We are so blessed that Western Medicine has developed antibiotics that can fight off the nastiest of infections and support our bodies during times of need. This is the good. Antibiotics are drugs that can target bacteria and either kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria.
They are NOT effective against viruses. This is where the bad comes in. Antibiotics can sometimes be mis-prescribed for a viral infection, in which case it is ineffective and can also lead to something called antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance means that when your body actually needs the antibiotic it will no longer be effective because your body and the bacteria have become resistant to it.
Next comes the ugly. The ugly is that antibiotics along with all the good they can do have the ability to wreck havoc on our systems. They can kill off not only bad bacteria but also good bacteria that is supposed to be part of our gut in order to help us digest food, boost our immune system and even make certain important vitamins such as B vitamins and vitamin K. Antibiotics can change our whole microbiome which puts us at risk for other bacterial, viral, fungal infections, overgrowth of certain normal gut bacteria and fungi such as yeast and can also lead to a condition called Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). SIBO occurs when bacteria that is a normal part of our colon accidentally gets into our small intestine and causes all kinds of digestive symptoms such as gas, bloating, stomach pains, constipation or diarrhea, food sensitivities and even psychological symptoms such as depression or anxiety, mental fog and fatigue. Many patients also report yeast infections following antibiotic use for this exact reason. The yeast, which is a normal part of the vaginal flora has now been able to over grow and the over growth is detrimental and can cause unpleasant symptoms.

So what is the solution if you really do need to take an antibiotic? The answer is probiotics! Taking something called probiotics while taking an antibiotic and even some time after can help alleviate some of this damage. Probiotics are good bacteria that I mentioned before that help with digestion, support the immune system and make some very important vitamins. They can help decrease symptoms of bloating and gas and help with regular bowel movements. Many patients believe that eating yogurt advertised to have probiotics is sufficient in repopulating the gut. But yogurt often does not contain the proper bacteria or the proper amount of bacteria that is needed in order to be effective.  A probiotic supplement is the most effective way to make sure the good bacteria is put back into the system and can do its job to protect us from further infection and gastrointestinal symptoms. There are lots of different probiotic supplements out there and they contain different strains of bacteria and are from different sources. I help patients find out which probiotic would be most effective for their needs and their body.  Once taking the proper form and dose of probiotics I often see a dramatic decrease in patient's symptoms and improvement in their immune response. To book your appointment today you can call (905)906-9097 or email drtruglia@gmail.com and start on your journey to optimum health!


Dr. Claudia Truglia BSc. ND
Naturopathic Doctor
Stoney Creek Natural Wellness Center
50 King St. W
Stoney Creek, ON
(905)906-9097
drtruglia@gmail.com 

I define optimum health as being in balance. It seems like such an easy concept. A little bit of everything, and lot of nothing. But why is it so hard to put into practice? One of the fundamental principles of Chinese Medicine is balance, yin and yang. You may have heard these terms before. It basically means for everything is life there is an opposite...for example when there is darkness there is light, sadness there is joy, hot there is cold, night there is day etc. This concept makes so much sense, so how do we incorporate this in to our every day lives? I have been trying to figure this out for past 6 years that I have been practicing naturopathic medicine.  My goal has been to achieve balance in my life. I don't believe in restriction or deprivation because that to me puts more stress on our bodies and minds. I believe in moderation. It has been a struggle at times and certainly takes a lot of work and effort on a daily basis.  Running a practice along with raising 3 young children, caring for a household and husband and trying to eat properly, exercise and take all my supplements can definitely be challenging and overwhelming some days.  Those are the days I sit back and really evaluate what I am doing. What are my priorities?  How do I do patient research, cook dinner and listen to my daughter do her home reading all at the same time? How do I clean my floors when my son needs to be nursed? How do I fold laundry and clean up the mess my daughter just made all over the couch? And then I take a deep breath, and realize there is only so many hours in a day and I need to do what I can and know that tomorrow is another day and everything else will get done. My children will only be this age for so long and have certain needs that take priority. I think about what I tell my patients. The negative effect that stress has on the body. And that is worse for your health than anything else. And so I leave my floors until the kids have gone to bed, and I delay cooking dinner for 5 mins to listen to my daughter read, and I take some quiet time when the kids are occupied to do my research or catch up on work. And then I feel satisfaction because I have been able to balance it all out.  I have a great support network (my husband, my parents, my mother in law, my sister, and my friends) which is so important. Accepting help was one of the first lessons I learned once I had children. It wasn't easy to let go of the control and admit I couldn't do it all on my own, but once I did, what a sense of relief. Again that helped me be able to achieve that balance between family time and me time which is so important. And so there you have it, this is a bit about my journey to discover the ability to achieve balance. It is something I have become much better at doing but I still have a long way to go to perfect this concept and I am ok with that. I know that as long as I keep this in my mind as my end goal then I just slowly work at it day by day and always come back to it when I start to feel overwhelmed or lost. Balance....just the word seems to have some sort of calmness and zen to it. I hope today you can find some way to incorporate some balance in to your day! 

