Natural solutions to surviving the hacking, sniffling, sneezing season - NewmarketToday.ca

Natural solutions to surviving the hacking, sniffling, sneezing season - NewmarketToday.ca
My Asthma Is So Pricey That I Can't Afford It: Living with Asthma in Canada - Net Newsledger
Dr Batra's have launched a new genetics-based therapy that predicts future diseases - Gulf Today

Posted: 31 Oct 2019 05:00 AM PDT

It's that dreaded time of year— cold and flu season! With the kids in childcare or school, they're likely to pick up and pass around all of the pesky viruses that wreak havoc on their little respiratory systems. Cue the "kindergarten cough."

Coughs can vary in quality from dry, hacking and spasmodic to croupy, deep and productive. And all variations of cough can be exhausting for your little ones, especially if it's disrupting their sleep at night (a crucial time for healing and recovery).

Exposure to a cough also puts the rest of the family at risk for infection and while prevention is your best defence, it's helpful to have a few easy, natural remedies on hand to help them manage their cough so that everyone can feel better quickly.

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Pro tip: all of these tips can be used in pregnancy, too.

The basics of cough management:

Keep your child's room humid — use a humidifier to help ease the respiratory tract irritation. Encourage steam showers and the use of vapour rub for additional ease.
Keep your child well hydrated by increasing fluid intake like water, soups and herbal teas. Hydration ensures thinning of the mucus to make expelling it easier and is very important if your child is also battling a fever.
Reduce or restrict dairy until after the infection has cleared, this will help reduce the amount of phlegm your child produces.
Elevating with pillows helps to open the airway to allow for easier breathing at night. If your infant is in a crib, place some books under the head side of the crib so their crib is at an angle.

Syrups:

Elderberry syrup is loaded with anti-viral and immune-boosting compounds. Made from the berries of the sambucus nigra plant, elderberry syrup is a lung tonic that is both soothing to the throat while also helping your child recover fast. If you can get your hands on some fresh or freeze-dried berries, you can whip up your own batch at home or buy a ready-made syrup, both are equally effective. If the kids love it, use it daily to help boost respiratory immunity all season long.
Stodal Honey is a homeopathic honey-based syrup specifically designed to suppress a cough. Please note this is only suitable for babies one year and older. It is effective on both dry and wet coughs, and this gentle homeopathic formula does not contain any dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine or guaifenesin so you can rest assured that your little one will not experience any drowsy or groggy side effects.

Teas:

Lemon-ginger tea, sweetened with honey (again, only for little ones over one-year-old) is a delicious drink for your child to sip on. The ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that eases the lungs and the honey offers a nice throat coat.
Other teas that offer soothing effects include, thyme, licorice and marshmallow.

Vapour rub:

When we think vapour-rub we usually think Vick's, but this petroleum-based jelly is potentially loaded with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are toxic chemicals and easily absorbed into the skin.
For a cleaner and more effective alternative, check your local health store for Stop It Cold Chest Rub Balm by St. Francis Herb Farm. It contains a mix of eucalyptus, peppermint and pine in a shea-butter base that is both gentle and moisturizing to your child's skin.
A note on vapour rub— it is never to be used with children under the age of two due to the risk of respiratory distress.

Magic socks:

Traditionally called "Wet Socks", magic socks utilize the principles of hydrotherapy and can be used in conjunction with other treatments to treat cough, sore throat, headaches, migraines, nasal congestion, upper and lower respiratory infections, and sinus infections. Plus, every kid loves a little magic!

What you will need:

1 pair of cotton socks
1 pair of thick wool socks
cold water

Instructions:

Soak the cotton socks in cold water. Wring them out thoroughly so they do not drip
Make sure feet are warm before application of cold socks. This is very important for the effectiveness of the treatment. Warm with hot/warm water if necessary.
Place cold wet socks on warm feet. Then cover with thick wool socks.
Go directly to bed. Avoid getting chilled.
Wear socks overnight
Cotton socks should be dry in the morning
Repeat nightly if desired.

Thankfully, most coughs are generally self-limiting if associated with mild upper respiratory viral infection. There are some more serious viral infections such as croup and whooping cough that requires close attention.

