In 2007, The CFS Name Change Advisory Board was formed to do just that. See the members of this committee seated around the table in the picture above. They remain as some of the most prominent physician/ researchers in the world on the topic of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: (left to right): Drs. Anthony Komaroff, David Bell, Nancy Klimas, Leonard Jason, Charles Lapp, Lucinda Bateman, Paul Cheney and Daniel Peterson. (Pictured separately below.)

From an article in ProHealth, “The CFS Name Change Advisory Board (NCAB) has amended its initial proposal and now recommends that the name for ‘chronic fatigue syndrome’ be changed to the acronym ME/CFS.”

The board realized that the use of ‘CFS’ logically would continue for awhile and it has. Sticking with the term CFS (particularly in the US) prevents harming patients involved in disability and medical insurance issues, and it provides a continuity of sorts in the research arena. However…

The Board encourages the change because the trivializing nature of the name ‘chronic fatigue syndrome’ negatively affects diagnosis, patient care, and research funding.

Okay… to be honest, I wrote this post awhile back. I never published it. I was looking at it today and thought, why not? The name change issue is still viable. The illnesses are viable. And to my knowledge, not a single thing involving this issue has been resolved. That is tragic.

If my interpretation of this issue is no longer true (and that’s possible), please let me know. I’ll gladly add to this information and re-post it. The worldwide population of people suffering with CFS and ME/CFS needs to get things resolved. Eventually… surely… we will be.

Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show

If you’d like to see a sneak peak, here are descriptions of the new medical reports that you’ll find:

I hope that they help in your work to keep up with the latest medical reports. Be sure to share this information with your doctor.

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

Specifically is the reference article’s Step 5: Calm the body to calm the mind. The authors suggest that you consider Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). I’m not sure how prevalent this type of psycho-therapy is to be effective for Arthritis, but the suggestion has certainly been around for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and especially, ME/CFS.

ME stands for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and is a condition that is somewhat similar to CFS in the United Kingdom (UK). For some people, it can be totally debilitating and devastating, much worse than the average case of CFS. However, in particular instances CFS can be horrible, too. You simply don’t hear as much about anyone affected that badly in the US, but they are there.

In general, ME/CFS is the term and abbreviation used for the ailment worldwide because ME and CFS are somewhat similar in nature.]

(Audio is 8 minutes and 12 seconds)

Arthritis Today’s explanation goes like this…

If you’ve ever received unexpected bad news, your body probably reacted with a strange sensation in your gut. Although the pang isn’t pleasant, it provides more proof that what your body feels is connected to what your mind thinks. Psychotherapists using CBT help people understand that connection and learn to control their thoughts so they can control feelings and physical reactions.

The very mention of the term “CBT” evokes regurgitative-quality revulsion in some circles of the world, especially in the ME/CFS community. No person can be so in control of their thoughts and emotions 100% of the time and therefore have the ability to control what is going on in their body, especially when they have such a complicated condition as this. From a practical basis, the UK medical establishment’s applied definition of CBT and how they implement it is hogwash because they belittle the person in a zealous attempt to control the illness process. IT DOESN’T WORK!

Even so, with all of that bad opinion and caveat already said, I encourage you to consider the premise from another point of view today and with a different goal in mind. Why should you do this? 1) Because this is truly important. 2) Because your mind, body, spirit connection is so very powerful as a human being and 3) Because you want to heal and get your life back. Know that there are valuable points here about cognitive behavior therapy to take home.

If and when the UK chooses to expand its CBT treatment regimen to include a true and complete mind, body and spirit approach -and- real medical healthcare until renewed health is achieved, people will benefit greatly. Possibly millions of people’s lives around the world would be improved from a more compassionate, comprehensive and expanded focus, as well as a truly medically-based approach. Every side of this equation is necessary if people are to get well en masse. As of now, very few people are being helped in the UK at all!

Each person, sick or well, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. I wonder… when is “man” ever going to learn that subverting someone else’s wishes beneath his own does not work? Love and compassion can be the worldwide phenomenon that we are all seeking as brothers and sisters interested in the health and welfare of each other.

Let’s find a way to do this and make this concept our “new” health reality. This type of attitude about health benefits us all. By adopting this approach, we change hearts, minds and ultimately how the “world” thinks and acts. Ultimately, that leads us all toward a universal evolution of wellness and true health.

