Take Control: A Guide to Holistic Living

Dr. Linda Mundorff, MPH, MSN, ND, RN, CNC, CTN has worked in health care for over 30 years. In 1982 she started her career as one of the few master's prepared public health workers, and eventually went on to obtain both her Bachelor's and Master's in Nursing, 1992 and 2000, respectively.

As a nurse, Mundorff worked in a variety of areas, from orthopedics, telemetry, and after surgery care to geriatrics, pediatrics, and obstetrics. In the late 1990's, she became a tenured Associate Professor at Red Rocks Community College in Colorado.

In 2000, concerned about health care reform, and passionate about teaching, she began developing seminars in helping others become self-advocates and better informed consumers of health. In 2003, she completed her Doctor of Naturopathy (N.D.) degree and successfully passed the national Certification examination in Traditional Naturopathy (CTN).

Dr. Mundorff is the author of three books:

Medical Terminology: A Student Workbook, ISBN: 0-595-16599-0
Memories of My Sister: Dealing with Sudden Death, ISBN: 0-595-20507-x
Take Control: A Guide to Holistic Living ISBN: 0-595-40149-x

Please visit her offical blog at: http://live-the-natural-life-blogspot.com/
You can email her at Bridges2hlth@aol.com

Self-advocacy is the ability to represent yourself. However, there are many who are not able to advocate for themselves, such as: children and the elderly. In health care a patient cannot adequately advocate for themselves if they do not have complete and accurate information (informed consent). If you have ever had surgery you might think of informed consent as the pre-authorization form that you signed before surgery. Informed consent is more than just a form, it clearly documents your procedure(s), justification for the procedure, expected utcomes, potential dangers, and any other critical information the doctor has discussed with you regarding the procedure. Your signature says you understand what is going to happen. So never sign an informed consent until all of your questions have been answered to your satisfaction.

1. Do you visit the doctor the minute you get sick?
2. Do you come prepared with a list of questions?
3. Do you wait until you are so ill that you can hardly move?
4. Do you let him know when you don't understand?
5. Do you ask for clarification?
6. Are you complacent, aggressive, inattentive, unsure? Who cares?

What is the role of the health care provider?

You might think this is a silly question, but you will be surprised at some of the answers. I have heard everything from:

"he knows everything about the human body, he fixes, cures, to doctors today don't know a damn thing."

Doctors are human beings like the rest of us, that being said, they have bad days, they get sick, fatigued, stressed, they have family problems, etc.

They make mistakes. How do you know when they are making a mistake?

Sometimes you don't know, and that is scary. My sister didn't know that she was misdiagnosed until it was too late.

The only way to catch a mistake is to be active in your care. Ask questions, get a second opinion, go on the Internet and do some research on your initial diagnoses. I just read about a man in England who gave up everything: his job, life savings, possessions becuase he was told he had pancreatic cancer and would die. A year later he was still alive and guess what? THEY MADE A MISTAKE! Oh it was a good mistake, he didn't have cancer. But what about his job, his life savings, his possessions? Oh it is arguable, he got a second chance at life. Absolutely, I would be thrilled as I am sure that most of you would be. The problem here is that they made a mistake. Could the mistake have been avoided? Perhaps. I don't know the full story.

That brings me to your role as the patient or client.

1. Are you a compliant patient?
2. Do you agree to be compliant, but then don't?
3. Do you respect your doctor? Trust him? HOnest with him? If not, then why is he your doctor?
4. Do you respect your doctor? Trust him? If not why are you going to him?
5. Are you comfortable discussing personal matters with him?
6. Do you feel you have no other choice but to see this person because they are your primary care doctor?

You do have choices. Even if your health plan has a list of participating doctors, you can still choose.

It is an intimate one. You tell (or should) your doctor things you would never dream of telling someone else. Things like sexual encounters, drug usage, bowel habits, mental health. For some it is no big deal to answer but for others you might have well stripped them naked because of how vulnerable they are feeling.
The relationship between doctor and patient should be one of mutual respect and trust.

Types of Doctors:

There are a variety of classifications for doctors. Some are general practitioners, while others are specialists. Your job is to find out who is going to be best suited for your particular situation. For example, if you have a history of heart disease, then one of your doctors should be a cardiologist.

