Is Adrenal Fatigue ruining your life?

Adrenal fatigue is largely the result of mental, physical and emotional stress – and it is an invisible epidemic. The most important thing that no one is telling you is that your exhaustion and lack of focus and mental clarity may very well be adrenal fatigue, a condition that is fast becoming an epidemic in this country, due to stress, poor nutrition and lifestyle.

The symptoms go far beyond just fatigue and can actually include difficulty falling asleep and insomnia (yes, you can have both), food and sugar cravings, the inability to control blood sugar, lack of mental clarity… this condition is brutally disruptive.

Even if a good night’s sleep is had, an individual with adrenal fatigue feels tired all or most of the time. The good news? It is also highly reversible with the right steps and solutions. In fact, what you don’t know about your adrenal system could literally change your life.

The Adrenal Reset Summit begins in just a few days, and I have been blown away by the list of event speakers and creative strategies that will be featured at this event. Here’s just a small sampling…

• Dr. Peter Osborne, Author of No Grain, No Pain
• Dr. Jack Wolfson, Author of The Paleo Cardiologist
• Dr. Izabella Wentz, Author of Hashimotos Thyroiditis
• Dr. Ben Lynch, Leading Researcher on MTFR (amino acids for growth and metabolism)
• Dr. Sara Ballantyne, Ph.D., AKA The Paleo Mom
• Dr. Aviva Romm, Physician, Herbalist and Midwife
• JJ Virgin, NY Times best selling author of The Virgin Diet
• Dr. Ritamarie Lascalzo, Founder of the Institute of Nutritional Endocrinology,
• Dr. Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN, NY, and Founder of Transforming Women’s Health Naturally
• Dr. Michael Murray, The Natural Medicine, Health & Nutrition Expert
• Trudy Scott, Nutritionist and food-mood expert

(And hosted by NY Times Best Selling Author, Dr. Alan Christianson)

What you don’t know about your adrenal system could literally change your life. Just add a little more energy to your life every day – and everything changes.

Click here to join me for “The Adrenal Reset Summit”

(AND get the cool opt-in gifts!).

https://uo178.isrefer.com/go/christinabjourndal/christinabjourndal/

Here’s to your best health and BEST life.

* Want to change lives AROUND YOU?

Share this blog with those you love and post it to your Facebook wall!

Is your body a toxic wasteland? – Part 1

When comparing our modern-day lives with those of our grandparents, it is clear that our environment has changed greatly. Not just the natural world, but in our day-to-day lives as well. We are exponentially exposed to more chemicals, toxins, and different forms of radiation than the generations before us. At the same time chronic disease rates are soaring and researchers are making connections between what is in our environment and why we are getting sick. Environmental exposures are a serious concern not only for our world today, but for our health. You can take control of your health by paying attention to and limiting your personal environmental exposures.

Below is part one of a three-part series on environmental exposures and their solutions. The solutions are based on the questions posed in our Environmental quiz – please take the quiz today!

1. Problem: Full-sugar soft drinks and diet soft drinks

It is well recognized that sugary soft drinks are unhealthy for many reasons – they increase overall calorie intake, they create inflammation in the body and they disrupt proper insulin levels. All of this contributes to some of the most common chronic health problems of our time: obesity, autoimmunity, cancer, heart disease and diabetes. It is now also coming to our awareness that sugar-free ‘diet’ colas may be just as dangerous for our health. A large study in 2013 showed sugary and diet sodas both significantly increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.⁷ Harvard Health concludes they also contribute to obesity by tricking the brain into thinking it’s not tasting sweet things, resulting in even higher cravings for sweet after drinking diet colas. Furthermore, it has been suggested and remains unclear if aspartame increases risk of cancer, urging researchers for more investigation.²

Solution: Cut down or eliminate full-sugar and diet soft drinks form your diet. Some new research suggests replacing these with drinks containing stevia or other sugar alcohols, such as xylitol. Although studies show that stevia does not raise insulin levels (a major risk for diabetes) as much as sugar, no long-term studies have been done on these sweeteners, and they have not been approved by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA).^{1, 14}

2. Problem: Plastic bottles and containers

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical present in most plastics and in the lining of canned foods. It is a known endocrine disruptor, meaning it interferes with the body’s hormones. It has been clearly linked with negative birth outcomes, infertility, thyroid dysfunction, increased risk of cancer, obesity and insulin resistance.^9,15,17 The most sensitive population to the negative effects of chemicals in plastics are pregnant women, children and infants. Phthalates are another similarly acting class of chemicals found in plastics.

Solution: Because plastics are used ubiquitously in today’s world the best solution is to reduce your exposure as much as possible. Use a stainless steel or glass water bottle, purchase products and canned food packaged with a BPA-free liner, use glass Tupperware or use activated charcoal filters for drinking water. This is an important topic to be discussed with your ND.

3. Problem: Storing hot food in plastic containers and/or heating food in plastic containers

When heated, plastics begin to break down. The harmful chemicals (discussed above) found in the plastic leach into food and liquids, increasing the harmful hormone-disrupting effect on your body. ^9,12

Solution: Use glass or lead-free ceramic containers to reheat food in the oven or heat food on the stove-top. Replace all plastic Tupperware with glass. Don’t let plastic wrap touch hot food. Avoid using a microwave as much as possible, but if you choose to use one, make sure all materials are microwave-safe and containers are vented before microwaving.

4. Problem: Non-stick frying pans

For decades, non-stick frying pans have been coated with polytetrafluoroetheylene (PTFE), otherwise known as Teflon. It has been shown that when heated, Teflon releases toxic fumes that can kills birds and cause humans to have flu-like symptoms, coining the term “Teflon flu”. Manufacturers claim this only occurs when Teflon is over-heated, but tests have shown that toxic fumes are released within 2-5 minutes of conventional stovetop use.⁶ Chemicals from the same family as Teflon are associated with smaller birth weight and size in newborn babies when pregnant women are exposed, elevated cholesterol, abnormal thyroid hormone levels, liver inflammation and weakened immune defence against disease.

Solution: Skip the Teflon! There are much better alternatives. Cast iron pans for example, are not only non-toxic, but they even provide some of your daily iron. Stainless steel pans are also a preferable option. If you already have Teflon pans and want to know how to be safer when using them, be sure to use the fan in the fume hood, use the lowest possible temperature to cook your food, don’t heat empty pans as this can cause overheating very quickly and do not use your Teflon pan if it is scratched or damaged in any way.

5. Problem: Vitamin mineral water

These beverages are marketed as a healthy way to hydrate and get your vitamins, but many brands of vitamin-containing water are loaded with sugar. A bottle of the popular brand Vitaminwater, for example, contains 33g of sugar, almost as much as a can of Coca-Cola which has 38g.¹⁶ Other brands use sweeteners or fructose, which are known to disrupt sugar metabolism and alter blood sugar levels and contribute to diabetes and weight gain.⁸ The consensus is that these drinks confer no added benefit over water and only add calories and sugar to your diet.

Solution: Drink lots of filtered water to keep you from getting dehydrated. Splash some lemon or lime into it to get some flavour and vitamin C. Talk with your ND to discuss if your diet is giving you the vitamins you need or if you need individualized vitamin supplementation.

6. Problem: Microwave use

Microwaves emit a form of non-ionizing radiation (as opposed to x-rays) that vibrates water molecules to create heat. Although microwaves are under strict manufacturing regulation to minimize human exposure to this radiation, older and dirty microwaves and aging door seals can allow for large radiation leakage to reach us.¹⁸ Exposure from high leakage can cause DNA damage to our cells and even interfere with some early-model pacemakers. It is unclear whether the radiation changes the nutritional content or alters the safety of the food, unless it is being microwaved in a plastic container, in which case it is more dangerous.¹³

Solution: When possible, heat foods and liquids on the stove-top or in the oven. If using a microwave, check door seal for safety. Stand in another room when appliance is on, or at least 1.5 meters away. Make sure food containers are uncovered or vented to allow steam to escape and always avoid plastics in the microwave.

