parenting Archives - Optimal Family Wellness

Post Natal Fatigue

AllisonR — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 00:56:07 +0000

What is Post Natal Fatigue?

Fatigue is a word that new mums know well. Fresh new baby snuggles, deepened love, sleep deprivation and nutritional needs a plenty, we experience these things and so many more when we become parents.

During this transitional period, we truly need support around us, but these support structures are often lacking in our modern society. This can result in all too familiar fatigue, mood swings and depletion that many new mums face.

Today we are taking a deep dive into what this depletion is, the main symptoms to look out for, and some ways in which you can support yourself or another new mum in your life.

The term ‘Post Natal depletion’ was coined by Dr.Oscar Serrallach, and he states that it encompasses four key factors, which when combined together create post-natal depletion.

The four key factors are:
1. Stress
2. Social expectations
3. Inflammation and pre-existing health conditions
4. Environmental toxins

Before becoming mums, many modern women are already experiencing high stress loads. When you add on the role of creating a new human, birthing them, and feeding and caring for them, this level of physiological stress can tip a new mum over the edge. When you add in sleep deprivation, a lack of social support to help with household chores and no breaks from mothering, fatigue is very often the result. A lack of energy and enthusiasm often follows, and life can feel tough during this time.

Inflammation is a key hallmark of post-natal depletion and is also a consequence of it. This can cause any pre-existing medical conditions to worsen during this time, adding even more stress to the load.

Lastly, toxins are a big part of health. During the post-partum period we are especially sensitive to environmental toxins, those that come from our food and drinks, our skin and body care products, and the products we use to clean our environments.

The key symptoms of post-natal depletion.

When all the above factors are combined, they produce the following key symptoms:

Baby brain – or the classic brain fog
Poor memory and concentration
Severe fatigue/ exhaustion
Low sex drive, or very often none at all
Anxiety or depression
A sense of overwhelm
Inability to cope with daily life
Weight gain and inability to lose any weight
Physical signs of ageing progress, wrinkles, hair loss etc

Can post-natal depletion be treated?

Thankfully the answer is a resounding yes! With the correct supports in place, symptoms of post-natal depletion can be resolved, and women can experience great wellbeing and joy again! The factors that need addressing to treat post-natal depletion include nutritional health, energy, sleep and emotional wellness.

Let’s start with getting the right nutrients in.

Nutrition

Nutrition is huge for new mums. When your body receives the correct foods and supplements it can create energy, balance hormones, handle stress easier, achieve a balanced body weight and a whole lot more.

Some super nourishing foods that you can include regularly in your diet include:

Whole–grains. Particularly quinoa, buckwheat, millet and oats. Porridges are really good for new mums
Eggs, however you like to have them. Baked, fried, scrambled etc.
Smoothies with things like spinach, banana, seeds (chia, pumpkin, sunflower etc), frozen berries, avocado etc.
Salmon
Lots of slow cooked meals. Meats and veggies are very digestible when slow cooked.
Soups and stews with homemade bone broth
Beans and legumes
Fresh fruit and veggies, as much as you like of these.

Sleep

Sleep is really important for new parents, and I know some of you might feel like that is a joke due to babies not sleeping. It’s a big area to tackle, but luckily there are some simple things you can try that can give great results.

Start with limiting things like blue light and screens in the hour before bed, and making sure your bedroom is cool. Practicing relaxing activities like reading or meditation before bed instead of looking at screens can really help your body adjust to sleep time. You can work on sleep hygiene practices for your specific situation with your Naturopath. If the reason you’re not sleeping is because your baby isn’t sleeping, seek some assistance so that you can both get better rest.

Energy

Movement is one of the best ways to start building up more energy in your body. Gentle daily exercise after your first 6 weeks post-partum is a beautiful starting point.

Yoga, tai chi, walks in nature are all nourishing ways to begin moving. If you are severely fatigued and depleted, steer clear of all types of strenuous exercise and gym. Gentle nurturing movement will help both your body and soul.

Emotional support

The way a mum feels in herself is a huge factor in post-natal depletion and fatigue. Some mothers come to motherhood straight from high powered corporate roles or full-time employment, and this can cause them to feel that parenting their small babe is not adding any value to society in the way they are used to.

Self-worth can plummet during this time, and if you find yourself here, please seek some support. Counsellors, psychologist, life coaches or even a best friend who is good at listening can really help you. Reassessing your values and realigning to them can help you get back to a place of finding joy in the day to day of life.

If after reading this blog you feel you could be experiencing post-natal depletion, please head HERE to book an appointment with me today.

I look forward to supporting you to vibrant health.

Allison

The post Post Natal Fatigue appeared first on Optimal Family Wellness.

Parenting a child with PANDAS

AllisonR — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 23:00:00 +0000

Personal insights on a holistic approach to supporting children with PANDAS

PANDAS is one of the many conditions I’ve had extensive experience with as not only a naturopath, but as the parent of a child living with it.

