Preventing the Spread of Infection

Preventing the Spread of Infection

We can all be involved in preventing the spread of infection in the workplace, at home, around the community and in Clinic.  Standard precautions are the safety measures we all need to be aware of to help stop the spread of germs from one person to another.

‘Germs’ refers to bacteria and viruses which can be spread and enter the body in a number of ways.  Most germs are spread by direct contact which is generally a result of poor hygiene and often by unwashed hands.  Some germs are in the air that we breathe and other germs are found in food or water. 

Common standard precautions used to prevent the spread of germs and infection are hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene and wearing protective clothes. 

Hand Hygiene
Using the correct hand hygiene is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stop the spread of colds, flu and other infections.  Cleaning your hands as often as possible and in the right way applies to everyone, not just the person carrying the infection.  Visitors, family members and caregivers should all be aware of hand hygiene.

Correct Hand Washing Procedures
It sounds silly, but some people simply don’t wash their hands with the correct procedure to eliminate the risk of spreading germs.  This is what needs to be done:
- Thoroughly wet hands with water, then put soap on hands.  Soap dispensers are the best method.
-  Rub your hands together for at least 15 seconds, ensuring you clean all parts, fingers, thumbs,nails, backs of hands and wrists
-  Rinse hands well to remove soap
-  Use paper towel or dryer to thoroughly dry hands
-  Keep in mind soap dispensers and tap handles can be objects that spread germs too

When to Wash Your Hands
-  When you are aware they are dirty
-  Before preparing or eating food
-  After using the restroom
-  After handling waste or rubbish bins
-  After touching or handling pets
-  Before and after treating a cut or wound
-  After contact with bodily fluids such as blood, urine, stool or vomit

Keep in mind that object such as doorknobs, keyboards, and phones may also carry germs.  While you cannot avoid touching these objects you should be mindful of washing your hands often and also regularly cleaning these objects to further prevent the spread of germs. 

Respiratory Hygiene
Many disease are spread in the air through respiratory droplets created by coughing or sneezing.  Germs can travel three feet or more when you cough or sneeze.  It is important to always cover your mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of colds, flu and other infections.  If you do have an infection it is your duty to be aware that you are not spreading this to others.  Remember these points:
-  Use a clean tissue to cover your mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing. 
-  Dispose of used tissues in the rubbish bin
-  Wash your hands once you dispose of the  used tissue.
-  If you don’t have a tissue use the inside of you elbow or upper arm to cover your mouth and/or nose.  Avoid using your hands as this is how germs spread. 
-  Try not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth
-  Be aware of the objects you are handling that may spread germs to others

Avoid Close Contact
If you do have an infection remember to keep your distance from others especially those who are more susceptible to contracting illness.  This includes those with weaker or underdeveloped immune systems such as the elderly, asthmatics, pregnant women or babies.  If you are around others inform them that you are sick so that they are aware to take the proper hygiene precautions.

If you are a caregiver make sure you are up to date with Standard Hygiene Precautions and Infection Control Procedures.  Make sure protective clothing such as masks and gloves are available to you and make it your duty to remind others of hand washing procedures. 

Personal hygiene helps keep your immune system from being overwhelmed by germs.  Your skin acts as an important barrier between germs and your body.  While our skin has a natural microflora to help protect us from nasty germs they can still enter our bodies through susceptible areas such as our nose, mouth, eyes or broken skin such as cuts.  Follow good personal hygiene and common sense to help limit the possibility of these germs finding their way into your body. 

We wish you a healthy, happy, germ free winter! 

Vaccination Stress - Investigate Before You Vaccinate

We Urge You to Investigate Before You Vaccinate Because Every Issue Has Two Sides… 

Flu season is upon us.  Epidemics of flu happen every year but we are already seeing miserable symptoms like fever, coughs, congestion and body aches in Clinic.  What goes hand in hand with the flu season is medical experts like Influenza Specialist Group (ISG) urging Australians to get the flu vaccination.  Each year the flu causes more than 18,000 hospitalisations in Australia and costs our healthcare system an estimated $85 million.  So is the flu vaccination right for you or is there an alternative? 

