April 2009

Today I touched base with Dr. David Lancaster of the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers of Dallas, Texas. Such an absolutely delightful and knowledgeable gentleman and doctor.

I just love being involved with someone with that much talent. Everyday he works with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients and isn’t left quaking in his boots because he has to make a diagnosis. Yee-haw! (And I’m not even from Texas.)

Yes, Dr. David Lancaster is my interview guest on Friday, May 1st, for the 3 pm EST broadcast of the Health Matters Show.

Tune in then or catch the MP3 download anytime to find out:

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You’ve heard the old adage, “Laugh and the world laughs with you.”
Well, that is certainly the case and demonstrated well by the following video. Whether you’re sick in the bed with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or whatever, please start your day off today with a smile of gratitude and joy. You’ll create the right endorphins and bio-chemicals that your body needs by smiling, laughing and feeling joy.

PS- Note how even the pensive baby sucking a thumb finds his own joy and cracks a special smile. Let that be you. As a matter of fact, let all four of these little miracles add to your happiness quotient today!

Enjoy,
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

‘Where people with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome learn that they can get better from illness (no matter what’s they’ve been told in the past) and they can find help and Get Well Tools to feel better soon!’

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News of the Swine Flu outbreak in Mexico is causing panic and fear in the hearts of some people, particularly those people who live with under-functioning, impaired immune systems.

Don’t let the news panic you. Be cool, calm and collected. Make plans to be smart about exposure, eating and drinking safely and well, and what you will do if you come down with symptoms. If you can, plan ahead right now to prepare your immune sytem to be strong.

But, foremost, don’t fear getting sick with swine flu. What you fear you attract. In the very act of fearing, you give such a thing energy and a better chance of manifesting in your life!

Purposeful Intention: Intend on staying well from swine flu and all such maladies. Intend on healing from illness. Intend on being healthy. That’s where to concentrate your thinking, plan your future and decide which actions to take.
Okay, let’s do that by making a short list. Decide:

1. How (How you will go about avoiding Swine Flu or any other illness)
2. When (When you’ll take action. Let that be now or very soon!) and finally,
3. What (What you’ll do to be prepared and to help yourself live a healthy life.

Support your body’s ability to fight off any disease by using the best quality, best antioxidant essential oils.

I’ve mentioned several times about the “immune system” value and wisdom of incorporating Young Living essential oils into your daily routine. They really help me. And, as a health consultant, I believe they can help you and your immune system perform in a strong manner, too. You always want to be at your best and be able to tackle whatever comes your way, be that bacteria, viruses, yeast or whatever.

I personally recommend keeping at least two or more of the following Young Living Essential Oils on hand:

• Lemon, an all-purpose, wonderful oil used to boost my immune system any time I need it. I carry one in my pocketbook and one inside my suitcase on trips- just in case! They travel well. (*I put my bottles of oil in ziplock baggies. When I open my purse, they’re easy to get out, and easy to inspect. I’ve never had a problem passing a security inspection.)
• Thieves, for nose, throat & chest stuff. I was getting really stopped up last Friday when I recorded the Health Matters Show. I began using Thieves. I was better in a few minutes and totally clear in a couple hours!
• Oregano, for stuff I’m trying to blast out of my system. It is one of the most powerful and versatile essential oils. It contains strong immune-enhancing and antioxidant properties and supports the respiratory system.
• Thyme, because it is such an incredible antioxidant. It is both powerful and penetrating. Known since ancient times as a medicinal herb, thyme contains large amounts of thymol. As a dietary supplement, it is one of the strongest antioxidants known. Thyme supports the immune, respiratory, digestive, nervous, and other body systems. And finally…
• Clove oil. Clove [Syzygium aromaticum] has a sweet, spicy fragrance that is stimulating and revitalizing. An important ingredient in the Thieves blend due to its wonderful immune-enhancing properties, its principal constituent is eugenol, which is used in the dental industry to numb the gums. Clove is the highest-scoring ingredient Young Living has ever tested for its antioxidant capacity on the ORAC scale.

Note #1: Please read the Disclaimer on this website.

Note #2: I recently began offering Clove Oil on my Young Living website. If you visit, you can read about Clove and all of the other suggested oils and health products. *I encourage you to purchase the oils which will serve your needs best now.

Over time I’m sure you’ll come to depend on them keeping you healthy and you can add some additional choices.

But no matter what, Do Not Fear the Swine Flu. Be courageous and pro-active instead.

Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show, a Young Living Essential Oils Distributor. I want you to be as healthy as possible!

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When people suffering with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (or Fibromyalgia) think of healthy eating, we may have different opinions of what the experts consider eating healthy, but there are a few accepted ideas on the subject. (Even though the food pyramid has changed from top to bottom in the last few years.)

Nutritionists still encourage you to eat some things regularly:

• fruits
• vegetables
• whole grains
• lean protein, and
• “good” fats

Take a look at a blog post that I found recently. It is interesting and comprehensive. Really, the whole website is fantastic. It carries other great information for people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (or an illness like Fibromyalgia). Most rules of this nature apply equally well to both illnesses.

Folks, no matter what else is going on with you, be sure to eat healthy. Not only is eating a necessity of life, but you need to eat good food if you want your body to have a chance to improve and get well again. Make the decision today to eat healthy. It’s an enjoyable activity!

Don’t live to eat…

Thanks and have a blessed Sunday, Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show

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With lots of pollen blowing in the wind, you’re likely sneezing and blowing your nose.

A-a-choo!

Because tree, weed and flower pollens are profuse, you breathe them in and get them in your eyes and on your skin. Essentially, your body becomes affected all over.

Now some people don’t suffer too badly with sniffling and sneezing. The rest of us often feel worse during allergy season and become much more symptomatic– all over! Some of the most susceptible are people with immune system challenges such as those suffering with Fibromyalgia (FMS) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

Today on the Heatlh Matters Show, if that sounds like you, realize that there are easy things you can do to help yourself….

(Today’s audio, 14 min 36 secs)
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A recent study by medical researchers from Spain shows that Fibromyalgia pain is real in a normal way, but with some meaningful, measurable abnormalities. All of this works together to prove that what you feel is real pain.
Plus, along with the article, 44 online references to pain are given. They can be accessed through PubMed/NCRI.

If you don’t have access to that database, here is a short summary and the main article for your study. The results suggest that:

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Two national, public meetings about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and ME are coming up soon, if you would like to attend:

#1: When: April 27, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Where: U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, GA
Deadline for action: April 22, 2009
Respond to: CFSResearchPlan@cdc.gov (So sorry the deadline for this one has passed, but you can always try.)

Members of the public are encouraged to attend and can register to give public testimony or can submit comments in writing. The CFIDS Association of America will be represented by president & CEO Kim McCleary. Advocates who care about or are concerned about any aspect of the nation’s public health agency response to CFS are urged to participate in person or through written comments.

#2) Federal CFS Advisory Committee (CFSAC), a 2-day meeting. When: May 27-28, 2009

Where: Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in Washington, D.C.
Deadline for Action: May 22, 2009
Respond to: (202) 690-7650

The CFSAC brings together representatives of five federal agencies with CFS programs and 11 appointed members of the public. Members of the public are welcome to attend and hear the committee dialogue. Public testimony is heard from those who have registered to deliver comments of up to 5 minutes. The meeting notice does not state whether testimony can be submitted on videotape or given by phone, but both have been permitted in the past.

Be sure to report back, if you go, and give us a summary.

Thanks, Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show

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Savella, a new proposed drug for managing Fibromyalgia, has finally been approved for launch date this Friday.

There are a few drugs out to help manage Fibromyalgia symptoms. You’re welcomed to search in this blog for more terms, like Lyrica, Cymbalta and prescription drugs.

My hope is that people don’t take the magic pill, drug route.

No drug on the market will cure you, only mask symptoms a bit. But often, people like you are looking for any kind of relief they can find and taking a pill for a short time period works to help them keep participating in their life. Such may be the case for considering Savella.

Check out all your options and sign up to receive the Health Matters Show automatically. I bring you answers about Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that you can live with… and all without drug side effects!

Have a great day,
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

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Many of us are well aware that it’s sinus season again. Yeah, pass the Kleenex!

I’m preparing a big report on springtime allergies and sinus problems. I’d love to have your input about:

• What symptoms you encounter and
• What easy remedies you use to manage them (or at least help).

If you’re interested in the subject, let me know. I’m sure lots of people with Fibro and CFS suffer all year round, but especially in the spring time with pollen overload, many of us get stopped up, infectious, feel lousy and suffer with increased pain and low-grade fever.

