Other Illnesses

Since Dr. Brian Rothbart first wrote his book, Forever Free From Chronic Pain, I’ve been his fan because Dr. Rothbart helps people learn how to be free of pain. Now, I know that’s quite a statement, so let me explain a bit more.

Dr. Rothbart currently lives in Spain, treating local people and people from all over the world. Because of his ability to really help people, they seek him out.

He uses a proprietary method of analyzing a person’s foot structure to figure out the cause of a person’s health problem, i.e. chronic pain, and then provides a method to correct the damage of that foot problem. What’s interesting is the concept in his book and medical practice -and- the success that he has with so many people.

If you are one of the people in this world who endures almost constant chronic pain, this could be for you because maybe… you might find a way to be forever free of pain, too!

You can get a copy of this book by clicking on the hypertext link in blue above or checking the Amazon.com store link in this website in “Cinda Recommends.”

Either way, this book could be a very valuable asset to you. Consider purchasing it, then read about the methodology of the healing concept. You can even sign up for Dr. Rothbart’s newsletter on his website.

Happy health. It is my fervent wish that you begin living without daily chronic pain!

Thanks, Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show

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An endocrine system hormone known as Leptin regulates appetite and feelings of hunger (or satiety), however scientists are now suspecting that low levels of Leptin have links to Alzheimer’s disease, the body’s energy regulation mechanisms, serious weight problems and cognitive dysfunction.

Now I realize that I probably am the first person to bring up this issue in relationship to Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but I’m sitting here thinking… What about us? Is there a connection that hasn’t been made yet? Hopefully my prompting will open some doors and cause inquiring minds to want to know. (Read on for all the info; then forward this post to your friends, send them to the blog, Tweet it or note it on Facebook. Comment here, too, and let’s discuss it.)

Now do these 3 things:
1) To listen to the podcast and more detailed information about this topic, click on the right-facing arrow above;
2) Get access to the news article and website with the link below -and-
3) Consider the following 4 questions specifically designed for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers:
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There are folks who not only have Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but some also have Lupus, too. That can add up to a lot of very unpleasant symptoms.

Now it’s not my intention to educate you on Lupus, because you can surely find great resources yourself.

But some of you may not know about what’s being done within the Lupus community. Recently a new funding appropriations bill was approved by Congress, increasing the funding for the illness. Find out all the latest scoop at the Science Blog by the Lupus Foundation.

This bill will now be sent to the President for his signature. On behalf of the Lupus Foundation of America and people with lupus, thank you for making your voices heard!

If you are interested in making your voice heard in person for Fiscal Year 2011 lupus priorities, please join with us on Capitol Hill March 15-16, 2010 for the Lupus Foundation of America’s Advocacy Day!

If you would like to catch the 2009 ACR Annual Scientific Meeting and 6 fantastic videos about Lupus…
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Several times in the last few weeks and months I have written about ME/CFS, Swine flu and the wisdom or danger of getting a vaccination. (See more posts about ME/CFS in children and young people later on this week.) Recently out of the UK, there is more news about these topics.

I encourage you to do 2 things: search this Health Matters Show blog/podcast and website for all of the entries on the appropriate terms. Then check out this new link at the ME Association. See their QuickLink tabs on the left.

Researchers in the UK are taking note of the correlation between getting a Swine Flu vaccination and the reactions of people with ME/CFS. Your reaction and your symptoms are important to them. The researchers only have 16 replies and they need a lot more.

What’s fascinating to me is that some people who submitted to the Swine Flu vaccination have had no reaction to getting it at all. “However, three people (3/16) have reported a more prolonged and serious exacerbation/relapse of their ME/CFS.”

Of particular concern is a single report of a previously fit adolescent who has developed a number of ME/CFS type symptoms four days after his vaccination. Whilst this link to the vaccination may be pure co-incidence, we do know that ME/CFS can occasionally be triggered by vaccinations, including the normal flu vaccine.

This case is being reported to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) by The MEA on the Yellow Card reporting system. And it is very important to make sure that doctors in the UK report all suspected adverse events to swine flu vaccination to the MHRA.