7. Problem: Cell phone use (>3hrs/day)

Computers and cell phones emit non-ionizing radiation into the body and cause DNA damage. A large meta-analysis of cell phone use shows a consistent association between mobile phone use and certain types of brain tumours – with the most amount of time per day using a cell phone correlated with the highest incidence of brain tumours.⁷ Another study shows the negative effect of radiation on the function of the thyroid gland, pointing to the broad impact of radiation on many tissues in the body.¹¹ When cell phones are used by children, the impact on the brain is two times higher and up to ten times higher in the bone marrow of the skull, compared with adults.⁴

Solution: Minimize use of a mobile phone for yourself and especially for your children. When possible, use a hands-free Bluetooth device to effectively reduce exposure. Don’t carry your cell phone in your pocket and leave it away from you on your desk. Take breaks from computer use and limit desk-time for many health reasons that go beyond limiting radiation. In addition, the stone shungite is purported to protect against radiation and can be worn as a necklace. Also available are electromagnetic frequency (EMF) neutralizers, such as the Bio-dot chips and pendants, designed to scramble non-ionizing radiation enough to reduce DNA damage. Please stop by the clinic to pick up your Bio-dot chip today!

 

Sources:

1. Anton, S. D., Martin, C. K., Han, H., Coulon, S., Cefalu, W. T., Geiselman, P., & Williamson, D. A. (2010). Effects of stevia, aspartame, and sucrose on food intake, satiety, and postprandial glucose and insulin levels. Appetite, 55(1), 37-43.
2. Aune, D. (2012). Soft drinks, aspartame, and the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 96(6), 1249-1251.
3. https://authoritynutrition.com/5-reasons-why-vitaminwater-is-a-bad-idea/
4. Baan, R., Grosse, Y., Lauby-Secretan, B., El Ghissassi, F., Bouvard, V., Benbrahim-Tallaa, L., … & Straif, K. (2011). Carcinogenicity of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. The lancet oncology, 12(7), 624-626.
5. http://emwatch.com/microwave-oven-radiation/
6. Environmental Working Group 2013.http://www.ewg.org/research/healthy-home-tips/tip-6-skip-non-stick-avoid-dangers-teflon
7. Fagherazzi, G., Vilier, A., Sartorelli, D. S., Lajous, M., Balkau, B., & Clavel-Chapelon, F. (2013). Consumption of artificially and sugar-sweetened beverages and incident type 2 diabetes in the Etude Epidémiologique auprès des femmes de la Mutuelle Générale de l’Education Nationale–European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 97(3), 517-523.
8. Hardell, L., Carlberg, M., Soderqvist, F., & Hansson Mild, K. (2008). Meta-analysis of long-term mobile phone use and the association with brain tumours. International journal of oncology,32(5), 1097-1104.
9. Harvard Health https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-drinks/artificial-sweeteners/
10. Harvard Health https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/magazine/winter10plastics/
11. Harvard Health http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/microwaving-food-in-plastic-dangerous-or-not
12. Mortazavi, S. M. J., Habib, A., Ganj-Karimi, A. H., Samimi-Doost, R., Pour-Abedi, A., & Babaie, A. (2015). Alterations in TSH and thyroid hormones following mobile phone use. Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences, 34(4), 299-300.
13. http://www.npr.org/2011/03/02/134196209/study-most-plastics-leach-hormone-like-chemicals
14. https://www.safespaceprotection.com/news-and-info/microwave-oven-dangers/
15. Shwide-Slavin, C., Swift, C., & Ross, T. (2012). Nonnutritive sweeteners: where are we today?.Diabetes Spectrum, 25(2), 104-110.
16. Soto, A. M., & Sonnenschein, C. (2010). Environmental causes of cancer: endocrine disruptors as carcinogens. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 6(7), 363-370.
17. http://www.sugarstacks.com/beverages.htm
18. Wang, T., Li, M., Chen, B., Xu, M., Xu, Y., Huang, Y., … & Liu, Y. (2011). Urinary bisphenol A (BPA) concentration associates with obesity and insulin resistance. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 97(2), E223-E227.
19. World Health Organization: Electromagetic fields and public health: microwave ovens. http://www.who.int/peh-emf/publications/facts/info_microwaves/en/

“Remember you are going to be with you the longest. It is vital you get the relationship right with yourself first before seeking love from another” ~ Dr. Chris

I think it is important to start this article off with a disclaimer. There is a difference between religion and spirituality and for the purposes of this discussion, and in recognition that there are many religions in the world, I choose to honour and accept them all versus believing that one way is the only way. For me, what matters is that you are on a spiritual path but it is not my concern which road you are taking as all roads lead to the same place – that is my hope and what I choose to believe.

I wanted to share something that might be a little “out there” with you about one of my views about depression and mental illness. One view I have discussed in this book is modeled after the “western” or “scientific” view that mental illness is a biochemical imbalance in the brain and if you give the body what it needs – ie neurotransmitter balancing with pharmaceuticals or naturopathic methods (ie diet, supplements, botanical medicine) – you will improve the patients mental state. In my practice, I have seen this with every patient I treat that has an imbalance in the mental realm as there is no denying the physical and causal connection of neurotransmitters and one’s mood state.

On the other hand, my “out-there” view is mental illness is a way by which our spirit is trying to get our attention because some aspect of our life (be it school, our direction, job, a relationship) is not moving in concert with our spirit or divine plan. We are moving west and our spirit is trying to get us to go north. So by looking at ourselves and taking the time to be silent, talk to others, open up about what we are feeling etc, we can address the underlying root of depression, anxiety, addiction, bipolar disorder, eating disorders etc. Others believe that there is some underlying event that may have happened years ago (ie adoption, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, etc.) but I don’t think this is always the case. You don’t always need a reason to be depressed (hence the biochemical view).

Personally, I feel and have witnessed in my own life as well as the lives of my patients that there are four main areas that need to be addressed for healing: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Outlined below, is a discussion from the Journal of Naturopathic Medicine regarding the spiritual aspect of healing:

“in the process of healing we must first seek, then remove the cause. As the cause of illness is removed the natural tendency of the body is to improve function. The human being is not simply a physical entity. We have minds, we think. We have emotions, we feel and we translate these feelings into meaning. We are spiritual beings. Most of the early naturopathic writers, such as Lindlahr, Lust and Hahnemann, believed that illness began in the spiritual aspect of the person. I share this belief. Most of our education and therapeutic focus is on the physical aspect of the human being. It is crucial, in my opinion, that we direct more attention to the spiritual aspect. I believe we will see much more attention given to this area by our profession over the next few years. Causes of disease manifest in four groups or levels: spiritual, mental, emotional and physical. Of these four aspects, the spirit is the center; the next layer is the mental aspect of the person, then the emotions and the outermost layer is the physical. If there is a distortion on the spiritual level, it will create distortion through the system, like ripples from a stone thrown into a pond.

The knowledge of this spiritual aspect of reality is not well developed in our culture. We have no common language to discuss it. As a profession we acknowledge the existence of a spiritual aspect of the person, but do not teach a methodology to work with it. I believe that this is a peculiar phenomenon in our North American culture, with our freedom of religion (or freedom from religion). Our profession must develop a language with which to discuss the spiritual aspect of healing without reference to religion.

For now, it is incumbent upon us as naturopathic physicians to acknowledge and to work in our own ways to recognize and pursue healing in this aspect of our patients’ lives. We can discuss with patients the presence of peace and trust in their lives, their spiritual practice or absence of it and our perceptions of their health or happiness in these regards. This requires that we pursue our own personal spiritual development.

When a person refuses, or is unable to take those steps, which can lead to healing from a crippling or terminal illness, this may be primarily a spiritual issue. The extent to which we can successfully address this, and to which the person can accept change on a spiritual level, will determine whether healing can occur. Illness is a great teacher. Death is not defeat. It is neither our responsibility nor prerogative to prevent death or heal illness. It is our privilege and responsibility to work with the vis medicatrix and assist our patients in their healing process.”