Thank you for visiting the Health Matters Show, for listening to my negative view on cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), as it’s being practiced now in the UK and for my more positive slant on what “could be” if we choose to embrace the good side of healing our minds, our bodies and our spirits.

Cinda Crawford, your host

Your comment is welcomed below!
Feel free to pass on this post and article in any way that you choose.

#1) Step 1: Learn about your arthritis pain. First off, you need to learn about whatever pain you have. Some people who read this Health Matters Show blog may have Arthritis, but the large majority have either Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Both of those conditions are associated with chronic pain, too. The best thing that you can do is read positively-slanted material which espouses the opinion that getting control of your pain is possible and necessary. If you can manage to do that without resorting to high-powered pain drugs, you will be further ahead.

#2) Step 2: Rehabilitate your body. Now this is important, but not always easily accomplished if simply walking across the floor leaves you in agonizing pain. You can aim for rehabilitation, but take it slowly as your body improves. This point also lists:

• Regaining posture. (This is doable, but it is not such an important issue with Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.)
• Exercising. (This is very important, but exercise at a pace that does not trigger a cascade of symptoms or a worsening of your overall health.)
• Finding solutions. The article seems to only state the problems concerning this point, but let’s go a step further. Whether you have arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or some other chronic pain condition, constant pain does make living a regular life that much more difficult, if not impossible. Finding solutions may be the key in truly conquering your illness and they can include: diet adjustment, the type of exercise that you do, re-evaluating your sleep pattern (e.g. where you sleep, the conditions, the bed, the time period before sleep, supplements like Melatonin to encourage a more normal sleep pattern, etc. etc.) There are many answers and solutions!

#3) Step 3: Help yourself at home. Their basic suggestions for helping yourself are for learning how to use heat and cold applications for arthritis. Some of these same ideas can be applied likewise for easing Fibromyalgia symptoms, although not too many people tolerate cold therapy well.

Personally… I will warn you about getting into too hot a temperture water. Hot water easily can trigger an immune system reaction and you don’t want that!

Arthritis Today’s third suggestion in this category is rest, but with a different slant. They suggest that rest can help to ease the symptoms of inflammation. I’m not sure I’m onboard with that, but either way, your body needs adequate rest when it’s fighting to stay healthy, so you can consider this point valuable from that standpoint. Rest is truly a necessary requirement, if you have more of a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome presentation to your illness.

Plus, some people do have an inflammation component to what they are fighting if they also have autoimmune symptoms going on, too. Adequate relaxation and rest cannot be the “only” friends of your health, but they are necessary components if you are to obtain long term good health along the way of living a sensible and healthy lifestyle.

Step 4: Consult nonphysicians. Well, of course, I like this one. As the creator of Sacred Cellular Healing and as an ordained minister, I am certainly a non-physician who is trying to help people get well from chronic pain and illness. Yes, most people do need to consult a doctor for diagnosis and overall medical needs, but often their greatest help and progress lies with what they learn about themselves and what types of alternative theologies they endorse and seek out to get well.

I invite you to investigate Sacred Cellular Healing and the exciting Learn How to Heal Yourself membership course, which is designed for those folks who want to learn more about their own bodies, how to get well and how to stay well long term. I developed this course specially for people like you. Just think… when and if you learn how to heal yourself, you’ll be able to get in charge and stay more fully in charge of your health for the rest of your life!

This Arthritis Today article also suggests that you partake in acupuncture, massage and ultrasound. The first two therapies I have recommended for a long time, but the third I haven’t spoken about specifically. I used to get heat ultrasound treatments at my chiropractor and they helped greatly when I was having increased pain and inflammation in a certain area. This type of therapy feels good.

Step 5: Calm the mind to calm the body. The first two suggestions in this category are very worthy: hypnosis and biofeedback. They can be of great benefit in dealing with any chronic pain condition -or- health condition, for that matter.

The third suggestion is Cognitive Behavior Therapy and I’ll blog more about that tomorrow, specifically for my UK friends who suffer with ME/CFS and who get cognitive behavior therapy applied to their health unwillingly.

Hint… come back on Friday’s Health Matters Show blog and podcast to get more information about this hot topic!

No matter how you view these 5 steps or suggestions, there is much good information here. Pick and choose what you will use; apply at will. Just be sure to listen to the small, tiny voice inside of you that is whispering to you and advising you about what is good and healthy and what is not. Sometimes, simple is best. Sometimes, different is best. But surely, long term use of strong, pain-killing prescription drugs may not be in your best interest. They are just easier when you feel desperate. Go the extra mile and don’t stop with that one answer.

