Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
HERPES VS COLD SORES~ IS THERE A DIFFERENCE? By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT Herpes…the word always seems make people cringe and curl their face in disbelief. It is associated with sores along the nether regions of the body. Many people are plagued with …
HEPATITIS~ THE TYPES, THE SUPPORT AND CAN IT BE PREVENTED? By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT Hepatitis is a disease that we’ve all heard about and it also triggers fear for many when it’s discussed. It is often associated with hypodermic needle drug users, …
PINK EYE~ IT’S NOT JUST A CHILDHOOD INFECTION
By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is often associated with childhood infections, as we have all probably had a classmate or even ourselves that contracted this during our school years. However, it’s not limited to childhood, as many adults contract this as well. Let’s get more familiar with what pink eye is, how it’s contracted and how to keep our eyes healthy.
So what exactly is pink eye? Simply put, it’s an infection that is typically caused by either a virus or bacteria, although it can sometimes be caused by allergies, COVID-19 or even from some STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. Once contracted, pink eye is highly contagious and if you have these certain STDs or bacteria’s in your body when giving birthing, its possible the baby can contract pink eye soon after birth.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The American Academy of Ophthalmology, we know that there are three types of pink eye. Having an understanding of the different types of pink eye can help you to identify it easier, figure out how you may have contracted it, how to aid in clearing it up and also when to seek out a doctor for possible treatment.
Viral conjunctivitis is caused by a virus and is the most common form of pink eye. It is usually caused by cold and sore throat viruses and is highly contagious. This is the form that is thought of when one hears pink eye, as it is typically spread around schools. It can cause redness, irritation and watering in the eye(s).
Bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by a bacteria that has infected the eye(s), is highly contagious and is similar to the bacteria that causes strep throat. It can be seen in newborn babies, particularly soon after birth. It can also be caused by such things as contacts lenses, makeup or makeup brushes. You’ll probably have sore red eyes and see more of a gooey discharge and/or crusting of the eye(s) and/or eyelashes.
Allergic conjunctivitis is cause by an allergy irritant and isn’t contagious. Some allergies that may cause itchy, red eyes would be, but not limited to, cigarette smoke, animal dander or environmental allergies and pollen. While this is an inconvenience, it’s not as disruptive as the viral or bacterial forms and can be managed well.
There are many signs and symptoms to be aware of if you think you are experiencing pink eye, aside from a red or pink hue on the whites of the eye(s). Other signs to be aware of may include swelling or puffiness, itchy or irritated eye(s), excessive watery eye(s) and/or a discharge from the eye(s). Another common sign is waking up to find a crust formed around the eye(s) and/or eyelashes. This may even cause the eye(S) to be “glued” shut. I like to recommend applying a warm washcloth to help breakup the crust and wipe it away.
Pink eye typically heals itself without visits to a doctor. However there are a few things that can be done to ease the symptoms and make the time it takes to clear up easier. It is advised to discontinue wearing eye makeup until pink eye clears up and if you wear contacts, try switching to glasses for a while. Applying a warm, damp washcloth to the eyes can be helpful. Contact your doctor if you experience such issues, but not limited to, pain, puss, light sensitivity, fever or if you’re not seeing improvement in a few days. Try to avoid touching the eye area.
Biocurcumin can be helpful for pink eye as it is said to have anti-inflammatory properties. This is important to help reduce the inflammation and puffiness that often accompanies pick eye. This can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful or itchy, so managing this inflammation can make recovery an easier process.
Quercetin is an antioxidant that has shown to be helpful when it comes to healthy eyes. This is due to the anti-inflammatory properties that it offers.
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8614-pink-eye
www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-health-conjunctivitis
www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/pink-eye
www.cdc.gov/conjunctivitis/index.html
www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/pink-eye-conjunctivitis
www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/pink-eye-quick-home-remedies
www.webmd.com/eye-health/pinkeye-home-care
www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-curcumin
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28056553/
Invite Health Gummies Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND I wanted to take the time to talk about the new products Invite has recently released. You may have noticed something about them! They are in a gummy form. Now I know what you’re thinking – But …
SHILAJIT~WHAT IS IT AND WHY DO YOU NEED IT? By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT Shilajit, pronounced she-lah-jeet, is one of the most versatile nutraceuticals available. However, it is not commonly discussed and is beginning to gain traction within the wellness community. But just …
HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS~ WHAT EXACTLY IS HPV?
