Treatment of First Trimester Fatigue and Nausea 12/07/2009

Answered by Liz Richards and Rylen Feeney of Blossom Clinic

Q: I have been feeling really nauseous the last few days – not throwing up but hungry and nauseous at the same time, no food seems appetizing and nothing seems to satisfy me.  My mom is sending me one of those sea sickness bands that sends little electric pulses.  Do you know if they are any good?  Any other tips?  I’m having trouble just getting myself going.  Did I mention I’m exhausted too?

A: Congratulations on your pregnancy! Everything you are expressing is normal.  It is very important for you to eat every 1 1/2- 2 hours to prevent the nausea from getting worse.  I know it seems counter-intuitive, but it is important to eat small, high protein meals even if your appetite is low. This includes the bedtime hours as well; It really helps to get in the habit of grabbing a small protein snack if you wake up in the night.   Often this alone will prevent morning sickness.  In general, it is also very important to stay well hydrated.

Some examples of high protein snacks:

almonds and dried apricots

almond butter and rice cakes

apple with almond butter

avocado and sprout or cucumber on toast

boiled eggs

chicken soup

egg drop soup

hummus and crackers

nuts

protein bars

trail mix

When looking for high protein snacks, it is important not only to look for foods high in grams of protein, but also foods that are relatively low in sugar.  Often people think that yogurt is a high protein food but in fact, most yogurt has about 6 grams of protein per serving and 83-97% of the carbohydrates coming from sugar.  Recently, we were able to find only one brand of yogurt that belied this statistic and had 16 grams of protein to offset the sugar content!

To reduce nausea, you can also split your prenatal vitamin in a half and take 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 at night, or take it at night before bed.  The iron and the zinc in the vitamins tend to cause nausea.  You can also supplement with B-6 but you should talk to your midwife or complementary health care provider about that first.  You might be able to find B6 lollipops and lozenges for morning sickness, which delivers small doses over the day.

Other useful home remedies include increasing or including “sour” foods into your daily diet.  Because the flavor sour is astringent – it helps alleviate nausea.    Many women crave sour foods during the first trimester, perhaps for this very reason.

Some “sour” foods include:

Papaya with lemon juice

1/2 a grapefruit

Cranberry

Lemon

Berries

Olives

Trout

Sauerkraut

Pickles

Aduki Bean

Kefir

Umeboshi Plum

The last two food items on the list are of special value, as they have further benefits in addition to being sour.   Kefir is a cultured dairy product that contains healthy probiotic cultures, protein and is easier to digest than milk or yogurt.  Umeboshi plum is a pickled plum related to the apricot that is a specific Japanese remedy for nausea and digestive complaints.  Umeboshi plum can be be purchased whole or as a paste and added to foods in place of salt for flavor or soaked and nibbled on.  You only need a little bit as they are high in sodium.  Umeboshi  is traditionally eaten with rice  and in the Japanese equivalent to having an apple a day!

Acupuncture and Amma therapy can help too. A point frequently used by a licensed acupuncturist is Pc6 on the inside of the forearm close to the wrist. This is the same point that the sea-bands stimulate.  I have had mixed reports about the bracelets and have never heard of one with electric current.  To learn the location of some other points, please visit Debra Betts’ website by clicking here.

There are multiple Chinese herbal formulas that could help reduce nausea as well. These formulas need to be prescribed by a licensed practitioner.  For an easy home remedy you can make Ginger tea with honey.  To make ginger tea, boil a small handful of fresh ginger in water for 10 minutes.   You can add more water if it is too strong. You can also buy crystallized ginger chews or Ginger peoples – ginger chews in the natural candy section of your grocery store or in the bulk section.

For exhaustion, you can supplement with Floradix iron and herbs (this iron doesn’t make one nauseous, I know this from personal experience).  Also, napping is a MUST.  I remember being shocked by the fatigue during pregnancy; there is nothing like it.  Even though the fetus is tiny, your body is working really hard.  Your blood volume needs to increase significantly already and this is exhausting. Other good sources of iron and B-6 are unsulfered blackstrap molasses in a grain beverage such as Inka or Pero.  Rooibas tea is also mineral rich and can offer a warm drink alternative.

