First I have to get something out of the way, Brrrrrrrrr . . . . . .! Snow is especially beautiful as it sparkles and shines in the sunlight, but I am going to be so happy to have the warm weather back again!
This blog is going to cover some "newsy" things, and I'm going to talk about some health-related things which I've personally had much success with so far! To start, we had our first Interstitial Cystitis (IC) awareness event this past weekend, a health fair at one of the local malls. Despite the fact that the media was warning everyone to stay home because of the weather, which included heavy snowfall, there were still many who braved the weather. So, here's our stats: For those who came to our booth, we found that 83% had never heard of IC. Of the 17% who had heard of IC, a third of those were already diagnosed, and the others were either in the nursing profession or had friends with IC. Of all the people who took the PUF questionnaire, 50% had scores (and accompanying symptoms) which suggested that they get further testing for IC, with 67% of those being very symptomatic. WOW! Although our sampling size was small, it did show a correlation with the medical research which suggests that a higher number of individuals have IC than previously thought.
It's SO important to have even mild symptoms checked out, as early diagnosis and treatment leads to a much more favorable prognosis! Historically it took years and several doctors for IC to finally be diagnosed. By then the IC may have been more advanced and more difficult to treat. So PLEASE, even though no one wants to hear they might have this chronic condition, it may save you years of suffering by learning early that you might have a bladder that is susceptible to becoming problematic over time.
We are all VERY excited as this week our local CBS affiliate will be interviewing a member of our support group as she tells her personal story of living with IC. We are hoping this brings much needed awareness to our community. It is our hope that as this awareness continues, we can raise more money for research and ultimately find an answer that will bring relief to this (at times) very painful condition.
Okay, some personal news. As I mentioned in my last blog, I've committed to a program of study in holistic nutrition. It's been fascinating so far to learn about the biology of food and how it works once we put it into our bodies (really!). So much of what we eat and how we eat in our "normal" American diets is really not in the best interest of our bodies (but I'll save that for another blog). I started on an alkaline diet about a month ago, after reading about the unhealthy high acidic diets that we eat. And guess what? Acidic foods are what IC'ers are told to avoid eating! Hmmmm, coincidence? I doubt it. So I thought, food is an easy way to try to improve the health of my bladder without putting any harsh chemicals, or unknown herbs into my body. What can it hurt to try as long as I'm make sure that I'm getting ALL the nutrition my body needs? Well, a month later, I'm here to report that I'm feeling GREAT! I have had NO symptoms related to my bladder in relation to what I eat, and the occasional twinge of pain that I get is correlated with physical activity. Exercising or lack of rest does continue to bring on some mild pain which lasts for a few hours, but I have noticed that even that pain is less intense. I'm hopeful that after a few months, this will also improve. I'll keep you posted!
Thanks for staying with me -- this has been a long post. I hope you too can experience wellness. Continue to pursue it, learn what works for others, research healthy living and be open to new (and valid) ways of living healthy!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Happy New Year to all! Well I must admit, I am relieved that the holidays are over. Although there are many things about the season that I love, the FOOD that I can't enjoy is EVERYWHERE! Well meaning and kind people have offered some of my favorite foods in the form of chocolate, coffee, and gift cards to places where I can no longer eat. Learning to celebrate the holidays avoiding the traditional holiday foods, and the resulting explanations as to the avoidance, will be a new challenge for me.
So, traditionally the new year often makes us think of new year's resolutions. Of course we know (or perhaps some of us stay in denial about this fact) that very soon most of those resolutions will go out the window and we are back to living our lives, business as usual!! But we try, and we are well-intentioned. This year I do have some thoughts on how to make some improvements to my life. I'm excited to share that I am now enrolled in a Ph.D program studying Holistic Nutrition and Healing (holistic meaning viewing the whole person). In my quest for health and wellness answers, I continue to find that the foundation for disease and the breakdown of our health is directly linked to diet, nutrition, and lifestyle. Did you know that the top three killers in America (this is a 2003 statistic) are: heart disease, cancer, or diabetes? And did you know that all three of these are linked to DIET?? But even if we don't die from any of these, chronic illness is also on the rise, and many of us will live with poor quality of life instead! Again, much of the research shows that MOST (and I would bet this is true for all) chronic illnesses are also linked to diet. What an important consideration that is usually overlooked by the majority of Americans today! Fortunately, med schools are starting to include diet and nutrition as part of their programs, and physicians are starting to emphasize this more in their care of patients.
