It's all about you
Friday 12 April 2013
It's all about you
Build your child's "natural immunity"
There is a new natural health business in town called Carahealth, and you'll find more letters after its founder's name than that of your average Nobel Prize winner.
Naturopathic Consultant, Carina Harkin BHSc.Hom.BHSc.Nat. BHSc.Acu.,AHRPA reg. ATMS mem. and mother of seven children specialises in treating childhood disease and natural health solutions for pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding and weaning.
Carina has a particular interest in addressing the worrying rise in chronic childhood disease including food allergy, asthma and autism by promoting what she describes as "natural immunity".
Natural immunity involves using natural remedies including herbal medicine, homeopathic medicines, supplements that support the natural immune response, as well as what Carina describes as “fever management”.
As part of stimulating natural immunity, Carina uses homeopathic prophylactic medicines to prevent diseases.
“The success of homeopathic prophylactic remedies to successfully treat and prevent disease has been well documented in many countries on a large scale, including Argentina, Cuba, Brazil and India, to prevent outbreaks of leptospirosis, menigitis, polio, cholera and dengue," Carina said.
Having worked as an acupuncturist in the Emergency Department of Melbourne's Northern Hospital, Carina is good at treating acute pain and injury.
Carina is currently working as an acupuncturist for the local AFL team, The Crocs. Carina has also completed two internships in Chinese Hospitals including Paediatric Hospitals and, having her brood, has a lot of experience using acupuncture for children.
"Acupuncture is remarkable to sedate a hyperactive or epileptic child, alleviate a child in pain and it can reduce temperature in a fever instantly,” she said.
As a herbalist, Carina matches the pharmacological actions of drugs with what she calls “neutraceuticals” or natural alternatives compounds found in plants and foods, to help treat disease, and in some cases under supervision, decrease need for medication.
Carina is the new Happy Herbalist at the Happy Herb Shop on Friday between 12-4pm. Come down and meet her for some free expert Naturopathic advice.
Macular Degeneration is hereditary - keep your family in the picture
Research released for Macular Degeneration Awareness Week, 27 May – 2 June 2012, has revealed Australians significantly underestimate the role of family history in developing Macular Degeneration, the leading cause of blindness and vision loss in Australia.
“All those at risk, those over 50 years or with a family history of Macular Degeneration, should have their eyes tested and macula checked," Port Douglas optometrist, Nicole De La Perrelle said.
"Family history is a risk factor, just as it is with other conditions such as heart disease and breast cancer. This is why it is critical for family members to also have their eyes tested and macula checked.
“We also want Australians to know Macular Degeneration is not a normal part of ageing. Never ignore any changes in vision and always seek help immediately as early detection is critical to saving sight,” said Nicole.
The national survey commissioned by the Macular Degeneration Foundation (MDF) found nearly three in four Australians (71%) did not correctly identify the role that family history plays in developing the disease. This is despite research showing there is a 50 per cent chance of developing Macular Degeneration when a family history of the disease is present.
The research also found an estimated 2.1 million Australians over the age of 50 years, those most at risk, are unaware that having a parent with Macular Degeneration increases their chances of developing the disease. Alarmingly, one in three Australians also believe that vision loss caused by Macular Degeneration is just a normal part of ageing.
CEO of the Macular Degeneration Foundation, Julie Heraghty said, “The results of the research are of great concern as about one in seven Australians over the age of 50 (one million people) have some evidence of Macular Degeneration, a chronic disease with a prevalence four times that of Dementia and more than half that of Diabetes.
“We want all Australians and their families to see a future and not have precious memories robbed by this disease.
“There are simple steps everyone can take to reduce their risk of developing Macular Degeneration and we want people to start by talking to their family about risk reduction measures. This includes having an eye test, adopting a healthy lifestyle and eating foods that are good for eye health including fish, foods with low GI and dark green leafy vegetables,” she said.
“We are calling on all Australians to make their family’s macular health a priority by having their eyes tested and macula checked, especially those who are most at risk, that is, people over the age of 50 and those with a family history of the disease.”
Coral Sea Eyecare are offering FREE Retinal imaging for the next four weeks. Save $25 and possibly save your sight! Just click on our adjacent advertisement for details and entitlement voucher.
Port Douglas - A drinking town with a sailing problem?
by Michael Joseph
People either think I'm mad or that there's something seriously wrong with me when I tell them (reluctantly) that I choose to no longer drink alcohol, permanently and forever. No matter what!
It's amazing how defensive people get when all I'm simply saying is 'I' don't drink. It’s not a judgement on them.
Like many people, I thought I really enjoyed the odd glass of wine in the evenings. then it became every evening, then it became two instead of the 'just one' then it effected my health and moods.
Then I'd stop for a while, to have a break, only to return to a more troublesome habit. I would toast to a life that wasn't that great after all.
I decided that I would really look at the reasons why I drank in the first place. I became a 'conscious' drinker in that I would drink alone and focus on every sip, the taste and smell, and 'check in' to see how I actually felt when I did.
To my surprise and horror I discovered that drinking didn't actually 'relax' me at all! It actually made me feel more stimulated so I'd want to drink more! It didn't 'lubricate' or improve any social situation either, I was just more nervous and fuzzy but was too tipsy to see it. I thought I was more fun to be around...not according to my friends.
I felt like I'd been lied to - I'd been conning myself. So the decision to quit permanently was a no brainer and very easy to do. It wasn't a process but an event. There was no one-day-at-a-time just a big decision to never drink again.
What helped me was yoga. It was a nice distraction from the harmless little niggles and urges I would get, but this time I was in full control. Pranayama (breathing exercises) and gentle restorative yoga did the trick.
Not everyone needs to quit permanently but I believe it's just as valid an alternative as moderating. After all, we all know we can moderate but after one drink, who wants to?
It's been over six years now and I feel the best I've ever felt in my life.
I wish everyone could feel the same.
Michael Joseph is a Yoga Teacher, Massage Therapist and Chopra Trained Ayurvedic Teacher. He's been in town for ages and would love to help you feel lighter, more in control and excited by LIFE!
