Category Archives: Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS/CFS/ME)
Exercise Reduces Stress, Anxiety & Depression…Even When You Hate it!
A new study performed by the University of Colorado Boulder and published April 2013 in the European Journal of Neuroscience, shows that even when you dislike exercise, or you’re forced to engage in it by a doctor or fitness instructor that you will still reap the amazing benefits. Many past studies have shown that people who engage in regular exercise are protected against stress related disorders, but scientist wanted to know if the same results were present when the perception of control was removed. Why this study was needed I have no idea, but it’s nice to have additional scientific proof as to the benefits of exercise. In the study performed by researches to attain these results, it was noted that the sedentary rats, the rats who sat on the sofa and watched TV or surfed the web all day, froze when faced with stress. The longer they remained embolized by fear, the more residual anxiety they experienced. Those rats who ran on mechanized wheels, on a regular, predetermined schedule for a period of 6 weeks, never experienced the “deer in headlights” syndrome and managed their exposure to stress much better. What does the study prove? Well, if you are a healthy person who is exposed to high amounts of stress in your daily life, or you are prone to anxiety and depression as with those who battle Fibromyaglia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Ankylosing Spondylitis and many other invisible chronic illnesses, you will find that you are better equipped to manage daily stress and symptoms such as anxiety and depression with regular & consistent forms of exercise. So Let’s Get Moving & keep it moving for a minimum of 6 weeks!!
Examples of exercises that are beneficial for various conditions
For You My Friend….The Holistic Healing Hug
If you or someone you know suffers from a invisible chronic illness you may not always know exactly what to say, or you might be surrounded by friends and family members who may not always have the perfect words to encourage you, though they love and support you. I not only suffer from autoimmune disease and other chronic conditions, but I know of others who battle invisible chronic illness well. There are times when I feel that I know precisely what to say because I’m a fellow sufferer, but there are also times when I’d simply prefer to just give these friends a huge hug to let them know that everything will be OK. I also envision these hugs being powerful in their healing abilities, thus rejuvenating my friends and family members who suffer, so for one brief moment they’re able to put the symptoms of their physical ailments aside to deal with other matters of life which also need their attention.
I began to ponder how I could reflect the impact of such a hug in words, especially since many of my friends are in other parts of the country and in other parts of the world. This is when I came up with “The Holistic Healing Hug” holistic meaning “whole body wellness” combined with a hug that heals….a perfect combination. To my surprise my family was not only excited that I’d come up with this idea, but they also seemed relived to have something prepared to give me when they felt compelled. My daughter printed out “The Holistic Healing Hug” and put it on the wall of my office and at that point I knew just how powerful these words could be for others out there who also have loved ones who battle invisible chronic illness, so I’m sharing “The Holistic Healing Hug” with all of you. Please feel free to share this post or the picture with anyone you know who could use a “whole body wellness” healing hug to support them in a day of managing their chronic invisible illness. Lots of Love & Many Healing Hugs to You!!
For You My Friend….The Holistic Healing Hug
“I’m giving you this healing hug in hopes that it will sustain and support you through your day. Though it can not actually heal you, perhaps it can reinvigorate you while allowing peace to flow through you. Giving you the opportunity to mend that which is broken, while enabling you to harness the rejuvenating power which dwells within you. May you feel loved & supported by all around you through the embrace of this holistic healing hug.”
To share from this post simply click one of the “sharing” buttons below. You can also place this picture on the wall or timeline of a friend via The Positive Pear Facebook Fan Page.
Be Positive & Surround Yourself With Positive People….
