Blog - Page 6 of 7 - Just Breathe

I have found my “WHY!”

November 3, 20180Comments

I am reading a fascinating business book by Simon Sinek, “Start with Why.” This book has me thinking. Thinking about where I have come from, where I am now, and my plans for the future. What I am often surprised by is that many people do not know my background. I am not shy about admitting that I worked in hospital laboratories for over 30 years.

Stomach Acid – Is it time to rethink this common myth?

October 26, 20180Comments

In a previous blog, I share with you that GERD, bloating, and general gastro-intestinal discomfort is frequently treated by suppressing stomach acid production using either prescribed or over-the-counter medication for example protein-pump inhibitors such as Nexium® or Prilosec®, H2 receptor blockers such as Zantac® or Pepcid®, or even pain-killers such as aspirin or ibuprofen. The theory being that there is too much stomach acid which results in the acid backing up and forcing itself into the upper stomach and into the esophagus. The fact is that as we age, our bodies produce less stomach acid, not more and, in reality, the stomach acid is entering the esophagus because it is taking the body longer to empty the stomach due to the decreased stomach acid. Because of this, the mix of food and digestive juices, known as chyme, starts to ferment which causes gases to build up and there is pressure put on the lower esophageal sphincter which is then forced open, allowing what little stomach acid there is to enter the esophagus and cause that uncomfortable burning sensation.

Who Can Benefit from Energy Healing?

October 19, 20180Comments

Do you have a chronic physical or emotional problem that is not finding resolution through regular medical treatment? Energy healing may be the solution that you are looking for. Bodies function through electrical current. Electrons, which are the same particles that make electricity work, allow our bodies to function properly. Energy work is similar to being recharged, much as you would recharge a battery.

Are you making this common mistake regarding GERD?

October 12, 20180Comments

Many people suffer from GERD also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease. This is often accurately described as stomach acid in the wrong place. The piece that many people get wrong is that they believe this is caused by too much stomach acid. In fact, it is almost always caused by too little stomach acid. GERD is most commonly the result of a dysfunction in the lower esophageal sphincter. When this sphincter weakens, what little stomach acid is present backs up into the esophagus. The mucosal lining of the esophagus is not coated in the same way that the stomach is, so the stomach acid causes irritation to the esophagus that results in a burning sensation. If this occurs over a prolonged period of time, the pepsin in the stomach acid, which is a protein digesting enzyme, actually starts to digest the tissue in the esophagus. This causes inflammation that eventually, if left untreated, can lead to cancer. So, what weakens the lower esophageal sphincter?

Life, Health, and Essential Oils

September 28, 20180Comments

More than 32 million children missed school last year due to illness or injury. Are we really better because of “modern” medicine or is it time to go back to our…

Relief from Gas, Bloating, Acid Reflux and More…

September 21, 20180Comments

Back to Basics – Eating 101 As a Functional Medicine Health Coach, many people come to me because they suffer from gas, bloating, belching, acid reflux, and/or feeling overly full after a meal. Some people have a major GI disruption that may cause a closer look with your Functional Medicine Health Coach but, for many, the solution is in being aware of eating hygiene. What is eating hygiene? It is a few simple tricks that will help you properly digest your food so that you do not have these uncomfortable issues. Here are 3 simple tricks that may help you reduce or even eliminate these annoying symptoms.

Ear Candling – I Tried It

September 8, 20180Comments

When I first opened Just Breathe, I hear about a lot of holistic and alternative practices. One of the things that I had heard about over a year ago was ear coning or candling. Being someone that had grown up on Cape Cod and been told as a young child that I “had lobsters in my ear,” which was my pediatrician’s polite way of saying I had a lot of wax build up, I was intrigued by the idea of having that wax removed and finding out what it feels like to actually hear. Then I met Anastasia. Anastasia is a healer who practices ear candling. I decided that I wanted to get this treatment and signed up for a session with her. The results were incredible!

The September Epidemic and What Can Be Done

September 1, 20180Comments

There is an epidemic related to asthmatics that is known as “the September Epidemic.” Clinical studies show that 25% of hospitalizations for asthma peak 17 days after Labor Day. The reason for this has been linked directly with children returning to school. People are put in an enclosed, climate-controlled space and exposed to more allergens and viruses than they have been all summer. Schools are places where there is more mold, dust mites, cockroaches, mice, and are considered, for some, places of high stress. In addition, there is an increase of viral infections during this time of year, especially rhinovirus which causes colds.

Girl’s Only – Sorry Guys!

August 24, 20180Comments

Being a woman in today’s world is really tough. There are so many things that are expected of us and it is hard to find the support and love that we want and crave. For years I was in a J.O.B. that was chosen for me by my mother. She always wanted me to be a doctor and it never felt right to me. However, she was my Mom so I did as she wished. Kind of. I did go to school in a pre-med program but, forever being the “practical” child and knowing that being a physician did not ring true for me, I took a program that led to being able to work in a clinical lab. For some reason, on my journey, I also decided that people weren’t my thing, so I found lab work perfect. I could follow my mother’s wishes and study medicine and not have to actually deal with the population.

Why Sugar is Considered Poisonous

August 17, 20180Comments

Summer is a time to let our hair down, or put it in a messy bun, and relax! We spend days on the beach, go camping, spend time with family and friends and might not be so careful about our food choices. I am an admitted sugar addict and, in the summer, sugar definitely creeps back in to my diet with so many sweet desserts readily available. Sugar is such an interesting chemical. Besides being responsible for causing pre-diabetes and diabetes, high blood sugar has also been linked to high triglycerides, heart conditions, PCOS, kidney disease, problems with the eyes and more, it is also hard to eliminate from our diet because it actually reacts in our brains in a similar way as drugs which makes it addictive. And this is why, I, personally, prefer to eliminate it from my diet in a group setting. But I get ahead of myself.

It’s All About YOU!

August 11, 20180Comments

Salt and Allergy Relief

August 2, 20180Comments

Allergy season is hitting us hard this year. I see people all the time with runny noses, red puffy eyes, headaches, exhaustion. They may or may not be taking medication for these symptoms, either prescribed by their physician or bought over-the-counter at a local drug store. These drugs may help their situation short-term but they need to keep taking it and it does not continue to help them. They may have to take more to find continued relief or move on to a different drug with side effects that are worse than the first one.