Dr. Lisa Watson

The incidence of gestational diabetes (carbohydrate intolerance that is first identified during pregnancy) is increasing.  With up to 10% of pregnancies affected this is becoming a major health concern in North America. Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes It is standard practice in North America to screen all women for gestational diabetes using the oral glucose challenge test (GCT)  While this universal screening is controversial (the benefits of ...

Hypothyroidism is one of the most common hormone imbalances affecting women today.  Thousands of women are diagnosed with low thyroid function every year, and it is estimated that there are thousands more who go undiagnosed. The chances of developing hypothyroidism are increased during pregnancy, after pregnancy and as we age, with rates of diagnosis highest in women aged 40-60. An imbalanced thyroid can leave you feeling exhausted, unmotivated ...

Any person who has struggled with fertility is familiar with terms like “luteal phase defect”, “premature ovarian failure”, “polycystic ovarian syndrome” and “unexplained fertility”.  Not many are familiar with “Liver Qi stagnation” or “Kidney Yang deficiency”.  But these terms may be the key to your fertility struggle and may be the diagnosis that unlocks your body’s imbalance and allows for pregnancy to occur. The Di...

As women we experience approximately 500 menstrual cycles in our lifetime.  Impressive, isn’t it!  But when we miss our period for 3 months and we are not pregnant, breastfeeding or menopausal then we have amenorrhea (absence of menses).  This can be a serious symptom of a greater underlying imbalance and reason for a consultation with a doctor. Types of Amenorrhea There are two types of amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea – when menstruati...

Celiac disease is more than an intolerance to gluten.  It is an immune-mediated condition where the immune system attacks and damages the microvilli in the small intestine after dietary exposure to gluten. The damage done by the immune system results in many of the symptoms of celiac disease – abdominal pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea and/ or constipation.  The damage to the intestinal cells also prevents the body from absorbing nutrients from...

UPDATE: If you missed the presentation, you can view the powerpoint presentation at http://www.slideshare.net/drlisawatson/tea-for-babies-and-bellies-using-tea-for-common-conditions-in-pregnancy-and-infancy. Thanks to all who attended! Join Dr. Lisa Watson, ND as she presents one of her most popular seminars – Tea for Babies and Bellies.  Learn to use tea to treat common complaints of pregnancy, enhance immunity and support health in infan...

Cold and flu season is here.  Typically starting in November and lasting until April, around one-quarter of Canadians will get the flu and almost everyone will experience at least one cold this season.  Are you doing everything you can to protect yourself and your family from sickness this season?  Read on for tips to protect and treat your family and make this your healthiest season yet. What’s the difference between the common cold and inf...

PMS (premenstrual syndrome) sucks.  That’s not medical jargon, that’s just the way it is.  Once a month, up to three-quarters of women experience physical or emotional discomfort or pain which can last up to 14 days (two weeks!!).  Over 150 symptoms of PMS have been identified but the most common symptoms are: There are over 150 symptoms associated with PMS Decreased energy Irritability, nervousness, anxiety and anger Food cravings Depres...

Oatmeal cookies have got to be Mother Nature’s perfect snack.  Now I’m sure Mother Nature probably didn’t create cookies – but I bet someone’s Mom did!  And these cookies are full of Nature’s bounty… whole grain oats, cranberries, walnuts, bananas and cinnamon. These cookies are a nutrition powerhouse! Oats - a rich source of fiber, oats help you feel full longer, stabilize blood sugar, and are a gre...

Can pregnant women exercise? The answer is a resounding yes!  They can, and in most cases they should.  The benefits of exercise during pregnancy include: Reduced back pain Decreased constipation, bloating and swelling Can prevent or treat gestational diabetes Improved energy Improved mood Improved posture Better muscle tone, strength and endurance Better sleep Decreased incidence of Caesarean section, decreased time in hospital and increased ...