When to call the doctor for coughs:

Any coughs with high fever lasting for more than three days
Pain with breathing
Wheezing and no history of asthma
Asthma and having an exacerbation without getting relief from medications
Breathing is rapid and laboured and not getting better with typical approaches (like humidification or steam shower)
Unusual breathing sounds aside from ones like croupy cough
Lips or mouth turning blue, skin looks dusky and they're having difficulty breathing or shortness of breath — seek emergency care

You've got this, mama. Please reach out at www.westendmamas.ca if we can be of any assistance at all. We're here to help.

NewmarketToday columnist Dr. Sarah Mickeler is a chiropractor and founder of West End Mamas, which offers pelvic floor physiotherapy, as well as other vital prenatal and postnatal treatments in its Newmarket and Toronto locations. Its mission is to improve pregnancy, birth and postpartum for all Canadians.

My Asthma Is So Pricey That I Can't Afford It: Living with Asthma in Canada - Net Newsledger

Posted: 30 Oct 2019 01:17 PM PDT

Asthma belongs to the chronic diseases that require a regular intake of medications throughout the lifetime, which makes it a condition that not only worsens the quality of life but also requires a lot of money. Managing your asthma wisely means considering both your health issues and your expenses.

Currently, there is no cure for asthma. If you are diagnosed with that lifelong disease, you need to learn how to live with it, avoiding asthma triggers, and which medications to take to deal with asthma safely. If neglected, asthma can deteriorate and cause reduced physical activity and the ability to work. Asthma is not considered a terminal disease, but if it's left uncontrolled, there is a certain risk of a fatal asthma attack that may cause death. The survey undertaken by The Lung Association in 2016 had revealed that 90% of Canadians with asthma do not control it properly. What is the matter with Canadians? Why do they so childishly careless?

Why Canadians don't manage their asthma properly

Canadians would control their asthma as it's recommended if they have had proper coverage of all the asthma medications. The truth is that most provincial plans do not cover prescription medications prescribed on the in-patient basis for general categories of the population. A number of provinces have special plans for "catastrophic" drug coverage (Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island). The amount of "catastrophic" expenses that are subject for coverage varies significantly in different provinces (from 1.3%-3.2% of net family income in British Colombia to 3%, 5%, 8% or 12% of net family income on Prince Edward Island). Mostly, those programs cover all the expenses over the stated amount.
All provinces have plans for the elderly (65+), whereas Ontario recently (in 2018) implemented a new program OHIP+ for children and youth (under 25) that covers 4,400 prescription drugs.

At the same time, despite optimistic reports of provincial health care authorities, people continue claiming that the burden of their out-of-pocket expenses is too heavy for them. Here you can find some excerpts from patients' letters published on the Asthma Canada (asthma.ca) website: "Thus, even though I am paying for two drug plans, I still have to pay $286 for a three-month supply of Singulair." (A patient from Winnipeg, MB)
"One puffer*, upfront, would have cost me $200. Multiply that by 3, add my nasal spray, prescription allergy pills, and my asthma controller pills, I would have been out close to $1000." (A patient from Richmond Hill, ON)
*puffer=inhaler

"I have severe eosinophilic asthma, which is a rare form and yet there are multiple medications offered and I can't access since it's not funded and my insurance is not high enough to cover it." (A patient from Langley, BC)

How is it possible? The point is that proper asthma management includes at least two kinds of medications used on a permanent basis and at least one emergency medicine to stop an asthma attack in progress. Most of those medications are expensive and not all of them covered. Let's have a closer look at the medicines one needs to live with asthma.

Medications that are used to control asthma

Normally, people with asthma have to take both long-term and quick-action drugs to minimize the number of asthma attacks and reduce the symptoms of the disease.

Long-term preventive medications

This group includes:

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids used to control asthma comprise ICS (inhaled corticosteroids) and oral corticosteroids.
ICSs are the most common long-term asthma controllers that are normally taken twice a day on the permanent base for years. The most common inhaled corticosteroids are:

Fluticasone,
Beclomethasone,
Budesonide,

ICSs reduce swelling and mucus production in the airways. ICSs are considered among the safest asthma-controlling drugs with fewer side effects.
Oral corticosteroids, as a rule, are prescribed with short courses (for about 2 weeks) for those patients who have severe worsening of the disease and an increased number of asthma attacks. Taking corticosteroids such as prednisone or methylprednisolone stabilizes the condition after which the patient should switch to his normal medication regimen. Long-term use of oral corticosteroids is not recommended as they have severe system side effects, such as weight gain, high sugar levels, osteoporosis, and others.

