Are Cats and Dogs Good
for Your Child's Health?
-article is from Bright Horizons newsletter
Want to stave off allergies in your kids? Get a pet! Multiple studies have found that the risk of common allergies is significantly reduced in children who grow up with dogs and cats in their home. A study funded by the National Institutes of Health followed children from birth to age 7 and found that their risk of suffering from allergies can be reduced by up to 50 percent in pet-owning households. Also, these children had overall lower antibody levels and far fewer positive skin test reactions to cat, dog, dust mite, ragweed, and grass allergens.
How is it possible that your hairy and sometimes stinky pet could actually be keeping your child healthy? Dr. Dennis Ownby, chief of the Medical College of Georgia Section of Allergy and Immunology, says, "What happens when kids play with cats or dogs? The animals lick them. The lick is transferring a lot of Gram-negative bacteria and that may be changing the way the child's immune system responds in a way that helps protect against allergies."
Researchers at Warwick University in Coventry, UK, found that having a cat or dog exposed children to more infections early in life. This alone may sound like a deterrent from buying your child her first pet. However, the researchers concluded that this exposure boosted their immune systems and kept the pet-owning children healthier – which meant that those children with pets attended school more often than their peers with no pets. (And, presumably, parents missed less work staying home to care for their sick children.) Pet-owning children were found to attend an extra nine days of school over the course of the year as compared to those without pets. These results were most pronounced in children 5 to 8 years of age.
In addition to physical health benefits, pet ownership for children offers a multitude of positive cognitive and emotional experiences. Important life lessons can result from owning a pet – how much fun a playmate can be, how to share mom and dad's attention with a new sibling, and how to deal with the loss of a family member. Pet ownership can also help kids develop discipline and responsibility. Children can learn how and when to feed their pet, take their pet outside, clean their pet, or even take their pet to the vet. Children also gain a sense of independence through being a pet owner. Owning a pet, be it a dog, hamster, fish, or parrot, can help position them to become mature and responsible adults.
Pets can be first friends for young children and provide a strong level of camaraderie and mutual respect. Positive relationships with pets lead to the development of trusting and respectful relationships with other humans. The development of nonverbal communication, compassion, and empathy result from pet ownership. A child who realizes that another creature's survival depends on him builds a sense of awareness, belonging, and self-esteem.
Pets can be the catalyst for fun family-building activities, such as taking the dog for a walk or to a park, grooming the cat, going to the pet supply store together, etc. Most of all, caring for a pet teaches children to have respect for all living things, no matter the species.
*A special note for parents of children with asthma: If your child is allergic to pets or pet dander and that exposure has been identified as an existing asthma trigger, you should, of course, follow the advice of your pediatrician. Some children with asthma, however, are not allergic to animals and are able to coexist with their pets. There is no one answer about whether or not children with asthma can or should live with pets.
Pediatric allergist Lisa Kobrynski, MD, MPH, assistant professor of pediatrics at Atlanta's Emory University, says that the pet discussion is always a hard one for families of children with asthma. Kobrynski suggests that keeping pets outside might be a solution. Some families try frequent washing of pets – at least three times each week – but that wouldn't work if the pet allergen is coming from the pet's saliva. Kobrynski says, to be on the safe side, children with asthma can be given a skin or blood test to see exactly which triggers are most important to avoid.
It is always best to research and make an informed decision when choosing to bring a pet into your family. Your local library or bookstore is filled with books about children and pets. Here are just a few:
· Your Baby and Bowser, by Stephen C. Rafe. A book that illustrates the importance of intentional inclusion when a new baby or pet are brought together for the first time in a family; tips for making a smooth transition and for ensuring everyone will coexist in harmony.
· Allergic to Pets? The Breakthrough Guide to Living with the Animals You Love, by Shirlee Kalstone. Renowned pet expert Shirlee Kalstone provides effective advice for allergy sufferers on how to cohabitate with your pet. A terrific resource for animal-loving allergy sufferers everywhere.
· Your Child's Dog: How to Help Your Kids Care for Their Pets, by Andrea McHugh. How to involve children in training, raising, and caring for a pet dog.
· Are You the Pet for Me? Choosing the Right Pet for Your Family, by Mary Jane Checchi. A great resource about the basics of what pet ownership can do for your family, including the opportunity for kids to learn responsibility and experience the rewards of animal companionship, as well as determining what is the best kind of pet for your child and your family.
· Living with Kids and Dogs...Without Losing Your Mind, by Colleen Pelar. Each chapter of this book is devoted to each stage of a child's life; includes parental pointers for setting their family up for success while raising kids and dogs together.