If you’re reading this from the UK, please help by reporting your experience with the Swine Flu vaccination and your ME/CFS symptoms. New symptoms or a worsening of symptoms is bad enough in adults; in young people it can be tragic and alter their entire futures. This is not the first time that a vaccine has been implicated in such damage in young people. Read the story of a young girl named Kenzie.

Thanks for dropping by and best wishes,
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

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If you’re suffering with Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, pollen and inflammation may bother you in a seemingly weird way… as if your entire system is revved up with allergy symptoms, it’s idling in a fast overdrive gear all the while it’s sitting still in the driveway! You may feel lethargic, but inside you’re quite the opposite. Your body is producing an abundant supply of inflammation and that is not what you want. Instead, you need to find ways to reduce all sources of inflammation. That’s what today’s post is all about.

Allergenic-type reactions in the body include inflammation and often an over-production of mucus. The nose, sinus cavities and, possibly, bronchial linings can swell, feel boggy, and be tough to breathe through. This may cause pain (more swelling and tightness) because your body is producing too much mucus and it’s inflamed.

From Medicine.net: “Mucus” without an “o” is the Latin noun for “a slimy semifluid discharge from the nose.” “Mucous” with an “o” is the corresponding adjective.

With your immune system functioning in a frenzied state of over-production because of allergies, your body increases mucous secretions or inflammation. That increases your histamine response and causes more bio-chemical reactions, many of which also cause symptoms. This occurs in an effort to protect you from whatever enemy your body perceives is a threat, nevermind how miserable you feel during the ordeal.

These allergy symptoms are your body’s reaction to what it perceives and, in most cases, they are nothing to fear. Too bad that the whole process can make you feel so miserable. If you’re not aware and prepared ahead of time for what is to come, a state of panic can set in. Remember… DON’T FEAR. Don’t supply any additional energy or add to your body’s response to being sick in any negative way. Instead… BE CALM. Remain in control.

If you suffer with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or any autoimmune illness, your body doesn’t necessarily interpret these specific signals even as mildly as I’ve described here. Instead you may feel worse… as if you’re suffering from either a beginning sinus infection, a bronchial infection or an increase of widespread body pain and fatigue. At other times, it may be the opposite: when your body is fighting something else, your Fibro or CFS symptoms abate almost entirely and you’re aware only of the misery quotient concerning your allery/ sinus related illness.

(Note: Whether you have a simple allergy or cold or it’s turning into something worse, it’s up to you and your doctor to decide. Don’t neglect going to see your physician if your symptoms do not abate after a reasonable period of time, if you have trouble breathing or if your fever spikes and neither Tylenol, Advil nor aspirin lower it and keep it in a moderate range.)

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Yesterday when we talked about allergies, sinus infections and the flu, I gave you lots of information, plus the names of several health-related products that you could consider using to ward off bacterial or viral infections: Thieves, Clove oil and Oregano oil. They are all Young Living brand essential oils.

I rely on this brand of oils and rarely go a day without using them as a part of my self-healthcare approach. The fact that essential oils have been around since the holy days really appeals to me and helps to keep me centered with a more natural, basic approach to staying healthy.

Another way to find information outside of this website is to look inside a fantastic book called Essential Oils Desk Reference, 4th edition by Essential Science Publishing. This morning I researched how to bolster the immune system and found 6 additional references. They are listed below.

These essential oils are “highly antibacterial and contain immune supportive properties, as documented by many researachers, such as Daniel Penoel, MD and Pierre Franchomme.”

a) Ravensara
b) Melissa
c) Mountain savory
d) Cistus
e) Hyssop (and)
f) Frankincense

Feel free to research these oils at my Young Living website. See more products not visible onscreen by clicking the Product Line tab in the left margin. Then read and get informed about how to achieve better quality health. Surely the specific product information will help you decide if taking pre-emptive measures sounds like your next best step forward to your goal.

Personally, I believe it’s smart to empower and safeguard my immune system. When I use oils to accomplish this goal, I only use high quality ones from Young Living.

While you’re there, check out another immune system enhancing product, ImmuPro with Ningxia wolfberry polysaccharides. There have been so many reports about the power of using Ningxia wolfberry for your good health. Tomorrow here on the blog, I’ll have more info.

