A Natural Approach To Health
Living With Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
I had a question the other day about fetal alcohol syndrome.
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a birth defect that can happen when a pregnant woman drinks alcohol.
FAS affects children differently.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe.
They can include:
>Problems with the heart, kidney, and/or bones
>Learning disabilities and low IQ
>Trouble with memory, coordination, and attention
>Hyperactivity
>Problems with sleep and suckling as an infant
The symptoms of FAS tend to get worse as a person grows up.
Alcohol, including wine, beer, and liquor, is the leading preventable cause of birth defects in the U.S.
In the womb, a baby doesn’t have a fully developed liver to process alcohol, so it easily damages a baby’s organs.
Some of the most severe problems happen when a pregnant woman drinks in the first trimester, when the baby’s brain starts to develop.
But the second and third trimesters aren’t safe either.
The brain is still developing then, and this process can be interrupted by even moderate amounts of alcohol.
There’s no “safe” amount of alcohol pregnant women can drink.
And there’s no time during pregnancy when it’s considered safe to drink alcohol, either.
There’s no lab test to prove a child has FAS.
Many of its symptoms can seem like ADHD.
To diagnose FAS, doctors look for unusual facial features, lower-than-average height and/or weight, small head size, problems with attention, hyperactivity, and poor coordination.
The symptoms of FAS can’t be cured, but early diagnosis and treatment can improve a child’s development and outlook.
Research shows children do better when they:
>Are diagnosed before age 6
>Are in a loving, nurturing, and stable home during their school years
>Aren’t exposed to violence
>Get special education and social services
Therapy can help with behavior and educational problems.
Parents can also get training to help their child.
To deal with fetal alcohol syndrome it’s beneficial to:
*Drink 6-8 cups of purified water daily hydrates body and brain cells and flushes toxins (whether thirsty or not!).
*Increase essential fats (flax oil, olive oil, Omega-3 oils); balance omega-3/omega-6 ratio.
*Increase life-giving, enzyme and nutrient rich, fresh, RAW fruits and veggies (preferably organic); consider fresh juicing.
*Consider hair analysis to determine heavy metal toxicity.
*Support liver and colon; consider liver and/or colon cleanse.
*Ensure daily (2x) bowel movements.
*Maintain exercise regimen, relaxation techniques.
*Increase oxygen with deep breathing exercises, yoga, etc.
*Review my post on candida as it may play a contributing role.
*Consider orthomolecular (high doses of vitamins and minerals) treatment under guidance of qualified practitioner.
*Consider energy medicine or mind/body/spirit techniques.
*Ensure quality protein intake with each meal/snack.
*Consider herbal products containing herbs like valerian to help calm or relax.
*Decrease any and all toxic exposures because they can harm brain cells and function.
*Decrease “hidden allergies” and sensitivities (food and/or environmental) that may trigger or aggravate condition.
*Decrease toxic cleaning, laundry and personal care products.
*Consider an air purifying system and a water purifying system.
*Decrease indoor and outdoor environmental pollutants/sensitivities.
*Decrease toxins/heavy metals exposure.
*Decrease hydrogenated and/or trans fat containing products.
*Decrease “lifeless” processed, instant, fast, junk, packaged foods.
*Decrease sugar, white flour products, sweets.
*Decrease dairy; wheat products (check for gluten sensitivity).
*Decrease chemical additives, preservatives, pesticides, etc.
*Avoid MSG and all artificial sweeteners because they’re neurotoxins.
*Consider effects of metal dental amalgams and other dental work; consult a holistic dentist.
*Decrease blood sugar fluctuations and hypoglycemic tendencies.
Recommendations:
It’s essential to use: CitriBoost, Protein, B-Complex, Lecithin, OmegaGuard, VitalMag, Optiflora.
It’s important to use: Mental Acuity, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Glucose Regulation Complex, DTX, Vivix.
It’s beneficial to use: Alfalfa, CarotoMax and/or FlavoMax, EZ-Gest, CoQHeart, Gentle Sleep Complex.
email: lenay@dickandlenay.com
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