Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Winter Back Pain from Cold Temperatures and Shoveling Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND If you are in New York and look out the window or go for a walk you will notice the snow. While snow may look pretty when it falls after the snowfall is …
Pneumonia Part 2 Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND In our first blog on pneumonia, we covered the basics of pneumonia. In this blog we will be reviewing risk factors for pneumonia, details about the vaccine and what you can do to help boost your immunity. Let …
Pneumonia
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Pneumonia is one topic that seems more complicated than it is. Part of the confusion is because of the vaccine. But what even is pneumonia? How do I know if I have it? And who are the people that should talk to their doctor about getting vaccinated. Before I start, I do want to mention that this topic will be broken into 2 parts so that it’s easier to digest. It is a large topic to cover so let us get into it, shall we?
To start at the beginning what is pneumonia? Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs. It can be a bacterial, viral, or even fungal infection. This infection triggers inflammation in the lungs which results in the air sacs filling with fluid or even pus. Please see the attached diagram for what this looks like.
Pneumonia can vary from mild to severe. Certain factors such as cause of infection, your age and your overall health can impact the severity of illness you experience. In fact, newborns and infants may not show any signs of the infection. Symptoms of pneumonia that infants may experience include vomiting, fever, cough, restlessness, fatigue and difficulty breathing or eating. Adults may experience shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain when you breathe or cough. There may also be fatigue, nausea, vomiting or even diarrhea. While some people may have a fever with sweating and shaking chills other people aged 65 and over may find their body temperature may be lower than normal. In those 65 and older they may also experience confusion or even changes in mental state.
For some individual’s pneumonia may present in a comparable way to a cold or even the flu and be mild in its severity. In other people, however, it can lead to more severe complications. How do you know when and if you should see a doctor? Anyone who is under 2/o or over 65 years old is considered high risk when it comes to pneumonia. Additionally, anyone with a comprised immunity for any reason, anyone with heart or lung concerns would also be considered a high-risk group. For these individuals it’s important to see a doctor if you suspect pneumonia. For other people without these risks, it is important to see a doctor if you notice difficulty in breathing, chest pain, fever of 102 or higher and a persistent cough with mucus.
Now I know I said some individuals are more at risk of complications. But what are some of these complications? To start there is the risk of bacteremia. This is basically when the bacteria that is causing the pneumonia enters the blood stream. From the lungs the bacteria can spread to other organs and cause damage. Pneumonia may cause fluid to build up in your chest. In some cases, the bacteria can trigger the fluid that builds up to become infected. If this occurs the fluid must be either drained or even removed surgically. In some cases, an abscess may form in the lungs. This abscess has to be treated with antibiotics. If the abscess leads to a buildup of pus surgery may be needed to remove it! Lastly for some at risk induvial the breathing difficulty experienced may be so severe you need to be hospitalized and use a breathing machine. (1)
In our next blog we will review the risk factors for developing pneumonia. We will also do a small review on who the vaccine is and is not intended for. I also mention who should talk to their doctor about whether the vaccine is the right choice. But health is not just about the things that conventional medicine can offer. In our next blog I will be reviewing the nutrients that are most beneficial for our lungs, immunity, and even overall health! Some things we will discuss include Glutathione, Nucleotides, Quercetin and even Aged Garlic! I will even mention some of the differences in use between Glutathione and NAC! In case you were wondering, NO, NAC and Glutathione are not identical supplements!
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Energy in the Body written by: Noreen Kodula, Certified Natural Health Professional (CNHP) Energy is essential for all body functions. Involuntary processes like breathing and circulation, and voluntary actions like movement and thinking all rely on energy. Most people think of energy in terms of …
RSV-Respiratory Syncytial Virus Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Cold and flu season may be a common topic of conversation however there is another virus that is a hot topic at this time of year. That is RSV. What even is RSV? Why is it important to …
Stress Management
Noreen Kodula, Certified Natural Health Professional (CNHP)
Stress is the body’s natural response to changes or challenges (stressors) it experiences. It can result in many different physical, emotional and behavioral responses. We all experience stress at some point but the way we respond to it makes a big difference in our overall physical and mental wellbeing. Chronic stress negatively impacts your health and can lead to mental health problems.
Stress can be positive – keeping you alert, motivated and ready to avoid danger – or negative – when stressors continue without any breaks. The best way to manage stress usually involves changing the situation. You can also change the way you respond to the situation.
There are three main types of stress:
Your body has a built-in stress response (fight-or flight response) that helps your body face stressful situations. When you have chronic stress, your body continually activates its fight-or-flight response. This can cause damage to the body, and you may develop physical, psychological and behavioral symptoms. Some things to look out for if you think you are stressed are:
Chronic stress can affect your immune system, digestive system, cardiovascular system and your reproductive system. It also puts you at a higher risk of developing anxiety or depression.
Stress cannot be avoided but it can be stopped from becoming overwhelming by doing the following:
Taking supplements is a helpful way of supporting the body’s ability to handle stress, especially when incorporated with a regimen that includes good sleep hygiene, balanced diet, and healthy daily habits. Some of these supplements include:
It is normal to be stressed sometimes, but you should not let uncontrolled stress go unchecked. Long term stress can cause physical, emotional and behavioral symptoms. It is important to control your chronic stress before it leads to other health issues.
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Noreen Kodula, Certified Natural Health Professional (CNHP)