Dr. Tighe

Natural Approach to Autism...

2011-06-23 18:40:22

Autism is a general term used to describe a spectrum of developmental neurological disorders, including Asperger's Syndrome, Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Symptoms of autism can vary greatly, with many of the classic symptoms centering around aloneness and sameness. Children with autism tend to be withdrawn, often not making eye contact, smiling at, or connecting with others. They can display any number of a range of symptoms, including repetitive mannerisms, an extreme need for order and patterns, an extreme dislike of certain sounds and/or textures, passive or constantly agitated behavior, or walking on their toes. At the same time, many autistic children display an extraordinary aptitude in areas such as math or art. Because symptoms and severity can differ substantially among effected children, autism is truly a spectrum disorder.

The past three decades have seen an explosion in autism rates in the US. In the 1970s autism was considered very rare, with three or four children out of 1000 being diagnosed. Today, it is estimated that one in every 110 children in the US are diagnosed with autism, which makes it more prevalent than juvenile diabetes, pediatric AIDS, and childhood cancer combined. Boys are four times more likely to develop autism, with one out of 70 boys diagnosed, and the prevalence rate is increasing by 10-17% every year.

Perhaps the most well-known aspect of autism is the belief by many that it is caused by childhood immunizations. Mainstream medicine maintains there is no definitive link between vaccines and autism, and has several studies to back up such claims. But studies exonerating vaccinations conducted by parties lacking financial ties to the vaccine industry are nonexistent. Additionally, studies comparing autism rates among vaccinated and unvaccinated children are likewise absent. However, taking a cue from the CDC?s method of prevalence reporting, Generation Rescue and Survey USA conducted a phone survey to compare vaccinated and unvaccinated populations. The results were not only striking but in direct conflict with government-backed studies showing no link. Among boys ages 11-17, vaccinated boys were 158% more likely to have a neurological disorder, 317% more likely to have ADHD, and 112% more likely to have autism. Whether vaccines are the cause of autism or instead trigger the expression of autism in people who may be genetically predisposed to it, there is clearly an undeniable link between the two.

Just as autism is a multifaceted disorder, its cause is also likely due to a combination of factors. One prominent suspect is the use of antibiotics to treat recurring ear infections in children. Both vaccinations and injectable antibiotics contain thimerosal, an organic mercury. Despite the contention that thimerosal poses no health risk, manufacturers have voluntarily removed it from most childhood vaccines. However, many still contain trace amounts, and flu shots (strongly advocated for pregnant women) still contain it. A recent study in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology shows that while trace amounts of thimerosal do not seem to inhibit GABA and NMDA neurotransmitters, larger amounts do. As such, autism could be the result of an accumulation of mercury in the brain tissue, from multiple doses of vaccinations and/or antibiotics containing trace amounts as well as from thimerosal crossing the placenta during pregnancy.

The most common symptom of autism is the presence of depressed or abnormal immune function; and herein lies what may be the key to prevention. Fifty years ago a child would receive four vaccinations before age two, today that number has jumped to 32. The continuous bombardment of a child's immune system (which isn?t even fully developed until age 2) can lead to the overstimulation of immune cells, causing a release of toxic chemicals in the brain. Additionally, repeated courses of antibiotic treatment will not only destroy harmful bacteria, but will also kill friendly bacteria in the intestines as well. This healthy bacteria forms the basis of our immune health, and disruption of the establishment of this bacteria in developing children could set the stage for lifelong chronic immune problems. Add to this the possibility of heavy metal toxicity, and the result is a very tangled web of immune dysfunction.