By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT
Human Papillomavirus, or HPV as it’s commonly referred to as, has been discussed quite often lately. However, do we really know what it is and how it’s spread? Having a good understanding of this newly discussed virus can help you make informed decisions regarding the health of you and your family.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is considered to now be the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), this according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It can be transmitted even without having any symptoms through skin-to-skin contact while engaging in any type of sexual activity. The signs can sometimes lay dormant for years before “making themselves known”. So, it can be extremely difficult to know who one contracted HVP from in the past.
One of the most common signs of HPV is the development of warts. According to the Mayo Clinic, these can range from Common Warts are raised bumps typically on the hands and fingers, Flat Warts are flat topped warts often found near the mouth, Plantar Warts can be painful and commonly show up on the on the fingers, hands or feet. Lastly is Genital Warts which is exactly what is sounds like. These warts, sometimes these show up in clusters resembling cauliflower, are found on both male and female genitalia, as well as the anus, vagina and cervix.
While there are many types of HPV, it is considered to be so researched because it can be one of, but not the only, causes of certain cancers. The article ‘HPV and Cancer Risk’ on CancerCenter.com discusses this further. We’ve learned that such cancers like anal, cervical, vaginal, penile, tongue and tonsils are of higher risk for those with HPV. They suggest opting for the HPV vaccine and the first line of defense to keep risk low.
HPV is typically diagnosed by either an HPV test or Pap Smear. If there is a positive diagnosis, don’t panic. It is believed that while it can be a risk factor in some cancers, it is often very treatable and often the body naturally fights it off. It is important to always use proper protection during sexual activity to not only protect yourself, but to protect others. Opting to have the HPV vaccine is something you can discuss with your medical provider.
I like to remind people to support their immune system with antioxidants. However, I have had a lot of success with the below supplement list for those that have received a positive diagnosis. As always, follow your doctor’s recommendations and work with a wellness practitioner (like an Invite Health nutritionist) for ongoing support.
Women’s Multi: Starting with a good base multivitamin is key. The Women’s Multi gives a foundation of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, along with some diindolylmethane (DIM) to help support healthy hormone levels. Men should try the Men’s Multi to help support healthy prostate, hormones and sexual function.
Shilajit 50 Max: This is sourced from the Himalayans and is made up of trace minerals, fulvic and humic acids. It has been long believed to help boost the body’s immune system. (More on product in a spotlight article).
Methyl-B: According to an article from MedicalNewsToday, incorporating b-vitamins such as folate and B-12 may help lower risk of cervical cancer. HPV is a risk factor for certain types of cancers, including cervical.
Probiotic Hx Women: This is a great probiotic to add for anyone that has been diagnosed with HPV. It not only supplies probiotics for the gut, but also thyme and garlic which are believed to have antiviral benefits.
Mushroom Hx: Medicinal mushrooms have been shown to be beneficial in fighting HPV, particularly Reishi and Shiitake mushrooms.
Resveratrol Max Hx: A study from PubMed titled ‘Resveratrol Against Cervical Cancer: Evidence from In Vitro and In Vivo Studies‘, Resveratrol has been shown to help reduce tumors and therefore help to improve survival.
Indole-3-Carbinol w/DIM: This is been shown in studies, reported by Cancer Cell International, that Indole-3-Carbinol and DIM may be effective in those with HPV. This study ‘3,3′-Diindolylmethane and Indole-3-Carbinol: Potential Therapeutic Molecules for Cancer Chemoprevention and Treatment via Regulating Cellular Signaling Pathways’ claims that “I3C modulates estradiol metabolism by inhibiting the production of 16α-hydroxy estrone, a genotoxic and tumor-promoting metabolite that causes inappropriate DNA synthesis. On the other hand, I3C promotes the production of 2-hydroxy estrone, a metabolite effective against hormone-dependent cancers, and inhibits papilloma growth”.
Green Tea Tx: This powerful antioxidant always amazes me. MedicalNewsToday discusses the use of home remedies and their effectiveness. They have shown that green tea may be helpful for those suffering from plantar and/or genital warts, which can be caused by HPV.
I also recommend a clean diet free of alcohol, sugar, processed foods, soy, and gluten and dairy. Focus on lean proteins, some fruits and a lot of vegetables.
www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hpv-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20351596
www.cancercenter.com/risk-factors/hpv-cancer
www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hpv/should-i-get-tested-hpv
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19939441/
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4197384/
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/folic-acid-for-hpv#dosage
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10420791/
https://plantmedicines.org/mushrooms-human-papillomavirus-hpv/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36558430/
https://cancerci.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12935-023-03031-4
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321036#home-remedies