It is my personal belief that a connection to a spirit, whatever your chosen practice is, is critical and vital to healing yourself and the current state of the planet. I define spirituality as believing in a power greater than yourself. Until my time is up on earth, I won’t know the answer to what happens to my soul. For many, the term “soul” or “spirit” is intangible or esoteric. I define your “soul” or “spirit” in you as your life form. When I studied anatomy, we dissected cadavers. The difference between you and a cadaver is life flow. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this is referred to as “qi” (pronounced “chi”) or life energy. I hope you find resonance with the following ideas about your soul.

In 1994, I had a severe suicide attempt which left me in a coma with kidney failure. I was put on dialysis and told I would need a kidney transplant. After several weeks, lots of prayer and a moment of sincere surrender on my part, my kidneys made a recovery. My recovery from kidney failure was viewed as a miracle by my nephrologist given the amount of poison I consumed. I like to think it was as I had many people praying for me to make a complete physical recovery. I remember when I was recovering in the ICU, one of my friends asked me if I saw “white lights” and if I was sent back. As I was still in a state of recovery and I hadn’t had time to process what had happened, I just shook my head and the conversation moved on from there.

 

Now, over twenty years later, the answer I have for why that suicide attempt didn’t work when I think it should have is based on the concept of “soul contracts”. Basically, if I succumb to suicide in this lifetime, then my soul will not evolve spiritually. I first learned about the concept of soul contracts in Colin Tipping’s book called Radical Forgiveness and it is also illustrated beautifully in a children’s book by Neale Donald Walsch called The Little Soul and the Sun . I have come to understand the concept of soul contracts to mean that before we inhabit the human form our soul makes a contract with God about what our next life will be about – what our experiences will be, what challenges we will have to overcome, what we have come here to learn, who our parents will be, siblings, partners, children, etc. When we leave the spirit world to inhabit the body, we forget about the contract we made with God until we return back to the spirit world as a soul upon our death. Basically, the lessons we come to learn in this lifetime are agreed to in a soul conversation with God. The conversation we have with God as a soul might be along these lines:

• Soul: “God, in this lifetime I really want to learn how to forgive”
• God: “Are you certain? This means you will go through some painful experiences”
• Soul: “Yes, I am certain. I am ready!”
• God: “I don’t know. It may be hard – you may have to endure abuse, rape, death, trauma and betrayal”
• Soul: “I am okay with that as I trust in you, God. I really want to learn how to forgive on the deepest level”
• God: “So it will be”

I have mentioned one suicide attempt in this article, however, there have been other attempts and much too much energy on my part spent contemplating suicide. What shifts me from contemplation is recognizing that suicidal thoughts are the ultimate example of “stinking thinking” and being unkind to myself. By learning how to manage my mind with awareness of thoughts that no longer serve me and relaxing into the present minded awareness with my breath, I am able to break the thought emotion cycle that used to keep my spiraling further down the slippery slope into a suicidal state. Now, I am able to get outside of my head which gives a reprieve from these negative thought patterns. But before I learned how to do that, it was the single belief – that if I am to succumb to suicide in this lifetime that my soul will not evolve or graduate and I will have to endure this lesson over again – that has helped me stay here with you on the planet with you. My soul has come here to learn how to love myself, how to love others, how to live out a full life as God intended it and to not take my life. I believe that I probably did not survive suicide in a past life and if I die in this life by suicide then I may have to repeat this grade in soul school the next time around. If I die by suicide in my current life, I feel that my soul will not evolve or graduate when it comes to learning the lessons I’ve contracted with God to learn in this lifetime. For me, it is not about how much money I make, how successful I am as a naturopathic doctor or how decorated an athlete I was, it is about surviving mental illness and moving beyond the label into love and acceptance of myself and others. It is helpful to contemplate what the spiritual lessons might be for you in this lifetime. For me, the biggest spiritual lessons along the way have been acknowledging and accepting my shadow and core beliefs, forgiveness and letting go.

Ultimately, it is our feelings about ourselves and how we treat ourselves that is critical to our mental health and well-being. I ask every patient how they much they love themselves on a scale of 1 to 10 and it is rare for me to get a response over five. The most common response I get is “Now that is a tough question to answer”. This is the work we need to set about doing: accepting and loving ourselves. You are a gift to the world – a unique creation of God or the Universe – that is worthy of your love and acceptance. Recognize that. Feel that. Embody that. And give that love to yourself. Then give it others. Not acknowledging your strengths, gifts, accomplishments and achievements is a way of putting yourself down and keeping yourself small. The world wants to see your light. As Marianne Williamson writes in a Return to Love: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” If we learn to move through fear, self-doubt and criticism and learn to embrace love, then our true self can shine through.

The slow process of learning to love and accept myself started after that suicide attempt in 1994 when I read Marianne Williamson’s book “A Return to Love”. I have subsequently read many books on self-help and healing. Developing a spiritual practice has been the key to my recovery from mental illness and is an important element of healing that I bring into the clinical space with my patients. Spiritual practices are as a varied as people in the world. The main idea is to take a larger perspective of yourself and develop a daily practice of getting in touch with that which is greater than yourself.

Reference:

1. Journal of Naturopathic Medicine
2. Williamson, Marianne. A Return to Love.

 

Gary Chapman, a relationship counsellor, wrote a book called The 5 Love Languages. Here, he breaks down the ways that different people communicate with their significant other. These are true for romantic relationships as well as families and friendships. While we all typically speak to each of them during certain times, everyone seems to resonate with one or two especially. What is important to know is what the top languages are that you speak and what the top languages are that your partner speaks. For example, in my relationship, my #1 love language is acts of service and my last love language is physical touch. On the other hand, my husbands #1 love language is physical touch. So we have the opposite love languages. The key is you have to speak the others persons love language. And the problem is we tend to speak our love language to our partners. We have to learn to speak another language. What happened in our marriage is my husband started doing more things for me/acts of service and because of that I felt loved and become more affectionate because of it. It was miraculous for us. And so simple. If you aren’t already discussing this in your relationship, I hope you start to!

Words of Affirmation

Actions don’t always speak louder than words.  If this is your love language, unsolicited comments mean the world to you. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten. Verbal compliments or words of appreciation are powerful communicators of love.

Quality Time

For this person, nothing says, “I love you,” like full, undivided attention. I don’t mean sitting on the couch watching television together. What I mean is taking a walk, just the two of you, or going out to eat and looking at each other while talking. A relationship calls for sympathetic listening with a view to understanding the other person’s desires.

Gifts

Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized about whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. There is also an intangible gift that can speak more loudly than something that can be held in one’s hand. Physical presence in the time of crisis is the most powerful gift you can give. Your body becomes the symbol of your love.

Acts of Service

Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most wants to hear: “Let me do that for you.” People who speak this love language seek to please their partner by serving them; to express their loves for them by doing things for them.

Physical Touch

This language isn’t all about the bedroom. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face – they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care and love. Kissing, hugging, and sex – all of these are lifelines for the person whom physical touch is the primary love language. With it, they feel secure in their partner’s love. Sitting close to each other as you watch TV requires no additional time, but communicates your love loudly.

What’s your love language? How can you use these to foster compassion and growth in your relationships this Valentine’s Day, and every day? Take the quiz to discover your love language – it could save your relationship!

Is society’s current understanding of the health effects of electromagnetic exposure parallel to society’s understanding in the 1970s of the health impacts of cigarette smoking? Decades ago, the tobacco companies created doubt and controversy about the proposed health risks of smoking; however, with more research and the passing of time, there is now evidence of several health risks associated with smoking. The mercury found in dental fillings has a similar history and continues to be analyzed by the medical community. The author encourages you to ponder whether or not electromagnetic exposure is following a similar path.

A position paper by The American Academy of Environmental Medicine calls into question the safety of cell phones and cell phone towers (known also as mobile phone base stations – MPBS), putting them in the same category as smoking and mercury.¹ What is different about exposure to electromagnetic energy is that it has become fully integrated into our environment. If and when it is confirmed there is a health risk associated with electromagnetic exposure, will it be too late and what will be our options? As we become increasingly aware of the health risks posed by electromagnetic radiation, will we find solutions?