Wishing you good and recovering health,
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

PS- here’s the direct link to “Five Steps to Pain Relief” by Arthritis Today for your further reading. Also, don’t forget to come back to the show on Friday to learn more about CBT. If you think you might forget, sign up to get new email post alerts on the right hand side of the website, or sign up to get the podcast from i-Tunes.

For me, finding and implementing the best methods to beat sugar addiction seem to be the hardest and last of the big challenges in my effort to conquer Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Thousands, if not millions, of people struggle with a condition called Candida that is brought on by large-scale consumption of sugar and a weakened immune system.

Although I don’t believe I have candida (Dr. T may prove me wrong!), I still struggle with sugar addiction. That’s why I’m buying the book for myself, just like I’m suggesting that you do for you!

Take a few moments to check out this potentially valuable book.

As quoted by Steven Sponaugle, Research Director, Florida Detox and Wellness Institute on Amazon.com:

Carbohydrate craving is a major cause of obesity. Dr. Teitelbaum is the world’s foremost chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia expert and has encountered the four main causes of sugar and carbohydrate addiction in many of these patients. The four main types of sugar addiction are easily identified with the questionaires in this workbook. More importantly, effective treatments for the four main causes of sugar addiction are explained.

I was especially pleased to read the explanation of estrogen deficiency as a cause of low serotonin and carbohydrate craving. Estrogen is needed to open the female Serotonin receptor and many estrogen deficient women are self treating their Serotonin deficiency with carbohydrates which provide a brief Serotonin increase.

Sadly, over publicized, poorly designed studies using overdoses of horse estrogens (Premarin) have misled many people to overgeneralize problems with horse estrogens, to human estrogens.

We frequently encounter the hypoglycemia, adrenal exhaustion, fungal overgrowth (my word- candida) and Estrogen deficiency versions of sugar addiction at Florida Detox and Wellness Institute and agree with Dr. Teitelbaum that they are hidden causes of sugar addiction.

Thank you, Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show

It’s been a few months since I blogged about Gardasil, but it’s time again. I (and a lot of other people) believe that so many vaccines in our systems may set us up for immune system dysregulation and confusion. And when the subject, immune system dysregulation comes up, I’m ripe and ready to listen to what can cause such an occurrence. I lived with it most of my life and I can’t imagine doing anything further to cause dysregulation of my immune system! (The latest occurrence was a terrificly tough case of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).)

FACT: Every vaccine and every prescription drug that you put into your body has the chance to negatively impact your immune system! And you never know what that impact will be.

That’s why I do not take a prescription drug unless absolutely necessary. I first look for alternative health means to solve my problems.

Since my last post about Gardasil, I’ve found a lot more information. I’m trying not to repeat myself, so be sure to put the term “Gardasil” in the search engine on this website to read my past posts. Now, here are the additional resources:

1) Gardasil Researcher Drops A Bombshell: Controversal Drug Will Do Little To Reduce Cervical Cancer Rates by Susan Brinkmann for The Bulletin.

2) Guard your daughters from Gardasil! Gardasil & Swine Flu Vaccines: Inconvenient Truths by Barbara Loe Fisher

3) US Food and Drug Administration- Gardasil

4) A video of a news team and a mother questioning Gardasil’s safety and the link to the woman’s daughter’s death.

5) New Worries About Gardasil Safety

6) The CBS News with Katie Couric

Now whether you’ve taken Gardasil or have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or not, this is a vital issue for our children and grandchildren. If we keep promoting things that cause dysregulation of the immune system even in small ways, the insults add up.

So I ask you… when will be the last straw on the pile and your loved ones suddenly come down with CFS? How many people is this already happening to today and we don’t even realize it? What if the last vaccine shot or the last prescription drug was the trigger to you coming down with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

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

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:

1) Is it possible that a low level Leptin condition can show up in a person of any age?

2) When evidence of weight problems, recurring and seriously low energy deficits and brain or cognitive dysfunction symptoms (that we call brain fog) show up in Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients, should we be checked for a low Leptin level?

3) Is it possible that low level Leptin is a part of the problem causing the diverse group of symptoms seen in our population? (If “yes, it is possible,” then go on to Question 4.)

