In my 20s, I would have been described as the “picture of health” because I was very fit and had a disciplined diet. I was working as a yoga and massage therapist, teaching yoga and collaborating with top New York City doctors to educate their patients on optimal nutrition and nutritional supplementation. When it came down to health, I thought I knew the formula.
In my 30s, I received a surprise diagnosis of thyroid cancer. After radiation and surgery, I was able to make a full recovery. I realized that sometimes, no matter how much we care for ourselves, we are just unlucky. “Smile at Your Challenges” is a book I wrote about my experience with gratitude and its healing powers.
When I thought that I had overcome everything, another terrifying event changed my health.
An influx of strange symptoms
My cancer returned in my late 30s. I felt so sick, I thought I had died. I experienced a sudden onset of bizarre symptoms, including nausea, fatigue, and light sensitivity.
The best diagnosis that any doctor could give me after seeing nearly a dozen different doctors was that my symptoms are psychosomatic. It was both discouraging and insulting to be told that these bizarre symptoms were caused by stress or anxiety. Many people would have accepted the diagnosis but I kept pressing and asked for more tests to find out what was going on. It took me months to receive a proper diagnosis. I discovered that I had Lyme disease.
Fighting Lyme Before It’s Too late
It was both frightening and reassuring to have finally received a diagnosis explaining the bizarre symptoms I had been experiencing. I was able trace my symptoms back to a weekend spent at the beach. I remember walking through the brush to reach the sand. I believe that I was bitten at the beach by a tiny nymphal tick. My case was different. There was no bullseye-like rash that would have warned me of what was coming. I had already been bitten by a tick for a year when my Lyme was diagnosed. Since it was too late to take antibiotics, I used alternative treatments to help me fight the infection.
This article contains some examples of what I did.
In a year-and-a-half, I had almost recovered. I felt normal and had more energy, unless I went off my routine, ate too much alcohol or sugar, or didn’t sleep enough.
Reactivation through COVID-19
All of us were shocked when the unthinkable occurred. COVID-19 affected all of us, but in different ways. COVID-19 can stay with us for many months or even years. It may also reactivate viruses or conditions that were dormant. This is also true for other illnesses such as Epstein-Barr, herpes and asthma. This is, in my opinion, the most frightening aspect of COVID-19. Many people now refer to it as “long COVID”.
I had a mild case of COVID-19. I was in good health and my Lyme was under control. Once I was through, I thought I would be back to my normal self. I began to experience symptoms that were not COVID-19-related, but more similar to those of Lyme Disease. I suffered from blurry vision and brain fog. I also experienced fatigue, light sensitivity and rapid heartbeat. I saw a few doctors, who dismissed it as a transient condition and said it would improve with time. My experience with Lyme has taught me to not dismiss symptoms. My original Lyme-literate physician helped me once again take control of my health. We discovered that I had long COVID-19, which was reactivating my Lyme. We worked together to find the combination of alternative therapies that reduced the severity of my Lyme disease symptoms.
Managing Lyme & Long CoVID-19
The path to wellness hasn’t been easy. This has made it more important to live mindfully. Our mindset and nutrition can have a big impact on our brain. I have always been very disciplined when it comes to diet and exercise. I also find that daily routines are important in producing measurable results.
- Compression therapy has many benefits for people with chronic illnesses. To improve circulation, I wear compression therapy boots in the morning. Compression therapy is also effective in reducing pain, preventing blood clots, and improving orthostatic intolerance. Online, you can find compression boots. Even the cheaper boots are effective.
- Mushroom supplementation has become very popular in recent years. It is known to optimize your immune system by immunomodulation. This optimizes the immunity system to help fight diseases and infections. I use a mushroom supplement called AHCC, which is the most studied mushroom supplement. It has more than 30 clinical studies on humans and has been tested for both Lyme and COVID. Recent research published in pathogens indicates that AHCC supplements can increase resistance to mild and severe COVID-19 infections primarily by promoting innate T-cell immunity. A human clinical trial is currently underway at the World Health Organization to study the impact of AHCC in long-term COVID-19 infections.
- Anti Inflammatory Diet can be a great idea for those who suffer from chronic illnesses that are accompanied by significant inflammation. Symptoms can be exacerbated by common inflammatory triggers, such as sugar, wheat gluten, dairy, and fried food. Eating a diet rich in colorful organic fruits and vegetables, wild salmon, healthy fats such as olive oil and avocados, as well as small quantities of grass-fed poultry and meat, is recommended. Inflammation can also be reduced by using homemade broths, green juices or certain spices.
- Acupuncturecan be used to treat a variety of conditions. It can provide a feeling of wellness and relaxation, as well as ease pain and migraines. It can also relieve digestive discomfort and depression.
- Yogais an excellent practice not only for strength and flexibility but also for the nervous systems. Yoga practice involves breathing exercises that calm the nervous and mental system.
