Are You Having Fun Yet? Pay Attention To Body Signals and Enjoy The Rest Of Your Summer!

Since August is both Pain and Psoriasis Awareness month (Fun Month Right?) I wanted to comment on both of these and their associated manifestations, as well as offer some alternative therapeutic options.

Pain is universally understood as a signal of disease and often the most common symptom that brings a patient to see their doctor. Pain is an unpleasant sensation localized to a part of the body. It is described with terms like burning, stabbing, twisting, tearing, squeezing, or an emotional reaction like terrifying, nauseating or sickening. Any pain of moderate to high intensity is accompanied by anxiety. It is the task of medicine to preserve and restore health and to relieve suffering, i.e. pain.

Pain can be emotional, physical, psychological or spiritual. When pain is acute it is accompanied by a stress response, which produces increased blood pressure, heart rate, pupil diameter and plasma Cortisol levels. Psoriasis itself is an emotional and painful disease (in more ways than one), let alone factor in its relationship to psoriatic arthritis in susceptible individuals. The good news is by making lifestyle changes today, many of the symptoms can be reduced or in some cases alleviated all together.

Psoriatic Arthritis And Treatment Options

Psoriatic arthritis occurs in 10-30% of people living with psoriasis. It is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints and connective tissue that can be very painful and even disabling depending on the severity of it and how early the diagnosis is made. The cause of psoriatic arthritis is not known, however, the immune system, genetics and environmental factors (emotional stress, toxins, etc.) are thought to be contributors. The onset of psoriatic arthritis typically appears between the ages of 30-50; earlier onset may result in a more severe form of the disease.

A person can have psoriasis for up to 20 years before ever developing symptoms of psoriatic arthritis; however, on average the symptoms begin to show 10 years after the first signs of psoriasis. Although 85% of patients have psoriasis prior to psoriatic arthritis, there are a small number of cases when symptoms of psoriatic arthritis appear first. Early diagnosis will allow for the best possible prognosis. The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are generalized fatigue, nail changes such as pitted nail beds, redness and pain of the eye, swollen fingers or toes; along with joint stiffness, pain and tenderness, as well as sensitivity around the surrounding tissue of the joints. If you have psoriasis and are experiencing any of these symptoms, please inform your dermatologist or general practitioner. He or she will refer you to a physician who specializes in arthritis, often a rheumatologist.

There is no single test that can diagnose a person with psoriatic arthritis. Often it is diagnosed through a process of elimination and observation of symptoms. Many of the traditional tests to diagnose various forms of arthritis do not show conclusively that someone is suffering from psoriatic arthritis; they do, however, conclude that the patient is not suffering from some other form of arthritis.

Traditional treatment of the condition includes: anti-inflammatory medications and disease-modifying medicines such as methotrexate. Other treatments include: diet, exercise, climate change, surgery, physical therapy, splints and nutritional supplementation. Arthritin is a natural arthritis treatment specifically formulated to help reduce the pain and discomfort of common arthritis and joint degeneration. No other natural arthritis treatment is as comprehensive, or as powerful. Within Arthritin, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and diuretic ingredients create a powerful formula more effective than other brands or than any one ingredient by itself.

Another important note is that since part of the cause is due to environmental factors such as a build up of toxins (from smoking, alcohol consumption, pollutants and pharmaceutical medications) many of those who suffer from psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis improve with cleansing and detoxifying the liver. Liver Formula is a homeopathic medicinal formulated to naturally support the body's ability to: promote circulation within the liver, accelerate the regeneration of damaged liver tissues, filter toxins from the bloodstream and help promote the production of bile.

Lastly, the control of psoriasis symptoms may also help to control symptoms of psoriatic arthritis and early diagnosis is your best defense. Don't ignore symptoms of any kind and actively seek treatment for both

The Lifestyle Change Approach To Healthy Weight Loss

Researchers have been baffled for years on why people gain weight, and for those who are obese, why it is so difficult to lose the excess pounds. I am here to tell you that since I have been involved in medicine, this topic has been a medical challenge, and yet no clear-cut explanation exists. Unfortunately, America is becoming more obese and the incidence of associated chronic disease onset is rising at a comparable pace.

There are literally hundreds of diets and diet programs that claim to be the answer to the problem of obesity. Dieters are constantly being bombarded with the latest and greatest diet or products.

It is apparent that a successful program for obesity or weight loss is consistent with the basic tenets or premise of naturopathic medicine/holistic medicine - a proper diet with adequate fiber, plenty of good pure drinking water, moderate exercise and a positive mental attitude. Remember, mind and body do not stand-alone; they work together.

Weight Management & Health Maintenance Should Be A Year-Round Priority

Just as the New Year inspires many of us to make the New Year’s resolution to lose weight, the advent of summer tends to inspire us to make a concerted effort to revise our dietary and exercise habits in order to wear our summer clothes comfortably.

Unfortunately, this type of motivation and enthusiasm has the rather annoying habit of waning as time progresses, causing us to yet again hide in the clothes we normally reserve for the fall and winter months. If you did not achieve your weight loss goals, do not lose hope. By making several realistic lifestyle changes which you can incorporate into your daily regimen on a permanent basis, your body will be more equipped and prepared to handle future weight loss goals. The holidays will soon be here and the temptation to overeat and slack off from exercise will be greater. Resist the temptation to over-indulge during the upcoming holidays, this way, your weight and health targets will be much more attainable.

“Over 300m adults are obese worldwide, according to latest statistics from the WHO and the International Obesity Task Force. About one-quarter of the US adult population is said to be obese, with rates in Western Europe on the rise although not yet at similar levels.” – Nutraingredients-usa.com, 7/31/2006.

