Cancer Care: Relief for common side effects

I have just started doing some volunteer work at the Cancer Center and have noted a list of common side effects that patients seem to deal with.

Nausea: Better prescriptive drugs are available for nausea and vomiting before,during and after  chemotherapy sessions. Some other things to consider are ginger root in a capsule form or brewed as a tea,candied ginger,hypnosis or even medicinal marijuana to selected patients. Acupuncture either offered by a practitioner or self-acupressure applied with a thumb to acupuncture points or devices such as the Sea-Band wristband(to learn more visit www.reliefband.com).

Fatigue:Have your doctor first check for medical causes such as anemia.After chemotherapy and radiation are finished,consider traditional Chinese medicine in helping to restore a balance to your body. Things I have suggested to patients are trying a daily tonic such as cordyceps or ginseng, improving your sleep habits and maintaing a regular exercise program to help overcome fatigue. Sometimes there could be and underlying stress or anger about the cancer that may be draining your energy.Seeking emotional and spiritual support is advisable. Start by surrounding yourself with positive people.

Weight loss: Poor appetite may cause you to veer off the perfect diet and add enough foods that seem appealing so that you keep a healthy weight during treatment.Omega-3 fatty acids found now in ProSure made by Ensure may help prevent weight loss.

Mouth Sores: Lozenges of slippery elm or chewing tablets of DGL(deglycyrrhiznated licorice)may soothe the lining of the mouth.A mouthwash of L-glutamine powder and water or a homeopathic remedy called Traumeel may be helpful. Acupuncture treatments can also be helpful.

Burns:Applying aloe vera gel or vitamin E gelcap can soothe reddened or burned skin post radiation treatment.

Pet Therapy

Animals are amazing creatures.They have demonstrated widespread ability to improve the health and well-being of people of all ages, including those with acute and chronic medical conditions, and those with psychiatric illnesses and developmental challenges.Numerous formal programs have emerged in which animals are used specifically to reach therapeutic goals, and the areas in which animals are so utilized include psychotherapy,physical and occupational therapy.

Most of us are familiar with assistance dogs for the visually impaired,but there are also hearing-assist dogs and specially-trained assistance dogs for Parkinson's patients. Great danes are found to be particularly good for Parkinson's patients because they are sweet-natured,gentle,big,strong,and responsive. It is also believed that dog's have a very acute sense of smell and have been used to help in detecting an oncoming seizure. Prior to the seizure,the brain shows increased electrical activity that a dog can sense the same way they sense an oncoming thunderstorm.

Other animals such as horses,sheep,pigs,chickens,and birds have been helpful in assisting emotionally disturbed children towards developing trust and becoming more responsible. Studies have found that all lot of these children harbor deep sorrow and intense rage and as a group, have not experienced a lot of positive touching.It has been found that the animals provide a kind of non-threatening touch and provide nurture they badly need.

Hippotherapy is the technical term for therapy with horses. Riding a horses involves a person's pelvis to tilt up,sideways,forward and back.This movement has been found useful for people with physical or neurological handicaps because it helps them reacquaint their muscles that leads to improve strength,muscle control and eye-hand coordination.

Other therapeutic programs have utilized llamas to interact with autistic children.Because the hands of autistic children tend to be sensitive, stroking a llama spine to feel the difference between soft fur and firm bone structure has helped these children in developing sensory integration.

Numerous studies have been conducted showing the role of pets in treating chronic conditions.Chronic pain disrupts normal functioning and reduces activity levels which can often be accompanied by depression and anxiety.Pets have been reported to have a powerful anti-anxiety effect that helps to improve pain thresholds. When bonding with an animal, feeling of acceptance,pleasure,nurturing and love can be stimulated. These feelings cause changes in brain chemistry that help release positive mood-altering biochemicals such as dopamine,beta-endorphing,prolactin,phenylethylamine and oxytocin.

Study after study has shown the benefits to health and well-being of pet owners. They are a source of companionship,nurturing, and affection. We are greatly attached to our pets for good reasons....our pets are a life-affirming,life-enhancing aspect of what it means to be alive and well. I have two cats: Charlie and Sam.