- Both Meditation and Prayerare helpful to remove yourself from the daily chaos and distractions while you concentrate on healing. Meditation can help you calm your mind and keep from being distracted by negative thoughts or stress. It does this by focusing attention on your breath. Visualization can be used in some meditations to help imagine healing, health and strength. All of these things can help rewire your brain and create a feeling of trust in the healing process. Even if don’t have faith in a higher force, gratitude and the belief that the universe works to bring you success, joy and health will help you change your mindset. Positive thinking is essential to healing and achieving our health goals.
After my professional experience led me to an integrative doctor who helped me develop alternative healing methods, I was able to find the solutions to my problems.
The greatest challenge I have faced in overcoming my health challenges has been controlling my mentality. I am aware of the importance to channel my thoughts in a positive and healing direction. I hope you will be inspired by my story and stay vigilant about warning signs, symptoms and red flags your body sends to you when there is something wrong. You can then act as your health coach and work with a mixture of medical and holistic experts until you find a strategy and answers that work best for you.
Alternative Medicine Magazine published the first article Where To Turn when Lyme and long changes your direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can you find more information on holistic medicine and other holistic therapies?
Holistic medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that treats the whole person and not just one body part. Holistic medicine takes into account all aspects of a patient’s life, including his or her spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.
Holistic medicine seeks to treat the person as a whole, rather than treating specific symptoms. Holistic medicine doesn’t focus on curing disease. It focuses on healing.
Holistic medicine covers preventive measures like nutrition and exercise, as well treatment for chronic conditions like diabetes and arthritis.
There are many different types of holistic medicine:
- Acupuncture
- Aromatherapy
- Ayurveda
- Chiropractic medicine
- Homeopathy
- Herbalism
- Naturopathy
- Nutrition
- Osteopathic medicine
- Vedic medicine
- Yoga
Is holistic health care equivalent to alternative medicine?
Holistic Health Care is different from Alternative Medicine in that it treats the whole person and not the symptoms.
Holistic Health Care addresses all aspects of an individual’s life: mental, physical, psychological, spiritual, occupational, cultural and family.
Alternative Medicine doesn’t address such issues. It doesn’t address these issues.
What is holistic medicine?
Holistic medicine doctors are those who treat patients holistically. They may incorporate western medicine into their treatment, as well as traditional methods such acupuncture or herbs.
They aim to treat an illness rather than just treat symptoms. Patients should feel better after treatment.
The doctor should not only treat the disease, but also prevent it from happening again.
The term “holistic” refers to considering all aspects of one’s life.
What is alternative medicine called?
Alternative medicine is an umbrella term used to describe any approach to healing that differs significantly from conventional medical practice. While there are many alternative medical approaches, the majority are based on a belief that health care should be rooted primarily in natural substances and practices.
Alternative medicine can include acupuncture and herbalism, naturopathy and osteopathic manipulation.
Alternative practitioners claim their treatments have improved health outcomes. They also claim they are more cost-effective and provide better patient satisfaction. These claims are not supported by scientific evidence because most mainstream medical authorities ignore the evidence-based benefits that alternative medicine offers.
What are some of the benefits of complementary or alternative medicine?
People who feel that they are not receiving enough support from allopathic medicine can use complementary and alternate medicine (CAM). These include homeopathy, herbal medicine, massage therapy and homeopathy. Traditional Chinese medicine, biofeedback, spiritual healing, chiropractic care, homeopathy, homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, chiropractic care and other therapies. Because they are not part of the standard medical treatment system, CAM practitioners will often recommend alternative therapies. Many CAM treatments also include elements of traditional medicine. There are a variety of forms of acupuncture, including those that use needles and others that use heat or moxibustion.
Some CAM therapies may be helpful for anxiety, pain relief, stress management or relaxation. They can also help with fatigue and improve your overall sense of well-being. Some CAM therapies target specific conditions, such fibromyalgia. Other CAM treatments may be just as enjoyable.
There is no definitive definition of CAM. However, most definitions include at a minimum one of the following:
- A holistic approach that includes both the body, mind, spirit, environment, and everything in between
- The belief that mind and body interact with each other and have an influence on one another
- The belief that illness is due in part to an imbalance between the individual (and his/her environment)
- The whole person is treated, not just the symptoms
- Combination between Eastern philosophy and Western science
- Treatment methods that integrate mind, body, and spirit
- Use of natural products instead of synthetic chemicals
- A healing touch
- Mindfulness
- Meditation
- Acupuncture
- Yoga
- Herbal remedies
- Homeopathy
- Chiropractic care
- Massage therapy
- Hypnotherapy
- Spiritual healing
- Biofeedback
- Nutritional counseling
- Energy healing
In addition to its potential benefits, there are risks associated with certain CAM therapies. If used incorrectly, some therapies can cause severe harm or even death. Others pose potential side effects that must be weighed against their perceived benefits. Before you decide whether or not to use any CAMs, talk with your doctor about these matters.
