Thyroid Conditions Part 1: Hypothyroidism

The thyroids are small but important glands located in the neck that produce hormones affecting all aspects of metabolism and many other vital body functions.

FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: Steeling the Mind - Compass Ministries

If cabin fever is becoming a chronic problem, some events break the routine and are worthy of your attendance. North Idaho Young Life is having its “generation celebration” banquet on Feb. 20 at the Best Western Plus CDA Inn. This is a high energy and very worthy ministry to support. Go to northidaho.younglife.org to make your reservation.

Ruling from Rathdrum

In an effort to connect with Idahoans outside the Boise beltway, Gov. Brad Little brought his cabinet to Rathdrum on Thursday as part of his “Capital For A Day” initiative, venturing into Idaho’s small towns to speak and listen to public concerns regarding any and all issues.

MOVING HISTORY FORWARD: History of Coeur d'Alene Creamery

The vacant lot on Garden Avenue between First and Second streets and just behind Roosevelt School in Coeur d’Alene is slated for condominiums, so we decided to share some of that lot’s rich and flavorful history. In 1918, the Coeur d'Alene Creamery opened for business on the southwest corner of Second and Garden with Jersey Brand Butter as its only product and a small crew using the traditional wooden churn. It was scooped into wooded tubs for molding and placed overnight in the cooler. The next day, the butter was hand-cut and hand-wrapped.

Soothe summer skin with aloe vera

We're all familiar with seeing aloe vera as an ingredient in lotions and balms, particularly those that cool the burn of sun-baked skin. But did you know that you can take advantage of aloe straight from the source? By cultivating your own aloe houseplant, you can save money on costly cosmetic products, keep countless plastic bottles from ending up in landfills and avoid unwanted additives found in store-bought creams. It's easy to care for your own green "medicine cabinet," and your aloe vera plant will keep growing and giving for years to come.

Business pros network at After Hours Business Fair

COEUR d'ALENE — When it comes to networking, North Idaho’s business professionals know how to throw a party.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Acupuncture, immune and respiratory science

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years (literally) for the treatment of respiratory ailments – viral, bacterial, inflammatory, etc. Its usefulness spans preventative immune support as well as effectiveness in ameliorating acute respiratory infections and distress.

The perfect ride for Halloween

Kellogg man enjoys prize-winning hearse

KELLOGG - Casey Duncan likes to be different.

Taking care of your health is like teaching a child

In the early stages of childhood we go through a stage of "Mine!" You want what you want. You've not yet learned you can't have everything you want, you've not yet learned to share, and you've not yet learned that just because you want something doesn't mean it's good for you.

Asthma - A breathless existence

Asthma is now said to affect nearly 25 million people in the U.S. alone (that's one in eight individuals), 300 million worldwide. It continues to increase annually. An estimated $48.6 billion are spent in medical bills, $6 billion in prescription drugs, and who knows how much in alternative treatments - practitioner-based or supplement-based. It has increased by 48 percent in the past 10 years, according to the American Lung Association August 2012 statistics.

Acupuncture for surgery and pain

Doctor of Oriental Medicine

Acupuncture has been proven for decades in the U.S. (for centuries in other countries!) to be effective in alleviating pain from many conditions. I've had several people over the years ask if acupuncture is effective for pain control during surgery as well. "After all, it works so great with alleviating pain, why not in surgery too?" The answer is yes, it can.

Acupuncture: An old standby that works

Doctor of Oriental Medicine

We often view acupuncture as a "new" method of healing. However, it is one of the oldest. It has been developed, refined and instituted as the primary healing modality in China for thousands of years. Conventional medicine as we know it today has only been around approximately 150 years. The changes in conventional medicine have been drastic over past decades. It truly is amazing. However, there is some deep comfort in the old-time, tried and true. It is a historical fact that the old "snake oils" of the past, that didn't work, were quickly run out of town. Acupuncture, instead, is enjoying a resurgence, as more research is demonstrating the effectiveness of this remarkable healing art.

Teeth in your stomach?

I regularly have people coming to me with digestive disorders. Heartburn, reflux, IBS, ulcers, diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, colitis, constipation, persistent diarrhea, etc. I love treating digestive disorders because when we straighten it out, it’s amazing how many other health maladies straighten out as a result. One question I frequently ask is “Do you have teeth in your stomach?” That generally results in a widened expression or a chuckle. But so many people act like they do!

Antibiotics: Friend or foe? Part II

Germs are becoming increasingly more resistant to our antibiotics, and as a result, stronger, more potentially dangerous antibiotics are necessitated. Keep in mind that any drug, whether by prescription or over the counter (OTC) has potentially serious side effects, and should be utilized only after researching the risks, including toxicity as a result of its consumption. Antibiotics - and OTC's, because they're given out like candy - often miss the scrutiny given to other medications by wise consumers, but pose potentially serious side effects when misused.

Breathing well, sleeping well

Sleep apnea affects an estimated 22 million Americans. Sleep apnea is diagnosed generally after a sleep study that reveals the person’s breathing stops momentarily, multiple times per night. Several common treatment choices include the use of a CPAP, a mouth appliance, surgery, losing weight, avoiding sleeping on your back, taking medications or supplements and quitting smoking.

It's not always what it seems

We see it all the time now: a set of symptoms that appears (especially to non-physician) to describe a particular health condition. Patients are researching their own conditions on the internet now, coming to their physician with the information, hoping to validate it. This comes with a set of risks and benefits that seasoned physicians didn’t have to deal with 30 years ago. The information accessed, isn’t always what it seems.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Don’t shoot the messenger

Frequently we hear the meme “Don’t shoot the messenger!” when the bearer of bad news is blamed or lashed out against. The emotions attached can be hostile or jokingly expressed. But it’s no joking matter when it comes to our body, and to our health. So frequently, when the body tells us something is wrong — giving us a message intended to be paid attention to — we shoot the messenger. Symptoms are messengers. They are there to raise a red flag and say “Hello! Is anyone listening to me? Something is wrong! Please pay attention!” So instead of delving into the root issue, we mask the symptom. We shoot it with drugs, radiation or even try to cut it out. The messenger may be suppressed, or dead, but what about the problem? In most cases, it’s still there.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Sinus relief: Solutions that really work

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) millions of people in the U.S. are diagnosed with sinusitis each year. It is estimated that that amounts to around 12% of the U.S. population.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Joint pain: Simple or complex

Joint pain can be simple or complex, and often, perplexing!

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Acupuncture for Bell’s Palsy

The first time I treated Bell’s Palsy, that I can remember, was shortly after I was granted my License to perform Acupuncture.