Health Conditions Archives - Page 7 of 8

Feeling a Lump in Your Throat?

I have seen people in my clinic before complaining of a lump in their throat, but Alan’s* symptoms were the most severe I had every encountered. Alan was a 42 year old realtor and father of three. He came to me because he had the feeling of a lump in his throat, which was making it difficult for him to eat solid food. Every time he tried to eat, he was unable to get the food down past the lump. By the time he came to me, he was only able to drink liquids and was rapidly losing weight.

In my clinic, I see a number of people who are looking for relief from stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Many of my patients who are struggling with their emotional health also report feeling something like a lump caught in their throat.

These patients describe this lump as the feeling of something being caught at the bottom of their throat, and it won’t go away no matter what they do. The lump can be mild, and mentioned only when I ask, or it can be so severe, like Alan’s, that it will limit a patient’s diet. For some people, certain foods seem to aggravate the feeling, among them meat, onions, acidic foods, and alcohol.

So what is this lump and where does it come from? In most cases, this lump sensation is a spasm of one of the muscles of the esophagus. It can physically be caused by a throat infection such as strep, being overweight or esophageal reflux. Difficulty swallowing can be the sign of more serious conditions, and should be checked out by your doctor if it lasts for more than a week or two.

In Chinese medicine, this lump is called Plum Pit Qi because it feels like a plum pit is caught in your throat. The Chinese believe that Plum Pit Qi is the result of a situation that is figuratively too hard to swallow, so it gets caught in your throat. That’s why all of the patients I have seen with this condition also are struggling with some kind of life stress or mental health issue.

Plum Pit Qi is a diagnosis that encompasses a Liver and Spleen disharmony combined with phlegm. A disharmony between the Chinese Liver and Spleen, in general, means that your energy is stagnating (usually emotional energy) and beginning to mess up your digestion. In Chinese medicine, phlegm can be both visible (what you see when you blow your nose or cough) and invisible. Invisible phlegm can be the result of energy stagnating combined with poor fluid metabolism, and is the cause of many lumps and bumps in your body. Things like goiters, tumors, and cysts can be considered invisible phlegm.

In the clinic, Plum Pit Qi can be successfully and naturally treated. I like to combine acupuncture with Chinese herbs for this condition. The formula Ban Xia Hou Po Tang is formulated specifically for Plum Pit Qi, is safe, and works incredibly well. Self care for Plum Pit Qi includes tracking the foods that aggravate your symptoms, and working on resolving stress, anxiety, and the situations in your life that are too difficult to swallow.

For more information on Qi stagnation, specific action steps for a Liver and Spleen disharmony, resolving phlegm, and foods for your particular body constitution, check out Simple Steps: The Chinese Way to Better Health.

*Names and identifying details have been changed.

Chinese Medicine for Nausea and Vomiting

We’ve all been there, hunkered down over the toilet with an upset stomach. Whether from the stomach flu, something you ate, or a few too many cocktails, an upset stomach is no fun. Most of us have almost funny stories of vomiting in inappropriate places or at the wrong time. This includes my kid, who has never been able to make it to the toilet in time. The one time he made it to the toilet; he failed to lift the lid, so it doesn’t count as a home run.

There is nothing funny, however, about chronic nausea, whether due to morning sickness or as the result of chemotherapy treatments. It can result in dehydration, exhaustion, weight loss, and may aggravate already existing health conditions.

In Chinese medicine, nausea and vomiting are the result of something called counterflow Qi, or energy moving in the wrong direction. Ideally, stomach energy moves downward, but under certain circumstances, it can move in the wrong direction. Other examples of counterflow Qi include the hiccups, heartburn, coughing, and in some instances, diarrhea. Nausea and vomiting can have a number of underlying causes in Chinese medicine, including a Liver/Stomach disharmony, food stagnation, an external pathogen (the flu), and even phlegm and dampness.

