1) Snow Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy, defined by Drs. Boyle and Saine in Lectures in Naturopathic Hydrotherapy is “the application of water in any form, either externally or internally, in the treatment of disease and the maintenance of health.” Snow, is definitely a form of water, and we can definitely use the abundance of it right now to our health advantage. How?

• Barefoot snow walking: this ancient Naturopathic hydrotherapy technique was traditionally used to affect or stimulate the pelvic organs. When cold is applied to the feet for long periods of time, an internal pelvic reflex is activated, and according to Drs. Boyle and Saine, would help stop heavy menstrual flow, help stimulate labor (if pregnant) and shunt blood away from the pelvis and abdominal organs.
• Playing in the snow can be considered a hydrotherapy technique as well. With all of our snow clothes and layers on, working up an internal health in a very cold environment will induce sweating and thus, detoxification.

2) The “calm” associated with snow days has health benefits: People stop driving, we slow down, we cook meals and eat slowly, enjoying the freedom of the day. This induced quietness is perfect for this time of year when we naturally become more introverted. Use this time to retreat, be calm, and reflect. This parasympathetic activity is good for lowering stress levels and associated cortisol, lowering blood pressure, and is overall associated with a longer life expectancy compared to people who are constantly functioning in a sympathetic (or Type A personality) state. Use this snow day to calm yourself down, practice patience, and reflect inward about a healthier state of being.

3) Weight loss: The extra metabolic effort required to stay warm while out in the snowy weather will burn more calories. So for all you New Year’s Resolution dieters- get out and play in the snow!

a patient’s guide to scheduling

I get many phone calls each week from patients and parents asking,

Should I schedule an appointment?

The truth is, if you are worried enough to call and ask, then you or your child most likely needs to be seen by a physician.

Most complaints and concerns can be triaged by your doctor, at their office. You can consider your doctor’s office an urgent care clinic, during their open office hours. We are lucky enough at NFM to have both a Naturopathic Physician resident and a Nurse Practitioner on hand who will almost always be able to see you within a few hours of you calling the office.

If you feel like you need to be seen sooner than what NFM has available, then this is the appropriate time to go to the Urgent Care. If you think you are having a heart attack or a stroke, having an anaphylactic reaction, cannot breath, or are having some other life-threatening emergency such as a seizure, you need to dial 9-1-1 or go immediately to the nearest emergency room.

Otherwise, reserve Urgent Care for when your doctor’s office is closed, and save the ER for a true emergency (anaphylaxis, respiratory distress, suspected heart attack or stroke etc.)

The following list is the TOP 20 MOST COMMON PEDIATRIC COMPLAINTS derived from San Diego Children’s Hospital, with general averages a child is expected to be ill with the listed complaint per year. You can click the link of each complain to be redirected to San Diego Children’s Hospital “Your Child’s Health” guideline page to read more about each condition in detail and to receive more guidance about scheduling an appointment with your child’s physician.

1.  Colds:  5-10 times per year

2.  Coughs:  4-5 times per year

3.  Croup:  1-2 times per year

4.  Sore Throat:  4-5 times per year. Mostly  with colds, occasionally with Strep

5.  Eyes with Pus or Drainage:  1-2 times per year

6.  Earache:  1-2 times per year

7.  Diarrhea:  3-4 times per year

8.  Vomiting:  1-2 times per year

9.  Wheezing:  50% of infants experience wheezing during a viral respiratory infection (called bronchiolitis).

10.  Fever:  5-10 times per year with the above symptoms/infections. 1-2 times per year without any other symptoms

11.  Skin Injuries:  Including bruises, cuts or scrapes, skin injury, and burns

12.  Head Injuries

13.  Arm or Leg Injuries

14.  Stomachache

15.  Headache

16.  Constipation

17.  Crying, Unexplained

18.  Immunization Reactions

19.  Hives

20.  Rashes, Unexplained

Below is a long, yet incomplete list, of more conditions and concerns that warrant an appointment with your doctor:

