Archive for the ‘Detoxing’ Category

Anti-Inflammatories Help Major Depression

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/expressive-trauma-integration/201911/anti-inflammatories-help-major-depression

By Odelya Gertel Kraybill Ph.D.

Anti-Inflammatories Help Major Depression

New study suggests that anti-inflammatories can mitigate MDD symptoms

Posted Nov 11, 2019

Odelya Gertel Kraybill Expressive Trauma Integration

A new study* published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry asserts the efficacy of anti-inflammatories in treating major depression. This adds to the mounting evidence that there is a connection between emotional functioning and inflammation.

An increasing number of studies have shown that depression and/or bipolar disorder are accompanied by immune system dysregulation, inflammation, and high levels of cytokines. Researchers have found that inflammation triggers depression, almost like an allergic reaction.  (See link for full article)

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**Comment**

More and more is coming out on the role inflammation plays in chronic disease states and Lyme/MSIDS is no acceptation. These patients are full of inflammation and addressing that inflammation is an important aspect of treatment.  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/11/18/link-between-inflammation-mental-sluggishness-shown-how-msm-systemic-enzymes-and-melatonin-can-help/

Of course, the first step is to address the pathogens which are causing this, the second step is to aid the body in detoxifying these pathogens, and the third step is to support the body by supplementing with the things our bodies are deficient in – which varies from person to person. But, the last factor is this addressing the burgeoning inflammation caused by the war brought on by pathogens.

Here are some things that have helped me in my journey.  I pray they help someone else out there as well.

(Please read about melatonin in the first link under the comment section.  Melatonin is particularly good for the brain as it not only reduces inflammation but it protects the blood-brain barrier.)

For examples of effective Lyme disease treatment: https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/category/lyme-disease-treatment/  Please remember Lyme is the tip of the spear and patients are often coinfected with numerous pathogens all requiring different medications.  This is why effective treatment is overlapping in nature and given for a much longer duration than a few weeks.  This fact has not been accepted and embraced by mainstream medicine and until it is, patients are required to be treated by ILADS trained professionals who understand this complex illness.  For a great video on this:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/11/21/cdc-misses-the-mark-with-chronic-lyme-disease/

 

 

 

 

Category:

Detoxing, Hemp Oil, Inflammation, Lyme, Psychological Aspects, research, Treatment

How Sleep Cleans Toxins From the Brain

https://www.mysterious-times.com/2019/11/17/scientists-now-know-how-sleep-cleans-toxins-from-the-brain/

by Mysterious Times

The synchronized brain waves of non-REM sleep may play a key role in preventing toxins from accumulating in a person’s brain.

Laura Lewis and her team of researchers have been putting in late nights in their Boston University lab. Lewis ran tests until around 3:00 in the morning, then ended up sleeping in the next day. It was like she had jet lag, she says, without changing time zones. It’s not that Lewis doesn’t appreciate the merits of a good night’s sleep. She does. But when you’re trying to map what’s happening in a slumbering human’s brain, you end up making some sacrifices. “It’s this great irony of sleep research,” she says. “You’re constrained by when people sleep.”

Her results, published today in the journal Science, show how our bodies clear toxins out of our brains while we sleep and could open new avenues for treating and preventing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s…..(See link for full article)

For Lewis et al. study:

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/366/6465/628

Coupled electrophysiological, hemodynamic, and cerebrospinal fluid oscillations in human sleep

Category:

Detoxing, research, Sleep

Interpreting Your Lyme Patients’ Ups & Downs For Greater Clinical Success

https://www.uprootinglyme.com/interpreting-your-lyme-patients-ups-downs-for-greater-clinical-success/

Interpreting Your Lyme Patients’ Ups & Downs For Greater Clinical Success

Interpreting Your Lyme Patients’ Ups & Downs For Greater Clinical Success

By

Recently a patient I was treating for Lyme who had been doing better and better, suddenly took a turn for the worse.  In order to help her know what to do to manage and move through her flare, I needed to try and determine what had caused it.

Was it the effects of the laser acupuncture she had been receiving lately?  Was it the new set of homeopathic medicines that another practitioner had recommended?  Was it the trees-with-questionschange of environment since she recently transitioned to her summer home?  Was it a delayed response to a mercury amalgam removal procedure from several weeks ago?  Something she was eating… or something else?

Health practitioners who treat Lyme, stealth infections and other complex chronic diseases are familiar with this guessing game.  A major challenge to treatment success is the truckload of dynamic factors continually influencing body and brain chemistry – and often not in the positive direction towards health and well-being.

