First Migraine

I've treated migraines successfully with acupuncture and Chinese herbs for my patients, and I'd say I am familiar with its progression, signs/symptoms. But yesterday I was truly humbled with my first migraine-like headache. Clues started a couple of weeks ago with my right eye twitching throughout the day. I didn't think much of it since my eye twitches when I get stressed (this hasn't happened in years though). Then yesterday, I had to catch a 7 am flight from NYC to Washington, DC, to be at a meeting at the National Academy of Sciences by 9 am. I barely slept the night before and didn't eat much of a breakfast (cereal with probably too much sugar at the airport). By midday at the Summit, a headache started. I noticed extreme nausea, loss of appetite (for those who know me...I never lose my appetite), and a stiff neck. I tried to sleep it off but that didn't work. If I was in NYC, I'd get Chinese herbs and do acupuncture on myself, but I didn't bring needles to DC. So I succumbed to Advil. I walked to a drugstore (though I thought I was going to vomit with each step). I wouldn't say I felt immediately better but after I got food in my stomach, I was good again, and this morning I'm back to my old self. I did, however, wake up with a nosebleed in my right nostril.

I'll write later about what I'm learning at the IOM Integrative Medicine Summit (btw I'm very optimistic about the future of our nation's healthcare). Now, I'd like to discuss this migraine. This was a tremendous learning experience for me. Several events are going on in my life, so I'd say stress is high for me but not more than it has been in the past (that I'm conscious of, at least). This is classic Liver Qi stagnation causing Liver Yang to rise affecting my Shaoyang (Gall Bladder meridian). Because my energy was going upwards, I was also experiencing Qi Rebellion (Stomach). The Gall Bladder meridian starts at the eye (so no wonder the eye twitch). The stiff neck is the Gall Bladder meridian as well - I did acupressure at GB-20 which helped slightly but wasn't long-lasting. I wished I had my needles!! Unfortunately this "CAM" provider had to resort to ibuprofen, which was effective, but next time (and I hope there will not be a "next" time), I will treat with acupuncture and herbs. The nosebleed could have been a side effect from the NSAID (thinning my blood), since I did take more than the recommended dose (oops). Or it could have been residual "heat" in my upper jiao (upper body)... Who knows. I won't be experimenting with high dose ibuprofen to induce a nosebleed to find out....

For those who do experience migraines, there is hope. Chinese medicine does work. (Again I've seen this with my patients.) You need to find the cause (stress, fatigue...), as well as move Qi and anchor Yang. For me, I am going to confront the "stress" in my life now, and manage it better. I think I just need some "me time", and you do too. Please rest & take care of yourself.

High Fructose Corn Syrup

I'm going to keep this short. Last summer, I admit I was watching "The View" and was impressed when I heard Whoopi ranting about high-fructose corn syrup. Wow - national attention...I only hope the housewives of America were listening. High-fructose corn syrup is evil. It's as simple as that.

Buy a Coke in Belize (elsewhere too), and it's sweetened with cane sugar, but in the US, fruit-drinks & many sodas (plus others) are often sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup. Why? Longer shelf life, plus it's cheaper. All this sugar increases the risk of obesity, insulin resistance, and the development of diabetes.

Now in past months, mercury has been found in this sweetener. Is this what you want to feed yourself...or your growing child's brain?

Below is just a few of the items that had detectable mercury levels:

• Quaker Oatmeal to Go
• Jack Daniel's Barbecue Sauce (Heinz)
• Hunt's Tomato Ketchup
• Nutri-Grain Strawberry cereal bars
• Kraft Original Barbecue Sauce
• Coca-Cola Classic......and more!!
  

This pdf file has great information. I strongly encourage you to read it.
HFCS%20and%20Hg.pdf

10-Day Detox

2 years ago, I was in Thailand and did a 7-day fast, which consisted of water, psyllium, vitamins, and colonics. No juice. No food. I had never been a believer of long-term fasting and am still hesitant on it, but do believe in occasional detoxing. At first I attempted to do a "detox" 4 times per year (seasonal), but now can only manage it once per year. Today is Day 1 of a 10-day Detox. This helps me get in touch with my patients (food elimination) and the food I put into my body.

I am eliminating soy, corn, gluten, and dairy. I'm allowing myself to eat organic, antibiotic meats though. This morning shopping for food was a quick reminder of how difficult this can be: read labels, read labels, read labels!! Each time I do a detox, the easier it becomes with meal-planning, plus I have this great cookbook - The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook with lots of gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free recipes.