Influenza, or the common ‘flu’, is caused by a virus and mainly spreads through the air by coughing, sneezing or talking, and by direct contact with an infected person’s hands, surface or object.  It is thought that the flu virus can survive for more than 8 hours on a hard surface; therefore touching contaminated surfaces without then washing your hands can lead to infection.  It infects your respiratory system such as the nose, throat and sometimes your lungs.  Symptoms can be mild or severe and lead to complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis which can require hospitalisation. Sometimes these complications can lead to death. Those with underlying medical conditions are considered at high risk for complications of the flu and are especially urged to get vaccinated.  Authorities continue to advise there is a need to get vaccinated every year because the viruses circulating in the community continually change and immunity from the vaccine does not last a long time.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) you can minimise your risk of getting the flu by at least 70 percent by vaccinating.  Experts say that those that are prone to flu complications, like the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease, can cut the risk of dying from the flu by 80 percent. 

The theory behind flu vaccination is that if we are injected with a modified or weakened form of flu virus strains our bodies will generate an immune response without contracting the disease.  Once exposed to these strains of virus’ our immune system will be primed to respond quickly and the symptoms of the flu virus will not develop.  While the concept of vaccination may be necessary the way we are administering vaccination may not be how nature intended.

Our body has a unique way of protecting us from the environment around us that contains all of those nasty microorganisms including viruses and bacteria that produce disease.  Mucous membranes that line our digestive system and airways trap and screen anything inhaled or swallowed and expel or digest it, especially if harmful.  This is known as our first line of immune defence.  Vaccinations that are injected into the soft tissue of the body bypass the skin and mucous membranes, this first line of immune defence.  Furthermore they introduce viruses (and bacteria when considering other vaccinations) that are chemically and/or genetically modified and contaminated with preservatives, foreign tissues, proteins and other viruses. 

Our body’s initial exposure to bacteria, viruses or foreign microorganisms and the defence that prevents these from entering the blood stream is called the ‘cell mediated response’.  Injecting vaccinations allows these harmful microorganisms to have access to the blood stream without warning through the natural cell mediated response.  This method of exposure to disease does not occur in our natural environment.  This exposure results in only the humeral arm of the immune system being stimulated by the flood of antigens and additives that react to an antibody response.  A normal exposure to disease producing viruses or bacteria is necessary to initiate a full immune response.  

Consider that the term ‘vaccination’ is used instead of ‘immunisation’.  The term immunisation implies that you have gained immunity by the procedure and this is may not be the case.  This years flu vaccination ‘AGRIPPAL® 2014’ will protect against three strains of the influenza virus only.  Do not assume you will be immune to every strain of the influenza virus after vaccination.   The antigen composition and strains for the 2014 influenza season corresponds to the following types:

  -  A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09 – like strain (A/California/7/2009, NYMC X-181);

  -  A/Texas/50/2012 (H3N2) – like strain (A/Texas/50/2012, NYMC X-223); and

  -  B/Massachusetts/2/2012– like strain. 

The information pamphlet from the AGRIPPAL® 2014 vaccination will tell you that each 0.5 mL vaccine dose contains 15μg haemagglutinin of each of the recommended strains.  The vaccine preparation also contains Sodium chloride 4.0 mg, Potassium chloride 0.1 mg, Potassium dihydrogen phosphate 0.1 mg, Sodium phosphate-dibasic 0.66 mg, Magnesium chloride 0.05 mg, Calcium chloride 0.06 mg and Water for Injections to 0.5 mL.

The vaccine may contain residues of the following substances: eggs, chicken proteins, kanamycin sulfate, neomycin sulfate, sodium citrate, barium sulfate, formaldehyde, sucrose, cetrimonium bromide (CTAB), polysorbate 80 and less than 0.2 μg of ovalbumin per 0.5 mL dose. Agrippal should not be administered to subjects with a known hypersensitivity to the active substance, to any of the excipients and to eggs, chicken proteins, kanamycin, neomycin, formaldehyde, barium sulfate, cetrimonium bromide (CTAB) or Polysorbate 80, or to anyone who has had an anaphylactoid reaction to a previous influenza vaccination.