If you have valuable information to add to the conversation about sinus problems, allergies and more, be sure to comment below or email me. People just like you have questions and want answers. They appreciate when someone shares something really good!

Thanks, Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show

*Folks, this is the place for finding out all kinds of things about Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome… even when the information we’re talking about is sinuses and allergies!

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How They Can Help with Problems of Fibromyalgia & CFS

Yes, before you even begin, I’ll confess that today’s show is all about essential oils, why you should own some and why certain ones will help you improve your health and ultimately suffer less. But, that’s good.

Because when people suffer with a tough illness like Fibromyalgia (a.k.a. Fibro or FMS) -or- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (a.k.a. CFS or CFIDS), they often have no idea about what’s the best thing to do or where to go for answers. So, they book an appointment with a general practice doctor. That’s a start, but he or she often:

1) doesn’t really know much about the illnesses -and-

2) tries to fix the patient by loading him or her up on drugs.

Today I’m presenting the second part of my fantastic interview with Kimball Egge, a skilled massage therapist and aromatherapist, who knows a lot about essential oils, especially the Young Living brand. (If you missed the first interview, click here to access it easily. It includes some great background material.)

‘I find many Young Living essential oils to be extremely helpful for managing tough-to-treat Fibromyalgia symptoms– like pain. Also, they can enhance a person’s health in areas like cell, tissue and organ system functionality (e.g. by bolstering the immune system).

(10 minute audio. Listen by clicking the right facing arrow -or- right click your mouse to download. Then continue for more info.)
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A heads up… if you suffer with Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Make yourself a quick note.

At 3 pm EST today on the Health Matters Show, I’ll bring you more good information about:

1. How and why to add essential oils to your list of effective health tools

-and-

Plus, using essential oils can be a very smart move. Dear one, this is easy to accomplish!

Listen to more remarks by Kimball Egge, my interview guest from last week. I received comments from so many people about the great job he did in explaining essential oils and how they work to relieve symptoms of Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
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If you’ve never heard the following, take a deep breath and let this statement sink deeply into your luscious gray matter….

At first this idea may seem out there and like some wild opinion. But it’s more of a growing philosophy that’s being proven and adopted by eastern and western medical researchers, quantum physics gurus and philosophers around the world.

Why? (You ask…)
How does this impact me?
What importance is this to my health?

At first the answers may astound you because:
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People often address the subject of disability and Fibromyalgia without much more than a bit of personal experience to speak from. That’s notable, but actually by it’s very nature, the information comes from a limited viewpoint. Yes, you might benefit from it, but it’s important to realize that one person’s experience is very personal, but possibly small in scope.

Unfortunately everyone who has a bad case of Fibromyalgia and sets about applying for disability may need the most comprehensive info and skilled help. Since each of us has a different set of medical facts and history with Fibromyalgia, that sets us apart from everyone else to a certain degree, even though we may suffer with many of the same symptoms.

When someone has experience within the Social Security system like Tim Moore from My Disability Blog (because he was a previous disability examiner) and that changes everything. His viewpoint is that of a professional, therefore, it should be regarded highly. Plus, Tim is a relevant resource. You may want to virtually pick his brain!

Take a moment to check out two of his recent blog posts and my reply to them. Then, I invite you to leave a comment at the Health Matters Show and on Tim’s site. It’s always nice to receive your questions and read your opinions.

Post #1: Can You Qualify for Disability with Fibromyalgia?

Post #2: How Does Social Security Evaluate Disability Claims?

Thanks so much and don’t forget to comment,
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

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I recently sat down with a client and friend to listen to Andrew Weil, M.D. and Martin L. Rossman, M.D.’s Self Healing with Guided Imagery CD set. It was amazing. I highly recommend it for people with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or anyone who wants to feel better.

Two cds come in the package. The first one offers information about why Guided Imagery concepts work so marvelously. These two renowned physicians share insights into the mind body connection and how guided imagery can relieve your symptoms of chronic pain, ease stress and anxiety.

In the second cd, Dr. Rossman teaches the basics of guided imagery, from principles of relaxation, to discovering your inner healer, to using imagery to relieve pain and stimulate healing. Three complete exercises are provided.

Guided Imagery, as a healing mechanism, is a highly regarded, holistic approach within the realm of Integrative Medicine.
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