Exploring the Alternatives. Natural Healthcare on the Orihuela Costa.
CONTRIBUTOR:- Clare Gale, Natural Health & Diagnostic Centre.
More and more, people are exploring the alternatives to traditional, orthodox medicines and therapies. Historically, all man-made medicines have their roots in natural plants and extracts, so it is no surprise that there are many people along the Orihuela Costa, the Costa Blanca and indeed Spain, who are seeking more natural and normally less toxic forms of treatments and medicines.Natural healthcare is nothing new, if fact, most of todays medicines originate from natures own cures and remedies. A good diet, plenty of exercise and a reduction of fatty foods and alcohol help put you on track to a healthier life.
Summer Healthcare Advice
Summers coming !
Infection Prevention for a happy, healthy summer.
Whether we stay here in sunny Spain or travel back to UK, keeping healthy is something we all want to achieve. Airports are germ ridden places, the air conditioning on planes quiet often spreads coughs and colds, we become ill once we arive at our destination, and continue to spread the virus when we kiss hello to our loved ones.
Protecting ourselves from infection in the first place can help prevent us catching colds and flu, taking precautions before we travel by boosting our immune system is recommended.
The immune system is an amazing thing. Millions of bacteria, viruses, microbes, toxins and parasites are constantly trying to invade our bodies, while our immune system works around the clock to fight them off and keep us healthy.
Yet because it is so good at what it does, the immune system’s work goes largely unnoticed. That is, until it fails us and some invading body slips through the net.
The likelihood of this occurrence – and the severity of its impact – depends on the strength of an individual’s immune system. A weak immune system not only leaves the individual susceptible to colds and flu, but it can also be at the root of more severe illness.
Taking natural supplement like echinacea, acidophilus & vitamin C can help strengthen the immune system. Keeping hydrated, washing hands frequently and eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables can help keep viruses at bay.
A few commonly asked questions.....
How much water should I be drinking per day ?
The answer is a mathematical calculation. What ever is your weight in kilos, times by 0.033 times 80% gives you the amount in litres, so if you weighed 65kg (10 stone approx) you would need to drink 1.71 litres per day. Don’t forget to add to this if the weather becomes hot.
If you are staying in the sun, take care not to burn.
What IS Sunburn ?
A sunburn is a burn to living tissue such as skin produced by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, commonly from the sun's rays. Usual mild symptoms in humans and animals are red or reddish skin that is hot to the touch, general fatigue, and mild dizziness. An excess of UV-radiation can be life-threatening in extreme cases. Exposure of the skin to lesser amounts of UV radiation will often produce a suntan.
Excessive UV-radiation is the leading cause of primarily non malignant skin cancers. Sunscreen is widely agreed to prevent sunburn, although a minority of scientists argue that it may not effectively protect against malignant melanoma, which is either caused by a different part of the ultraviolet spectrum or, according to others, not caused by sun exposure at all.
Clothing, including hats, is considered the preferred skin protection method. Moderate sun tanning without burning can also prevent subsequent sunburn, as it increases the amount of melanin, a skin photoprotectant pigment that is the skin's natural defense against overexposure. Importantly, sunburn and the increase in melanin production are both triggered by direct DNA damage.
A word about hayfever.
Hay fever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, is a very common condition that affects 20% of people. It is caused by an allergy to airborne substances such as grass or hay pollens, which affects the upper respiratory passages (nose, sinus, throat and eyes).
Hay fever usually occurs during the spring and summer months. Exactly when you get it depends on which pollens you are allergic to. From May to July grass and flowers are in pollen, making these the most common cause of hay fever.
During spring, from March to May, pollens from trees are the most common cause of hay fever. Some people do get hay fever into the autumn months. However this is rare and is usually caused by weeds such as nettles and docks, late flowering plants, and mould spores.