If your slightly baffled about what those actual ingredients are then you should do your research.  Some of these ingredients are used in the manufacturing process and are present in trace amounts in the vaccine.  Kanamycin and neomycin are antibiotics that are added to vaccines to inhibit bacterial growth.  Interestingly vaccine manufacturers Merck, Sharpe and Dohme state that neomycin should only be given orally or topically, and in small amounts because of its toxicity when absorbed through the skin.  Formaldehyde is used to inactivate or turn off the bacterial or viral material in vaccines.  As an antibacterial substance it is used for embalming and cleaning and is a known carcinogen (linked with cancer)!  The effects of exposure to formaldehyde via a vaccine injection have not been studied but the information from the AGRIPPAL® 2014 vaccination does state that it has not been tested for carcinogenic or genotoxic potential.

Much of the research and information on ingredients in vaccines and their side effects and hazards are only available for ingestion or skin or lung exposure.  It is known that two chemicals together may be 10 times as toxic as they are separately and 3 chemicals together may be 100 times more toxic.  These chemicals are detoxified by the liver through phase I and phase II detoxification systems.  We continually see patients with stress on this vital organ after exposure to vaccinations.  You should consider harmful components contained in vaccines and potential side effects before vaccination. 

If you do choose the flu vaccination this season remember this does not mean you will not get the flu.  Building your immune system naturally and being kind to your body will always offer you a better chance of health and happiness.  For more information on vaccinations we recommend you contact the following organisation in South Australia:
Vaccination Information SA (VISA)
PO Box 643 Magill SA 5072
Phone:  (08) 8336 5236
Email:  visa@adelaide.on.net
www.visainfo.org.au
Please talk to our friendly staff at reception if you wish to enquire about boosting your immune system this year to prepare for the flu season ahead.

Is Exposure to Low-Level Radiation Harmful?

                            Is Exposure to Low-Level Radiation Harmful?

Due to the widespread use of mobile phones, Wi-Fi, Smart meters and other forms of wireless communication, public concerns have been raised about the possible health risks linked to close range radiation exposure.  Medical researchers are now becoming increasingly concerned about possible health risks of close range radiation exposure and much research is currently being done about the affect on public health, including investigating the link to cancer. 

Mobile phones are by far one of the most commonly used items that could be posing a significant health risk to the user.  Just reading the mobile phone manual the manufacturer will alert you to keep your phone 1cm to 1.5cm away from your body.  Mobile phones emit radiofrequency energy which is a form of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation.  The amount of radiofrequency energy a mobile phone user is exposed to depends on the technology of the phone, the duration of use, the distance between the user and the antenna in the mobile phone, and the distance the user is from the mobile phone towers.  Is there cause for concern that mobile phones may cause cancer or other health problems?  Many authorities fail to warn of the associated health risks as they claim the medical research is inconclusive.  It’s important to understand the possible risks of mobile phone use and draw your own conclusion.  Firstly here are some of the facts…

Fact One:  Mobile phones emit radiofrequency energy and bodily tissues nearest to where the phone is held can absorb this energy.

Fact Two:  The number of mobile phone users worldwide has increased rapidly.  Globally, the number of mobile phone users is estimated by the International Telecommunications Union to be 6 billion. 

Fact Three:  Mobile phone technology has undergone substantial changes which will continue over time.  With this is the increase in mobile phone calls per day, the length of each call, and the amount of time people use mobile phones.    
With these facts in mind it’s easy to see how exposure to radiofrequency in an individual user can accumulate.  Although there is concern that radiofrequency energy from mobile phones held closely to the head may affect the brain and other tissues, to date there is no conclusive evidence from research that this exposure can cause cancer.  Organizations such as the American Cancer Society or the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences state that there could be ‘some’ risk associated with cancer however the evidence is ‘not strong enough’ to conclusively link mobile phone use with any adverse problems.  Researchers have carried out several types of studies to investigate the possible cancer-causing effects of radiofrequency energy.  Here are some of the findings from specific research…