• Allergic reaction concerns
• Animal bites
• Blood in urine or stool/ or on toilet paper
• Broken bone suspected
• Child refusing to eat or drink and appears ill
• Color changes: skin, nail or lip color appears white, yellow, or blue
• Crying baby < 3 months
• Diarrhea that is persistent
• Diaper rash and your child appears very sick, or it is not getting better after 3 days of treatment
• Eyes with discharge or redness
• Fever over 100.4
• Fever that is not responsive to Tylenol
• Head bonks
• Headaches- new onset, “Worst headache of your life,” or persistent headaches
• Joint swelling and/or joint pain
• Loss of Consciousness
• Muscle weakness or paralysis
• New symptoms
• Pallor: child appears pale
• Penile discharge
• Seizures
• Sickness after recent travel
• Supplement and home treatment advice
• Swollen scrotum
• Umbilical cord concerns
• Urinary pain or frequency
• Vaginal or uterine bleeding in menopausal women
• Vaginal discharge
• Worsening symptoms

And as Dr. Amy Hawkins pointed out: “When a doctor’s eyes see you, and a doctor’s hands touch you, you receive phenomenally better care than what you would otherwise receive by a doctor just listening to you over the phone.”

Q: What is an ARNP?

A: An Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) is a registered nurse who has acquired a specialized expert knowledge base, complex decision making skills, and clinical competencies for expanded practice. ARNPs treat both physical and mental conditions by ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, diagnosing and treating diseases, and prescribing medications. These skills are achieved through specialized graduate education.

(Heather has completed her doctoral degree from UW in June 2011, and she specializes in Family Health.)

Q: So how does this differ from a medical doctor?

A: Well, ARNPs prioritize individualized care of each patient, and they take the time to focus on the effects of illness on the lives of the patients and their families. ARNPs make prevention, wellness, and patient education priorities by encouraging patients to make healthy choices.

Q: Why does NFM have a nurse practitioner? Can you actually combine conventional (allopathic) medicine AND naturopathic medicine?

A: Of course you can! We like to call it integrative. Though each modality traditionally approaches medical care differently, it is our goal at NFM to use those differences to the benefit of the patient.

Naturopathic and allopathic medicine both come in boxes of many sizes. For example, allopathic providers may recommend prescription medications and lifestyle changes to treat hypertension, where as a naturopathic doctor would recommend additional therapies such as acupuncture, herbs, homeopathic remedies, and more in-depth diet changes. Many conditions, like high cholesterol, are best managed from both perspectives. As long as communication lines remain open, you can safely combine naturopathic remedies with allopathic practices.

You, as a patient, will notice many similarities between seeing Heather & the Naturopathic Doctors at NFM. Each type of provider will offer time, and they will treat the patient, not the symptoms. Furthermore, each type of provider will seek the cause of the symptoms, not just try to cover them up with medications! Integrating allopathic and naturopathic medicine will still treat the whole patient.

Q: How can I maximize both therapies and stay safe?

A: By supplying your health care provider with an accurate and up to date list of your medications and supplements, the team here at NFM can assure that there will be no serious interactions between your natural remedies and your prescription medications. If you communicate openly, there should be no problem integrating the two medical modules.

Heather accepts most major insurance plans (including Aetna) and provides a 50% discount to Medicare and DSHS recipients. She is accepting new patients and is happy to introduce herself in person or on the phone with a free 15 minute ‘Meet & Greet’.

If you are interested in scheduling with Heather, call us at 206-683-4495 or email: info@naturopathicfamilymedicine.com today!

Eligible participants must:

• be age 2 yrs or older

• not have received any flu vaccines in the past 12 months

• have no history of flu-like illness during the previous 9 months

• be willing to undergo a viral culture in the event of any flu-like illness

• take two teaspoons daily of elderberry syrup, or placebo syrup, for 3 months

The study will be conducted at no cost to participants.

You will not be compensated for participating.

To find out more about this study or to get involved, ask to speak with Dr. Deegan at the front desk, or call 206.683.4495 to schedule an appointment.

Enroll in our sleep study!