Acupuncture: Treatment of Postoperative Pain

I was excited to find an article from the Journal of American Society of Anestheiologists regarding reduction of postoperative pain for both upper and lower abdominal surgeries. The study showed a reduction in incisional and visceral pain, reduced analgesic requirements, and diminished incident of postoperative nausea and vomiting. There was also a reduction in pain-induced activation of the sympathetic nervous system that normally accompanies surgery.

I can personally relate to what patients go through from being a patient myself. To this day I remember the taste of the anesthetic Ether, waking up nauseated and enduring pain once the anesthetic wore off.

Today with advancements made in the field of anesthesia, both post-op pain and nausea are better managed but not completely resolved. As both a registered nurse in preoperative care and an acupuncturist I can help people decrease the effects associated with surgeries. If you are having surgery I invite you to talk to your surgeon regarding acupuncture treatments. My suggestion would be to have an appointment the day before surgery and a couple days post surgery. Of course this depends on the type of surgery and the overall outcome.

I encourage you to read the article and take a copy to your surgeon : Anesthesiology: August 2001-Volume 95-Issue 2- pp 349-356.

Blog #4: Eye See U

Nearsightedness is on the rise, partly because we're squinting at our computers instead of scanning the horizon. A large study published recently in the Archives of Opthalmology show that nearsightedness, or trouble seeing objects at a distance, rose by 66 percent over a 30 year period. An increase that seems to dove-tail all the close work we do like using computers, smart phones, e-book readers and other electronic devices.

Here's what you can do to maintain good vision throughout your life.

1) Eat Well: General rule of thumb: if it comes from your garden and is brightly colored, it's good for eye health. That means dark leafy vegetables, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, beets, etc. Data also suggest that people who consume more of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and nuts are less likely to experience dry eyes.

2) Stay Healthy: Preventing the development of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity helps with keeping your eyes healthy. First, don't smoke because nicotine has an effect on blood vessels in the eyes. Second, good old fashion aerobic activity can help deliver oxygen to the eyes. Aim to move for at least an hour on most days.

3) Get Checked: Diseases like macular degeneration and glaucoma often are not noticeable until damage has already been done. That's why it's crucial to have your eyes checked at age 40 and regularly thereafter based on your doctor's advice.

4) Prevent Infections: Contact lens safety is critical for good vision. Contacts can slightly alter the surface of the eye and increase the risk for infection, which can lead to vision loss. Clean your contacts, wash your hands before touching them, and never sleep in them.

5) Protect your Eyes: Sun damage is cumulative all year round. Look for glasses that block both UVA and UVB rays. Wear goggles or safety glasses to prevent potential injuries. 

Other Stuff:

-20/20/20 rule: Every 20 minutes stare about 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

-Since we tend to blink less when working close us, use natural tear drops before a long session on the computer.

-Apply cool compresses to closed eyes a few times a day. Using soak and cooled tea bags such as chrysanthemum can help with sore, bloodshot eyes.

-Be aware that dry eyes can be a side effect of some drugs used to treat things such as high blood pressure, pain and allergies.

-Qi Gong Exercises for eyes: Ask me for a copy.

-Herbal supplements: Ming Mu Qi Huang can be helpful depending on what is going on.

Jan Evraets RN LAc

Acupuncture

Scenar

Herbal Medicine

Blog #3 Bone Broth

Bone Broth: a tasty healthful soup and easily digested medicinal food

Winter is an ideal time to make nourishing soups and a good base to start with is making your own bone broth. To make this broth involves prolong cooking of bones and cartilage of which most meats can be used, including poultry ,beef ,lamb or fish. The prolong cooking of bones in water will result in a broth rich in nutritional constituents that promote strength ,nourishment in times of sickness and rehabilitation , help to tonify blood and prevent bone and connective tissue disorders.

The broth is easy to make with the main drawback that it takes time to cook. Once made, it can be consumed as a snack or quick meal, or used as a base for more complex soup by adding steamed or sautéed vegetables, meat, and or beans.

