With winter now finally at our doorsteps and colds and flu imminent, we should take inventory of what medicines we have in our first aid kits when those first symptoms appear.

Herbal medicines has the powerful action of a normal over the counter pharmaceutical drug but without the chemical ingredients. It is also therefore important to be mindful that some of our herbals do have special precautions and counter indications. When you purchase a herbal product, study the insert for safety indications or chat to our registered nurse when you come in to buy it from our health store. If you are still unsure, contact your homeopath for more clarity.

Herbal are also complex in their action and because they are in a “foodstate”, they are accepted more readily by the body and their actions are multiple. 

Here is a list of the top three herbals that you can keep at home. Start to use these as soon as symptoms start appearing.

1.    ECHINACEA 
Echinacea is always the first herbal to take in the event of a cold or a flu. There are two species, angustifolia, which is the stronger, and purpura being the weaker alternative.

Echinacea is well documented to raise the immunity, having anti- viral and anti- bacterial actions, as well as being anti- inflammatory. Studies have proven Echinacea safe for use during pregnancy and lactation.

The dosage for an adult is 100 drops per day in divided doses. Hourly dosage seems to be most effective in acute illness. The use of Echinacea in babies in children has been documented as safe from 5kgs.  Dosage would be 15 – 50 drops per day in divided dosage with increase in weight in the child.

Just keep in mind that the preparations are often in an alcohol base and it might be advisable to add some boiling water to the drops and give the cooled down mix.

2.    OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT
Olive leaf extract boosts immunity as well as destroying bacteria like E Coli as well as Candida species.  The active ingredient also interferes with the production of viruses and enters the cell to block replication.

Unlike antibiotics that causes antibiotic resistance, olive leaf is safe and effective for long term use. The leaf also has an antioxidant effect, documented to be stronger than Vitamin C and E.  

This herb may be used during pregnancy and lactation, dosage for adults being 75 drops daily in divided dosages. Hourly administering is advisable. Olive leaf can be used in babies from 5kgs, a dosage of 15 drops per day in divided dosages.

3.    PELARGONIUM SIDOIDES
Pelargonium can reduce the duration of the common cold and treat symptoms like fever, fatigue, cough, bronchitis, mucous in chest and postnasal drip.

It has anti-effective properties fighting viruses and bacteria as well as stimulating the immune system. Pelargonium is specific for the treatment of acute bronchitis by increasing the body’s natural healing rate and treating the symptoms.

The most well- known product containing Pelargonium is PENTAGEN from Natura. Dosage for an adult is 100 drops daily in divided dosages, 60 drops for children between 6 and 12 and 30 drops for children under 6 years of age. Safety during pregnancy and lactation is not known and should therefore be only taken short term. 

All of these products are stocked in our in-practice health store, so you are welcome to come in anytime during office hours to purchase or just chat to us about these products.  

By Dr. C Groenewald
M.TECH HOM (UJ)
​
It is that time of the year again, the congested, stuffy, coughy, miserable season. Colds and flu is miserable, but it is so important to building a strong immune system. When you are exposed to a virus, your body responds by forming antibodies to that specific virus (antibody- antigen reaction). So next time when you are exposed to the same virus, your body has the necessary ammunition to nip it in the butt. 

A healthy individual with a strong immune system, should be able to beat a cold in 3-7 days, and flu within 5-14 days. This is so often not the case, and I often see patients who have been suffering for more than 3 months. THREE months??? Why does this happen?

•    Low immunity or immune compromised individuals
•    Repeated use of antibiotics
•    Use of corticosteroids
•    Adrenal burnout with consequent low immune function
•    Lack of sleep
•    Poor diet
•    Leaky gut syndrome
•    Vitamin and mineral deficiency
•    Previous infections
•    Low thyroid function
•    Lack of exercise

What is the difference between a Cold vs Flu?

Common signs and symptoms of the FLU include: 
•    KEY: Flu develops rapidly, feels like you have been hit by a bus.
•    Fever over 100 F (38 C)
•    Aching muscles, especially in your back, arms and legs
•    Chills and sweats
•    Headache
•    Dry cough
•    Fatigue and weakness
•    Nasal congestion

The common COLD is a viral infection (more than a 100 viruses can cause the common cold) of your upper respiratory tract — your nose and throat.
 Symptoms include:
•    KEY: cold usually develops more slowly, fever is not common.
•    Runny nose,
•    Sore throat,
•    Watery eyes,
•    Sneezing and congestion
•    Possible mild cough due to post nasal drip.
•    Feeling like you ill, but not that ill to not perform normal duties

So how are you going to beat it this year? This does not mean you will not get sick, remember, you want to get a mild form of the cold and flu, to build up your immune system. It is normal and important to get a cold and flu at least 4 times per year…what is NOT normal is to be sick for weeks on end, with secondary bacterial infections and often 3 courses of antibiotics later, still feel like death warmed up. So let us help you get you dose as mildly as possible, so we can have you up and running again in no time. 

TOP TEN TIPS FOR BEATING COLDS AND FLU

1.    VITAMIN C
Your first line of defence. There is amazing and exciting research demonstrating the effects of high doses Vitamin C in enhancing the immune function, and reducing the severity of colds and flu by up to 25%.  
2.    Ecchinatia
This herbal tincture has both immune boosting, antiviral and antibacterial properties. 
3.    Aconite 1 M
A homeopathic ‘prophylactic’ preparation, to be taken 1x per week during high risk season. At the first sign of colds and flu, you can stop a cold in its tracts, by giving Aconite 2 hourly. 
4.    Multivitamin 
Especially Vitamin A, C and E, zinc and selenium. These vitamins are essential in maintaining a healthy immune system. Also enquire with your homeopath regarding Vitamin B12 and B complex immune boosting injections during the flu season. 
5.    Diet 
No surprises here. A healthy balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, omega rich foods and foods rich in pre and probiotics, is the way to health this winter. Consider making freshly pressed carrot, ginger and apple juice to drink each morning, as this will have amazing immune boosting effects. Soups prepared with homemade bone broth, which does wonders for a healthy gut, and as we know, a healthy gut equals a healthy immune system.  Stay away from foods that can destroy the gut lining, 70% of your immune system resides in your gut. Foods like sugar, wheat and dairy, often have adverse effects on the integrity of the gut lining, so try and steer clear. 
6.    Exercise
High intensity exercise is bad! Low intensity exercise is good. Why? High intensity exercise produced high volumes of cortisol secretion, which supresses immune function. So try doing light – moderate intensity training, yoga, Pilates and weight training, to keep you strong and healthy. 
7.    Relaxation
As mentioned above. High levels of cortisol, supresses your immune system. Increased cortisol production from your adrenal glands, is as a result of increased levels of stress. Cortisol forms part of the ‘fight and flight’ cascade, and although it can do wonders for our safety short term, long term exposure to high levels of cortisol, can have detrimental health effects. So chill. Meditate. Yoga. Sound therapy. Take a much-needed holiday. Long walks with a loved one. Whatever it takes to manage your stress. There are also numerous herbs that your homeopath can prescribe, that can help nourish your adrenal glands and balance your cortisol. 
8.    Sleep
6-8 hours of good quality sleep is crucial for a normal functioning immune system. 
9.    Drinking enough water
250ml of water per 10kg of body weight, to support the digestive and renal systems. 
10.    Immune boosters
Ask your homeopath about immune boosting biopuncture injections. This is especially useful for individuals who are prone severe colds and flu during winter. 

By Dr. C Groenewald

Oh, the joys of baby poop. Since becoming a mommy, you went from being a normal, intelligent, strong woman, to a slightly neurotic, poop obsessed, sleep deprived nutty woman (with one or two instances of finding baby poop under your finger nail an hour after changing the last diaper). Nothing sends chills down a new mother’s spine than changing a diaper, and seeing something you are sure cannot be normal.  Whether it be the color, smell, consistency, too many or too few diapers per day - nothing can send you into a frenzy, like your new-borns’ poop. 

So, let me put your mind at ease. When it comes to your little darling’s poop, ‘normal’ is relative. One poop diaper in ten days, or ten poop diapers in one day is perfectly normal, if that is what is normal for your baby.

Frequency, or lack thereof, should remain constant. A sudden change in their bowel habits, is a better sign of gastric discomfort.  Furthermore, when it comes to color, it is as varied as the 11 national languages of South Africa. From tarry black meconium (baby’s first poop) to shades of yellow in exclusively breastfed babies to tones of brown once you start introducing solids.

There are a few color guides available online, for your peace of mind. The only three colors that should worry you are:
•    red stained poop (unless there was beetroot in last night’s dinner);
•    black stools (except the first meconium poop diaper the first few days after baby is born); 
•    and pale or grey stools
All of which should also be reported to your child’s primary health care physician as soon as possible. 

Now, let us talk about consistency. Parents often report that their new born is constipated based on the frequency of the stools. As mentioned above, frequency is very varied in babies and some babies can have only one poop diaper per week, which is normal for them. Rather than focusing on frequency, if it remains constant, note the consistency of the poop. Healthy bowel movements in a baby 0-6 months (minimum), is not formed (i.e. not solid). Parents often confuse this with diarrhoea. A normal healthy bowel movement, is a ‘mushy’ consistency. Diarrhoea is often accompanied with an increase in frequency, as well as a very watery discharge containing little to no solids, that often ‘explodes’ out of the diaper. Formed stools, hard, dry or pebble shaped stools, are signs of constipation. 

Now that we have cleared all this up, let us focus on constipation, and what you can do to alleviate your babies discomfort. 

Here are my top ten tips for treating constipation:

1.    Any change in diet will affect baby’s digestion, so take it easy. 
This remark is twofold. Firstly, remember that what you eat, affects your milk production, which in turn can affect baby’s digestion and bowel movements. Secondly, introducing anything into baby’s diet, other than breast milk, will affect their gut flora, and in turn their bowel habits. This is especially true when introducing formula, changing from one formula to another, or introducing solids. When at all possible, try to introduce any new formula or food, gradually (See top ten tips when introducing solids), to allow the gut some time to adjust to the transition. 

2.    Formula vs breast milk. 
When choosing a formula, discuss your baby’s specific needs with your primary health care physician. I found that hypoallergenic and anti-colic formulas, are softer on the gut, while AR (anti reflux) tend to cause constipation due to the thickness of the formula. When preparing the formula, always ensure that the formula is prepared correctly as per instructions on the formula container. Too much formula powder vs water can aggravate constipation, while too little milk powder prepared with too much water, can dilute the nutrients and cause serious health problems. 

As for Breast milk, ensuring baby drinks both the thin fore milk, as well as the thick, nutrient rich after milk, is essential. To ensure baby gets enough of both, make sure he/she spends enough time on one breast, before moving on to the next breast. 

3.    Choose a probiotic to support the gut. 
Probiotics are often useful when there is a disruption in gut flora, which can cause or aggravate constipation. Choosing a probiotic especially formulated for baby’s immature gut, can assist in correcting any imbalance, and aid in alleviating constipation. 

4.    Water. 
Healthy breastfed and formula fed babies, do not require any additional water in their diet. It is recommended to start offering baby water only from 6 months of age. When it comes to constipation, grandparents are fast to convince you to give your infant water, however, both formula (when prepared according to the labelled instructions), as well as breast milk, contain enough water to keep baby hydrated. Adding additional water to their diet, can lead to dilution of nutrients which can have adverse health effects. Please speak to your baby’s primary health care physician regarding the introduction of water before 6 months of age to alleviate constipation, as every child is different and each case should be considered individually. 

5.    Prune Juice. 
Introducing pure, unsweetened prune juice (like Safari prune juice available from Dischem), from 6 months of age, is a great way to stimulate bowel movements. You can dilute it 1 part prune juice to 3 parts water, and offer it to your baby in a sippy cup. Prunes contain both insoluble fibre, as well as the natural laxative sorbitol. 

6.    Fibre rich foods.
When introducing solids at 6 months of age, it is important to introduce food groups in accordance with the anti-allergic food list (see list here). These foods are not processed, and naturally high in fibre. Steamed prunes are very effective in treating constipation, however, if your baby does not like the taste, try making the following: 
Frozen prune popsicles. 
They are easy to make and kids love them. I use the baby food range ‘Squish”, prune flavour available from all major retailers. Simply squeeze the contents into a popsicle mould, freeze and enjoy. They contain pure prune puree only, no added sugar or preservatives. 

7.    Baby Massage.
Stimulating baby massage works wonders on gut motility. After bathing baby, ensure baby is comfortable and the room is warm enough. You can use some soothing chamomile oil, or edible oil like coconut oil or olive oil. Warm the oil by rubbing your hands together. Ask baby’s permission before you start, “Is it ok if mommy massages your tummy now?”. Place your fingertips (or palm of your hand), below baby’s belly button, then applying firm but gentle pressure, massage baby’s tummy in a circular clock wise motion. 

8.     Reflexology. 
There are various Youtube clips that illustrate the various techniques you can use to massage baby’s feet to alleviate constipation. Alternatively, you can visit a reflexologist, who can show you how to treat baby at home. 

9.    Chiropractics.
Mal alignment of the spine, can contribute to poor nerve conduction to baby’s gut. Correcting this malalignment, stimulates healthy nerve conduction and blood flow to the gastro intestinal tract, including the small and large intestines, which lends itself to a healthy functioning bowel. 

10.    Homeopathy. 
In Homeopathy, we use a system of medicine - ‘likes cures likes’- to treat all ailments, including constipation. There are many homeopathic over the counter products (OTC), that incorporate the most common remedies used in constipation. These may or may not contain the specific remedy for your child’s constipation ‘picture’. Finding the perfect similimum for your baby, is cardinal to homeopathic success, so if you have tried OTC products, and they have failed, book an appointment with your homeopath. 