4) Assuming someone has a low Leptin level, is there any contra-indication against trying him or her on the hormone Leptin to see if the person improves?

The answers to these questions could be very important. However, I know of no one doing this type of research for people with Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Remember: the squeaky wheel gets the grease. I encourage you to forward this blog post on to any and everyone you can think of. All your Fibro buddies, Spoonies and folks in your local support group. If you know a doctor, researcher or scientist, see if you can peak their interest, too. With enough interest in this subject, we might generate some curiosity and action.

AND ACTION IS WHAT IT’S GOING TO TAKE TO SOLVE THESE HEALTH PROBLEMS!

Even though this is speculation, those of us who have or have had Fibromyalgia or CFS probably suffer with at least 2 out of these 3 symptoms: either weight issues, the problem of having enough energy to do all of the things that we want and need to do in life or we suffer with the brain fog of someone who is very, very ill.

Take a look at the WebMd report at More Leptin May Mean Less Alzheimer’s . I know my interest is certainly peeked with this issue.

So for all the nutritionists, endocrine system and disease researchers and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia specialists out there, please weigh in on this issue and any of the four questions. Certainly it would be great not to have Alzheimer’s Disease (No one wants it!), but if this type of Leptin dysfunction is hitting the younger generation hard, too, because of what such an imbalance does to the body, then this is certainly a worthy topic.

Thanks for listening. I hope my random musings make it around the world and back only because this is something we can sink our teeth into. Much of the effort for finding out what we need to know about Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is up to us. Hint: Action and Awareness.

Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

PS- For a strong dose of reality, check out WebMD’s link at the bottom of the page listed above. What you’ll be looking for is entitled Alzheimer’s Disease Symptoms.

PPS- Plus, for 2010 I am inviting “specialists” to speak to us about this topic and more. Keep your fingers crossed that my invitations to the best ones are accepted and that they agree to talk to us soon. In anticipation of this, I have placed several books about leptin and nutrition inside of the Health Matters Store under the Cinda Recommends column to the right. Check them out and order one for yourself and your 2010 good health and healing resolutions!

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…

Click this link to get access.

The more we know about these illnesses, the better. And where it concerns people with Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, you know I’m interested.

Do you have Lupus? Speak up and leave a comment. I and many other people would like to hear from you.

Thanks, Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show

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

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.)

• Drink lots of pure clean water each day. (At least eight 8-oz. glasses of extremely pure, clean water.) An abundance of water helps to wash the allergy offenders right out of your system. Plus, adequate fluids encourage your lymph system to work well for proper flow. You can add some tea to increase your fluid consumption, but too much tea will counteract what you’re trying to do and promote dehydration.

• Go so far as to wash your bed linens, curtains, towels, even the dog! Change your whole house air filter often. Keep pollens and dust out of the air you breathe indoors, but especially out of your bedroom. (NOTE: *I also purify and clean the room air by atomizing a fine mist of either Young Living lemon oil or orange oil. I use one of the Young Living atomizers to dispense it continuously. That way I ingest these health-promoting oils by the simple act of breathing. For me it’s a no-brainer and I get that many more therapeutic grade oils into my system.

*TIP: PLEASE, Please, please… stay away from hydro-carbon produced (manmade chemical) room sprays. Some of the chemicals can be very, very harmful. In some people, this habit can promote symptoms of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. You don’t want to do that.

Instead, give essential oils a try as a healthy alternative to freshening your house and keeping your air healthy to breathe. You won’t be spraying harmful chemicals in your air, plus the essential oils like the Young Living brand can aid in your recovery and health maintenance! Be sure to only use the highest quality oils like Young Living. Off-brands are often produced with chemicals themselves, causing them to be ineffective or adulterated in the distillation process. Even though the off brands use plants and herbs for their products, because they’re not of the high quality and because they are not distilled to the highest standards, they can end up being harmful to some people or, at least, totally ineffective.)

If you don’t purify your air in such a healthy manner, there’s a good chance that instead you’re adding to the toxic load that every cell in your body is trying to handle, especially the ones in your respiratory and immune systems. I covered many of related points in last Friday’s edition of the Health Matters Show. I encourage you to go back and listen to the 15 minute broadcast.

• If a certain substance seems to trigger your allergy symptoms, make an effort to find out what this substance is, e.g. ragweed. After you figure it out, keep away from the substance as much as possible. Example: don’t go walking in a field where ragweed is in full bloom or don’t stay outside when the wind is blowing the allergen on your body, in your eyes and up your nose!

• Consider using a clear, pure, lightly salted solution of water with a pinch of soda to wash out your nose and sinuses. Now, there are many ways to do this and you should get some further advice on the how, where and when. I have used a netty pot in the past and that did work.

Lately, I’ve taken an easier route and am using NeilMed Sinus Rinse. I bought a kit at my local drug store in a box. It included a plastic squirt bottle and packets of pre-mixed salt, sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate. I do not sell this product, but you might want to look into this kit if you need something that is easy and effective to use for washing out your sinus passages. It is an over-the-counter (OTC) product. If you have major questions after reading the box, check with the local pharmacist or your doctor. The salt in the rinse helps to clean and heal the nasal tissues and the soda compound keeps the salt from stinging your delicate skin.

• Do a little research on foods. Many of the foods you eat may increase inflammation in your body and add to your misery quotient. Experts will tell you that only a purely alkaline diet encourages a decrease in inflammation. Now, before you complain, yes, an alkaline diet is difficult to keep going, but it’s not impossible. You can aim for it! Plus, know that some foods will be tougher on you than others during allergy season, such as a food like melon. Now isn’t that a shame? But, biochemically, everything like this is related in your body.

Personally, I discovered that if I don’t keep my cantaloupe consumption to a low roar in the summertime, I suffer. I must maintain eating only a small portion that is spread out over several days. Of course, that’s doesn’t help a person when you’re trying to keep fresh melon in the house to eat. One lady gave me this tip… either share your fresh melton so you don’t eat too much too fast -or- buy a smaller quantity. The rule is: don’t eat too much of anything that exacerbates allergy symtoms at once or for too many days in a row. Space out and rotate your foods. Registered dieticians often refer to this more as the concept behind a rotation diet.)

• And lastly, don’t forget to nourish your body and immune system with exactly what it needs to be healthy. Everything from water, to foods to any of the fantastic nutraceuticals that companies have for sale. Yesterday, I told you a whole lot about Young Living’s Ningxia Red and how it might really help to get and keep you healthy. Earlier in the week, I blogged about essential oils for the immune system. If you missed any of the posts, please go back and review this information. I compiled it for your use.

Okay, that’s it for today. If you have tips that can help others during allergy, cold, and flu season, send them in and help out someone like yourself. They might return the favor!

Thanks, Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show, the place where people with Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can get lots of answers about how to Get Well and Stay Well!

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

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:

1) When you go to your doctor for help, he or she must determine whether you really need an antibiotic or not. Without doing laboratory tests to figure out the cause of why you’re so sick, bacterial or viral, your doctor cannot tell you what made you sick, so he makes an educated guess about the best line of treatment for you.
2) If instead of a bacteria causing your problem, a viral infection began your illness, it may produce such similar symptoms that your body ends up getting a bacterial infection anyway!

Bronchial symptoms at this point could mean an infection is brewing in the upper chest -or- you may have contracted either the seasonal or H1N1 flu.

If you suspect you have the flu, stay calm, drink a lot of water and notice if your symptoms worsen. Especially, if you labor with difficult or noisy chest breathing or run a high fever, don’t delay. See your doctor right away.

Most of us would love to have some really good ways to pre-empt these kinds of health problems. Here are a few of my suggestions:

Thieves is a Young Living proprietary essential oil blend that was university tested for its cleansing abilities. It is highly effective in supporting the immune system and good health. I stocked up on Thieves oil at the beginning of the fall.

If you’re looking for a way to gargle a really sore throat, you could try purchasing the 8 oz. Thieves mouthwash, but apparently a whole lot of other people had the same idea this fall. Young Living’s Thieve’s mouthwash is totally out of stock right now! However, I know another way around this dilemma. You can order a regular bottle of Thieves oil. Then put a couple drops of the oil in a small glass of pure, clean, warm water. Swishing the fluid around in your mouth and gargling should give you the same kind of excellent results as the regular mouthwash.

Clove oil oil contains 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. That is huge!

Oregano oil contains strong immune system enhancing and antioxidant properties and supports the respiratory system. I used it a couple of years ago when I was away from home and had symptoms of severe chest congestion. Now oregano oil is not really tasty, but it’s strength is what you’re after. It worked to quell the infection within me quickly. And that is my personal experience. I was really glad I had it with me! (*You should always test a small amount of oil on your skin before applying a bunch of it -or- consuming any internally.)