Our lives can sometimes be a reflection of our attitude, actions and the choices we’ve made. We are all too familiar with the term “Karma” and how it relates to the type of energy that we put out into the world and much like a boomerang, that positive and/or negative energy can return to us. Knowing this encourages many to live a life that includes being kind to others, while others in spite of knowing this, still choose to be harmful at every turn. A good person recognizes the powerful forces of Karma, but their lives accurately reflect what is truly in their hearts, even without the existence of these universal principles. There are of course exceptions to the rule, because we know that are times when good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people. This is proof that not everything in life is a direct reflection of cause and effect, or action and reaction. These are examples of things in life that we simply can not control, but we can control the type of energy that we choose to exude and pass onto others. We can also choose the type of energy in which we surround ourselves through our association, by perhaps selecting people with a higher sense of consciousness, rather than allowing some to simply fall into our lives by default. When choosing to add people to our support systems, we want to make sure that these individuals are in fact supportive, loving, kind, selfless and above all, positive in their thoughts and deeds. I also think that these individuals poses inner peace, greater awareness, intellectual & moral enlightenment, profound knowledge and a strong sense of personal growth. These are the types of people who are full of and surrounded by positive energy, rather than a cloud of drama. They have positive attitudes which allows them to cope rationally with just about anything that comes their way. These individuals are not victims in life, they get angry but they choose not harbor resentment and as a result, you’ll never see them engaging in competitive, vindictive or spiteful behavior. They live & love by the high standards of their personal code and they enjoy all that life has to offer. Yes, they get knocked down, but they easily recognize that there is an ebb and flow to life, so they recover in tact and often better and stronger than they ever were. We all desire a life that is full of love and we all truly want to be loved by all around us. We have the power of choice to make this happen and we can take one major step toward living this loving and very fulfilling life by being positive, and surrounding ourselves with positive people. Sending peace, light & love to you wonderful, healthy people who read this blog. In addition, positive healing energy to all of the beautiful people who are fighting the difficult battle of living with Invisible Chronic Illness.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is mental health awareness month. Our mental health is an aspect of invisible chronic illness that we can easily overlook, because we’re busy focusing on the pain, discomfort or numerous other symptoms that accompany our autoimmune disease or chronic conditions. We must keep in mind the importance of paying close attention to our mental and emotional health, as well as our physical well-being. Depression is not only a symptom of conditions which affect the brain, such as Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or a symptom of conditions that affect mobility such as autoimmune arthritis, it’s also one of the leading causes of disability effecting approximately 120 million people worldwide. Being able to recognize the signs of depression and having a well established support system is incredibly important. Symptoms of depression include: anxiety, persistent sadness and hopelessness, loneliness, sense of loss, withdrawal from friends & loved ones, isolation, loss of interest in activities, enjoyment, feelings of guilt, low self-worth, sleep disturbance, disruption in appetite, low energy, and poor concentration. There are ways in which we can manage our own symptoms of mild depression and these methods also work with antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. Such as exercise, yoga, meditation, lifestyle management, stress management, balanced whole-food nutrition, and nutritional & herbal supplements. Within our support systems it is incredibly important to also include a mental health professional who is capable of easily recognizing when depression exceeds our ability to self manage, in which case medication or psychotherapy might be needed.
It’s hard to believe that this awareness effort has been underway since 1949, especially since mental illness was incredibly taboo until recent years. We are so fortunate to live in society where advocacy is alive and well. Education is at our finger tips and we can openly discuss invisible chronic illness in all of its forms. Along with Depression & Major Depression also known as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) & clinical depression, there are numerous other mental disorders which fall into the category of mental health and require awareness such as: ADHD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder GAD, Panic Disorder, Eating Disorders, Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Dissociative Disorders, Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Phobia, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Schizophrenia, Self-injuring Behaviors, Social Phobia and Tourette Syndrome.
1st week in May is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week
The entire month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Eat Foods High In Amino Acids to Feel Great & Manage Symptoms
Amino Acids are protein building blocks and proteins are the building blocks of life itself. There are 20 which are crucial to human heath, relating to growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues. Nine of these amino acids are considered essential and required through proper nutrition, which will enable the body to produce the required protein. These are: leucine, isoleucine, valine, lysine, threonine, tryptophan, methionine, phenylalanine and histidine. The eleven non-essential amino acids are arginine, alanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamine, glutamic acid, glycine, proline, serine, and tyrosine.
