruciferous veggies contain the sulphur compound glucosolinate. When glucosolinate is broken down, isothiocyanates and indol-3-carbinol are formed. Indole-3-carbinol helps break down and eliminate excess estrogens, preventing the development or growth of estrogen sensitive cancers. In addition, cruciferous vegetables contain folate, vitamin C, carotenoids, chlorophyll, fiber, flavinoids, lignans, and phytosterols—all of which have been shown to have cancer preventative effects.
In addition, brassicas contain selenium, a nutrient needed for producing thyroid hormone. This is a good thing because if you eat too many raw brassicas, it can negatively affect thyroid activity. But no fear, all you have to do is cook the vegetables to break down the goitrogens (compounds that can cause a goiter). Even lightly steaming will suffice.
Brassicas are eaten around the world. Cabbage is a key ingredient in Russian borscht, stuffed with meat in German cabbage rouladen, and shredded and tossed with ginger and seasoned vinegar to accompany Vietnamese dishes. Broccoli can be easily tossed in to stir frys, steamed and served with beurre blanc or creamed into a soup. Never tried kohlrabi? Think of it as a crunchy vegetable snack, mildly cabbage flavored, that can be eaten raw simply sliced or julienned into salads. Kohlrabi used to be one of my favorite things to give out as samples at the farmer’s market because most people had never tried it and were surprised at how much they liked it.
Cruciferous vegetables keep well in the refrigerator, so stock up this week and challenge yourself to prepare each brassica three different ways. Here is my favorite sauce to use with brassicas—toss it with shredded cabbage for a salad, use as a dipping sauce for kohlrabi slices, or add to stir frys:
2 Tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
1 Tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon crushed ginger (I use the kind in jars)
chopped cilantro to taste, if desired