Long-acting beta agonists

Long-acting beta agonists (LABAs) work by relaxing smooth muscles in the airways. They are not intended for monotherapy and always used in long-term treatment together with ICSs. The most frequently used LABAs:

Salmeterol,

There also some combination medicines containing the ICS and LABA together, e.g. Advair® (Fluticasone/Salmeterol), and Dulera® (Mometasone/formoterol).
These two types of asthma controllers are the most common therapies. Another two groups are mostly used in limited categories of people who do not respond to traditional medications or have severe adverse reactions.

Leukotriene modifiers

Leukotriene modifiers may be used for long-term therapy of moderate and severe asthma as an alternative treatment if other medications were not effective or as medicines additional to ICSs instead of LABAs. The most known drug of this group is Singulair that is an oral medication. Although Leukotriene modifiers are considered less effective than ICS, those who respond to the therapy positively find Singulair more convenient. The bad news for those who use Singulair is that it is not covered by government-funded insurance plans.

Immunomodulators

Immunomodulators are mostly used in people with asthma of allergic origin who do not respond to inhaled steroids or LABAs. Immunomodulators are also very expensive drugs and not covered, so they are mostly recommended only if there are strict indications for use.

Quick-relief asthma drugs

Short-acting bronchodilators are used to stop an asthma attack. These medicines are used to relax muscles and open contracted airways. The most common bronchodilators are short-acting beta-antagonists, such as Albuterol, Levalbuterol, Metaproterenol, and others. Comparing the price of these medications bought off a local pharmacy chain to that quoted by online retailers of drugs one can see the obvious advantages of ordering asthma solutions online. Also, the assortment of asthma drugs is often quite more impressive with Webshops. My Canadian Pharmacy is consistently referred to as online support to people with asthma condition on many levels: informational, material, consultation, and the wide range of drugs available there is another point in favor of going from physical to virtual shopping in the face of pending reforms.

The annual cost of asthma in Canada

For calculation, we used average prices for generic medications in Canadian community pharmacies.

* Specified in a cell if different. ** The dosage and course duration may vary significantly for different people. Although corticosteroids are not recommended for long-term use due to their system side effects, sometimes they can be prescribed on the long term basis if needed.
As you can see, the cost of different types of asthma medications may differ by one order of magnitude. This comparison is not completely adequate, as dosages may vary significantly depending on disease degree and individual features of a patient. So, treatment plans can be absolutely different and the costs as well. According to the official statistics, asthma medications for an individual can cost from $200 to $4,500-5000 annually. An expensive treatment with Xolair, as a rule, is not covered and rarely prescribed, not only because of a high cost of treatment but also as it is indicated only for specific types of allergy-induced asthma.

How to save on my asthma plan?

Taking into consideration the diversity of medications and differences in individual conditions, the number of asthma plans can be almost unending. When you talk to your doctor you should ask him to mind not only medical but also a financial issue. The most expensive drug is not necessarily the most effective personally for you. Here you can find some recommendations how to manage your asthma expenses better.

If you are eligible for any coverage for asthma medications, please ask your doctor to prescribe those medications that are covered.
If the doctor consider that you may benefit from the medicine that is not cover, investigate if you have any possibility to get coverage, for example, by changing your plan or applying for specific social programs.
If you have to pay out-of-pocket ask your doctor to prescribe cheaper options if they are interchangeable.
Consider generics. All government insurance plans in Canada covered with generic drugs unless there is no generic alternative yet. It's a myth that the brand medicine more effective: it's just more expensive.
Buy medications in larger packages. The packaging costs a lot and you pay for it over and over again. When you buy an inhaler, you, probably, pay more for a device than for the medicine it contains. If you buy a puffer with a greater number of doses, you reduce the cost of one dose.
If you don't have insurance or your plan doesn't cover all your medication, buy online. Although our government does a good job negotiating and reducing costs of medications to cover insurances, online pharmacies are still cheaper. There is much buzz about counterfeit medication sold online, but all that you need to get rid of troubles is to find a trusted drugstore. There are at least a few dozen of reputable online pharmacies in Canada that deliver quality drugs at more than reasonable prices.

Dr Batra's have launched a new genetics-based therapy that predicts future diseases - Gulf Today

Posted: 30 Oct 2019 10:38 PM PDT

Dr Mukesh Batra, the owner of Dr Batra's clinics.