Chinese medicine has much to offer to relieve nausea and vomiting. One of the best known remedies for nausea is ginger root. Ginger was found to be effective in relieving chemotherapy related nausea in a recent study at the University of Rochester. The results of the study indicated that ginger capsules taken prior to the administration of chemotherapy drugs were effective in decreasing nausea in cancer patients. Ginger can also be taken in the form of tea, or can be grated into food or taken with hot water. In addition to ginger, there are a number of Chinese herbal formulas that effectively calm an upset stomach.

Acupuncture treatments can also successfully treat nausea and vomiting. An acupuncturist would determine the underlying pattern causing your nausea, and develop a treatment to relieve the symptoms and deal with the cause. One point that you can use at home with acupressure is called Pericardium 6. It’s found on the palm side of your wrist about two inches from your wrist crease (in the direction of your elbow), right between the tendons. Feel around in the area for a slightly tender spot, and stimulate that point by applying pressure for a few minutes with your finger or thumb.

Eight Ways to Ease That Pain in Your Neck

We’ve all heard the figurative term that something is a pain in the neck, but the reality of neck pain can cause sleepless nights, limited range of motion, and make your life miserable in general. There are a number of causes of neck pain, including trauma, turning and reaching at the same time, drafts, and bad ergonomics.

The most common cause of neck pain, however, is stress. Most people who are overwhelmed and under a lot of stress will tell you that they physically carry that stress in their neck. This has been the case since caveman times, when our furry ancestors raised the hackles on their neck in threatening situations. While a cranky boss, looming deadline, or a failing relationship isn’t the same as the threat of being eaten, your body still reacts in the same way, resulting in a tight, stiff neck.

In Chinese medicine, your stiff neck is a classic case of stagnation. The tightness in your upper back and neck create a slowdown in the circulation (stagnation) of blood and energy in the area. In addition, as that area becomes tight, it can move upward causing headaches, tooth grinding, and jaw pain; or move downward and cause back pain and tightness.

The antidote to neck pain in Chinese medicine is acupuncture, which works on two levels. It can help relieve the pain and tightness in your neck, and it can also help relieve stress.

You should check with your Western doc if your neck pain is accompanied by confusion, fever, or drowsiness. Also, if your neck pain radiates into your arms or hands, or if you feel numbness or tingling, it may be the sign of disk involvement and should also be checked out.

Some things you can do on your own to relieve neck pain include:

-Get some heat on it. Take a warm shower, use a heating pad, warm rice bag, or a towel soaked in hot water. By putting heat on your neck, you are increasing the circulation, loosening tight muscles, and enhancing your range of motion.

-Increase your flexibility. After you have warmed up your stiff neck, move your head up and down as if you were nodding yes. Then slowly move your head from side to side as if you were saying no. Tilt your head, moving your ear toward your shoulder on each side. These stretches will help increase your range of motion, but remember, don’t do anything that is intensely painful.

-Sleep on it. Sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees. This helps you maintain the natural curvature of your spine, and will help you avoid sleeping on your side, which can aggravate a stiff neck.

-Hold the phone. Keep the phone off of your shoulder. If you’re on the phone a lot at work, get a headset or hold the phone with your hand.

-Take a break. If you’re on your computer all day, make sure you take regular breaks to get up, stretch, and walk around.

-Eyes forward. Make sure that your work station is ergonomically correct. This means that you shouldn’t have to look sideways to see your computer screen, look downward all day long, or be sitting in an uncomfortable position.

-Stay away from drafts. Cold air blowing on your neck can be an underlying cause of a stiff neck. Avoid sleeping in a draft, and be sure to wear a scarf on cool, cold and windy days.

-Get some acupuncture. In most cases, your stiff neck will be gone in a few days. However, acupuncture can be extremely helpful in speeding up the healing process.

Help for Easy Bruising

Are you the kind of person who can bump a corner of the coffee table and know that you’ll have a whopper of a bruise tomorrow? Are you afraid of your neighbor’s dog jumping on you because you’ll have to marks to show for it? Do you frequently sport some big bruises and don’t know where they came from? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, then you’re an easy bruiser.

Bruising at the drop of a hat is the result of fragile blood vessels, and can come from a number of underlying causes. In Chinese medicine, easy bruising is a sign that your body’s holding function is weak.

