by Dr. Natalie MacIsaac, ND

It is accepted and almost expected that each month women will experience variety of symptoms associated with her cycle. Cramps, PMS, insomnia, breast tenderness, weight gain, bloating, fatigue, anxiety, yeast infections, depression, low libido and low stamina are signs that your hormones are out of balance. When hormones are in balance, a women’s cycle is a painless, unremarkable event that should only cost the price of a few pads or tampons, not your sick days or your relationship.

Hormones are tiny molecules that the body uses to deliver messages to other areas of the body. Each hormone has many functions and its excess or deficiency can directly affect how our other hormones function. Often, what starts out to be a small imbalance in one hormone can lead to a multi-hormone imbalance. The most common example of this is Estrogen Dominance.

Estrogen dominance is an increasingly popular phrase to describe too much estrogen or not enough progesterone.

Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance:
Heavy/irregular cycle
Migraine headaches
Anxiety/depression
Foggy thinking
Tearfulness
PMS
Belly weight gain
Water retention
Ovarian cycts (PCOS)
Menopausal symptoms
Low libido…

Cause of Estrogen Dominance:
Environmental exposure – plastics, hormones in our food, xenoestrogens
Constipation or irritable bowel – estrogen is eliminated through our bowels so their health is integral to proper estrogen elimination
Stress
Metabolism

Other systems affected by Estrogen Dominance:
Thyroid/metabolism, bone density, bladder function, mood and brain function, heart palpitations…

Each hormone in our body has many symptoms of excess and deficiency and often these symptoms can overlap. The best way to know what hormones are out of balance is to test. At Sage Clinic we offer saliva, blood and urine testing for all hormones. Once you know what hormones are out of balance your health care practitioner can individualize a treatment plan that will work for you. Women do not have to suffer each month and if they are then there is no question that their hormones are out of balance.

by Dr. Miranda Demierre

What is an allergy?
“Allergy” is a broad term used to describe a hypersensitivity reaction by the immune system to a substance that is harmless to the population at large (as opposed to toxins which are dangerous for all of humankind) but reactive in certain individuals.

An immediate hypersensitivity reaction may result in such diverse symptoms as itchy/watery eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion, swelling of the tongue, tightening of the airways, hives, and eczema. The immune system registers the presence of protein to which it was exposed and considered threatening at some point in the past, and in response it sets loose a cascade of events that trigger the body to release histamine.

Another type of hypersensitivity is delayed in nature as the reaction to the offending agent uses a different pathway and other cells of the immune system. Symptoms from this pathway may not be experienced until 24-72 hours after the allergenic protein entered the body. This can make identification of the allergen for an individual much more difficult as exposure to the allergen on Monday may not manifest in symptoms until Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Symptoms of a delayed hypersensitivity include the same symptoms seen in an immediate hypersensitivity reaction, but may also express as generalized itching, digestive disturbances, migraines or other headaches, hyperactivity or restlessness, fatigue, irritability, muscle aches, and/or dark circles under the eyes (known as “allergic shiners”).

What can I do?

Naturopathic doctors use a variety of techniques for restoring healthy physiology in their patients. Various nutritional supplements, herbal formulations, or homeopathics may be used based on the needs of the patient and the symptoms that they express. Allergy and sensitivity testing for foods, inhalants, spices, etc. may be warranted in order to determine which agents are at the root cause of the imbalance.

by Dr. Heidi Lescanec, ND
Spring is an opportune time for cleansing. As nature all around us is preparing to open, expand and bloom with the increasing daylight hours, our bodies too are feeling this change. We can support our bodies to let go of winter stagnation by working to release accumulated toxins.

In many ancient healing traditions, spring is the time to support the liver and gallbladder in the vital cleansing work that they do. These organs of detoxification have a critical role to play in hormone balance, the metabolism of toxins, and digestion. In this century, it is likely the most congested of all organs. Chemicals, inflammatory and denatured foods and intoxicants all disrupt the 500 known complex biochemical processes of the liver.