The following are important considerations, regardless of the type of doctor you choose.
There should be:

1. Mutual respect.
2. Time for a thorough exam.
3. Age appropriate diagnostic testing.
4. Time to discuss your concerns and answer questions.
5. Timely follow through.
6. The ability to say, "I don't know." For the patient this means some guidance until they do know. For the doctor, this means, I don't know what is going on with you and discuss what the plan of action is going to be.
7. Timely referrals to specialists or special testing.
8. Your doctor should be accessible. If it takes two months to get in to see him because his practice is so full, then find someone else.

This list is not all inclusive, but enough to give you a start on self-advocacy. Remember, you do have choices and you do have control over your own body.

Take control: Be a self advocate!

By: Dr. Linda Mundorff, MPH, MSN, ND, RN, CNC, CTN

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution grants us the ability to speak freely without the fear of government control or retaliation. The exposure to differing points of view surrounding controversial issues related to stem cell usage, abortion, and euthanasia always arouses mixed emotions. Nevertheless, such expressions provide a foundation for the advancement of ideas, and as a platform to speak out against those whose ideologies differ from our own.
Advances in medical technology have given doctors the ability to save patients that just a decade ago would have died. Each generation has observed medical miracles, unfortunately for many the life-saving advancement came too late. In 1970, two months prior to the availability of the first dialysis machine, my mother died of renal failure. Decades later, we not only have the ability to transplant diseased kidneys, but other organs as well. The costs of providing health care have skyrocketed at an alarming rate, as these technological advances come with a hefty price tag. In order to survive insurance companies have to take in more money in the form of premiums and interest than they pay out in medical claims. Hence, the less expensive, time tested options were usually the only procedures covered. Moreover, those who wanted the experimental or new procedures had to pay the very expensive non-covered charges.
Formerly the casualties of unattainable health care were the uninsured, now joining these individuals are the underinsured. Underinsured households usually carry insufficient amounts of health care coverage. For example, many will take out a catastrophic major medical plan that covers only procedures requiring hospitalization. The irony is many are more likely to experience financial ruin because of chronic medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and cancer and not from a hospital admission.
Moreover, families often purchase plans with the highest deductibles and lowest premiums in order to get a plan that fits what the family can afford. Lastly, with unemployment reaching epic numbers more families are opting out of COBRA benefits, which bridge families for a period of 18 months, due to the high premiums.
The Internet has brought the world to our fingertips, with many astute users finding legitimate health related websites that offer financially reasonable alternatives to their more expensive medical counterparts. Part of the reason for the mass exodus from traditional medicine to more natural-based care is the often short and rushed office visits. Ascertained during the office visit is critical assessment data, short-changing this process can result in misdiagnoses and wrong treatments.

For example, a rash can be an indication of many different types of ailments:

An outward manifestation of disease
Allergy
Irritation
Stress
Infection

By rushing through an examination, a doctor could easily misdiagnose the cause of the rash.
In this scenario, patient X (X) makes an appointment to see her primary care physician (PCP) upon inspection the PCP says it looks like folliculitis and recommends a course of topical Erythromycin twice a day (in the AM/PM) until clear.
Four days later X makes another appointment because the rash has not improved. The PCP thinks it may be an allergic reaction and instructs X to take 25mg of Benadryl every four hours, not to exceed four tablets in 24-hour period.
A few days later X makes another appointment because the itch is gone but the rash remains; X now goes to an allergist. The allergist does a skin test and finds that X is allergic to shellfish and cats. However X already knows this, she does not eat shellfish nor does she have a cat.
She calls her PCP who sets up a consult with a dermatologist. The dermatologist determines the rash is a contact dermatitis, and queries X regarding changes to her daily routine, X is unable to find anything that might have changed as she is a creature of habit and has used the same products like detergent, body wash, moisturizers, etc. for years.
A friend tells X about an alternative health practitioner (AHP) who just opened a practice in the neighborhood. X makes an appointment and the AHP spends two hours with her taking an extensive history and performing a thorough head-to-toe physical. Upon conclusion the AHP concurs with dermatology that it is a contact dermatitis and recommends that X rewash in hot water, using ivory soap detergent and two rinse cycles, her bedding and towels. He then gives her an ointment made from aloe, jojoba, chamomile essential oil, and an oatmeal bath for nightly use; within a few days, the rash improves.
There are strong lobby groups who are fighting to restrict your health care choices, by either making it a crime to practice without a special license (which many do not qualify) or making AHP ineligible to bill insurance resulting in a cash-only business.
The American Association for Health Freedom (AAHF) is on a quest "to protect the rights of consumers to choose, and the practitioner to practice." Their single objective is to fight restrictive legislature on both the federal and state levels. Every state has health and wellness legislation that is subject to changes and deletions.
In Colorado, for example, a newly revised House Bill was resubmitted to restrict naturopaths, had made it to the Senate, but it was defeated due to the enormous outcry by 15,000 practitioners and consumers. This fight is not over, as the proponents of this Bill will not accept defeat. Perhaps next year the outcry will climb to 20,000 and continue to grow louder and louder until defeat becomes acceptance!
The AAHF cannot function without constituents ready to write, call, and be present during these state hearings. People who wish to invest in the quest to save health freedom should join their state's health freedom movement by enrolling online at http://www.healthfreedom.net/. Afterwards, visit your state government's website at www."state".gov/, (replace state with the name of your state). For example, to access New York state government type: www.newyork.gov/ .
In conclusion, the first amendment gives us the power to speak out and take a stand against injustices in our society. We must continue to take a stand and never allow our rights as health consumers be controlled.

BIO: Dr. Mundorff is the author of several books. Her latest book, Take Control: A guide to holistic living is an innovative health guide, which helps the reader learn how to regain control of their health by discovering the practical effectiveness of combining alternative and modern medicine.

For every excellent alternative practitioner there might be three practitioners who have violated the oath "To Do No Harm," and they have given the profession a very bad name.
They are the great pretenders...non-health care practitioners who claim to be experts in their field of health. They are the ones who claim to have found the miracle cure for everything from, excess belly fat to cancer. Don't you think if these claims were really true that it would be all over the newspapers and television news? If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is just that....too good to be true!
We have to arm ourselves with knowledge. We have to be prepared to find the great pretenders in our communities. We have to find a way to keep our communities safe. But how do we do this? What can you do to protect yourself, your loved ones, your friends, and your patients? The first thing you want to do is contact your local regulatory agency to find out what your state government's policy is regarding alternative practice licensure.
If you come across a practitioner who claims to be an expert, but doesn't behave like one, then listen to what your gut is telling you-if something doesn't feel right about the practitioner, your instinct is usually correct. Help educate your family, friends, and patients. We need to advocate for each other. Please don't justify your apathy by thinking that someone else will take care of the problem. We all have to speak in harmony - we have to be one voice. Don't be afraid to speak out. Keep speaking until someone listens. You might just be saving someone's life in the process!

In health and wellness,

Linda

Naturopathy is a philosophy and practice that seeks to improve health and treat disease chiefly by assisting the body's innate capacity to recover from illness and injury. Naturopathic practice may include a broad array of different modalities, including manual therapy, hydrotherapy, herbalism, acupuncture, counselling, aromatherapy, wholefoods, massage therapy and others.
Practitioners tend to emphasise a holistic approach to patient care. Naturopathy practiced in many countries around the world in one form or another, where it is subject to different standards of regulation and levels of acceptance.
Licensure for this area varies with some holding degrees as Doctor of Naturopath (N.D.), Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine(N.M.D.) Still many have other health care degrees: D.C., D.O., M.D., and R.N., just to name a few.
The philosophy of the Traditional Naturopath is in the innate ability of the body to heal itself. Bacteria and viruses, which are always present, seldom cause problems in a healthy body. Traditional Naturopaths believe that an illness occurs when the body is in imbalance. This imbalance is often due to: poor nutrition, lack of exercise, stress, and other lifestyle choices that may interfere with the optimal functioning of the body.
While conventional medical treatments may rid the body of symptoms, these treatments alone do not bring about true healing. Rather than trying to attack specific symptoms and diseases, Traditional Naturopathy offers a holistic approach to the individual that supports the body in finding its way back to balance.
Traditional Naturopathy is not a medical practice. While prescribing drugs and pharmaceuticals, performing surgery, and other invasive procedures clearly have their place in the hands of properly trained medical doctors, these practices are outside the scope of Traditional Naturopathy and are at odds with its fundamental principles. Instead focus is on educating the client on making healthier livestyle choices and on the use of naturopathic modalities such as light, water, herbs, healthy foods, and exercise to cleanse and strengthen the body and support its natural healing process.