Okay, here’s the link to my Young Living website. Feel free to hang out there for awhile. Most of my references are taken directly from the Young Living organization, a company designed for people like “us” in mind.

Best wishes for your good health, Cinda Crawford
Your host of the Health Matters Show

PS- if you can’t find a particular product that you’re looking for on the page, click on the beige “Product Line” button in the left-hand column.

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. I hope some of the information I’ve shared will help you, too, but feel free to consult with your physician about all health matters.

(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.

So… what am I doing instead?
I went last Thursday for a “tooth lengthening” procedure with an oral surgeon. He proceded to numb me up with about 10 shots (some in the back jaw muscle and several in the gum area around the tooth). He surgically removed some of the gum tissue and underlying bone connecting tissue to expose more of my tooth so that when I do get the new crown, it will have more tooth surface to hang on to.

That makes sense and I’m hoping that it works. (This extra surgical procedure was over $900.00, but dental implants are about $3500.00 or more… YIKES!)

Well, money or not, I’m pretty particular about my mouth. Now that my immune system is so much better than it used to be and I’m enjoying good health, I’m not anxious to do anything to challenge it unduly and cause any symptoms of Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to resurface. I spent about 7 years getting rid of all my amalgam fillings and having them replaced with crowns. An expensive venture, yes, but so worth it. I’m convinced that the mercury/ amalgam fillings severely challenged my health and made getting well that much tougher.

So now, I’m waiting to heal from a different cause, albeit, one tooth short. If you want to check out another post I made on the dangers of mercury in your amalgam fillings, see this June 2009 entry. I truly think this is more of an important issue than many medical professionals want to acknowledge.

So I encourage you to share right here on my blog, if you’re going through tooth or teeth problems of your own. How do you think your dental health is impacting the rest of your health? What are your symptoms? What are you facing?

Or, if you’re a dentist or dental surgeon, feel free to share away. We patients are always wanting to know what dental care options are in our best interest… be they amalgam fillings, crowns or dental implants.

Thanks and here’s wishing you the best of health today and always,
Cinda Crawford, your host of the Health Matters Show

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?

a) The CDC’s website gives a warning to people with a compromised immune system concerning the flu itself. The websites make no mention of any kind about dangers involving the vaccine. Does it seem logical that something on the website should address this important topic, too?

b) Based on information from Stan Mrak in “Swine Flu Vaccinations – Are They a Good Idea Or a Potential Disaster?, we should pause and decide carefully before allowing a doctor or nurse to administer the vaccine to us or our children.

c) Based on new information and rulings, too many vaccines may be the culprit for creating some children’s mitrochondria damage, thus resulting in cases of autism. Finally… the medical profession is coming around after thousands and thousands of children have been harmed. *Plus, don’t forget, mitrochondria damage is suspected in being a causative or resultant factor in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms. Our mitrochondria factories make the energy in our bodies that keep us running and healthy -or- if dysfunctional, sick and in the bed! (Can you afford worse damage to your immune system?)

Dear ones, you and I are the innocents here because we’re trying to be responsible citizens and comply with the government’s warnings. Our children are certainly in the category of being innocent. How many of us will perish or become severely compromised after receiving the H1N1 vaccine or the next one in line? How many people will be injured before our vaccine industry is given a thorough overhaul? And worst of all, why are researchers and government officials rushing a new, potentially dangerous H1N1 swine flu vaccine to market and (conveniently?) giving you no recourse to sue them (based on a new law) if you or your loved one end up with an injured immune system, an autoimmune illness that affects you for life or an illness like autism or Guillain-Barré Syndrome?

Before you answer those questions, take a moment to really read Stan Mrak’s article. He gives a lot of facts and statistics that will blow your socks off. Forget about bellying up to the vaccine bar. Let’s face it… you’re standing there totally unprotected with your proverbial feet naked and exposed to any and every adverse consequence that comes along! ARE YOU READY?

I urge you to research this and make a conscious decision. I won’t tell you what to do. But, please, don’t blindly step up to the vaccine bar and partake of their latest product without taking responsibility for your choice. Right now YOU have one; be certain that you’re willing to live with the results.

Thanks, Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show, founder of Get Well Health and creator of the phenomenal, new healing protocol, Sacred Cellular Healing