NFM is now accepting participants for a sleep study to test the effectiveness of herbal sleep supplements

on the quality of sleep

 Participation, testing, supplements and office visits related to the study are all free 

Take Our Poll

In order to participate, you must be between 18-80 years of age and have had trouble sleeping over the past month. Also,you must be willing to take an herbal supplement, or a placebo, before bedtime for 4 weeks. You may be required to provide salivary samples for the measurement of cortisol at the beginning and end of the study. You will be asked to complete a daily sleep diary to help assess the effectiveness of the supplement.

For more information, contact Dr. Deegan at 206.683.4495 or at drdeegan@naturopathicfamilymedicine.com

NFM wants to support you in your New Year’s Resolution this year. In order to best do this, we need to know what your  goals are for 2012!

Please share with us some of your hopes, aspirations, goals, and ideas for your 2012 resolutions. From weight loss, to practicing patience, detoxification, exercising more, or eating more greens… we can help get you where you want to be! But first, we need to know where we are headed.

This Christmas, please bring me….

With the Holiday Season in full swing, and Christmas just around the corner, I wanted to share some last minute, local and wholesome gift ideas for the little helpers in your life.

Some kiddos just want their two front teeth this year – (Or an iPad).  But for those with a full set of chompers and in the market for something other than electronics, here is a local shopping guide of locations to buy awesome gifts, often offering handmade by local Seattle-lites.

Be sure to check out:

Ballard

• Annie’s Art & Frame 
2212 NW Market Street 
784-4761
• Clover
 5335 Ballard Ave NW 
782-0715
• Monster Art & Clothing 
5000 20th Ave NW 
789-0037
• The Sneakery
 612 NW 65th Street 
297-1786
• Sonic Boom
 2209 NW Market Street 
297-2666

Fremont

• Jive Time
 3506 Fremont Ave N 
632-5483
• Not A Number 
720 N 35th St 
784-0965
• Petapoluza
 114 N 36th St 
632-4567
• Portage Bay Goods
 621 N 35th St 
547-5221
• Theo Chocolate
 3400 Phinney Ave N
 632-5100

Greenwood/Phinney Ridge

• DreamStrands
 115 N 85th St
 297-3737
• Frock Shop
 6500 Phinney Ave N
 297-1638
• Greenwood Space Travel Supply/826 Seattle
 8414 Greenwood Ave N
 725-2625

Wallingford

• The Sock Monster 
1909 N 45th St
 724-0123
• Bastyr Dispensary
 3670 Stone Way N
 834-4114

Happy Holidays from Naturopathic Family Medicine!!!

Stay tuned for our New Year’s Resolution Kick-Start Guide!

Krystal Warwick, wife of Thomas Warwick and mother of their three young children, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in March 2011. At the time of her diagnosis, the kids were just 4 years, 2 years, and 6 weeks old. Krystal had suffered a spontaneous seizure the month before but was otherwise symptom free. An MRI revealed a tumor and Krystal underwent brain surgery on March 22^nd, 2011.

The goal of the surgery was to remove as much of the quarter-size tumor in her left frontal lobe as possible. At the time of the surgery, no diagnosis or prognosis was known. After the tumor was removed a pathologic inspection was done. Inspection revealed the tumor was malignant, meaning Krystal and her family learned that she had brain cancer. Her surgery was followed with 5 weeks of intense radiation therapy in an effort to shrink the remaining cancerous tumor in her brain.

The type of brain cancer Krystal has is very rare and essentially incurable. Less than 1% of people diagnosed with brain cancer have this particular form of cancer. While surgery did remove much of the tumor, the course of this cancer shows that the tumor will inevitably grow back. The average lifespan for patients that receive this particular diagnosis is 8 years.

Krystal shares her journey through a blog: www.titusandfam.blogspot.com. The following is an entry describing her reaction after receiving her diagnosis and prognosis: “I am numb. I am hurt. I am living a shorter life. The average lifespan with my brain tumor is 8 years. Could be more, could be less…not necessarily 8 years, could be 3 years, could be 20, average for the majority of people with issues like me live about 8 years.”

Krystal’s treatment now requires careful monitoring to supervise the growth of the cancer. This process is done with expensive machinery and extensive testing protocols. The necessary imaging and testing is not covered by the family’s health insurance.