If you have more questions, please feel free to email Liz and Rylen at theblossomclinic@gmail.com

Gift Certificate Special 12/01/2009

Dear Friends:

As we move into the Winter season, we at Blossom Clinic would like to support you in having a healthy, relaxing holiday by taking good care of yourself and your loved ones.

With every purchase of a gift certificate through 12/31/09, we extend the offer of $10 off another gift certificate, your next treatment with Blossom, or herbs.

We are happy to arrange the gift certificate by phone at 503.287.0886 or by email at theblossomclinic@gmail.com, and have it ready for you at your next visit.  The offer is transferable, so please feel free to forward it to any friends or family!

Wishing you a warm, happy holidays,

Liz Richards, L.Ac.

Co-Enzyme Q10 10/29/2009

Coenzyme Q10

Contributed by Rylen Feeney, Practitioner of Oriental Medicine at Blossom Clinic.

Coenzyme Q10 is also known as Co-Q10 or ubiquinione.  “Ubiquinone because it is ubiquitous –it exists everywhere in the body.”[i] Co-Q10 is a powerful antioxidant, vitamin like substance that is literally found in every living cell in our bodies.  Its actions are similar in effect to Vitamin E, yet it is not considered a vitamin because it can be synthesized directly in our bodies, in particular in the thymus gland.  However production decreases steadily and dramatically as we age. Co-Q10 catalyzes a chain of chemical reactions in the mitochondria, that create adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a compound that yields the energy needed by the cells to function.   It is essential for providing the energy necessary to carry out bodily functions effectively.  It aids in circulation, stimulates the immune system, increases tissue oxygenation, and has vital anti-aging effects.  Recent research has found that supplemental Co-Q10 has the ability to counter histamine and therefore may also beneficial to those with asthma, allergies and upper respiratory disease.

Most of the research done on Co-Q10 has been done on its role in heart health.  The research results have been remarkable.  Several studies have shown it to be very effective in the treatment of angina, with no side effects.  Many human studies have indicated that this nutrient may protect the heart from damage due to a heart attack, and furthermore these studies suggest that Co-Q10 reduce the amount of tissue damage that occurs during an open-heart surgery.  In Japan considerable research and large scale studies have been done that have shown supplementation of Co-Q10 is extremely effective at improving the symptoms associated with congestive heart disease.  Co-Q10 was given both alone and with conventional medicine, and no side effects were reported.  Dosages were between 100-300mg each day.  One study was able to improve symptoms in patients who had not improved with standard diuretic and digitalis therapy.  Furthermore both animal and human studies have suggested thatCo-Q10 supplementation is helpful in the treatment of arrhythmia, even in patients on psychotropic drugs.  Co-Q10 may also be used in the treatment of mitral valve prolapse and the resulting fatigue by reducing myocardial thickness.  Studies have shown that it significantly protects LDL (bad cholesterol) from oxidizing and lowers serum cholesterol levels, while at the same time it raise the HDL (good cholesterol) that helps protect against heart disease.  In several controlled studies 100-200mg of Co-Q10 taken daily lowered both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure, without any additional medication or dietary changes.  In Japan Co-Q10 is widely used.  More than 12 million people in Japan are reportedly taking it for treatment of heart disease and high blood pressure.[ii]

Co-Q10 has also been shown to be effective in treating periodontal disease.  Researchers at Osaka University in Japan gave patients with gum disease 60 mg. a day of Co-Q10 or a placebo, and no other treatment.  After 8 weeks, the group taking the Co-Q10 showed marked improvement in their gums, including a reduction in discomfort and inflammation.

It has been regularly used to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. Promising new research in Europe by Dr. Karl Folkers, who has been studying Co-Q10 for nearly 40 years, took thirty two breast cancer patients who were treated with conventional therapy, but were high risk for recurrence and gave them high doses of Co-Q10 (over 300mg) daily.  After twenty-four months all were still alive, when at least six deaths would have been expected.  Six of the women showed a partial remission of the tumor and two had complete regression of their tumors.

Co-Q10 appears to have other uses as well, in particular in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFIDS) and immune dysfunction.  One study showed that many patients with these problems had significantly lower levels of Co-Q10 compared with healthy subjects.  Supplementation with Co-Q10 dramatically improved many of the symptoms associated with CFIDS, including headaches, sleep disturbances, prost exercise fatigue, and chronic fatigue.  It is also being used in the treatment of schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis and diabetes, and stomach and duodenal ulcers.