Many non-essential amino acids may not be required for protein building, but through much research it has been discovered that they are instrumental in healing and relieving symptoms of many conditions, thus used therapeutically. Many with chronic health conditions often have deficiencies of both essential & non-essential amino acids. Conditions and symptoms such as, Allergies, Ulcers, Anemia, Osteoarthritis, Autoimmune Arthritis such as Rhumatoid Arthritis & AS, lupus, cerebral palsy, certain cancers, depression, cognitive issues, insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, associated with CFIDS (chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome), musculoskeletal pain and discomfort associated with Fibromyalgia, Ankylosing Spondylitis, IBD, ADD (attention deficit disorder) & ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), as well as others. Amino acids work synergistically with many drugs and treatments, so interactions are not ordinarily a concern, but if you have decided to supplement with amino acids, your doctor should be informed. A few Therapeutic aminos are L-histidine, L-Carnitine, L-Taurine & L-Tyrosine. L-Trosine is often low in individuals battling depression, as well as those suffering with kidney disease. L-Theanin is found in green tea and is said to help relieve the symptoms of stress and anxiety, while enhancing focus and concentration. Which is perfect for those who are cognitively challenged, as with ADD & ADHD, Chronic Fatigue & Fibromyaglia.
Nine of the essential amino acids can be found in protein rich foods such as red meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products. Plant foods, such as vegetables, fruits and grains, will only provide some of the nine essential amino acids. For this reason, a vegetarian diet should be balanced to ensure that amino acids are derived from all parts of the diet. Vegetable sources of protein such as nuts, beans, and grains are incredibly healthy, because they not only provide amino acids, but additional nutrients such as fiber, vitamins A and C.
If you are able to eat and digest protein rich foods such as meat, poultry, seafood & dairy products then you are more than likely getting your required amounts of amino acids. However keep in mind that many chronic health conditions can prevent absorption of many vitamins, minerals and amino acids through food intake, so supplementing might be required. Since our protein requirements are actually lower than most people consume, below are many fruit & vegetables sources of amino acids which you can easily add to your existing diet:
PLEASE NOTE: This is not a low-starch or low-carb food friendly list, rather its to provide overall information on foods which are high in amino acids.
Alanine – Main source being alfalfa, but also found in: celery, carrot, lettuce, cucumber, turnips, green pepper, spinach, plums, apples, guavas, grapes, oranges, almonds and strawberries.
Arginine – alfalfa, carrots, green leafy vegetables, beetroots, cucumber, celery, lettuce, radishes and potatoes.
Aspartic acid – carrots, celery, radishes, cucumber, mint, tomatoes, turnips, lemons, grapefruit, apples, plums, pineapples, melons and almonds.
Cystine – alfalfa, beet roots, carrots, cabbages, cauliflower, onions, garlic, apples, pineapples, raspberries, raisins.
Glutamic acid – found in carrots, turnips, cabbages, celery, beetroots, mint, lettuce, spinach and papaya.
Glycine – carrots, turnips, celery, mint, alfalfa, spinach, garlic, potatoes, figs, oranges, raspberries, pomegranates, melons and almonds.
Histidine – radishes, carrots, cucumber, beetroots, celery, garlic, onions, turnips, alfalfa, spinach, pineapples, apples, pomegranates and papaya.
Hydroxy glutamic acid – carrots, mint, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, grapes, raspberries, plums.
Hydroxy praline – carrots, lettuce, beetroots, turnips, cucumber, plums, cherries, figs, radishes, grapes, olives, pineapples, almonds and coconut.
Lodogorgoic acid – carrots, celery, spinach, tomatoes, lettuce and pineapple.
Isoleucine – papaya, olives, coconuts, almonds, apricots, pistachios and walnuts.
Leucine – coconuts, almonds, apricots, papaya, olives, pistachios and walnuts.
Lysine – carrots, cucumber, beetroots, mint, celery, spinach, turnips, alfalfa, germinates soyabeans, plums, pears, papaya, apple and grapes.
Methionine – cabbages, garlic, cauliflower, pineapples and apples.
Norleucine ( NLE a form of lucine)
Phenylalanine – carrots, beetroots, spinach, mint, tomatoes, pineapples and apples.
Proline –carrots, beetroots, lettuce, turnips, cucumber, plums, cherries, figs, grapes, olive, oranges, pineapples, coconuts and almonds.