Early on the Warwick’s got support from friends, neighbors, and their community. While Krystal’s monitoring and treatment has continued to be expensive, some of the support has concomitantly tapered. Her need for testing, imaging, and treatment continues. We are asking for support from the NFM community to help Krystal and her family continue to receive medical care and to have hope.

Krystal describes her personal and heartfelt emotional struggle in a blog entry from April 2011: “The last two weeks have been crazy. I am trying to remain completely faithful to my God and understand that he wants me sooner than originally planned. I struggle the most with the idea of leaving my dear boys and daughter. Of course pain comes when I think of leaving my husband, but he understands, and we have [had] so long already to enjoy each other. The children on the other hand make my heart hurt when I think of how much I may miss. Graduation, Birthdays, falling in love, coming to Christ… I cry when I watch them and think what I may miss. I am constantly praying for a miracle, but know that my love for the Lord will remain if the tumor does too. Please keep in prayer that I am not part of the majority that live 8 years, but I am the one who gets 20!”

Donations can be made on-site at our clinic. Please consider purchasing diapers (size 4 Seventh Generation brand; size 3 other brands); toys for the youngest and only female sibling (no trucks, please!); gift cards for groceries at stores such as PCC, Whole Foods, QFC, and Costco; or gift cards for gas. You can also donate monetarily by making a deposit at any Chase Bank. The account number is: 2976735882.

Thank you for helping to support one of our very own this holiday season!

There have been recent reports on arsenic in fruit juices in recent weeks, prompted first by the Dr. Oz Show. The Dr. Oz  Show recently tested samples of Gerber’s Apple Juice, which showed that the apple juice did indeed contain arsenic. The FDA states that they also tested the same lot of juices as the Dr. Oz Show, and their laboratory analysis showed that arsenic was present in very low levels, and in fact, levels much lower than what Dr. Oz reported and in amounts that are considered safe for drinking.¹

Since this episode, the public concern and uproar over arsenic in our fruit juices has spiraled out of control, especially with the November 30^th, 2011  publishing on arsenic levels by Consumer Reports (www.consumerreports.org.)²

 S0- What is the deal with Arsenic in our fruit juice? And should you care? You may even want to know if the doctors at Naturopathic Family Medicine care?   Scroll down to the Q & A section below for quick answers

First, I think it is important to know that Arsenic is allowed by the FDA to be present in our foods and juices. Why?! Here is the scoop on Arsenic:

Arsenic is a naturally-occurring substance in our environment. There are two types of arsenic: organic and inorganic. The inorganic forms are the bad forms- more specifically- the deadly forms in high enough doses- and are present as a result of human pollution. There were also arsenic-based pesticides in use in the United States up until the 1970’s that certainly play a part in the levels of arsenic now present in our soil and water. Organic arsenic is less worrisome than inorganic, and both kinds of arsenic are present in our soil and ground water, and therefore are present in our food and water. ¹

Both the organic and inorganic forms of arsenic have been found in fruit juices. Essentially, this is unavoidable, since arsenic is in our ground water. Because of this, the FDA has deemed that “low” levels of arsenic in juices are acceptable. But there is no set standard for arsenic in fruit juice, meaning that there is  no maximum allowable amount of arsenic in fruit juice that would then result in that product, or batch of product, being pulled from the grocery store shelves. The decision to not set a standard is based on the FDA’s research that concluded that if “arsenic occurs [in fruit juices], it almost always does so at very low levels.” Almost always? That sounds a little unsettling to me. The FDA is considering setting a standard, but has not yet done so. There is a standard for arsenic levels in bottled water, set at 10 parts per billion. ¹

The November 30^th Consumer Reports article on arsenic in juice found that ten percent of store-bought apple and grape juice samples have more arsenic than what is allowable for bottled water (10 ppb.) AND…. 25% of these juice samples have more lead that is considered allowable in bottled water. These levels are far lower than what would prompt concern for further testing of the fruit juices by the FDA, but the consumer advocacy group states that the FDA should be concerned. A poll published by the advocacy group demonstrated that over one-third of children 5 years of age and younger drink more juice than pediatricians recommend.² Since children are at very vulnerable during these highly important development years, children are at an increased risk for developing side effects and chronic health conditions related to heavy metal toxicity.