Every year the same House Bill is introduced into the State of Colorado that endangers the future of naturopathy. The bill seeks to regulate the field by licensing Naturopathic Medical Doctors (NMD) who obtained their degrees from a handful of colleges. The problem is that the degree of NMD goes against the very core of naturopathic philosophy. Graduates of Naturopathic medical Doctor programs incorporate the use of prescription drugs, invasive procedures, surgeries, and other philosophies found in traditional medical schools. These same doctors would become primary care physicians (PCPs) but would be lacking the medical background traditionally found in medical schools and the frightening thing is that these NMDs would receive a valid State license to diagnose and treat injuries and diseases.
At the other end of the spectrum is the Naturopathic Doctor (ND). An ND is a traditional natural healer whose focus is on education; helping their clients to improve and maintain a healthy lifestyle, and finding the underlying causes of disease rather than merely treating the signs and symptoms of them. Naturopathic Doctors rely on non-invasive procedures, herbal and homeopathic remedies, and focus on prevention and cures.
The big problem is that both practitioners are referred to as doctors, which leads one to assume medical doctor. However, the title of doctor does not always mean medical doctor; there are post-graduate degrees that give the title of doctor in a variety of fields such as: counseling, education, philosophy, and anthropology.
Remember in any field you are going to find good practitioners and some very bad practitioners. It is important for you to decide what type of partnership you desire for your health care needs. I believe that medicine and alternative health should work together, a marriage, so to speak, between the two, a compliment where the two disciplines work together to provide overall improved health.
No matter what option you choose, always check the practitioner's credentials. The field is not highly regulated hence; many will hang a shingle to practice and go way beyond their scope and skill. Don't fall victim to these charlatans.
A little knowledge goes a long way to those of us who take the time to learn.

I am a traditional naturopath, which means I believe that health can be achieved by returning to a simpler way of life: eating a variety of foods from a variety of sources that are as close to nature as possible; eating raw, fresh,
whole foods, drinking plenty of fresh water, taking brisk walks, getting at least eight hours of sleep per night; and dealing with our feelings rather than suppressing them. I am an advocate of fresh herbs (herbology), massage therapy,
yoga, and Pilates. Naturopaths believe in the natural force or vital energy that
resides in all living things. In Eastern practices this vital force is called chi and
it flows through channels called meridians. It is by tapping into this vital
energy that natural healing can take place. The body has an innate ability to
heal itself, but in order for the body to heal, it must have the right tools to function
properly. The body cannot perform nightly maintenance such as cellular
regeneration, detoxification, immune boosting, mitosis, and other functions
designed to maintain the body in optimal shape, if other issues such as insomnia,
stress, poor nutrition, and suppressed emotions sidetrack it.

