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Chronic Illness

Learn About Common Causes of Mystery Chronic Pelvic Pain

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in women is defined as persistent, noncyclic pain in the pelvis that lasts more than six months. (Source) And one study estimates that the prevalence of CPP for women in reproductive ages is between 14% – 24%, and about 14% of women experience CPP at least once during their life. (Source) It may take time to diagnose pelvic pain as there are many possible causes, and women can even have several causes happening at one time. CPP is sometimes caused by other physical diseases, or mental health disorders; or it can be a stand alone condition. (Source) Often when searching for the cause of CPP, the organs located in the pelvis are examined. Reproductive organs like the uterus and the vagina, the urinary system, and digestive organs like the large intestine could all be involved. With so many potential factors that can contribute to CPP, it’s important to educate yourself on the possible causes if you’re experiencing chronic pelvic pain. Knowledge is power, and the more you know, the better you can advocate for yourself. Symptoms of Chronic Pelvic Pain Your pelvic pain could be very localized to one specific spot, or it could be generalized

September 6, 2019

Chronic Illness

Turmeric: Magical Myth or Real-Life Disease Fighter?

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a plant that has been used medicinally for centuries—dating back even as far as 4000 years to Vedic culture in India, Ayurvedic medicine and as a staple in South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine. Bright yellow in color, it is sometimes referred to as Indian saffron. Turmeric a member of the ginger family and is native to South Asia. To be used, the turmeric tuber is dug up, boiled, dried and ground into the yellow powder you’ve seen in the store. With no known drug interactions, little side effects and highly anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is used for a wide variety of illnesses ranging from digestive disorders to autoimmune disorders to respiratory disorders. (Source) There have been over 3000 publications dealing with turmeric that came out within the last 25 years! We’ll dive into some of those diseases as well as why turmeric can be effective in treating them in this article. What makes turmeric a disease-fighting herb? Turmeric gets its bright yellow color from one of its main components—compounds called curcuminoids. The second main component in turmeric is volatile (or essential) oils. The powerhouse agent that has the most healing effects is curcumin, a polyphenol derived

August 30, 2019

Chronic Illness

What You Should Know About Diabetes in Women

Diabetes is a condition that can affect anyone, regardless of their age or their gender. Just because it is a little more common in men, doesn’t mean that women shouldn’t be aware and educated of their unique risks and complications. Let’s explore what women should know about diabetes as it relates to them. About Diabetes and Women Diabetes can affect both men and women, but there are some differences that occur when a woman is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. If you have signs and symptoms of this disease, or have recently been diagnosed, here are some things to know about having diabetes as a woman. (Source) Shared Symptoms As a woman with diabetes, you also have all the same symptoms and dangers as men with this disease. You need to be concerned about foot problems, eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy, fatigue, weight fluctuations, dizziness, and nerve damage. It is important that you receive treatment as soon as you are diagnosed and be sure to listen to your health practitioner’s treatment and lifestyle recommendations. Whether you change your diet or have to take medications, it can help you deal with diabetes and avoid all the potential complications at the same

August 23, 2019

Nutrition and Healthy Eating

Where Could Gluten Be Hiding?

Whether you have Celiac disease or an intolerance to gluten, the first thing to start with on a gluten-free diet is figuring out what you can and can’t eat. You probably know all the main options, like skipping your normal bread products, checking condiments, and being sure you avoid all forms of wheat. However, gluten can often be hiding in products you wouldn’t suspect, and the only way to know is by understanding what ingredients point to being gluten. Did you know that just one exposure to gluten can drive an inflammatory response for 3-6 months?! For those who are sensitive, it’s really important to know where the gluten is so you can avoid it. Let’s take a look at where gluten can be hiding in your diet. Ingredients with Gluten Hydrolyzed malt extract Hydrolyzed vegetable protein Phytosphingosine extract Amino peptide complex Secale cereale Fermented grain extract Hordeum distichon Hordeum vulgare Hydrolysate Maltodextrin Brown rice syrup Modified food starch Hydrolyzed vegetable protein Hydrolyzed soy protein Caramel color Be Careful of These So now you’ve turned to look at your items from the last store visit. As you read through the ingredients, you see a few familiar names, but now is

August 16, 2019

Natural Skin and Beauty

Why Coconut Oil is Your Hair’s Best Friend

We know coconut oil has numerous benefits internally, but what about externally? If you have ever searched online for a natural beauty remedy, you’ve most likely read about coconut oil and how it can help with beauty. The first area of beauty that coconut is perfect for is your hair. When you look up natural remedies for your hair or just ways to make your hair healthy and shiny, coconut oil often comes up as the primary recommendation. Coconut oil isn’t too harsh and doesn’t leave behind an oily residue, while providing a lot of benefits for your hair. Let’s talk about how to use coconut oil for hair and why it helps. History of Coconut Oil as a Beauty Product Applying oil to hair and skin is an age-old tradition in Asian and African countries. The traditional system of medicine in India, Ayurveda, has several formulations of oils (based mainly on coconut and sesame) with herbal extracts. (Source) It Gives You Natural Shine Who doesn’t want to add a little more shine to their hair? When you use a lot of hair styling tools with heat and don’t use a heat protectant beforehand, you are killing a lot of

