DAATC

Dublin Acupuncture & Allergy Testing Clinic

"Rubbing your eyes will only make it worse!"

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Any hay fever or eye allergy sufferer will have told you this was true!  You get that first knawing itch of the eyes and you try not to touch but next thing your hand is rubbing the offending eye and lo and behold the itching suddenly becomes far worse and you feel like tearing your eyes out!!  Sound familiar??

Well now there is medical science to back this up and explain it.   It is now understood that rubbing the eye causes more harmful molecules to be released.  I found this article on readingeagle.com

http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=319483

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Fight Against Asthma goes High-tech.

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A simple but interesting device is attached to a regular inhaler and it allows the data about when the inhaler is being used to be tracked.  So how often and when.  This in turn helps physicians pin point the patients that need different and perhaps preventative medications to control their asthma better and thus help prevent overuse of inhalers.  An interesting article reported by Rachel Ballion from nbc15.com

http://www.nbc15.com/health/headlines/Fight_Against_Asthma_Goes_High-Tech_125183619.html

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Australia – World's Food Allergy Capital?

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This is a great explanatory article on food allergies and sensitivities.  It explains the differences and also looks at the concept of a “window of opportunity” when introducing foods to babies and young children to lessen the chances of an allergy developing.  It is written by Emily Dunn and I found it in The Sydney Morning Hearld.

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/wellbeing/australia-worlds-food-allergy-capital-20110718-1hkn4.html

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Acupuncture and Graves' Disease.

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By Beverly Mc Govern – Dip. Ac., Lic. Ac., ITEC., IFR., Dip. Chinese Herbs, Dip. Nutritional Advisor,

Well many years ago I had a sever form of Graves’ Disease.  This is an eye condition that effects people with hyperthyroidism (over active thyroid gland).  It causes double vision and I had it pretty badly.  I had it several years and was told by the Eye Hospital that it would never improve past where it was.  I was coping but it was very difficult to read, work on a computer, watch TV and on a bad day quite disturbing to have conversation’s with 3 eyed people!  (as they appeared to me!)

I had just qualified as an acupuncturist in Ireland and was heading off to China to gain invaluable experience working in the hospitals over there.  Towards the end of my time in China I happened to mention to one of my supervising doctors in acupuncture about my sight problem.  He told me acupuncture was the only way to go.  He worked on me 3 times a week for 3 weeks.  I could notice the improvement nearly immediately.  It was fascinating as I had gotten quite used to 3 eyed people by this time!

When I returned to Ireland, I went back to the Eye hospital for my check up and redid all their tests to assess how bad my eyes were.  There was mumbling amongst each other and I was told the consultant would like to see me himself.  So I waited….bit worried!  But he sat down and asked “have you done anything differently with your eyes, anything that might effect them?”  I told him about the acupuncture treatment and asked why?  He assured me that they were amazed to see about a 70% improvement in my eyes which was most unusual after such a long time of having the disorder.  But he also went on to say he had been to China himself and was excited to see acupuncture treatment for lazy eye and short sightedness.

Just thought I would share how acupuncture has helped me get my life back.  The following link is to a research article on the use of acupuncture in conjunction with Western Medical Treatment for Graves’ Eye Disease.  Two groups were used.  One with Western Medical Treatment only and the other with Western Medical Treatment and acupuncture.  The results concluded that the group that used the acupuncture saw an improvement in results but also much less side effects from the Western Medical Treatment.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21058474

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Sinus Surgery – Does it Work?

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Sinus problems can be caused by exposure to allergens.  With long term exposure it can lead to sinusitis and even polyps, which in turn can obstruct the nasal passage.  This article discusses whether sinus surgery is effective or not.  In my personal experience, many patients would still suffer substantial symptoms after surgery.  Personally, I would prefer to identify the allergens and eliminate or reduce exposure to them.  I also firmly believe in nutritional support in the treatment of sinus problems.  Deficiency in certain minerals can leave a patient more prone to inflamation in the lining of the nose and mucus membranes.

But I did find this article an interesting read and certainly worth a look if you are considering sinus surgery.  It is by Linda Fugate PhD and I found it on EmpowHER.

http://www.empowher.com/sinus-infection/content/sinus-surgery-does-it-work

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Miscarriage & Acupuncture

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Miscarriage is defined as any pregnancy which ends spontaneously, before the fetus can survive.  It occurs in 15% to 25% of all pregnancies. This rate can be higher with A.R.T    Miscarriage usually occurs before 13 weeks. It can have a devastating effect, on all those concerned.   Today there is support for those who have suffered a miscarriage.

http://www.miscarriage.ie

Causes

Some causes of miscarriage still remain a mystery.  Some of the known causes include – genetic abnormalities, immune disorders eg, systemic lupus,  hormonal eg, cushings disease,  uncontrolled  diabetes, assisted conception eg, IVF.  Chronic health problems eg, hyper or hypothyroidism.  Vitamin or mineral deficiency eg, zinc. Uterine abnormalities eg,  fibroids,  viral or bacterial infections.

