Terpenes/ Terpenoids

Terpenes and terpenoids are a large class of organic compounds found mainly in plants.  The only difference between them is that terpenes contain only carbon and hydrogen, while terpenoids also contain oxygen.  They are in all parts of a plant, including the leaves, stems, flowers, and pollen.  They occur in the essential oils of plants obtained by steam distilling plants.  They are responsible for odors (fragrances) and colors of many plants.  Turpentine is a terpene, and the distinctive odor of juniper and piñon trees is caused by terpenes.  Terpenes also occur in animals and are building blocks within nearly every living creature.  Steroids are produced from terpenoid precursors. 

People who are chemically sensitive are often sensitive to terpenes.  They may develop symptoms and problems from fragrances associated with many different products, including essential oils. Terpenes are encountered in many places and are natural flavor additives for food; fragrance elements in perfumes; and have traditional and alternative medicinal uses.  They are additives in many commercial products and may play a large role in pollen allergy.  All plants contain terpenes and their levels go up about a month before the plant pollinates.  People frequently have symptoms to both the terpenes and the pollen.

Food and Arthritis

Foods, particularly foods to which there is a sensitivity or allergy, can cause joints to ache and deteriorate.  Although any joint can be affected, hip, knee, and ankle joints may become excruciatingly painful if these foods are eaten.  The thumb joint can also be painful.  Some people choose to eat the foods occasionally with full knowledge that their painful joints will adversely affect their sleep and ability to move for several days.  Sometimes the ankles become so painful the person has difficulty walking or may even become unable to walk for a time. 

Sugar, wheat, pork, and foods in the Nightshade Family (a botanical family) tend to exacerbate arthritic pain.  The Nightshade Family includes tomatoes, potatoes, all peppers, eggplant, and pimentos.  (Tobacco is also in the Nightshade family.)  Even potato chips can trigger pain in some people.  Peppers of all kinds (especially bell peppers and chili peppers) are problematic for many people with arthritis.  It may take 6 to 9 months of total avoidance to determine if members of the Nightshade Family are affecting arthritis.

The Importance of Magnesium

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in our bodies.  It is important in a wide variety of biochemical processes in the body and is required for the production of more than 300 different enzymes.  If the body does not have enough magnesium, it cannot function optimally.  Insufficient cellular magnesium levels can affect metabolic function that leads to serious health problems.  Magnesium works in tandem with calcium, vitamins D and K2.  Eating processed food is a primary risk factor for magnesium deficiency.  Stress, lack of sleep, alcohol consumption, and use of some prescription drugs (diuretics, statins, fluoride and fluoride-containing drugs) can also cause the loss of magnesium.

Among the most common symptoms that magnesium is lacking are “Charlie horses” (muscle spasms that occur when you stretch your legs), fatigue or weakness, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and headaches or migraines.  More serious symptoms include abnormal heart rhythms and coronary spasms, muscle cramps and contractions, seizures, numbness and tingling, and personality changes.  All of these are warning signs that you may need to correct a magnesium deficiency. Deficiencies can be improved/corrected by eating a varied diet, being careful to include plenty of dark-green leafy vegetables. It is important to remember that magnesium content of foods depends on the amount of magnesium in the soil in which a plant was grown.  Some people must add a magnesium supplement if sufficient magnesium is not present in their diet.

Consequences of Temperature Extremes

Children are more severely affected by temperature extremes.  Adults can actively seek help, but children depend on the adults to get them assistance. Even newborn infants are prone to hypothermia because of their large body surface area, small amount of subcutaneous fat, and decreased ability to shiver. Never leave a child or pet unattended in a vehicle, whether it is hot or cold, even for a minute. 

Using the following safety procedures will help prevent tragedies.  If you see a child unattended in a hot or cold vehicle, call 911.  Be sure that all occupants leave a vehicle, and do not forget a sleeping baby.  Teach children that vehicles are not a play area, and be certain that children do not have access to keys or remote entry devices.  If a child is missing, check the pool first, and then the car, including the trunk.  Always have some kind of reminder that there is a child in the car.  Make “look before you lock the car and leave” a routine when getting out of the car.  Have a plan that childcare providers call you if a child does not arrive at the prescribed place on time.

Some parents have been suspected of murdering their children by leaving them unattended in a car during temperature extremes. Different states have varying laws for consequences to parents who leave children unattended in a vehicle.  The consequences can vary from arrests to court appearances, fines, jail time, or all of these.  Several states have Good Samaritan laws that allow private citizens to break into motor vehicles if they notice a child or animal in extreme jeopardy.