The result of the increase in public awareness and research is a growing concern about the safety of living near MPBSs. Several short term studies, ranging from several months to three years have concluded that there is no consistent evidence demonstrating associated risks of living near MPBSs, yet these results have led to an increased concern and the need for further investigation.^2,3,10,14,15 For example, a study conducted by Shahbazi-Gahrouei et al. indicated that those individuals living a distance of greater than three hundred meters from an MPBS showed a statistically significant decrease in symptoms, such as nausea, headache, dizziness, irritability, discomfort, nervousness, depression, sleep disturbance, memory loss and lowering of libido compared to individuals that lived closer to MPBS.²¹ Some argue that distance is not a reliable measure because the power output of each MPBS can be different, leading to different distances at which they may impact health. Analyzing the health impact is further complicated by the fact that exposure at ground-level distance from different base stations may differ by four orders of magnitude because of base station parameters and environmental scattering,⁶ and there is a growing consensus that children are more susceptible to exposure, hence the emphasis on the placement of MPBSs away from daycares and schools.²⁸

As naturopathic doctors (NDs) our focus is preventative health care and it is in our nature to look at the potential for risk and harm. The author proposes that NDs consider the long-term impacts to health, especially seeing as the current evidence suggesting the lack of long term health effects is primarily based on short-term studies. Limited evidence of harm does not mean that we should turn a blind eye and not proceed with further studies, particularly to our children’s health and the health of future generations.

Consider the growth of the mobile phone industry; in 1987, there were only 100,000 cell phones in Canada and by the end of 2010 there were more than 24 million. The increasing number of cell phones require more MPBSs to accommodate the volume of cell signals. A rise can be seen in MPBSs as well; in 2008 there were about 8,000 MPBSs29 and currently there are over 820,000 MPBSs in Canada.²⁵ Mobile phone transmitter power-levels range from 0.6 to 2.0W, while MPBS transmitter power levels range from a few watts to >100W.⁶

MPBSs exist as either stand-alone structures (monopoles) or they can be on top of existing structures, such as churches, water tanks and other building types. Property owners have the option to rent out space on top of an existing structure to mobile-phone service providers. The height for coverage ranges from ten to one hundred meters. In many cases, the transmitter may go unnoticed. (see the link at the end of this article to find out if there is a MPBSs in your neighbourhood). As mobile-phones use rises, there is greater demand for coverage (signal availability and strength) and adequate capacity (number of channels)¹⁷. Companies may also co-locate on a structure,¹⁷ with two or three companies sharing a tower for their antennas.

Twenty-four studies since 1973 have identified adverse effects associated with exposure to non-thermal microwave electromagnetic radiation (EMR) or hypersensitivity (EMH).²³ These effects include both neuropsychiatric symptoms16 and other generalized symptoms. Symptoms that are believed to be associated with EMR exposure range from various cancers, headaches, fatigue, decreased learning, ADD, autism spectrum disorder, decreased memory, hormone imbalances,²⁰ infertility, dementia, autoimmune disease, diabetes and heart problems.^{4,5,8,11,16,23} Other data shows that children, women²⁶ and the elderly²⁷ are more susceptible to physical symptoms such as of tiredness, headaches, sleep disturbances, irritability, depression, loss of memory, dizziness, libido decrease, nausea and visual perturbations. Multiple chemical sensitivity has been associated with EMH.⁹

While the mechanism of action of low level electromagnetic radiation exposure is still to be determined and more studies are needed, there are a number of proposed mechanisms of action :

Increase in Intracellular Calcium: Martin Pall, Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Basic Medical Sciences at Washington State University, studies the influence on voltage across a cells plasma membrane. His research shows that the activation of the voltage-gate calcium channels⁷ leads to an increase in intracellular calcium,^7,8 causing the release of neurotransmitters and hormones.²³ Pall’s research shows that the nervous system is sensitive to MPBS proximity. Research shows that the Increased intracellular calcium also stimulates osteoblasts and bone growth.⁷ This rise of intracellular calcium was found to be almost instantaneous, occurring in less than five seconds in human fibroblast cultures.¹² Additional studies are needed to further explore the impact on voltage-gated calcium channels.¹³ Prescribing calcium channel blockers to patients has actually been proposed as a way of managing this response.⁷

Rise in Nitric Oxide levels: The correlation between electromagnetic exposure and increased nitric oxide levels have been known for more than 20 years and has been shown in over 20 studies. A rise in nitric oxide leads to increased oxidative stress.⁷ This mechanism of action has recently been re-examined by Dr. Martin Pall.

Rise in Cortisol and Salivary u-amylase: Studies have shown that exposure leads to a rise in cortisol and salivary u-amylase in humans,¹⁹ which would account for symptoms associated with electromagnetic exposure including irritability, a ‘tired but wired’ or ‘burnt out’ feeling’, weight gain at the waist, loss of muscle mass, bone loss, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, low sex drive, impaired memory and loss of scalp hair.

In 1973, a Russian study on mice, rats and rabbits found that many of the physiological changes affecting the nervous system, heart and testis were reversible if the exposure was stopped within a brief period of time; however, with repeated or longer exposure they found that these changes were not reversible.²⁴ This is a very alarming finding that has not been further tested, proved or disproved.

One concern with conducting studies regarding the health impact of MPBSs is the “nocebo” effect. That is, when subjects have an awareness of the potential negative impact of increased exposure to MPBSs, it may influence the development of symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches and insomnia.²² Another challenge is the increasingly common universal exposure to MPBS, creating difficulty finding controls that have no exposures.²³

On a positive note, although manufacturers and developers of EMR and MPBS equipment refuse to acknowledge any harm in these technologies, they are in the developmental stages of creating Li-Fi (a form of wireless internet). This new technology will decrease EMR exposure because it uses light to transmit Internet signals. It could replace Wi-Fi and Bluetooth18 as has the advantages of having less interference issues and higher security, as signals do not go through walls as Wi-Fi does. The goal is to decrease the body’s overall exposure to EMR as certain exposures we cannot realistically avoid. This is a step in the right direction, but there is still the question about the impact of the current technology on human health.

How can we limit our exposure to electromagnetic frequencies? We cannot choose the air we breathe; however, we can choose where we live, whether to use a microwave oven, for example, or whether to hold a mobile device close to our head or body.

Mobile phone technology and towers are here to stay. As a naturopathic doctor, I encourage my colleagues to consider electromagnetic exposure when determining the root cause of a patient’s concerns. If the health impacts of mobile device technology follow the same path a smoking, lead exposure and mercury dental fillings, we are going to be in trouble. The author, therefore, encourages readers to be aware of what is happening in their community and cautious about the placement of MPBSs in residential areas, school and daycare centres.

Resources:

Enter your address and locate how many cell towers are in your area: www.etyu.org/steven_nikkel/cancellsites.html.

Dr. Magda Havas, an associate professor of environmental and resource studies at Ontario, Canada’s Trent University; www.magdahavas.com.

 

References:

1 Elliott P, Toledano M, Bennett J, Beale L, de Hoogh K, Best N, Briggs D, Mobile phone base stations and early childhood cancers: case-control study, BMJ 2010;340:c3077.

2 Mortazavi S, Subjective symptoms related to GSM radiation form mobile phone base stations: a cross-sectional study, J Biomed Phys Eng 2014;4(1)39-40.

3 Coggon D, Health risks from mobile phone base stations, Occup Environ Med 2006;63:298-299.

4 Hutter H, Moshammer H, Wallner P, et al., Subjective symptoms, sleeping problems, and cognitive performance in subjects living near mobile phone base stations, Occup Environ Med 2006;63:307-13.

5 Dolan M, Rowley J, The precautionary principle in the context of mobile phone and base station radiofrequency exposures, Environmental Health Perspectives 2009;117:9:1329-1332.

6 Pall M, Electromagnetic fields act via activation of voltage-gated calcium channels in biology and medicine, J Cell Molec Med 2013;17:8:958-965.

7 Pall M, Electromagnetic field exposures act via activation of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels. Mechanism of action and diverse impacts on health – Lecture notes, American Academy of Environmental Medicine Conference, 2013 October, Phoenix, Arizona:55-67.

8 Patel K, EMF hypersensitivity & biotoxin-mycotoxin – Lecture notes, American Academy of Environmental Medicine Conference, 2013 October, Phoenix, Arizona:69-88.