​
​What an wonderful time in baby's development, his or her first meal. Up to now, it’s been boobies and bottles only. This is an exciting time, but also a very crucial time in baby’s development. Up to now, baby’s immature gut has only been exposed to one thing, breastmilk (if you are lucky). This perfect little gut, has the perfect culture of beneficial bacteria, lending itself to a healthy gut and healthy immune system. 70% of our immune system cells reside in the gut, hence, a healthy gut equals healthy baby. So, when introducing solids, it is very important, to minimally  disturb this environment, and here is how you can do that: 

​Enjoy this exciting time in your baby’s life. It is fun, it is messy, and it is necessary. Don’t be afraid to try new things, and experiment with baking yummy treats using healthy ingredient. Keep an eye on our website, for healthy treat ideas and recipes for baby and toddler.  

​By Dr. C Groenewald

​By Dr. C Groenewald

Let’s talk about intimacy…

Do you have a healthy sex life? What is a ‘healthy’ sex life? How many times a week/month is ‘normal’? What affects sex drive and libido? 

Sex, a topic sure to raise many opinions, questions, fears and uncertainties: questions you may or may not not feel comfortable to raise with your primary health care physician, your spouse or even your friends.

As South Africans, we have come a long way since the reserved ways of our parents/grandparents, but I still find that sex is a difficult subject for many men and women. Join us, for the next few weeks, where I will discuss weekly topic, based on the most frequently asked questions in my consulting rooms. We will be focussing on libido and sex drive; hormones affecting the latter; common causes and contributing factors to anorgasmia; the working mom and all the stress running a house hold entails; anxiety and depression; and lastly, pregnancy and hormones postpartum. 

This week, let us focus on libido and sex drive, as well as the hormones that fuel this drive. 

1.    Hormones, and the role they play in libido. 
A controversial topic, sex drive seems to be the most common complaint in woman suffering from sexual arousal disorder, long believed to be fuelled by our sex hormones, so before we go on, let us take a closer look at the hormones that play a role in female health:

• Oestrogen: Produced by the ovaries and to a smaller degree, by the adrenal glands (endocrine glands situated on top of our kidneys) and adipose tissue (fat cells). Responsible for the pre-ovulatory thickening of the uterine wall (endometrium), in preparation for implantation of a fertilized egg, as well as growth and development of our secondary female sexual characteristics, including breasts development, armpit hair, regulation of the menstrual cycle and reproductive system. Oestrogen also plays a role in vaginal wall thickness and lubrication, prevention of bone loss and cholesterol levels. 
• Progesterone: Produced by the corpus luteum (remnants of the ovarian follicle, which produces and releases the egg), levels rise during the second part of the menstrual cycle, and is responsible for preparing the body for pregnancy, as well as maintaining the early stages of pregnancy. 
• Luteinising Hormone (LH): Produced by the anterior pituitary gland, the LH is required to stimulate the ovarian follicles, to secrete oestradiol. A surge in LH, causes the ovarian follicle to tear and release the ripe egg. 
• Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH): Also released by the anterior pituitary gland, the FSH is responsible for the growth of the ovarian follicle, as well as secretion of oestrogen. 
• Testosterone and androstenedione, the male sex hormones, are also secreted in small amounts, in women, by our ovaries. Although primarily believed to be male hormones, these hormones not only play an important role in female hormonal regulation, but also the functioning of many organs.

Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD) is defined as a lack of response to sexual stimulation, either from a subjective (mental and emotional) or physical (swelling of labia and clitoris, vaginal discharge, swelling of breasts etc) arousal point of view. 
Libido is NOT equal to physical arousal. Libido is a subjective desire, or passion for sex. Woman with little to no libido, can still be aroused physically by genital stimulation and have enjoyable sex and orgasms. 
Genital Arousal Disorder (GAD), differs in that women are unable to become aroused physically, in spite of mental and or emotional arousal. They are unable to have an orgasm, and sex is often painful. 
Woman often blame their ‘hormones’ for a lack of sex drive and libido, when in fact, there is little to no research to substantiate this. Dr. Michel Jermec, has done extensive research in this field, interestingly identifying Luteinising Hormone as a key component in libido in women. His work suggests, that high levels of LH make woman ‘horny’, while low levels make woman more apathetic to sex. This could explain, why some women are much more easily aroused during certain phases of their cycle, than others, as LH hormone surges before ovulation.   

Physical arousal disorder, is much more likely to be hormone driven, considering the role of oestrogen in maintaining vaginal wall thickness, increasing blood flow to the genitals and lubrication. While the role of testosterone is still under discussion, it seems to play a role in the arousal of the clitoris and labia, and ultimately orgasm. That being said, there are other causes for genital arousal disorder and includes, but not limited to:
•    Anxiety, Depression and Stress
•    Effects of certain medications
•    History of sexual abuse
•    Strict religious upbringing 
•    Menopause
•    Cystitis and Vaginitis
•    Relationship with partner
•    Self Esteem and Body Image
FSAD, mental, emotional and physical, commonly, has no clear cut cause, that one can pinpoint and treat. It is a multifaceted disease, and should be treated as such. There are many contributing factors, which overlap, and can contribute to the overall lack of libido and sexual drive. Treatment should be aimed at addressing these factors, and not just symptomatic treatment. 

To identify probable causes and contributing factors of FSAD, the following assessments may be useful: 

• Overall health, including a physical examination as well as blood tests to access hormonal levels, liver function, cortisol levels, full blood count etc.; 
• Menstrual cycle, menopause, post birth and breastfeeding; 
• The Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory to assess levels of stress and possible depression; 
• Constitutional prescribing; 
• Diet and lifestyle assessment; 
• Medical history and current medications; to name a view. 

To give an example of such constitutional prescribing, consider the following remedy and the overall mental, emotional and physical pictures, as related to FSAD:
Sepia 
    Apathetic
    Indifference to those best loved
    Very sad
    Weeps
    Aversion to company, yet dreads to be alone
    Aversion to husband
    Irritability from exertion
    Loves thunderstorms
    Anxiety
    Anger from contradiction
    Sensitive to music and noise
    Constipation during pregnancy
    Tendency to miscarriage 5th – 7th month
    Urine thick and foul smelling, urging to urinate, burning during urination
    Bearing down sensation, as if everything would escape through vulva
    Prolapse of uterus
    Aversion to sex, or complaints after
    Dryness of vagina and vulva
    Menses either late and scanty or early and profuse 

​Some homoeopathic remedies are made from plant material, but also from other sources like minerals, chemicals, insects, and organ tissue.  The difference is in the method of preparing these remedies.  It is diluted and potentised and it is never administered to a patient in its original form.

Homoeopathic training in South Africa involves a five-year full time course at one of two universities, namely University of Johannesburg and Durban University of Technology.  The training aims to prepare the student to become a primary health care professional in a clinical setting. Dr Samuel Hahnemann, the Founder was a German scientist.

Homoeopathic products are prepared in a laboratory, according to Good Manufacturing Principles (GMP) and is regulated by the Medicines Control Council.  

Over the years numerous clinical studies were done on humans and animals in order to improve the efficacy and the safety of the products.

Some religions hijacked homoeopathy and propagate it as part of their healing meganism. The truth is that homoeopathy was founded in in 1791 in Meissen, Sakse and only in 1820 when it spread over the continents, some religions began to find it very attractive.

Homoeopathy is best for chronic conditions because the heeling is long term, but if prescribed accurately in acute situations, you will experience rapid results.

Homoeopathic treatment is used with great success in babies, infants, dogs, horses and even lions.  Decide for yourself.

Homoeopathy has its limitations. No system of medicines can cure all diseases because there are so many unknown factors involved.

It sometimes happens with skin disorders, but in less than 5% of cases will there be an aggravation.  

Not true.  Your health care practitioner will not take you off your conventional medicine, but will advise you to leave a gap of about 20 – 30 minutes between administering the different remedies.

​Sources:
1.    www.askdrshaw.com
2.    www.hsa.co.za
3.    www.hpathy.com

​

Reflux refers to the ‘spit up’ or vomiting, after a baby has fed. The reflux is a combination of milk, and stomach acid, which pushes back up from the stomach, into the oesophagus (food pipe). This is commonly referred to as GER (Gastro oesophageal reflux).
In some instances, the milk/acid mixture, will not reach the babies mouth, or baby will swallow the reflux, in which case, there is little to no vomit or spit up, this is called ‘silent reflux’.
GER is normal in most babies, as the oesophageal sphincter and babies immature gut, needs time to mature. Most babies have no ill effects from reflux, and will outgrow it by 1 year of age. 

Frequent and severe reflux, GERD (Gastro oesophageal reflux disease), can cause ill effects in some babies, affecting their sleep, mood, feeds and weight gain.  Symptoms (and when to consult a doctor) include:

•    Fussy baby, crying during or after feeds
•    Frequent reflux and or vomiting (not with silent reflux)
•    Difficulty sleeping, especially when lying down
•    Frequent hiccough and/or cough
•    Failure to thrive
•    Cramps, gas and colic
•    Sour breath or burps
•    Refusing breast or bottle
•    Arching of back
•    Blood 
•    Brining up green, yellow or dark brown vomit (that looks like ground coffee)

1.    Homeopathy:
Homeopathy refers to a system of medicine, that uses ultra dilutions of substances, to treat illnesses. A prescription is based on ‘likes cures likes’, so if a substance can cause a specific symptom picture in a large dose, then it can heal it in an ultra diluted form. So each baby and each symptom picture is unique. 

Homeopathic single remedies that are often used in the treatment of GORD include:
•    Hyocymus 200: Reflux associated with hiccoughs.
•    Asafoetida 200: Reflux linked with induction, epidural or forceps.
•    Lobelia inflate 200: Reflux linked to family smoking. 
•    Lycopodium 200: Winy babies with a lot of gas. Worse between 3 pm- 5 pm. 
•  Aethusa cynapium 200: Family history of lactose intolerance. Baby regurgitates everything, often projectile vomiting after every feed. 

Homeopathic Complexes Include: 
•    Magen, Sedaped and Cesranol from Natura
•    Sister Lillian’s NausiCare
•    Gastric plus 30 C from Pegasus.

2.    Chiropractic Treatment:
Chiropractics is a system of medicine, focussed on the wellbeing of the individual, placing special attention on the neuromuscular system, and treatment is focussed on manual adjustments of the spine. 

A chiropractor can identify areas of subluxation of the spine (malalignment), which is especially true in C section or forceps births. By manually adjusting these areas, the nerves existing in this area, can function optimally. In the instance of the digestive tract, nerve flow correction to the digestive tract, can enhance digestive function. 

3.    Cranio-Sacral Therapy (CST):
Refers to correcting any imbalances in the craniosacral system, which includes the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord. Imbalances in this system, can cause sensory, motor and or neurological disabilities. For this reason, the health of the digestive tract, can be enhanced through CST.

4.    Position during feeds:
It is important to feed your baby in an upright position, to prevent the back flow of milk and stomach acid from the stomach into the oesophagus. After a feed, you should keep your baby in an upright position for at least 20 – 30 minutes. Also, try and burp baby every 2-3 minutes during a feed. 

5.    Sleeping position:
When lying baby down for a nap, consider keeping baby elevated, using an anti-reflux wedge, found at Baby City and other major retailers. This will help prevent the back flow due to gravity

6.    Breast Milk:
Breast is best. If you are breast feeding, try to ensure, that baby only feeds on one breast at a time. This is to ensure, baby does not only finish the watery foremilk, but also reaches the full fat creamier hindmilk. Smaller feeds will also help prevent excessive reflux. 

7.    Formula:
There are various formulas out there, that can aid in alleviating acid reflux in babies. These include the thicker anti regurgitation formulas (AR), such as NAN and Novalc AR (there are many more brands, consult your homeopath or paediatrician, to choose the formula best indicated for your baby). Also, in the case of a lactose intolerance, there are hypoallergenic, extensively hydrolysed (HA) formulas, which may also alleviate reflux in lactose intolerant babies. 

8.    Mothers diet:
It is important for mom, to eliminate any foods that might aggravate the acid reflux in baby. First and foremost, diary, gluten, coffee and sugar in any form. From here, if the reflux does not improve, mom can consider an elimination diet, restricting her diet to only good sources of protein (not diary or nuts), vegetables (non cruciferous and non gaseous causing veggies only) and non-glutinous grains. After there is an improvement, she can start reintroducing one food group at a time. If there is no aggravation, another food may be introduced every three days. Dairy, sugar and gluten however, are best avoided in the long run. 

9.    Probiotics:
A good probiotic is essential. Ask your homeopath or paediatrician for a trusted brand. A good probiotic, loaded prebiotics (the food probiotics need to grow) can help restore the gut flora, aiding in the regulation of stomach acid production. You can add this to your own diet, and to babies bottle every day. 

10.     Tissue Salts:
Never underestimate the value of tissue salts, in the treatment of gastric disturbances in babies. Nat Phos tissue salt, is an acid regulator. The most commonly used anti spasmodic tissue salt, Mag Phos, can be given on its own, or in combination with other tissue salts, which can serve as a colic mixture. These tissue salts include, Mag Phos, Ferrum Phos, Calc Phos, Nat Mur, Nat Phos and Nat Sulph. You can combine the above mentioned tissue salts in even ratios, and pulverise using a blender or two large spoons. Use less than 1/8th of a teaspoon before and after feeds. You can either apply the powder to the tip of baby’s tongue, or you can use a drop of cooled boiled water, to form a paste, then apply to the tip of baby’s tongue. Mom is also welcome, to use this mixture, as baby will get the tissue salts in moms breastmilk. 