Your Chinese Spleen is responsible for digesting the food you eat and converting it into energy, blood, and nutrients. A secondary function of your Spleen is to hold things in place, including holding blood in the vessels. Other signs that your body isn’t holding things well are chronic diarrhea, frequent miscarriages, heavy menstrual periods and prolapsed (falling) organs, like your uterus or bladder. From a Chinese perspective, strengthening your Spleen can be accomplished through acupuncture, herbal formulas, and dietary modifications.

From a more Western viewpoint, easy bruising may be due to a vitamin or mineral deficiency. The most common deficiencies involved in weak or fragile blood vessels are Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and copper.

One of the functions of Vitamin C is to help build collagen, which is important in holding body structures together, including connective tissue, tendons, and ligaments. If you are deficient in Vitamin C, the ability of collagen to hold the connective tissue around your blood vessels may be impaired, allowing them to rupture and bruise more easily. Good food sources of Vitamin C include most dark vegetables such as broccoli, kale, collard or turnip greens, and red or green peppers.

Another nutrient that plays a role in the synthesis of collagen is the copper. Copper is a trace mineral found in oysters, most nuts and legumes (peas and beans). A deficiency in copper can also be an underlying cause of easy bruising.

Vitamin K can also be a player if you’re a bruiser, however it’s role is different than that of copper or Vitamin C. Vitamin K is important in making clotting factors, which are components necessary to stop bleeding and facilitate clotting. Like Vitamin C, Vitamin K is found abundantly in dark leafy vegetables. One word of caution, however, Vitamin K can alter the affects of Coumadin or Warfarin, so if you’re taking either of those anti clotting medications, steer clear of supplementing Vitamin K or taking any herbal formulas.

Many over the counter pain relievers, such as Ibuprofen (Advil), Naproxen (Alleve), and aspirin (but not Tylenol), can also have an affect on bleeding. These medications make your platelets (necessary in clotting, too) less sticky and therefore less prone to clotting. This is a good thing if you are at risk for cardiovascular disease or stroke, but taking these pain relievers for a period of time can make you more likely to bruise.

Is Stress Causing Your Weight Gain?

There was an article in my local paper last week about the relationship between stress and weight gain. The gist of the article was that during the current economic crisis many people who are stressed about their financial situation turn to food as a way to cope.

Medical experts know that stress and other strong negative emotions have an impact on your body’s hormonal balance, specifically the balance of adrenaline, cortisol, and insulin. In addition, it’s known that hormonal changes caused by stress can be responsible for weight gain around your middle, and can increase your risk for certain cardiovascular health problems. Your doctor may describe this phenomenon as the difference between being pear shaped (good) versus apple shaped (not so good).

In Chinese medicine, this same phenomenon would be described as a Liver/Spleen disharmony, or a case of your emotions upsetting your digestion. Your Chinese Liver is the organ system that regulates the smooth movement of everything in your body, including your emotions, circulation, menstrual cycles, and digestion. The function of the Spleen system is to efficiently turn food into nutrients, energy, and blood—in other words, all aspects of digestion. You know your Spleen isn’t up to par when you have signs or symptoms related to your digestion, including food cravings or a loss of appetite, constipation or loose stools, stomachaches, nausea, and weight gain. You might think that if you’re gaining weight your digestion is just fine, thank you very much, but in reality, weight gain is a signal that your digestion is impaired in some way.

How can acupuncture or Chinese medicine help? There are a couple of answers. First, acupuncture is an excellent way to soothe your emotions. It can effectively help people who are feeling stressed, anxious or depressed. It seems odd that the insertion of a couple of needles can affect your emotions or mood, but research has in fact documented that acupuncture alters brain chemistry in a good way.

Secondly, using a combination of acupuncture, herbs, and food therapy, a practitioner of Chinese medicine can help you get your weight under control. Not only can it help you with food cravings, but Chinese medicine is an incredibly effective treatment for digestive problems.

If stress is impacting your health or causing weight gain, think about acupuncture. It’s safe, effective, and organic.