9 Nayyeri V, Hashemi S, Borna M, Jalilian H, Soleimani M, Assessment of RF radiation levels in the vicinity of 60 GSM mobile phone base stations in Iran, Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2013;155(2):241-244.

10 http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/drugs-products-medicaments-produits/consumer-consommation/home-maison/cell-eng.php.

11 Gomez-Perretta C, Navarro E, Segura J, Portoles M, Subjective symptoms related to GSM radiation from mobile phone base stations: a cross-sectional study, BMJ Open 2013;3:e003836.

12 Pilla A, Electromagnetic fields instantaneously modulate nitric oxide signalling in challenged biological systems, Biophys Res Commun 2012;426:330-333.

13 Xu J, Wang W, Clark C, et al. Signal transduction in electrically stimulated articular chondrocytes involves translocation of extracellular calcium through voltage-gated channels, Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2009;17:397-405.

14 Moulder J, Foster K, Erdreich L, McNamee J, Mobile phones, mobile phone base stations and cancer: a review, Int J Radiat Biol, 2005;81(3):189-203.

15 Roosli M, Frei P, Mohler E, Hug K, Systematic review on the health effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from mobile phone base stations, Bulletin of the World Health Organization 2010;88:887-896.

16 Abdel-Rassoul G, El-Fateh O, Salem M, Michael A, Farahat F, El-Batanouny M, et al., Neurobehavioral effects among inhabitants around mobile phone base stations, Neurotoxicolgy 2007;28:434-440.

17 IEEE Committee on Man and Radiation, Safety issues associated with base stations used for personal wireless communications, COMAR Technical Information Statement, September 2000.

18 http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/light-bulb-li-fi-wireless-internet/

19 Augner C, Hacker G, Oberfeld G, et al., Effects of exposure to GSM mobile phone base station signals on salivary cortisol, alpha-amylase, and immunoglobulin A, Biomed Environ Sci 2010;23:199-207.

20 Eskander E, Estefan S, Abd-Rabou A, How does long term exposure to base stations and mobile phones affect human hormone profiles?, Clin Biochem 2012;45:157-161.

21 Shahbazi-Gahrouei D, Karbalae M, Moradi H, et al., Health effects of living near mobile phone base transceiver station (BTS) antennae: a report from Isfahan, Iran, Electromagn Biol Med 2014;33(3):206-210.

22 Danker-Hopfe H, Dorn H, Bornkessel C, et al., Do mobile phone base stations affect sleep or residents? Results from an experimental double-blind sham-controlled field study, Am J Hum Biol 2010;5:613-618.

23 Pall M, Microwave frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produce widespread neuropsychiatric effects including depression, Journal of Chem Neuroanatomy 2015;http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jchemneu.2015.08.001.

24 Tolgskaya M, Gordon Z, Pathological effects of radio waves, Translated from Russian by B Haigh 1973; Consultants Bureau, New York/London, 146 pages.

25 http://opensignal.com/coverage-maps/Canada/.

26 Santini R, Santini P, Danze J, Le Ruz P, Seigne M, Study of the health of people living in the vicinity of mobile phone base stations, Pathol Biol 2002;50:369-373.

27 Santini R, Santini P, Danze J, Le Ruz P, Seigne M, Symptoms experienced by people in vicinity of base stations: II. Incidences of age, duration of exposure, location of subjects in relation to the antennas and other electromagnetic factors, Pathol Biol 2003;51:412-415.

28 Li C, Liu C, Chang Y, Chou L, Ko M, A population-based case-control study of radiofrequency exposure in relation to childhood neoplasm, Sci Total Environ 2012;435-436:472-478.

29 City of Hamilton. Health Risks associated with cell phone towers – 2008; http://www2.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/77F4E067-CD0C-483C-80C5-58AB3693CB7A/0/Jul09BOH08013HealthRiskAssocwithCellPhoneTowers.pdf

30 https://www.aaemonline.org/emf_rf_position.php

When I studied Naturopathic Medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, I was asked to be on a steering committee regarding the direction of the program for future students. In the discussion, the subject of mental health and psychology was discussed and one of the students raised a question about bipolar disorder. My response was “Which type of bipolar disorder are you referring too?” And her response was “How many types are there?” Therein lied the problem for me – here was a student that I highly regarded – and she didn’t know that there are two types of bipolar disorder. At that time, I was stuck in the stigma and shame of my diagnosis, but now  – over a decade later – I am “coming out” about the truth. So, for those of you that don’t know, there are two types of bipolar disorder. Simply put, in type 1, you experience delusional psychotic mania and in type 2, you don’t have psychosis, but are in a “hypo-manic” state. What follows below is an excerpt from my upcoming book “Beyond the Label: Achieving Mental Wellness with Naturopathic Medicine”. I am posting this blog in honour of Mental Health Awareness Week.

BOOK EXCERPT: After feeling so much better when I started Dr. Hoffer’s protocol, I began to wonder if I was “cured.” Maybe the doctors had been wrong and I didn’t have bipolar disorder type 1. After all, I had never had a psychotic episode naturally. I had always been on some form of psychotropic medication when it happened. When I had questioned my psychiatrist about this, he told me that a “normal” person would never experience mania on medication; only those with the genetic tendency for mania would. Since I am adopted, I didn’t have a family history to verify the validity of that statement. This left a suspicion in the back of my mind, or maybe it was a refusal to accept the label. I continued to take my medication, along with the supplements, for fear of getting sick again. It had now been a decade since I had been manic, and I began to question whether it would ever happen again.

Well, it did. And as the next episodes unfolded, what never sat well with me was that I never became manic on my own—I was always under the influence of prescribed pharmaceuticals. While the allure of mania has been described as addictive, for me, it is a state that I have feared and have tried desperately to keep hidden. The irony with that is mania is impossible to hide. It begs to be seen. And while it can be fun to be in a hypomanic state leading up to a full blown psychotic event, it usually comes with an inevitable down swing into depression as the pendulum swings the other way. Mania is the yang to the yin of depression.

Back to school—and another manic episode

The first two months after leaving HSBC were good. Initially, I was excited about my studies. Slowly, though, my insecurities got the best of me. I started to feel overwhelmed about the length of time it was going to take to become an ND. Would I even be accepted into the program? Would I pass once I got there? I began exploring other career options that would guarantee me a paycheque sooner rather than later, such as teaching or becoming an RCMP officer or city police officer. I thought maybe I could use my business skills in a transferable position in the health field. Or maybe my boyfriend would propose and I could get married and become a mom.

Partly because of the struggles my boyfriend and I were having in our relationship, we attended a personal growth course called “The Art of Happiness.” Leading up to the course, I had been sleeping well, but after the first night, I only got a few hours of sleep. During the course, there was some intense emotional work, and I found that I was very triggered by the energy of the other group members.

I escalated into mania on the third day of the course and ended up jumping into the Fraser River. In hindsight, the course organizer should have called an ambulance for me, but instead, she sent me in a cab to St. Paul’s Hospital, where I was left—in a state of psychosis—to check myself into the hospital. This was not going very well for me, as I was losing my mind and I am sure I looked like a street person in the baggy clothes I had been given to wear after changing out of my wet clothes.

I ended up calling my friend, Lisa, who contacted our mutual friend, Janet, who was a resident in emergency medicine at the hospital. We had initially connected when we were exploring the idea of creating an organic baby formula. Lisa had already played an instrumental role in supporting me with my health challenges, and now I believe that Janet also was in my life for the same reason. Ultimately, we all helped each other move our lives in alignment with our spiritual paths as we were all searching for courage to make big changes in our lives but didn’t know how.

Here is an account of the experience, written from her perspective:

The phone rang as I was washing dishes on a cloudy Sunday afternoon. “Janet, Chris just called me from emergency. She said to call you and then hung up. Something’s wrong.” I was at the hospital in minutes, where I found my friend at triage crying. She clung to me, and as she spoke, things became clear. I recognized the pressured speech, the loud voice, and the hyperactive behaviour. As an emergency resident, I had encountered it many times. However, this time it was my friend, and the experience changed forever the way that I view psychiatric patients and the medical system as a whole.