Defective sperm and low sperm count. Research from the department of obstetrics and gynecology in Sweden showed, 4% of abnormal sperm in normal pregnancy, compared to 48% of abnormal sperm in miscarriage.  Sperm counts in normal pregnancy were 138.7 million per cubic centimeter, while in the case of miscarriage they were only 110.2 million per cubic centimeter.

http://www.acubalance.ca/node/129?phpMyAdmin=c88b89a2627aaac25652af40e7ea84eb&phpMyAdmin=UTkcjUemf

The age of both parents can also be a factor.  A joint study was carried out from November 2010 to March 2011.  The findings showed that there is an eight fold risk of miscarriage if the father is over 40 yrs of age, and women older than 34yrs of age were two fold more likely to miscarry.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1140200/1/.html

Caffeine consumption.  Over 88,000 pregnant women were involved in Danish research, on the relationship between coffee and fetal death. One cup per day increased the fetal death rate by 3%.  Seven or more cups of coffee per day increased the rate by up to 59%.

http://www.acubalance.ca/content/coffee-linked-doubled-fetal-death-rate

Obesity can increase the rate of miscarriage.

http://miscarriage.about.com/od/endocrinefactors/i/obesity_2.htm

Smoking can severely impact on sperm quality and quantity.  Smoking in women can also increase the rate of miscarriage.

http://infertility.about.com/od/researchandstudies/a/male_fertility_smoking.htm

Alcohol increases chances of miscarriage.

http://alcoholireland.ie/alcohol-policy/alcohol-and-pregnancy/

Signs and symptoms.

The most common symptoms are cramping and vaginal bleeding.  90% of all vaginal bleeding in the first 7 to 11 weeks, will result in ongoing pregnancy.  All cramping and bleeding should be checked out.  The Doctor may order an ultrasound to assess the pregnancy and to rule out ectopic pregnancy.  A blood test measuring HCG levels may also be required.  A new test called the PVI test can predict  the chances of miscarriage, with  77% accuracy.

http://www.yourtango.com/201183502/new-pregnancy-research-predicts-miscarriage-77-percent-accuracy

How Acupuncture and TCM can help

http://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/latest-news/acupuncture_helped_brampton_couple_have_longed_for_baby_1_955

1  Relaxes and reduces stress

2  Improves blood flow to the ovaries and the uterus

3  Regulates the hormones.

4  Improves function of the ovaries to produce better quality eggs

5  Improves quality and quantity of sperm

http://www.jcm.co.uk/research-archive/article/acupuncture-improves-sperm-quality-610/

http://www.jcm.co.uk/research-archive/article/acupuncture-improves-sperm-motility-604/

6  Improves thickness of the uterine wall

7  Reduces uterine contraction (miscarriage)

8  Reinforces Qi to hold fetus in place (miscarriage)

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/02/08/i-suffered-five-miscarriages-then-i-gave-birth-to-lucy-t

9  Improves absorption of nutrients

10  Decreases the chances of miscarriage

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/02/08/i-m-cherishing-every-moment-with-baby-elin-after-my-

Consultation

On your first visit a detailed assessment is carried out.  This includes, Chinese tongue, pulse and facial diagnosis, past and current medical history, nutrition diet and lifestyle assessment.

A personalised diet and lifestyle plan will then be worked out for you.

It is important to get yourself, and your partner as fit and healthy as possible before conception. Regular aerobic exercise, a healthy diet, adequate water intake  and proper sleep are essential for health and well being.

Why do foods matter?

To maintain a healthy weight.

Zinc deficiency impacts on healthy sperm production in men.  In women it can cause problems with maintaining the pregnancy .

For good progesterone levels Magnesium and Vitamin B6 need to be in good supply in the diet.

Vitamin C – Vital for the absorption of iron, and healthy lining of the uterus.

Oily fish which is rich in omega 3 and 6, vital for the development of the babies eyes and brain.

Iron rich foods eg red meat are important, to help make extra blood needed by you and baby.

There are also foods which should be avoided during pregnancy eg,

Raw or cured meat and fish as they can contain harmful bacteria and viruses.

Some fish eg marlin and swordfish contain high levels of mercury.  This can harm the development of the babies nervous system.

Unpasteurised dairy products, such as  soft and mould ripened cheeses, like brie and Stilton, can contain the bacteria listeria.

http://www.feedingforlife.ie/pregnancy/diet-and-nutrition/diet-assessment-tool

Acupuncture treatments will also be advised.  Acupuncture may be advised for both partners prior to conception.  In cases of poor sperm quality and quantity ( depending on your diagnosis ) 3 months acupuncture treatment is advised. For women who have suffered miscarriage / are having ART eg  IVF, ( depending on your diagnosis ) we reccommend acupuncture treatment for 3 cycles.  After conception the emphasis for acupuncture treatments is on miscarriage prevention, and a healthy pregnancy.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CYD/is_1_40/ai_n8968477/

Written by Joanne Mc Govern. – Dip. Ac., Lic. Ac., Dip. Chinese Herbs, Dip. Nutritional Advisor.

 

 

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