August 7, 2019

General

Natural Remedies for Urinary Tract Infections

If you’ve ever had one, and if you’re a woman it is most likely that you have, you know how painful urinary tract infections can be. Around 50-60% of women will experience a UTI in their lifetime. (Source) With bacteria increasingly becoming antibiotic resistant, the go-to treatment isn’t as effective as you might hope. Several antibiotics such as ampicillin, amoxicillin and sulfonamides are no longer used to treat UTIs because of resistance. Other antibiotics aren’t effective on certain strains, but can be used to treat others—although recurrence isn’t uncommon. (Source) So what’s a girl to do? There are ways you can help your body heal from a urinary tract infection. But first, let’s talk a little about what is happening in your body when you get a UTI. What is a UTI? A UTI is an infection in any part of your urinary system, which includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract, which is the bladder and the urethra. (Source) These infections are caused by pathogens attaching themselves inside the urinary system, most commonly the bacteria E. coli. Symptoms of UTIs include: A strong, persistent urge to urinate A burning sensation when urinating

July 28, 2019

Natural Skin and Beauty

How Going Dairy-Free Can Help Your Skin

Choosing to remove dairy from your diet might seem only necessary if you have an allergy or intolerance to it, but there are many other reasons to consider this lifestyle change. Not only can dairy cause bloating and other digestive issues, but it might also be making your skin worse. Here are some ways that following a dairy-free diet can help your skin. Dairy Can Make Skin Conditions Worse Despite its widespread consumption, scientific and anecdotal evidence suggests that dairy products in the diet can have adverse effects on skin health and can exacerbate certain conditions. Understanding the ways dairy relates to the complexion and using or avoiding it accordingly can be a powerful tool for achieving healthy skin. Acne Acne is a common skin condition that affects almost 10% of the entire population! (Source) That makes it the eighth most prevalent disease worldwide. One study found a positive association between breakouts and milk consumption in teenagers. (Source) Another meta-analysis of research done on the link between milk consumption and acne found a positive relationship between dairy, total milk, whole milk, low-fat and skim milk consumption and acne occurrence. (Source) While the exact way dairy contributes to acne isn’t clear,

July 28, 2019

Emotional Health

Understanding Menopause from a Holistic Perspective

Menopause is an inevitable process that every woman goes through at some point. Since it comes one way or another, it helps to learn as much as you can about what you’ll experience. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to make the transition as smooth as possible! Let’s learn about what is going on in your body during menopause. What Happens in Your Body During Menopause Menopause is defined as the end of menstruation and fertility. Every female is born with a finite number of eggs, which are stored in the ovaries. Ovaries also make the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, which control menstruation and ovulation. Menopause happens when the ovaries no longer release an egg every month and menstruation stops. (Source) Menopause normally happens after the age of 40 with the average age being 51, but it can occur earlier as a result of surgery or damage to the ovaries. It consists of 3 stages: Perimenopause: This begins several years before menopause, as menopause is a gradual process. During this stage, the ovaries produce less and less of the female sex hormone estrogen. Menopause: Menopause technically begins once the female has not had a menstrual period for

July 19, 2019

Emotional Health

What Lavender Essential Oil Can Do For You

There are many amazing essential oils to choose from, but lavender is definitely the most versatile and most widely used—it has been used for centuries! (Source) Even though it is most often used for its sedative properties in modern times, it was traditionally used as an antiseptic agent, even as recently as World War 1. (Source 1; Source 2) Not only does lavender have a gentle, pleasant scent, but it is often used for reducing anxiety and improving sleep. And the benefits don’t stop there! Keep reading if you want to learn more about lavender essential oil and how it can help you. The Many Health Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil Lavender is one of the more commonly referred to herbs when you hear about essential oils and sleep. In fact, there is a huge misconception that lavender is only good for sleep and calming. The truth is, there are several healing benefits of lavender that most people may not even know about. Here are a few of those healing benefits, what to know about attaining these benefits, and tips that you may need to know. When it comes to essential oils, lavender is one of the most popular and

July 12, 2019

ARTICLES

Learn About Common Causes of Mystery Chronic Pelvic Pain

Turmeric: Magical Myth or Real-Life Disease Fighter?

What You Should Know About Diabetes in Women

Where Could Gluten Be Hiding?

Why Coconut Oil is Your Hair’s Best Friend

Natural Remedies for Urinary Tract Infections

How Going Dairy-Free Can Help Your Skin

Understanding Menopause from a Holistic Perspective

What Lavender Essential Oil Can Do For You

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