Allow yourself to share your experience with this invisible illness and help yourself and others too. Share your tools, how you deal with everyday life, and gain access to information on Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome and Fibromyalgia (CFIDS/FMS). My mission is to empower patients to take control of their health by providing my own story and experience with treatment information, quality health products, community, and advocacy.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Alternative Pain Management
Hello Everybody,
What is a TENS UNIT? A T.E.N. unit stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. During my rehabilitation the physical therapist introduced the use of a tens unit. The unit works to alleviate pain by sending mild electrical pulse through the skin to stimulate the nerves beneath. The unit is lightweight and easy to carry. I was able to attach the unit to my belt or place it within a front pocket of a sweater, jacket, or pants. These portable units are very convenient and an effective way of managing pain. The units are battery operated and rechargeable.
These units are not a permanent solution for chronic pain. The muscle stimulator is for customized muscle rehabilitation and chronic and acute radiating pain relief. The tens units are used in parallel with physical therapy and not a substitute for regimented physical rehabilitation therapy. The tens units ease pain and sometimes result in less use of drugs.
The tens unit is prescribed by the pain management doctor, chiropractor, or physical therapist. The nurse or physical/occupational therapist explains the proper use of the tens unit. Continual use of the unit will require extra electrode pads, electrode conductive preparation spray (can use alcohol wipes), and battery and battery charger. Units and accessories are available via the Internet or at a medical supply retail store. Quality electrode pads contain gels with non-irritating gels that are sticky providing comfort, reusability, and performance. You can find a unit, the LG-TEC Dual Combo TENS Unit and Muscle Stimulator.
Talk to your doctor about obtaining a TENS UNIT. Using the unit does enable you to decrease the use of medication. It is an alternative, safe, non-addictive, and effective treatment for chronic pain.
I hope and pray you are able to control your fatigue and pain.
What is a TENS UNIT? A T.E.N. unit stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. During my rehabilitation the physical therapist introduced the use of a tens unit. The unit works to alleviate pain by sending mild electrical pulse through the skin to stimulate the nerves beneath. The unit is lightweight and easy to carry. I was able to attach the unit to my belt or place it within a front pocket of a sweater, jacket, or pants. These portable units are very convenient and an effective way of managing pain. The units are battery operated and rechargeable.
These units are not a permanent solution for chronic pain. The muscle stimulator is for customized muscle rehabilitation and chronic and acute radiating pain relief. The tens units are used in parallel with physical therapy and not a substitute for regimented physical rehabilitation therapy. The tens units ease pain and sometimes result in less use of drugs.
The tens unit is prescribed by the pain management doctor, chiropractor, or physical therapist. The nurse or physical/occupational therapist explains the proper use of the tens unit. Continual use of the unit will require extra electrode pads, electrode conductive preparation spray (can use alcohol wipes), and battery and battery charger. Units and accessories are available via the Internet or at a medical supply retail store. Quality electrode pads contain gels with non-irritating gels that are sticky providing comfort, reusability, and performance. You can find a unit, the LG-TEC Dual Combo TENS Unit and Muscle Stimulator.
Talk to your doctor about obtaining a TENS UNIT. Using the unit does enable you to decrease the use of medication. It is an alternative, safe, non-addictive, and effective treatment for chronic pain.
I hope and pray you are able to control your fatigue and pain.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Allergic Asthma and Non-allergic Asthma
Hi Everyone,
It sounds like there are a number of people suffering from allergies and asthma these days. I know, nothing new however, I am concerned about my family and friends, so here goes:
There are two broad categories of this disease—allergic asthma and non-allergic asthma and the symptoms are the same for both. With allergic asthma, allergens like animal dander, dust mites, cockroaches, mold, pollen, smoke, and certain foods can trigger an attack. Non-allergic asthma is prompted by things like anxiety, stress, exercise, cold air, dry air, hyperventilation, viruses and other irritants. Common food triggers for asthma include milk and wheat.
There are other causes of inflammation, symptoms can range from mild to severe and can present in different ways. Sometimes patients have shortness of breath, chest tightness, and some people just have coughs. One thing that all types of asthma have in common is chronic inflammation. Inflammation can be triggered by chronic bacterial and/or viral infections, heavy metal overload or a hyper-permeable intestinal lining. Some people suffer from a combination of these problems. Ask your doctor to test for bacterial and viral infections. He may end up prescribing antibiotics and anti-virals.
