I was 19 when I had my first anxiety attack.  I had no idea what it was.  The sense of overwhelming panic was so strong I couldn't breathe.  It would swoop down on me unbidden, and there was no specific time or place.  I started to understand how people could become agoraphobic and not want to leave their homes - the place they truly felt safe.

In retrospect, I know now that stress heaped upon stress heaped upon even more stress is fertile ground for anxiety and panic attacks.  

Aside from the physical symptoms of shortness of breath, feeling dizzy or feeling like a heavy weight is pressing on your chest, you may also start asking yourself questions that start with "what if?"  What if I lose my job?  What if my kids are doing drugs?  What if I can't pay my bills this month?  What if I'm late for my appointment?

So what can you do?  There are a number of nature-based options, and I've used most of them.  Here are a few:

• Breathe: taking three or more deep breaths slows the stress response.  More is better, but try at least three.  
• Meditation and Prayer: Both of these practices have a calming effect on the mind and not only stop an acute attack, but can help shore you up against future episodes.
• Acupressure: There's a point that's two inches down from the inside of the wrist known to "calm the spirit" in Traditional Chinese Medicine.  You may have seen people wear wrist bands with press balls on them to prevent sea sickness when on a cruise.  It's the same place.  Just press your thumb on the acupoint, and it will slow down breathing and create a sense of calmness.
• Homeopathy:  There are many homeopathic remedies used to treat anxiety.  It's best to consult a professional if your condition is chronic (more than 6 months).  The remedy used most often for people who ask the questions "what if" is Argentum Nitricum.  You can find it at the local health food store or Whole Foods.  
• Bach Flower Essences: Rescue Remedy by Bach is another great option to help you keep calm.  It comes in a liquid pump action spray as well as lozenges.  
• Herbs: According to Dr. Oz, lemon balm has been used since the Middle Ages as a calming herb.  Take 400 mgs twice daily to prevent your stomach from reacting to your worried thoughts.  For more information from Dr. Oz, visit his blog on this topic at http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/dr-ozs-worry-cure-diet-plan.
• Exercise:  You knew I was going to throw that in didn't you?  Exercise is a great way to help manage the overblown fight or flight response.  

I hope this information is helpful and that you feel a little less isolated if you struggle with anxiety and panic attacks.  If you'd like to learn more about how you can be your own best advocate for living your life with optimal health, please take advantage of my free one hour health consultation.

Sinus infections are the fifth most common reason antibiotics are prescribed for adults.  But according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, antibiotics did not relieve patients' symptoms any quicker than a placebo pill.

So what exactly is a sinus infection?  Most people report severe, cold-like symptoms like a runny nose, stuffed up nose, sinus pain around the eyes, temples and forehead ranging from irritating to extremely painful.

I’ve had plenty of sinus infections, and when its full blown I feel like chopping my head off.  Thankfully there are better, more natural ways of alleviating these symptoms:

Homeopathy - There’s a phrase we say in homeopathy, “if it’s sticky and it’s thick, use Kali-bich.”  Thick, stringy mucous that ranges in color from white, to yellow to green is common in sinus infections.  Kali bichromium is a great homeopathic remedy for breaking up the mucous.  You can purchase it on-line or at a natural food store like Good Health or Healthy Appetites Natural Foods.

Acupressure - There are a number of acupoints on the face that relieve sinus pressure.  Gently massage each side of the nose or just hold your fingertips on these points applying light pressure and releasing for five to 10 minutes.  Also the indents next to the nasal passages. 

Supplements - Vitamin C reduces swelling of the mucous membranes.  Take 1,000 milligrams every eight to 10 hours.  Zinc lozenges help too by boosting immunity.  Take according to package and on a full stomach to prevent nausea.

Dietary - Eat plenty of warm soups, steamed vegetables and whole cooked grains.  Avoid cold foods and drinks, dairy (promotes mucous), alcohol, sugar and red meat because they trigger inflammation.  Herbal ginger tea helps clear sinuses.  You can buy it already prepared in a tea bag or I like to cut a fresh slice of ginger and steep in hot water with lemon.

Irrigation - Neti pots are a great way to alleviate symptoms and have been used for over 5000 years in ayurvedic medicine.  Make sure the water is filtered or distilled.

