Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
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 …
Blood Sugar 101 By: Noreen Kodula, Certified Natural Health Professional (CNHP) Blood sugar, also known as blood glucose, is the amount of simple sugar moving through your body at any given time. The main form of energy that your body uses is glucose. Everything that …
Bug Bites and other Outdoor Irritants to the Skin
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Camping is a popular and fun summer activity! But camping and other outdoor activities can put you at an increased risk of skin concerns such as mosquito bites and poison Ivy! There is much to talk about so let us get into it, shall we?
Let us start with mosquito bites! Mosquito bites are typically small, red, raised bumps on the skin with mild inflammation and are typically very itchy. While for most people they just have a mild reaction some people can have a more severe reaction to bites. In these cases, symptoms can include those of a typical allergy including hives, swollen throat, and faintness and even wheezing. One reason that these bites are so itchy and can even trigger an allergic response is because when a mosquito bites you some of their salvia enters your blood stream. Your body sees this foreign material just like it would any allergen that it needs to attack and thus your body releases histamine. This release of histamine is responsible for your symptoms! Something else to take note of is that some mosquitos can carry certain infections. If bitten by one of these mosquitoes, you can get infected with the bacteria or virus they are carrying. Symptoms that indicate you may have an infection from a mosquito bite can include fever, headache, body aches, rashes, nausea, eye irritation, and fatigue! Certain places have higher rates of infections carried by mosquitoes. Be careful if you travel or visit these places. (1)
While bed bugs and even flea bites may resemble mosquito bites, they are different. Please see the attached picture for a side-by-side comparison of the 3 bites. (2)
The next skin concern is poison ivy. Certain plants can trigger an irritating and often extremely itchy skin rash. These plants include poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Signs that you may have come into contact with one of these plants include a skin rash that is swollen, red and may have blisters. The rash may develop within hours-days of contact depending on your sensitivity. One common misconception about poison ivy is that it can spread from one part of your body to another part. While this may appear to be true it is more complicated. What is actually happening is new rashes are developing. Remember some rashes will develop faster than others. So, for example, 3 hours after contacting you may have a rash develop on your left hand but then an hour later it may develop on your left foot. Both were exposed at the same time it just took longer for your foot to show the rash. Another question we get about poison ivy is if the rash itself is contagious. Poison Ivy is actually caused by oil that plants produce. So now if you accidentally touch the rash, you will not get poison ivy. However, if you get the oil on your skin, you can develop the rash associated with poison ivy. Please see the attached pictures so you know how the 3 plants you need to watch out for actually look like as well as what the rash may look like! (3, 4)
What can you do?
Sources
Humidity and our skin! Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Summertime can be a time for beach going, Barbeques and just all kinds of outdoor fun! However, summer brings more than just fun outdoor activities. It also brings humidity. While most people know how high humidity affects …
Aged Garlic Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Garlic is a nutrient that as a supplement or even spicy food enhancer can be found everywhere. The benefits of using garlic as either a supplement or even just as a spice to add to our food are numerous. …
Dental Bone Loss
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Bone loss is a topic that every woman has heard of once they reach a certain age. However, men must also be concerned with bone loss! Typically, when most people think of bone loss they usually think of the hips or spinal area. However, bone loss in the mouth can and does occur. What can cause this bone loss? What are the signs of dental bone loss? And most importantly what can you do about it? Let us get into it, shall we?
To start with dental bone loss can occur in the teeth themselves. What happens is that there is a gradual loss of the bone portion of the tooth. In addition to losing bone in the teeth dental bone loss also refers to the deterioration of the bones that surround and support the teeth. Please see the attached pictures for before and after bone loss. (2)
What are the most common risk factors for dental bone loss? The most common cause for dental bone loss is gum disease! I have written a blog on gum disease, both periodontitis and gingivitis. So, for more information on this topic, I refer to that blog. Other risk factors include smoking, poor dental hygiene (including not receiving regular dental cleanings). Normally when you chew, bite, or even speak there is pressure applied to the teeth and their surrounding bones. This pressure will stimulate the repair and even strengthening of the bones. However, if you have a tooth removed for any reason this process does not occur and as a result the bone deteriorates. Thus, losing a tooth is a risk factor for dental bone loss. This is also why having bridgework or dentures can lead to dental bone loss. Certain trauma such as knocking out a tooth, cracking a tooth or even fracturing jaw bones can lead to dental bone loss. Even certain misalignments can lead to bone loss. For example, TMJ disorder, wisdom tooth eruption, general wear and tear and even having an over/under bite. (1) Poor nutrition as well as certain chronic conditions can increase the risk of dental bone loss. (2) If you have osteoporosis, when the bones become weak and brittle, you are at a higher risk of dental bone loss. Even certain tumors are a potential cause of dental bone loss. Osteomyelitis, which is inflammation in the bones can lead to dental bone loss. Certain prescription drugs can increase the risk of dental bone loss. (3) Having uncontrolled diabetes is also a risk for dental bone loss. Aging and age-related concerns can lead to dental bone loss. Lastly, tooth grinding is a significant risk factor as it wears away the teeth. (4)
What are the signs of dental bone loss? You may notice a change in the appearance of your teeth. For example, they may appear longer and thinner. You may notice bad breath. There may be receding gums. The teeth may feel as though they are unstable. (1) By unstable I mean you may notice that your teeth have begun to move, loosen, or even bleed. You may notice that your gums seem to “shrink.” Your gums may become swollen as well as start to bleed. There may be gaps between the teeth. (2)
What can you do to help reduce dental bone loss or even to reduce the risk of developing it?
Our product highlight will focus on Strontium, what it does and how to take it!
Sources: