Episode 179: Atopic Triad: Allergy, Asthma, Eczema

In this re-released episode from 2021, Dr. Lisa and Dr. Toni discuss the atopic triad of allergy, asthma and eczema that both perimenopausal moms and their kids can experience. Find out what you can do to prevent and treat these inflammatory issues today.

What is an allergy?

Hypersensitivity disorder of your immune system, where you react to normally harmless substances in the environment that most people won’t react to.

Allergic symptoms include:

Itchy, watery, red eyes

Runny nose

Sneezing

Headache or pressure in sinuses

Itchy throat

Postnasal drip

Constant clearing of throat

More serious symptoms include:

Eczema – inflammatory skin condition

Asthma – immune reactivity and inflammation in airways causing wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath

Hives and anaphylaxis

The prevalence of allergic symptoms is increasing!

Allergic rhinitis, including runny nose, dark circles under eyes and throat clearing, affects as many as 40% of kids in US

CDC reported food allergies increased by 18% in US since 1990s

Eczema affects about 1 in 5 kids in US, with rates tripled in past 3 decades

Asthma affects at least 1 in 8 kids in US, with rates tripled between 1980 and 2008

Increased immune system reactivity causes may include:

  1. Hygiene Hypothesis or Microbiome Disruption
    • Your immune system needs to learn to respond to components in dirt and soil
    • Babies born by C section are 5x more likely to develop allergies than vaginal birth, since they are not exposed to mom’s vaginal microbiome
    • Also influenced with breastfeeding
    • Good bacteria are needed for “oral tolerance” and immune tolerance, so you are less reactive to foods and environmental allergens
    • Reduced gut flora diversity linked with increased risk of eczema, damage to gut lining allows foreign particles to trigger more immune reactions since more than half of your immune system is found along your gut – see Episode 8
    • Germ phobia can make kids more allergic
  2. Insufficient micronutrient and antioxidant intake
  3. Environmental pollution and compromised liver detoxification pathways
    • Liver filters all the blood in the body from the digestive system and removes toxins, allergens, hormones, chemicals, drugs, etc.
    • Your liver contains the Reticuloendothelial System (RES) containing immune cells that remove antigens from the digestive system
    • If overworked with high levels of chemicals and pollution, your liver will not be able to remove allergens appropriately – see Episode 33
  4. Stress and adrenal function
    • Adrenal glands produce stress hormone cortisol, which is needed for an appropriate immune response
    • If overstressed or burnt out, you produce less cortisol resulting in more inflammation – for more info, see Episode 24
  5. Genetics
    • Can be modified by environmental factors
    • Just because your parents suffer from allergies doesn’t mean you have to!

Immune system balance is like a teeter-totter or see-saw 

Th1 vs.Th2 response 

  • Infants born with an allergic tendency and proper amounts of beneficial bacteria or microbiome supports more balance away from allergy while preventing autoimmunity

For example:

Research has shown that children in Estonia are less allergic than those in Switzerland and Estonian children have higher numbers of good bacteria in their intestines

Components of the Allergic Response include:

Allergens are also called antigens, like food, animal hair, insects, pollen, mold, dust, trees, chemicals, drugs, dyes, detergents, additives, etc.

Antigen binds to IgE antibody receptors on immune cells called mast cells, which triggers the release of inflammatory substances including prostaglandins and histamine 

Histamine acts in many areas in the body causing:

  • Vasodilation – swelling, redness, inflammation
  • Skin – itching, swelling, redness, hives
  • Nose – runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion
  • Eyes –watery
  • Lungs – congestion, bronchoconstriction of airways, difficult to breathe
  • Digestive System inflammation

What Else is Happening?

Join Dr. Lisa’s Facebook group Wild Woman Adventures Toronto if you want to get out in nature, connect with other women and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Activities include: sunrise/sunset SUP, tree-top trekking, a new moon workshop and more!

Thanks for joining us!

Email us or connect with us on  Facebook  and  Instagram.

We’d love you to subscribe, leave us a review and a 5-star rating if you enjoyed this episode.

You can also support us by visiting our Patreon page.

Please tell your perimenopausal mama friends about us, too!

Stay safe and healthy everyone!

Disclaimer: The information provided is not meant to replace treatment with a licensed health care practitioner. It is for informational purposes only. Consult with a Naturopathic Doctor or other licensed health care professional to determine which treatments are safe for you.

Episode 177: Migraines: Not “Just in Your Head”! Getting to the Root Causes

In today’s episode (re-released from May 2020), Dr. Lisa and Dr. Toni talk about migraines, something that too many women experience.

It’s not in your head! The pain is real!