Serine –radishes, garlic, onion, carrots, beetroots, celery, cucumber, mint, spinach, cabbage, alfalfa, papaya, apples and pineapples.
Threonine – carrots, green leafy vegetables, alfalfa and papaya.
Thyroxine – carrots, celery, lettuce, turnips, spinach, tomatoes and pineapples.
Tryptophane – beetroots, carrots, celery, spinach, alfalfa and turnips.
Tyrosine – alfalfa, carrots, beetroots, cucumber, lettuce, mint, spinach, green pepper, plums, strawberries, cherries, apples, melons, figs and almonds.
Valine – carrots, turnips, sweet gourd, celery, mint, beetroots, tomatoes, apples, pomegranates and almonds.
When supplementing look for free form amino acids and you’ll want products with a full amino acid profile, many will read “amino acid complex.” such as with protein powders or protein drinks. Amino acids work synergistically with vitamins and minerals, thus working naturally with our bodies. Though it is preferred that we obtain vitamins, minerals, as well as amino acids through our diet, when we are chronically sick or have malabsorption issues such as those related to chronic inflammation & IBD, supplementing just might be required. Be careful of taking excessive amounts of amino acids and be sure to follow label instructions.
Braggs Liquid Aminos
Food based Amino Acid Supplements: Braggs Liquid Aminos NON-GMO soy (contains 16 amino acids/8 essential.) This product is great to use in place of regular and potentially GMO contaminated soy sauce. Should not be cooked or heated.
Coconut Aminos
Coconut Aminos by Coconut Secrets contains 17 naturally occurring amino acids. Nutrient-dense, certified organic, dairy free, gluten-free, soy-free and raw-vegan friendly.
By ensuring that you are eating foods that are high in amino acids, or that you are supplementing via a well balanced protein powder or free form amino acids, you are improving your chances for optimal health, greater energy, strength, recovery, improved muscle definition, beautiful skin, better mood, better memory and enhanced brain function. Incredibly beneficial in combating fibrofog, pain and stiffness relating to Ankylosing Spondylitis and the multitude of symptoms associated with Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, including depression.
Amino Acids, Angelo P John research based on amino acid cancer therapy, amino acid, amino food guide courtesy of Naturopathy for Perfect Health. The Healing Power of Organic, Real Food, Superfoods & Whole Foods, Nutritional, Gluten-Free, Diary-Free, Low-Starch & Inflammation Friendly Recipes
Hello 2012 & Hello to Coping with Ankylosing Spondylitis, Fibromyalgia & CFIDS!
Since I’ve lived with the physical symptoms of Invisible Illness for many years, 2012 is really about coping emotionally and mentally with the idea of living with more than one.
I was devastated upon discovering that I have a chronic pain condition known as Fibromyalgia, along with Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS). In addition to overwhelming anger, frustration and a sense of loss. Realizing that it was now highly unlikely that I would return to being my old self again. The person who was healthy, vibrant, full of life, strong and athletic. I think that most people would be thrilled to finally have a name for conditions that plagued them for many years, but for me I have been there and done that. Nearly 8 years ago, I was ecstatic to discover the name for the chronic inflammatory condition which had plagued me since childhood, Ankylosing Spondylylitis. I felt relieved to finally know and to have a course of treatment. However that excitement was short-lived, because I had no way of knowing that a long time acquaintance, but newly found friends Fibro & CFIDS would sneak in to steal my joy.
The Fibro & CFIDS diagnoses did not yield the same excitement, because I’d been waiting out what I thought was a long bout with active AS, hoping that it would go back into remission as it had in previous years and I would quickly return to being my old self. Its quite interesting what keeps you going and when you no longer have that small bit of hope to hold on to, it can be quite devastating. Awareness is crucial, because upon realizing that the many symptoms, even things that I didn’t realize were symptoms, that I”d lived with for as long as I can remember were not in fact normal, I could easily trace fibro & CFIDS back to my teens. Only a few short years after my first AS flare. However, as with my AS the Fibro & CFIDS symptoms had gone into remission several times.