The statistics outlined above are indeed alarming. By making the effort to incorporate at least some of the following tips into your lifestyle, you will be making some progress in avoiding becoming one of these statistics:

* Eat raw fresh fruits and vegetables several times a day.
* Eat plenty of fiber in the course of the day, especially beans.
* Eat breakfast regularly.
* Try to eat small meal portions and healthy snacks in between meals to boost your
metabolism.
* Avoid soda or any overly sugared drinks.
* Drink plenty of purified water.
* Avoid foods with saturated and trans fats, high sugar content and high levels of salt.
* Cut out as much refined carbohydrates as possible (white starches).
* If you feel like indulging in a desert, try to make wise choices and stick to a small portion.

If you make these lifestyle adjustments weight loss will be achievable, but more importantly you will be healthier.


Most of us are well aware of the fact that exercise is a fundamental element in any weight loss program. A common excuse for not exercising is that we simply do not have the time. The common misconception that effective exercise regimens require a large investment in time is what prevents most of us from even making an attempt to include it in our daily routines. By dedicating as little as 15-30 minutes of your day to exercise, you should be able to reach your weight loss goals.

Deciding to exercise more does not automatically mean you have to invest in a gym membership. There are several simple lifestyle changes that can cumulatively achieve the desired effects. This includes:

* Taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
* Going for walks with family members or loved ones.
* Close your office door (if you have one) and do some sit-ups on your lunch break. Repeat this routine a couple of hours before you retire in the evening.
* On the weekends, instead of going to a movie or renting one, try something more active such as bowling, golfing, swimming, roller skating.

Make room for your health at the top of your priority list year-round, not just after New Year’s or just before summer.

In addition to making these vital lifestyle changes, Växa’s Weight Loss Line provides you with a comprehensive multi-faceted weight loss program. The unique combinations of homeopathic medicinals contained within B-T Plus, Cell-U-Lite, CitriSlim and Nite-Lite provide your body with the around the clock, year-round support your body needs for effective weight loss.

The Upside of ADD/ADHD

As a result of today's medically advanced world, we are all looking for a quick label or diagnosis and a quick solution to our symptoms. Generally speaking, having a certain medical condition that persists throughout life is not necessssarily good, however, in the case of ADD/ADHD it can be a really good thing Surprised? You need not be. Typically, a child with ADD/ADHD is a quick smart kid that has a high IQ and can "tune in or tune out" quickly depending on their level of interest in the topic or subject matter. These children usually do not get great grades in school, but later on in life may become hugely successful in their chosen fields of work. There are numerous examples of well-known or famous people who have struggled with ADD/ADHD when they were younger and today are looked upon as some of America's brightest leaders. These are people who have learned how to tap into resources which are present in the right side of the brain (the insightful, instinctive, artistic,creative a nd spontaneous side of the brain).


So, unleash the potential in your child as well as yourself and let ADD/ADHD be an asset not a liability!


ADD/ADHD Treatment – The Key is Combination Therapy


As the dawn of a new school year draws closer, our focus will again turn to ADD/ADHD. Approximately 8-10 percent of school-aged children have ADD/ADHD, and each school year inevitably brings new diagnoses. If a teacher or school administrator reports that your child is demonstrating any of the symptoms associated with ADD/ADHD, ensure that your child receives a comprehensive medical evaluation. Your child’s primary care physician will conduct thorough mental and physical examinations in order to provide an accurate diagnosis. Depending on your child’s condition, they may subsequently refer your child to see a specialist. If that is the case be sure to find a specialist that both you, and your child, feel comfortable with.


There is a vast array of ADD/ADHD treatments available to your child. This includes conventional pharmaceutical medication, behavioral therapy, tailored educational programs, changes in diet, nutritional supplements etc. In addition, parental training and involvement plays a major role in the success of an ADHD child. Remember, your child is much more likely to succeed if all parties combine their efforts. This means that parents, healthcare providers and teachers must work together to facilitate your child’s achievement of goals.


According to an article by HealthDay News, “A new review of past studies on the effect that attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drugs have on children’s growth concludes that the drugs do, in fact, suppress growth to some degree.” Also in that article is a direct quote from one of the doctors, Dr. Omar Khwaja, involved in the study that states, “There was a significant effect on growth for both height and weight during the duration of treatment.”


The combination of this news, recent FDA mandated “black box” warnings, and press coverage regarding side effects such as suicidal tendencies and increased risk of heart attacks may cause you to disregard conventional treatment methods and seek alternative routes. While there are numerous alternative treatment options, it is worth bearing in mind that every child is biochemically unique; therefore it would be unwise to disregard possibly effective treatment in the form of conventional medication without consulting your healthcare provider first.


When a child is diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, it is natural for parents to despair and blame themselves for their child’s behavioral problems. While parenting techniques have an effect on cases of ADD/ADHD they are not the root cause, in fact, it is much more likely to be caused by neurobiological issues or genetic predisposition. When managed correctly, a child with ADD/ADHD will not only keep up with their peers, they can in fact surpass them. In order to achieve this, both you and your child must develop tailored coping mechanisms. By working with your child’s healthcare provider and their teachers, this is perfectly attainable.


Attend, one of Växa’s flagship products, can be used as a side effect free alternative to conventional medication or in conjunction with your child’s present treatment regime. Attend provides natural and organic ingredients to help your body to naturally focus attention and improve concentration, which is exactly what your child needs in order to function productively in a classroom setting. In addition, this product will help to reduce frustration and in turn calm the child.