Before I continue, let me say that this is not a criticism of the dedicated staff at this hospital and other emergency rooms across the country. We all do the best we can in the crunch that is acute medicine. However, I hope that my experience may help people step outside of “the box,” if just for a moment. The box is our comfort zone. Inside it we exist in a state of clinical detachment, using characteristic language and attitudes with respect to patients; both are defence mechanisms that enable us to do this challenging work. For example, I was shocked to hear my friend referred to as “the bipolar,” forgetting my own frequent similar references to patients. I honestly can’t remember referring to a patient by their name in the emergency department. Unfortunately, I will probably step back into that familiar box in a matter of days or hours, but wanted to record this experience at a time when I was able to view things from an eye-opening perspective.

Before I arrived, Chris had been told there were no psychiatric beds available, and that there would be none available for days. She possessed enough insight to know that she needed inpatient treatment, but was rather dramatic about it because of her condition. As well, before arriving at the hospital, she had jumped into a river and lost some of her clothes. She came across as an angry street person, perhaps even strung out on coke. Not the vivacious, inspiring young professional who until recently had been a high-level manager in an international corporation.

 I don’t mean to imply that her “status” should entitle her to more respect or better care. However, I’m sure many in the waiting room would have been surprised by the information. Alone, afraid, and paranoid, there was no way she could check herself into triage without some help, and she wasn’t getting it. Luckily I arrived just as she was considering going back out onto the street. The last time she was this sick, she made a serious suicide attempt and ended up in the ICU.

As soon as I had calmed her down, I started to grasp at strings. I knew the on-duty emergency physician, who made some calls and informed me that there were no psych beds in the city, and that I should try to get her admitted. Meanwhile, Chris had been insisting loudly that she needed her psychiatrist’s number, saying that he wanted her to call him at home. Of course, we’d never dream of giving a physician’s home number to any patient, much less a psychotic screaming one. I was skeptical myself, but used my hospital badge to get into the nursing station, where I asked the unit clerk for the psychiatrist’s number. It wasn’t listed, so I picked up a phone, identified myself as a resident to the switchboard, and got it.

I then called the psychiatrist, who confirmed that he had given her his number and said that he would contact the on-call psychiatrist, making her an urgent priority for admission. When I told the triage clerk, he repeated that there were no beds and that she would likely not be admitted, as there were eight people in line ahead of her. He was quite unfriendly, even though he knew that I worked there. He was probably justifiably annoyed that in the midst of a backed emergency department, I was using my connections to push a friend through. However, I persisted, and got her checked in.

When I went to visit her the next day, she was ensconced in her corner of the acute psychiatric unit, surrounded by flowers and friends. All, including Chris, were thankful that she was alive and safe. In addition, I was feeling some disconcerting emotions. Seeing a friend in a psychotic state had been profound. Despite her “crazy” condition, she had still been very much herself. Beneath the bizarre behaviour and delusions, it was actually quite easy to find the person I knew. With a chill of awareness, I had to acknowledge that I had regarded psychotic patients as being somehow not of themselves. I hadn’t considered that the healthy person might be preserved within, aware at some level of what was happening. I don’t mean to be putting forward a theory on psychosis or mania; I am only trying to express what I discovered about myself. I’m sad to say that I had not been seeing or treating these patients as people.

 Furthermore, I had discovered what it was like to be on the outside, desperate to get care for a loved one and running into one brick wall after another. “Sorry, you’ll have to wait” and “there are no beds,” echo in hospitals across our country every day. I’m used to saying these words, not hearing them. I chose to ignore these words because of my position, which I’m sure many would criticize me for. When you’re desperate you’ll try anything. My heart goes out to those who don’t have anything to try.

 Thus ends my story, with a happy ending for my friend and a number of lessons for me. Hopefully I won’t forget them; that was part of my motivation for putting this to paper. If you even gain a fraction of the awareness that I achieved from writing this, it will make this effort worthwhile to me.

The above article was submitted for publication in the CMA journal, but was rejected. I am extremely grateful for how my friend was able to help me, that she was home to answer the phone and the risks she took to get me safely admitted.

This was my third manic episode while on prescription medications. I began to wonder what the point was of taking a mood stabilizing medication if it couldn’t prevent mania. My psychiatrist explained that there isn’t a medication strong enough that you can take on a daily basis to override mania and still function in some capacity. Trying to prevent mania is analogous to trying to stop a volcano from erupting. While the supplement regime had been effective at stabilizing my mood from a depression and anxiety perspective, I questioned the need for pharmaceutical medication that wasn’t doing its job in that area, nor with preventing mania. I began to search for answers on how to prevent mania from ever happening again.

Stay tuned to read the rest!!! If you would like to be notified when the book is ready please contact us!

This past week another famous person committed suicide – Chris Cornell. Chris Cornell’s wife issued a statementwhich blamed anxiety medicine for his suicide:

“Vicky Cornell, the wife of Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell, speculated whether his suicide was the result of taking too much of his anxiety medication.

An attorney for the Cornell family, Kirk Pasich, reiterated Vicky’s belief that an extra dosage of Ativan, an anxiety medication often employed by recovering addicts, altered Chris Cornell’s mental faculties after the Detroit show. Pasich added that the Cornell family is “disturbed at inferences that Chris knowingly and intentionally took his life.”

At the end of the day, mental health issues (addiction, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, eating issues, etc) are not simply genetic. These are multifactorial conditions that are often co-morbid. While I think it is wonderful to have “Mental Health Awareness” weeks and campaigns like Bell’s “Let’s talk”, I feel that we have to move from awareness and talking about it, do taking action and doing something about it. When I was first diagnosed with depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder type 1 in 1987 (after many years of being secretive and in denial about my eating disorder), there was no conversation going on about mental illness in the public domain. None. There was only silence and stigma. While I am delighted to see the emergence of awareness in the last decade, we have to move into the next phase. Mental illness and addiction issues are, in my opinion, a silent epidemic that is a public health crisis. With rising rates of drug (fentanyl) overdoses and suicide rates on the rise, what action can we all take to help?

Is there a phone call to a co-worker you can make? Is there a helping hand to a cousin that you can offer? Is there a donation you can make? Is there a member of parliament you can write who will be open to allowing naturopathic doctors to be a part of the mental health discussion? What I have chosen to do is dedicate my career to helping those with mental health issues. I see many patients for free because they simply can’t afford to pay for my services and while I would like to see everyone for free, I am unable to do so.

Here are some of the action steps I have taken to extend my reach beyond my clinical practice in order to help those suffering with mental dis-ease: Since losing Matt (my friends cousin) to suicide in 1998 and witnessing the crisis that suicide leaves in its wake, I have chosen to be more public about my mental health struggles. Back in 1998, I couldn’t even reach my hand across the dinner table to Matt and offer support. At that time, I was stuck in the stigma and shame of my mental illness. What I didn’t get a chance to share with him is that I get it. I understand. I’ve been there. Really, truly been there as four years prior, I had tried to commit suicide. I wanted him to know that this too shall pass. It feels dark and deep because it is… in this moment. But you can heal. The sun will come out from behind the clouds. The loss of Matt opened my eyes to the impact suicide has on one’s loved ones. While this memory became faint for me in subsequent suicide attempts, I now have a broader spiritual understanding as to why I am still here with you on the planet which I share in my upcoming books: Beyond the Label: Achieving Mental Wellness with Naturopathic Medicine and The Essential Diet; Eating for Mental Well-being.

I have developed a 10 week course  and retreat to train other physicians in the framework I use to effectively and safely guide patients to mental freedom. This course incorporates not only a naturopathic principles and philosophy, but is a culmination of over 30 years of counselling work and training that I have done both personally and professionally. In addition to my ND training, I have training in 5 types of counselling: Compassion Focused Therapy, Gestalt psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Integrative reprogramming technique and Mindfulness based therapy. Proceeds from the books and courses go towards a mental health scholarship at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine

My goal is to save as many souls from suicide. It has been said that by the year 2030, one person will commit suicide every second, globally – which is a startingly statistic that I want to change. Most patients with mental illness are at war with themselves and our role is to stop the battle and guide patients to inner peace. I remind patients that you are with you the longest, so it is vital that you get the relationship right with yourself first before seeking love from another. It is often difficult to have a healthy loving relationship with someone else when we don’t love and accept ourselves first. We need to do more than simply support the physical level with pharmaceuticals or supplements/herbs – we need to address the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of lives. We need to start teaching this in school. By looking at all aspects of our lives, we will find the answers – the missing pieces of the puzzle – that will provide solutions to suicide. Deaths like this just strengthen my resolve to get the mental health nutrition message out (as well as the importance of the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of health) so people don’t feel they need these drugs and know there are other options (ie naturopathic medicine)! When Robin Williams committed suicide, I wrote this poem:

Open. See. Feel. Believe. Change.