Natural Help for Heartburn

You’ve got what feels like a three-alarm fire under your ribcage or at the top of your chest. Maybe you just overindulged in a gourmet meal or knocked down a chili dog with the works. You belch; maybe drink a little water, but the fire burns on. That after-dinner hell you’re experiencing is most likely heartburn.

What causes heartburn is actually a muscle in your lower esophagus falling down on the job. That muscle, your esophageal sphincter, usually opens to let food you’ve eaten pass to your stomach, then closes to prevent food and stomach acid from flowing back upward. However, in the case of heartburn, or esophageal reflux, the sphincter hasn’t closed properly, allowing the contents of your stomach to irritate your esophagus causing that burning sensation.

There are a number of causes of heartburn, including eating the wrong foods, stress, overeating, and obesity. In addition, the esophageal sphincter tends to get weaker with age, so just being on the wrong side of 40 can make you more prone to episodes of heartburn.

In Chinese medicine, heartburn is frequently caused by damage from emotions (stress and anger!), erratic or unhealthy eating or drinking, and overall depletion due to aging. In most cases, a Chinese diagnosis of a Liver/Spleen disharmony will be evident.

The Liver is the organ system that is responsible for the smooth and uninhibited movement of everything in your body. However, the Liver system is that which is most damaged by anger, stress, and unfulfilled desires. Damage to the Liver causes stagnation, and almost always overflows and affects digestion; in this case causing heartburn.

The good news, however, is that there are a number of things you can do to naturally quench the fires of heartburn. Also good news is that the irritation and damage to our esophagus can heal within a month or two, once the symptoms have subsided.

Some natural suggestions to help cool down heartburn include:

-Determine which foods are likely to cause heartburn and eliminate them from your diet. Some common offenders include onions (especially raw), coffee, spicy meals, alcohol, citrus fruits and strawberries, mint, chocolate, and fried or fatty foods.

-Eat smaller meals so your esophageal sphincter doesn’t have to work overtime.

-Respect the laws of gravity and sit up for a couple of hours after eating.

-If your heartburn symptoms seem to be worse at night, try sleeping with your head elevated. You can do this by placing the head of your bed on blocks that are four to six inches high.

-Try 1/8 of a teaspoon of baking soda mixed in a few tablespoons of water to quickly neutralize stomach acid.

It is also important to know when to check with your M.D. If you have heartburn symptoms daily, suffer from a lot of belching or bloating, or if symptoms seem to be worse when your stomach is empty, get it checked out by your doc. Also, if you have what feels like heartburn accompanied by difficulty or pain swallowing, chest pain or pain radiating to the neck and/or shoulder, vomiting, bloody or black stools, shortness of breath, or lightheadedness, get to your doctor right away. Your symptoms may be more than simple heartburn and need to be evaluated by a doctor.

Allergy 911

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you are no stranger to the wide range of symptoms: red, swollen, itchy eyes, a chronically runny or stuffed up nose, itchy ears, a scratchy throat, or that feeling of your head being full of cotton. You may have symptoms for a few weeks in the spring or fall, or suffer for the entire summer. Whatever your particular pattern, seasonal allergies have the potential to make you miserable. The following are some tips to help minimize symptoms during your allergy season:

-Use a Neti Pot. It’s looks like a small teapot and is used to cleanse the sinuses. Neti Pots can be found at most drug stores or natural food stores. Instructions should be included with the pot. (Mix ½ tsp of sea salt in warm water pour half water into one nostril and let it run out the other, repeat on the other side.)

-Wash your face freqently and shower in the evening to wash off the pollen on your skin and hair that has accumulated during the day.

-Change your clothes after you’ve been working or playing outdoors.

-Try supplementing with quercetin and/or grape seed extract. Both are found in red wine, but in supplement form may control the release of symptom-causing histamines.

-Eat spicy foods. They thin the mucous and can help clear nasal passages.

-If you suffer from fall allergies, your symptoms may be aggravated by eating melon, bananas, cucumbers, sunflower seeds, chamomile, and supplements containing echinacea. Experiment and avoid those foods that make your symptoms worse.