As part of the new year, I encourage you to set some goals (realistic ones!) for 2008. I would definitely include some health related goals, such as: exercising on a regular basis (I know, I know, a typical new year's "resolution") and be realistic about it (such as walking 15-30 mins a day 4-5 days a week -- you can do this!); eating more healthy foods (I'm going to talk about this a lot over the next few months); relaxation and meditation (start a yoga class, get some meditation CD's), research health and wholeness topics on a regular basis; do some volunteer work, take a class to learn new skills or start a hobby; build new healthy relationships or strengthen old ones, and there's so much more.
I wish you new year filled with health and wellness! I'll leave you with a quote that really gives food for thought (no pun intended): "If the doctors of today don't become the dieticians of tomorrow, then the dieticians of today will become the doctors of tomorrow."
So, traditionally the new year often makes us think of new year's resolutions. Of course we know (or perhaps some of us stay in denial about this fact) that very soon most of those resolutions will go out the window and we are back to living our lives, business as usual!! But we try, and we are well-intentioned. This year I do have some thoughts on how to make some improvements to my life. I'm excited to share that I am now enrolled in a Ph.D program studying Holistic Nutrition and Healing (holistic meaning viewing the whole person). In my quest for health and wellness answers, I continue to find that the foundation for disease and the breakdown of our health is directly linked to diet, nutrition, and lifestyle. Did you know that the top three killers in America (this is a 2003 statistic) are: heart disease, cancer, or diabetes? And did you know that all three of these are linked to DIET?? But even if we don't die from any of these, chronic illness is also on the rise, and many of us will live with poor quality of life instead! Again, much of the research shows that MOST (and I would bet this is true for all) chronic illnesses are also linked to diet. What an important consideration that is usually overlooked by the majority of Americans today! Fortunately, med schools are starting to include diet and nutrition as part of their programs, and physicians are starting to emphasize this more in their care of patients.
As part of the new year, I encourage you to set some goals (realistic ones!) for 2008. I would definitely include some health related goals, such as: exercising on a regular basis (I know, I know, a typical new year's "resolution") and be realistic about it (such as walking 15-30 mins a day 4-5 days a week -- you can do this!); eating more healthy foods (I'm going to talk about this a lot over the next few months); relaxation and meditation (start a yoga class, get some meditation CD's), research health and wholeness topics on a regular basis; do some volunteer work, take a class to learn new skills or start a hobby; build new healthy relationships or strengthen old ones, and there's so much more.
I wish you new year filled with health and wellness! I'll leave you with a quote that really gives food for thought (no pun intended): "If the doctors of today don't become the dieticians of tomorrow, then the dieticians of today will become the doctors of tomorrow."
Monday, December 10, 2007
We have to be our own healthcare experts for wellness sake!
I would like to address an issue that often stands in the way of progress towards healing. I want to say something in regards to the whole “medical expert” thing. I have noticed that many people tend to underestimate their knowledge of their own bodies, and overestimate the knowledge a healthcare provider might have. Having faith in knowing your own body, being active in searching for answers, reading, and talking to others who experience the same, counts for A LOT of expertise. We should not discount that. Once gaining that kind of confidence, you can assist your healthcare provider by sharing what you’ve learned, and what you and other trusted individuals have experienced and do so with conviction! Then add their medical knowledge (which is by far incomplete as it’s impossible to know everything and be aware of every theory, thought, or study done) and you will have much more success in achieving YOUR wellness (which by the way is not your healthcare provider’s wellness). Please don’t think that by making these statements I don’t value our healthcare providers, but they are only a PART of the solution and the healing process--YOUR healing process. An ideal situation would be a partnership between you and them, and that your opinion, thoughts, knowledge, and presentation of valid research counts as much as theirs does. Does their knowledge in the medical field amount to more than yours? Absolutely! BUT with a chronic illness, your daily experiences and what you learn prompted by your own motivation to be well, counts just as much in this endeavor.
Frankly, for some people their level of dependence on their healthcare provider is unhealthy. As a therapist, I recognize a level of dependency that puts the patient in a position that is very unempowering (ok, my dictionary says there is no such word, but let me explain!). By this I mean, by allowing another individual, no matter who he/she is, to have so much power and control over your life, it takes away your ability to be empowered. Psychologically this is very important—to stay empowered in our wellness! We agree that most chronic illnesses do not have a cure, correct? That’s often what makes them chronic. With IC specifically, the actual etiology (how it begins) is not known either. Therefore, without completely understanding what it is, without knowing exactly how it starts, and what are the best treatment methods, we can’t technically say there is no cure. It’s just unknown. This is a very important distinction to make! It also allows for more hope.
