Photo by Mai Le.

Q: My son’s pediatrician just prescribed antibiotics for what she thought was bronchitis. I thought the antibiotic choice was strange since I was prescribed the same one weeks earlier for a stubborn urinary tract infection. I usually take herbs for infections and know that different herbs are used for different bacterias. Isn’t there a way to match antibiotics with particular bacterias as they differ? Jaycn L. Austin, Texas

A: Great question, the answer is yes! There is a procedure referred to as culturing bacteria for sensitivity that is employed in the lab to distinguish specific strains of bacteria from one another. Once the strain is determined, the proper antibiotic is administered to eradicate infection.

Culturing for bacteria takes time and has been criticized by some seasoned professionals as stalling treatment. The argument some clinicians make is that they’ve seen so many similar cases, why waste time when they can simply treat? The value of culturing however that is often overlooked is that it also rules out whether or not the infection is of bacterial or viral origin. Consider earaches for instance. Most earaches and ear infections are initially caused by a virus. The bacteria can come later, but doesn’t always. The point is to properly distinguish bacterias from viruses to ensure the most precise care.

Although compounding research reveals antibiotic resistance continues to grow, antibiotic overuse remains a serious public health issue. Usually patients visit their health care provider wanting immediate treatment and answers. In response to an ailing patient before them, health care providers often prescribe antibiotics based upon the clinical presentation of signs and symptoms without culturing. This quick-draw approach to antibiotic use however contributes to the still growing issue of anti-biotic resistance.

Being your own advocate is the best advice I offer patients on this hot-button topic. Give your naturopath or Chinese health care provider a call to see if antibiotic use can be avoided. If it is in fact necessary, insist your provider culture the bacteria to best match the medicine with the specific strain. Remember, by protecting yourself and your family, you’re playing a larger role in preserving community health!

Got a question for us? Drop your tricky, random, wacky or plain confusing health question into the Suggest-O-Matic, leave a comment, or tag your tweet questions with #wellwire and our team of experts will answer them in this weekly column.

Christine M. Dionese L.Ac. specializes in integrative medicine, medical journalism and is the VP of marketing at WellWire LLC. Visit her wellness and lifestyle blog, Reaching Beyond Now.

Photo by samantha celera.

When it comes to the H1N1 flu pandemic this year, it seems like a lot of our patients have vaccine-related questions. Who’s at risk? What’s in this vaccine? Should I get it?

Tune in below as Dr. Natasha Kassam gets to the bottom of the H1N1 vaccine kerfuffle. Still have a question? Leave in the comment section.

Dr. Natasha Kassam is dedicated to facilitating the healing and wellbeing of her patients. Her passion is cardiovasular and pulmonary medicine. She practices at Bloom Natural Healthcare in NE Portland Oregon and is the host of askdrkassam.com.

Photo by Martino.

No matter how hard they tried, little Johnny’s parents couldn’t convince him to eat his vegetables! Johnny only wanted to eat dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets, chocolate milk, and sugar bear cereal. In school he was lethargic, had trouble focusing on the chalk-board, and often talked out of turn. This concerned his teachers as they urged Johnny’s parents to visit the pediatrician. Johnny’s pediatrician thinks he has ADD.

Sound familiar? We all know kids who are finicky eaters. In the US alone, about 3 million kids have been diagnosed with food allergy related illnesses. Gone untested or mis-diagnosed, children can suffer from serious long term digestive, immune, endocrine, and learning-related illnesses.

Parents, you are your child’s number one advocate! Spotting the signs and symptoms of food allergies early on means you’ll be able to have your child properly tested and on the road to health faster.

How to spot an allergy

The most common food allergies include wheat, cow’s dairy, soy, eggs, corn, peanuts, and seafood. While the range of food allergy related signs and symptoms are vast, take note of these biggies, especially if you notice several in a pattern.

• Difficulty listening, concentrating, and staying on task
• Recurring ear and upper respiratory infections
• Digestive concerns including chronic nausea, diarrhea, cramping, and constipation
• Chronic post-nasal drip, itchy nose and throat, sore throat, and clear nasal discharge
• Fidgeting around, inability to sit still
• Fatigue even after having slept at least 8 hours
• Moodiness, hyper-activity, and acting out
• Chronic overall body aches, sometimes hives

Take action

Most allergists employ a test termed RAST testing. You may have heard this referred to as a skin prick test.  This simple test looks at a singular chemical process that our immune system elicits in an acute allergic phase similar to sneezing or coughing in response to an allergen. A more accurate determination of food allergies is through blood testing. A comprehensive blood test looks at specialized chemicals the immune system develops over time called antigens. Along with addressing how food allergies affect the entire system, this test also includes a wider variety of foods, covering different types of grains, dairy, meat, seafood, even herbs and spices.

Most naturopathic physicians, acupuncturists, and holistic MDs can help you procure this testing and develop an allergy elimination plan that’s right for your child.

