Lifestyle

Preventing and Treating Urinary Tract Infections

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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be quite difficult to tolerate and sometimes even to treat. By incorporating various lifestyle changes, one can decrease their chances of getting a urinary tract infection. By incorporating these various changes when you do have a urinary tract infection, one may also be able to better recover from a urinary tract infection. One of the main areas of focus for preventing a urinary tract infection revolves around decreasing exposure to contaminants or possible “infectious agents”. This is not a comprehensive list of how to completely approach a urinary tract infection, and so, if you are experiencing a UTI, please seek medical advice, such as that from a naturopathic doctor.

Lifestyles changes that can help prevent urinary tract infections:

  • Wipe from front to back – wiping from back to front can cause transmission of known UTI causing bacteria from anus to the urethra.
  • Avoid using harsh soaps to clean the urethral and vaginal area.
  • Ensure underwear is only worn for one day before washing.
  • Determine if you have allergies to soaps, clothing detergent, etc.; and avoid the irritating substance.
  • Consider sources of re-infection such as partners, sex toys, and underwear.
  • Make sure to wash sex toys thoroughly after every use.
  • Ensure fully emptying of bladder when urinating.
  • Urinate before and after sexual intercourse.
  • Ensure adequate hydration (i.e. Drink plenty of water).
  • Avoid perfumed toilet paper, soaps, etc.
  • Wear cotton underwear – this can help to better ventilate the urethral area and decrease chances of a UTI.

Diet changes that can help prevent urinary tract infections

  • Eat a diet rich in whole foods with little or no sugar or refined carbohydrates – Sugar and refined carbohydrates can feed certain bacteria and help them to thrive.
  • Avoid known food allergies/sensitivities. If you are curious if you have any, you can contact myself and book an appointment to better determine this.
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol – these substances can dehydrate and make an individual more prone to UTIs.

What to avoid in order to prevent urinary tract infections:

  • Wearing thong underwear – similar to wiping from back to front, a thong can act as a “super highway” for bacteria.
  • Wearing underwear to bed.
  • Wearing panty-liners.
  • Holding urine in bladder for extended periods of time.

What to do if you have or suspect a urinary tract infection:

  • In the event of a urinary tract infection, it is important to follow the suggestions mentioned above in addition to the following:
  • Seek medical care – some urinary tract infections in certain individuals may require an antibiotic or further assessment.
  • Drink sugar – free cranberry juice – Cranberry can help to remove the bacteria from the ductal wall and help to eliminate the infection more quickly.
  • Drink plenty of water – drinking water can help to flush out the infection more quickly.
  • Watch for signs of fever or complications – a fever and back pain may be a sign that the urinary tract infection is getting worse. If this happens, do not delay in seeking emergent medical care.
  • Increase your parsley intake – parsley has some anti-bacterial properties that make it effective at fighting off and killing bacteria that cause urinary tract infections.
  • Increase your blueberry intake – similar to cranberries, blueberries have several properties in them that help to remove bacteria from the ductal wall and eliminate them from the body.

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

Heart Healthy Habits

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As some of you may know, February is Heart Health Month. Your heart is a very important organ, and its health can be impacted by and impact many other organs. Rather than only including information on some heart healthy habits, I thought it might be interesting to provide some insight into the heart from a Traditional Asian Medicine perspective (please note that this perspective looks at more of a metaphorical heart and pathologies do not specifically correlate to physical heart issues, e.g. heart blood stagnation does not mean you literally have blood stuck in your heart). In Traditional Asian Medicine, the heart has a very important role in controlling personality, and joy. If there is an imbalance in this organ it can lead to excessive or deficient joy (mania, depression), anxiety, or insomnia. With this mental – emotional perspective in mind, it may give more fuel to the research findings below that connect depression with an increased risk of heart disease (this is of course in addition to much research between various other connections between depression and other factors which lead to heard disease). With that being said, below are some findings and habits that may help you to adopt a more heart healthy lifestyle:

  1. Exercise: Exercise helps keep your heart healthy on many different levels. Firstly, it improves your cholesterol levels by increasing good cholesterol and decreasing bad cholesterol. In addition, exercise can also help to decrease blood pressure. All of these parameters can contribute to heart disease if left unchecked. Exercise also combats depression, which can be a risk factor for heart disease. For more health benefits of exercise, consult my previous blog: https://www.plattsvilledoctor.ca/the-benefits-of-exercise/
  2. Avoid Smoking: Smoking has several negative impacts on the heart which include stiffening the arteries and causing plaque build-up in the arteries, which could lead to atherosclerosis. By avoiding smoking, one can significantly reduce their risk of heart disease.
  3. Laugh: Laughter can help improve heart health by decreasing blood pressure and helping to combat depression (as mentioned above, a risk factor for heart disease). Some find that laughing can help them to cope with stress as well. For more health benefits of laughter, consult my previous blog: https://www.plattsvilledoctor.ca/laugh-out-loud-health-benefits-of-laughing/
  4. Eat lots of fruits and veggies: Fruits and vegetables provide a hefty source of antioxidants, fiber, and nutrients, all of which can decrease one’s risk of heart disease and improve heart health overall. Many of the nutrients can also protect arteries and help the body become more resilient especially with stress. In addition, fruits and vegetables can help to decrease blood pressure and promote healthy cholesterol levels.
  5. Manage Stress: Stress can have a negative impact on the heart by increasing blood pressure, increasing blood sugar, increasing cholesterol, and increasing fat retention (which makes the heart have to work harder by having to pump blood further to more tissue). By managing stress more efficiently, one can decrease their risk of heart disease and improve heart health overall.