Mitchelle D'Souza, Sub-editor/Reporter

The founder and chairman of Dr Batra's group of companies, Dr Mukesh Batra's name has become a byword for homeopathy.

The pioneering Indian doctor-cum-entrepreneur has built a legacy which includes a network of clinics, day-care aesthetic centres, and health and wellness products.

We caught up with Dr Batra at his Healthcare City clinic in Dubai, where he spoke at length about the workings of homeopathy and introduced us to the new Geno-Homeopathy treatment launched by the brand.

Can you explain what homeopathy treatment is for those who don't have a clear understanding? How does it work in comparison to conventional medicine?

There's actually a misconception that it's not well known. For emergencies and conventional problems, allopathy is the go-to. Like a heart attack, surgeries, gunshot wounds and so on.

However, homeopathy is safe for anything that is chronic and long lasting such as psychosomatic problems like stress, anxiety, and depression related issues; allergies, skin and hair problems.

We treat a wide range of illnesses such as asthma, arthritis, anxiety, depression, backache, cervical spondylitis, kidney stones in primary stage, warts, piles, PCOD, nasal polyps etc.

It has no side-effects and is completely painless and non-invasive. It goes to the root of the problem, nipping it in the bud, rather than just supressing it temporarily with pain killers.

"People are getting disillusioned with chemical medication, its side effects and opting for substances that are natural and safe, and holistic remedies, which homeopathy includes.

Is it true that homeopathy is slower in addressing an ailment in comparison to allopathy?

It's partly true, but not entirely. If you come to allopathy for a chronic sinus problem, you pop a pill and supress it. Similarly for a skin allergy, an ointment will supress the symptoms. The moment you stop, it flares up again.

So when you look at suppression, it is quick in allopathy, but that's not a cure. In conventional medicine, treatment is as slow as homeopathy or maybe even slower

For instance, a patient may be supressing his/her migraine or skin problem for the last 10 years with allopathy by taking pain killers and anti-inflammatories but without a proper solution.

However, if he/she were to take homeopathy for just 10 months, it would cure it, and hence that makes it much faster and effective as it gets to the root of the cause.

The reason it may feel seemingly long is because most illnesses are chronic, long-standing and deep-rooted.

Gene-test
Geno-Homeopathy treatment employs a gene test to predict, pre-empt and treat an illness. Charles Bertram/TNS

Can you give us an insight into the new Geno-Homeopathy treatment launched in the UAE?

As you may be aware, genetic DNA studies have been around for some years and have become more popular off late, thanks to Angelina Jolie creating awareness by positively testing herself for a cancer gene.

This helps predict and pre-empt an illness. How this works is that you have genes that are inherited, with 99.9 per cent of them being normal. But 0.1 per cent genes can be faulty and that percentage decides what diseases we carry.

A gene is like a finger print, it never changes. So just like you would use your finger print or pupil for identity, this is used for gene mapping through a simple sputum test. Now that 0.1 percentage gene decides how healthy I can be and which diseases I am likely to suffer from.

So with Geno-Homeopathy we can now analyse those 0.1 per cent genes. We completed one year in India in September and did 15,000 cases of genetic mapping.

This technique gives you your disease propensity and can tell you, for example, whether you'll go bald five or 10 years from now; if you're prone to heart attack or diabetes it will tell you when you're likely to get it.

Post an analysis, a homeopathic treatment is offered to the patient to treat a condition. So this can be almost life-saving and is now within people's reach in the UAE.

Angelina Jolie found out through genetic testing similar to Geno-Homeopathy that she is at a high risk of developing breast cancer. Marechal Aurore/TNS

There are a lot of cynics out there who question the scientific basis of homeopathy. What do you have to say to that?

A research we conducted three to four years ago found that a majority of people in Indian metros were taking homeopathy as the first choice of treatment. Pharma is growing at 10 per cent while homeopathy is growing at 30 per cent all over the world.

People are getting disillusioned with chemical medication, its side effects and opting for substances that are natural and safe, and holistic remedies, which homeopathy includes.

To give you a little perspective, there are around 300 people dying of drug reaction in America alone everyday which is equal to a Boeing crash. But it doesn't get as much attention, which can be pinned on the strong medical lobby.

So there's a gradual shift happening from allopathy to homeopathy not just in India but all over the world.

That being said, there are a lot of cynics and the lobbies that plant various stories. In spite of all this homeopathy is growing exponentially. The proof of the pudding is in eating it, so people should give it a try before denouncing it.

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