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10/10/2017

When Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

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This past week, my heart has been heavy with news of family and friends affected by the devastating wildfires in both Northern and Southern California. I figured that I should probably channel all of this nervous energy into something a bit more constructive, so here it is: a blog about naturopathic management of prolonged smoke exposure and respiratory issues.

Exposure to Smoke: a Really Big Deal
Although the biggest concern with wildfires would be the flames themselves, many more folks are affected by the exposure to smoke. Minor symptoms of smoke inhalation include stinging and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, while more severe symptoms appear as difficulty breathing (especially in those with preexisting asthmatic conditions), and possible heart attacks or loss of consciousness from improper oxygenation. The best plan of action is, of course, prevention, but other than evacuation, this may not be feasible. Protect yourself by staying indoors (bringing your pets inside, too), and constantly running a HEPA air filter to ensure the air inside is squeaky clean. Avoid generating additional airborne irritants; don't light candles or incense, fry foods on high heat, vacuum or kick up dust, use any type of air freshener, or light fireplaces or wood stoves. If you can get your hands on a face mask with fine particle filter (rated N95 or P100 and usually found in home improvement stores), utilize this as much as possible when going outdoors. Be forewarned, however, that these masks can slow the rate of breathing, so those with preexisting respiratory issues may not find these comfortable or helpful.

Tapping into Nature's Apothecary
So what should you do if you are experiencing symptoms? One basic, and now quite common, intervention is a sinus rinse/Neti Pot treatment. Rinsing the sinuses can clear them of particulate matter that has accumulated there with smoke exposure, and will keep them well hydrated, maintaining their protective barrier. If you've got some high quality honey on hand, you can also add a teaspoon of it to your warm neti pot rinse, which will soothe the mucous membranes and give you an antimicrobial boost.

For red and irritated eyes, consider a wash with a commercial saline solution, or try making your own herbal infusion. Start with freshly boiled distilled water, and add to it a handful of soothing herbs like calendula or chamomile. Once the water has cooled, strain it until it is perfectly clear, and use the "tea" as an herbal eye wash to calm any eye inflammation.

Sore and scratchy throats are very common with smoke inhalation. If you've got some natural cough soothers on hand like Ricola or Zarbee's, definitely suck on those for some soothing action. For a deeper heal, try slippery elm or marshmallow tea or lozenges, or my favorite: Traditional Medicinals' Throat Coat Tea. Just make sure to steep this tea, covered, for 10-15 minutes to thicken it and really bring out its demulcent properties.

If your symptoms include difficulty breathing, I would obviously recommend seeking emergency attention first! But if you've ruled out asthma or any other major respiratory issue, consider using herbs to take the pressure off your lungs. My favorite formula for smoke inhalation includes:

Lobelia inflata as a respiratory anti-spasmodic (therefore calming the lungs and opening up the airways)
Mulberry, another excellent respiratory relaxer
Osha to prevent infection and chronic congestion (but only use a little, as this herb can be drying to the lungs in higher amounts, which is beneficial when there's mucous build-up, but that is typically not the case with smoke exposure)
Avena sativa to calm the lungs and the nervous system (reducing the ill effects of stress)
Nettles to reduce inflammation throughout the body, but especially in the sinuses, and to heal compromised tissue

As an avid homeopath, I cannot stress enough how useful these little remedies can be with smoke exposure, especially in these specific situations:

Arsenicum album for smoke inhalation that causes a burning sensation in the eyes, nose, or throat, especially when coupled with digestive upset from anxiety
Calcarea carbonica for hoarseness and cough that is worse at night, with tightness and sensitivity in chest
Carbo vegetabilis for wheezing and hoarseness, especially when feeling cold, clammy, and exhausted
Euphrasia officinalis for eyes that are red, itchy, or burning, and nasal discharge that is bland/not burning
Kali bichromium for more significant smoke exposure, with either dry or stringy, yellow nasal discharge, and painful cough
Natrum arsenicum (a remedy I have never used in my practice, but am fascinated by its use here) for dry, painful eyes, headache, and a deep cough from lungs that feel like they're filled with smoke
Silica for dry cough from inhaled particles, to eject irritating particulate matter
*not a homeopathic, but a flower essence and a favorite of mine* Rescue Remedy for any anxiety or excessive worry caused by the stress of the wildfires
Note: For most homeopathics, the 6C or 30C dilutions are readily accessible in any health food store, and pose very low risk for novices. Try taking 2-3 pellets under the tongue 2-3 times per day to start, and discontinue use when symptoms resolve. If they do not resolve or improve within the first day, discontinue and consult with your healthcare practitioner for further guidance.

Stay Safe, Friends
I hope this little rundown of some simple naturopathic interventions for exposure to smoke finds the people who may need it, and is helpful. Sending love and light to all those affected by these wildfires, and good wishes for your safety and health at this time.

