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May 2023

Allergy Home Remedies

If you are an allergy sufferer, spring is probably not your favorite time of the year. Allergies can literally prevent you from enjoying all aspects of life, if not managed properly. Here are four ways you can manage your allergies at home.

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1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Suggested to be beneficial to many aspects of our health, apple cider vinegar is said to offer allergy relief with much success. The acidity helps to reduce mucous production, therefore keeping your lymphatic system clear.

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2. Neti Pot and Saline Rinse

Both of these solutions work off the theory that you can help relieve your allergens by using saline solution to flush out the sinus passageways, keeping them clear from irritation.

Use a pre-made saline rinse or make your own by dissolving 1 teaspoon of Himalayan or sea salt in a quart of boiled distilled water. Cool completely and put in the Neti Pot. Pour through one nostril and let it drain out the other.

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3. Nettle Leaf

A natural antihistamine, nettle leave is great at blocking the body’s histamine production. This plant can be easily grown, but the easiest and most effective methods are said to be delivered via capsule form. Used in conjunction with herbal teas mixed with peppermint are deemed to offer the maximum relief.

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4.Probiotics

An imbalance of the immune system brought on by several factors is how allergies begin to take a toll on your health. Many researchers believe that the introduction of “good” bacteria into the body effectively helps reduce the onset of allergy attacks.

BlackDoctor.org

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New Film ‘Weathering’ Focuses on Black Maternal Health

Over the past few years, light has been shed on the issues Black women face during pregnancy and labor.

Netflix’s new short film “Weathering” gives a visual representation of the struggle one woman faces. In the film, a journalist is recovering from the loss of her baby. Not only is she recovering from that loss she is also facing the reality that she almost lost her life as well.  

When it comes to women’s maternal journey Black women are more than twice as likely to either lose their child or their own life. Those numbers are very concerning, especially after hearing medical professionals have admitted they believe Black women are able to endure more pain.

Causing them to not listen to complaints of pain or concerns coming from Black women. 

“When they reached out and told me what the project was about I didn’t even have many questions. I just knew that it was something important. I try to make sure that the work that I do speaks to something that needs to be discussed,” said Louder.  

And this is certainly something that should be discussed not only in the Black community but in general. This should be a conversation for everyone. Another part of this issue that needs to be discussed is the women blaming themselves when they have lost a child during childbirth.

They tend to begin to ask themselves what did they do wrong or if there was something else they could have done. That should not have to be a burden they bare after the tragedy they have encountered.  

In “Weathering,” we see Louder’s character begins to punish herself for what has happened to her even after expressing concerns to her doctor that something wasn’t right. Once she begins to heal she decides to write about her experience with her focus being on how we protect Black women.

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What does protecting Black women mean to you?

“Making sure that we are listening to Black women, having empathy for Black women. And also (for) Black women not to internalize society’s expectations of us,” said Louder.  

This film is a powerful 20-minute portrayal of the internal and external struggle of Black maternal Health.  

“Weathering” is now streaming on Netflix. 

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Biden Issues Proclamation for Black Maternal Health Week

In 2022, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra implemented actions to improve maternal health and reduce health disparities, and this year, the Biden-Harris Administration has continued to champion policies to improve maternal health and equity.

Vice President Kamala Harris convened a meeting with Becerra and other Cabinet leaders amplifying a whole-of-government approach to reducing maternal mortality and morbidity.

On Monday, April 10, President Biden issued another proclamation to begin Black Maternal Health Week.

The president called the week a reminder that so many families experience pain, neglect, and loss during what should be a joyous occasion.

Biden called it urgent that all act.

“Black women in America are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women,” the president remarked.

“This is on top of the fact that women in America are dying at a higher rate from pregnancy-related causes than in any other developed nation.”

He insisted that tackling the crisis begins with understanding how institutional racism drives these high maternal mortality rates.

Studies show that Black women are often dismissed or ignored in hospitals and other health care settings, even as they suffer from severe injuries and pregnancy complications and ask for help, the president reminded.

He said systemic inequities are also to blame.

“When mothers do not have access to safe and stable housing before and after childbirth, they are at greater risk of falling ill,” Biden exclaimed.

“When women face barriers traveling to the hospital for prenatal and postpartum checkups, they are less likely to remain healthy. Air pollution, water pollution, and lead pipes can have dangerous consequences for pregnant women and newborns.  And when families cannot afford nutritious foods, they face worse health outcomes.”

He claimed his administration has penned the blueprint for addressing the maternal health crisis, an agenda that lays out specific actions the federal government would take to improve maternal health and secured funding from Congress to help implement it.

“Vice President Kamala Harris has been a leader on the issue of maternal mortality for years and led the charge to improve maternal health outcomes, including by issuing a call to action to address disparities in maternal care,” Biden stated.

“She continues to elevate the issue nationally, convening State legislators, medical professionals, and others so all mothers can access the care they need before, during, and after childbirth.”

The president continued:

“Additionally, my American Rescue Plan gave States the option to provide a full year of postpartum coverage to Medicaid beneficiaries — up from just 60 days of coverage.

“As a result, my Administration has approved requests from 30 States and Washington, D.C. to provide women with Medicaid coverage with a full year of postpartum coverage, and we have made this option permanent for every State that extends Medicaid postpartum coverage.

“My Administration has helped facilitate Medicaid expansion in four States since I took office, and I continue to call on the Congress to close the Medicaid coverage gap.

“We are also working to expand and diversify the maternal health workforce, helping health care providers hire and train diverse and culturally competent physicians, certified nurse midwives, doulas, and community health workers to support women during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care.”

The president’s budget includes $471 million to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates, improving access to care in rural communities, expanding implicit bias training for health care providers, and further supporting the perinatal health workforce.

“This week, as we continue our work to make pregnancy and childbirth safe, dignified, and joyful for all, let us remember that health care should be a right and not a privilege,” Biden continued.

“Let us give thanks to the extraordinary maternal health care workforce, which serves its patients and their families every day.  And let us join in common cause to end the tragedy of maternal mortality once and for all.”

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