In this episode, we cover:

  • Possible causes of your migraines
    • Stress causing magnesium deficiency and muscle tension
    • Structural alignment of neck and tailbone
    • Insomnia
    • Weather or barometric pressure changes (example: Chinook winds in Calgary)
    • Dehydration
    • Blood sugar imbalance
    • Food sensitivities and histamine intolerance, including alcohol, caffeine, cheese, food additives like nitrites
    • Brain inflammation and nerve irritation
    • Hormones: estrogen/progesterone imbalance
  • Dr. Toni’s personal experience growing up with migraines and they are linked with her diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse, a common heart murmur (hint: magnesium!)
  • Current and new conventional treatments for migraines offered by family doctors and specialists
  • The importance of figuring out the factors that are impacting your migraines
  • Natural ways to address your migraines:

Today’s Mama Must Have:

Dr. Lisa relies on her home gym, which has simple and inexpensive equipment including an exercise ballfree weights and resistance bands.

Thank you for joining us today! 

Email us or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram. We’d love you to subscribe, leave us a review and a 5-star rating if you enjoyed this episode.

Please tell your perimenopausal mama friends about us, too!

Stay safe everyone!

Episode 173: Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause with Pharmacist Teresa Isabel Dias

In this re-released episode from 2022, Dr. Lisa talks to pharmacist and Certified Menopause Practitioner (NCMP) Teresa Isabel Dias about how to support vaginal and urinary health in perimenopause and menopause. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) impacts up to 80% of women and can be an embarrassing result of the hormone fluctuations. It can start in perimenopause causing: vaginal dryness, pain with or without sexual intercourse, burning, irritation, frequent urinary tract infections, urinary urgency and discomfort. Learn how you can address and reverse symptoms of GSM; you don’t have to suffer! 

“Do not let your vagina ruin your marriage” – Teresa Isabel Dias

Teresa Isabel Dias is a registered pharmacist with over 25 years of professional experience in community pharmacy and drug information in Toronto.

In 2013 she became a Certified Menopause Practitioner (NCMP) through the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) and founded MenopausED to help women navigate the change.

Teresa raises awareness about menopause, provides education, and supports women in midlife (40+). She helps women understand what’s going on in their bodies and minds during the menopause transition to decrease fear and anxiety about this natural but sometimes challenging phase of life. She educates women about healthy lifestyles and symptom management options so women can make informed decisions about their care to improve quality of life, relationships, and work.

Teresa has delivered education and training to the Royal Bank of Canada, Maple Leaf Foods, the University of Waterloo, University of Toronto, Brock University, Stantec, Women in Government, and other major employers and associations. I have also written and presented to several pharmacy associations and the Pharmacy Practice + Business magazine.

In this episode, Dr. Lisa and Teresa cover:

  • The importance of awareness and education around symptoms you may experience in perimenopause and menopause
  • How lower levels of estrogen in perimenopause and menopause can change the cells of your vagina and vulva 
  • The role of lubricants and moisturizers to deal with vaginal dryness and pain with sex
  • Why Teresa recommends silicone based lubricants and doesn’t recommend using cooking oil as a lubricant
  • The role of hyaluronic acid and vaginal estrogen to address vaginal estrogen
  • What to look for in a compounding pharmacy when looking for vaginal estrogen products
  • How seeing a pelvic floor physiotherapist can help with vaginal pain and reduce urinary symptoms
  • Why you should not douche!

You can connect with Teresa at https://menopaused.org/ and find the Please Yourself – Six Tips For An Easier Menopause guide. Her IG handle is: @menopausedtid

Today’s Mama Must Have:

Dr. Lisa is a big fan of using red light bulbs and night lights. 

Teresa loves doing at least 5 minutes of stretching before bed to improve sleep.

What else we’re up to:

Join Dr. Lisa’s new Facebook group Wild Woman Adventures Toronto if you want to get out in nature, connect with other women and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Activities include: sunrise/sunset SUP, tree-top trekking, a new moon workshop and more!

Dr. Toni’s next HypnoBirthing class series starting in April – for more info on a free online masterclass to reduce fear and anxiety around birth, go HERE.

Thank you for joining us today!

Email us or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram. We’d love you to subscribe, leave us a review and a 5-star rating if you enjoyed this episode. You can also support us by visiting our Patreon page.

Please tell your perimenopausal mama friends about us, too!

Stay safe and healthy everyone!

Episode 167 – Let’s Talk About Sex – In Conversation with Dr. Trina Read

Don’t feel like having sex? It’s time to listen to this re-release of Dr. Toni’s conversation with Dr. Trina Read, sexologist and CEO of the Business of Sex. They discuss the impact of perimenopause and stressful events (like a pandemic) on your sex life. This episode was originally released on May 28, 2020.

Dr. Trina has an unique perspective as a sex and relationship expert who has a corporate background in marketing and PR and who is also a perimenopausal mom.