-Linda

By: Dr. Linda Mundorff, MPH, MSN, ND, RN, CNC, CTN

Food borne infections such as Salmonella, E. coli, norovirus, and Hepatitis A continue to rise despite the current Federal Drug Administration (FDA) policy on donning disposable gloves for food handlers. Could lack of proper training and less than pristine personal hygiene be at fault?
Policy
According to the Centers of Disease Control (CDC), food handlers should wash their hands before and after donning gloves, and change their gloves often. Upon initial inspection this policy would appear to be clear, concise, and to the point. However it would seem that many local state health departments have decided to add their own interpretation. For example, in New York, one such policy interpretation makes it lawful for a food handler to wear gloves while handling food and money. (www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/indoors/food_safety/washing.htm).
To further complicate the issue, many employers fail to properly train and supervise their employees. Walk into any fast food sandwich chain and you will see food handlers donning disposable gloves while preparing food, handle money, clean countertops, answer the phone, and dispose of trash.
Food Borne Illnesses
According to the Occupational, Safety, and Environmental Agency (OSHA), every restaurant bathroom must prominently post a sign over the sink that states all employees must wash hands after using the bathroom. Common sense would dictate that compliancy is a given. If that was true, than little would be reported on gastrointestinal illness outbreaks. However outbreaks are common knowledge as well as the micro organisms responsible for those illnesses: E. coli, Giardia, Hepatitis A, Shigella, and norovirus, which are transmitted by unclean hands after bathroom use.
CDC Policy on Hand Washing
According to the Centers of Disease Control (CDC), the proper procedure for adequate hand washing is as follows (www.cdc.gov/Features/HandWashing/):
1. Use very warm water and soap,
2. Scrub the entire surface of both hands for a minimum of 15 to 20 seconds,
3. After rinsing the hands well, use a paper towel to completely dry the hands.
4. Use the same paper towel to turn off the water faucet to prevent recontamination.
Barriers to Practice
Many have argued that the use of disposable gloves provides a false sense of security while others argue that if proper hand washing techniques were employed then gloves would not have to be utilized. The fact remains, that neither principal works effectively if employees fail to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of the policy and procedure. For example, a policy that states all employees must maintain good personal hygiene could have a very broad meaning. One person might interpret good personal hygiene to mean take a bath everyday but that same person might have a personal philosophy that differs from the reason for maintaining good personal hygiene.
Take for example the following accurate statement, that exposure to germs makes the immune system stronger. There are several problems with this statement. First, exposure to all germs would not be accurate as some germs can be life-threatening such as the Hepatitis C virus which attacks the liver, or HIV which converts to AIDS. Second, the word exposure should not be taken literally to mean in large quantities as a little exposure is enough to trigger an immune response. Third, when the immune system is over-burdened it can actually slow down, malfunction, or completely shut down. And finally, who decides what type of exposure is ok? As a food handler choosing to wear his gloves to prepare your food, clean the floor, and empty the trash really acceptable to the consumer of the meal? What if the consumer is a small child, or a frail and elderly person, or someone with an immune system disorder? Frankly, this author would not like to eat a hamburger prepared by a person who has been wearing the same pair of disposable gloves all day.
Barriers to Transmission
Disposable gloves provide a wonderful barrier to the skin. Simply speaking, the gloves provide a layer of protection from food that might come into contact with cuts, sores, open wounds, rashes, and dirty bandages. In addition, disposable gloves protect the unsuspecting consumer from harmful germs that reside on rings, bracelets, and watches. Lastly, studies have shown that artificial nails provide a means of transmitting harmful germs via the area between the natural and artificial nail making this area extremely difficult to clean. Hence, many health care workers as well as food handlers are forbidden from having artificial nails.
In conclusion, hand washing, donning disposable gloves, is an important component in reducing or eliminating food borne illnesses. However never underestimate the power of education. Implement a program that includes a discussion of the importance of proper hygiene, modeling of appropriate skill, and exploring barriers that might prevent compliancy. For more information visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/

Anger is a barrier to expressing true feelings. It surfaces when it is too painful to express or when one is out of touch with their true feelings. Anger is a safety-net for many because the layers of pain run too deep. The mind protects us from those experiences and uses anger as a way to smoke screen others.

Let Dr. Mundorff show you how to:

Learn to differentiate between feelings.
Learn to let go of anger.
Replace angry barriers with the true emotions hiding beneath.

Letting Go.....

A self-help CD by Dr. Linda Mundorff

Copyright 2006, Dr. Linda Mundorff, All Rights Reserved.