The doctor can test for heavy metal contamination and some people possess a genetic vulnerability that renders them unable to process the onslaught of modern-day toxins. So what happens? Metals build up in the body and cause inflammation. If you have been exposed to mercury and lead, your immune system is thrown off and skewed towards chronic inflammation, allergies and asthma. While some people may not have the heavy metal toxicity, but rather are lead or mercury burdened. Keep in mind that even lower levels affect function.
It is important to address the underlying inflammation by decreasing environmental exposures to allergens, heavy metals, toxic chemicals, bacteria and viruses in the body that lead to chronic inflammation. In addition, patients must assess for food allergies and alter their diet accordingly. Some doctors believe in nutritional supplementation because many asthma patients are deficient in certain vitamins, such as A, D, and B6. Some patients are lacking minerals, particularly magnesium, zinc, selenium and chromium. Other supplements include amino acids and essential fatty acids. Probiotics can be extremely helpful in restoring the immune system to its proper balance.
Detoxification is an important element and medication is the final component in treating asthma. The key is to address food allergies, modify your diet accordingly, then take supplements that would improve your overall nutrition. Building up the immune system and healing your gut will improve your health.
When I was taking Liquidity, I felt much better. I have noticed an overall difference in my health. I am on a quest to find another product that offers the proper supplements without the bad taste or high cost. Maintaining my diet is not enough, I need to get back on my supplements and I need to encourage Jerry to follow in my footsteps.
Meanwhile, think about what I have written and please consult with your physician. I hope and pray this information has helped someone today. Together we can work at taking control our health!
God Bless and I am sending everyone soft hugs:)
It sounds like there are a number of people suffering from allergies and asthma these days. I know, nothing new however, I am concerned about my family and friends, so here goes:
There are two broad categories of this disease—allergic asthma and non-allergic asthma and the symptoms are the same for both. With allergic asthma, allergens like animal dander, dust mites, cockroaches, mold, pollen, smoke, and certain foods can trigger an attack. Non-allergic asthma is prompted by things like anxiety, stress, exercise, cold air, dry air, hyperventilation, viruses and other irritants. Common food triggers for asthma include milk and wheat.
There are other causes of inflammation, symptoms can range from mild to severe and can present in different ways. Sometimes patients have shortness of breath, chest tightness, and some people just have coughs. One thing that all types of asthma have in common is chronic inflammation. Inflammation can be triggered by chronic bacterial and/or viral infections, heavy metal overload or a hyper-permeable intestinal lining. Some people suffer from a combination of these problems. Ask your doctor to test for bacterial and viral infections. He may end up prescribing antibiotics and anti-virals.
The doctor can test for heavy metal contamination and some people possess a genetic vulnerability that renders them unable to process the onslaught of modern-day toxins. So what happens? Metals build up in the body and cause inflammation. If you have been exposed to mercury and lead, your immune system is thrown off and skewed towards chronic inflammation, allergies and asthma. While some people may not have the heavy metal toxicity, but rather are lead or mercury burdened. Keep in mind that even lower levels affect function.
It is important to address the underlying inflammation by decreasing environmental exposures to allergens, heavy metals, toxic chemicals, bacteria and viruses in the body that lead to chronic inflammation. In addition, patients must assess for food allergies and alter their diet accordingly. Some doctors believe in nutritional supplementation because many asthma patients are deficient in certain vitamins, such as A, D, and B6. Some patients are lacking minerals, particularly magnesium, zinc, selenium and chromium. Other supplements include amino acids and essential fatty acids. Probiotics can be extremely helpful in restoring the immune system to its proper balance.
Detoxification is an important element and medication is the final component in treating asthma. The key is to address food allergies, modify your diet accordingly, then take supplements that would improve your overall nutrition. Building up the immune system and healing your gut will improve your health.
When I was taking Liquidity, I felt much better. I have noticed an overall difference in my health. I am on a quest to find another product that offers the proper supplements without the bad taste or high cost. Maintaining my diet is not enough, I need to get back on my supplements and I need to encourage Jerry to follow in my footsteps.
Meanwhile, think about what I have written and please consult with your physician. I hope and pray this information has helped someone today. Together we can work at taking control our health!
God Bless and I am sending everyone soft hugs:)
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Our Body Communicates Possible Health Risks
Hi Everyone,
Prior to Jerry's release from the hospital his allergies were acting up. My allergies were also affecting my asthma. Each time I stepped outside of the house my nose would start itching, eyes burning, and I felt fatigued. Unfortunately, Jerry's asthma was out of control, hence his hospitalization.