What do the experts say?
Neurosurgeon and researcher Dr. Leif Salford has conducted many studies on radio frequency radiation and its effects on the brain.  Some of the most concerning conclusions from his research result from the fact that the weakest exposure levels cause the blood brain barrier to leak.  Experiments at the Lund University Hospital in Sweden by Dr. Leif Salford and his colleagues exposed over 1,600 experimental animals to low levels of radiation, including that from mobile phones.  The consistent and worrisome results concluded that this exposure caused the blood brain barrier to leak.  They found a leakage of albumin into the brain via a permeated blood-brain barrier.  In further experiments Salfords team waited eight weeks before sacrificing the animals.  In those animals that had been exposed to a mobile phone, up to 2 percent of the neurons in all areas of the brain were shrunken and degenerated.  Researchers in 13 other laboratories in 6 different countries had reported the same effect, but no one had proven whether it would lead to any damage in the long term.
Dr. Devra Davis, author of ‘Disconnect’ explains the science of mobile phone radiation by comparing images of two cells.  One cell showed DNA that had been damaged by ‘gamma’ radiation like that emitted in Hiroshima.  The other cell had been exposed to low level radiation from a mobile phone.  Davis concludes that while both cells look very damaged compared to a normal cell, the DNA from the cell exposed to the mobile phone radiation looks worse.  A recent study on the effects of mobile phone radiofrequency signal exposure on brain glucose metabolism conducted by Volkow ND, Tomasi D, and Wang GJ showed that when people who used a mobile phone for 50 minutes, brain tissue on the same side of the head as the phone’s antenna metabolized more glucose then did the tissue on the other side of the brain.  The possible health outcomes from this increase in glucose metabolism are still unknown.  Other studies have drawn conclusions at interference with sleep and cognitive function disturbances. 

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has recently classified radiofrequency fields as ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans, based on an increased risk for glioma, a type of brain cancer’.  If we look further than the issue of radiation of mobile phones, there is a clear health hazard with technology emitting wireless radiation in the range that ‘smart meters’ do.  Tens of thousands of people have had ‘smart meters’ installed in apartment building and near homes.  Tens of thousands of people have exposed to these smart meters have reported illness, insomnia, rashes and headaches to name a few.

Do Children pose a higher risk of developing health issues due to exposure?
So far data from clinical studies in children do not support the theory that they are at greater risk of developing brain cancer than adults.  It should be considered thought that children have the potential of accumulating more years of mobile phone exposure than adults do.  Children have developing nervous systems and are therefore more vulnerable to factors that may cause cancer.  Due to the fact that children have smaller heads than adults they have a greater proportional exposure to the field of radio frequency radiation that is emitted by mobile phones.  Mobi-Kids is an international study being conducted by researchers from the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology in Spain which aims to evaluate the risks associated with new communications technologies.  This is expected to finish in late 2014 with results being available 2015/2016.
While this subject of recent interest may be inconclusive at linking mobile phone use to cancer, the research already highlights the possible health risks when exposed to low level non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation.  This form of radiation doesn’t just stop at mobile phones but includes such technologies as WI-FI and smart meters.  Further studies are needed but what we know for sure is that current research results are frightening and technologies will continue to develop at a rapid pace.  It’s up to you as the user to minimize your risk by minimizing your exposure.

How to Reduce your Mobile Phone Radiation Exposure…
-  Keep your Mobile Phone calls short
-  Use a hands free kit
-  Don’t sleep with your mobile next to the bed
-  Use a landline where one is available
-  Do not carry your mobile phone close to your body
-  Choose a mobile phone model that has a low specific absorption rate (SAR), which refers to the amount of RF radiation absorbed by body tissue

Be aware of these 15 commonly reported signs of wireless radiation sickness…
-  Fatigue
-  Headaches/Migraines
-  Nose Bleeds
-  Difficulty Concentrating
-  Dizziness - Nausea - Vertigo
-  Visual and Auditory Distortion
-  Racing Heart Rate (Tachycardia)
-  Anxiety
-  Depression
-  Memory Loss
-  Attention Deficit
-  Skin Rash
-  Hyperactivity, ADD, ADHD
-  Night Sweats
-  Insomnia