Jan’s Bone Broth

2 onions,halved

4 inch nub of ginger,halved lengthwise

5-6 lbs of good bones,preferably leg and knuckle

6 quarts of water

3 garlic cloves,peeled

1 tsp. black peppercorn

2-3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 packet of Pho Spices(1 cinnamon stick,1tblsp coriander seeds, 1 tblsp fennel seeds,5 star anise,1 cardamom pod,6 whole cloves- in mesh bag)

1. Preheat oven to 400*F
2. Rinse bones that are ideally 2-3 inches long with the fat and most of the meat removed placed on a foil-lined tray.
3. Roast bones, uncovered,until brown on all sides,turning every 20 minutes.
4. Add bones to stockpot with enough cold water to cover the bones.
5. Parboil the bones vigorously for 10 minutes. Drain, rinse the bones and rinse out the pot. Refill pot with bones and 6 quarts of water. Bring to boil over high heat and lower to a simmer. Using a ladle to remove any scum that rises to the top.
6. For extra flavor I char my onions and ginger. Place ginger and onions on baking sheet and brush with olive oil. Broil on high until ginger and onions begin to char.
7. Once onions and ginger are charred, add to the stock along with peppercorns,garlic,Pho spices and 2-3 talblespoons of balsamic vinegar
8. Cook half-covered for 4+hours. Add more boiling water if necessary when simmering, in order to keep bones covered.
9. Skim surface to remove scum and impurities- do not stir!
10. Cool the broth removing any fat that comes to the surface. At this point you can reheat the broth and add 2 carrots, 2 celery, 2 tomatoes and potatoes and simmer for an additional hour. This adds more flavor and depth to the broth.

Adding Chinese herbs to broth

Chinese herbs such as Astragalus and Codonopsis may be added to increase the medicinal properties ie. Increase energy,support digestion, and strengthen immune function of the broth. Theses herbs not only enhance the nutritional status of the broth, but are flavorful and add to the sweet taste. 

  

Blog #2 - Staying Healthy with the Seasons

To all of my clients and friends:

"Autumn is a season of gathering nature’s gifts before winter’s rest. It also marks the beginning of a cycle of personal turning within when the night’s darkness finally equals the length of the day. This transition may be difficult for some but if you choose to adapt yourself to the changes that come with the season; you will maintain health.

In Chinese Medicine, the organs associated with Autumn are the Lung and Large Intestine. Some of the associations with these organs are the breath and the ability to let go. Our bodies are kept alive by the breath we take, supplying us with vital oxygen. But what many of us don’t realize is that the manner in which we take in those breaths has the power to alter our conscious and affect our emotional well-being. Slow and conscious breathing benefits not only our physical selves such as activating the lymphatic system to help us flush toxins but also our mental and spiritual sides. Deep breathing promotes relaxation and awareness that can help facilitate the release of negative emotions.

The following are a list of different breathing exercises you can try:

Wu Breathing: This Chinese technique can be used in the morning and at night

1. Lie down in a relaxed position with your head on a small pillow and your arms resting at your sides. Your feet should be a bit more than hip-width apart.
2. Place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth, resting it just behind the front teeth and the gums.
3. Begin to breathe naturally through the nose. Imagine the breath coming through the nose to the top of the head and then down to the center of the belly.
4. Continue breathing and visualizing in this manner for 20 to 30 minutes. Concentrate on the breath coming in through your head.

The 20-cycle Breath

1.Take four short, continuous breaths. Do not pause between the inhalation and exhalation.

2. Follow with one extended long breath.

3.Repeat this process five times.

Pulse Breathing: This exercise combines diaphragmatic breathing and a pulsed, hard exhalation to remove carbon dioxide. Perform this exercise anytime you find yourself under stress.

1.Take a deep breath and exhale.

2.Inhale and exhale forcefully.(This is a pulse breath)

3.Take two deep-breathing cycles and a pulse breath.

4.Take three deep-breathing cycles and a pulse breath.

5.Take four deep-breathing cycles and a pulse breath.

6.Take five deep-breathing cycles and a pulse breath.