In #healthandhumanity,
Sarah

References:

https://ww2.kqed.org/stateofhealth/2017/10/10/doctors-warn-against-the-toxins-and-triggers-hidden-in-wildfire-smoke/. Accessed 10/10/17
http://www.betterhomeopathics.com/2008/07/11/more-about-wildfire-smoke-inhalation/. Accessed 10/10/17
http://kivasenchantments.com/smoke.html. Accessed 10/10/17
https://i-e-organics-apothecary.myshopify.com/pages/remedies-for-smoke-inhalation. Accessed 10/10/17

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10/8/2017

Surgery, Naturopathically.

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As a post-op patient myself, I have recently revisited the naturopathic surgery protocols I learned in school, and am excited to update them with pearls from my own experience. In general, naturopathic doctors are qualified to perform minor surgery in several states and territories, but higher force interventions like pharmaceuticals and surgery are usually reserved for more advanced stages of disease. Still, there is a very unique place for naturopaths in the care of pre- and post-op patients, as I hope my experience demonstrates.

Naturopathic doctors approach surgery with several goals in mind: to bolster nutrition stores in order to build resilience, to minimize unnecessary inflammation and pain, and to support the natural healing process inherent in all of us. Sometimes these lofty goals are easier said than done, but for straightforward surgical procedures, here's a general outline of naturopathic tips and tricks.

Reduce your risk of complications. One week before the surgery, discontinue any anti-coagulant medications or supplements, as these can promote abnormal bleeding and bruising. Common sources include aspirin, Advil, Aleve, Alka-Seltzer, echinacea, feverfew, fish oils, garlic, gingko biloba, ginseng, kava kava, licorice, St. John's Wort, valerian, and vitamin E. Vitamin C is also typically included on this list, but recent studies have shown that high stores of vitamin C can actually help to facilitate tissue regeneration post-surgery, so I would argue that doses up to 2,000 mg/day are acceptable (1).
Improve your body's ability to heal. Post-surgery, there's plenty to do naturopathically that can help speed healing. One of the most basic things to adjust is your diet, as your body will consume an incredible amount of energy healing. Healthy fats are an excellent source of calories to fuel your recovery, especially from easy-to-digest foods like avocados, salmon, butter and ghee, tuna, soft scrambled eggs, and bone broth. In addition to the caloric benefits of a high fat, high protein post-surgery diet, these foods contain nutrients essential to collagen synthesis, which knits wounds and promotes healthy scar formation. Vitamins A and C help with this process too, as vitamin A improves the strength of scar tissue, and promotes healthy skin. Vitamin C also gives strength to collagen formations, helping with scar tissue, and is a fantastic antioxidant, reducing further trauma to areas compromised by surgery.
Promote healthy detoxification of medications administered before, during, and after surgery. As with any medication or supplement, proper detoxification and elimination is just as important as timely administration. Support this process with dry skin brushing, castor oil packs to the liver (and to the incision sites, once they have healed to help reduce deep scarring!), homeopathics like Detoxosode or the Heel Detox kit, and making sure you're eating enough fiber and drinking enough water for healthy urination and bowel elimination.
Speaking of bowels, always support the gut! So much healing takes place in the gut, no matter what type of surgery you undergo, so keeping a healthy and happy belly is incredibly important. Probiotics, especially those with Lactobacillus rhamnus and various strains of Bifidobacteria, can be quite effective in reducing infection and improving recovery times (2). For gastrointestinal surgeries, your surgeon or other physicians may prescribe strong proton pump inhibitors to turn off the acid production in your stomach, thereby reducing further trauma to the operation sites. Naturopathic doctors can take this concept a step further by recommending mucilagenous supplements like deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) or slippery elm to form a "bandage" over the internal wounds so that the tissue can heal.
Sleep, sleep, sleep. As mentioned previously, your body's need for energy increases dramatically during the recovery period. While it is important to fuel these needs, it is also very important to conserve energy when you can, and to stimulate your parasympathetic system through high quality rest. Melatonin, a common natural sleep supplement, may be appropriate during this time, as it is also a potent antioxidant, and can help protect cells compromised by the surgery, which may speed healing. Racing thoughts or feelings of worry? Something as simple as Rescue Remedy, a flower essence helpful during acute stress, can improve sleep when taken at bedtime or can get you through stressful times during the day without making you drowsy.

Of course, this list is a just a general outline of naturopathic interventions to consider when planning for surgery. While it is by no means exhaustive, incorporating even a few of these basic concepts can make a big difference in healing times following an operation. As with any changes to your healthcare plan, consult with a licensed healthcare professional and with your surgeon to devise the best course of action for your particular situation.

I hope these are helpful, and from one post-op patient to another, happy and speedy healing!

References
(1) Danielski, et al. "Preoperative vitamin C supplementation improves colorectal anastomotic healing and biochemical parameters in malnourished rats." International Journal of Colorectal Disease. 2016 Nov;31(11):1759-1766.
(2) de Andrade Calaca, et al. "Probiotics as a preventive strategy for surgical infection in colorectal cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials." Translational Gastroenterolgy and Hepatology. 2017 Aug 23;2:67.

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When Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

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