The reality is there is more than one road to wellness. We live in America where we have adopted a Western style of medicine. This system has worked well for many, many illnesses and diseases. Lives depend on it. HOWEVER, it’s lopsided. We have introduced synthetic chemicals into our world in order to save countless lives and “treat the symptoms,” but at what cost? I believe chronic illness is one of the costs. We then treat that with more synthetic powerful chemicals, not as a cure, but as a symptom management strategy. In studying other cultures’ methods of healing, I wonder why we are so resistant to listen to other methods that have been used for years and have known curative effects? And here’s a reality, in most other systems of healing, the idea is to "eliminate the cause” versus “suppress the symptoms.” The good news is that once you study other ways to achieve wellness, you learn that the information provided by a variety of other sources says remarkably the same things! So, it’s unlikely to be “hocus pocus” and “quackery!” It’s documented, in many cases studied, and used by thousands of people across the world. To think that Western medicine is the only answer because we live in America, is to take a very limited approach to wellness, and potentially set you up for years of pain and suffering.
So I encourage and challenge you to take charge of your own health! Be open to new ways of healing. I wish you wellness!
Frankly, for some people their level of dependence on their healthcare provider is unhealthy. As a therapist, I recognize a level of dependency that puts the patient in a position that is very unempowering (ok, my dictionary says there is no such word, but let me explain!). By this I mean, by allowing another individual, no matter who he/she is, to have so much power and control over your life, it takes away your ability to be empowered. Psychologically this is very important—to stay empowered in our wellness! We agree that most chronic illnesses do not have a cure, correct? That’s often what makes them chronic. With IC specifically, the actual etiology (how it begins) is not known either. Therefore, without completely understanding what it is, without knowing exactly how it starts, and what are the best treatment methods, we can’t technically say there is no cure. It’s just unknown. This is a very important distinction to make! It also allows for more hope.
The reality is there is more than one road to wellness. We live in America where we have adopted a Western style of medicine. This system has worked well for many, many illnesses and diseases. Lives depend on it. HOWEVER, it’s lopsided. We have introduced synthetic chemicals into our world in order to save countless lives and “treat the symptoms,” but at what cost? I believe chronic illness is one of the costs. We then treat that with more synthetic powerful chemicals, not as a cure, but as a symptom management strategy. In studying other cultures’ methods of healing, I wonder why we are so resistant to listen to other methods that have been used for years and have known curative effects? And here’s a reality, in most other systems of healing, the idea is to "eliminate the cause” versus “suppress the symptoms.” The good news is that once you study other ways to achieve wellness, you learn that the information provided by a variety of other sources says remarkably the same things! So, it’s unlikely to be “hocus pocus” and “quackery!” It’s documented, in many cases studied, and used by thousands of people across the world. To think that Western medicine is the only answer because we live in America, is to take a very limited approach to wellness, and potentially set you up for years of pain and suffering.
So I encourage and challenge you to take charge of your own health! Be open to new ways of healing. I wish you wellness!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Integrative Medicine (IM)
Okay, so as promised, here's some info about integrative medicine (IM). The philosophy of IM is absolutely wonderful! (That's opinion and fact!) It is a practice of viewing and treating patients with a holistic approach. Holistic means looking at the whole person--mind, body and spirit, not just one part. So for example, an individual goes to see their doctor with a specific symptom like pain, which is part of their chronic illness. At the same time they are experiencing fatigue and depression. A physician practicing integrative medicine would propose treatment for all the symptoms, not just the pain and may refer the person to a dietician, physical therapist, counselor, pastor, or yoga instructor for management of these additional symptoms. Research has found, and many medical professionals are taking notice of this, that a combination of traditional and non-traditional treatments work in providing relief for many chronic conditions. Here's some stats: According to the American Hospital Association, the percentage of U.S. hospitals that offer complementary therapies has more than doubled in less than a decade, from 8.6 percent in 1998 to almost 20 percent in 2004. Another 24 percent of hospitals said they planned to add complementary therapies in the future.
Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP at Women to Women says this: "Western medicine insists on dealing with each disease or condition as a separate and distinct issue. But that is just not how the body works. Western medicine used to emphasize the full history. But specialization has pushed us to dissociate each aspect of the body from the whole, and managed care has pushed the average appointment time down toward six minutes — and too many people don’t get even that. Like conventional doctors, many of my patients are so conditioned to think of health as a purely physical issue that they are floored when I suggest their symptoms may have an emotional component."
What is also unique to integrative medicine is that the physician partners with the patient in discovering what is the underlying causes of the reported symptoms. The goal is not only to just treat the symptoms but treat the root cause if possible. Western medicine was originally developed for acute care, it was excellent for managing symptoms while the body would soon repair itself. However, we know that chronic conditions are defined as being "marked by long duration, always present." Often times the actual biological root cause isn't known in these types of conditions. Thus comes the question, how long can we use acute care meds for the treatment of chronic conditions and are there other therapies that can do more? There are hundreds of stories of patients with chronic conditions who have used multi-system therapies, and through this approach have significantly reduced their problematic symptoms. If one can only treat the symptoms, then even in symptom management, there is much that can be learned, such as what causes triggers, and what foods, meds, supplements, or other therapies have been found to be helpful?
Thinking outside of the box is the key to managing chronic illness and pain! At the very least, it's worth a try. As a psychotherapist, I have witnessed many people find varying amounts of relief in their chronic conditions through releasing long overdue, pent up emotions and releasing the guilt, shame, or anger they were feeling. Additionally, I was personally very skeptical of "natural remedies," but finding no other answers, in desperation I turned to some well researched remedies and at last found the relief I had been searching for! Some of these were as simple as diet and increasing natural substances already found in my body.
Today, decide that you want to achieve holistic health, study your illness, study your alternatives, and then partner with your doctor in making this happen!
Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP at Women to Women says this: "Western medicine insists on dealing with each disease or condition as a separate and distinct issue. But that is just not how the body works. Western medicine used to emphasize the full history. But specialization has pushed us to dissociate each aspect of the body from the whole, and managed care has pushed the average appointment time down toward six minutes — and too many people don’t get even that. Like conventional doctors, many of my patients are so conditioned to think of health as a purely physical issue that they are floored when I suggest their symptoms may have an emotional component."
What is also unique to integrative medicine is that the physician partners with the patient in discovering what is the underlying causes of the reported symptoms. The goal is not only to just treat the symptoms but treat the root cause if possible. Western medicine was originally developed for acute care, it was excellent for managing symptoms while the body would soon repair itself. However, we know that chronic conditions are defined as being "marked by long duration, always present." Often times the actual biological root cause isn't known in these types of conditions. Thus comes the question, how long can we use acute care meds for the treatment of chronic conditions and are there other therapies that can do more? There are hundreds of stories of patients with chronic conditions who have used multi-system therapies, and through this approach have significantly reduced their problematic symptoms. If one can only treat the symptoms, then even in symptom management, there is much that can be learned, such as what causes triggers, and what foods, meds, supplements, or other therapies have been found to be helpful?
Thinking outside of the box is the key to managing chronic illness and pain! At the very least, it's worth a try. As a psychotherapist, I have witnessed many people find varying amounts of relief in their chronic conditions through releasing long overdue, pent up emotions and releasing the guilt, shame, or anger they were feeling. Additionally, I was personally very skeptical of "natural remedies," but finding no other answers, in desperation I turned to some well researched remedies and at last found the relief I had been searching for! Some of these were as simple as diet and increasing natural substances already found in my body.
Today, decide that you want to achieve holistic health, study your illness, study your alternatives, and then partner with your doctor in making this happen!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Welcome to the wellness blog!
Greetings and welcome to the wellness blog! First, to let you know about me, I am a licensed counselor who deals with chronic illness and accompanying emotions. Much of this writing comes out of my own personal experience with Interstitial Cystitis, (from here out called IC), as well as experience in working with clients with chronic conditions. I hope this will be beneficial for anyone with a chronic condition, and I welcome your input! There are so many overlapping variables in most, if not all chronic illnesses, and the thing that ties them all together is their CHRONICITY!
So, here are some facts about chronicity. The word chronic means “marked by long duration or frequent recurrence; always present or encountered; constantly vexing, weakening, or being such habitually.” Today it is estimated that 33% of Americans deal with chronic pain alone (Bay Area Pain and
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