Shout Out Health

SPA SHOUTOUT: Adventures in Asheville

When most people think of taking a spa getaway, maybe with a dash of eclectic healing services/therapies thrown in, it's unlikely that Asheville, North Carolina -- long-known as the 'Paris of the South' -- will land at the very top of their list.

But if you ever find yourself in this incredibly eclectic, scenically-blessed metropolis - tucked about 125 miles from Charlotte, ensconsed between the Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains -- you'll find a vast array of healthy, nurturing, eye-popping and spiritually-enhancing options.

For the height of spa luxury and amenities, the four star Grove Park Inn gets the gold, but if you're not a hotel guest, spa access is limited; the resort denies visitors spa day passes on the weekends, so if you want to luxuriate at the waterfall pool, or try the Blue Ridge Symphony Massage, be sure to plan accordingly. But visitors can get top-notch spa treatments every day at top-notch locales such as The Spa at Biltmore Village, nestled in the historic (you guessed it) Biltmore Village. This small but stylish spa offers everything from Monticelli Mud Wraps to Hot Stone massage, a comfy quiet room replete with its signature Koppla tea, and a bevy of talented therapists.

For those adventurous types looking for a truly unique healing experience, you might want to check out one of Asheville's talented array of healers such as David Serra, a massage therapist who also specializes in Chakra Balancing with Shamanic, Aegean touches. David tailored my session unqiuely for my needs, and I left feeling energized, balanced and restored.

And for another truly unique (and extraordinary) healing experience, you can try downtown Asheville's Salt Cave and Spa, above, which is a 450 square foot "salt enriched microclimate" where you can lounge in the moody ambience that's touted to help respiratory ailments, cardiovascular issues, nervous system disorders, skin problems and digestive complaints.

Have you ever been to Asheville? What's your favorite if little-known spa destination? Feel free to leave your comments. -- Mitch Rustad

ASK THE PHARMACIST: When should I start HIV medication?

Q: "Though I wasn't diagnosed that long ago, my doctor wants me to start on HIV medications (he also says my T-cell levels are really good). I had always heard you should wait as long as you could before starting HIV meds, but the nurse in my doctor's office explained that the new protocol is to start meds immediately upon diagnosis. Which is true? I was given a prescription for Atripla, but I'm scared to take this because my friend suffered some side effects (a bad rash and crazy dreams) when he took this medication. He couldn't continue it. Will the same thing happen to me?"

A:  This is a great question, and one that comes up frequently with patients. Deciding when to start someone on HIV therapy is done on a case-by-case basis. According to the new guidelines for the use of anti-retrovirals (HIV meds) in adults, therapy is recommended for all HIV positive individuals (this recommendation was amended from past years guidelines). Starting ARV therapy as soon as possible has been shown to decrease disease progression and transmission of HIV. Since you said your levels are good, your physician is starting therapy to keep your levels stable at an undetectable level. Case reports have shown that life expectancy actually increases the earlier an individual starts HIV therapy versus waiting until levels cross a certain threshold.

Before starting, it's very important you fully commit to treatment. Taking your medication every day at roughly the same time is very important. Treatment success hinges on taking your meds every day with little to no missed doses. Your prescription for Atripla is a single dosed, complete therapy in one tablet. Atripla is the most widely prescribed medication for treatment initiation in patients. It's very easy to take, dosed one tablet at bedtime.

The side effects your friend developed are generally expected during the first month of therapy, if they will develop at all. CNS side effects (vivid dreams, insomnia, dizziness, etc.) are commonly reported in the first weeks of therapy, but tend to go away in 4-6 weeks. The rash your friend experienced usually presents as dry skin, itchy, diffuse raised, red rash. Rashes may develop in the first 2 weeks of therapy and usually resolve without any change in treatment. Make sure to take Atripla before bedtime on an empty stomach. Taking this with food increases the chance for CNS side effects.

Generally speaking, Atripla is usually very well tolerated with the majority of side effects happening in the first month. If you get through the first month, you will most likely have little to no side effects as you stabilize on therapy. It is very effective at lowering viral load and raising CD4 (T) counts. I have had patients with a substantial viral load achieve undetectable levels in as little as 2 weeks. Stay in close contact with your provider and pharmacist during the first month of therapy. They can help coach you through and help you with any questions or concerns, and to ultimately decide if this medication is right for you. I hope this helps.  -- Heath P. Dobson Jr., Community Pharm, RPh

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Yeah, Butt: Is Colon Therapy Right for You?

UPDATED: The best way for this writer to 'report' on a wellness therapy recently undertaken in the pursuit of better health, optimal wellness and greater vitality is to, um, start at the end. Admittedly, I felt no small measure of relief as I hit the streets of New York City's Soho area immediately after my session, yet was there also a bit more energy, even spring in my step? One thing is for sure, I sure felt a whole lot lighter!

My latest wellness adventure had brought me to the cobblestones of Soho off Spring Street, where Tracy Piper -- highly regarded by gastrointestinally-challenged Manhattanites  as nothing short of a miracle worker -- owns and operates The Piper Center. OK, enough stalling, in case you haven't guessed yet (all two of you), I'd just had my very first colonic.

Trust me, I know what images (not to mention snickers and funny faces) that conjures up. The mere word brings about the most unsavory mental concepts, and I'm here to tell you that many of them (in my experience) were in fact true! But in addition to the potential weight loss, enhanced energy and overall well-being that's touted to result from colon therapy, if you have fear of intimacy or being vulnerable, this is a spectacular way to work through those fears.

Your Daily Dose: Anti-Bullying Dad Walks Cross-Country, Bill Clinton Gets GLAAD, and More!

Don't have time to find today's hottest health-related (or just plain inspiring) headlines? Here's what making news as we speak (we opt for the upbeat or amusing, when at all possible). After all, you can find all the bad news on CNN, right?)... Enjoy your day!

  

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Should You Go Gluten-Free?

UPDATED: Want to get skinnier, healthier and happier in 2013? How about boosting your energy, mental clarity and libido?

That may sound like a pipe dream, but for many health-conscious New Yorkers, turning to renowned colon therapist Tracy Piper, founder of The Piper Center in New York City, is anything but (apologies for the bad pun) when it comes to giving their wellness a much-needed boost.

In this exclusive interview with ShoutOutHealth.com, Ms. Piper shares her insights on what she believes to be one of the biggest culprits to ill health—gluten.  

What exactly is gluten?

The word 'gluten' has become a recent household name, but so many people don't actually know what it is! Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other grains such as rye and barley. It is also found in food processed by those same products.

What does gluten acutally do in these products?

Have you ever made the dough used in making that delicious bread or cake?  That ‘elasticity’ type feeling is caused by gluten. Gluten helps the bread or cake to rise and gives it that chewy feeling that most of us are addicted too. FYI: Gluten is also found in cosmetics, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioners, ketchup, and gum!

Why is gluten supposedly so bad for the body and digestion?

This is a long and scientific question but here goes! Gluten is detrimental to people with chronic digestive disorders such as celiac disease, but studies have proven that gluten not only affects these people but it affects everyone who ingests it.

Gluten containing foods are bad for our health cause they contain gut irritating lectins and mineral binding phytates.  Did you also know that 99% of the population has the genetic tendency to develop antibodies against gluten? Gluten causes inflammation in 80% of the population. Also, antibodies against gluten are found in the gut of 30% of the population. 

How do we know if we have a problem with gluten?