The Art of Interpreting Change

Between the best-laid treatment plan and the chaos of advancing disease lies the “zone of complexity.”  It’s within this zone that doctors and practitioners of Lyme and complex chronic disease attempt to interpret the patient’s responses to treatment.

From my years exploring and experimenting with natural detoxification and fasting methods, I became good at understanding the difference between a disease crisis and a healing crisis.  This understanding is crucial if we are to wisely interpret a patient’s ups and downs.

feeling-sickOver the years I have heard many Lyme literate doctors, naturopaths, PA’s and other practitioners give feedback to patients who took a turn for the worse.  In general, conventional medicine practitioners, even Lyme-literate ones with the best of intentions, don’t know how to analyze the unpredictable responses that Lyme patients often have to pharmaceuticals and other treatments.  I’ve also seen a similar scenario played out with herbalists, homeopaths, etc.

They deny that their treatment is responsible for the setback because it doesn’t “make sense” to them.  They may also refer out to a neurologist, cardiologist, etc., recommending specialist diagnostics in order to understand the unpredictable response of their patient.stethoscope

Yet the so-called setback could be handled so much more productively in most cases, moving the patient forward in their recovery and deepening their trust in the course of treatment.

How can this happen?  Understanding the difference between a disease crisis and a healing crisis is essential.

3 Basic Principles for Interpreting Change in Patients:

1.) Examine what preceded the flare (or acute symptomology) in terms of lifestyle.  Was the patient implementing a detox regimen of some kind?   In this case, chances are what has been provoked is a healing crisis, and the best way through this is continuing to detoxify and support the immune system.

On the other hand, if what preceded the apparent setback was a time of stress, a newly acquired infection, or poor lifestyle habits, then the symptoms likely do represent a progression of disease.

2.) Next, review the patient’s recent history in terms of energy.  Had they just reached a new level of improved energy and vitality?  This then is an indicator that the body has initiated a healing crisis, an advancement towards health, and the acute symptomology is a clearing of a layer of disease or infection that ought to be supported rather than suppressed. morning-walker

Conversely, if the patient had warning signs, or feelings and signs that his health was weakening, then the flare indicates a disease crisis.

3.) Finally, look at timing.  Typically disease crises are not short-lived.  They require at least a week to recover from, or they lead to a downward spiral of health.  On the other hand, when handled properly, a healing crisis can be managed and supported so that the symptoms are relatively short-lived, lasting only a day to a week.

The Gift of Clinical Experience

“Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.” – Will Rogers

There is no substitute for clinical experience.  That’s why our year-long training for practitioners who want to specialize in holistic Lyme treatment is anchored in 3 live clinical experiences per year, which supply you with ample real-life cases to workshop, practice and apply the principles of holistic Lyme recovery in a guided setting.

Learn more and apply at www.uprootinglyme.com/mentorship

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**Comment**

In my experience, teasing out what is doing what is one of the most challenging aspects of treatment. Patients don’t understand that treating Lyme/MSIDS is unlike anything else they’ve ever done before and that instead of feeling better, they are going to feel worse – often for a long, long time (years).  For a great read: https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2015/08/15/herxheimer-die-off-reaction-explained/ as well as:   https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2015/12/06/tips-for-newbies/.

Treatment is very hard and long.  It is often also painful and time consuming. You pretty much revolve your life around the timing of pills, eating, and tinctures.

I find that patients that adopt an attitude of learning do far better than those who just want to be told what to do.  The reason you need to learn all you can is that no two people respond identically to treatment and you are the expert on your body. Learn all you can, ask a lot of questions, and read about all aspects of health.  It will all help you in the end.

alancing this new way of thinking takes some finesse but once you’ve learned how to balance life with this new way of thinking – everything is viewed through a different lens. If you allow it, illness can help transform you into a more caring and whole person.  

All of a sudden what you thought was a road block became a stepping stone to a place you’d never been before.

Category:

Detoxing, Lyme

Essential Oils for Health – Podcast

https://livingwithlyme.us/episode-93-essential-oils-for-health/

Episode 93: Essential Oils for Health

November 8, 2019

Cindy Kennedy, FNP, is joined by Debbie Jodoin, an essential oil educator, who describes the history and use of essential oils. She discusses a healing technique called “The Raindrop Technique” that she uses with Lyme sufferers.

Debbie was an energetic, twenty-something wife and mother with a bright future when she was diagnosed with a debilitating, chronic digestive illness. When nothing seemed to work as it should she researched and then turned to essential oils.Debbie believes that essential oil therapy can help to activate an innate healing response and return your mind and body to its natural state of wholeness.

She believes that emotional and physical wellbeing are inextricably bound, and that the amazing benefits of pure essential oils and human touch can be a powerful means to achieving the lasting, overall wellness you were meant to have.