Adding variety to your child’s diet can be fun!

Once you’ve determined which foods the body doesn’t like, it’s time to introduce new foods into your child’s diet. What was once challenging can now be an interactive experience. Include your child in the process allowing them to take part in the selection and preparation of food. Pressed for time? Build in a weekly food prep activity and ready some of your family’s snacks and meals ahead of time. On Sunday while you’re making a batch of homemade soup for the next 3 days, let your child make themselves some decorative snacks. They’ll love the project and get to spend time with you doing something really fun!

• Eat the rainbow!

Dr. Gibran suggests eating as many colors as possible. Eating bright colorful foods gives our brain a boost of dopamine which enhances a better mood and increases focus.

• Create fun food shapes

Kids are more inclined to eat their fruits and veggies if they appeal to their senses. Grab some cookie cutters and mold your child’s fruit and veggies into their favorite shapes! Watermelon, mangoes, sweet potatoes, and bell peppers work best.

• Go shopping together

Take your child to the health food store carefully guiding them to kid-friendly products. Natural food product companies are improving their packaging by marketing directly to children these days. You’ll be happy to find healthy, low sugar cereals, snacks, wheat and dairy free alternatives that are decorated with zoo animals and cartoon characters.

My younger patients suggest these favorites to get your tot started:

• Ian’s wheat free chicken and fish sticks.  First timers can visit their site for money-saving coupons
• Envirokidz wheat free Koala Krisp cereal and yummy animal crackers
• Chews Better Fruit Chews providing antioxidants and essential omega 3s
• Want to try a sample pack of healthy snacks for your child? Visit the Healthy Snack Store for some cool new treats!

Parents, please share your food allergy success experiences to help our other WellWire readers!

Christine M. Dionese L.Ac. specializes in integrative medicine, medical journalism and is the VP of marketing at WellWire LLC. Visit her wellness and lifestyle blog, Reaching Beyond Now.

Photo by Andres Rueda.

The H1N1 virus has led to the death of 28 pregnant women and 60 children in the U.S. so it’s no wonder the topic of vaccination is on everyone’s mind. This year’s influenza is virulent and should be considered a serious threat.

How the vaccine works

The influenza vaccine, which includes the H1N1 vaccine is made on an annual basis. Because the influenza virus changes every year, research immunologists and physicians must stay one step ahead of these mutations. The vaccine only works when the strains of the vaccine match the circulating infective strains, which isn’t always the case.

Hidden ingredients: mercury

Some preparations of vaccines contain thimerosal, a vaccine preservative that contains mercury. This mercury compound inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi in multi-dose vaccine vials.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) both recommend that children and pregnant women avoid neurotoxic mercury from the environment and from food. In 2001, the FDA has eliminated or reduced to trace amounts the thimerosal found in vaccines for children under 6 years old. The one exception for the mercury ban is for the influenza vaccine which does contain thimerosal.  There will be a limited number of special thimerosal-free influenza vaccine doses available for children and pregnant women.  Ask your doctor for the thimerosal-free vaccines.

Intra-nasal vaccines

There is also a thimerosal-free H1N1 influenza vaccine that is intra-nasally applied (FluMist). This form of the vaccine is a live attenuated virus. The H1N1 virus is genetically weakened which reduces the chances of causing an illness. Since this form of vaccines contains a live attenuated virus, it cannot be administered to children under 2 years old, asthmatic children under 5 years old, and immunocompromised people, and people over 49 years old.  This form of the H1N1 vaccine has not been tested on pregnant women and the manufacturer recommends to use it, “only if clearly needed.”

Pregnant women and caregivers

After we are born, the immune system takes over a year to fully develop. Before this time, infants are somewhat protected by passive immunity’s immunoglobulins from the mother via the placenta and breast milk. Breast milk is therefore critical to the health of a newborn. The CDC recommends that since children under 6 months of age cannot get the H1N1 vaccine, caregivers and pregnant women should get the H1N1 vaccination.

More secret ingredients

Adjuvants are additives in some types of vaccines that help make it more likely that the vaccine will stimulate the immune system. Common adjuvants are aluminum salts and squalene. The aluminum salt adjuvant is approved for use by the CDC and found in the following vaccines: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTaP, Tdap), Haemopilus influenzae type b (Hib), human papillomavirus (HPV) and pneumococcus infection. No seasonal influenza (including the H1N1) contain adjuvants.

Talk to your doctor

According the the U.S. government, “The decision to get vaccinated is up to each individual.” When making an informed decision about vaccination it is always necessary to include your family’s physician in the conversation. And hopefully this post will help you ask your physician more questions!

Further reading

The Center for Disease Control’s website has information for

• general information about H1N1 virus
• pregnant women and the H1N1 vaccine
• resources for pregnant women
• prevention and treatment

My fellow WellWire contributor Christine Dionese has a great post on her Integrative Approach to Healing Blog about the Swine Flu Vaccine.