There are no easy answers, in the treatment of GER or GERD. Mostly, it is variations of a combination of therapies, supplements dietary and lifestyle advice, which can ultimately offer some relief for you and baby. Please always take your baby to a homeopath or paediatrician, if you see signs of dehydration, malnutrition, failure to meet milestones, if baby is not gaining weight, inconsolable crying, baby that refuses to feed and blood (bright or dark coloured blood that looks like coffee grounds) in babies vomit or stool. 

Mommies. You are amazing, and you are doing an amazing job. No one ever warned you how difficult it is, to be a first time mom, and a reflux baby certainly adds to the sleep deprivation. You are not alone, you are every mom out there, either they have been there, or they are currently there. Always ask for help if you are not coping. It does not make you a bad mother, it makes you human. You are ultimately, what is best for baby, so if you are not ok, baby is not ok. So take a time out. Get dad to babysit, or ask your mom to come over so you can have a nap (and let her bring dinner too… the dairy free, gluten free, sugar free, non cruciferous vegetables type). This too shall pass, and then you have something to hold your kids to, for the rest of their lives.

1. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infant-acid-reflux/home/ovc-20157639
2. http://www.parents.com/baby/care/gas/best-remedies-for-gas-reflux/
3. http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a567208/reflux
4. http://www.sisterlilian.co.za/sensitive-parenting-blog/baby/231-gastric-reflux-in-babies-what-you-need-to-know
5. http://www.pegasuskits.com/the-bluebox-kit
6. http://www.craniosacral-therapy-healing.com/faq-what-is-craniosacral-therapy-and-where-does-it-come-from.html
7. http://www.llli.org/faq/foremilk.html

There are lots of things that you as a parent can do and change at home to help  your baby or toddler's skin conditions heal quicker.
Please vie our chart below.  if you have any questions, please give us a call.

by Dr. Alicia Smit 
Homoeopath 
Special Interest:  Dermatology / Skin disorders

Concerned about a rash that's appeared on your baby's skin? “Oh no what's that?" you may ask. One day your baby's skin is clear and smooth but the next day there's an unknown rash, swelling or discharge on the skin.

The human skin acts as a defensive barrier against all sorts of elements, from bacteria to sun, but it takes about 2 years from birth for that epidermis to get up to speed and function effectively.
When it comes to your baby’s skin you can depend on one thing: It's guaranteed to erupt into a rash during the first year. Not surprisingly, the number of infants experiencing skin disorders is rising and over 30% of unscheduled visits to the paediatrician’s office are caused by skin problems.
The growing reality for many parents, however, is learning to help their children handle irritating skin disorders. Although many parents have found ways to temporarily suppress symptoms, many have now become determined to resolve their child’s skin condition altogether. Eliminating a skin condition takes a great deal more effort than suppressing the symptoms, but the reward is once again seeing that perfect, baby soft skin on your child.
 
With infant skin care, the saying is "less is more." 

1. Resist the urge to bathe your baby frequently. Too-frequent bathing -- more than three times per week during the first year of life -- removes the natural oils that protect baby's skin. That may leave baby's skin vulnerable and dry.
2. Don't use Scented baby products in the early months. This can irritate your baby's delicate skin.
3. Wash baby's clothing before it's worn. Use only baby laundry detergents that are fragrance- and dye free. Wash baby clothes, bedding, and blankets separately from the family's laundry.

Of course, no baby escapes the most common skin issue--nappy rash. The diaper area is warm and moist, while adding irritating poop or urine and you've got the perfect environment for breakouts.
A yeast nappy rash can also happen if your baby is taking antibiotics as they kill the good bacteria that normally keep the yeast in check.
Yeast is a fungus that lives on your skin and in the intestines, and when you have a warm, moist environment like in the nappy area, it can cause a bit of a rash. The rash will begin as tiny red spots that multiply and mass into a solid red blotch which may include pus-filled bumps.

• Keep a nappy rash under control by changing your baby often and letting their naked bottom air out occasionally. Cotton nappies are also a better alternative during acute stages of a nappy rash.
• Wash the diaper area with plain water. If the rash is severe, use a squirt bottle to cleanse without rubbing.
• Use a soft clean cloth, not baby wipes. The perfume or alcohol in some wipes can further irritate and dry baby's skin.
• Disinfect the area with calendula tincture or calendula soap, make sure to dry the area completely before putting on another nappy.
• You can apply colloidal silver gel mixed with a few drop of liquid probiotics to the affected area.
• If you don’t have any products in range, you can always boil a cup of oats and while letting it cool, collect the gel layer accumulated on top of the oats and apply it to your baby’s bum. Works every time!

Milia normally appear a couple of days or weeks after birth since the oil glands on your baby's face is still developing.  
Approximately 40% of infants develop milia.
Milia are tiny, white spots that may appear usually across your baby’s nose, cheeks, chin, forehead, or around the eyes.
Milia looks raised, but if you touch them, they will feel smooth and flat.
Your baby's milia spots should clear up on their own within a month or six weeks.

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection that causes a mild skin rash. It is spread by direct contact with the lesion of an infected person/baby or by contact with a contaminated object.
​
If infected with the virus, your baby is most likely to get these spots on the belly, chest, around the bottom and genital area or on the inside of joints (such as on his inner elbows and behind his knees).
Molluscum contagiosum looks like shiny pink pearls with a dimple in the middle or a pus-filled centre. They can range in size from 1mm to 10mm across and can continue to grow over several weeks, there are rarely more than 20 spots on the body.

Don’t worry it usually clears up within 18 months without treatment. If the lesions are itching, bleeding, or making your baby uncomfortable make an appointment with your Homeopath. 

Eczema can appear anywhere on a baby's body starting around 3 or 4 months, though it's not usually found in the diaper area. Up to 20 percent of babies will develop this very itchy rash. 
The rash has dry, itchy, red, and cracked areas of skin, which can sometimes ooze fluid and bleed.
Eczema usually occurs in flare-ups, your baby's skin may have red and itchy patches of skin most of the time, but during flare-ups these areas worsen and may need more intensive treatment.

• Try once-a-week bathing and make bath time short while using lukewarm water.
• Keep your baby's nails trimmed to prevent them from scratching at the rash.
• Limit your use of baby scented skin products.
• Messy feedings and drool can further irritate sensitive skin.
• For treatment consult your homoeopathic practitioner where remedies such as the following might be prescribed:

1. ARSENICUM ALBUM: Intense itching. Turns to burning when scratches till raw; when burning stops, itching returns. Skin dry as paper. Flaking. Pussy. Small vesicles. Eczema worst on uncovered parts or areas. Chilly, weakness. Sips cold water. Restless. Anxious, worried about health, death, security, picky, miserly.
2. GRAPHITES: Red itching pimples; oozing of honey like liquid, which crusts over. Infects and scars easily, heals slowly. Overweight, sweaty, constipated. Scalp. Hairline, behind ears, genitals, back of hands, palms, skin folds. Thickened skin.
3. SULPHUR:     Moist, weeping eruptions, foul odor. Intensely itchy; scratches till it bleeds, causing burning. Skin bleeds easily. Dry, scaly, cracked areas. Unhealthy skin, pimples, easily infected. Burning hot feet at night. Hair margins, face, areas of perspiration, feet, bends of elbows, knee. Intellectual dreamer. Lethargic, unmotivated.

• In severe cases if they don't respond to treatment, the Homeopath might recommend allergy testing to rule out triggers.

It is very important to try and avoid applying corticosteroid creams as far as possible. 

If pus-filled pimples along with whiteheads and blackheads, surrounded by reddish skin appears after the first few months, it's called infantile acne.  The pimples are likely to appear on your baby's cheeks, but may also appear on his forehead, chin, and back.

Your baby's acne can become more pronounced when he is hot or fussy, or if his skin is irritated by saliva, milk residue, or fabric that's rough or that's been washed in strong detergent. Baby acne will go away on its own without treatment. 

The first symptoms of chickenpox can mimic any condition. It starts off with a fever, nausea, headaches, muscle aches and a loss of appetite, which can last for two weeks before the rash appears.
A chickenpox rash starts as little red spots that develop tiny fluid-filled blisters in a few hours. They will show on your baby's face and then spread to her body appearing in groups.
Chickenpox is a very contagious disease, caused by the varicella-zoster virus and mainly affects children. They will be infectious until the blisters dry out — about a week — and are covered in scabs.
It will go away on its own, but you can help to relieve your baby’s symptoms.

• Keep their fingernails short to minimize skin damage from scratching and the associated complications of bacterial superinfection.
• NB!!  Parents should not use aspirin for fever control, because the development of Reye syndrome is associated with salicylate administration in children with chickenpox.
• Remember Chickenpox is a virus, so your baby won’t respond to antibiotics.
• Give your baby plenty of fluids to prevent him getting dehydrated. Offer him extra breast or bottle feeds. If he is formula-fed or on solids, he can have water too.
• To soothe your baby’s itchy spots, you can use calamine lotion.
• If your baby has chickenpox, keep him away from pregnant women who have not had chickenpox before as it can cause problems for an unborn baby.
• Homeopathic remedies to consider:

1. ACONITUM: This remedy should be considered at the initial stages of chickenpox when there is fever, restlessness, and increased thirst.
2. APIS: Children who have itching and stinging pox that is worse from heat and in warm rooms and better from cold and in cool rooms should be given this remedy.
3. BELLADONNA: Chickenpox with severe headache, flushed face, hot skin, and drowsiness with the inability to sleep well should be treated with this medicine.
4. RHUS TOX: This is the most common remedy for chickenpox. These children experience intense itching, especially at night and from scratching. They are very restless.

​If your baby has cradle cap, it will look like a very bad case of dandruff. It is common in newborns, and can show up as a red area on your baby's scalp, covered with greasy, yellow, scaly patches. The condition isn't painful or itchy. Over time the scales can start to become flaky so they rub off easily, just like dandruff, but often with bits of your baby's hair attached.
 
Cradle cap can cover the whole of your baby's scalp. It can also appear on your baby's face and neck, and around her nappy area, armpits, and nose.
 
The cause of cradle cap is not known. One contributing factor may be hormones that pass from the mother to the baby before birth. These hormones can cause too much production of oil (sebum) in the oil glands and hair follicles. Cradle cap usually clears up on its own in a few months.Cradle cap isn't contagious, and it's not caused by poor hygiene.

• You can treat your baby's cradle cap at home by washing her hair regularly and using a soft brush to loosen the flake.
• Rub almond oil or coconut oil into your baby's scalp. If you want, you can leave the oil on overnight, and then brush off the softened flakes in the morning. Clean the remaining oil off by shampooing with mild baby shampoo.
• It is tempting to pick at the scaly patches on your baby's head, but try not to. Picking at it can leave sore patches that could become infected.
• If your baby's cradle cap starts to look red and swollen, take her to your Homeopathic practitioner. This could mean it is infected.
• Homoeopathic remedies to consider:

1. CALCAREA CARB- The eruption is covered with thick scabs, with yellow pus underneath. The stools are white like chalk and the child has cold damp feet.
2. DULCAMARA-Thick, brown herpetic crusts on the face, forehead, temples and chin, with reddish borders, bleeding when scratched.
3. GRAHITES- The eruption exudes a sticky fluid. It appears mostly on the chin and behind ears, unhealthy skin, very little injury causes suppuration.
   
4. LYCOPODIUM- The eruption suppurates and had a bad smell. Thick crusts form having deep cracks on the skin underneath.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a mild illness caused by one group of the coxsackie viruses. It gets its name from the little small, blister-like sores that develop on the hands and feet, and in the mouth.
The blisters in the mouth can be very painful and your baby may not want to drink or eat, accompanied with a mild fever for a day or two and a general unwell feeling.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is very contagious and easily passes from person to person. It usually takes between three to five days for symptoms to appear once your baby is infected. Hand, foot and mouth disease will be uncomfortable for your baby, but rest assured that it’s not a serious illness.
You’ll probably want to call your Homeopath, to check and confirm that it is hand, foot and mouth disease.

• Hand, foot and mouth disease can’t be treated with antibiotics because it’s a virus.
• Also watch out for signs of dehydration, especially if your baby won’t eat or drink and has fewer wet nappies than usual, call your Homeopath.
• Baby teething gel (Pure Beginnings, soothing teething gel) may also relieve your baby’s pain in his mouth. Rub some gel on his gums, tongue and the insides of his cheeks where you can see sores.
• Spraying Colloidal Silver into your baby’s mouth might also relieve the pain.
• Homeopathic remedies to consider:

1. MERC SOL: Mouth sores can be very severe, and the person is very sensitive to hot and cold; may have a fever before getting the blisters and may alternate between getting too hot with perspiration and becoming chilled at night; becoming too hot or too cold makes the person worse in general.
2. ANT TART: Chill stage of fever: gooseflesh and icy cold skin; heat stage of fever: clings to those around and wants to be carried; does not want to be touched or looked at; thirstless despite the dry parched tongue.
3. BORAX:  Refuses to talk during fever; desire for cold drinks and cold food during fever; great heat and dryness of mouth with white ulcers (aphthae).

Measles is caused by the rubeola virus, the signs and symptoms appear 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Appearance of events:

1. If your baby has measles, the first symptoms of measles can include a runny nose, a fever of 38C, sore and red swollen eyes (conjunctivitis), dry coughing and white spots in the mouth (Koplik spots).
2. Three or four days after these symptoms appear, you will notice red spots behind your baby’s ears and on his face and neck.
3. As the rash appears, his fever may rise. The spots will spread over his body and develop a bumpy texture. The rash may be itchy, and will last for about five days.
4. As it fades, it will turn a brownish colour and leave your baby’s skin dry and flaky.