The consumer group also surveyed evidence, using CDC collected data, to discover that people who reported drinking apple or grape juice have “20% higher levels of arsenic in [their] urine” compared to people who did not drink juice.¹

So…. what should you DO with ALL this information? 

Questions with Bottom-Line Answers:

Is NFM concerned about these arsenic and lead levels? Yes.

Should you be concerned enough to NOT give your child fruit juices? Yes, and for more reasons than this arsenic problem. Fruit juice is empty calories, high in added sugars (both natural and artificial), and essentially fake nutrition. In other words, there is no nutritional value or benefit in feeding your child juice. In fact, excessive juice is often a reason for growth deficiency, failure to thrive, and malnutrition in children. Furthermore, sugar depresses the immune system. It causes a decreased or delayed immune response which may to contribute to your child becoming more sick more often.

Does organic fruit juice contain arsenic and lead? Yes. Contamination is unavoidable because these metals are found in the soil and ground water.

How can I find juices without arsenic and lead? Good Question. I don’t really know. My best advice would be to know where your juice and fruit is coming from and to talk about this concern with growers, farmers, and distributors, if possible. You may be able to find out information about the soil and water in the area where your food is coming from.

What can I do about this? Strictly limit or avoid fruit juices in children under 5 years of age, and make juice a special treat for older children.

Should we get tested? It’s probably not necessary to get your levels of arsenic and lead testing, with the exception that all children around 12 months of age are recommended to have a routine blood test to screen for lead toxicity. If you are concerned about  excessive levels of arsenic and lead in your or your child’s body, schedule an appointment with your physician at NFM. We can discuss the need for testing for heavy metals at that time.

Take Our Poll

1. FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration Website. Questions & Answers: Apple Juice and Arsenic. Published Nov 30, 2011. Accessed Dec 1, 2011.  http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm271595.htm

2. DeNoon, D.J. Medscape News Medical Students Website. Report: Arsenic in Apple, Grape Juice. Published Nov 30, 2011. Accessed Dec 1, 2011. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/754551

For the holiday that typically celebrates gluttony and football– here are some healthful tips and ideas to get moving, have family fun, and eat a just a teeny-bit better this Thanksgiving

1. Get off the couch and host your own friendly football game! Back home, in Oak Park, Cali, the annual Turkey Bowl commemorates a time to get-together, catch-up with friends and family, re-live unfilled high school ambitions, and have a fun work-out prior to turkey dinner. Try organizing your own game with friends, visiting family, or even the neighbors… who knows, it may turn into your own Turkey Bowl tradition!
2. Reconsider the traditional dishes. Many of us equate sweet potatoes topped with brown sugar and marshmallows, or Mom’s green bean casserole with Thanksgiving. Well, I am here to say that there are hundred’s of other choices out there for how to eat your green beans and fried onions this year! I recommend checking out Sunset Magazine’s website at www.sunset.com or World’s Healthiest Foods at http://whfoods.com for tons of recipe ideas– ideas that are way better that what you are expecting for healthy alternatives for candied yams! 
3. Plan an activity for family time. Maybe some of you have experienced hours and hours of cooking, cleaning, preparing Thanksgiving dinner, maybe even over the course of days, only to sit down at the dinner table and watch the kids consume their meal in 10 minutes flat. Try planning game night, a hike, or an arts and crafts project… no one said Thanksgiving family time had to spent around the table eating.
4. Split up the meal. Ever had the Thanksgiving experience where you are starving all day while waiting and waiting to eat…..then, you finally sit down for dinner, only to eat too fast or over-eat, rendering you over-stuffed, groggy, and helpless? I have. Which is why this year I am planning three meals throughout the day- including a breakfast-themed meal, a larger and more traditional meal, followed by a dinner-time small snack-themed meal. I am hoping this will prevent the bipolar feelings of starvation followed by over-full stomach pain. I am also hoping it keeps the friends around all day, turning Thanksgiving dinner and celebration into a day-long social event of thankfulness and appreciation.

Bon Appetit!