Denial has no place in chronic illness, as I recall a conversation with my Rheumatologist several years ago. It was exactly 1 year after being officially diagnosed with AS, discovering NSAIDs, exercising several days a week, eating well and being in a very good place both mentally & physically. I was unfortunately in a terrible car accident, which totaled my car leaving me with a concussion, severe case of sacroiliitis, an arm that I could barely use and severe, chronic hip, neck & back pain. A car accident is your worst fear as an AS patient, because of the risk of exacerbating your AS symptoms. Shortly after the car accident, I lived with chronic musculoskeletal pain that NSAIDs were no longer helping, along with severe fatigue and stomach upset (IBS), my Rheumy told me that it sounded as if I might be developing Fibromyalgia. However, I had no knowledge of Fibro at the time, so I could not agree or disagree, on weather or not I felt that my symptoms were a match. I was also in a bit of denial and did not want to take on managing another chronic illness. My Rheumy further stated that it was not uncommon for AS patients to go on to develop Fibro and especially after experiencing trauma, such as my recent car accident, and this was more than likely a conversation that we would continue during future visits. Unfortunately, my Rheumy passed away, so there were no future conversations. If only I’d been aware that the multitude of symptoms that I’d lived with for many years, were related to one another and related to both Fibro & CFIDS I would have had my answers much sooner.
Honing in on my chronic and incredibly debilitating fatigue is what finally began to give me answers. I’d also been coping with being cognitively challenged for many years, long before the car accident, but during the last 9 years many of my symptoms were getting worse. Old symptoms were returning like migraines and tension headaches, while others symptoms were bringing no relief, such as the severe neck and back pain, muscle spasms, food intolerance & chronic pain in other areas of my body. It was only very recently that I myself began to connect the dots. After much research, I could see that they were many overlapping symptoms, AS overlapped with Fibro, Fibro overlapped with CFIDS and so on. I could also see that I had symptoms relating to hypothyroidism, due to unexplained weight gain, cold intolerance, dizziness, fatigue, etc and due to the progression of what I now know to be Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, I also discovered that I had IBS which was aggravated by diet, food intolerance and stress. My monthly cycles were also unbearable (since my teens), while many symptoms of both Fibro & CFIDS were in full effect. (the entire list below)
I’ve always been a very private person, even refraining from sharing some of my symptoms with my doctors and honestly I never thought tell my Rheumy that I had insomnia, cognitive dysfunction, anxiety & stress, nor did he ever ask. I’ve only recently begin speaking publicly regarding my health issues and many who’ve known me for years, were very surprised that I had a condition and others who I’d confided in were surprised that I began to share. I found that writing about having Ankylosing Spondylitis proved to be incredibly therapeutic. Once I began sharing my AS symptoms publicly, I began to realize that many of my symptoms where not AS related at all. Though a few AS symptoms do indeed overlap with Fibromyalgia & CFIDS , these are ugly chronic conditions all their own. It took many years to arrive here, discovering that CFIDS needed to be addressed by an Internal Medicine Physician, while Fibro needed a diagnoses from not just any Rhumatologist, but one very knowledgeable about and experienced with Fibromyalgia. It also helped that I could clearly articulate my symptoms, while understanding how they overlap and how they differ:
My Symptoms of Fibromyalgia :
Profound, Chronic & Widespread Pain
Stabbing/Shoot Pain/Deep Muscular Aching, Muscle Spasms, Throbbing & Twitching
(Nerological) Numbness, Tingling & Burning
Symptoms Aggravated by Cold/Humid Weather
Non-Restorative Sleep
Physical & Mental fatigue following excessive physical activity/Physical inactivity
Reduced tolerance to exercise & Muscle pain after exercise