I went to visit my Mom on her birthday and she was miserable, fatigued, and using her nebulizer to get her asthma under control. Austin is not the place to live if you suffer from allergies. I wonder how many allergy medications are sold in this city alone.
This season will pass and we will forget about our allergies, congestion, and fatigue while ignoring possible health risks.
Jerry was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). OSA is the most common form of sleep apnea. When there is a blockage to the air coming into your body, it restricts the proper amount of oxygen needed to get into the lungs. The obstruction can be one of many things - a tongue, tonsils, extra fatty throat tissue, relaxed throat muscles or the uvula (the small piece of flesh that hangs down in the back of your throat). This not only causes sleep disruptions, OSA has been associated with an increased risk of hypertension, heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation, diabetes and other conditions. It is important to properly identify and treat patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
Jerry suffers from a past head injury with symptoms related to that injury that are common to other health challenges.The symptoms are not only snoring loud, they include daytime drowsiness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. . When sleep apnea is present there are some common symptoms, being overweight, large tonsils or adenoids, large neck size (greater than 17" in men and 16" in women), nasal congestion or blockage from colds, sinusitus, allergies, smoking, and when the throat muscles or tongue relax more than normal during sleep. Jerry has suffered from nasal congestion, allergies, and sinus problems for over twenty years.
When you have other problems it is sometimes difficult to diagnose new health issues. Jerry is blessed to have a Pulmonary specialist that is interested in his overall health and continually communicates with other specialist's or doctor's regarding new symptoms.
If your body is sending you signals, physical signs and symptoms, take the time to pay attention and don't just pop a pill to suppress those imbalances because something maybe amiss. There are some common conditions with underlying frequent symptoms that can give us a clue, such as:
If you have headaches, migraines, fatigue, weight gain, intense cravings for sweet or salty foods, inability to focus, irritability, you may be drinking too much diet soda.
If you suffer from chapped lips, headaches, infrequent urination, dark or smelly urine, dry skin, you maybe dehydrated.
If you have itchy ears, throat or mucus membranes,mood swings, fatigue, weak immune system, weight gain, frequent yeast infections, you may have candida overgrowth.
If you are not getting enough fiber you might suffer from frequent hunger pangs, energy slumps, digestive trouble, skin problems, inflammatory conditions, and constipation.
If you have a vitamin B deficiency, you may have cracks in the corner of your mouth, anemia, low energy, fatigue, skin problems, and dark circles under your eyes.
If you are drinking too much caffeine you may experience fatigue, jitters, agitation, insomnia, heartbeat irregularities, and frequent urination.
Low on stomach acid? Gastric reflux, weak immune system, cracked fingernails, chronic infections, gas, burping and indigestion are signs of low stomach acid.
When we listen to our body we can help identify health risks, make healthy changes, and prevent chronic disease.
I hope and pray you are having a pain and fatigue free day.
Prior to Jerry's release from the hospital his allergies were acting up. My allergies were also affecting my asthma. Each time I stepped outside of the house my nose would start itching, eyes burning, and I felt fatigued. Unfortunately, Jerry's asthma was out of control, hence his hospitalization.
I went to visit my Mom on her birthday and she was miserable, fatigued, and using her nebulizer to get her asthma under control. Austin is not the place to live if you suffer from allergies. I wonder how many allergy medications are sold in this city alone.
This season will pass and we will forget about our allergies, congestion, and fatigue while ignoring possible health risks.
Jerry was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). OSA is the most common form of sleep apnea. When there is a blockage to the air coming into your body, it restricts the proper amount of oxygen needed to get into the lungs. The obstruction can be one of many things - a tongue, tonsils, extra fatty throat tissue, relaxed throat muscles or the uvula (the small piece of flesh that hangs down in the back of your throat). This not only causes sleep disruptions, OSA has been associated with an increased risk of hypertension, heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation, diabetes and other conditions. It is important to properly identify and treat patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
Jerry suffers from a past head injury with symptoms related to that injury that are common to other health challenges.The symptoms are not only snoring loud, they include daytime drowsiness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. . When sleep apnea is present there are some common symptoms, being overweight, large tonsils or adenoids, large neck size (greater than 17" in men and 16" in women), nasal congestion or blockage from colds, sinusitus, allergies, smoking, and when the throat muscles or tongue relax more than normal during sleep. Jerry has suffered from nasal congestion, allergies, and sinus problems for over twenty years.
When you have other problems it is sometimes difficult to diagnose new health issues. Jerry is blessed to have a Pulmonary specialist that is interested in his overall health and continually communicates with other specialist's or doctor's regarding new symptoms.
If your body is sending you signals, physical signs and symptoms, take the time to pay attention and don't just pop a pill to suppress those imbalances because something maybe amiss. There are some common conditions with underlying frequent symptoms that can give us a clue, such as:
If you have headaches, migraines, fatigue, weight gain, intense cravings for sweet or salty foods, inability to focus, irritability, you may be drinking too much diet soda.
If you suffer from chapped lips, headaches, infrequent urination, dark or smelly urine, dry skin, you maybe dehydrated.
If you have itchy ears, throat or mucus membranes,mood swings, fatigue, weak immune system, weight gain, frequent yeast infections, you may have candida overgrowth.
If you are not getting enough fiber you might suffer from frequent hunger pangs, energy slumps, digestive trouble, skin problems, inflammatory conditions, and constipation.
If you have a vitamin B deficiency, you may have cracks in the corner of your mouth, anemia, low energy, fatigue, skin problems, and dark circles under your eyes.
If you are drinking too much caffeine you may experience fatigue, jitters, agitation, insomnia, heartbeat irregularities, and frequent urination.
Low on stomach acid? Gastric reflux, weak immune system, cracked fingernails, chronic infections, gas, burping and indigestion are signs of low stomach acid.
When we listen to our body we can help identify health risks, make healthy changes, and prevent chronic disease.
I hope and pray you are having a pain and fatigue free day.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Do you suffer from back pain?
Hello Everyone,
Today I want to discuss back pain, almost everyone experiences back pain, some experience chronic back pain. Completing simple tasks, lifting, and simple movements is extremely difficult and painful if you suffer from chronic back pain. Individuals that have never suffered from back pain have no idea how blessed they are taking life for granted and forgetting about people with mobility challenges. I would like to take a pro-active approach towards raising awareness on the topic of different levels of pain, specifically back pain.
My neighbor suffers from muscle spasms that contribute to her back pain. Our back bears most of the weight of the body therefore any strained muscles and prolonged pressure on the joints and ligaments often causes pain in this part of the body. Back pain can occur due to stress, kidney stones, muscle spasms, bones fractures, and many other reasons. The intense pain in the back spreading down the legs causing tingling and numbness on other parts of the body can be crippling.
The general health and physical function of patients with chronic back pain makes it difficult to live an active lifestyle. People suffering from back pain experience different levels of pain depending on the type of injury that occurred. Once you learn and understand the underlying cause of back pain, you can seek the proper treatment. There are many types of problems that can cause back pain consider grabbing a copy of the back pain book, and learn about different ways of dealing with back pain. The best way to help yourself and others is by seeking knowledge and discovering alternative treatments for the cause of pain, whether it is physical or mental.
I hope and pray you have a pain and fatigue free day.
Today I want to discuss back pain, almost everyone experiences back pain, some experience chronic back pain. Completing simple tasks, lifting, and simple movements is extremely difficult and painful if you suffer from chronic back pain. Individuals that have never suffered from back pain have no idea how blessed they are taking life for granted and forgetting about people with mobility challenges. I would like to take a pro-active approach towards raising awareness on the topic of different levels of pain, specifically back pain.
My neighbor suffers from muscle spasms that contribute to her back pain. Our back bears most of the weight of the body therefore any strained muscles and prolonged pressure on the joints and ligaments often causes pain in this part of the body. Back pain can occur due to stress, kidney stones, muscle spasms, bones fractures, and many other reasons. The intense pain in the back spreading down the legs causing tingling and numbness on other parts of the body can be crippling.
The general health and physical function of patients with chronic back pain makes it difficult to live an active lifestyle. People suffering from back pain experience different levels of pain depending on the type of injury that occurred. Once you learn and understand the underlying cause of back pain, you can seek the proper treatment. There are many types of problems that can cause back pain consider grabbing a copy of the back pain book, and learn about different ways of dealing with back pain. The best way to help yourself and others is by seeking knowledge and discovering alternative treatments for the cause of pain, whether it is physical or mental.
I hope and pray you have a pain and fatigue free day.
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Moving Slowly and Lacking Motivation
Hello Everyone,
It must have been about 3:30 A.M. when I last glanced at the clock in the bedroom. I could not stop thinking about Jerry (my hubby). I called him before I retired to bed and he sounded horrible. Poor baby is having such a difficult time with his breathing.