· Totally Fun Things to Do with Your Dog, by Maxine Rock. Ideas for family activities with your favorite four-legged friend!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Cancer Care and Acupuncture
How Acupuncture Can Support Your Care Plan
In June of 2009 I was able to attend an integrative oncology seminar entitled Acupuncture For the Cancer Patient at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. I have seen profound results treating patients going through chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These aggressive therapies can leave people nauseated and stripped of the energy necessary to perform daily routines. After a course of acupuncture treatments, many patients are able to continue working and being involved in their family’s lives. I wanted to learn more from the experts on how I could help people through this challenging time of unknowns and physical and emotional distress.
Acupuncture has three main roles in the care of patients with cancer: supportive care, symptom management, and preventative care. Acupuncture is used in many hospital settings and continues to grow in recognition for the many benefits it has to offer in oncology care. The use of acupuncture in this field has the potential for much growth. While allopathic medicine is the main course of treatment for cancer care, acupuncture has the unique ability to offer help without side effects or further complications.
Using acupuncture for supportive care and symptom management allows for reduced nausea and pain, and increased energy. It can help lessen common side effects like dry mouth, digestive concerns, depression and anxiety. Many people describe feeling an increased sense of overall wellness.
Acupuncture is effective for patients receiving chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgical interventions. For the chemotherapy and radiation patient, acupuncture can help alleviate the toxic side effects including vomiting, diarrhea, skin burns, anemia, hair loss and fatigue. For the surgical patient, acupuncture is beneficial pre-surgery to promote relaxation, prevent infection and other side effects. Post-surgery, acupuncture decreases swelling, and promotes mental alertness, intestinal mobility, urination and healing at the site of incision.
Though scientists have not yet been able to find the mechanism of how acupunture works, they have observed its effects on certain physiological processes. Acupuncture helps release the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine and modulates sensory pain centers in the brain producing an analgesic effect. Certain acupuncture points improve T-cell counts, while others can increase white blood cell (WBC) count.
The other main take-away from the seminar reflected the importance of diet and exercise in survival rates. A study published in the Journal of American Medical Association in 2005, found that the adjusted risk of death from breast cancer decreased by 50-60% for greater than nine hours per week of exercise versus less than three hours a week. While this
amount of exercise is a definite investment of your time, it is a striking statistic that warrants thoughtful consideration as to how we manage cancer care.
Through a study in 2008, the Mediterranean diet was found to offer benefits, including a 9% reduction in overall mortality, a 6% reduction in cancer mortality, and a 13% decreased incidence of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Other diets, such as the macrobiotic diet, have been reported by individuals to be effective in maintaining health after cancer if followed appropriately.
Sources:
Chan, Y. Acupuncture for the Caner Patient, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. 28 June 2009.
Holmes et al., Physical acitivity and survival after breast cancer diagnosis. JAMA 2005, 293 (20):2479-2486.
Sofi F, et al. Adherence to Mediterranean diet and health status: meta-analysis. BMJ 2008; 337:a1344.
In June of 2009 I was able to attend an integrative oncology seminar entitled Acupuncture For the Cancer Patient at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. I have seen profound results treating patients going through chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These aggressive therapies can leave people nauseated and stripped of the energy necessary to perform daily routines. After a course of acupuncture treatments, many patients are able to continue working and being involved in their family’s lives. I wanted to learn more from the experts on how I could help people through this challenging time of unknowns and physical and emotional distress.
Acupuncture has three main roles in the care of patients with cancer: supportive care, symptom management, and preventative care. Acupuncture is used in many hospital settings and continues to grow in recognition for the many benefits it has to offer in oncology care. The use of acupuncture in this field has the potential for much growth. While allopathic medicine is the main course of treatment for cancer care, acupuncture has the unique ability to offer help without side effects or further complications.
Using acupuncture for supportive care and symptom management allows for reduced nausea and pain, and increased energy. It can help lessen common side effects like dry mouth, digestive concerns, depression and anxiety. Many people describe feeling an increased sense of overall wellness.
Acupuncture is effective for patients receiving chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgical interventions. For the chemotherapy and radiation patient, acupuncture can help alleviate the toxic side effects including vomiting, diarrhea, skin burns, anemia, hair loss and fatigue. For the surgical patient, acupuncture is beneficial pre-surgery to promote relaxation, prevent infection and other side effects. Post-surgery, acupuncture decreases swelling, and promotes mental alertness, intestinal mobility, urination and healing at the site of incision.
Though scientists have not yet been able to find the mechanism of how acupunture works, they have observed its effects on certain physiological processes. Acupuncture helps release the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine and modulates sensory pain centers in the brain producing an analgesic effect. Certain acupuncture points improve T-cell counts, while others can increase white blood cell (WBC) count.
The other main take-away from the seminar reflected the importance of diet and exercise in survival rates. A study published in the Journal of American Medical Association in 2005, found that the adjusted risk of death from breast cancer decreased by 50-60% for greater than nine hours per week of exercise versus less than three hours a week. While this
amount of exercise is a definite investment of your time, it is a striking statistic that warrants thoughtful consideration as to how we manage cancer care.