Food sources of Co-Q10 are found in beef hearts, chicken hearts, sardines, mackerel, peanuts and spinach, but the length of storage, processing, and cooking significantly reduces it.  Co-Q10 is oil soluble and an oil or liquid form is preferable.  Not all products are equal in quality.  The color should be dark bright yellow to orange.  It should be kept away from heat and light.  A good quality brand will contain a small amount of Vitamin E to help preserve the Co-Q10.  Dosage should be between 60 – 300mg daily.  60 for a condition such as periodontal disease, 100-200mg in heart conditions, and 300mg or more in cancer.  Even in high doses, (600mg or more), Co-Q10 has resulted in few adverse side effects.  There have been some reports of gastrointestinal upset, loss of appetite, nausea and diarrhea.

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[i] The Real Vitamin & Mineral Book 2^nd Edition; Shari Lieberman, PhD and Nancy Bruning

 

[ii] Prescription for Nutritional Healing 2^nd Edition; James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C

Other References:

1. Earl Mindell’s Supplement Bible; Earl Mindell, R.Ph., PhD

2. Earl Mindell’s Vitamin Bible for the 21^st Century; Earl Mindell, R.Ph., PhD

3. Nutritional Influences on Illness, A Sourcebook of Clinical Research; Melvin R. Werbach, M.D.

Poll #1: How long have you been trying to conceive? 10/17/2009

H1N1 Vaccine and Pregnancy 09/09/2009

About a month ago, I read that some of the H1N1 vaccine will have thimerosal (a mercury-containing organic compound).  I know many of you have concerns about giving this vaccine to your children or yourself during pregnancy so I have posted a webcast that will answer your questions about this (thank you Elizabeth for finding this for me).

Click HERE for the link.  It is an hour long video and the thimerosal question is presented at 50:34.  Supposedly there are three types of packaging that the vaccine will come in.  The single dose vials (and pre-loaded syringes) will not contain thimerosal and those will be “preferentially directed” to pregnant women and children.  The 10 dose vials will contain thimerosal.

I hope this helps you.

Liz

Acupuncture for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome 08/22/2009

Click here for a link to a recent study conducted by Elisabet Stener-Victorin at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Chinese Medicine & Swine Flu Prevention: Herbs 08/21/2009

One million people have been infected and nearly 500 people have died from the swine flu so far in the United States.  Children and the elderly are most at risk for the flu this coming Fall and Winter.  Unfortunately, half of the H1N1 vaccinations available contain a mercury derivative (thimerosal) leaving some parents wondering  whether they should risk vaccinating their young children.  Also, the H1N1 vaccine might not be available to everyone, with pregnant women, elderly and children among the prioritized recipients (and it will not be available until October 2009).

Not only is the flu dangerous, but it is also extremely inconvenient and uncomfortable.  As a natural health care provider, it makes complete sense to provide immune strengthening herbs before the flu season arrives.  These herbs nourish the body, enhance resistance, and are anti-viral in nature.

I have personally researched these herbs, known in China and the US to prevent infection, and have created three herbal formulas which will be available throughout the US and can be shipped directly to your home.  The herbs are available in capsule, powder or liquid form.  If you are interested in learning more, please contact me for a phone consultation.

Blessings,

Liz Richards, L.Ac.

theblossomclinic@gmail.com

503.287.0886

Fertility Story: From Miscarriage to Healthy Birth 08/20/2009

I recently had the opportunity to interview a former patient about her journey to pregnancy after she had a miscarriage at 14 weeks.  Her story brings tears to my eyes.  She now has two beautiful, healthy children.

The desire to have children is so strong.  When did you know that you wanted to have a child?

-I always knew.  When I was a child myself I loved to care for younger kids and I just always imagined myself with a family.

Why did you start seeing an acupuncturist and how do you think it helped you?