I have been trying to complete my laundry chores for three days! I cannot get motivated to complete this chore. My washer and dryer are located in the garage:( I need to catch up on filing bills and medical receipts, no fun. I need to clean out my bedroom closet, not motivated. I need a good kick in the bottom!
I am slowly catching up on e-mails and reading my favorite blog sites. My eyes have been giving me lots of trouble and I know I need to make an eye appointment. I don't want to visit another doctor! I have been taking Jerry to his appointments and seem to be getting burned out. Do you ever have days like that? Today, I am dragging, dragging, dragging.
Do you ever feel drained out? I think I am experiencing that drained out feeling today. It is time to step back, take a deep breath, clear my mind, and get a jump start. Lets see, what is stopping me from moving forward? My darn body and fatigue! Pacing is not the problem.
Stress drags me down, so I need to go escape and unwind. A good long bath, meditation, and positive self=talk will get me back on track before it gets out of hands. I am in control of my thoughts and emotions and must work on keeping things in perspective. This time will pass, I will allow myself to relax, enjoy the day and people around me. After all, if I don't take care of myself, what good am I to Jerry? Time for a plan.
Here is my plan:
1). Take a long hot bath, meditate and work on diminishing my anxiety
3). Eat healthy, complete some simple stretching exercises
4). Instead of reading, I think I will listen to some upbeat music that will get me moving, energized, and smiling. I am going to work on releasing some endorphins.
5). Catch up on television series with my son, Sean.
6). Get plenty of rest.
Wish me luck!
I hope and pray you are not experiencing fatigue, stress, anxiety, or pain.
It must have been about 3:30 A.M. when I last glanced at the clock in the bedroom. I could not stop thinking about Jerry (my hubby). I called him before I retired to bed and he sounded horrible. Poor baby is having such a difficult time with his breathing.
I have been trying to complete my laundry chores for three days! I cannot get motivated to complete this chore. My washer and dryer are located in the garage:( I need to catch up on filing bills and medical receipts, no fun. I need to clean out my bedroom closet, not motivated. I need a good kick in the bottom!
I am slowly catching up on e-mails and reading my favorite blog sites. My eyes have been giving me lots of trouble and I know I need to make an eye appointment. I don't want to visit another doctor! I have been taking Jerry to his appointments and seem to be getting burned out. Do you ever have days like that? Today, I am dragging, dragging, dragging.
Do you ever feel drained out? I think I am experiencing that drained out feeling today. It is time to step back, take a deep breath, clear my mind, and get a jump start. Lets see, what is stopping me from moving forward? My darn body and fatigue! Pacing is not the problem.
Stress drags me down, so I need to go escape and unwind. A good long bath, meditation, and positive self=talk will get me back on track before it gets out of hands. I am in control of my thoughts and emotions and must work on keeping things in perspective. This time will pass, I will allow myself to relax, enjoy the day and people around me. After all, if I don't take care of myself, what good am I to Jerry? Time for a plan.
Here is my plan:
1). Take a long hot bath, meditate and work on diminishing my anxiety
3). Eat healthy, complete some simple stretching exercises
4). Instead of reading, I think I will listen to some upbeat music that will get me moving, energized, and smiling. I am going to work on releasing some endorphins.
5). Catch up on television series with my son, Sean.
6). Get plenty of rest.
Wish me luck!
I hope and pray you are not experiencing fatigue, stress, anxiety, or pain.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
A Small Prayer for Jerry
Hello Everyone,
Just wanted to ask a favor, please say a prayer for my hubby. He has been dealing with his C.O.P.D. and this mold count has been hard on him. I ended up having to take him to the hospital. Poor Baby, his second home is the hospital.
I am feeling kinda weak today. Stress tends to leave me fatigued. I plan on taking a short nap now that I have visited some blog sites. I received a kind award and plan on passing it forward soon. I
simply need to rest for now.
I hope and pray you have a stress, fatigue, and pain free day.
Just wanted to ask a favor, please say a prayer for my hubby. He has been dealing with his C.O.P.D. and this mold count has been hard on him. I ended up having to take him to the hospital. Poor Baby, his second home is the hospital.
I am feeling kinda weak today. Stress tends to leave me fatigued. I plan on taking a short nap now that I have visited some blog sites. I received a kind award and plan on passing it forward soon. I
simply need to rest for now.
I hope and pray you have a stress, fatigue, and pain free day.
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