-Keep your house and car windows closed during the height of your allergy season. Use air conditioning, but don’t let it blow directly on your face.

-Wash your hands after you have played with or pet any animals that have been outside. Keep outdoor pets off the furniture. Their fur acts like a pollen magnet.

-Wear a paper filter mask (found at drug stores) when you are mowing the lawn.

-Try acupuncture. In a study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine, acupuncture reduced symptoms in all 26 patients participating the the study—without side effects.

Acupuncture for Seasonal Affective Disorder

by Lynn Jaffee, L.Ac.

If this cool fall weather has you thinking of palm trees, sunny beaches, and moving south, you’re not alone! Everyone feels the effects of fall in one way or another. However, for some, the move from the bright days of summer to the cool winter weather brings with it a form of depression, called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD.

People who suffer from SAD feel fine during the warmer months, but suffer from symptoms such as depression, fatigue, lack of motivation, difficulty concentrating, and lethargy during the late fall and winter. Over ten million people in the United States suffer from SAD, two-thirds of which are women. The cause of SAD is unknown, but it is thought by western doctors to be related to a drop in melatonin levels in the brain caused by decreased exposure to sunlight during the winter. Currently, SAD is treated through the use of light therapy, and in some cases, antidepressants.

From a Chinese medical framework, SAD is related to an imbalance between Yin and Yang. The theory of Yin and Yang was developed thousands of years ago to describe the relationship between opposing forces in nature. Yang describes that which is bright, active, moving, warm and transforming. In contrast, Yin describes those things which are cool, dark, still, and nourishing. This time of year the seasons are changing from summer, which is a bright and warm Yang time of the year to the colder, darker, and more nourishing Yin winter months.

For some people, the abundance of Yin during the winter becomes overwhelming, giving way to the hallmark symptoms of SAD. Lethargy, fatigue, and lack of motivation all reflect Yin characteristics. Like a frozen river, this lack of movement ultimately creates stagnation which manifests as depression and feelings of sadness.

While there is no magic bullet for SAD, incorporating some Yang activities into your life can help. Remember, Yang is warm, bright, and active. Try to get outside during the middle of the day if possible, especially on sunny days. While you may not feel motivated, taking a walk, going to the gym, or cross country skiing are all good ways to stir up the warmth and activity of Yang. Also, activitiy in the form of change–trying something new–is a way to boost Yang. Choose activities that warm not only your body, but your heart as well. Time with friends or a special family event are both moving and warming activities.

Needless to say, Chinese medicine can offer some relief for SAD, too. Acupuncture, combined with heat therapy and some Yang fortifying foods and/or herbs can be an effective way to get through the winter.

Acupuncture for Myositis

A year and a half ago I had never heard of Myositis. But then John* came into my life. John is an upbeat older gentleman and retired printer, who has been diagnosed with a condition called Myositis. I’m an acupuncturist, and John called my office because he had fallen several times without warning. He wanted to know if acupuncture could help him.

Myositis, or Inflammatory Myopathy is swelling, inflammation, and deterioration of the muscles . It’s a rare condition, affecting only 5-10 people out of every million. This disease causes swelling and loss of muscle tissue. The causes is unknown, but it is thought to be autoimmune in nature. This means that the body’s immune system is misdirected and attacks its own normal healthy tissues. The overactive immune cells target the muscles.

There are four different types of Myositis:

-Dermatomyositis (DM)

-Inclusion-Body Myositis (IBM)

-Juvenile forms of Myositis (JM)

-Polymositis (PM)

The differences between these manifestations are related either to age of onset or the parts of the body that are affected. In general signs and symptoms of Myositis include:

-Muscle weakness, sometimes with muscle pain

-General tiredness and fatigue

-Trouble climbing stairs, standing from a seated position, or reaching upward

-Difficulty swallowing

-Falling

Myositis is diagnosed through blood testing, muscle and skin biopsy, and MRI. Currently there is no cure for Myositis, but it can be controlled with medications, such as Prednisone, and immunosuppressants, such as Methotrexate and Azathioprine. Vitamins and supplements that may be helpful for people suffering from Myositis include Coenzyme Q10, Creatine, Fish Oil, Ginger, Glucosamine, antioxidant vitamins (C, A, E, and D), Calcium and Potassium. Physical therapy and exercise programs are also an important part of treatment for Myositis.