Protecting the immune health of a child is paramount to autism prevention. It is well-known that the in utero environment of a fetus is vitally important, however the first two years are equally vital for the developing immune system. Vaccines and antibiotics do not have to be avoided altogether, however there are ways to minimize potential damage from them. In the case of vaccines, a ?user-friendly? schedule should be considered, which includes no immunizations before age 2, no immunizations containing thimerosal or live viruses, and only single doses administered one to three months apart and only when children are healthy. Antibiotics should only be used as a last resort, and probiotics appropriate to the child?s age group should be given concurrently with antibiotics to re-establish colonies of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Simply addressing behavioral abnormalities alone in a condition such as autism only addresses a symptom, not the problem. Balancing and supporting the immune system with fish oil, probiotics and elimination of food allergies can greatly benefit autistic children, as can heavy metal detoxification. There is a large body of anecdotal evidence showing that gluten free / casein free diets, as well as the Finegold diet (elimination of all additives, preservatives and food dyes) can bring tremendous reduction of symptoms in autistic children, as can constitutional homeopathy. While there is no specific cure for autism, a multifaceted approach that considers the whole individual, such as the one used by Naturopathic Doctors in the restoration of individual health, is the best way to manage, and often eliminate, symptoms.

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About the Author

Dr. Eli Camp is a NH licensed primary care naturopathic doctor. She received her doctorate in naturopathic medicine from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelors degree in Botany.

Based on her clinical experiences and continued study of homeopathic medicine, Dr. Camp has chosen to specialize in the homeopathic treatment of people who suffer from the symptoms of a variety of conditions.

One of her greatest passions is to spread the word about Naturopathic Medicine and how true health can be achieved. This passion led to the development of Medicine Talk, a site where people can self-educate, online, about a variety of natural health topics.

In addition to her private practice and position as Medical Director for Medicine Talk, Dr. Camp serves as an Alternative Medicine faculty member at Everglades University in Sarasota, FL.

She plays an active role in the ongoing campaign to achieve nationwide licensure for Naturopathic Doctors. Dr. Camp is a member of and current Treasurer of the Florida Naturopathic Physicians Association. She has served as member, Vice-President and President of the New Hampshire Association of Naturopathic Doctors. She remains an active member of both Associations.

Homeopathy Offers Treatment for Breast Cancer...

2011-06-20 06:49:33

By Christine Breen Williams, ISHom, ATH Co-Editor of Homeopathy

A landmark paper on the use of homeopathy in cancer appeared in the February 2010 issue of the International Journal of Oncology. The paper reported on a study of four homeopathic remedies that showed positive results using homeopathic remedies and thereby opening the door to the possibility of using homeopathy for breast cancer treatment.

Skeptics May Have to Rethink Their Opinions–Homeopathy May Really Work
The study caused the scientific community to take a second look at the positive effects using homeopathic medicine (called remedies by homeopaths) in the treatment of some illnesses. There was a huge outcry against the results of the study because the authors of the report stated that, “The remedies exerted preferential cytotoxic effects against the two breast cancer cell lines, causing cell cycle delay/arrest and apoptosis.” While not exactly treating women with breast cancer, their study demonstrated the possibility of eliminating breast cancer cells with homeopathic treatment.

Apoptosis Induced by Homeopathic Medicines is a Good Result
Apoptosis, a cellular phenomenon, is “programmed cell death (PCD),” also known as cell suicide. It does not involve damage to the organism as with necrosis. Basically, during apoptosis the cell shrinks without causing inflammation to the surrounding tissue. The scientists, led by Moshe Frenkel, MD, a professor at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, “studied four ultra-diluted remedies (Carcinosin, Phytolacca, Conium and Thuja) against two human breast adenocarcinoma cell lines,” and found “cell cycle delay/arrest and apoptosis.”

U.S. News & World Report Awarded M.D. Anderson Cancer Center as the Best Hospital
The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas is still the top hospital in the US–ahead of Sloan-Kettering in NYC and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore–for research and treatment of patients with cancer. (See U.S. News & Report for 2010-2011 list of best hospitals.) Dr. Moshe Frenkel is quoted as saying, “This is the first scientific study that investigated the effect of homeopathic remedies on breast cancer cells.” He further explains the significance as an “exciting possibility” because of the “therapeutic opportunity for preferentially eliminating breast cancer cells with minimal damage to the surrounding normal mammary tissue by using homeopathic remedies.”

According to the European Council of Classical Homeopathy, which reported the study to the homeopathic community, “The strongest effects were found from Carcinosin and Phytolacca, remedies that are well documented in the homeopathic literature for their beneficial effects in patients with cancer.”