Fatigue, profound exhaustion & poor stamina
Sleep disturbance/ Stage 4 deep sleep/interrupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity
Fibromyalgia & CFIDS/CFS Overlapping Symptoms::
Dizziness/Lightheadedness/Vertigo (Hypoglycemia)
Migraines & tension headaches
Vision Problems/Visual blurring
(Parasthesias) Numbness & Tingling face, arms, hands, legs and feet
Sleep Disturbance/Insomnia
Not feeling rested upon waking
IBS (abdominal pain, gas, bloating, nausea, constipation/diarrhea)
(Nocturia) Bladder disturbance (overactive/irritable)
Cognitive dysfunction Impaired Memory & Concentration (Brain-Fog *Fibro Fog)
Anxiety/Stress/Depression/Panic Attacks
Impaired Coordination
Skin sensitivities/Outbreaks/Rashes
Dry Eyes/mouth
Ringing in the ears (Tinnitus)
Worsening of symptoms due to extremes in temperature
Restless Leg Syndrome/Leg Cramps
My Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome CFS/CFIDS/ME:
Relapsing & Debilitating Chronic Fatigue
Weight Gain/Hypothyroidism
Extremely painful menstrual cramps
Allergies & Sensitivities to chemicals & medications
Sensitivity/Intolerance to: noise/sound, odors, bright lights, foods & cold
Multiple sensitivities to medicines, foods, and chemicals
Tender lymph nodes in the neck & underarm area
Dyspnea (labored breathing or hunger for air) on exertion
Frequent Flu like symptoms
Chest pain, Nausea & Cough
Frequent sore throats
Frequent canker sores
Alcohol Intolerance
Night Sweats
Low-grade fever
Low body temperature
Tachycardia/Palpitations (rapid heart beat)
Personality changes & mood swings
Swelling or the feeling of swelling in hands & feet
Tightness & weakness in the limbs
Joint Stiffness
Muscle & Joint Pain without redness or swelling
Fibromyalgia, CFIDS/CFS & Ankylosing Spondylitis Overlapping Symptoms:
Chronic Fatigue
Musculoskeletal pain
Joint stiffness
Glute, Neck & Back pain
My Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis :
Chronic Fatigue
Muscle & Joint Pain
Pain & Stiffness of spine & joints
Chronic Inflammation, neck, back, knees, ankles, heels, hips & chest wall
Sacroiliitis
Plantar Fasciitis
Photophobia
Potentially HLA-B27 Related IBS
Other Related/Unrelated Conditions that I have:
Hypermobility syndrome (potentially unrelated but suspected to be linked to AS)
When thinking back on when I discovered that I had AS, the feeling was similar to a long walk in an open plain, with daisies, great music, skipping and fun dancing. When discovering that I had Fibromyalgia it was more like those scenes in the movies where the main character is walking around, interacting with the world around him, only to discover at the end of the movie that he’s really dead. What’s worse is that he appears to be the only one who didn’t know. I’ve obviously seen far too many of these movies, because this is what continually flashed repeatedly through my mind, Bruce Willis in “The Sixth Sense,” Anne Hathaway in “Passengers” and Nicole Kidman in “The Others.” As all of the clues relating to their demise, which we of course miss throughout the movie, now flash through their minds and on the screen. This is precisely how I felt, I missed the clues about having Fibromyalgia & CFIDS and there were many, but at least now I know and I can continue to move forward. I will however mourn the loss of my former self, while also mourning the loss of my Rheumatologist. As it is difficult traveling my Fibro & CFIDS journey without him, my doc and my friend. It’s also difficult to imagine my life without the old me. This is solely a mental adjustment, because I have not been my old physical self in quite sometime, but in 2012 I will gladly step up to the challenge of reinventing myself. I am an eternal optimist, I will inevitably make lemonade out of this proverbial Fibro & CFIDS lemon and I will continue to advocate & share my natural, holistic and healthy approach to living with Fibro & CFIDS and subsequent progress as I do with my AS. Through my own very unique journey, I’ve learned that having an invisible chronic illness, or two or three, though incredibly challenging is not at all a death sentence, but another way of living life. Here’s to an amazing 2012, where we will continue living “Chronically Happy, Healthy, Fit & Fab” while coping with Ankylosing Spondylitis, Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome CFIDS.