Personally I believe it’s wise to take preventative action before you or someone you love gets sick… or gets sick again. Possibly one of these great “healing” products will assist you in making that intention your new health reality. Rarely, when I do get ill, I use essential oils after-the-fact. They support my body’s and immune system’s effort at recovery.

If you have any questions about the products or you’re thinking of getting into a health-related business and want to know more about Young Living, email me. I’ll get right back to you. Then we can share phone numbers and talk more.

Universal Disclaimer: I am not a doctor; I am an alternative health practitioner. Very simply, I have found ways that help me fight off infections and help to keep me healthy. My family, friends and clients use them, too. I hope some of the information I’ve shared will help you. Even so, you should consult with your physician about all health matters.

I hope you have a wonderfully healthy day. Today when I hit the “publish” button on the blog, I will take the time to annoint myself with Frankincense essential oil, drink 8 ounces of pure, clean water and go outside for a meditative walk in the woods.

Sending you all my best, Cinda Crawford
Health Matters Show

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Since we’re well into the fall season now, your immune system may have started to run wild with symptoms of allergies, sinus and bronchial infections. Plus, the seasonal and H1N1 flu bugs are causing their own misery and, pardon my pitiful pun, none of these are anything to sniff at… .

Both indoor and outdoor allergies can cause problems. Many people are treated for them everyday. Allergy symptoms are the body’s way of trying to rid itself of some “foreign substance” that it doesn’t like. These substances cause irritation. The body therefore produces mucous, and possibly inflammation.

The same symptoms are attributed to moderate to severe sinus problems: (horrible) irritation, (voluminous) mucous, (abundant) inflammation, and finally pain, pressure and swelling. A sinus infection caused by an overgrowth of bacteria will make you feel worse because your immune system becomes fully stimulated and invested in the battle to fight and get you healthy again.

TWO ADDITIONAL SCENARIOS:
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During the last few weeks I’ve been plagued with a dental care problem. I lost a crown off one of my front teeth while I was eating a tomato sandwich, while sitting on the patio by the new fish pond. Its outer edges are graced with a million little white stones and my teenie, tiny, little tooth just disappeared into the abyss.

(FYI, I looked “other” places, for a few days, too, but that adventure is not a discussion for a public blog.)

Without finding my tooth, I was left with the decision of what to do about my missing crown. A new one would cost almost $1000.00! I asked my dentist about whether I should put in a second one in place of the one I lost. It was so small that I wasn’t sure that was the best dental care option. (There was very little tooth showing to put the crown on. He surmised that that is why I had lost the first one!)

I thought my only other option might be to investigate dental implants. My dentist didn’t think that was the best idea and advised against considering one. He had other ideas.

Plus, according to this article talking about dental implants by Dr. Mercola, maybe it’s better that I didn’t go that route.

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The preliminary/ testing vaccine inoculations have begun. This last week, medical staffers began poking invasive needles into the arms of all age volunteers. The images of children and babies being stuck in the arm with needles makes me catch my breath in mid-air.

I wonder:

1) What exactly are scientists putting into the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine that makes it safe for perfectly innocent and unsuspecting individuals? (Hint: You have to “know” it’s not just the virus alone. Hm-mm-mm… that could be troubling.)

2) What will be the consequences for people who take it if they already suffer with chronic illnesses and/or compromised immune systems? How many of them will have adverse reactions? How bad will those reactions be?
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There are so many questions and concerns about the impending Swine Flu epidemic for fall 2009 and the vaccine that is supposed to curb your chances of getting ill.

That leaves you with 2 big questions if you have an altered immune system and suffer with a chronic illness like Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:

#1 How much risk are you assuming with Swine Flu if you don’t get the new vaccine?

#2 What unknown risks are you taking by injecting the vaccine into your body?

People who are healthy do not naturally have lots of fear about getting sick. Yet in recent months, big government agencies and conglomerates like the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the news media, the drug corporations themselves and foretellers of the future have been bending your ears backwards and forwards about exactly that issue. Yes, 2009 is turning out to be a year when healthy people are hearing a lot about the wisdom of getting preventative vaccines.

