ment as a preventive measure as they already had the colds. However, I noticed a dramatic reduction in virtually all symptoms almost immediately after giving it to them. Thanks again for all the education! Leah G.
Medication Is a Must
[Issue ##23: Cup of Tea with Rocheli Sternheim] Rocheli Sternheim, LCSW, provided misleading information. Sleep apnea in adults is most often due to weight, neck circumference, and age factors that alter the amount of oxygen the person receives during sleep. When the oxygen level dips, the person wakes up. The most common form of treatment is a C-PAP. For a patient to be misled and think that they can be trained to sleep when their issue is medically based is irresponsible. In children, its cause is usually hypertrophic tonsils and/or adenoids, which cause the child’s oxygen level to dip, resulting in their arousal. Trying to teach sleep behaviors without taking into account the medical circumstances is not doable. Thank you, A therapist that who knows many in-
dividuals with this condition who were treated optimally with C-PAP or ENT intervention Rocheli Sternheim, LCSW, responds: You are right that sleep apnea needs to be treated medically and not behaviorally. People tend to think of the term insomnia as meaning not being able to sleep, when in reality there are many medical conditions, not limited to sleep apnea, that can cause a person to have difficulty sleeping. When people come to me for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia, I encourage them to speak to their doctor to rule out a medical condition before starting behavioral treatment. Thank you for raising this important point.
Awareness Is Key
[Issue #23: Cover Feature] I always find The Wellspring to be informative and refreshing to read, but this issue’s feature on miracles was something else. It made me stop and realize how much I have to be grateful for, how Hashem is the one who runs my life with such kindness and love. It came at just the right time when we’re experiencing vari-
ous health-related challenges with two of our children. Thank you for the reminder, done in such a subtle, beautiful way. May we all merit refuos and yeshuos. Many thanks, H. Lipkowitz
You Realized My Dream [Issue #23]
For several years now, I’ve had this dream of publishing a health magazine for the frum community. The publication would include vital health information, recipes, fitness tidbits, health-related interviews, a section on emotional wellness, and fun reading material for any frum Jew who cares about her health. And then, one day last month when I was visiting from out of town, a friend introduced me to The Wellspring. As I flipped through the pages, one by one, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Here was my dream, in real time! What a fabulous job you’ve done at bringing it all together. A new fan, Sorah F. Chicago, Illinois
Quick Question
Feel free to shoot us your health-related question to receive an answer from one of the health experts at the Wellspring.
Question: I’d like to hear the take from a health expert on the flu shot. I’ve been reading in health columns that it is only about 10% effective this year. On the other hand, the flu is in the headlines every other day. What am I to believe, and what should I do? Response: You should follow your doctor’s advice on taking the flu shot. He will evaluate your health based upon your past history and current health condition and will decide if it’s beneficial for you, or not. At the same time, you can do your own hishtadlus and protect yourself from the flu and other viruses by taking natural supplements. Boost your immune system, which will help your body fight any viruses, including the flu and infections, with products such as Maxi Health’s immune booster Maxi Biotic®. Take 2-4 capsules daily with food. Vitamin C and D are great supplements for wintertime, as well, to help fight the common cold. Also, use a vaporizer with essential oils like eucalyptus or peppermint to humidify the air, which gets dried out through heating, especially central heating. To a healthy winter, Miriam Schweid, Nutritional Advisor
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