Banerji Protocols on the Treatment of Cancer with Homeopathic Remedies
The researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center had decided to investigate homeopathic remedies because of the promising results of a previous report based on work done by Dr. Banerji in Kolkata, India. The US National Cancer Institute (NCI) evaluated a cancer treatment protocol developed by Dr. Banerji in his clinic at the Homeopathic Research Foundation (PBHRF). The “Banerji protocols” use homeopathic medicines to treat patients suffering with cancers. The NCI, after reviewing the progress of the patients, confirmed that there was enough positive response to support the call for further research into the area of homeopathic treatment of cancer.

A Team of Researchers Decided to Evaluate the In-Vitro Effect of Four Homeopathic Remedies
The results of the “protocols” developed by Dr. Banerji and reported by the NIC were sufficiently impressive that the researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center decided to study the breast cancer cells of women with advanced breast cancer and found equally impressive positive results using homeopathic medicine. Dr. Frenkel has said on his website that the homeopathic remedies, “appeared to have similar activity to the activity of paclitaxel (Taxol), the most commonly used chemotherapeutic drug for breast cancer, without the toxic effect on the normal cells.”

Summary
The study demonstrated that four homeopathic medicines had a positive effect on ‘eliminating’ breast cancer cells in cell lines in a laboratory setting. The study did not include women with breast cancer. Before supporters of evidence-based medicine can be persuaded to accept homeopathy as a treatment for breast cancer, many more studies would need to be conclusive. Although classical homeopaths themselves might treat a woman with breast cancer with, for example, Thuja, or Phytolacca, this prescription would only result from a thorough case-taking and case-analysis. Classical homeopathy treats the whole person, not just one part.

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Acupuncture Gets Respect...

2010-09-29 17:14:13

Some people say the ancient therapy of acupuncture really works to relieve pain – now research backs them up

It’s been about 2,000 years in the making, but acupuncture may now be propelled into the mainstream. New research shows that the two most common forms of arthritis – rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis – are among the conditions treated with acupuncture. But how?

The ancient – and current – theory of acupuncture goes like this: An essential life energy called qi (pronounced “chee”) flows through the body along 20 invisible channels called meridians. When the flow of this energy is blocked or out of balance, illness or pain occurs. More than 2,000 acupuncture points connect to the meridians. Stimulating those points with needles may correct the flow and alleviate pain.

When speaking with his patients, Tim Rhudy, a licensed acupuncturist in the department of pain management at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, explains that acupuncture diminishes pain by “untying muscular straitjackets – releasing tight, spasmed, shortened muscles to their resting state.”

It also helps regulate the body's nervous system, which can stimulate the release of natural pain-fighting endorphins.

And there’s more: Acupuncture tells the body where the battle is. When you cut your hand, the body sends help to the injury site. Likewise, when a needle is inserted into an acupuncture point, the body pays special attention to the micro-trauma and emits healing factors, says Rhudy.

Acupuncture also alters the perception of pain, he says. “Brain magnetic resonance imaging shows that deep needling of acupuncture points deactivates the part of the brain that deals with our perception of pain.” With deep needling, as opposed to superficial needling, a needle in inserted as far as one-half inch (12.7 millimeters).

RA. A recent study from China shows that both traditional acupuncture and electroacupuncture – a type in which pulsating electrical currents are sent through the needles to stimulate target areas – may reduce tenderness. All 36 participants had a standardized treatment, whether they received traditional acupuncture or electroacupuncture. During a total of 20 sessions throughout a 10-week period, needles were placed at a depth of about 10 to 20 millimeters and left in place for 30 minutes.

OA. In a German study, 304,674 people with knee OA who received 15 sessions of acupuncture combined with their usual medical care had less pain and stiffness, improved function and better quality of life than their counterparts who had routine care alone. The improvements occurred immediately after completing a three-month course of acupuncture and lasted for at least another three months, indicating OA is among conditions treated with acupuncture.

