tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2475656114866718366.post2697317697082581922..comments2023-04-10T04:47:36.651-04:00Comments on Roots-n-Shoots: Getting Mad About It (Holistic Medicine)Frank Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703468758526562774noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2475656114866718366.post-80841631710699938062008-05-15T13:55:00.000-04:002008-05-15T13:55:00.000-04:00Whew! Someone musta pissed ya off... =)I think hol...Whew! Someone musta pissed ya off... =)<br><br>I think holistic medicine is definitely something to consider. For example, did you realize that MS might be something environmental? I've done some research on this topic, since my grandfather had MS and it was a big part of my life growing up to understand that and its affects.<br><br>Anyway, they know a bunch of weird statistics about MS and that it is caused by exposure to a virus at some point in the afflicted person's life, but they don't know when or how long it incubates before it becomes active and starts attacking the myelin in the body's nerves. <br><br>They also know that there are more occurrances of MS in the population <i>as you get closer to the equator</i>. I always remember that statement which I heard during volunteer training for an MS Society event. I've been trying to ponder what conditions are different for nations living on the equator than for everywhere else. Well, obviously, it's hotter near the equator... for whatever that means.<br><br>Also, Colorado is the state in the US with the most occurrances of MS. Does high altitude bring this characteristic out? Or does the virus thrive in extreme conditions? Who knows! It's just odd.<br><br>As far as genetics goes, they think that certain people are suseptible to this virus when exposed while others may not be, and that may be the genetic connection for it.<br><br>It occurs more often in women than it does men, too.<br><br>But we still know so little about how MS develops in people. We have better medicines these days for slowing the processes down so that people can live longer with it and remain mobile.<br><br>Environment may well be the cause for this disease. <br><br>I have asthma and I <i>know</i> that it is largely determined by the environment and that incidents of asthma have grown in the last decade, which they think may be linked the chemicals in our food (not to mention pollution levels). I live with chronic asthma, not the kind that results in asthma attacks (not to say that couldnt happen someday). My asthma is just enough to cause me to weeze sometimes when huffing up hills on my bike... and make my lungs feel heavy after a lot of strenuous activity.<br><br>Of course, I might have worsen my asthma through smoking... shame on me... (I have made a conscience effort to quit totally, even tough all I ever was was a social smoker... value my lungs and the link between emphysema and smoking HAS been proven.)<br><br>Anyway, I totally agree with you. There are definitely some holistic methods that have proven affective with many chronic illnesses and problems... We need to learn to balance the western medicine with some of the holistic approaches available out there. Each one in and of itself may not be the answer, but combined therapies may prove more effective than each type of therapy alone...Mars Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403414048823693159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2475656114866718366.post-38554430315984397132008-05-15T16:26:00.000-04:002008-05-15T16:26:00.000-04:00I think there is most definitely a link between en...I think there is most definitely a link between environmental factors and illness. <br><br>The scary part is trying to discern what is the culprit and what is ok. Today I was putting jelly on some toast and as I dipped my spoon in the container the thought came to mind that I think glass is considered safe, I wonder if the metal cap is safe- most recent research indicates that plastics are of concern. <br><br>We are definitely growing more aware of our circumstances and how they contribute to our health- but now can we manage ourselves with the knowledge?<br><br>I do know one thing- you are right about nutrition and exercise. It is a sure way to increase the likelihood that you will be healthy. <br><br>So why is it so hard to do what is right for you?Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970100007927872296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2475656114866718366.post-64806399435879052792008-05-15T19:14:00.000-04:002008-05-15T19:14:00.000-04:00People look at me like I'm crazy when I tell t...People look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them I went to Naturopathic Doctors during my pregnancy (they were also my midwives). I used Arnica to recover from the birth along with an herbs, and during my pregnancy I used milk thistle to help my body flush out toxins (the suite next to my office was remodeling and I got to small paint, carpet glue, etc.). People give me even crazier looks when I tell them I had an unmedicated all natural birth out of the hospital with no epidural. We are going to a pediatrician for my son that is a ND and an MD and they practice homeopathy. We've used garlic mullin when our son has colds and this has prevented ear infections. He's 1 year old and no antibiotics yet!Kilburn Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15161548062585047309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2475656114866718366.post-16821861582619454642008-05-16T09:47:00.000-04:002008-05-16T09:47:00.000-04:00Sarah,Good to hear about your experiences with nat...Sarah,<br><br>Good to hear about your experiences with natural medicines and such. Not having any antibiotics is a good thing, for sure!<br><br>The hard part about these treatments is that people don't know how to use them or how to pick which ones are beneficial and which ones are not--there ARE some quacks out there, so a person needs to be vigilant not to fall for a scam. More study needs to be done on this.Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703468758526562774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2475656114866718366.post-70196241165762635252008-05-16T23:38:00.000-04:002008-05-16T23:38:00.000-04:00I am lucky to live in Seattle, where we have Basty...I am lucky to live in Seattle, where we have Bastyr University, a great medical school where one can become an Acupuncturist or Naturopathic Doctor. I asked friends for recommendations of ND's and midwives as there are quacks out there. I should note, I also took antibiotics twice during my pregnancy when it was neccessary, I didn't want to develop pneumonia when trying to get rid of a bad bout of bronchitis. The ND's recommended herbs for it, but I knew it was bad bronchitis so I went to my primary care MD for antibiotics. I use natural medicine whenver possible, and I strive to research about the herbs I use. I can confidently say I feel much better since I've started using acupuncture and alternative medicine.Kilburn Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15161548062585047309noreply@blogger.com