There are further measures you can take to protect you and your children from close range radiation exposure.  For more information visit:  EarthingOz.zom.au
This website stocks a wide range of ‘earthing’ products from bands and patches to sleep systems and everything in between.  There are educational books and DVDs as well as test meters and radiation protection devices.  Their products are developed based on years of research and experimentation based on a growing demand by individuals that have the need for practical methods of preventing electrical stress in the body and grounding their body with the natural and subtle surface energy of the Earth.  At The House of Healing we are always looking out for ways to improve health and well-being and will be proudly bringing products from EarthingOz.com.au available in Clinic.
 
For products now available at The House of Healing please consider WillauTronic Esmog Protective Devices.  These are highly effective devices for mobile phones and computers to reduce esmog-induced stress.  They offer safe and trusted protection solutions for the body, workplace, and home and are able to neutralise the negative information contained in esmog. 

Find WillauTronic Esmog Protective Devices available at The House of Healing
Mobile Phone Protection Chip - $42.10 and Computer Protection Chip - $42.10

Coeliacs disease... The yes, the no's and the maybe's

Coeliac Disease

It is estimated that at least 1 in every 60 Australian women and 1 in every 80 men are affected by coeliac disease.  Around 80% of Australians affected remain undiagnosed.

So what is it?
Coeliac disease is when our immune system reacts to a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, oats etc.  It is not fully understood why someone develops coeliac disease however we do know that it is partly genetic in origin. Current research is aimed at establishing what triggers the immune to respond so severely to gluten and whether age or stress is a factor.

 

As diverse as the human race is, so are the symptoms of coeliac disease which can range from:

• Gastrointestinal symptoms e.g. diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, cramping, bloating, abdominal pain
  
  
• Fatigue, weakness and lethargy
  
  
• Iron deficiency anaemia and/or other vitamin and mineral deficiencies
  
  
• Failure to thrive or delayed puberty in children
  
  
• Weight loss; although some people may gain weight
  
  
• Bone and joint pains
  
  
• Recurrent mouth ulcers and/or swelling of mouth or tongue
  
  
• Altered mental alertness and irritability
  
  
• Skin rashes such as dermatitis herpetiformis
  
  
• Easy bruising of the skin

People with coeliac disease remain sensitive to gluten throughout their life, so understanding how to manage your nutrition may be a challenge.  However be assured a strict gluten free diet will ease the symptoms and have you feeling more energetic, mentally alert and sleeping better.

 

·          Unprocessed Meat/ Poultry/ Fish

·         Vegetables and salads provide great meal accompaniments

·         Barbecues are great for entertaining with gluten free friends/family. There are many gluten free sausages, rissoles and beef patties available. Salads can easily be made gluten free, along with gluten free salad dressings

·         Roasts are another great idea for a main course and gluten free gravy mixes are readily available. Just ensure that any glazes, coatings or stuffing  are also gluten free

·         Gluten Free dips can easily be found at the Supermarkets or consider using veggie sticks

·         For a treat buy gluten free biscuits

To support your lifestyle and reduce inflammations in your gut we suggest Metagenics InflamX which is a nutritional support especially created to decrease inflammation in the digestive tract.  It contains extracts of ginger, turmeric, rosemary and bioflavonoids and is in a base of easily digested, low reactive, rice protein.

Metagenics InflamX  is on special this month to coincide with our BLOG.  And just to make certain it is the best product for you, we are happy to offer a FREE 5 minute VEGA test.  Bookings are essential. Simply phone to make an appointment.

GUT HEALTH

Most of us have heard of ‘leaky gut syndrome’ ……………..

So what does it actually mean?  

The lining of your intestinal track, where you process food and absorb the essential nutrients you require, has an increase in permeability.  This means large spaces develop between the cells of your gut wall allowing bacteria, toxins and food to leak into the bloodstream creating havoc in your system.

Your intestines are supposed to dispose of the toxins to prevent them accumulating in the body.  So when the spaces appear, your liver is the first organ to be affected as it tries to filter out all these foreign particles that are not supposed to be there. Unfortunately, if your liver is already under stress this debris starts to accumulate in your body creating health issues.