One of the biggest complaints about seeking out a naturopathic doctor is the cost. The appointment costs are usually covered by your employee health benefits, but unfortunately there is no coverege for supplements, organic food or gym memberships.  I spend time in the first visit explaining to patients the importance of good quality supplements (you pay for what you get) and the importance of investing in themselves.

Ultimately it comes down to what people feel is important enough to spend their money on. We live in a society where importance is placed on materialistic items. Cars, clothes, hair and nail appointments, eating meals at restaurants are just a few things that people don't think twice about spending hundreds of dollars on. Dinner at a restaurant typically costs at least $100 for two people, for one meal! But then when it comes down to spending even less than a hundred dollars a MONTH (not just a one time outting), they feel it is too expenisve. I find it really important to be clear about what and why a patient has to take a supplement and that seems to help them feel better about the purchase.

At the end of the day, I try my hardest to make naturopathic medicine affordable to my patients. I source out products of the highest quality and the best price point for them. I ask them what their budget for supplements is and stay within in. I help them understand exactly what they are taking and why so they know what they are investing in. And most importantly, I help them understand that they are worth the investment. When you invest in your health you are investing in your future. A furture of feeling good, having energy, and being able to enjoy life with your family and friends.  Most people (including myself) want to live a long healthy, happy life. They want to see their kids grow older, watch and enjoy their grandchildren and maybe even be lucky enough to meet their great grandchildren.  So in answer to your question, yes your health is absolutely worth it!      

Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, affects 2-3% of Canadians at some point in their lifetime. SAD most commonly occurs in the winter months, beginning in the fall and lasting all winter long, and is thought to be due to lack of sunlight. Symptoms usually improve when patients are exposed to sunlight. SAD is a form of depression that makes up 10% of all depression cases. How do you know if you suffer from SAD? Do you feel any of the symptoms below during certain months of the year, and recurring yearly?

• I feel like sleeping all the time, or I’m having trouble getting a good night’s sleep
  
• I’m tired all the time, it makes it hard for me to carry out daily tasks
  
• My appetite has changed, particularly more cravings for sugary and starchy foods
  
• I’m gaining weight
  
• I feel sad, guilty and down on myself
  
• I feel hopeless
  
• I’m irritable
  
• I’m avoiding people or activities I used to enjoy
  
• I feel tense and stressed
  
• I’ve lost interest in sex and other physical contact
  

If you are feeling any of the above symptoms it is important to talk to your naturopathic doctor to make sure there are no other issues going on such as thyroid or hormone imbalances, etc. There are several therapies that can help you deal with SAD such as light therapy, meditation, acupuncture and herbal remedies. Your doctor can help you figure out which therapies you would benefit from most on an individual case by case basis. In the meantime some tips to help you cope with symptoms are as follows:

• Spend more time outdoors during the day
  
• Try to arrange the spaces you spend time in to maximize sunlight exposure
  
• Keep curtains open during the day
  
• Trim tree branches or hedges that may be blocking some of the light from getting into your home
  
• Move furniture so that you sit near a window or, if you exercise indoors, set up your exercise equipment by a window
  
