A few years ago, our son returned from camp with fever, stiff neck and the worst headache of his life. It took me a second to decide that this was NOT a case for natural medicine and to ship him of to the ER immediately.
Well, he was misdiagnosed, initially. I sat at his hospital bed and saw him slip away. But then a good doctor appeared and made the life-saving diagnosis (I would not have known, not even for the life of my son, I was so thinking-impaired): tularemia. A few days of antibiotics, and our son was fine. A scary experience, more for us than for him - because of his delirium, he has nearly all forgotten.
Tularemia is one of several tick-borne diseases - none of them nice – probably the least likely of them, about one hundred cases a year in the United States. Much more common are: Lyme, Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, relapsing fever; babesiosis; meningo-encephalitis and Colorado tick fever.
What to do about ticks? All winter those little creatures have been waiting for us, starved for attention – and our blood.
If you go outdoors, you are exposed. Ticks sit on grasses and bushes, ready to drop on us any time. This is what you can do:
• Have a high suspicion: Check yourself for ticks every evening, on your scalp, in body folds, behind the ears.
• Wear long sleeved gear and tucking in pants into socks helps deter them. Light colors are recommended – not sure because ticks like dark colors or that you can better detect them on light colors.
• Wear natural repellents: Citronella, lemon grass, peppermint oil.
• Eat garlic – not sure it works … but then again, it repels vampires.
• For Lyme disease, a tick has to be lodged into your skin for about twenty-four hours before transmitting disease. For tularemia, alas, just a little nick and a trace of saliva suffices.
• Remove ticks immediately (a little tea tree oil or other essential oils will make them relinquish their feeding place voluntarily).
• Watch for symptoms like rashes, fever, joint pains, stiff neck, headaches, nerve palsies, and go to an ER straight away.
• If put on a antibiotic, take it all to the end - untreated, these diseases can lead to life-long debilitation. If it was me, I would also take some GSE (Grapefruit Seed Extract), just to be on the safe side. Also take a probiotic while on antibiotic to protect your gut.
And no, our son did not get bitten by a tick in camp - it happened before and closer to home, in Concord, MA. Read More
Blog: On Health. On Writing. On Life. On Everything.
The Role of Parents
May 13, 2010
Parents (and grandparents) have two assignments, as far as I am concerned: One is to love their children, and one is to say “No!” to them, loud and often.
We don’t do our children any favor to give in to any whim and wheedling – and they don’t have to be told with any little effort they exert that they are “so special.” Children’s task is to prepare for life, and parents’ task is to show them the way.
When my son was little, we had a musical party each June, until he went to college - an afternoon full of roses and sun and music and friendship. There was one rule: At least one member of a family had to play or sing – otherwise the family was disinvited. You can’t believe how many requests I got to make an exception for little Johnny or darling Emma! I always said “No!”
My husband said I couldn’t do that, it was impolite. I said it was my party and my rules.
We performed, one after the other, and then we shared potluck and played games. Over time, so many parents approached me and said how glad they were we were sticking with the rules. Because they themselves were unable to say “No!” to their son/daughter. Now those children who had so much “freedom” are grown up – and I wonder how they will fare in life.
How did my son stay with his instrument through all those years? I always agreed he could stop playing - but only at the end of the school year because one sticks with things (at least for a while). At the end of the school year, after all the rehearsals and our musical party, he felt so good about himself that there was no discussion of quitting ... until November. Read More
Micro-Movements - Awakening the Snake in Your Spine
May 12, 2010
No time for exercise? Sitting in your car/at your desk all day? Too lazy to get up from your couch?
Here is the ideal exercise for you: micro-movements!
For the first time, it is best learned on the floor, on a folded blanket or a yoga mat – but once you know what it is, you can do it wherever you feel like it. There is not much more to it than the title gives away: You wiggle your spine. Start with your shoulders (up-down movement) or your pelvis (down-up), or do a combination.
In the beginning it will feel jerky, uncoordinated. But the more you get the hang of it, the more it flows. The more it extends your spine. The more you feel the effect. The more you become aware of what you are doing: mindful movement.
You might think that exercise requires throwing around your legs and arms. No, what really counts for opening your body is the spine. Move your spine and the rest of your body will follow. It is like a mini yoga session and will give you all the benefits of exercise – suppleness, body awareness, improvement of posture, relaxation of muscle tension – short of cardio-vascular effects. But it does use up calories! (Do it in the car only at red lights!)
Once aware of your spine, you can do the micro-movements everywhere, especially when you are waiting and are bored. Why not use that time for a little, private bliss? Read More
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