-In January 2005 I became pregnant and my husband and I were thrilled.  We read all the books and did all the things we were supposed to do.  When I went in for an ultrasound to check a possible complication with my cervix the radiologist coldly told me something was wrong and gave me the number of a genetic counselor to call.  At 12 weeks we learned our baby was not going to make it.  At 14 weeks we lost her.  I had a D & C (dilation and curettage) procedure.  We waited the recommended amount of time to start trying again.  We knew we wanted to have a baby.  Every month I got my period I became more discouraged and disappointed. Our baby’s due date came and passed and still I was not pregnant.  Making it through that due date was so hard.  I was tracking my ovulation with ovulation sticks and with my morning temperature.  I was charting everything.  I had started seeing an MD because it seemed I was ovulating around the last day of my period at times and my cycle was completely unpredictable.  One month I had a 40 day cycle, the next month a 27 day cycle.  I had read so much about acupuncture and I started to talk about it with my husband.  He searched the internet for someone in Oregon who had experience with families trying to conceive.  Thank our lucky stars he found Liz.

Liz immediately created a routine that worked along with my medical treatments (progesterone) to regulate my cycle again and she also helped me change my diet and, best of all, relax!  I loved the appointments.  I felt so confident in Liz’s knowledge and skill that I could just go and rest and calm my body and mind.  I started weekly treatments in early December and we were thrilled to learn I was pregnant again in February!

In my final trimester of that healthy pregnancy our baby was transverse breech and happy to be that way.  I didn’t want to have the physical manipulation to move her and I hoped to avoid a C-section.  Liz helped us again with moxa treatments.  I actually saw baby turn that first night!  She stayed head down and I had a normal delivery.

What obstacles have you faced in your journey to be a mom? Who supported you?

-The obstacles we faced were both mental and physical for me.  My husband and I became even closer when we endured the loss of our first pregnancy together.  We had an unusual situation where doctors told us there was a less than 1% chance our baby would survive after that fateful ultrasound.  We decided right away to make the time we had with that baby special.  We were sad but also loving and I genuinely felt happy to have carried our little bundle for as long as I did.  I felt like everyone I talked with about our baby was kind and supportive.  I was so lucky to have coworkers who understood my sadness during the hard times and knew how to just be there for me and cover for me when I needed it.  When we were pregnant again everyone was thrilled and my husband, mom, and mother in law went above and beyond to help me be comfortable and healthy.

What advice do you have for any couples out there who are trying to conceive?

-Be a team.  You need your partner more than ever when times get challenging.  Believe that your little baby can sense your stress and try to relax!  It is hard to achieve but I found a path that worked for me through acupuncture and self-hypnosis/ deep relaxation techniques.  I think the focus on a healthy mind and body contributed to the happy and calm spirits both of my kids have now!  Best wishes!

Pregnant at 44! 08/07/2009

Here is an interview with a former patient who was able to conceive against the odds at age 44.

How old were you and what was your FSH when you tried to get pregnant with your second child?  What did the doctors say about this?

–I started trying to conceive my second child when I was 42.  I didn’t seek medical intervention until I was 44.  By this time, my FSH was 10.  It fell to 6 when I took the fertility drug Clomid.  The doctors I consulted were willing to work with me, but they were careful not to raise my expectations.  (I think I surprised them when I called to schedule a prenatal appointment!)

What turned you on to Chinese Medicine?

–After two and a half months with no success on Clomid, I started wondering about other ways to boost my fertility.  I didn’t have any experience with acupuncture, but I was intrigued by what I learned from the Blossom website.  And when I called to schedule an initial consultation with Liz, she recommended two books: Fertility Wisdom by Angela C. Wu and the The Infertility Cure by Randine A. Lewis.  Both of these books include truly inspirational examples of women my age (and older) who relied on Chinese Medicine to achieve successful, healthy pregnancies.

What kind of advice would you give someone who is told that they have a small chance of conceiving on their own?

–Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  Western medicine tends to focus on statistics.  Here is an example of one statistic I encountered when I was thinking about a second child: “A forty year old woman has a less than 10% chance of having a successful pregnancy using her own eggs.”  My doctors also warned me about my elevated risk of miscarriage and chromosomal abnormalities.  By contrast, Liz never gave me the sense that my efforts to conceive and carry a healthy baby were futile.  She counseled me to make some changes in my diet, try herbal supplements, and come in for regular acupuncture sessions.  Less than two months after my first appointment with Liz, I was pregnant.   I am now solidly into my second trimester and expecting a healthy baby boy in January.