It’s a good idea to stock up on some of these items so you have them on hand.   And a box of soft tissues wouldn’t hurt either : )

On the January 4 edition of the Dr. Oz Show, Dr. Oz stated there's new research
that shows anti-depressants are not as effective in treating depression as
originally thought.  He says, "talk therapy is as good as taking a
pill."  Exercising, having a competent psychotherapist, light exposure
if it's due to Seasonal Affective Disorder and keeping away from sugar are also
viable alternatives.  Treating the underlying cause is key to resolving the
problem.  Personally, I have seen many people recover taking a well
prescribed homeopathic remedy.  If you or someone you know wants to change
to a more natural, holistic option, make sure to find a well respected
practitioner and to transition off medication.  Stopping meds before
getting the support your system needs is never advised.

Do you have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?  In the Northeast, people who have symptoms of this disorder start to experience it at this time of year.  As the days grow shorter and access to natural light becomes limited, a mild to severe depression can set in.  The worst part about it is, you may not know what’s happening to you.  Everything else in your life may be right on track, but for some
inexplicable reason, you feel blue.

It’s estimated that a half million Americans suffer from some form of winter-onset depression during the cold, dark season, with symptoms such as lethargy and fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, sleeping and/or eating too much, increased carbohydrate cravings which leads to weight gain, and a reduced interest in previously enjoyed activities, such as social interactions and intimacy. 
 
SAD is thought to be caused by a disturbance in the sleep-wake cycle. Less sunlight leads to higher levels of the hormone melatonin, which can affect mood.  Typical treatments for SAD include
  anti-depressant medicines which aren’t always effective and are known to have side effects.  Light or
phototherapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are also useful. Light therapy (exposure to special bright lights) can be effective in as many as 70 percent of those affected.

For unknown reasons, three-quarters of those affected by SAD are women.  And you know the saying, “if momma ain’t happy, nobody’s happy.”  So what's the best way to get back in balance?
 
From a holistic perspective, there are things you can do to combat the winter blues:

Increase Vitamin D3 in your diet or through supplementation or diet. Taking an additional 1,000 – 2,000 IU is now widely recognized by most physicians.  You can also add Vitamin D through food sources like milk, salmon, tuna, sardines or eggs (found in the yolk).  One of my favorite supplements is a liquid Vitamin D distributed by Carlson. One drop contains 1,000 IU!  Take advantage of 10% off at http://www.yourinfinitewellness.com/products.html.

Take a solar break.  Try to go outside during your coffee or lunch breaks to get exposure to natural light.  Take a walk or sit in a sunny spot for as long as you can spare.  If you have the means to get away for a few days, head south to someplace warm and sunny and take advantage of much
needed dose of sunlight.

Homeopathy can help. A homeopathic practitioner carefully matches remedies and dosages with an
individual’s symptom patterns and even individual personalities, in order to best stimulate the body's own natural healing response.  According to naturopathic doctor, Dr. Mark Stengler, remedies useful for
treating SAD are:

Aurum Metallicum.
Also known as metallic gold, this is a classic remedy for many of the symptoms associated with seasonal affective disorder, and is often prescribed for bouts of depression associated with a lack of sunlight. It may be specifically helpful for stress, tension and sadness. People in authority and those with a strong
sense of duty are good candidates for Aurum Metallicum. 

Ignatia.
Homeopathic physicians frequently prescribe Ignatia for symptoms of SAD and other types of depression, emotional distress, anxiety, moodiness and grief.  Perfectionists in particular, are likely to benefit from Ignatia. 
 
Natrum Sulphuricum.
This remedy especially useful for people with depression that grows worse with dampness. Natrum Sulphuricum is particularly well-suited to those who are sensitive to changes from dry to wet weather. 
 
Pulsatilla.
This homeopathic preparation from the windflower is most beneficial for individuals with gentle, sensitive personalities -- patients whose feelings are easily hurt and who tend to extend themselves in order to avoid hurting the feelings of others. In addition to using Pulsatilla for SAD, it’s often prescribes for anxiety, arthritis, headache and hormonal imbalances. 
 
Sepia.
Made from cuttlefish ink, Sepia may be helpful in treating the symptoms of SAD and other forms of depression and may be especially effective for those who are irritable, overwhelmed, exhausted and who have a tendency to isolate themselves from others.  It’s also useful for women with hormonal imbalances who may experience symptoms from PMS, menopause and peri-menopause.

If you’d like to learn more about homeopathy to see if it’s right for you, contact me for a complimentary
consultation.