Like all parents of children with health challenges, I was left floored by the diagnosis.

I’ve been fortunate to be able to use my knowledge of nutrition and herbal medicine to support my son on his journey with PANDAS, as well as other families who have turned to me for support.

But I know many people are going it alone, still feeling confused and unsure where to turn for holistic ways to support the health of their children with PANDAS.

It’s a condition that is rarely spoken about, despite being relatively common. It’s estimated that as many as one in 200 children are living with PANDAS, yet many remain undiagnosed.

What is PANDAS?

PANDAS is the acronym for Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections.

It presents as a collection of neurological symptoms, such as tics and obsessive compulsive behaviours, caused by the body’s immune response to strep infection.

Typically, onset occurs in children aged between three through to puberty.

Usually streptococcal infections are treated with a course of antibiotics. However, some children affected by the common strep throat infection can go on to develop PANDAS.

The infection triggers changes in the immune system, creating proteins and antibodies that are thought to trigger PANDAS in some children – but the exact mechanism is unknown.

A similar condition is known as PANS (Paediatric Acute Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome), which may be triggered by infection, environmental, or diet linked to an autoimmune response.

Symptoms of PANDAS

Detecting PANDAS in our son was tricky because he also has autism.

We noticed anxiety, stuttering, decline in handwriting, obsessive compulsive signs, depression, irritability, sensory sensitivity especially to clothing and sleep difficulties. We didn’t realise at the time that these are all signs of PANDAS. Thankfully, we had a very good integrative pediatrician that picked it up for us.

The leading authorities suggest the following symptoms could be signs of PANDAS, particularly if children experience an abrupt onset of a combination of them.

OCD behavior
Tics
Uncontrolled and repetitive jerky movements
Stammering
Handwriting difficulty
Anxiety attacks and abnormal fear
ADHD
Depression
Pain in the joints
Sensory problems
Bed wetting
Frequent urination
Moodiness
Crying or laughing inappropriately
Sleep problems

If you find these symptoms suddenly develop in your child after an infection, you may want to talk to your practitioner about the possibility of PANDAS. Various diagnostic tests along with a clinical diagnosis can help determine if it is PANDAS.

Diagnosis and treatment of PANDAS

There is no one specific test for PANDAS but with a range of pathology tests, together with all the signs and symptoms our son was displaying, a positive diagnosis was made.

We checked Anti-dNase B strep levels and multiple other tests to rule out other conditions like Epstein Barr Virus, including ferritin levels, B12, Vitamin D, and heavy metals testing.

This was very quick for us because of our great integrative pediatrician. but I know a lot of families really struggle for a long time trying to get a diagnosis.

Conventional medicine has a range of treatments for PANDAS and PANS. These include:

Antibiotics
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Steroids
Antipsychotic drugs
Antidepressants
Therapy
IVIG (intravenous infusion of immunoglobulin)
Plasmapheresis

Some of the conventional medicine options may have severe side effects, and may provide long-term solutions on their own. Often a combination of both conventional treatment and holistic approaches can be used for the best results.

Natural and holistic treatment for PANDAS

A naturopathic approach to PANDAS considers underlying factors and supports the body’s return to homeostasis with herbs and nutrition, providing gut health support and reducing inflammation.

What this looks like will be different for every child, but some of the most effective methods we’ve found include:

Anti-inflammatory nutrients: Including Omega 3, Curcumin, Quercetin
Antioxidants: Eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables at every meal
Reduce inflammatory foods: Gluten, dairy, artificial dyes, flavours, preservatives and sugar
Immunomodulators: We love Chinese Skullcap, Metagenics SPM Active – a practitioner only supplement, and Vitamin D, which supporting immune health, as well as nervous system and brain function.
CBD oil: Available on prescription through an authorised doctor

Supporting brain health in PANDAS

Optimise nutrient intake and nutritional deficiencies
Treat and correct gut dysbiosis and inflammation
Address leaky gut and food sensitivities
Support methylation – methyl-B12, methylfolate
Support mitochondrial function – coQ10, carnitine, ribose
Address mast cell activation – luteolin, quercetin, DAO, ketotifen, cromolyn sodium
Support neurotransmitter balance – 5-HTP, inositol, GABA, theanine, tyrosine
Support detoxification – milk thistle, glutathione
Optimise adrenal and thyroid dysfunction
Stabilise blood sugar dysregulation

Experts in the treatment of PANDAS and PANS like Dr, Elisa Song and Dr Leila Masson, a leading expert in Australia who has been instrumental in our journey, also offer valuable insights into treating these disorders in a holistic manner.

Parents often report their integrative approach to treatment, including naturopathic remedies, provide the best results for their children.

If you’d like naturopathic support caring for a child with PANDAS, book an appointment today.

The post Parenting a child with PANDAS appeared first on Optimal Family Wellness.