Hay fever symptoms can be similar to a cold, and include a runny nose, watery eyes and repeated sneezing attacks. As with all allergies, the symptoms happen as a result of your immune system (the body's defence system) overreacting to a normally harmless substance in this case, pollen. When the body comes into contact with pollen, cells in the lining of your nose, mouth and eyes release a chemical called histamine that triggers the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Red wine is a substance which is rich in histamine, so drinking it will add fuel to the fire and make the situation worse. Taking anti histamine tablets will help to balance the effect but this is something that you need to take regularly or the problem comes back.
So with summer here, take care whether travelling, or enjoying to sun. Keep healthy, drink plenty and top up with essential nutrients should you need them.
Infection Prevention for a happy, healthy summer.
Whether we stay here in sunny Spain or travel back to UK, keeping healthy is something we all want to achieve. Airports are germ ridden places, the air conditioning on planes quiet often spreads coughs and colds, we become ill once we arive at our destination, and continue to spread the virus when we kiss hello to our loved ones.
Protecting ourselves from infection in the first place can help prevent us catching colds and flu, taking precautions before we travel by boosting our immune system is recommended.
The immune system is an amazing thing. Millions of bacteria, viruses, microbes, toxins and parasites are constantly trying to invade our bodies, while our immune system works around the clock to fight them off and keep us healthy.
Yet because it is so good at what it does, the immune system’s work goes largely unnoticed. That is, until it fails us and some invading body slips through the net.
The likelihood of this occurrence – and the severity of its impact – depends on the strength of an individual’s immune system. A weak immune system not only leaves the individual susceptible to colds and flu, but it can also be at the root of more severe illness.
Taking natural supplement like echinacea, acidophilus & vitamin C can help strengthen the immune system. Keeping hydrated, washing hands frequently and eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables can help keep viruses at bay.
A few commonly asked questions.....
How much water should I be drinking per day ?
The answer is a mathematical calculation. What ever is your weight in kilos, times by 0.033 times 80% gives you the amount in litres, so if you weighed 65kg (10 stone approx) you would need to drink 1.71 litres per day. Don’t forget to add to this if the weather becomes hot.
If you are staying in the sun, take care not to burn.
What IS Sunburn ?
A sunburn is a burn to living tissue such as skin produced by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, commonly from the sun's rays. Usual mild symptoms in humans and animals are red or reddish skin that is hot to the touch, general fatigue, and mild dizziness. An excess of UV-radiation can be life-threatening in extreme cases. Exposure of the skin to lesser amounts of UV radiation will often produce a suntan.
Excessive UV-radiation is the leading cause of primarily non malignant skin cancers. Sunscreen is widely agreed to prevent sunburn, although a minority of scientists argue that it may not effectively protect against malignant melanoma, which is either caused by a different part of the ultraviolet spectrum or, according to others, not caused by sun exposure at all.
Clothing, including hats, is considered the preferred skin protection method. Moderate sun tanning without burning can also prevent subsequent sunburn, as it increases the amount of melanin, a skin photoprotectant pigment that is the skin's natural defense against overexposure. Importantly, sunburn and the increase in melanin production are both triggered by direct DNA damage.
A word about hayfever.
Hay fever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, is a very common condition that affects 20% of people. It is caused by an allergy to airborne substances such as grass or hay pollens, which affects the upper respiratory passages (nose, sinus, throat and eyes).
Hay fever usually occurs during the spring and summer months. Exactly when you get it depends on which pollens you are allergic to. From May to July grass and flowers are in pollen, making these the most common cause of hay fever.
During spring, from March to May, pollens from trees are the most common cause of hay fever. Some people do get hay fever into the autumn months. However this is rare and is usually caused by weeds such as nettles and docks, late flowering plants, and mould spores.