The Deep Reaching Trauma of Stillbirth: Part I 08/06/2009

By:  Lori S. Reising, BA, LMT

As I try to come up with the best way to talk about the far-reaching effects of stillbirth to our physical and emotional body, I struggle to find the words.  The reason being that there are no words for this tragedy.  There is no sense to the loss of a child a lifetime too soon. Our bodies are designed to carry children and keep them safe until they enter the world.  When this fails, our entire belief system and trust is broken along with our hearts.

This subject is entirely too big to cover in one article so I am going to attempt to break it down into several parts.  In this first piece I would like to talk about the point of trauma to our womb.  In an instant our life has changed.  The moment we learn of the loss the shock overwhelms us.  We go into hysterics, distress, grief, sadness, anger and more.  Every woman’s reaction is unique in itself, but there is a sudden reaction nonetheless.  Inside the cells of our bodies we carry something called emotional memory.  Our emotional cellular memory imprints all the emotions we feel as our bodies tense from pain.  The sadness left in an empty womb grows as we grieve.  The layers dig deeper and deeper as we move through many phases of loss.  Everything we feel throughout this process becomes trapped in our cells.  We need a release.

After the loss of my daughter, I had a phantom pregnancy.  I still felt pregnant.  Sometimes I could even feel her kick.  I believe some of this is a result of a hormonal cycle stopped abruptly, which caused utter chaos in my chemistry not just for months, but years.  It was also because my subconscious was not ready to let her go.  I held her in my womb even without her body there.  I was supposed to protect her and unconsciously I continued to do just that.  I remained unwilling to let her go.  After all, if I completely let her go, who was I?  I was not a mother anymore, I was not a beautiful pregnant woman awaiting the blessing of my first child, I would lose the bond that grew everyday we were together and I would be living a life without meaning.  I was so deep in my grief I did not make that connection until I went and had abdominal work done and I am therapist trained in this exact area!  The reaction to a loss can be so overpowering logic becomes meaningless.

It was over a year after my loss that I went in for a Myofascial Release treatment in Sedona, Arizona.  A whole year had passed before anyone touched my daughter’s previous “home”.  During that year my body continued to guard itself and hold on to her memory.  By the time I reached out for help, I was like a rock.  As the therapist moved into my womb, there was excruciating pain.  I quickly realized my body was still holding on to her.  Our bodies innately want to protect themselves.  After a trauma to an area the fascia (or connective tissue) begins to tighten itself to protect against any more pain that might come.  In this case it may even tighten itself to hold a memory in.  We don’t even recognize this process as it continues along with our pain.  Our entire body has just gone from the state of growing and nurturing a baby to the place where we lost our baby.  This shift is very sudden, but the effects remain long after.  Having the profound releasing I did in Arizona made it no surprise that we had been dealing with secondary infertility since our loss.  There was no flow in my abdominal tissue.  Everything was locked up and holding on to my daughter’s memory.  Just the physical trauma of her delivery alone was enough to tighten things up.  Having to deliver a child not there is one of the most horrific experiences a woman can go through.  There is no positive ending coming, it is a mother’s nightmare that waits.  We go through so much, I wonder how our bodies function at all following the process.  But we survive.  I want to help other mothers of angels thrive.  I had to search for help.  I want to be here for all of you brave women that are finding the strength to continue on this painful journey.

I feel like I am getting ahead of myself.  I want to talk much more about the delivery process, the grief, our relationships post-loss, the return to self and more.  I needed to touch on some of these areas, however, to stress the need for abdominal work.  It is essential to nurture our wombs after such heartbreak and open our connective tissue that becomes tight from shock and loss to create a flowing environment again.  It takes courage to place your trust in a therapist after that same trust has just been shattered.  You can take these steps.  I ask you to make them sooner then I did.  As I said earlier, this tragedy has far-reaching effects and the abdominal area is the first and foremost point of impact.  I will talk later about the need for overall bodywork through grief, but the sooner you have help in releasing your womb the sooner you will begin to heal, physically and emotionally.  When we reach out to those people that understand our pain we mend a little more hour-by-hour and day-by-day.

Some great resources related to these thoughts include the book “Molecules of Emotion” by Candace Pert and “Healing Ancient Wounds” by John F. Barnes.

Stay tuned for another part in the series ‘The Deep Reaching Trauma of Stillbirth’.