Through a study in 2008, the Mediterranean diet was found to offer benefits, including a 9% reduction in overall mortality, a 6% reduction in cancer mortality, and a 13% decreased incidence of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Other diets, such as the macrobiotic diet, have been reported by individuals to be effective in maintaining health after cancer if followed appropriately.
Sources:
Chan, Y. Acupuncture for the Caner Patient, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. 28 June 2009.
Holmes et al., Physical acitivity and survival after breast cancer diagnosis. JAMA 2005, 293 (20):2479-2486.
Sofi F, et al. Adherence to Mediterranean diet and health status: meta-analysis. BMJ 2008; 337:a1344.
Friday, September 18, 2009
H1N1 and Traditional Chinese Medicine
Swine Flu – H1N1: Prevention and Treatment with Chinese Medicine
As the media brings swine flu back into the foreground, people around the world are becoming more concerned about how their families and themselves may be affected. H1N1 first came into our consciousness in April of 2009, but our attention slowly dwindled as more and more people successfully recovered from the illness as they would have from any other mild flu.
Now our fears are again ignited as various organizations warn of an expected increase in severity and mortality in the coming months. On August 23, a White House advisory panel issued a report estimating that up to 90,000 deaths from swine flu may occur, along with up to 50% of the population being affected. The seasonal flu is reported to average about 36,000 deaths per year. On August 24th, officials from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention suggested that the projections should be regarded with caution and are an unlikely scenario. This is good news and encourages us to be less fearful.
Chinese Medicine is one of the holistic options in preventing and treating H1N1.
Prevention begins with the most basic practices of hand washing and creating or maintaining optimum health. Supporting healthy immune function can prevent infection if you are exposed. As individuals, we have a major role in creating our optimum health. This means eating well, resting well, and getting regular exercise. As practitioners of Chinese medicine, we can offer acupuncture and herbal formulas to bolster your immune system. When using Chinese medicine to strengthen the immune system, it is necessary to start herbal therapies and acupuncture a month or more before the flu season hits.
If one does become ill with the flu, Chinese medicine can help to shorten the duration and severity. Acupuncture is most helpful at the very first stages of illness and can help with sore throat, body aches, and shortening the length of illness. Herbal medicine is helpful during the initial stages of illness as well as days into the illness. When using herbal formulas to eliminate the illness before it settles, it is recommended to start taking herbs at the first signs of onset. This means having a relevant herbal formula on your medicine shelves so you can start taking it immediately. Herbal medicine will help diminish symptoms and chances of complications if the illness has settled, such as pneumonia. Acupuncture and herbal medicine will also help during the recovery phase, building the body back up to normal function.
As with any new or severe illness, it is recommended to visit your primary care physician so that we can work in conjunction with their care.
As the media brings swine flu back into the foreground, people around the world are becoming more concerned about how their families and themselves may be affected. H1N1 first came into our consciousness in April of 2009, but our attention slowly dwindled as more and more people successfully recovered from the illness as they would have from any other mild flu.
Now our fears are again ignited as various organizations warn of an expected increase in severity and mortality in the coming months. On August 23, a White House advisory panel issued a report estimating that up to 90,000 deaths from swine flu may occur, along with up to 50% of the population being affected. The seasonal flu is reported to average about 36,000 deaths per year. On August 24th, officials from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention suggested that the projections should be regarded with caution and are an unlikely scenario. This is good news and encourages us to be less fearful.
Chinese Medicine is one of the holistic options in preventing and treating H1N1.
Prevention begins with the most basic practices of hand washing and creating or maintaining optimum health. Supporting healthy immune function can prevent infection if you are exposed. As individuals, we have a major role in creating our optimum health. This means eating well, resting well, and getting regular exercise. As practitioners of Chinese medicine, we can offer acupuncture and herbal formulas to bolster your immune system. When using Chinese medicine to strengthen the immune system, it is necessary to start herbal therapies and acupuncture a month or more before the flu season hits.
If one does become ill with the flu, Chinese medicine can help to shorten the duration and severity. Acupuncture is most helpful at the very first stages of illness and can help with sore throat, body aches, and shortening the length of illness. Herbal medicine is helpful during the initial stages of illness as well as days into the illness. When using herbal formulas to eliminate the illness before it settles, it is recommended to start taking herbs at the first signs of onset. This means having a relevant herbal formula on your medicine shelves so you can start taking it immediately. Herbal medicine will help diminish symptoms and chances of complications if the illness has settled, such as pneumonia. Acupuncture and herbal medicine will also help during the recovery phase, building the body back up to normal function.
As with any new or severe illness, it is recommended to visit your primary care physician so that we can work in conjunction with their care.
Big Food vs. Big Insurance
A great article on food and our health as a nation.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/opinion/10pollan.html?_r=1
What do you think?
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/opinion/10pollan.html?_r=1
What do you think?
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