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:
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
Insufficient micronutrient and antioxidant intake
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
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
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!
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.
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:
Track your migraines using a migraine diary to help figure out your triggers
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!
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
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 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!
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.
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
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 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!
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.
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