However, the possibility of getting more sick than they already are is always a concern for people who live with a tough chronic illness like Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

*NOTE: When you put something foreign into your body, there’s always the possibility that that substance can trigger an immune system reaction and you get more than you bargained for!

However, today I discovered something you may want to check out.
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When this incidence of Swine Flu first came to our attention, we first heard the rumblings from Mexico. Now there are cases of the illness all over the world. While some people did get very sick and some die, many more people are successfully recovering without severe illness symptoms at all. Some appear to have no more than a regular case of flu. You have to wonder… what is the risk to you or your children in all this?

If we listen to the sage advice of Dr. Joseph Mercola Squalene: The Swine Flu Vaccines Dirty Little Secret Exposed, you and I may have more to fear from what man is doing with the virus in rushing a vaccine to market than anything else. Plus, the first group of people inline to get the vaccine is our children. This will happen within a matter of months– if the government has anything to do with it.

That fact may have you scratching your head. Is that a good thing or bad thing? Don’t we want to protect our children? Should our children be given this vaccine right away to keep them as safe as possible? This is a potentially dangerous situation and I’ll give you some reasons why.

I encourage you to read all of Dr. Mercola’s article, but also go further and consider the challenges you face everyday with your immune system. Everything I read and learn tells me that people with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have a confused immune system. Alread, it isn’t working at peak efficiency. It does weird things because of everyday challenges. What do you think might be your reaction to having this new flu vaccine introduced into your body? If you’re thinking chaos, you unfortunately may be right.

Plus, realize something else. Every incidence of flu, including the latest Swine Flu, essentially can be a brand new illness with important differences than the one around yesterday. Viruses mutate swiftly, thereby producing brand new, never-been-seen-before bugs all the time. It’s true. The vaccine you get today may offer you absolutely no protection to the bug waiting for you on your child’s lunchbox two weeks from Tuesday.

Before you give up with a headache and resign yourself to “the experts know best,” you really should think this one out for yourself… .
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(This article excerpt about cardiac antibodies was reported this week by Co-Cure)

Anticardiolipin antibodies in the sera of patients with diagnosed Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

Journal: J Clin Lab Anal. 2009 Jul 21;23(4):210-212. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Hokama Y, Campora CE, Hara C, Kuribayashi T, Le Huynh D, Yabusaki K.
Affiliation: Department of Pathology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Mânoa, Honolulu, Hawaii.
NLM Citation: PMID: 19623655

Examination of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACAs) in the sera of patients clinically diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) using an enzyme-linked immunoassay procedure demonstrated the presence of immunoglobulin M isotypes in 95% of CFS serum samples tested.

The presence of immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin A isotypes were also detected in a subset of the samples.

Future studies will focus on elucidating whether alterations to mitochondrial inner membranes and/or metabolic functions play a possible role in the expression of ACAs.

J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 23:210-212, 2009. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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We’ll see if this new information about these new cardiac antibodies turns out to be significant for those folks with heart / cardiac abnormalities who have CFS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I would not be surprised if it is. I know of people who suffer greatly with cardiomyopathy and such conditions after becoming severely ill with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Stay tuned here for updates or you can sign up at the Co-Cure website for their weekly digest of articles. Co-Cure is certainly one of the best websites for this type of information.

Thanks,
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

A person who’s not afraid to talk about CFS: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

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Monday night, Dr. Freida Eng and I discussed many, many issues about Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. One of them was the problem of brain fog.

Now anyone who has or has had either illness has a pretty good idea about brain fog. Ask someone to describe it and you might hear such expressions as:

• my thinking is fuzzy
• I feel stupid. I’m afraid to open my mouth
• it feels like part of brain is dead or dying
• CRS: Can’t remember stuff
• like I’m walking around in a hazy cloud and can’t depend upon my brain anymore
• like I’m trying to live my life under water
• as if I’m trying to think through mud -or- think through a sess pool, if you really want the clear picture! Hey, that’s funny…

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Amid all the seriousness of life, I enjoy being silly sometimes. I hope you do, too!
Mothers Day seemed like a good time for a smile and a laugh.
I look foward to seeing you back here Monday for the teleseminar.

Enjoy the Muppets,
Cinda Crawford

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