Her website is available at. https://oilsofeden.us/about-us/

Get more Lyme resources at: https://livingwithlyme.us/

Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/Livingwithlyme.us

Check out Pursue Wellness: https://pursuewellness.us/

SHOW NOTES

What are essential oils?
Where do they come from?
How long have they been used?
Important facts about purity and safety
Use of oils-body-ingestion-personal recipes
Frequency of oils’ usage
Can oils work as detox bodywork?
Where do you help people? Detox spa

 

 

 

 

Category:

Detoxing, Herbs, Treatment

Dealing With Lyme Disease and Mold Illness at the Same Time

https://www.lymedisease.org/patel-lyme-mold/

LYME SCI: Dealing with Lyme disease and mold illness at the same time

By Lonnie Marcum

Dr. Raj Patel discusses Lyme disease & mold illness

According to Dr. Raj Patel, if you have been treated for chronic Lyme disease and are not getting better, toxic mold could be a contributing factor.

In his experience, one half of all unresolved Lyme disease cases are due in part to inflammation caused by mold illness.

Dr. Patel has over 20 years’ clinical experience in medicine, treating chronic Lyme disease, chronic fatigue, mold illness, autism and related conditions.

He recently shared information and insights about his approach to Lyme and mold at LymeDisease.org’s MyLymeData2017 conference in San Ramon, California.

Exposure to Lyme and mold are very common occurrences, Dr. Patel says, but not all people who are exposed will come down with symptoms. Patients with a strong immune system may be unaffected, but those with a weakened immune system, or other contributing factors, can become chronically ill.

Signs and symptoms

The signs and symptoms for mold illness are very similar to chronic Lyme disease:

  • Fatigue, weakness
  • Focus/concentration issues, word recall, memory issues
  • Confusion, disorientation, mood swings
  • Muscle aches, cramps, joint pain, morning stiffness
  • Skin sensitivity, light sensitivity
  • Cough, shortness of breath, dizziness
  • Excessive thirst, increased urination, static shocks
  • Numbness and tingling, unusual pain, “ice pick’ pain
  • Abdominal pain, diarrhea, appetite swings
  • Headaches, tremors, metallic taste
  • Temperature regulation problems, day/night sweats (more at night)
  • Red eyes, tearing, sinus problems

Dr. Patel’s backstory is particularly intriguing. He suffered years of progressive fatigue after attending medical school in New Jersey before finally being diagnosed with and treated for Lyme disease.

Years later, after repeated exposure to a water-damaged building, he came down with mold illness and all of his Lyme symptoms came back. The treatment he recommends to his patients is the same method he used to heal himself.

Predisposing factors for mold illness

  1. Genetic predisposition
  2. History of exposure to mold or water-damaged buildings
  3. A weakened immune system due to viral, parasitic and/or bacterial co-infections
  4. Autoimmune illness

Genetic predisposition

According to Dr. Patel, common genetic defects seen in patients with mold illness are within the methylation detox pathways (MTHFR), and the Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLAs).

We each receive a set of genes from our parents, so any person has the potential for no defects, to be heterozygous (1 defect from 1 parent) or homozygous (2 defects—1 from each parent).

MTHFR is a gene that instructs the human body on how to convert folic acid from the foods we eat to a usable form of Vitamin B called methyl-folate. Methyl-folate is involved in the proper function of almost every system in the human body including: cell repair, making neurotransmitters (that control sleep, moods, memory), metabolizing fats, activating the immune system and clearing the body of toxins and heavy metals.

People who have methylation defects will have more difficulty healing from infections and clearing toxins like mold and heavy metal.

HLAs are antigens that are found on the surface of nearly every human cell in the body. These antigens help the immune system identify foreign invaders.

If there is a defect on an HLA gene a person will have difficulty clearing toxins and infections. Approximately 24% of the normal population carry an HLA defect, making them more susceptible to mold illness.

What is mold illness?

Dr. Patel says mold is the number one cause of uncontrolled inflammation involving the innate immune system. Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) happens when repeated exposure to toxins causes the immune system to go haywire. CIRS can be triggered by the combination of mycotoxins, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other inflammatory toxins found in water-damaged environments.

Over time, this inflammation causes damage in the following:

  • Disrupted melatonin (sleep disturbances)
  • Gut inflammation (food sensitivities, irritable bowel, immune deregulation)
  • Compromised Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis (severe fatigue)
  • Disrupted Vitamin D metabolism (increased viral activity)
  • Low testosterone (fatigue, low libido)
  • Caudate atrophy (diminished motivation)
  • Swelling and enlargement of the forebrain and cortical gray matter

Testing for mold

Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) is a DNA analysis of settled dust collected in buildings to determine the concentration of 36 species of mold associated with water-damaged buildings. For more information on ERMI see mycometrics.com

Dr. Patel recommends using the ERMI cloth method, and collecting samples from each room in the building where dust has settled for 4-6 weeks. The top shelf, above cabinets, above door jams, along baseboards, above ceiling fans are all good places for collecting dust.