Measles can be serious and even fatal for small children. While death rates have been falling worldwide as more children receive the measles vaccine, the disease still kills more than 100,000 people a year, most under the age of 5.
However, occasionally measles can cause other problems such as: diarrhoea, vomiting, an ear infection, an eye infection, febrile convulsions and laryngitis.
Pulsatilla 1M and Morbillinum 200CH are used as homoeopathic prevention for measles instead of the MMR vaccine. If your baby has measles, consult with your Homeopathic practitioner immediately. Depending on your child’s personal case the Homeopath will decide on which homoeopathic remedies to give.

1. EUPHRASIA: Inflammation of the mucous membrane of eyes and nose. Sneezing with bland discharge from the nose and acrid discharges from the eyes It turns measles in to simple form, bringing out the eruptions controls the fever and relieves the cough.

• To relive the coughing, place a bowl of warm water or a humidifier in the room to make it more humid, you can add eucalyptus oil.
• Lots of resting and fluid intake is required.
• Avoid sunlight as measles damages eye tissues. The room should have subdued light, so as to not further cause damage to the eyes.
• You can make Calendula tea for you baby, it heals from the inside out. 

Milder Measles – only lasts three days.
 
German Measles is a contagious viral infection best known by its distinctive red rash. German Measles is caused by a different virus than measles, and is neither as infectious nor usually as severe as measles.

Mild fever, Headache, stuffy or runny nose, inflamed red eyes and enlarged tender lymph nodes at the base of the skull the back of the neck and behind the ears. 
​The rash is a fine pink rash that begins on the face and quickly spreads to the trunk and then the arms and legs, disappearing in the same sequence.

• GELSEMIUM: When the patient is drowsy and indifferent. Face ouffed and flushed. No thirst. Pulse full and soft but slow.
• BELLADONNA: If Aconitum fails, there is sore throat, headache, cough and swollen face give this remedy
• Preventative homeopathic treatment involves RUBEOLINUM.
• ACONITUM:  In the beginning, on appearance of the catarrhal symptoms, the patient demands water at night though he has seldom done so in the past. He is chilly and restless.

Dr. Alicia Smit
For more information or to make an appointment with Dr. Smit, please contact us on 012 460 9216

REFERENCES:
Richard P. j. b. Weller, J. A. A. Hunter, Mark V. Dahl; Clinical Dermatology 2008; 81.
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/l1038755/childhood-rashes-skin-conditions-and-infections-photos
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/baby-skin-10/skin-care-tips
http://www.motherandchildhealth.com/baby-toddler-health/relieve-childhood-skin-conditions-naturally/

Hoeveel werkende ma’s, wat hul babas en kleutertjies daagliks by dagmoeders moet gaan aflaai, loop hulle nie op die een of ander dag vas teen die “verset” van so ‘n betrokke klein mensie nie?  Oor die jare het daar eintlik min verander om hierdie situasie vir ‘n mamma beter te maak. 

Hier volg ‘n gesprek tussen my en my kleuter van destyds:
Ek:      “Gaan jy môre weer lekker by tannie Christa speel?”
Kind:   (Kopskuddend) “Hmm Umm.”
Ek:      “Ja toe, man.”
Kind:   “Ek klaar by tannie Kista peel het, tannie Kista nou genoeg gehad het.”
Ek:      “Nou wil jy môre terug na die babaskool toe gaan?”
Kind:   “Hmm Umm.”
Ek:      “Nou waarheen wil jy môre gaan?”
Kind:   “Tug na jou toe, Mamma.”
 
Ek het ‘n paar kenners onder wie ‘n maatskaplike werkster, ‘n opvoedkundige, ‘n sielkundige en ‘n kleuterskoolonderwyseres met die volgende vrae genader:

• Is daar ‘n meer of minder ideale tyd om terug te gaan?
• Hoe kompenseer ‘n ouer op ‘n gesonde manier?
• Waarmee sus ‘n ma haar skuldige gewete?
• Hoe skadelik is dit vir kinders om so min ouerkontak te hê, veral voorskoolse kindertjies?

 
Wanneer kan ‘n ma weer gaan werk?
Daar is nie ‘n ideale tyd om terug te gaan werktoe nie.  Dit is ‘n persoonlike besluit wat oorweeg moet word na aanleiding van die volgende:

1. Moeder en baba se gesondheid                                                                                                     Daar is baie aanpassings om te maak gedurende die eerste paar maande.  ‘n Moeder wat natuurlik geboorte geskenk het herstel gewoonlik vinniger as ‘n ma wat ‘n keisersnit ondergaan het.
2. Die kind se behoeftes en ontwikkelling. Vanaf geboorte tot ses maande: Beskou die eerste drie maande as die “vierde trimester” van swangerskap en dop elke moontlike steen om sodat jy by jou baba kan wees gedurende hierdie tydperk.  Alhoewel “bonding” alreeds plaasvind gedurende die swangerskap, word dit juis nou bevestig.  Dit is ook gedurende hierdie tydperk wat baba se voedingsbehoeftes baie veranderlik is en die meeste aandag verg.   Nege tot vier-en-twintig maande: Baie kenners meen dat die tydperk die belangrikste tyd is vir identifikasie met die primere versorger en manifesteer die vrees om ‘n ouer, veral die moeder, te verloor baie sterk. Drie jaar en ouer: Dit is belangrik dat daar sosiale blootstelling gegee word, maar daar is steeds die behoefte aan emosionele veiligheid en geborgenheid. Wanneer ‘n kind skool toe gaan, is die kritieke vormingsjare agter die rug.
3. Finansiele oorwegings: Vir die meeste moeders weeg hierdie ongelukkig die swaarste, want vir baie is daar geen ander opsie as om te moet gaan werk nie. Jy kan egter probeer om beheer te neem oor die situasie en met jou werkgewer onderhandel vir ‘n deeltydse pos, meer aanvaarbare ure of van die huis af werk.
4. Emosionele oorwegings: Die meeste jong moeders is ongemaklik daarmee dat iemand anders bedags vir hulle instaan. Vir ander is dit egter ‘n uitkoms uit ‘n lang eensame dag.  Baie vroue bou aan ‘n loopbaan en kan moeilik leef sonder die vervulling wat ‘n loopbaan meebring.
5. Logistieke oorwegings: Daar is die keuse tussen ‘n dagsorg fasiliteit en ‘n “nanny”. Moontlik is daar ‘n ouma of ‘n ander famililid beskikbaar wat kan uithelp.  Deesdae is daar ook die moontlikheid dat pappa ‘n rukkie kan uithelp met die tuisversorging vir die eerste paar maande.

Kan ek aanhou borsvoed ?
Ja, jy kan.  Maar moet dit nie alleen prober doen nie.  Daar is baie mammas wat suksesvol borsvoed, uitmelk en voltyds werk.  Maar dit is nie vir almal maklik nie.

• Belê in ‘n goeie elektriese borspomp.
• Versamel borsmelk en vries, begin vroegtydig.
• Pomp gereeld om melkproduksie te stimuleer. 
• Melk uit en vries wat ookal jy kan, moenie ‘n spesifieke hoeveelheid teiken nie, dit sal jou gespanne laat voel. Spanning is die slegste ding vir melkproduksie.
• Probeer natuurlike maniere om melkproduksie te verhoog. Voorbeelde is Fenugreek en Brouers gis.   Moenie langer as twee weke gebruik nie.
• Drink baie water.  Dit gebeur dikwels dat ‘n nuwe mamma vergeet om genoeg vloeistowwe in te neem.
• Sluit aan by ondersteuningsgroepe soos La Leche League, “Exclusive pumpers”-faceboek groep of gaan vind uit by jou plaaslike gesondheidskliniek wat beskikbaar is in jou omgewing.

​So here you are a very concerned mommy with a drooling baby.  Your baby is not well for a while now and on and off she has a funny poo nappy, some fever bouts and at times she is just so niggly with no apparent cause.  Everybody seems to put the blame for all these symptoms on teething.  How can all of this be caused by teething while it is going on for months now and still no toothy?
 
WHAT IS TEETHING

• When a tooth nears completion of its journey into the dental cavity
• This journey starts early during fetal development.
• Most babies get their first tooth by six months
• Thereafter it is usually one tooth per month
• By 2 – 3yrs they will have all twenty.

 
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Teething symptoms vary and can range from severe to nothing at all. Most children will experience at least one of the following symptoms as their teeth prepare to make its way through their gums:

• trouble falling asleep
• fussiness
• drooling
• runny nose
• rash around the chin or mouth
• red cheeks
• swollen gums
• biting
• an increased need to suck
• rejection of breast or bottle
• congestion

            70% OF BABIES GET TEETH ACCORDING TO THIS GUIDELINE:
 

6 months: lower central incisors – cutting teeth
7 months: upper central incisors 
7.5 months: lower lateral incisors
9 months: upper lateral incisors
12 months: lower first molars (bicuspids) – grinding and chewing teeth
14 months: upper first molars
16 months: lower canines (cuspids)
18 months: upper canines
20 months: lower second molars
24 months: upper second molar

MYTH
There is no such thing as a new tooth cutting its way through bone and flesh.  What actually happens is that remodeling of the tissue takes place and a pathway for the tooth emerges.  The belief that tension on the gums played a prominent role in teething symptomatology was widespread. As a result, surgically cutting the gums in order to open up a path for the emerging tooth was a common procedure until the late 19th and early 20th century in developed countries. In some less developed regions around the world, the gums of infants were still frequently sliced open and the teeth removed.
 
DEBATE
What about fever and teething?  Studies have shown that teething causes, at most, a mild temperature elevation. If your infant has a true fever (above 100.4F or 38 Celsius) it is unlikely to be caused by teething, especially if it continues for a number of days.
The same question applies to diarrhea and teething. Again, the available data doesn’t support teething as a cause of true diarrhea. If your child has a diarrheal illness, it is most likely to be caused by a virus.
In my experience as a mother and a nursing sister I can tell that those who had babies and experienced the feeling of total confusion and helplessness when that baby presents with all these so called teething-symptoms will confirm that the symptoms mentioned above are definitely very challenging during the teething phase. 
 
SO WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Because you might miss something serious while blaming it on teething.  Tonsillitis, otitis and bladder infections are common conditions that present itself during the teething phase.
 
WHAT CAN BRING RELIEF?

• Massaging and gently apply pressure with clean finger.
• Apply coldness (teething toys, cold boiled carrot, chilled cloth)
• Soft chewing ring
• Homoeopathic teething pulver

 
WHAT NOT TO DO

• Don’t worry if there is no tooth by 12mnths age
• Don’t blame high fever and lasting diarrhea on teething
• Don’t give frozen stuff to cool the gums
• Don’t apply benzocaine preparations

 
THE HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH
A homoeopathic remedy is a diluted substance that is known to cause the symptoms you are wanting to cure.  There are more than 600 remedies to choose from.
A homoeopath is well trained in matching the patient accurately to the correct remedy.

There are a number of remedies and OTC formulae
Today we are going to focus on two: Chamomilla and Pulsatilla
 
Chamomilla

• It is a daisy-like flower plant, growing low on the ground and smells like fresh apples.
• Greek: Chamos= ground; Melos= apple
• The plant is hardy and has a pleasant smell, but contains a bitter tasting plant sap used in insect repellents
• It grows wild in many parts of England​
• In the middle ages it was purposely planted in green walks going through gardens for the fragrance it gives out when trembled on.
• From there the little poem: Like a chamomile bed, the more it is trodden, the more it will spread.
• If planted in areas where there are other plants that are sick and droopy, they will recover.

 
People who need chamomilla

• Persistent, energetic, they don’t give up.
• No 1 remedy for irritable child with low pain tolerance
• Baby pulls its legs up and cries no matter what you do.
• They are snappy, throw temper tantrums of frustration.
• They want immediate relief, intolerant
• Ask for things and then refuses it
• One red hot cheek, one pale  cool cheek

​

​

Pulsatilla

• It is a flowering plant, belonging to the buttercup family (Anemone)
• Common names: Windflower, Pasqueflower because it blooms during Easter.
• It gives lilac coloured, bell shaped flowers
• The whole plant is covered in soft down
• It grows in clusters in dry, calcium rich soil
• The delicate stem bends in the wind.

 
People who need Pulsatilla

• They do not want to be alone.
• The child seldom complaints of thirst
• Flexible and adaptable to their environment.
• Likes open air
• Very easily emotional and moody at times
• The sick child is clingy and cranky and wants to be picked up all the time.

OTC’S ON THE MARKET
Luckily there are some of these homoeopathic companies who made it easy for the laymen and women. The ideal remedy will probably be in the complex, but until you can get to a practitioner who is able to choose the remedy more accurately, the OTC will do it for you. 
Cesranol – This is for a high need baby who will respond positively to any chamomilla based remedy. This remedy is especially useful if the baby has loose stools while teething. 
Sedaped – Has an anti-inflammatory action and works on the nervous system.
If teething is accompanied by cramping and loss of appetite, give tissue salt no 8 Mag phos in addition.
If teething starts later than 10 months, give Calc phos, tissue salt no 2.
CONCLUSION
The teething phase with all its challenges is a normal part of your baby’s development.  Try and do what you can to bring relieve to your baby and find support from family and friends to help you cope during this time.  But on the other hand keep in mind that this is a phase that will pass and do not feel that you should be able to have a perfect solution at all times.
 