• Install skylights and add lamps
  
• Build physical activity into your lifestyle preferably before SAD symptoms take hold. Physical activity relieves stress, builds energy and increases both your physical and mental well-being and resilience
  
• Make a habit of taking a daily noon-hour walk, particularly if you commute to school or work in the dark hours of the day
  
• When all else fails, try a winter vacation in sunny climates—if the pocketbook and work schedule allow. Keep in mind that the symptoms will recur after you return home
  
• Try to resist the carbohydrate and sleep cravings that come with SAD
  
  
  Information was taken from the Canadian Mental Health Association Website- BC Division
  https://www.cmha.bc.ca/get-informed/mental-health-information/sad#F
  
  

Do believe in setting new year resolutions? Do you consider January a time of new beginnings and a fresh start to set new goals for yourself? 

I never particularly like the idea of a new year resolution because I feel like they are often temporary attempts at changing a behaviour or habit and often people set drastic, unrealistic goals for themselves that they can't commit to after the month of January. Instead, I believe in the law of attraction and putting out positive vibes. Every January I set a list of goals for the year that are realistic and attainable in the order that I wish to achieve them. I then put my list aside and live my life checking in on my list every few months or so. I have done this for the past 5 years now and every year I seem to accomplish mostly everything on my list. The law of attraction is very powerful if you believe that what you put out in to the universe, the universe will help bring to you if you stay focused and work towards what you wish to achieve in your life. If you haven't done this before try it this year and see if it helps you stay on track this year with reaching your goals! Good luck and wishing everyone a wonderful year filled with lots of love, laughter, good health and prosperity.

It's finally arrived....March break. The tell tale sign that spring is nearly upon. Such an exciting and invigorating time. For those lucky ones who are planning to head south this break here are some tips to make sure you are fully prepared especially if you are travelling with children. Whenever we travel I always have my bag of 'first aid' remedies (albeit usually much more than I would ever even use) just in case something arises.  I like to be prepared for any scenario especially when travelling to places like Cuba or Mexico.  And despite not having to really use many remedies it makes me feel better just to know I have them on hand.

1. Probiotics- A good shelf stable probiotic is always a good idea to bring in order to prevent any digestive upset and keep the gut bacteria balanced and happy. This can really come in handy when trying to prevent or treat travellers diarrhea. CanPrev now also has a shelf stable children's probiotic that comes in powder form and is quite easy to administer.  The beauty of this formula is that the whole family can actually take in it varying doses! 

2. Homeopathics- I love using homeopathy because it is so safe and gentle and children especially respond so quickly to it. 
Arnica- I always make sure to pack Arnica. Arnica is a trauma remedy- for any falls, bumps or bruises that arise (and we all know how common this can be when travelling with children) arnica is your go to remedy. 
Arsenicum Album- This remedy is amazing when dealing with travellers diarrhea. Dosed after every loose bowel movement it can help to decrease the frequency and duration of diarrhea.
Apis- A wonderful remedy for stings especially bee stings but can also be used for mosquito bites and works well at decreasing redness, swelling and itching
There are also a few homoeopathic formulas that I love from Orange Naturals that are definitely on the must pack list- they are Jet lag (if time changes), Fever for kids, Earache for kids, Cough and cold Night, teething (if travelling with infants) and for cruises I also would pack the Nausea and Vomiting homeopathic just in case.

3. Electrolyte packets- Sold at most health food stores they are great for replenishing electrolytes if any vomiting or diarrhea should ensue

4. Sunscreen and Aloe vera- A definite must! Sunscreen obviously for protection from burning, and don't forget to reapply often. And also aloe vera in case a burn does occur, which we know is very well possible (despite applying sunscreen) after spending several months covered up in -30 degree weather and then suddenly being exposed to full sun at +30 degree weather. 

5. Lastly, I just pack some basic first aid knick knacks such as band aids, alcohol pads, Q-tips, and polysporin

For proper dosing of these remedies don't forget to check with your Naturopathic doctor. 

Have a wonderful trip and don't forget to rest, relax and enjoy that hot weather and soak in all the vitamin D you can get :)