Blog #1 - Restoration

Our body already knows how to restore itself. We Just have to provide the tools it needs for repair. By giving our bodies & minds the tools to maintain health, we nurture what’s good rather than destroying what’s bad. David Servan-Schreiber,M.D., Ph.D., author of the bestselling: Anticancer: A New Way of Life states, “My conviction is that healing is less about battling illness and more about nourishing life.” Nuturing the body’s innate healing abilities through life-style choices has long been a cornerstone of disciplines such as Traditional Chinese Medicine. One of the many beauties of Chinese Medicine is the belief of the mind-body link in maintaining health.

Once considered a radical idea in Western medicine, the mind’s power over the body has garnered considerable respect over the past decade thanks to a growing body of neurological research and technologies such as MRI’s. Researchers have established that biochemical released from the brain during various moods affect how well the body repairs itself. Negative feelings such as anxiety, fear and loneliness have been shown to trigger stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine, which inhibit the immune system,while positive feelings like happiness, love and peacefulness can boost our healing ability through neurotransmitters such as dopamine and oxytocin.

The great news about maintaining health is that our minds and bodies know intrinsically how to do it. Remember that it’s the cumulative effect of many stressor on the body, mind and spirit that wears you down and make you vulnerable to becoming ill.

Here are a few ways to help you boost healing:

1) Ease Stress with Pleasure: Relaxation and pleasure are healing states of mind. Seek out stimulation by admiring a work of art, listening to music, making love or tending a garden. All these help the brain in releasing those feel good hormones.

2) Find Something to Believe In: Research indicates that people who have a spiritual faith of some kind are better equipped to deal with illness. Being spiritual can range from having a sense of peace, faith in God, or having a compassionate view of others. I see a link between spirituality and health through the social support we get from being part of a spiritual community. 

3) Talk It Out: Hostility is bad for your health. Studies show it can raise levels of cytokines, behavior-regulating proteins in the immune system that are associated with arthritis, osteoporosis and other conditions. Learn conflict resolution skills through a counselor or at least find a spot to let yourself go to complain in a constructive manner. Complain to a wall, chair, or a tree stump. Give a voice to your dejected, sarcastic, nasty, bratty self. Yell or whine as long as you want and end the session by thanking whatever you complained to and then go do something really fun.

4) Get to Bed: Sleep and immune health are inextricably linked. It’s the time your body restores itself: Tissue repair, muscle growth, protein synthesis all are happening. Studies have linked sleep deprivation with lowered immune ability, increased obesity and inflammation. Things to do: Create a pleasurable bedtime ritual such as a hot bath. Try some breathing exercises to induce relaxation. Lying in bed, breathe in through the nose for a count of 4, then hold the breath for 7 and slowly exhale through the mouth for 8. Repeat 3 times. Say OM A regular daily yoga practice have shown a 22% improvement in sleep quality.

Acupuncture also helps with stress reduction and sleep induction. There are also herbal formulas that your acupuncturist can customized to you in helping your body de-stress and sleep better.

5) Eat Plenty of Healing Foods: Create an inner healing environment by feeding your body nutrients that boost immune function and lower inflammation. Try a range of colorful fruits and veggies such as apples, oranges, tomatoes, berries and dark leafy greens. Enhance your immunity with the building blocks of lean protein such as salmon, turkey and chicken. For vegetarian options include beans and legumes (lentils, chickeas, kidney beans), nuts and seeds (sunflower and pumpkin). Opt for foods low in sugar because sugar can lead to inflammation. Have a high ration of fiber to sugar such as artichokes, oatmeal and brown rice.

Get enough good bugs by eating fermented foods to promote the beneficial bacteria or probiotics. Remember the GI tract plays a critical role in the immune response because of its large surface area always comes in contact with so many microorganisms and potential pathogens. So crowd out those bad bugs with yogurt, kefir, miso, tempeh, unpasteruized pickles and sauerkraut.

6) Move & Groove: It’s hard to overstate the benefits of being physically active. Regular moderate exercise promotes circulation, strengthens heart function, and delivers nutrients and oxygen to the cells. In Chinese Medicine, exercise is considered an activation of Qi or energy flow. Try tai chi or qigong which are ancient Chinese practices that combine slow, controlled movements and breathing exercises to encourage the flow of Qi. A recent study found that those who practice qigong have a lower inflammation level and improved mood, both of which are factors in healing.

 Jan