In this episode, we cover:

  • How to use self care to bring libido back
  • Why you need to know your happy triggers for sex
  • The importance of knowing what you want out of sex and communicating it
  • Why you might want to take intercourse and orgasm off the table for better sex
  • How to have those awkward conversations around sex
  • Why personal lubricant makes all sex better
  • The importance of working your pelvic floor muscles

Connect with Dr. Trina Read on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/trina.read and Twitter at @DrTrinaRead

Dr. Trina’s website http://trinaread.com/ has many different articles you can share with your partner to stimulate conversation around sex and your own sex life.

Watch for the release of Dr. Trina’s self help fiction book Amy Finds Her Sex soon!

Today’s Mama Must Have: 

Dr. Toni is a huge fan of her local neighbourhood buy and sell groups on Facebook. These can be a lifesaver for moms on a budget. 

What’s Else is Happening?

Dr. Toni’s next HypnoBirthing session for expecting parents looking to decrease fear and anxiety to support their natural instincts around labour and birth is this month. Join her at https://www.hypnobirthingcalgary.com/register

Join Dr. Lisa’s upcoming Wild Collective group for perimenopausal women at www.wildcollectivetoronto.com

Join Dr. Lisa’s new Facebook group Wild Woman Adventures Toronto if you want to get out in nature, connect with other women and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Activities include: sunrise/sunset SUP, tree-top trekking, a new moon workshop and more!

Thanks for joining us!

Email us or connect with us on  Facebook  and  Instagram

We’d love you to subscribe, leave us a review and a 5-star rating if you enjoyed this episode.

You can also support us by visiting our Patreon page.

Please tell your perimenopausal mama friends about us, too!

Stay safe and healthy everyone!

Disclaimer:The information provided is not meant to replace treatment with a licensed health care practitioner. It is for informational purposes only. Consult with a Naturopathic Doctor or other licensed health care professional to determine which treatments are safe for you.

Episode 165: The Journey to Self Love & Body Confidence with Kayla Marie

In this episode re-release from 2021, Dr. Lisa talks with Self Love & Body Confidence Coach Kayla Marie about the judgement almost all of us experience when it comes to our bodies, especially after having kids and as we get older. Are you in a fight against your body and have a negative body image? This is an important conversation you need to listen to!

Kayla Marie is a Certified Access Bars Practitioner, Professional Photographer, and a Self Love & Body Confidence Coach for women. She’s passionate about inspiring women to get out of judgment of their bodies so they can finally stop worrying about what they look like and show up & shine in their lives. Her story of triumph over bullying, death, divorce, and poor body image has inspired many people around the world to experience the peace, joy & freedom that comes with true self-love and confidence.

In this episode, we cover:

  • How body neutrality and self acceptance is a great place to start on the journey to self love and confidence
  • The difference between body confidence and body positivity
  • How not to care about what other people think of you
  • Steps you can take to develop more self-awareness around social media, diversify your social media feed and prevent comparison-itis 
  • How the practice of gratitude can help shift you to a place of love
    • 3 statements of positivity to cancel out 1 statement of negativity
    • Hawaiian practice of Ho’oponopono
      • I’m sorry
      • Please forgive me
      • Thank you
      • I love you
  • The ups and down you can experience with self acceptance and body confidence
  • Stacking your work towards body confidence with your daily routine to develop your practice as a habit
  • Making your nutrition and health practices align with self love and body confidence
  • Tuning into your body to listen to eat more intuitively 

Connect with Kayla Marie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/confident.kayla.marie 

and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/confident.kayla.marie/ 

or email her at confident.kayla.marie@gmail.com

Today’s Mama Must Have:

Dr. Lisa is a big fan of using mini resistance bands to mix things up for my workouts, especially with videos on Heather Robertson YouTube channel.

Kayla loves prioritizing her sleep and might have a social media detox as a must have in the future!

What’s Else is Happening?

Dr. Toni’s next HypnoBirthing session for expecting parents looking to decrease fear and anxiety to support their natural instincts around labour and birth is next month. Join her at https://www.hypnobirthingcalgary.com/register

Join Dr. Lisa’s upcoming Wild Collective group for perimenopausal women at www.wildcollectivetoronto.com

Join Dr. Lisa’s new Facebook group Wild Woman Adventures Toronto if you want to get out in nature, connect with other women and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Activities include: sunrise/sunset SUP, tree-top trekking, a new moon workshop and more!

Thanks for joining us!

Email us or connect with us on  Facebook  and  Instagram

We’d love you to subscribe, leave us a review and a 5-star rating if you enjoyed this episode.

You can also support us by visiting our Patreon page.

Please tell your perimenopausal mama friends about us, too!

Stay safe and healthy everyone!

Disclaimer:The information provided is not meant to replace treatment with a licensed health care practitioner. It is for informational purposes only. Consult with a Naturopathic Doctor or other licensed health care professional to determine which treatments are safe for you.