Alternative methods are used by people with cancer.
Cancer patients often face many challenges as they attempt to overcome their illness. They may have lost all hope or feel helpless as there is nothing they can do. Some symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headaches, weight loss, and fatigue.
Additionally, many conventional treatments do not work against cancer cells. Therefore, cancer patients seek other therapies, such as complementary medicine. Nearly half of cancer patients use alternative medicines at some point during treatment, according to studies.
Complementary medicine is often chosen by cancer patients over chemotherapy. It’s easier to manage side effect. They may also prefer it as it costs less.
These are just a few of the reasons why you might want to consider them:
Some patients believe that natural remedies can help prevent a recurrence.
Many people believe natural remedies are a way to improve your quality of life.
Some believe natural remedies can lower the chance of developing cancer again.
People concerned about possible side effects of chemotherapy use natural remedies as first-line therapy.
Statistics
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
- category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PubMed: The rise and rise in complementary and alternative medicine: A sociological perspective
- Holistic medicine – PubMed
cam.cancer.gov
webmd.com
liebertpub.com
- Games for Health Journal, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
How To
How do I deal with my girlfriend who trusts alternative medicine?
There are many resources available online for anyone who is dealing with a loved person suffering from a mental illness. The internet isn’t able to provide much help for those who believe in alternative medicines.
There appears to be a significant divide between the groups. There are two types of people: those who doubt conventional medicine and those who are open to its benefits.
What happens when you meet someone who believes that there are alternative treatments to mental health problems?
Perhaps you feel confused or frustrated, because you don’t know how to react. You might feel confused and frustrated if your partner tells you that he’d rather see an acupuncturist than his physician. Or when she says she’d rather eat gluten free than take antidepressants.
Asking questions is crucial. It can save you a lot of pain later.
How can you ask him these difficult questions without making it offensive? What if your client says he doesn’t believe in doctors? What if he says he doesn’t trust doctors?
What if she claims that antidepressants don’t work? You can correct her.
This is where the conversation gets tricky. If you point out her error, it could cause you to upset her further.
Alternatively, you could suggest that she sees a psychiatrist instead. This might cause more problems that it solves. This could cause her to be upset at you. She might think you are trying to control her mind.
So, what can you do now?
–
——————————————————————————————————————————————
This blog is a source of general information and discussion on health and related topics. Information and materials on this blog, on the website, or in any of the connected materials are not intended to replace or used as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional, diagnosis, or treatment. This blog does not represent the application of any nursing, medical or other health professional advice or diagnosis. We are unable to diagnose health conditions, offer second opinions or provide specific treatment recommendations via this blog or on our website.
If you or another person is suffering from a medical issue and you are concerned, consult your doctor or seek out other medical professional treatment as soon as possible. Do not disregard medical advice from a professional or delay seeking it due to information you seen on the blog or website or in any of the linked materials. If you’re experiencing an emergency medical situation, dial 911 or seek emergency medical assistance on the closest phone immediately.
——————————————————————————————————————————————
By: Dick Benson
Title: Where To Turn When Lyme and Long Changes Your Direction
Sourced From: alternativemedicine.com/conditions/lyme-disease/where-to-turn-when-lyme-and-long-changes-your-direction/
Published Date: Tue, 16 May 2023 18:39:26 +0000
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can you find more information on holistic medicine and other holistic therapies?
Holistic medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that treats the whole person and not just one body part. Holistic medicine takes into account all aspects of a patient’s life, including his or her spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.
Holistic medicine seeks to treat the person as a whole, rather than treating specific symptoms. Holistic medicine doesn’t focus on curing disease. It focuses on healing.
Holistic medicine covers preventive measures like nutrition and exercise, as well treatment for chronic conditions like diabetes and arthritis.
There are many different types of holistic medicine:
- Acupuncture
- Aromatherapy
- Ayurveda
- Chiropractic medicine
- Homeopathy
- Herbalism
- Naturopathy
- Nutrition
- Osteopathic medicine
- Vedic medicine
- Yoga
Is holistic health care equivalent to alternative medicine?
Holistic Health Care is different from Alternative Medicine in that it treats the whole person and not the symptoms.
Holistic Health Care addresses all aspects of an individual’s life: mental, physical, psychological, spiritual, occupational, cultural and family.
Alternative Medicine doesn’t address such issues. It doesn’t address these issues.
What is holistic medicine?
Holistic medicine doctors are those who treat patients holistically. They may incorporate western medicine into their treatment, as well as traditional methods such acupuncture or herbs.
They aim to treat an illness rather than just treat symptoms. Patients should feel better after treatment.