Get your copy today! email @ Bridges2hlth@aol.com

Within nature you'll find a potpourri of healing agents that have been used for centuries to restore, revitalize, rebalance, and maintain wellness. These natural remedies stimulate, strengthen, and support the body's innate ability to boost the immune system and trigger the body's own healing processes. Many of these remedies are gentler and more effective then their chemically synthesized counterparts. But what does natural really mean? Natural ingredients are plant-based and minimally processed with little to no chemical additives and fillers. However just because a product is labeled as natural doesn't mean it's formulated from plant based extracts. Always read the product's ingredients to determine exactly what is in the product. The higher the ingredient on the list the higher the percentage found in the product.
So how does natural differ from organic? Organic products are also plant-based and minimally processed however the difference is that organic products must be grown and processed according to strict standards that include but are not limited to: no fertilizers, antibiotics, ionizing radiation, and pesticides. In order to be considered organic the product must be certified by an agency that looks at how the ingredients are prepared and processed. Organic products are not tested for their nutritional or medicinal benefits. So, buying organic, like buying natural, may not necessarily be better.
And lastly because a product is touted as being superior doesn't mean that it contains superior ingredients. You can protect yourself by doing a little research before buying: Read up on the company - What is their mission and goal for their products? Where do they get their products? What are their growing and harvesting practices? What percentage of nutrient is found in the product? Are there more fillers than active ingredient? And of course read the ingredient label to see exactly what you are getting. Products vary as well as companies. Shop around and do your homework. With knowledge comes power! Take control of your health! You'll be glad you did.

Self-care and the use of natural remedies is a growing trend, and some unqualified practitioners are aware of this. As a matter of fact, pretty much anyone can take a few classes in growing,
harvesting, processing, and storing herbs and call themselves an herbalist, dispensing both advice and herbal remedies. In 1999 the first Physician Desk Reference (PDR) for herbs was released and made
available to the general public. The reference has thousands of different botanical classifications, instructions on preparing the herbs, administration routes, dosages, side effects, and other significant information regarding herbal usage.
A growing problem is that most people think that herbs can't hurt you. In the 1980s, I remember a company selling an herbal remedy that was purported to be a great diet aid. People lost weight all right, but many ended up in the hospital
because they had such severe diarrhea from the product that they couldn't keep any kind of food or liquid in their system! And what about plant
allergies? If you have seasonal allergies to grass, for example, who's to say you don't have any other potential plant allergies?

-Linda

Did you know that you should never combine prescription medications with any other type of remedy unless prescribed by a doctor? All medications have the potential for side effects. Some side effects are minor and not life threatening such as, dry mouth or slight gastric upset. Conversely, some medications have severe side-effects that can be very life threatening, interfere with the absorption of key nutrients and the function of many enzymes, and counteract the important benefits of other medications.
Did you know that most medications are synthesized from their natural counterparts? So, just because something is touted to be natural doesn't mean mixing them is safe. For example, before there was aspirin there was its natural plant counterpart found in willow bark. Both can help reduce a fever, manage pain, and thin the blood. The problem arises when willow bark is taken with other products that have the same properties, such as warfarin, coumadin, and vitamin K. Or when an individual who is allergic to aspirin but has the false belief that willow bark is safe, takes willow bark, again because it is natural. For this reason, as well as others, I tend to categorize all remedies, whether natural or synthetic, whether an herb or a vitamin, as drugs.
A drug is defined as a substance taken to: diagnose, medicate, prevent, and treat. A drug can effect non-targeted organs in the body thus resulting in unwanted side-effects, can neutralize or counteract the effects of other drugs, and can worsen certain pre-existing health problems
Although remedies taken in their natural form are not as potent as their synthetic pharmacological counterpart, they are still capable of doing great harm in large doses or when combined with other medications or remedies. Therefore, all supplements, whether vitamins, minerals, herbal, or homeopathic need to be reported and discussed with your doctor. The doctor can review for: proper dosing, interactions with other remedies, reduced absorption potential, harmful effects, and the like.
Armed with knowledge you can improve your chances of better-informed decisions about your health and the health of those you love. You'll be glad you did!

Disclaimer: Dr. Mundorff is a Board Certified Naturopath, and not a medical doctor. The information in this column is for educational purposes only and should not be used to self-diagnose and treat diseases. Naturopathy is a complementary practice to health care and should be used in conjunction with a competent health care practitioner. Many herbal and homeopathic remedies can actually be contraindicated in many health conditions, with certain prescriptions, and over-the-counter medications. Please consult your physician before starting any alternative modalities.