Although Medicare does not cover acupuncture treatments, some private health insurers do. The devil is in the details when it comes to insurance coverage of acupuncture, says James Dowden, executive director of the American Academy of Acupuncture, a Los Angeles–based professional society of physicians with training and practice. “Most U.S. insurers do provide some acupuncture coverage,” he says. “But what conditions they cover vary.”

If your insurance company does not cover acupuncture, check to see if it is covered as an optional treatment. The most important questions to ask an insurer, says Dowden, are for which conditions they cover acupuncture and for how many treatments.

Acupuncture for Enhancing Fertility...

2010-06-21 19:15:46

Acupuncture is a therapy that not only compliments Western medicine’s approach to infertility, but also offers a unique approach for improving outcomes with couples trying to conceive and have a healthy pregnancy.

Reproductive endocrinology (RE) and Western medicine excel in their ability to diagnose gross obstacles with fertility such as fallopian tube obstruction, hypothyroidism, premature ovarian failure and luteal phase defect. Ruling out these possibilities or diagnosing them is imperative in order to determine the best course of action for each couple. Success rates with IVF and IUI are much higher than they were twenty years ago and therefore RE offers many couples a much greater chance of conceiving.

Chinese medicine and Acupuncture differ from RE in their approach. Chinese medicine offers an elegant approach with a 2000-year history. It is steeped in philosophy and theory that is effective, safe and minimally invasive. Whether or not an individual has been diagnosed with a disorder, every individual has a pattern of disharmony in Chinese medicine that can be gently corrected. When this pattern of disharmony is shifted, the patient in turn is more balanced, healthy and therefore more fertile. The patient’s history and Tongue and pulse diagnosis allow the Oriental medicine practitioner to arrive at the Chinese medicine diagnosis, or pattern of disharmony. Typically Chinese herbal formulas and acupuncture treatments are prescribed to treat the patient. Because acupuncture is a holistic therapy, this approach is beneficial whether or not the patient chooses to undergo RE procedures.

Acupuncture gently nourishes or tonifies aspects of health that relate to Women’s health, menstruation, fertility, pregnancy and menopause. Most often women have patterns of disharmony involving the yin organs: the liver, spleen or kidney, as well as qi and blood. With the insertion of fine, sterile needles along the surface of the body, movement of qi and blood is stimulated allowing communication among organ systems. This restores normal physiology of organs and glands that relate to fertility. A convenient side effect of acupuncture is the release of endorphins, which promotes a sense of calm and wellbeing. Many women opt to do acupuncture in conjunction with IUIs or IVFs in order to improve the efficacy. It is a proactive investment in one’s health that results in not only being more fertile, but also improving the health of the mom, the pregnancy and the baby.

At Trillium Natural Medicine, our utmost care is given to ensure the most thorough and effective treatment plan for addressing each individual’s or couple’s needs. Combining Naturopathic and Chinese therapies, we offer an empowered approach towards enhancing fertility and improving RE procedure outcomes.

Written by Maureen Tighe, N.D., L.Ac.

Naturopathic Medicine Defined...

2010-06-21 19:12:47

While conventional medicine shines in diagnosing disease and prolonging life, another form of medicine exists that aims primarily at optimizing health and preventing disease. Naturopathic medicine is deeply rooted in a philosophy that acknowledges and honors the body’s inherent ability to bring itself back into balance. This ability, known as homeostasis, is well known to both conventional and naturopathic doctors (NDs).

NDs often refer to homeostasis as ‘Vis medicatrix naturae’ or the healing power of nature. In order to help patients achieve homeostasis, NDs rely on natural therapeutics such as Nutrition, Hydrotherapy, Botanical Medicine, Homeopathy, Counseling and Physical Medicine.

NDs attempt to find a curative approach with every patient. While symptoms are important clues to the underlying problem, an ND’s goal is to find the underlying cause and correct it. When this is done successfully, symptoms disappear on their own. In contrast to conventional medicine, NDs avoid suppressing symptoms. While this approach is sometimes necessary in order to save a life or avoid more significant pathology, NDs recognize that suppression is ultimately harmful to the individual and does not address the root problem.