Open your mind
Open your eyes
Open your heart
To the belief that change can happen

See in your mind
See in your eyes
See in your heart
The change happening

Feel through your mind
Feel through your eyes
Feel through your heart
A change in belief

Open. See. Feel. Believe. Change.

If you know someone that is suffering, please call them today. They may not answer, they may not call you back. Try again. And then try again.

 

If you’ve received abnormal Pap test results and are wondering what you can do to prevent progression of cervical dysplasia and in some cases to reverse dysplasia, know that there are natural options for managing cervical health that you can begin now.

Why do a Pap test?

Originally developed in the 1940s by Georgios Papanikolaou, the Pap smear or Pap test is a procedure used to screen for cervical cancer. The Pap test involves collecting cells from the cervix (which is the opening of the uterus at the top of the vagina) and examining the cells microscopically for the presence of abnormal cells (ie precancerous or cancerous cells). If the test result is negative for abnormal cells, the regular screening interval is recommended. If the test result is positive (ie abnormal or atypical cells were discovered), there may be further tests, treatment or follow up required depending on the type of abnormality found. One such further test, called a colposcopy, uses a magnifying instrument to examine the tissues of the cervix, vagina and vulva more closely. Often a sample of cervical tissue is taken at that time for diagnosing cervical abnormalities after an abnormal Pap test. The HPV (human papilloma virus) test may sometimes be used along with the Pap test. HPV testing looks for HPV DNA in cells collected from the cervix and can alert to the presence of high-risk HPV types associated with causing precancerous changes in the cervix.

There are over 150 known types of HPV – approximately 75% of these are cutaneous, causing warts on the skin. The other 25% of HPV types are considered mucosal and can affect the mouth, genital and anal areas, preferring the moist surface layers that line these parts of the body. These types may be transmitted through direct contact or sexual intercourse. These HPV types are further divided into low-risk and high-risk types. Low-risk HPVs do not cause cancer, but can cause skin warts around or on the genitals and anus. High-risk HPVs can cause cancer. There are approximately 12 high-risk HPV types identified, with HPV types 16 and 18 thought to be responsible for nearly 70% of cervical cancer cases. Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are attributed to infection with high-risk types of HPV. Although HPV infection is a factor in abnormal cervical cell development that can eventually lead to cervical cancer, most high-risk HPV infections occur without any symptoms and typically resolve within 1 to 2 years. Therefore, most women infected with HPV will not develop cervical cancer. Persistent infections with high-risk HPV types can give rise to cell changes that may progress to cancer without proper screening and treatment. Cell changes in the cervix occur very slowly, it can take more than 10 years from the time of an initial HPV infection until cell changes result in cancer.

Most recent cervical cancer screening guidelines in Alberta (May 2016) suggest for screening to begin three years after first sexual activity or at age 25, whichever is later. Subsequent screening is recommended every three years from initiation or from the time of the last normal Pap test result. These are general guidelines for women not displaying any symptoms. There are additional guidelines for when screening can be discontinued and for when observation is to be increased as well as screening in other circumstances.

What are the treatment options?

The conventional approach to cervical health is to screen and respond according to abnormal results with treatments aimed at targeting local cervical tissue abnormality. The methods most commonly used to treat precancerous changes in the cervix include:

• Cryosurgery: freezing to destroy affected tissue
• Surgical conization: removal of a cone-shaped piece of tissue using a scalpel, laser or both
• Laser vaporization conization: destroying affected cervical tissue using a laser
• Loop electrosurgical excision procedure or LEEP: removal of cervical tissue using a loop of wire through which electric current passes, so the wire loop acts like a scalpel

LEEP is the most common current treatment of moderate to severe cervical dysplasia (abnormal cells). Women are also more likely to convert to HPV-negative status within one to two years following the LEEP, which is sooner than women who do not receive any treatment. Though relatively safe and effective for eliminating cervical dysplasia and preventing progression of cervical cancer, there can be some concerns associated with the potential effects of LEEP on future fertility and pregnancy outcomes. The LEEP can reduce cervical mucus and occasionally can cause narrowing of the opening to the cervix. Large retrospective studies have shown this treatment to be associated with an increased risk for premature rupture of membranes and pre-term delivery as well as for low birth weight babies. There appears to be a dose dependent effect, whereby the larger the area of excision and proportion of the cervix removed, the larger and more consequential the effect may be from the treatment. There have also been several studies indicating the plausible risk of miscarriage in women with a shorter time interval from having a LEEP to becoming pregnant.

Naturopathic solutions for cervical dysplasia

There are naturopathic treatment options for women desiring an alternative to LEEP or other excisional treatments. And even if a LEEP is the best option for you, there are naturopathic treatment options to support healing following a LEEP.

Naturopathic medicine involves a holistic perspective which addresses then health of the entire individual, not just the cervix. After going through a woman’s health history, reviewing test results, we discuss risk factors that may contribute to the development and progression of cervical dysplasia and address those that are changeable, including diet and lifestyle. Treatment options often include supporting the whole body, with particular nutrients and herbs, as well as local or topical treatment for cervical dysplasia. Depending upon the grading of the cervical cell abnormality, local treatment of the cervix could include particular vaginal suppositories or escharotic treatment. Escharotic treatment uses the application of herbs to the cervix that are caustic, causing sloughing of the tissues and production of an eschar (scab), with the intention to eliminate abnormal growth and allow healthy cell growth to occur. We have had much success returning cervical cell health to normal using this protocol.

To determine if a natural treatment protocol is suitable for you, it is important to consult with a naturopathic doctor familiar with cervical dysplasia to assist in making an appropriate decision for you.

To find out more and to discuss your options for managing cervical health, call 587-521-3595 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Candace Haarsma.

References

Canada, G. O. (2015, February 17). Trends in the incidence and mortality of female reproductive system cancers. Retrieved May 26, 2017, from http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-624-x/2015001/article/14095-eng.htm

Ciavattini, A., Clemente, N., Delli, G., Gentili, C., Di, J., Barbadoro, P., . . . Liverani, C. A. (2015, April). Loop electrosurgical excision procedure and risk of miscarriage. Retrieved May 27, 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25624192

Clinical Practice Guidelines. (n.d.). Retrieved May 17, 2017, from http://www.topalbertadoctors.org/cpgs/919105

Conner, S. N., Cahill, A. G., Tuuli, M. G., Stamilio, D. M., Odibo, A. O., Roehl, K. A., & Macones, G. A. (2013, December). Interval From Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure to Pregnancy and Pregnancy Outcomes. Retrieved May 27, 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3908542/

HPV and Cancer. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2017, from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/infectious-agents/hpv-fact-sheet

Government of Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada. (2009, March 02). Cervical Cancer Facts and Figures. Retrieved May 26, 2017, from http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cd-mc/cancer/cervical_cancer_figures-cancer_du_col_uterus-eng.php

HPV and Cervical Cancer. (n.d.). Retrieved May 28, 2017, from http://www.cwhn.ca/en/yourhealth/faqs/HPVandCervicalCancer

HPV and HPV Testing. (n.d.). Retrieved May 28, 2017, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/infectious-agents/hpv/hpv-and-hpv-testing.html

Hudson, T. (2008). Womens encyclopedia of natural medicine: alternative therapies and integrative medicine for total health and wellness. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Karjane, N. W. (2016, February 29). Pap Smear. Retrieved May 24, 2017, from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1947979-overview

Kovacs, P. (2013, October 08). Treatment for HPV Lesions May Affect Fertility. Retrieved May 24, 2017, from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/812110_2

Kyrgiou, M., Mitra, A., Arbyn, M., Stasinou, S. M., Martin-Hirsch, P., Bennett, P., & Paraskevaidis, E. (2014, October 28). Fertility and early pregnancy outcomes after treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: systematic review and meta-analysis. Retrieved May 28, 2017, from http://www.bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g6192

Screening for cervical cancer – Canadian Cancer Society. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2017, from http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/cervical/screening/?region=on

Wright, T. C., Massad, L. S., Dunton, C. J., Spitzer, M., Wilkinson, E. J., & Solomon, D. (2007). 2006 consensus guidelines for the management of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or adenocarcinoma in situ. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 197(4), 340-345. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2007.07.050

 

When trying to answer the question, “Why am I the way I am?” it is important to try to identify the root causes of when things began. This is a primary tenet of naturopathic medicine.