Have you benefitted from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

Laugh Out Loud: Health Benefits of Laughing

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Any blog on laughter would be incomplete without the repeating the phrase “laughter is the best medicine”. This statement actually does have some truth to it – both short term and long term. Laughter and laughing is defined as the noise made when one expresses amusement at something. This expression of amusement can impact not only mental health, but physical health as well. The short term benefits of laughter include the following:

  • Muscle relaxation (that can last up to 45 minutes)
  • Improved circulation (benefitting organ function)
  • Increased oxygen consumption (which may aid with conditions of the lung)
  • Decreased anxiety during an anticipatory period (e.g. Before an exam)
  • Lightened mood

The long – term benefits of laughter include:

  • Decreased blood pressure overall
  • Decreased production of the stress hormone cortisol
  • Improved immune function through increased production of natural killer cells, antibodies, interferon, and T cells (can kill tumor cells, bacteria, and viruses).
  • Increased pain tolerance due to increased production of endorphins
  • Improved mood and decreased depression
  • Improved coping in stressful situations

How much laughter will help? 

The research varies in how much laughter is necessary to achieve results. Some research has shown that 10 minutes of laughing can cause 2 hours of pain free sleep. However, other research studies have shown that it was following an hour and a half comedy that benefits were achieved. The ultimate answer is that there is not a definitive amount of time of laughing that will aid with overall health. Keeping a light heart and laughing when possible is what seems to be the best advice that can be given with the research at hand.

Have you benefitted from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

References:

http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2008/904752/abs/

http://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/2001-01085-003

http://www.cfp.ca/content/55/10/965.short#sec-2

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rod_Martin/publication/254080902_Is_Laughter_the_Best_Medicine_Humor_Laughter_and_Physical_Health/links/5460f5530cf295b56163825f.pdf

http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1008&context=nurs_fac_pub

http://users.skynet.be/bs939021/artikels/humor%20laughter%20physical%20health.pdf

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456

Sleep Hygiene: How to get a better night’s sleep

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Feeling Calm And Comfortable.What is Sleep Hygiene?

Sleep hygiene refers to good sleep habits. Just like you might have good oral hygiene practices (i.e. brushing your teeth or flossing), you can also have good or bad sleep habits that contribute to the quality of your sleep. Though there are sleep medications that can aid sleep in the short term, adopting good sleep hygiene practices can help in the long term with sleeping difficulties.

Why is sleep important?

Sleep can have several health benefits that include, but are not limited to:

  • Clearing the brain of toxins
  • Restoring the body physically
  • Processing information and memorizing
  • Regulating mood
  • Strengthening the immune system

What is “Good” Sleep Hygiene?

The following is a list of tips and tricks to develop a better sleep hygiene and routine around sleep. It may be challenging for individuals to adopt all of these sleep habits, but even a couple can make a difference.

  1. Routine – Go to bed the same time every day and get up at the same time every day (including weekends and days off).
  2. When you are tired, go to sleep – It is better to only go to bed when you are tired rather than lying awake for an extended period of time.
  3. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and tobacco – If you are going to have coffee, best to consume it in the morning and not into the evening. If you are going to have tobacco or alcohol, it is best to avoid it 4-6 hours before going to bed.
  4. The bed is for sleeping and sex – Avoid using the bed for watching television, eating, working, etc.
  5. Avoid taking naps during the day – This will make sure you feel tired when you do go to bed.
  6. Develop a sleep ritual – This might involve having a calming tea, breathing exercises, or relaxing stretches before bed. This will look different for everyone.
  7. Do not watch the clock – Watching the clock when you are trying to sleep can reinforce negative thoughts regarding sleep.
  8. Use a sleep diary – Sleep diaries allow you to track progress and know how well or not so well you actually sleep. They also allow you to notice patterns that could be adjusted. They can also be a helpful tool for your health care provider when discussing where treatment needs to go if you still struggle with sleep.
  9. Exercise – Exercise is a good lifestyle habit to develop, but should be avoided at night. Exercise is best done in the morning or early afternoon.
  10. Regular healthy eating – Having a heavy meal too close to bed can disrupt sleep. Therefore, avoiding heavy meals before bed can be beneficial.
  11. Make the bedroom a sleep healthy environment – Making the bedroom as dark as possible and quiet as possible sets the stage for good sleep.
  12. Keep your daily routines the same – If you have a disrupted sleep, try to keep the activities you planned the same as it can reinforce the sleep disturbance.
  13. Avoid Screens – It is important to avoid screens when you are trying to fall asleep. The lights from a TV screen, computer screen, or cell phone can be stimulating and keep you awake as opposed to helping you fall asleep.

Have you benefitted from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Elisha Cook via the contact portion of this website.