RESOURCES
https://elixirs.com/products.cfm?productcode=S71
https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/chammo49.html
http://www.justthefactsbaby
https://www.homeopathic.com/Articles/Introduction_to_Homeopathy
http://homeopathytoday.net/homeopathy/homeopathy-for-children/item/44-homeopathic-tips-for-soothing-painful-teething
My Two Hats:Thoughts on health and wellness from Teething: Myths, Facts, Do’s and Don’ts

– BY SISTER ALIDA – NATUROPATHIC HEALTH CARE CENTRE.

So here you are a very worried mom with a screaming baby and everybody is telling you a different story about colic.  You do not want to be a neurotic freak, but just now your baby has colic, what then….?
 
WHAT IS COLIC?
The cause of colic is unknown. Researchers have explored a number of possibilities, including allergies, lactose intolerance, changes in the normal bacteria found in the digestive system, a digestive system that hasn't fully developed, anxious parents, and differences in the way a baby is fed or comforted. Yet it's still unclear why some babies have colic and others don't.  I like to agree with the explanation that the first three months after birth is just another “trimester”.   At birth your newborn's digestive system is still very immature and It will take about another three months for the digestive system to adjust to the circumstances outside the womb.  Fussing and crying is normal for infants, and a fussy baby doesn't necessarily have colic.
In an otherwise healthy, well-fed baby, signs of colic include:

• Predictable crying episodes. 
• Intense or inconsolable crying. 
• Crying that occurs for no apparent reason. 
• Posture changes. Curled up legs, clenched fists and tensed abdominal muscles.
• It usually starts a few weeks after birth and often improves by age 3 months. By ages 4 to 5 months, the majority of babies with colic have improved.

 
What to do:

• Get a good support system.  You are going to need the help.
• Take your baby for a good check up by a medical practitioner in order to rule out physical causes for the condition.
• Breastfeeding mothers could try a few adjustments to their diet. Problem foods may include: Alcohol, chocolate, spices, cabbage, onion, garlic, peppers, strawberries, oranges, grapes, eggs, wheat, and coffee.
• There are several homoeopathic remedies to relax the intestinal muscles and to help with excessive gas and acidity.
• Probiotics to supplement the friendly flora in the gut may help with the digestive process.
• Colic babies like to suck in order to relax. Offer a pacifier or read the section about cluster feeding.

 
Cluster feeding
Often a fussy, hungry and irritable baby in the evenings is mistaken for a colicky baby. To allow your baby to cluster feed between 18h00 and 22h00 might just solve your problem.  If I could turn the clock back a couple of years, I would have done things so much different.  I would  make sure that I prepare myself, my household and my family to allow for a few hours of exclusive  feeding  time with my fussy, needy baby.  Another point I want to make is:  Your baby’s need for more frequent feeds is not a sign that your milk is not sufficient or that your milk is too “weak”. We do know that cluster feeding is just nature’s way of increasing your milk supply during times your baby needs it, but it is not a sign that you should switch to bottle feeding or give extra feeds.
 
When to worry

• When you start feeling overwhelmed and you are losing control.  Don’t shake the baby.  Rather put the screaming baby down safely and leave the room for a few minutes.  Phone somebody you can trust and go back when you feel in control.
• Watch out for symptoms that could indicate a more serious medical condition like projectile vomiting, diarrhea, fever, poor weight gain or weight loss, lethargy.

 (Pyloric stenosis is a rare condition of the stomach valve.  It is normally diagnosed between 3 – 5weeks when baby starts with projectile vomiting.  The diagnosis is confirmed with a sonar and is repaired with an operation)

THE HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH
If we understand the stages through which a new born baby’s digestive system develops, then it is easier to stay calm when baby has reflux, gas, diarrhea and some discomfort.  Crying is your baby’s only way of telling you something is bothering him. It does not always mean he is experiencing serious discomfort. Check first to see if he is too cool or warm, hungry, gassy, or tired, or if he needs a diaper change.
Colic improves on its own, often by age 3 months. Unfortunately, there are no proven treatments that consistently help every baby, but a visit to your local homoeopathic clinic will be very beneficial to yourself and your baby. 
The practitioner will work out a formulation for gas and cramp relief, as well as something to calm the tummy nerves.

If you want to look around in your health shop or pharmacy for a homoeopathic remedy, make sure some of the following simplexes are in it:
Gas and cramp relief

• Carbo vegetabilis is indicated for flatulence, and burning crampy, stomach pain.
• Magnesium Phosphoricum is used to treat abdominal bloating and flatulent colic, stomach cramps
• Nux-vomica is indicated for flatulence, symptoms that are associated with mental strain and rritability.

• Arnica montana relieves stomach pain and abdominal discomfort associated with loose stools and aversion to touch.
• Calendula officinalis quietens apparent hunger in a baby who has just nursed.
• Chamomilla  is indicated for painful teething, regurgitation of food, abdominal distension and colic accompanied by loose stools.

 
Calming the tummy nerves

• Banisteropsis caapi relieves nervous hypersensitivity.
• Cuprum aceticum helps treat spasmodic pains in stomach and abdomen.
• Magnesium phosphoricum has anti-spasmodic and analgesic action on all muscular tissue and treats twitches, and spasmodic, colicky pain.
• Zincum metallicum acts on the central nervous system to treat muscular twitches, difficult teething, hiccough and flatulent colic.

Probiotics. Probiotics are substances that help maintain the natural balance of "good" bacteria in the digestive tract.
Digestive Enzymes. Dygestive Enzymes are normally a non-animal broad spectrum formulae of digestive enzymes aiding in the digestive processes in the gut.
 
Conclusion
Please remember that the colicky stage will pass and you can only do your best.  Don’t judge yourself because you are not coping well.  Your next challenge is soon to come.  In our next talk, we shall discuss teething.
 
Resources:

1. www.livestrong.com › Diseases and Conditions
2. Mayo Clinic Staff
3. Natura Website - http://www.comedhealth.co.za/
4. The Science of Mom: A Research-Based Guide  to Your Baby’s First Year,  Alice Callahan, PhD,  published in August 2015 by Johns Hopkins Press

So here you are, a beginner mom and you are starting to realise that it is all about a series of tubes leading from the mouth to the anus.  You are almost sure that your little baby’s whole existence is caught up in that one tube…  And you are so right!
 
One of the first things you noticed after you took your precious baby in your arms was the “root reflex” It is seen in a newborn baby when the corner of the mouth is stroked and the baby turns its head in the direction of the stroking.  This helps the baby find the bottle or the nipple to begin feed.  Then when the roof of the mouth is touched, the baby will suck.
During my years of working in a homoeopathic practice, I have learned that most of the troubles you are going to have to deal with originate in the digestive system.  For this reason I find it to be very important to understand your baby’s gut early in her life.  Let us start at the beginning of life.

DURING THE GESTATION PERIOD
At 8 weeks’ gestation, that most important tube is starting to form along with the stomach and by week 10 the stomach starts to produce digestive juices and enzymes.  Early in the second trimester, around week 13, the digestive system’s structures are fully formed and in the right places. Baby begins to suck and swallow amniotic fluid and the muscles and organs that make up the digestive system start to contract. Baby also pees every 40 minutes. In the final weeks of pregnancy, the digestive system gets ready for its own first delivery: meconium starts to build up in the intestine. This is baby’s first bowel movement. Instead of food, it’s made up of the stuff your baby collected in the intestines while in utero (like old blood cells and skin cells), which is why it looks so drastically different from the baby poop yet to come.
 
FIRST WEEKS AFTER BIRTH
At birth your newborn's digestive system is still very immature. As a result, he may lose up to 10 percent of his body weight in the first days of his life, as he adjusts to using his digestive system. Because a newborn's stomach is small, your infant needs frequent feedings. Breast milk is high in fat because that is the most efficient way for your baby to meet his caloric needs.  Your baby’s tummy is about the size of a small marble at birth and until he is about 4 months old, your baby’s tummy can hold only small amounts of milk at a time. Too much milk during feedings can cause your baby to spit up or be fussy. 
​
THE OPEN GUT
The “open gut” hypothesis has not been supported by good evidence, but it may be a good idea to keep that possibility in the back of your mind.  It is said that a baby’s gut is permeable until the age 4 – 6 months to allow breastmilk particles to move through the gut walls.  An immune response is caused in order to grant passive immunity to the young baby.  It is believed that if a baby eats solid foods too early in life, this very same process may cause an overreaction of the body’s immune response, leading to allergies and auto immune conditions. 

Spitting up can happen when your baby:

• Burps (this is called a wet burp)
• Eats too much
• Swallows too much air

There is no reason to worry about these common causes for your baby spitting up. As long as your baby is healthy and gaining weight, it is simply part of the development process. It might seem like a lot, might not be as much as you think.  

What to do:

• Try to feed in a more upright position
• Wind the baby more regularly, during and after the feed
• Keep baby upright for about 30minutes after a feed.
• Experiment with different bottle teats.
• Keep baby still after feeds
• Feed more frequently for shorter periods.

When to worry:

• Projectile vomiting together with diarrhea and fever.
• weight loss
• Choking
• Dehydration – less than 5 wet nappies per day, warm dry skin, dry mouth and sunken fontanelle

The rotavirus is normally responsible for the most cases of diarrhea in small children.  It is normally found in children between ages six months and two years. Other common causes for diarrhea in small children are milk allergy, lactose intolerance and antibiotics.
 
What to do:

• Give plenty of liquids, avoid dehydration.
• Supplement with probiotics.

  
When to worry:

• Small amounts of blood and mucous in the stool
• Dehydration – less than 5 wet nappies per day, warm dry skin, dry mouth and sunken fontanelle

Constipation is not measured by the frequency of the stool, but rather by the look of it.  The stool will be small, dry and hard and you will notice that your baby is struggling to pass the stool.
It is more common in formula fed babies and may also occur when solids are introduced.
Most medications given for pain and fever also cause constipation.
 
What to do:

• Try and figure out what could be the cause and stop giving it for at least one day.  If it is medicine, discontinue it for a while.  If you changed the diet, go back to the previous regime for a day or two and then try again.
• Some petroleum jelly applied to the anal opening will ease defecation

 
When to worry:

• Baby cries while passing stools
• Small tears around anus
• Blood in the nappy.

You will notice that your homoeopathic practitioner will always look at the full picture and not only at the specific complaint.
If you read through the different homoeopathic remedies, you will see that the same remedy that is prescribed for constipation can also be given for diarrhea. 

Nux vomica, for instance, is a good example.   It is prescribed for all kinds of digestive disorders depending on the specific type of person who needs the treatment.  Silica is another one that can be given in both instances of diarrhea and constipation.  When the practitioner starts asking you questions about your baby’s sleep pattern and all over happiness, her reaction to strangers and her emotional wellbeing, then it is because your doctor is trying to match your baby with just that correct remedy.
In your health shop or pharmacy you will find several complex Homoeopathic remedies.  If you are trying to solve a mild condition, it is quite fine to buy them. 

For infants with diarrhea, they should contain some of the following simplexes:
Calcarea carbinicum: Chronic diarrhea and sour, undigested stools. For infants who are teething and for overweight children.
Chamomilla : For colicky or teething infants. For children who scream or hit and are extremely angry and for irritable and hypersensitive adults. The person’s face will be red and flushed. The diarrhea is hot, green and watery, smells like rotten eggs and is accompanied by abdominal pain and gas.
Mercurius solubilus: Burning watery stools and sometimes slimy blood-stained stools. Infants may have green stools. Offensive odor. Children will experience pain before, during, or after a stool and have frequent or constant urging and a never-get-done feeling. Anus is raw from burning stools. Symptoms are worse in the evening and at night. 
Podophylum: Watery, urgent, profuse and explosive diarrhea accompanied by much gas.  When diarrhea accompanies teething in children.
Silicea: For breast feeding infants who get diarrhea from mother's milk.
 
Homoeopathic remedies for infants with constipation should contain some of the following simplexes:
Calc-carbonica: When your baby seems to be not bothered at all in any way by being constipated and the bowel just seems inactive.  The constipation may accompany teething as well or not. They may have trouble digesting milk or be sensitive to lactose or milk protein.
Lycopodium: This is where the baby will be irritable with the constipation. Very gassy. Lots of burping and/or farting alongside the complaint. They will also be clingy and fussy in general from the discomfort and their abdomen will be distended or hard as a rock.
Nux-vomica : For an impatient, determined baby. Can be irritable but is independent rather than clingy. This baby will be trying to will strain and push but nothing will come out.
Opium: For stubborn constipation in infants, due to inaction of the intestines.  When passed they are little, hard, dry, black balls. It may get worse from gas building up in the upper part of the intestines.
Silica : When stools are hard, small and dark and are produced with much strain and effort. . Use if the constipation starts up coinciding with difficult and slow teething. Use if your baby's appetite is poor and they are not gaining weight satisfactorily.
 
Conclusion
Please remember that your new born baby’s gut is still developing and many of the gut issues will pass by the time everything is nicely in place, anything between four and six months of age.  Now that you know how homoeopathy can assist in ordinary gut issues, we can focus on baby colic in our next talk.


​Resources:

1. www.livestrong.com › Diseases and Conditions
2. Mayo Clinic Staff
3. Natura Website - http://www.comedhealth.co.za/
4. The Science of Mom: A Research-Based Guide  to Your Baby’s First Year,  Alice Callahan, PhD,  published in August 2015 by Johns Hopkins Press

Easing off a juice cleanse is important. It is best to start with raw salads and fruit for a few days, plus maybe some lightly steamed vegetables with brown rice.
Now you know how good a cleansing diet can make you feel, you should try to maintain a more disciplined approach to what you put in your body.
​It is recommended that you replace one meal of the day with a raw juice one week post-fasting.

