Dr. Ostroff, my daughter has been on asthma medicine, inhalers and steroids since she was an infant. Her condition has not cleared and her immune system seems to be struggling. Is there another way to treat her congestion?

Yes. It sounds like your granddaughter needs to have a comprehensive allergies test whereby we may determine possible causes to her breathing problems, rather than just treat the symptoms. The foods that are producing mucus will need to be eliminated, while her immune system is strengthened. There are a variety of immune system herbs and nutrients on the market, however, due to her compromised health, it would be to your advantage to have her tested for naturopathic medicinal and nutritional supplements rather than continue to risk giving her the imprecise remedies.

If you are struggling with asthma, chronic nasal or lung congestion, allergies or eczema, Dr. Ostroff at our Center for Natural Healing, will provide you with a comprehensive evaluation to assist you in identifying the most offending foods and substances, while addressing your immune system, and respiratory health, in order to assist you in breathing clearly, and feeling well, without the need for inhalers, steroids or OTC medicines.

The older I get, the more difficulty I have with constipation. I know this is making me feel sluggish, gain weight from impaction. I have been using teas and laxitives for temporary relief. Is there a more natural way?

It is correct to realize that the less well your elimination channels flow, the more toxic your system will become. I recommend you find a high quality pro-biotic, that is prescribed by you by a trusted physician specializing in detoxification and holistic health, and I recommend that you ensure the quality of this and all other medicinal substances, both natural and chemical using whatever bio-dermal testing equipment they have available. Additionally, please ensure that you are consuming adequate water and high fiber foods that your body tolerates well. This can also be determined by simple evaluation and testing, by a physician who specializes in healthy bowel function. Healthy bowel activity is after each full meal or minimum of one time per day if you consume very small portions. Never less than that as the accumulated waste will attract parasites and bacteria in your gut and cause gas and bloating.

Do you suffer from constipation, sluggishness, weight gain, gas and bloating? Dr. Ostroff recognizes that your well-being depends on your elimination channels being optimally functional. In fact, for most health and energy conditions, this is the first line of defense attended to, to ensure toxic build up does not occur. We have found that by tending to digestive health, joint pain, achiness, irritability, hot flashes, PMS, gastric reflux and uncomfortable feelings in the gut vanish for good.

From what I have observed in my 25 years of practice, is that there are many conditions in which symptoms are being lump-summed and labeled; yet are nothing more than a list of imbalance that have occurred in a once healthy person because of lack of awareness, knowledge, understanding, and care to the delicate individual.

Whether treating fibromyalgia, CFS, chronic fatigue syndrome, IBS, irritable bowel syndrome, PMS, pre-menstrual syndrome or any other condition; care and attention must be placed on the whole individual rather than spot treating the symptoms of the disease entity. All individuals are the same in terms of structure and function, but each of us are so unique in our cellular and genetic makeup, out past conditioning, the environment in which we grew up, our life experiences, our nutritional status, lifestyle, etc and these circumstances must be taken into consideration when treating individuals; rather than treating a “disease” with a pill.

When treating an individual, I like to begin by establishing their willingness. Is the person ready and willing? Will he or she be an active player and teammate in the process of healing which must be embarked on? Deep healing on all levels is a project, not a quick fix. Many people want their doctor to ”fix” them. Healing is a journey to be under taken with intention, care, unconditional love, openness and willingness on many levels.

Secondly, care is given to address nutritional issues, the digestive system, the immune system, circulatory system, respiratory, hormonal, as well the emotional and structural aspects of the individual. Physical medicine, acupuncture, vitamin/mineral/enzyme, herbal and homeopathic medicine, or any other substance found in nature might be used on a case specific basis depending upon what is necessary to bring balance and homeostasis back to the individual, who somewhere along the line, fell off the track.

As healing begins to occur from the inside on so many levels, symptoms rapidly fall away and true health begins to emerge. It is a team effort between the patient and the doctor, and the journey is most magical and magnificent once the commitment to healing is made.

The problem with treating symptoms like yours with OTC or prescription medicines is that you are chasing symptoms rather than finding the cause of the problem.

If we were to break it down and look for cause, often the answer could be found in relation to what was being consumed or in many cases what is lacking in the diet.The first consideration is in nutrition. Is the diet rich in alkaline based foods? Secondly, are you hydrating yourself sufficiently? The body, being 75% water and the brain 83%, requires that there is adequate replenishing of itself. Fresh, clean water must be consumed daily to hydrate the brain, otherwise being the master regulator, it will draw the water up from other organs if it becomes deficient. This pulling of the body fluid up to the brain, leaves the other organs lacking in vital body fluids. This alone can lead to heartburn, gastric ulcers and ulcerative colitis, and other threatening illnesses. So drink your water!

There are many causes of gas formation in the G.I. (gastrointestinal tract), and usually there is a combination of predisposing factors. Common causes include digestive insufficiency, or lack of one or more digestive enzymes, namely hydrochloric acid, pepsin, amylase, or lipase. Without adequate digestive enzymes there will be incomplete digestion, which may lead to fermentation or rotting - which is the opposite of good digestion.

Healthy digestion requires not only healthy choices but also eating in a way that supports proper digestion. Eating fruit after meals may also lead to bloating because when heavier foods are in the stomach and fruit enters the system, the heavier food blocks the passage of fruit, which is designed to digest rapidly. Once trapped, the fermentation begins. The gases represent fermentation of undigested food in combination with the waste products of the microbes (or “bad bugs” and parasites) that live in the gut. Consuming allergenic foods may also produce faulty bi-products of digestion and lead to a toxic gut.

Part of your comprehensive naturopathic evaluation and treatment will include assessment of your diet as well as the way in which you combine your foods, the sufficiency of enzymes and pro-biotics; and appropriate cleansing and detoxification to restore gastro-intestinal health and optimal, balanced energy.