As the build-up occurs your immune system perceives these toxins as invaders and launches outright war.  This is not a healthy situation for two reasons. The first is by waging war on these intruders your immune system needs to leave other important tasks alone including defending the body which is now susceptible to any bacteria, viruses and inflammation; clearly not a good scenario.

The second is that these many undigested food molecules leaking from your gut into the blood stream creates a reaction in your body. Later when you eat that particular food/s your body goes into fight mode because it thinks it is being invaded again.  This is how some food sensitivities and intolerances may arise.

How do I know if I have it?

Each person’s symptoms are different; but if you notice bloating, experience reflux, lower bowel gas, constipation or diarrhoea you probably have a problem.  Another symptom is a poor immune system where you can’t fight off infections like a common colds easily.  Some patients have skin rashes because the body is trying excrete these invaders through the skin which is also a large detoxify organ. Any or all of these symptoms could mean you have a leaky gut or dysbiosis and need help. 

The Good news...

If you are suffering any of the above; assistance is at hand.... our Naturopath’s Deborah Rugari and Jessica Lawson deal with these issues on a daily basis and can successfully assist you to treat this problem returning your digestive tract to normal.  This may mean taking a probiotic or herbs to heal the gut and generally eliminating the offending foods whilst your gut repairs.

A daily ritual....

Healthy eating……. As enjoyable as it is to over indulge during the festive season it is now a perfect time to eliminating sugars, some grains, yeast, alcohol and starchy foods which will dramatically reduce any stress on your digestive system.  This combined with the correct supplementation will reduce the spaces in your bowel and allow for naturally healing to occur.



A helping hand…

Eating a healthier diet and not over indulging will certainly assist.  However you also need a good probiotic to provide the friendly bacteria needed to heal your gut lining and help you absorb all the nutrients from the nutritious food you are now eating.  We have a new probiotic in stock from Cellular Nutrition called Probiotic Defence... now available at The House of Healing.

And just to make certain it is the best probiotic for you, we are happy to offer a FREE 5 minute VEGA test.  Bookings essential.  Simply phone Reception on 8431 9288

The Festive Season is officially upon us and it is easy to get caught up in the holiday parties and feasts that come along with it. While it is unrealistic to think we can avoid all the goodness wrapped up in the Festive season, the beautiful sunshine we are blessed with over summer can make us feel invincible; however the best way to ensure we bring in the New Year feeling like a million dollars is to remember ‘less is more’.

Remaining motivated while on holidays is no easy task and as our lives get busier and busier we try to pack as much family, hobby and social time in as possible. So don’t we deserve to let our hair down and indulge a little? Of course! We all have our favourite foods we like to treat ourselves to during the Festive Season but overeating can attribute to some extra kilos gained once January starts. A great tip to avoid overeating is to use smaller plates; your portion looks bigger so you still feel like you’re giving yourself that little bit extra!

Another great way to avoid eating too much is to steer clear of going to parties hungry! Saving yourself for eating at parties or functions never works well for your body as your blood sugar level will be low. This means you are more likely to eat whatever is available at the party and will keep nibbling despite the fact you may not be hungry anymore. If you ensure you have eaten a good protein snack 2 hours before attending your party or function you should be able to avoid over indulging in too much naughty food.

The key during the festive Season is to focus on fun and activities rather than food and alcohol. It is summer, so if you want to have an extra bit of indulgence here and there compensate by getting outdoors and getting active. A walk along the beach, a swim in the water, some backyard cricket with the family…. any of these activities to get you and your family and friends active is great to burn off excess calories.

The Festive Season is about enjoying your time with family and friends, sharing great food and wine together in celebration. We made it through the year and with all that life can throw at us that is an achievement in itself! Holidays are our time to relax, rejuvenate and reset for the New Year. Reflect on the choices we have made and look to the future with an open heart and good intentions.

Here at The House of Healing we wish all of you joy, peace and happiness! Have a wonderful Festive Season taking the time to do what makes you happy, whatever that may be….And remember we're always here to assist you with your New Year health and happiness goal!