The doctor should not only treat the disease, but also prevent it from happening again.
The term “holistic” refers to considering all aspects of one’s life.
What is alternative medicine called?
Alternative medicine is an umbrella term used to describe any approach to healing that differs significantly from conventional medical practice. While there are many alternative medical approaches, the majority are based on a belief that health care should be rooted primarily in natural substances and practices.
Alternative medicine can include acupuncture and herbalism, naturopathy and osteopathic manipulation.
Alternative practitioners claim their treatments have improved health outcomes. They also claim they are more cost-effective and provide better patient satisfaction. These claims are not supported by scientific evidence because most mainstream medical authorities ignore the evidence-based benefits that alternative medicine offers.
What are some of the benefits of complementary or alternative medicine?
People who feel that they are not receiving enough support from allopathic medicine can use complementary and alternate medicine (CAM). These include homeopathy, herbal medicine, massage therapy and homeopathy. Traditional Chinese medicine, biofeedback, spiritual healing, chiropractic care, homeopathy, homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, chiropractic care and other therapies. Because they are not part of the standard medical treatment system, CAM practitioners will often recommend alternative therapies. Many CAM treatments also include elements of traditional medicine. There are a variety of forms of acupuncture, including those that use needles and others that use heat or moxibustion.
Some CAM therapies may be helpful for anxiety, pain relief, stress management or relaxation. They can also help with fatigue and improve your overall sense of well-being. Some CAM therapies target specific conditions, such fibromyalgia. Other CAM treatments may be just as enjoyable.
There is no definitive definition of CAM. However, most definitions include at a minimum one of the following:
- A holistic approach that includes both the body, mind, spirit, environment, and everything in between
- The belief that mind and body interact with each other and have an influence on one another
- The belief that illness is due in part to an imbalance between the individual (and his/her environment)
- The whole person is treated, not just the symptoms
- Combination between Eastern philosophy and Western science
- Treatment methods that integrate mind, body, and spirit
- Use of natural products instead of synthetic chemicals
- A healing touch
- Mindfulness
- Meditation
- Acupuncture
- Yoga
- Herbal remedies
- Homeopathy
- Chiropractic care
- Massage therapy
- Hypnotherapy
- Spiritual healing
- Biofeedback
- Nutritional counseling
- Energy healing
In addition to its potential benefits, there are risks associated with certain CAM therapies. If used incorrectly, some therapies can cause severe harm or even death. Others pose potential side effects that must be weighed against their perceived benefits. Before you decide whether or not to use any CAMs, talk with your doctor about these matters.
Alternative methods are used by people with cancer.
Cancer patients often face many challenges as they attempt to overcome their illness. They may have lost all hope or feel helpless as there is nothing they can do. Some symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headaches, weight loss, and fatigue.
Additionally, many conventional treatments do not work against cancer cells. Therefore, cancer patients seek other therapies, such as complementary medicine. Nearly half of cancer patients use alternative medicines at some point during treatment, according to studies.
Complementary medicine is often chosen by cancer patients over chemotherapy. It’s easier to manage side effect. They may also prefer it as it costs less.
These are just a few of the reasons why you might want to consider them:
Some patients believe that natural remedies can help prevent a recurrence.
Many people believe natural remedies are a way to improve your quality of life.
Some believe natural remedies can lower the chance of developing cancer again.
People concerned about possible side effects of chemotherapy use natural remedies as first-line therapy.
Statistics
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
- category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PubMed: The rise and rise in complementary and alternative medicine: A sociological perspective
- Holistic medicine – PubMed
cam.cancer.gov
webmd.com
liebertpub.com
- Games for Health Journal, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
How To
How do I deal with my girlfriend who trusts alternative medicine?
There are many resources available online for anyone who is dealing with a loved person suffering from a mental illness. The internet isn’t able to provide much help for those who believe in alternative medicines.
There appears to be a significant divide between the groups. There are two types of people: those who doubt conventional medicine and those who are open to its benefits.
What happens when you meet someone who believes that there are alternative treatments to mental health problems?
Perhaps you feel confused or frustrated, because you don’t know how to react. You might feel confused and frustrated if your partner tells you that he’d rather see an acupuncturist than his physician. Or when she says she’d rather eat gluten free than take antidepressants.
Asking questions is crucial. It can save you a lot of pain later.
How can you ask him these difficult questions without making it offensive? What if your client says he doesn’t believe in doctors? What if he says he doesn’t trust doctors?
What if she claims that antidepressants don’t work? You can correct her.
This is where the conversation gets tricky. If you point out her error, it could cause you to upset her further.
Alternatively, you could suggest that she sees a psychiatrist instead. This might cause more problems that it solves. This could cause her to be upset at you. She might think you are trying to control her mind.
So, what can you do now?
Leave a Reply