A properly done cleanse can help us lighten up, clear some physiological clutter, create space for mental clarity, support metabolism for sustainable weight loss and help us gain more energy for the summer ahead. Before rushing off to get a detox kit, it should be noted that if a “cleanse” or detox regime is going to be effective, it is very important to ensure that all the emunctories (organs of elimination) are functioning well and that the program of supplements and vitamins clearly supports both phases of liver detoxification. If this is not taken into consideration, there is the risk of mobilizing toxins without eliminating them properly and suffering more negative side-effects. It is advisable to consult with a naturopathic doctor first and come up with a effective plan that is specific to your unique health history and individual needs.

By Dr. Kristin Schnurr

Introduction

Sublingual Immunotherapy, or SLIT, is a proven, injection-free treatment to address the underlying causes of seasonal and environmental allergies. The therapy desensitizes the immune system to pollens, dander, and other allergens. It has been found to be effective in hay fever, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis and allergic asthma. It has been found to prevent the development of allergic asthma in children with eczema and allergic rhinitis.
The treatment is very safe, in fact safer than injections. SLIT, when compared to traditional allergy injections, costs less, is more convenient, and requires fewer clinic visits. Allergy drops are safe for children (3yrs or older), highly reactive people, and those with underlying medical conditions that prevent them from being candidates for injection therapy.
How does it work?

SLIT works in a similar way to traditional allergy shots. A small daily dose of the allergen is given in a sublingual drop form (under the tongue), which gradually reduces your reactivity by training your immune system to no longer react.
An in-office initial scratch test is done to determine which allergens you are reactive to. The first dose of the indicated allergen/s is given in the office. Subsequent daily doses of the allergy drops are taken at home. Retesting after 6 months of treatment will determine whether the drops are still needed.
SLIT can be used during allergy season or done preventatively, beginning 30-60 days prior to pollen season (continuing to the end of the season itself – and beyond if indicated).
Types of allergies treated
At this time, we offer treatment for allergies caused by:
Cats/Dogs Dust mites Tree pollens
Grasses Weeds Mold

When should I start my treatment?

For prevention (pre-seasonal treatment), your treatment should start 4-8 weeks prior to pollen season. Tree pollen: preventative treatment should start early December or January; Grass/Weed pollen: preventative treatment should start early March or April.
Treatment during active allergy symptoms can start at any time during the allergy season. There is no season for mold, cat/dog dander, or house dust mite – treatment can start at any time.
How accurate is the testing?

Scratch tests are highly accurate for pollen, dander, dust mite, and mold spore allergies. They have, at minimum, 98% sensitivity and 95% specificity for the allergens tested. Results are highly reproducible.
Appointments and Fees for Sublingual Immunotherapy

Expect to be in the clinic for up to one hour for the initial test and dosing. The test itself takes a few minutes to administer, however the results take up to half an hour to be determined. You must remain at the clinic for at least 15-20 minutes after the first administration of the drops.
Our testing fee is a flat rate of $40.00 plus HST. Cost of the allergen drops depends on the number of allergens being treated.

Dr. Kristin Schnurr and Dr. Deirdre O’Neill are both available at Sage Clinic Victoria to administer this therapy.  Please contact the clinic for further details.

Studies and Articles
Preventive effects of sublingual immunotherapy in childhood: an open randomized controlled study 
Marogna, Maurizio; Tomassetti, Dante; Bernasconi, Antonella; Colombo, Fausto; Massolo, Alessandro; Rienzo Businco, Andrea D.; Canonica, Giorgio W.; Passalacqua, Giovanni; Tripodi, Salvatore 
Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Volume 101, Number 2, August 2008 , pp. 206-211(6)
One hundred forty-four children received SLIT and 72 received drugs only. New sensitizations appeared in 34.8% of controls and in 3.1% of SLIT patients. Mild persistent asthma was less frequent in SLIT patients. There was a significant decrease in clinical scores in the SLIT group vs. the control group since the first year. The number of children with a positive challenge result decreased significantly after 3 years only in the SLIT group.