About 70% of the cells that are responsible for your immune system are located along the lining of your gastrointestinal tract. Having a healthy gastrointestinal lining not only helps boost your immune system, it helps to reduce bloating, constipation, flatulence, and could even help you lose weight and improve your overall health.

There are four steps for achieving a healthy gastrointestinal lining and immune system.

The first step is to remove harmful toxins from your diet; you should remove anything that could be causing damage to your digestive process. This includes excessive caffeine, alcohol, unhealthy fats, processed foods, wheat, gluten, low fat products, dairy and sugar products.

After removing harmful foods from your diet, focus on repairing damage to your gut and your intestinal lining. Eat more foods that are known to help heal the stomach. This includes foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids and other healthy fats, such as fish or avocados. Aloe Vera and a good quality turmeric supplement are known to improve the health of your gut and heal the lining of your stomach.

Every day, you should try to include at least one or two servings of foods that can help repair your intestinal lining.

Replenishing healthy gut bacteria is one of the most important steps to healing your gut. A healthy intestinal tract should contain about 80-85% good gut bacteria. Having a better balance of healthy bacteria can boost your immune system and heal digestive disorders. Taking a high quality probiotics supplement is helpful in replenishing your healthy gut bacteria. In order to increase the natural production of healthy gut bacteria, include foods that already contain good bacteria (kerif, cabbage, fermented foods).

The final step is to replace digestive enzymes.
Boosting the levels of healthy digestive enzymes will further improve your digestion and ward off leaky gut syndrome. Adding more organic salt to your diet should give you more hydrochloric acid and other beneficial enzymes.

Juicing allows your digestive system a rest from processing foods that:
 Take longer to digest
 You might be intolerant to or;
 Might cause an allergic or acidic reaction in the body
These are namely refined sugars, refined carbs, alcohol, caffeine and diary. Without having to process these, your body can then digest live juices in about 15 minutes and focus on ‘detoxing’ your cells.

If you don’t eat many raw fruits and vegetables each day you may be mineral or nutrient deficient. Juicing allows you to get a host of vitamins and minerals into your body consistently, which will mean you will be feeding your cells exactly what they need.

Although you lose the benefits of consuming fibre when drinking your juice, it takes less energy to digest food in liquid form. Heating and cooking vegetables also reduces or destroys some of their enzyme content, which some say can impede digestion. With juicing, it’s believed that these food enzymes are not only preserved, but your digestive system also gets a “rest.”

When you drink fresh vegetable and fruit juices you are greatly reducing the digestive process that normally occurs when you consume food. The fiber has been removed leaving the nutrient-dense juice that is easily digested. The vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes of fresh juice are easily transported across the intestine walls into the bloodstream, where they become available for use by the body.

An additional benefit is that juice requires little to no energy expenditure in order to digest and absorb the nutrients. This provides extra energy that can be used for healing chronic health problems.

VIEW AND DOWNLOAD 3-DAY JUICE CLEANSE HERE

So here you are, a young first time mom with your brand new baby and the only thing you want…  is to do everything right. 

You have read a pile of baby magazines and you are subscribed to a few email newsletters to help you stay on track.  You are attending baby stimulation classes and go to workshops and somewhere along the line somebody mentioned Homoeopathy.  Yet another new topic to explore.

In my career as a nursing sister working in a homoeopathic practice, I have seen a number of little children whose parents were desperate.  Their kid is six months old and already finished her third course of antibiotics.  Often people come to the homoeopathic practitioner as a last resort.

It would be great if we could get our patients early, teach them what to look out for and help them to understand the value of the body’s own healing properties.  My ideal is to have parents who can act as first line healers in their own homes.    If we can achieve that, the world would be a better place. 

The first thing to understand is the illness:
​
Acute disease
An acute disease develops in a short period of time.  It is important that you learn to observe the circumstances during the early stages of development because your homoeopathic practitioner will ask about the following:

• Sensation: what does it feel like, like a splinter or a ball?   If it is a pain, is it a sharp or dull pain?  
• Location: where exactly is the discomfort? For example, on the left side of the throat, or on top of the scull.
• Extending to: For example, going towards the ears or down the leg
• Period: for how long, since when and what triggered it initially.
• Modalities: What aggravates it and what brings relief. For instance cold air makes it worse, but it is better from a warm bath.

An acute disease has the ability to develop quickly and can cause quite a bit of drama.  Often beginner parents will land in the casualties department of the hospital in the middle of the night with a feverish child.  The health care provider will do a proper check, diagnose the infection (which often is teething or tonsillitis) and off they go with their prescription for antibiotics.  
​
Parents should learn to watch out carefully for the symptoms, realise that the body’s own defense mechanism already kicked in with an inflammatory response causing a raised temperature, pain, swelling, tiredness, etc.  We are going to discuss the whole issue around fever in future talks.

The homoeopathic approach to acute diseases is to find a remedy or a complex of remedies that support the immune system in that specific area.  Most pharmacies keep homoeopathic complexes to treat almost any minor ailment and it is quite okay to keep some of those little bottles in your medicine cupboard.  It is a combination of remedies in low potency that can be taken frequently according to the acuteness of the situation.
In most cases the illness will start improving within 24 hours, starting on a mental level.  In other words, when you see your child does not moan anymore and starts looking happier, then you know that there is a turn for the better.

Chronic disease
A chronic illness develops over a longer period of time and it lasts for several months to years. A chronic case is more complicated to treat and will almost always need professional help.  Chronic disease has often to do with an over response of the body’s immune system.  You need a knowledgeable health care practitioner who are not only able to find the correct homoeopathic simplex , but who also has a good understanding of the physiological mechanism of the body and are able to tackle the condition from a different angle like for instance the digestive system.

Why does homoeopathy work?
To answer this question we must look into the history of homoeopathy.  It all started with Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, who qualified in 1791 as a medical doctor.  He practiced medicine for about nine years, but became increasingly disillusioned by the cruel and ineffective treatments of his time. At this point I must remind you that medicine and medical treatment in those days were not what we are used to these days.  They made use of plants and herbals of which some of the side effects were very dangerous and even poisonous.   

Dr. Hahnemann left practice and focused on studying, writing and translation work.   To make a long story short, he started experimenting on himself.  For that he used Peruvian bark, known as Cinchona. Homoeopaths call it China. 
 Hahnemann then observed that Cinchona produced in a healthy person the symptoms of malaria, the very disease that it was known to cure, a discovery which was a cornerstone in the development of homoeopathy.  He referred to it as similia similibus curentur, meaning let like be cured with like.  This principle became the first law of a system he called homoeopathy.  (Homoios – similar and pathos – disease.)

He started experimenting with smaller and smaller doses, until he got rid of the side effects, but now it no longer effected a cure.  He then developed a new method of dilution.  Instead of simply stirring the substance after each dilution, he shook it vigorously.  This shaking he called succusion and the liquid he called a potentised remedy.  He found that the more he dilutes the remedy, using the method of succusion, the more effectively his remedy cured.  He believed that the shaking released the energy of the substance and dissipated its toxic effects.  This of cause is difficult to understand, difficult to explain and difficult to accept.  How can anything so dilute have any affect?  Yet despite opposition homoeopathy survived and spread remarkably quickly – because it was remarkably effective. 

Important Principles, mode of action:
The classical homoeopath would give one remedy at a time, trying to match as much as possible symptoms of the patient with as much as possible characteristics of the remedy.  This is time consuming and hard work, but once a practitioner gets the hang of it, it becomes most rewarding. 

OTC’s on the market
Luckily for you, you do not have to become an expert before you can help your child.  There are complex remedies on the market that contains a combination of simplexes altogether aiming for the same target. The ideal remedy will probably be in the complex, but until you can get to a practitioner who is able to choose the remedy more accurately, the OTC will do it for you. 

When to self-medicate and when to seek professional help.
This is something that is different for every person, depending on one’s knowledge, or lack thereof, but also one’s personality and nerve.  For instance, if you bump your toe, you are not going to ran off to the doctor.  But if the toe becomes hot and red and the pain persists for several days, you might suspect a fracture.  Then you might consider going to the doctor.  And then there are still a few who will say:  What will the doctor do?  Take an x-ray, confirm the fracture and bandage it.  I can do it myself. … 
While it is always important to seek professional advice for serious injuries and situations, don’t forget that even here, homeopathy can help. A few doses of the needed remedy while the ambulance is on the way can make all the difference when every minute counts.

Conclusion
Now you have an idea of what homoeopathy is about.  In the next talk we are going to discuss a few general conditions and remedies that work well on those conditions.

we focus on making pilates enjoyable, informative, challenging and making exercise a way of life, not a chore or a burden.
 
For those of you who don’t know what Pilates is all about and if it is something that you would be interested in, here is some information about Pilates and our Pilates classes.

​Anyone between the ages of 14 and 85 years of age can join my  Pilates classes. Pilates for younger children is no longer really Pilates as their concentration span is very short and the exercises then become more movement based.

I am experienced and have detailed knowledge of injuries and anatomy/physiology, as I am also a qualified Biokineticist. This ensures that you receive client specific sessions as well as exercises that will benefit the injury and not be contraindicated to the injury. Therefore, Pilates is safe when you have an injury, as long as the instructor is experienced and knowledgeable. 

Good quality Pilates does not come cheap. You get what you pay for, however there are studios that charge excessive amounts of money for sessions and the qualifications are not up to standard. At my Pilates Studio based in Pretoria, there are many options to choose from, ranging from private to group classes. To find out more about the fees at Wilna Pretorius Pilates Studio, Pretoria please contact us or click here for our Pilates Class Standard Rates.  

The first rule is that when you leave the sessi​on, you feel that the instructor targeted your specific needs while informing you of what they are doing. Another important factor is that the instructor has a comprehensive knowledge of anatomy/physiology and explains anatomically what is going on in your body and what they are working on. You will know if you instructor is passionate and professional- the more information they can give you, the better.

​Pilates is a form of exercise that can accommodate people of all shapes and sizes. If you feel uncomfortable exercising in front of others, opt for private Pilates sessions.

During this assessment, the instructor will also gather information from you regarding past injuries, any aches or pains, your exercise history and what goals you would like to achieve.
 
This assessment is not about pointing out all of your faults but rather to gather information on what is needed to get your body to its ultimate balance for efficient movement as well as what is needed to reach your goals.
 
Getting started
So, are you ready to get moving? Contact Wilna Pretorius Pilates Studio in Hazelwood to make your appointment. You won’t be disappointed!
Contact details:
Contact person: Wilna Pretorius
Telephone number: 072 722 6696
Email address: wpretorius007@gmail.com

What is the difference between Hay Fever, Allergic Rhinitis and Sinusitis?

Remember that “itis” normally refers to infection.  So when we think of sinusitis, we know that 80% of cases is a viral infection causing inflamed mucous membranes, over production of mucous and congestion.  About 20% of cases are caused by bacteria.  
Hay Fever, seasonal allergy and allergic rhinitis all refer to an overreaction of the immune system to a harmless substance like pollen, resulting in a histamine secretion.  Histamine reaction is your immune system’s way of getting rid of the allergen.  As a result of that, your mucous membranes become inflamed, red and swollen.  A watery discharge streaming out of the nose and the eyes.  Eyes are red and itchy and a lot of sneezing may occur.  Your body is now really trying to do you a favour by getting rid of the invader.
Furthermore, your immune system is not stupid.  It has a clever way of dealing with its “fears”It produces little “guards” by the name of immunoglobulins (Ige).  Next time when it notices some pollen dust, cat hair, etc., those antibodies are ready instantly.  Before you even know that spring is in the air, the whole cascade of reactions take place and you sit with your watery eyes, runny nose and your sneezing.

Treatment
Conventional treatment includes.

1. Anti-histamine – Anti histamines act by binding those antibodies so that they cannot call in their reinforcements which is histamine.  Therefore you will not suffer the consequences of a histamine reaction.  Some of the most common side-effects include: headache; drowsiness; dizziness; blurred vision; confusion; dry mouth; constipation; and difficulty passing urine. And once the antihistamine effect wears off, hay fever symptoms usually return.
2. Decongestants – they act by narrowing the blood vessels in the nose area, reducing swelling and congestion.
3. Steroids (corticosteroids) for hay fever are available as sprays, creams and tablets. Steroids create many more problems than antihistamines. They lead to unpleasant and even dangerous side-effects such as high blood pressure, bleeding from the bowels or stomach, reduced healing, poor muscle growth, weight gain, and electrolyte imbalances. Long term use increases the likelihood of diabetes, glaucoma, and eye damage.

Simple Steps for Managing Hay Fever
There are several self-help measures that cost very little which you can do yourself to help with hay fever.   They are:

1. Drink plenty of water. When you’re well hydrated the mucous membranes of your nose remain moist to expel allergens more easily.
2. Coat your nostrils. Lightly smear a non-absorbent ointment, such as paw-paw ointment, onto the inner surface of your nostrils to provide a protective barrier that traps allergens.
3. Know your triggers. Most hay fever sufferers are affected by the wind but some are worse indoors while others itch and sneeze when outside. Avoid your triggers when pollen counts are high.
4. Look after your gut.  Inflammation in the intestines can cause a leaky gut syndrome which is a leading cause in allergies.   Try and follow a sugar free and gluten free diet and supplement with a good probiotic. 