The doctor-patient relationship in Naturopathic medicine offers a unique way for patients to be their own stewards towards health. NDs educate their patients about restoring normal physiology and optimizing the function of their organ systems. While this approach requires active participation on the patient’s part, many patients are apt to change their habits if they understand how it will benefit their health. NDs are patient advocates and educators, well-versed in a wide range of treatment options from which patients can choose. They are an ideal part of comprehensive care because they get to the root of the problem.

Smart Ways To Prevent Breast Cancer...

2010-01-24 10:42:47

Eat vegetables containing indole-3-carbinol: broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower
Avoid excessive amounts of starches in your diet
Exercise! 3-4 hours/week of moderate to intense exercise is ideal
Weight management: Obesity is associated with 60-100% increase in breast cancer risk
Vegetable and fruit intake: there is a 30-70% risk reduction of breast cancer at 5 servings daily
Include good fats in your diet: extra virgin olive oil, omega 3 fatty acids
What to avoid: refined carbohydrates, refined sugars, canned meal drinks, partially hydrogenated oils and processed meats
Do yoga! Or some form of breathing and flexibility exercise daily
Have a healthy outlet for unwanted emotions. Learn healthy ways to communicate feelings and needs and to manage stress.
Do hydrotherapy in the shower to entire chest: 3 minutes hot and 30 seconds cold, repeat, end on cold
Include fiber in your diet! Excellent sources include vegetables, freshly ground flax, sesame and pumpkin seeds. Fiber is important because it binds excess estrogen and allows it be released through the colon.
Avoid eating or drinking anything from plastic containers especially if contents were heated. Plastics mimic estrogens in the body and promote abnormal cell growth. Use glass, stainless steel or ceramic!
Do monthly self-breast exams and think of it as a lymphatic massage. Breast tissue is made of lymphatic tissue (part of the immune system), fat, gland lobules and lactiferous ducts. Lymphatic tissue needs movement to flow smoothly and detoxifies by moving. Use castor oil to massage and move lymphatic tissue every month. It is the primary way for toxins to get circulated and excreted, which promotes healthy breast tissue!
Only use antibiotics if absolutely necessary
Minimize caffeine, sweets and alcohol (absolutely avoid artifical sweeteners!)
Have occasional treats of fruit, red wine and dark chocolate
Eliminate smoking
Spend at least 20 minutes outside every day
Laugh every day!!!

Inflammation: What's the story?...

2008-07-31 08:37:27

Centuries ago, Hippocrates said, "let food be they medicine." Proper nutrition is one of the pillars in maintaining or restoring optimal health. Knowledge of food choices empowers people to be pro-active towards their health and can dramatically influence their ability to be healthy and live fully.

For decades, Naturopathic doctors have recommended "anti-inflammation" dietary guidelines for patients of all ages. Even conventional medical doctors now agree that inflammation leads to chronic disease.

In healthy individuals, inflammation can be likened to a pilot light on a gas stove that burns at a steady, low level, yet it is ready to ignite at a moment's notice into a blazing fire. When a person gets a bee sting or slams her finger in a door, the body's immune system mounts an acute inflammatory response by creating redness, swelling, heat, itchiness and pain. This inflammatory reaction is the body's attempt to heal the damage. After an injury has healed or the infection is resolved, the inflammation should return from the blazing fire to the low, steady, constant pilot light.

When acute reactions are prolonged and injuries are repetitive, an invisible, chronic inflammation occurs. We are now finding a connection between chronic inflammation and chronic disease such as cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's and more. In fact, Time magazine featured an article on chronic inflammation with supporting research in February 2004.

Fortunately, we can adjust out body's internal mechanism that decreases inflammation by our food choices. Understanding which foods decrease inflammation allows us to take a pro-active role in preventing chronic disease. Certain fatty acids, called prostaglandins, play an important role in control of chronic inflammation. Cold-water fish, nuts, seeds and many other whole foods encourage the body's ability to heal itself by allowing restoration of a normal, healthy immune system via prostaglandin pathways. Other foods, such as wheat, corn and dairy, to name a few, actually lead to inflammation.

Another benefit: although the anti-inflammatory diet is not promoted for weight loss, people following it often shed pounds and gain energy leading to other obvious health benefits.