For some individuals—and often in the case of adoption—it is important to go back to when you were in utero to understand certain things about yourself. It is at this early time that neurological and emotional wiring begins; therefore, the mental and emotional state of your mother (or the person who carried you to birth, in the case of adoption or surrogacy) contains important biological imprinting. Dr. Gabor Maté discusses this in his book In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts—Close Encounters with Addiction. He writes:

“In the past few decades it has become increasingly clear that the development and later behaviour of an immature organism is not only determined by genetic factors and the postnatal environment, but also by the maternal environment during pregnancy. 

Numerous studies in both animals and human beings have found that maternal stress or anxiety during pregnancy can lead to a broad range of problems in the offspring, from infantile colic to later learning difficulties and the establishment of behavioural and emotional patterns that increase a person’s predilection for addiction. Stress on the mother would result in higher levels of cortisol reaching the baby and elevated cortisol is harmful to important brain structures, especially during periods of rapid brain development.

Any woman who has to give up her baby for adoption is, by definition, a stressed woman. She is stressed not just because she knows she’ll be separated from her baby, but primarily because if she wasn’t stressed in the first place, she would never have had to consider giving up her child: the pregnancy was unwanted, or the mother was poor, single or in a bad relationship, or she was an immature teenager who conceived involuntarily, or was a drug user or was raped or confronted by some other adversity.

Any of these situations would be enough to impose tremendous stress on any person, and so for many months, the developing fetus would be exposed to high cortisol levels through the placenta. A proclivity for addiction is one possible consequence.”

In my case, my biological mother became pregnant with me when she was 16. I don’t know the circumstances surrounding my conception, except that because of her family’s religion—Irish Catholic—abortion was not an option. Her parents moved her to the other side of the country—from Grand Falls, New Brunswick to Vancouver, British Columbia—where she lived with her older sister until it was time to give birth.

Given the research cited above, it is likely that the stress my biological mother was under exposed me to cortisol, the stress hormone, at higher levels than would be experienced in planned pregnancies. As a newborn, I didn’t sleep well from the beginning—something that I would make up for during many depressive episodes later in life when all I did was sleep the days and months away.

Attachment issues The way I found out I was adopted didn’t help me to attach securely to my parents. According to the attachment theory of parenting, we are all creatures of attachment which means that what we all want most is connection, attachment and relationship, whether as a child or as an adult. What a child wants more than anything is a connection to their parent, even when there is no resemblance. Given how I learned that I was adopted, I feel it left me feeling insecure about my place in the family. Essentially, when my mom explained the word “adopted” to me, my young brain interpreted it to mean “temporary.”

As adults, we tend to assume our children understand the meaning of the words we use, but in many cases, they misconstrue it. In my case, we had watched a movie at school showing animals with their offspring, and this got me thinking about where human babies came from. The advice my parents had been given by a social worker in the late 1960s was to tell me the truth about my origins whenever I eventually asked where babies came from. After watching the movie, I went home from school curious about babies and inquisitively asked about how I came to be. My parents took this opportunity to explain that I was adopted. I internalized their explanation by assuming that I was only with them temporarily, and that some day, my “real” mom would be coming to get me.

Consequently, every time the doorbell rang or my mom started talking to someone I didn’t recognize at the store, I would wonder, “Is this the person who is coming to get me?” The years went by and no one came. I think I was 12 years old when I finally asked my mom if anyone was ever coming. Naturally, she was dismayed when she realized what had happened.

For me, learning that I was adopted, from the way I processed it to the negative comments from some family members to my parents—such as “blood is thicker than water”—cast a belief in me that I wasn’t good enough or truly wanted. It fed my insecurities, which played themselves out on the school grounds, as I was a prime target for kids to pick on. And I did get picked on—so much so that my mom had to find a job at the school so that I had more support than the teachers were able to give me. Some girls in my grade four class started an “I hate Christina” club, and this devastated me. (The funny thing is, the same thing happened to my son when he was in grade two. My heart sank when he told me. But his response highlights the difference between poor self-esteem, which I had at his age and self-confidence, which he has, as he said: “It’s okay mom—no one joined!”)

Despite my insecurities around adoption and being picked on in elementary school, there were no other traumas in my childhood. I was fortunate to be adopted into a loving family with caring parents. We moved a few times, which taught me to be resilient and accepting of others. All was well until I became a teenager and developed an eating disorder around the time my parents were getting divorced. It was then that the crack in my emotional foundation deepened.

I think the low self-esteem I had came from in utero based on the research cited by Dr. Gabor Mate. The energetics of adoption are complicated. Given the thoughts my biological mother was processing at the time and the probable trauma, scandal and embarrassment she endured for being pregnant out of wedlock at a time when this was not accepted, would have predisposed me to higher levels of cortisol as compared with a planned pregnancy. The predicament she found herself in affected my neurobiology on a deep primal level. This essentially wired me a certain way – to be insecure, anxious, sensitive, and feel like I wasn’t worthy, wanted or loved. Despite my parent’s best efforts to love me, the deeply profound sense of displacement I felt my whole life was coming from within – it was due to the faulty wiring or programming/messaging I received in utero.

The good news is I have been able to rewire my brain thanks to the concept of neuroplasticity. The bad news is this took approximately 30 years to do. I would test people to see if they would stay. I didn’t know how to communicate or express what I was feeling because most of the time I didn’t understand what I was feeling. Part of me speculates if the manifestation of bipolar disorder type 1 was due to the fact that I couldn’t express my feelings so it presented itself as illness in the emotional realm while the root cause came from this spiritual crisis of adoption. It has been said that “adoption is the only trauma in which the adoptee is expected to be grateful”.

I recently turned fifty. As with every birthday in the past, I wonder if my biological mother thinks about me. When I was 25 years old I met her and she told me that she did think if me every year on June 23. I don’t know the circumstances of her labour and delivery with me, whether I was a vaginal or c-section birth or whether she got to hold me in her arms after I was born. I do know that she kept my birth a secret from my half siblings – all of whom were shocked that their mom had a “skeleton in the closet”.

I decided to meet my biological mother because I wanted to solve the genetic mystery of bipolar disorder type 1. I had a list of questions I wanted answered, but I suddenly lost my confidence when I met her. I felt nervous about asking any questions about the circumstances surrounding my birth. My mom had written a card to Joanne, my biological mother, that read:

“Dear Joanne, Thank you for the greatest gift you could give another. All we have done is love Christina and I consider it a privilege to be her mom ~ Warmest regards, Alice.” 

While I didn’t get the medical answers I was looking for at that time. I did receive a call a few years later from my half brother that Joanne had been hospitalized and diagnosed with schizophrenia. It was shortly after that that I fell into a deep, dark depression and had attempted to commit suicide. As I was in recovery for several months, I lost touch with my biological family (this was pre-internet and texting days). One day I might return to New Brunswick to find my half sister who said she knew who my biological father was. I have often wondered why I was so curious about meeting only 50% of my genetic history and not the other 50%. I think it has to do with the bondage and biological wiring in utero that I discussed at the start of this article. For more about my recovery from bipolar disorder type 1, as well as depression, anxiety and bulimia, I encourage you to order my book: Beyond the Label: Achieving Mental Wellness with Naturopathic Medicine.