Probiotics are bacteria that are thought to help maintain a healthy gut. They are found in certain foods, such as yogurt with live active cultures, kefir and sauerkraut, and also supplements. Probiotics may change the balance of bacteria in the intestines in a way that could protect the immune system from flaring up in response to pollens and other allergens, which may help reduce allergy symptoms    Please refer to Dr Marlo Swanepoel’s article in the next issue.
Homoeopathic approach
In homoeopathy, we treat by the law of similars.  “Homeopathic Law of Similars is based on certain characteristic symptoms being the key to choosing a remedy.

A substance which may in a large dose cause undesirable symptoms, can in homeopathic potency repel these similar symptoms out of your system and the body rebalances and heals. Law of Potentization-homeopathy uses the smallest dose to effect a cure. By extreme dilution and Homeopathic potentization, curative properties are enhanced and poisonous and undesirable side effects ameliorated.”
By now you should be able to think about something that you have in your own kitchen that causes burning , watery eyes and runny nose, causing you to run for an open door, looking for some fresh air …. Yes chopped onion.  Our homoeopathic remedy for these symptoms would be Allium Cepa, which is nothing other than red onion.  Allium Cepa is prescribed for  exactly that.
Onions and garlic can be used for their homeopathic effect – the symptoms they cause, they can also treat. Both contain natural compounds that reduce the inflammation of hay fever. Add them liberally to your meals or, if you are up to it, eat them by themselves to reduce nasal irritation and streaming eyes.
In our arsenal we also have a few other remedies that are well indicated in the treatment of hay fever.

1. Arsenicum album (Ars.) This is one of the best remedies for hay fever.  Burning or itching in the nose, eyes or throat being a strong indication.  The discharges from both eyes and nose will be burning (but check to make sure that Allium cepa or Euphrasia are not better indicated – Euphrasia has the opposite symptoms). An improvement of the symptoms in the open air, although sensitive to light, is usually an indication for this remedy.
2. Euphrasia (Euphr.) A classic remedy for hay fever where, again, there is lots of sneezing with streaming eyes and nose.  If the water from the eyes burns the cheeks and the discharge from the nose is not too bad, this remedy is needed.  (Allium cepa has the opposite symptoms). The remedy is indicated if the symptoms improve in the open air – obviously away from pollen.  Sensitivity to light may be apparent in both Euphrasia and Allium cepa.
3. Natrum muriaticum (Nat-m.) Initially, there is a streaming, bland discharge from both the eyes and nose with lots of sneezing.  Later, there is nasal discharge that is thick and clear like the white of an egg with loss of taste and smell.  This is not one of the main remedies for hay fever but it can bring great relief to the type who gets easily burned, feel generally miserable, uncomfortable, blotchy and irritated in the sun.
4. Nux vomica (Nux-v.) This is one of the best remedies for when there is lots of sneezing, streaming from the eyes and nose, and an irritable, nasty mood.  (If they are sweet tempered, it is unlikely to help.) The symptoms are worse in dry air and relieved when the atmosphere is damp.
5. Pulsatilla pratensis (Puls.) The main indications for this remedy are a weepy, needy, state of mind, together with discharges that are thick, bland (not acrid) and green or yellow.  Pulsatilla frequently has one side of the nose blocked or congested.
6. Sulphur (Sulph.) Watery, burning nasal discharge, or a blocked nose, when outside. Frequent sneezing. Blocking of nose on alternate sides. Burning pain in eyes. Symptoms worsened by warmth and becoming warm in bed. Better for being in open air. May be lazy, opinionated, and desire sweets, alcohol, and spicy food.
7. Histaminum ( Hist.) Consider this remedy when either no other remedy seems accurate or if other remedies have been tried and haven’t worked.
8. Kali bichromicum ( Kali-bi.) Consider this remedy when thick, stringy, green or yellowish mucus from the nose or throat is present. There may also be a post-nasal or pain at the root of the nose relieved by hard pressure.
9. Sabadilla officinarum (Sabad.) Hay fever with frequent, spasmodic sneezing that exhausts the person. Sneezing from tickling inside the nose, and sneezing that causes the eyes to water. Profuse, watery nasal discharge and red and burning eyelid margins. Symptoms worse in the open air, better in a warm room. Dry mouth but little thirst.
10. Solidago ( Solid.) Burning, stinging eyes. Paroxysms of sneezing with mucus discharge from nose. One of the main remedies for people allergic to house dust mite.
11. Wyethia helenoides (Wye) Tremendous itching of the upper palate of the mouth causing the person to make “clucking” noises in effort to provide some relief. Itching of the nose and throat, along with a constant desire to swallow saliva to relieve the dryness may also be present.

 
Your homoeopayhic practitioner
Because you may find it difficult to sort through your symptoms and all the different remedies available, an appointment can be made with a homeopath that will assess your symptoms in full and make a constitutional prescription to help you get on top of the problem once and for all.
                      
Reference:

1. https://abchomeopathy.com/c.
2. http://www.medicinenet.com/
3. https://www.elixirs.com

 As an alternative health care doctor with a great interest in functional medicine, I see many patients in my practice suffering from chronic conditions for which they do not have any hope left. “I have tried everything”, “You are my last hope”, “I have been to every doctor”, “you must help me”, “I am desperate” are the phrases that I hear so often, if not on a daily basis.
 
To these phrases, more than not my response generally is “as a result of your lifestyle, medication, diet and stress you might be suffering from a leaky gut”
 
Before we look at what a leaky gut is, let’s look at your gut in its normal anatomy and physiology. Although extremely complicated I will try and break it down and simplify it.

 Intestinal health is the optimal digestion, absorption and assimilation of food.
The gut like the skin is one of the largest barrier organs that protects the body from external invasion from bacteria, viruses, parasites etc. On top of that it need to rid the body of toxins, produced as by-products of your metabolism. While doing all this your nutrients need to be absorbed into your blood stream to maintain your health and functions.
This mainly happens within the small intestine via finger like projections called villi. Villi increases the surface absorption area. On top of Villi you find microvilli which is where nutrients are absorbed. In between these projections are small junctions called tight-junctions. This is where the nutrients pass from the lumen of the intestines into the blood stream into our cells. Toxins and large undigested particles can’t pass through these junctions and are thus passed out via the stool, as demonstrated in fig 1.
 
Like I always demonstrate to my patients. Imagine your hands were your gut with your fingers your microvilli. In-between the fingers are the tight junctions carefully regulating your nutrient absorption. Nothing falls through the fingers because of the skin connecting them. As demonstrated in fig 2.

​Now
 
What is a leaky gut then?
 
The basic short and sweet function of your immune system is to protect the body from pathogens or invaders that will cause harm to your body. Remember that your gut is rich in immune cells. Your entire body is protected from these invasions by only that one, thin single cell layer of the villi. When stretched open it can roughly cover the size of a tennis court. So basically your body is protected from a sewer by only one layer of cells. This is the exact reason why up to 80% of your immune function is active in your gut.
 
Once a toxin or “pathogen” enters the gut and your very delicate ecosystem within your gut can not deal with this, or an imbalance is created, your immune system is activated causing micro inflammation within the gut. This damage or inflammation causes damage to the tight junctions, creating a hole within the single layer of cells, resulting in toxins, and undigested food etc leaking through into your blood stream. This results in a massive immune response against all the foreign particles which will result in systemic inflammation. As demonstrated in fig 3
 
Should this response carry on, over time your immune system will be hypersensitive leading to things like eczema, sinusitis, headaches, rash, and depression to more chronic things like autoimmune disease, cancers etc.

Triggers or causes of Leaky gut

• Low fiber diets.
• Diets rich in sugar, processed food or dead foods (nutrient poor food), leading to SIBO (small intestinal bowel overgrowth) or candida leading to an imbalance in the gut ecosystem which leads to damage of the lining.
• Inflammatory foods such as gluten, sugar, dairy and alcohol. It is now suspected that genetically modified foods (GMO) are a major cause of leaky gut as more and more people are seen with theses problems.
• Medication overuse especially medicines like NSAID, antibiotics, ant-acids, beta blockers and steroids damages the linings and interferes with normal digestion processes.
• Heavy metals, moulds, parasites or chronic low grade infections
• Chronic stress activated many fight or flight responses which leads to a cascade of hormonal changes resulting in gut alteration.

 
Signs that you might be suffering from a leaky gut

• Digestive problems such as Indigestion, IBS, bloatedness, diarrhoea
• Allergies especially seasonal
• Auto immune disease
• Depression or mental issues such as ADD or ADHD. Your gut is the manufacturing plant of neurotransmitters. Should you not absorb the correct nutrients for the right neurotransmitter formation, depression will result. Other neurotransmitters such as serotonin are produced within the gut. An unhealthy gut will lead to a decrease in serotonin which will result in mood changes.
• Hormonal imbalances such as PMS
• Skin problems

Now that you have seen that a leaky gut can cause HAVOC in your ENTIRE BODY, you might want to know how you can fix it.

• It is always the best idea  to consult your healthcare professional, but should your problems not be to major there are a few things you can do
• Avoid all the triggers as mentioned above. Eat live, whole, unprocessed foods.  
• An Elimination diet might help to identify sensitivities or allergies
• Treat infections in the least harmful way
• Probiotics should be on top of your list
• Amino acids such as L-glutamine might be taken.

​By:  Dr. M Swanepoel

SERVICES PROVIDED:
I do neuropsychological assessments and provide psychotherapy from an integrative framework for:
·         Children and Adolescents
·         Adults  (including the elderly).

Depending on the need of the client, I provide:
·        Individual Psychotherapy;
·        Family Therapy;
·        Couples Therapy (gay and straight); and
·         Group Therapy.

I work with all psychiatric diagnoses and have a particular interest in working with adolescents and adults who are striving to work through childhood wounds in order to lead a more fulfilling life. I also have a special interest in working with individuals with low self-esteem and issues with guilt and shame.


BACKGROUND:
I worked as an Occupational Therapist for 10 years from 2000-2010. I worked at Denmar Psychiatric Clinic providing individual and group therapy. I also worked in private practice with children and at a school for children with emotional and learning problems. I worked mainly on improving the quality of life of people struggling with psychological discomfort.

In 2008 I obtained my Honours degree in Psychology, cum laude, through UNISA; and in 2013 I obtained my Masters degree in Clinical Psychology, summa cum laude, through UNISA. I completed my internship at Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital in 2013 and my year of Community Service at the community clinics in Bronkhorstspruit and Dark City in 2014.

WORK EXPERIENCE:
COMMUNITY SERVICE AT TSHWANE DISTRICT, REGION C: Bronkhorstspruit Clinic and Dark City Clinic

Neuropsychological assessments and psychotherapy with individuals, families, and couples of all ages and diagnoses but particularly:
·         Sexual abuse of woman and children;
·         Severe, acute trauma;
·         Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; and
·         Complicated Bereavement.

I designed, implemented and evaluated a programme which addressed adolescent school girls with the aim of empowerment of the community by encouraging survivors of sexual assault to speak out without shame and fear and with the necessary support.

INTERNSHIP AT STERKFONTEIN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL:
I worked in the Forensic Unit of Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital for eight months where I did:

·         Psycho-legal work, including high profile neuro-psychological assessments and report writing for the court;
·         Psychotherapy with state patients in the form of individual-, group- and family therapy with patients of ages ranging from 18 to 65 and all diagnoses including state patients suffering from severe psychopathology and higher functioning state patients waiting for re-classification and placement.

I designed, implemented and evaluated a programme designed for state patients diagnosed with severe mental illnesses which is currently being written up for publication.

I worked for four months in the Dual Diagnosis Unit designed for patients suffering from a substance abuse disorder and a concurrent mental disorder where I provided individual-, group-, and family therapy for patients of ages raging from 20-60. I also did psychological assessments.

For 12 months on a weekly basis I did neuropsychological assessments and provided psychotherapeutic input at community clinics for individuals, families and couples of all ages and all diagnoses but in particular:
·         Complicated Bereavement;
·         Personality Disorders;  and
·         Mood- and Anxiety disorders.
 

TRAINING:
I obtained theoretical training in the following subjects:
·         African Epistemology; Basic Therapeutic Skills; Community Psychology; Ecosystemic Psychology; Marriage and Family Therapy; Neuropsychology; Psychological Assessment;  and Psychopathology

I obtained practical experience in the following:

• Personality- and Neuropsycholgical Assessment in different populations including at Weskoppies Hospital; 
• Assessments around child custody cases at the Office of the Family Advocate;
• Working in the city community with the terminally ill;
• Programme design and group psychotherapy in a sheltered workshop in the community of Soshanguve for adults suffering from Mental Retardation with concurrent psychiatric diagnoses
• Individual-, Child- and Family psychotherapy

PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS:
- Investigating the effects of a group therapy programme designed for a ward with in-patients in a forensic setting diagnosed with severe mental illnesses (co-authors: Dr. DCJ Hoffman & Prof. U. Subramaney) .
o    In process for publication
o    Presented at the South African Psychology Congress (PsySSA) (2013&2015)and at the African Regional Conference of the International Association for Group Psychotherapy and Group Process (IAGP) (2015).

- The Importance of differentiation of the self of the psychotherapy trainee.
o   In process for publication
o   Presented at the International Congress of Psychology (ICP)( 2012); at the Southern African Students' Psychology Conference ( 2013) and at the European Congress of Psychology (ECP) ( 2013)  in Stockholm, Sweden

- Ensuring viable structural coupling with a community by gaining entry from a respectful position of informed not-knowing.
o   In process for publication
o   Presented at the Southern African Students' Psychology Conference ( 2013) and at the European Congress of Psychology (ECP) July 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden.