The Positive Pear Blog: Holistic Health & Whole Body Wellness for Invisible Chronic Illness
The Positive Pear is a health, wellness and fitness blog providing information on “holistic” health & whole body wellness for invisible chronic illness. The goal is to provide in a single location information for those looking to control the symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis (spondyloarthropathy) Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome naturally (CFIDS). You’ll find recipes and articles on whole healthy nutrition, with a focus on gluten-free, low-fat, low-carb, low-starch low-sodium, real food, & whole foods. You’ll also find information on natural and alternative therapies herbal remedies, natural supplements, pain management, stress management and appropriate forms of exercise. In addition to ways of maintaining a positive mental attitude while living with invisible chronic illness. A boost in positive thinking is encouraged through beautiful images accompanying quotes and words of inspiration. The TPP blog & Facebook page have attracted even those who aren’t battling chronic health conditions, because the information provided is crucial to maintaining a healthy, vibrant, well balanced lifestyle with a positive frame of mind. Knowledge is powerful!
What is Holistic health?
The word “Holstic” is characterized by the treatment of the whole person, mind & body while taking into account physical, mental psychological, social, economic, spiritual and even cultural factors, rather than
just the physical body. Holistic treatment/natural medicine: is a way of upholding all aspects of a person’s health requirements by focusing on the physical, mental, psychological, spiritual and social needs which are all taken into account and seen as a whole. The holistic health care is widely accepted within the Natural, Homeopathic & Alternative Medicine communities. This acceptance continues to expand within the traditional medical community as their knowledge grows and as research supports the efficacy of alternative therapies and natural remedies. In addition to research upholding the influence that mental and emotional factors may have on a person’s health. There are natural remedies that focus on a single aspect of treatment, for example cherry juices is used to treat inflammation. However, this would not be considered “holistic” treatment, though it would be considered a natural remedy, which may or may not be incorporated into a holistic health care regimen. In addition, simply focusing on nutrition in an attempt to treat the entire person, would be utilizing aspects of holistic treatment. Remember the goal in holistic health care is to treat the whole person. People’s resistance to the term “holstic’ especially when it comes to treating chronic illness has a lot to due with their lack of knowledge. Through The Positive Pear I attempt to bring greater awareness to the holistic healthcare and the natural “whole body” approach to managing invisible chronic illness and it’s positive effects on a both the mind and body.
How The Positive Pear utilizes the holistic approach to whole body wellness to help those with chronic invisible illness.
Taking a holistic approach to both managing and treating chronic invisible illnesses such as Ankylosing Spondylitis, Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome means treating the whole body, as discussed in many articles on The Positive Pear. “Whole Body Wellness” is separated into categories and discussed in several key points. The many ways in which we can take a holistic approach are: (1) The mind, by maintaining a positive mental attitude & positive thinking, meditation and positive energy. (2) The body through healthy nutrition, herbal remedies, natural supplements, natural pain management and exercise. (3) Social aspects with an emphasize on healthy association and a reliable support system. (4) psychological through educational articles regarding mental health and invisible chronic illness, in addition to driving awareness of symptoms such a anxiety, stress and depression and their impact on emotional health, as well as tips on maintaining emotional balance.
Maintainin good health and being happy is a result of a lifestyle that incorporates all facets of health, hence the term “holistic” meaning whole body. I have been an herbalist & a holistic health advocate for more than 20 years. I also live with invisible chronic illness. There is no cure for the auto immune disease that I have, so being able to successfully manage my symptoms naturally has empowered me. I’ve managed my own symptoms with great success by utilizing “whole body wellness” even utilizing this approach for many years prior to being diagnosed. I’ve also experienced great benefits by maintaining an open mind, while learning, growing an evolving as we should as humans and recognizing that we must take this approach with our bodies as well. Everyone can benefit from aspects of a holistic health regimen, but great benefits can be achieved by embracing all aspects of holistic health care. Of course it can never be an all or nothing approach, because life is never quite that cut and dry. However, one can benefit from taking small steps in the direction of whole body wellness, while keeping in mind the ever important goal which is balance. You can find much helpful information here on The Positive Pear to help you along the way.
Nutritional, Gluten-Free, Diary-Free, Low-Starch & Inflammation Friendly Recipes
The Healing Power of Organic, Real Food, Superfoods & Whole Foods
The Healing Power of Positive Thinking (Positive Energy)
Natural Stress Management Techniques
(All rights reserved. Please feel free to share this article in its entirety, excerpts or links provided full & clear credit is given to The Positive Pear Blog)