Food Allergy

Food allergies can cause many different symptoms, affecting any body system.  They are an immune mediated reaction (antigen-antibody interaction to a food or a food additive).  Traditional allergists recognize only IgE mediated (immunoglobulin E-a type of antibody traditionally associated with allergy) reactions as an allergic reaction.  These are immediate reactions that occur very rapidly after eating the food.  Reactions may include hives, asthma, rhinitis, eczema, swelling of the lips and face, or anaphylactic shock (serious rapid onset allergic reaction affecting multiple body systems).  Foods causing these symptoms need to be avoided.  Should this type of reaction occur, treatment is with epinephrine.

Many other reactions to foods may be cell mediated or IgG mediated (immunoglobulin G - a special type of antibody) and largely outnumber IgE reactions.  They are not considered an allergy by traditional medicine because they are not IgE mediated.  They are spoken of as a food sensitivity or intolerance.  They may include less dramatic symptoms and symptoms may delayed by hours or even days.  However, symptoms may be serious and uncomfortable.  Foods to which there is a sensitivity/intolerance can sometimes be eaten without causing symptoms as long as exposures are minimal, and the foods are not eaten too often.

Pinkeye

The technical term for pinkeye and itchy, swollen, runny eyes is conjunctivitis.  The  white of the eye is red and is a symptom common to all forms of conjunctivitis.  The three most common forms of conjunctivitis are viral, bacterial, and allergic.  Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious and is usually related to exposure to flowers and pollen.  The eye will be watery, itchy, red, and swollen, and both eyes can be affected.  There is usually very little discharge.  

While both are contagious, bacterial conjunctivitis does not spread as easily as viral conjunctivitis.  In viral conjunctivitis there is usually a watery discharge, swelling, and possible light sensitivity. A recent cold or contact with an infected person are common precursors.  The virus can live for several weeks on surfaces touched by an infected person (even computer keyboards).  The discharge of bacterial conjunctivitis is thicker with more mucus.  Often an affected eye is stuck closed with mucous on awakening in the morning. Only bacterial conjunctivitis may require antibiotic eye drops.  The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children do not need to stay home for 24 hours after starting antibiotic eye drops, but can return to school.

For any type of conjunctivitis, immediately discard used tissues.  Do not share towels, pillows. or anything coming in contact with the eyes or hands.  Wet washcloth compresses applied to the eyelids every hour can be soothing.  Cold compresses may be used, but for bacterial conjunctivitis, warm compresses may be better.  A heated rice bag can be placed on top of a wet wash cloth.  USE A FRESH WASHCLOTH EACH TIME.  Nonpreserved artificial tears may also be helpful.  Once opened, they should be kept in the refrigerator.  The vial must be discarded after the pinkeye resolves.  Do not use antihistamine eye drops, such as Visine. 

Blurred vision and significant pain are indications for consulting a physician for identification of conjunctivitis type and treatment required.

CLOSE OUT ON BOOKS

Dr. Krohn has published several books and products under the name K and T Books, as well as allergy reference and medical books produced by Hartley & Marks. She is no longer going to produce these books and products, and Hartley & Marks is no longer publishing their books. The following items are available and when they are gone, will no longer be obtainable from her. The list below is what is available from her office now.

Allergy Relief and Prevention                                                   1 copy of first edition  $19.95

     Guide to treatment and self-care                                           2 copies of ___edition $24.95 each

Finding the Right Treatment                                                      2 copies of ___edition $24.95 each

      Reference guide to options offered

      by modern and alternative medicine

Rotation isn’t Just for Tires!                                                      48 copies of 2^nd edition

      A “how to” rotation diet cookbook                                            Original price $24.95

      Tool for handling food allergies/sensitivities                             Sale price $14.00  

      Guidance in learning food rotation

      Many recipes, some sample diets

Food Dot Chart-double sided laminated                                     41 copies

      Cross-reference dot chart for                                                    Original price $19.90

      allergic substances found in food                                             Sale price        $14.00

Pollen Dot Chart-double sided laminated

      Cross-reference for allergenic substances in pollen             34 copies

      Rapid way of determining substance in pollen                          Original price $15.40                                                                   

                                                                                                          Sale price $9.00

Phenolics and Other Allergens, Volume IV                                15 copies

       Source book presenting many substances and their                  Original price $104.00

       health effects and allergy symptoms caused in humans.           Sale price $60.00

      It presents “imponderables” including heat, cold, altitude,

      humidity,draft, motion, vibrations, noise, color, wind,

      weather, electromagnetic phenomenon, and others.

     Detailed information is presented about each subject as

     well as effects on humans and treatment possibilities.

Practitioners and patients may purchase.  All Sales Final.