- DVD review: Virginia Satir: The use of self in therapy (co-authored with Niel Victor), published in:
o   New Voices in Psychology Vol 8 (1) 2012, pp.129-131; and

- Congress report: Honey and Saffron: The 13th European Psychology Congress, Stockholm, Sweden 9-12 July; published in:
o   New Voices in Psychology Vol 9 (1&2) 2013, pp. 130-133


Credentials
B.PSYCH HONS (UNISA); MA. CLIN PSYCH (UNISA)
Address: 13 Hazelwood Street, Pretoria (Menlo Park area)
Telephone: 071 152 5443
E-mail: sasjavandermerwe@gmail.com
HPCSA: 0122874;  
PRACTICE NUMBER: 0600334

Anxiety in children

Not all fear is bad. In fact, a little fear serves as an insurance policy. "Without fear, we'd jump headlong into things we shouldn't," says Tamar E. Chansky, PhD, author of Freeing Your Child from Anxiety. 

Ages and stages.

Babies and toddlers have little to worry about.  For children to worry, they have to imagine the future and bad things that can happen in it.  Some of them might fear sudden  loud noises, heights, strangers & separation.

Fears of an Infant or Toddler

·         Loud noises or sudden movements
·         Large looming objects
·         Strangers
·         Separation
·         Changes in the house

Fears During Preschool Years

·         The dark
·         Noises at night
·         Robbers
·         Monsters and ghosts
·         Animals such as dogs, insects

Fears During School Years

·         Snakes and spiders
·         Storms and natural disasters
·         Being home alone
·         Fear of a teacher who's angry
·         Scary news or TV shows
·         Injury, illness, doctors, shots, or death
·         Fear of failure and rejection

School children could fear failure, criticism, exams and physical harm.  Children over age eight are more likely to have worries. Worries are when a child thinks about past or future situations.  Fear usually occurs in the present.

Cause of anxiety and fear.

1.    Biological: Some people are more likely to be anxious.  It runs in the family .
2.    Parenting styles or modelling: children look at you to see how they should react.
3.    Life events. Situations that caused trauma.  Even a film or story .

Children hear everything you say and mimic everything you do, so give them a good example.

Ways to support your child

1.    Acknowledge your child’s fears.
2.    Gently encourage your child to do things they feel anxious about, but don’t push.  (Use the stepladder approach.)
3.    Praise and give rewards for little victories, don’t criticise their fear or anxiety.

One simple thing you can do to maintain calm is to establish a predictable routine. Also, minimize the numbers of caretakers in your child's life. Strong bonding with your child -- through regular touch, eye contact, and talking or singing -- creates a foundation of trust, helping to inoculate your child against future anxiety, too.

Approach the fear in steps. Resist the temptation either to overprotect. Instead, give your child opportunities for direct, safe experiences. Talk to a dog's owner and ask, "Is the dog friendly? Can we say 'hi'?" "Or, ask your child, 'Is the dog's tail wagging? That's the sign of a happy dog.'" If you have a friend with a dog, let the "sleeping dog lie" -- and let your child observe. That allows a safe entrance to the world of dogs.

Nightmares

1.    During 2nd halve of the night
2.    Ages 5 – 6 when they become aware of real life
3.    Remember it is a normal way of dealing with life’s stresses and does not point out bad parents.

How to deal with nightmares

1.    Reassure, talk , rub, rock
2.    Teach coping skills, positive thoughts, relaxing skills (imagine lying on a beach) By developing her own stories that incorporated deep-breathing, affirmations, and muscular relaxation, she was able to greatly help her own children. 
3.    Keep monster spray at hand, play Imagine magic.
4.    Avoid scary TV shows or storybooks before bedtime

How to deal with fear of dark

1.    Play fun in the dark: hand figures, treasure hunt.
2.    Discuss all fears during the day and practice skills, helping with self confidence.
3.    Give a security object like a soft towl, blanket
4.    Leave night light on, keep doors open.

How to deal with children sneaking to parent’s bed.

1.    Try to convince him to stay in his bed
2.    Stay with him for a while.
3.    Check on him regularly predictably, for trust
4.    Set up a star system and give a reward
5.    Deal with the issue during daytime by giving reassurance.

When to be concerned about anxiety in children

When it is interfering with his social life or school work or friendships, it is time to discuss the matter with your health care practitioner.  Remember that psychosomatic symptoms develop normally during first school years and that these odd stomach pains or headaches are not necessarily signs of concern.

Rescue Remedy (2)

This homeopathic stress relief preparation has been used safely and effectively for generations and it comes in a number of convenient forms to suit your particular application: oral drops, a spray, a topical cream, as a lozenge, and in chewing gum form.

Rescue Remedy is a blend of 5 of the original 38 Bach Flower Remedies, developed by Dr. Edward Bach a medical physician, turned homeopath and researcher in the 1920's and 1930s.

Dr. Bach was an advanced physician for his time and we owe him a great deal for his research on mental and emotional causes of dis-ease. If you would like to learn more about his life and his research, please visit the Bach Centre.

Rescue Remedy is comprised of the following 5 individual flower remedies:

1. Rock Rose: which is used for terror and panic
2. Impatiens: which helps with irritation and impatience
3. Clematis: which aids in inattentiveness and lack of focus
4. Star of Bethlehem: which is for shock
5. Cherry Plum: which assists with irrational thoughts and a lack of self-control.

Rescue Remedy is completely safe for yourself, your kids and your pets.

According to BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, like other homeopathic preparations, Rescue Remedy is considered safe for pregnant woman, infants, children and people with medical conditions.

How does Rescue Remedy actually work?

The science of homeopathy is actually based on vibrational and energy medicine.

There is no actual active ingredient in a homeopathic remedy, as the original ingredients have been diluted so many times that all that is left is an energetic and vibrational imprint. This is what makes it so safe, as well as so powerful.


References:

1.Tamar E. Chansky, PhD, author of Freeing Your Child from Anxiety. 

2.http://www.doctor-recommended-stress-relief.com/Dr Lisa

This week in our Mom and Baby workshops we will be discussing fear and anxiety in our children and how to best handle and treat the situation.

We will cover:

·       Fear of dark, strangers, seperation
·       Fear of monsters, thunder
·       Bad dreams
·       How to manage fear
·       The benefits of Phosphorus

When:  Tuesday , 4 August 2015 
Time:    10h00 – 11h00

Join us for a relaxed informative session with some other mommies and babes.  It takes place at our Health Care Centre, every First Tuesday of each month.

Refreshments are served            
Please kindly give us a call to book your spot.  

In this article, I will be discussing the importance of your glute (bum) muscles and what can happen if they are weak or inactive. Most people suffer from weak glutes and this can influence many aspects of your life.

What are the gluteal muscles?
The gluteal muscles are a group of three muscles which make up the buttocks: the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus.

The gluteus maximus is the largest of the gluteal muscles. It is also the most superficial of the three gluteal muscles.
The gluteus medius muscle is fan shaped and lies between to the gluteus maximus and the gluteus minimus.
The gluteus minimus is the deepest and smallest of the superficial gluteal muscles. 

What are the functions of the gluteal muscles?

The gluteal muscles are the most important muscles in the body. They are vital for the health and strength of the whole body, especially your back. The gluteal muscles have three main functions in the human body. These include:

1.       Spine stabilisation
The gluteus maximus allows us to maintain an upright position. The gluteus maximus also provides lower back stability through its connection with the erector spinae (deep muscles in the back that keep the back upright). Some of its fibres are continuous with the fibres of the erector spinae. A contraction of the gluteus maximus will generate tension in the erector spinae muscle on the same side, providing stiffness to the spinal column.

2.       Movement
The gluteus maximus is a hip extensor (hip extension is the movement where the leg moves towards the back of the body). The gluteal muscles play a very big role in sufficient and efficient movement. Weak gluteal muscles will cause movement problems and compensations that can lead to injuries.


Gluteal amnesia
Gluteal amnesia is a condition where your body can’t or forgets how to properly activate the gluteal muscles, whether it’s due to postural flaws or lack of use. As a result, you may lose the ability to move your hips through a full range of motion which adds stress to your knee, lower back, and even your shoulder joints!

Testing to see if the gluteal muscles are weak?

There is a test you can do to determine if your glutes are weak. To start this test, stand in front of a chair (facing the chair) and with your feet under the chair and your knees touching the seat. Now squat down and try not to let your knees push into the chair. If you find that your knees are hitting the chair or you are even moving the chair, your glutes are not working properly. If the knees come forward into the chair, you are initiating the squat movement with your quads. This places unnecessary stress on the knees and ankles. The object of this assessment is to try to initiate the squat from the hips (i.e. stick your butt out before your try to bend your knees). Starting a squat from the hips will engage the gluteus maximus.

What causes the gluteal muscles to weaken?

When considering the human body, we know that some muscles are more prone to inhibition than others, and the glutes are one of these “easily-inhibited” muscles. Here are some of the reasons your glutes may be weak or inhibited:

1.       Inactivity

Probably the biggest reason why the glutes shut down is due to inactivity. If you fail to consistently activate a muscle, and you fail to regularly activate a muscle to high levels of capacity, it will inevitably quit working properly. If you spend long periods of time sitting in a chair, then the front of the hips (psoas) become short and tight, while the back of the hips (gluteal muscles) become long and weak. Soon the body forgets how to use the gluteal muscles because it will divert the neural signal intended for them to a stronger muscle close by to do the job instead. Gluteal inhibition can negatively impact posture, and poor posture can further inhibit the glutes, thereby creating a downward spiral in gluteal function.

2.       Pain

Pain is a huge inhibitor of the gluteus maximus. The glutes can become inhibited with just about any lower body or spinal injury. Following injury, most people simply keep on keeping on, and their movement patterns suffer. Rather than experiencing proper glute function during movement, they rely on other muscles to get the job done. This will cause many postural and gait compensations. The body is resilient and will find a way to prevail. Next time you go for an early morning drive, pay attention to the joggers. You’ll notice that not many of them appear athletic or possess good running posture. Sadly, most look like they’re “speed-limping.” This is due to compensating for, most likely, weak glutes.

What can happen if my gluteal muscles are weak?

Inhibition and delayed activation of the gluteal muscles can in time lead to weakness of these muscles. Gluteal inhibition negatively affects performance and lower body strength and is a root cause for many injuries and chronic pain. Injuries that can result from weakened glutes include:

1.       Hamstring strains
Due to delayed gluteus maximus activity, the hamstring muscles become dominant during hip extension, which can cause hamstring strains. A lot of athletes that pulled a hamstring keep suffering re-injuries despite their focus and efforts to strengthen the hamstrings. They are reinforcing a compensation pattern instead of reactivating their inhibited glutes.

2.       Low back pain
Gluteus maximus activation plays an important role in stabilising the pelvis during the task of lifting. Delayed gluteus maximus activation causes excessive compensation of the back extensors. The lower back becomes dominant and the glutes are neglected. The body is an interconnected system. If the muscles do not fire where and when they’re supposed to, other muscles compensate, which can result in strain or injury. For example – weak glutes can’t stabilise your pelvis, and cause it to tilt forward, putting pressure on your lower spine. The lower back can be injured if it is forced to do the hip extending job of the glutes.

3.       Knee pain
The excessive internal rotation of the femur (inward movement of the leg) as a result of glute weakness increases the pressure on the knee cartilage.

4.       Hip pain
Decreased force production from the gluteus maximus during hip extension could lead to increased force and wear and tear on the hip joint structures.

5.       Lower-body malalignment
Weak glutes results in postural compensation which in turn leads to poor posture. Over time, compensation causes muscle imbalances, trigger points in muscles, and overuse injury.

How to re-activate the gluteal muscles

Because of compensatory patterns it may be difficult to target and strengthen the glutes. Re-activating your glutes will improve your core stability, prevent lower-body injuries and enhance sport performance and daily activities.

During the “re-education” process, it’s important to have proper perspective. You might have been walking around with a gluteal imbalance for over a decade, therefore it’s going to take some time to rewire your body. If it takes a few months for the problem to normalize, so be it. Each session you’ll be a little bit closer to your goal, so be patient.

There’s a neural and muscular component to fixing the issue. When your glutes are weak, they don’t know how to activate. You need to get it easily-excitable through neural re-education, and then you can focus on increasing strength. If the gluteus maximus firing pattern is so far off that they cannot activate, doing squats and other types of glute exercises will only make the problem worse if you are not using the proper muscle at the proper time to achieve the motion. Retraining the brain to tell the glutes to contract (neuromuscular coordination) is an important part of beginning a glute strengthening program.

Posture plays an important factor in gluteal activation. A postural flaw that can lead to gluteal amnesia is known as anterior pelvic tilt. This occurs when the pelvis tilts forward and the stomach protrudes. The forward tilt of the pelvis stretches your gluteals into a relaxed state which decreases your ability to properly activate them. You can increase pelvic stability while simultaneously decreasing knee and back pain with the right exercises. Increasing pelvic stability means that you are re-training your muscles to pull the pelvis back into a neutral position so that your gluteal muscles can be activated efficiently. Tight hip flexors are also characteristic of anterior pelvic tilt. If your hip flexors become too tight, they rotate your pelvis forward, overstretching your abdominal and gluteal muscles. Massaging and stretching the hip flexors can help you to better activate the gluteals. As mentioned, the abdominals are also affected in an anterior pelvic tilt posture. The abdominals prevent anterior pelvic tilt. However, they are unable to do their job if they are in a relaxed state. Properly training the abdominals will help to bring the pelvis into a neutral position so that you are better able to use your gluteals.

It is important to seek professional help when attempting any sort of rehabilitation, so consult your Biokineticist or Physiotherapist before starting an exercise programme.

Stay healthy,
Wilna Pretorius

Biokineticst
Life • Health • Movement