For two-story buildings, he recommends using two separate ERMI kits. If the ERMI score comes back borderline, clean the building then re-test. If the score comes back with high levels of mold, it is considered a dangerous living environment for those with mold illness.

Patients with severe mold illness will need to decide whether to remodel (remediate) or remove themselves permanently from the environment.

Diagnostic tests for mold illness*

There is no single test for detecting mold illness in humans. In addition to a full workup that would include testing for autoimmune diseases, he recommends testing for specific hormones and inflammatory markers as listed below.

Tests for detecting chronic inflammation specific to Lyme and mold illness:

  • Low VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide) – lower than 23 (Lyme &/or mold)
  • Low MSH (Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone) – lower than 35 (Lyme &/or mold)
  • Low VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) -lower than 31 (Lyme &/or mold)
  • Hi TGFb1 (Transforming Growth Factor Beta-1) – greater than 7,000 (Lyme &/or mold)
  • Hi MMP9 (Matrix Metallopeptidase-9) – greater than 500 (Lyme &/or mold)
  • Hi C4a (Compliment Component 4) above 2,800 but below 10,000 (Lyme w/out mold)
  • Hi C4a (Compliment Component 4) greater than 10,000 (Lyme & mold)
  • NeuroQuant MRI swelling and enlargement of forebrain and cortical gray matter, caudate atrophy, pallidum enlargement. (Lyme will have putamen atrophy, right thalamus enlarged)

*For more information on laboratory testing see SurvivingMold.com

Treating Lyme disease in the context of mold illness

  1. Eliminate exposure. Most importantly, people must eliminate their exposure to mold from the home, school, workplace and regular hangouts including church. It is absolutely critical the Lyme patient have a mold-free sanctuary. Regularly changing central heat A/C filters and adding freestanding HEPA air filtration systems will help. If high mold content is found, the only options are remediation or vacating the premises.
  2. Reduce inflammation. Dr. Patel recommends using binders like bentonite, cholestyramine (CSM), Welchol, or activated charcoal to reduce inflammation. Patients who are immunocompromised and have signs of chronic viral reactivation (HHV6/EBV/CMV/Parvovirus) may need to treat with antiviral medication. If C4a markers come down on the antiviral, that is diagnostic of viral reactivation. If C4a markers come down on the binders, it indicates mold illness.
  3. Treat Lyme and coinfections. Once the mold is eliminated and the inflammatory markers have come down, you can begin treatment for Lyme and co-infections. If treatment is begun before the CIRS is under control, the patient will not get better. Dr. Patel recommends treatment at a low and slow pace with patients who have genetic defects in their detox pathways and a history of CIRS.
  4. Treat MARCoNS (Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylococci). Diagnosis of MARCoNS is made with a deep nasal swab that is sent to the lab for culture. If positive, the patient it treated with BEG (Bacitracin/EDTA/Gentamycin) nasal spray. If the MARCoNS is resistant to Gentamycin, treat with BEC (Bacitracin/EDTA/Clindamycin). Typical dose is two sprays four times per day for four weeks (ramped up to full dose slowly).
  5. Prepare patient for VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide). Dr. Patel says VIP helps his patients repair the chronic inflammatory damage left behind by mold and Lyme, and regain the last 30% of their health. VIP is an 11-step protocol devised by Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker. It reverses the inflammatory pathways so that patients will become less reactive to mold in the future, and should be overseen by a practitioner who is trained in CIRS. You can learn more about how Dr. Patel treats mold illness here.

Avoiding mold exposure

Dr. Patel says, “quite simply, the more mold exposure is avoided, the faster the patient responds to antimicrobials.”

Dr. Patel is board-certified in Family Medicine and has completed extensive post-graduate studies in autism spectrum disorders, Lyme disease and mold illness. He is an active member of Defeat Autism Now (DAN) and the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS), and has completed advanced training in pediatric Lyme disease. He currently practices integrative medicine at Medical Options for Wellness in Foster City, California.

LymeSci is written by Lonnie Marcum, a Licensed Physical Therapist and mother of a daughter with Lyme. Follow her on Twitter: @LonnieRhea  Email her at: lmarcum@lymedisease.org .

Category:

Detoxing, Inflammation, Lyme, Mold