Beyond vaccination, here are some preventative tips to stay healthy this flu season. Be well!

Gibran Ramos, L.Ac. completed his six year training and internship in Naturopathic and Chinese Medicine at National College of Natural Medicine. Mr. Ramos helps patients transform their lives and optimize their well-being at Northwest Natural Medicine in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Photo by vivain.

Slippery Elm Syrup and Throat Coat Tea are two prepared products to take with you on the go to help moisten dryness and assist in healing tissue.

The Immunity in Your Gut: Probiotics

Most are surprised to learn that approximately ¾ of your immune function takes place within the digestive system! Beneficial bacteria when properly maintained are one of the body’s strongest lines of defense. Therapeutic levels can be achieved with a high quality refrigerated probiotic supplement.  If you’re allergic to dairy, several non-dairy forms are available.

Christine M. Dionese L.Ac. specializes in integrative medicine, medical journalism and is the VP of marketing at WellWire LLC. Visit her wellness and lifestyle blog, Reaching Beyond Now.

Photo by ashleypalmero.

There are always raging debates about the origin of humankind, but here is one undeniable fact: You are a mobile fleshy feeding tube!

You have two openings, an inlet/outlet, and a tunnel which is technically exposed to the outside world.  This tunnel, also known as your GI tract, is not a sterile environment and is loaded with bacteria. Seriously loaded.  

There are ten times the amount of bacterial cells in your GI tract than there are human cells in your entire body. Makes you wonder who’s in charge, doesn’t it? I mean, are we just a complex machine designed as a way to transport bacteria?

I’ve heard this debate before because 70% of your immune system is tucked into your innards. That’s right, welcome to the single most important terrain in your body. This relationship between us and ‘them’ is completely symbiotic of course, and we need each other to survive.

Whether by observation or insight, traditional cultures must have known about the importance of probiotics because there is no culture which does not have a fermented food as part of their everyday diet.

Lacto-fermentation creates a plate, mug or bowl full of delicious probiotic laden food which actually adds to the beneficial terrain in your GI tract. There are 1000s of varieties of foods, some which may seriously surprise your palate!

Here are some gut loving fermented foods from several different regions (this barely scratches the surface of what’s out there):

• Japan:  Miso, Kombucha, Tempeh, Nattō
• Korea:  Kimchi, Gochujang
• South East Asia:  Atchara, Fish sauce, Oncom
• China:  Soy sauce, Lufu, Doubanjiang, Douchi, Fermented Tofu
• India:  Dosa, Idli, Dhokla, Achar, Mixed Pickle
• Middle East:  Kaymak, Doogh, Labne, Yogurt
• Europe:  Yogurt, Pickles, Sauerkraut, Kefir, Rakfisk, Skyr, Sour cream, Crème fraîche, Cheese.
• Africa:  Injera, Tapai, Mageu, Ogi, Iru
• South America:  Chicha, Pulque,
• North America:  Igunaq
• General:  Most vinegars, raw apple cider vinegar.

The most readily available in Western supermarkets are miso, fish sauce, yogurt, pickles, sour cream, sauerkraut, raw apple cider vinegar. Incorporate more of these into your diet please! If you can find raw and organic so much the better as the concentration will be much higher.  So much of your health resides in the terrain of your GI tract and getting some delicious traditional foods back in there will help populate the bacterial fields of your feeding tube. If my sister happens to read this perhaps she will be so kind as to post a recipe <wink-wink> that’s wicked easy to make, and includes some of these ‘super-foods‘.

What’s in it for you?

• Strengthen the immune system
• Improve digestion
• Decrease allergies and food sensitivities
• Decrease inflammation
• Keep harmful bacteria at bay

The alternative is supplementing with high quality probiotics.  I am a quality freak when it comes to natural products.  Most probiotics on the market either don’t contain live bacteria, or contain different bacteria than what is listed on the label – so don’t buy cheap bottles of dead stuff.  Seroyal is one excellent brand and among the few which I trust (I have no affiliation whatsoever and Amazon sells it, so no matter where you live you should be able to get some).  If you see enteric coated it means that the capsule will not dissolve in the stomach saving the lil guys from a serious gastric burn.  The raw powder or non enteric capsules use a high dose militaristic theory whereby some bacteria are sacrificed as collateral, ensuring that a few make it down down down into the depths of your colon.  Potato-Patato. Both ways show positive results when the bacteria are alive to begin with.

Pre-biotics are non digestible polysaccharides which feed the beneficial gut flora and stimulate their growth.  You might see them listed as FOS (or  XOX /GOS) along with plant sources such as inulin.  They’re great and some food companies are actually trying to incorporate them into every day foods.

Healthy gut flora is a core basic treatment guideline for optimum health. Get some.

Dr. Nishant Rao is a co-founder of WellWire.com. He is a well-traveled naturopathic doctor and new father, practicing an integrative approach to create wellness in and around Los Angeles. Become a patient or discover his practice.