When John asked me if acupuncture could help him, I was unsure, but told him I was willing to give it a try. I treated him several times over the course of many months. Prior to the acupuncture treatments, John was falling about twice a month. He explained that his leg muscles unexpectedly gave out, and he would fall without warning, often hitting is head. After I began working with John, he began falling less frequently, sometimes going for a couple of months in between falls. I have found by working with John, that acupuncture is not a cure for Myositis, but it can help dramatically with the symptoms of this condition.

Acupuncture can be a very effective treatment for a variety of conditions, either as an adjunct to standard Western treatments or on its own. According to Chinese medical theory, acupuncture works because we humans have a natural flow of energy throughout our body. Actually, we know that every cell in our body produces this energy; the Chinese simply believe that it flows through a series of pathways. When that energy becomes blocked in one or more of the pathways, the energy becomes like a dam in a river. There is too much pressure on one side of the dam, and a restriction of flow on the other. This “energy dam” in the body can produce a variety of symptoms; one of the most common being pain.

By inserting very fine, sterile acupuncture needles into specific points on your body, an acupuncturist can break up these blockages that restrict the flow of energy. By stimulating these points, the energy can move smoothly, enabling your body to heal itself.

Beyond acupuncture, treatment for Myositis might include electro-stimulation, heat, and Chinese body work called Tui Na. With John I used a combination of acupuncture, electro-stimulation and heat. I look forward to helping John continue to manage his symptoms and keep from falling.

*Names and identifying details have been changed.

Respiratory Allergies and Acupuncture

By: Lynn Jaffee

What are respiratory allergies?

Allergies are essentially an immune response to airborne particles that normally don’t cause the body any trouble. These particles can be anything from plant pollens to animal dander, dust, mold, or even insects and their feces. For most people inhaling these particles don’t cause a problem. For people with allergies, their bodies react as though they were being invaded by pathogens. The result is runny nose, eye irritation, sneezing, headaches, and in some people, asthma.

How are Respiratory Allergies treated differently in Traditional Chinese Medicine than in modern medicine?

Within the framework of modern medicine, respiratory allergies are treated through a combination of anti-histamines and decongestants. These drugs have changed over the years, and their side effects have decreased, many people don’t want to take these drugs long term. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, respiratory allergies are considered an indicator that an underlying imbalance exists. Treatment is focused on correcting the imbalance, or the source of the problem, not just treating the outward symptoms.

What exactly is out of balance?

Any of the factors may cause an imbalance, including poor diet, stress, weak constitution, or environmental toxins and pollutants. These stressors on the body can affect the functions of the organ systems and weaken the body’s Wei Qi. The concept of Wei Qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine is similar to the function of the immune system. Wei Qi encompasses the exterior of the body and works to protect the body from outside pathogens that can cause illnesses like the common cold, flu, and allergies. When Wei Qi is weakened, the body becomes more susceptible to foreign invaders, such as viruses and bacteria, and more importantly to things like pollen, animal dander, mold, dust, etc.

In addition, some people who suffer from respiratory Allergies may exhibit a pattern of Spleen weakness. When the Spleen is weak, the body is unable to adequately transform food and drink into the proper nutrients that the body needs. When the food we eat isn’t properly transformed, dampness and phlegm tend to accumulate, ultimately affecting the function of the lung.

How Does Traditional Chinese Medicine Treat Respiratory Allergies?

A practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine will take a complete health history and develop a treatment plan based on your specific symptoms, constitution, and history. The goals of your treatment plan will be to alleviate symptoms and correct the source of the problem, the underlying imbalance. Your practitioner may use a combination of acupuncture, Chinese herbs, dietary therapy, and lifestyle changes.

Is acupuncture safe?

Yes. When performed by a Licensed Acupuncturist, acupuncture is safe. It is also a natural, drug-free, and effective way to address respiratory allergies.

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