Hay fever symptoms can be similar to a cold, and include a runny nose, watery eyes and repeated sneezing attacks. As with all allergies, the symptoms happen as a result of your immune system (the body's defence system) overreacting to a normally harmless substance in this case, pollen. When the body comes into contact with pollen, cells in the lining of your nose, mouth and eyes release a chemical called histamine that triggers the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Red wine is a substance which is rich in histamine, so drinking it will add fuel to the fire and make the situation worse. Taking anti histamine tablets will help to balance the effect but this is something that you need to take regularly or the problem comes back.
So with summer here, take care whether travelling, or enjoying to sun. Keep healthy, drink plenty and top up with essential nutrients should you need them.
Natural Health & Wellbeing.
Diet.
The Mediterranean enjoys a healthy diet of fresh fish, olive oil and of course, here on the Orihuela Costa, on average, 320 days of sunshine per year, all contributing to the reasons that people tend to live longer and are in general, healthier.
Environment.
These days, our environment says a lot about what affects us healthwise. More pollution, more stresses, more rushing around and other factors can contribute to being run down, often resulting in reduced immune systems.
The Hard Stuff.
The effects of alcohol, prescribed and non-prescribed mecications are all contributory factors to our health & wellbeing. If you are partaking of the hard stuff, alternate with water or a soft drink and take things easy.
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| Essential Oils and a well balanced diet all help toward a healthier lifestyle. |
O.C. Top Tips for a Healthier Life.
- Pace Yourself.
Drink soft drinks (especially water), in between or at least along side your alcoholic ones. - Snooze, don't lose.
Have a 'siesta', in the heat of those long, hot summery afternoons and have a night out feeling refreshed and vitalised. - Don't over-do it.
It's easy to get lost in a foreign country, or strange environment and if you have been drinking (or using illicit substances), you may not have the same sense of judgement if you find youself in awkeard or potentially dangerous situations.. - Stay Sun Aware.
Sun damages the skin and eyes and sunburn may only be the least of your worries. Follow advice on sunscreen, sunbathing times and skin tones. - Hydration, Hydration, Hydration
Drink pleant of water, at least 2 litres per day (more in higher temperatures). - Cleanliness is Healthiness.
Stay clean, wash hands, wash chlorine away after being in the pool and stop bacteria breeding excessively in the heat (we have all had that arm-pit experience at one time or another). - Eat Fresh.
Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, (washed & peeled or course) salads and fresh fish. The Mediterranean is a great place to be healthy.
Take advantage. - Supplement Yourself.
Using natural supplements is a great way to give your health a boost and keep your mind active.
Please note that the use of such supplements should be in conjunction with a good diet and healthy lifestyle, not a replacement for them. - Get a good nights sleep.
Sleep is the key to a healthy mind and body. Whether you are up dancing the night away, or working into the wee small hours, regulate your sleep, and treat your mind and body to a restful, relaxing night.
 A night on the tiles or the couch, may not be the best way for a good night's sleep. |
Using common sense and paying heed to a few minor tips and hints, will allow your time out to last longer and you will reduce the risk of losing days in bed due to the likes of migrane-like hang-overs, sunstroke, fatigue and a reduced immune system.
Clare Gale is a naturopathist and runs The Natural Health & Diagnostic Centre (NHDC) from her headquarters in Ciudad Quesada and provides clinics throughout the Orihuela Costa and other apert of the Southern & Northern Costa Blanca.
She can offer complimentary or alternative solutions to most health problems, with natural remedies and therapies, rather than orthodox ones. Clare also consults and works alongside a broad range of orthodox Healthcare Professionals, including The English Doctors, Medcare and health & fitness Centres such a Sophia Wellness Centre.
Please visit her website www.naturalhealthspain.com to find out more about the services and therapies that she has to offer.
She can offer complimentary or alternative solutions to most health problems, with natural remedies and therapies, rather than orthodox ones. Clare also consults and works alongside a broad range of orthodox Healthcare Professionals, including The English Doctors, Medcare and health & fitness Centres such a Sophia Wellness Centre.
Please visit her website www.naturalhealthspain.com to find out more about the services and therapies that she has to offer.
