Category: Healthy Management of Chronic Diseases

 

 

The emotional and physical connections between couples are essential towards a long-lasting relationship, and there is a more significant need for it when one or both of them have Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MS is “widely considered an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the immune system of an otherwise normal person is tricked into attacking healthy parts of the body, MS causes damage in many areas of the nervous system. This leads to symptoms that are often different for different people. These include things as seemingly diverse as fatigue, walking problems, depression, cognitive impairment, muscle tightness, or bladder problems,” says Lauren Krupp, M.D., and Robert Charlson, M.D.

The symptoms of MS can primarily affect the way people feel or how they connect towards their partners. It may also substantially influence how they regard previous and current activities that support their relationship. As such, couples can expect possible effects of MS on their current or future situations.

“New research now suggests that inflammation within the hippocampus — influenced by the immune system responses — may be the reason for the increased prevalence of depression among people with M.S.,” according to Rick Nauert PhD, and it’s very devastating to have a partner or spouse with depression and MS at the same time.

 

 

The Impact Of MS

An individual with MS will substantially change as the disease progresses. The changes will impact the relationship from mild to severe levels. Some symptoms of MS may strip them (not all) of sexual activity or undoubtedly lessens it from what it used to be. There is a possibility that couples with MS may need to pull off with cuddling, hugging, stroking, and kissing as these are the primary forms of intimate connection. However, there are various ways to keep the intimacy in the relationship alive. You can research for things that you can do and what you can’t during sexual intercourse. Ask healthcare professionals regarding how to deal with MS symptoms that get in the way of your sexual activities together. They will also give you advice about beneficial sexual health options as well.

A couple in a relationship will change over the years and will require adjustments to move on. However, individuals with MS tend to hold on to their mentality shift during the progression of the disease which may cause a severe personality change. Their partners may not recognize them anymore due to these character changes and that somehow leads to a breakup.

Individuals with MS will experience the symptoms of the disease without prior signs and will not be able to know how long these will last or how severe they would be. MS will put a massive burden on their partners which may influence them to give up the relationship. The diagnosis of MS and its symptoms may create new arguments due to the changes that MS can bring in their relationship, social lives, and responsibilities of a person. The couple’s plan for the future may drastically change or possibly halted.

 

 

The Verdict

Multiple sclerosis is a life-changing disease, but it should not keep you away from holding a positive outlook on life. It is also important not to drown in self-pity for it will significantly affect you and your partner. Lastly, never think that you are alone during your battle with this disease because there are thousands of people who can relate to your situation. Find the strength to address the issue so you can save your relationship from drying.

“I would strongly recommend that if you feel that your personality has changed, if you find yourself withdrawing and not able to complete tasks that you were once able to complete, you feel blue, helpless, hopeless, have lost interest in things that you once enjoyed, that you get scheduled for a psychological evaluation,” says Amy Sullivan, Psy.D.

A significant ratio of couples with MS will have their relationship compromised which may ultimately end up in separation. However, it is not an impossible feat to keep the connection with efforts. There is a greater need for understanding, patience, and a lot of planning coming from both individuals in the relationship.

MS is “widely considered an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the immune system of an otherwise normal person is tricked into attacking healthy parts of the body, MS causes damage in many areas of the nervous system. This leads to symptoms that are often different for different people. These include things as seemingly diverse as fatigue, walking problems, depression, cognitive impairment, muscle tightness, or bladder problems,” says Lauren Krupp, M.D., and Robert Charlson, M.D.

It was a bit of a struggle in my relationship when my wife got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. It became a challenge for both of us because the situation was something that we could not control. It made us realize that there are things that we can do together to fight the kind of unfortunate situation we have.

Being a husband, I understand that I have a lot of responsibilities to do and taking care of a person with a chronic illness has become one of my top priorities. Though it is physically and emotionally exhausting, I make sure that I stay strong for the sake of my wife’s wellbeing.

 

How I Assisted My Wife

The most important thing I managed to do is I made sure that my wife receives all the love and understanding she needs. There were no complaints, judgments, demands, and favors. I paid attention to her health by administrating adequate measures of exercise that she was allowed to do such as yoga, simple stretching, walking, and so on. It is also vital that I provide her healthy and nutritious food. It became a tool in giving her all the essential nutrients she needed to start off her day healthy. I made sure that she doesn’t skip regular schedule of medications and provided necessary treatments for her condition. I also made sure that we maintain our communication so we can comfortably talk about the things that we need to do together.

 

 

How The Situation Affected Me

As I continued to help her in her struggle with multiple sclerosis, I also experienced some changes within myself. I became more sensitive to her needs. I paid attention to acknowledging her feelings because it also changed my mood a lot of times and I knew that not all of them are useful in handling a toxic situation. Her condition affected me in a way that I wasn’t able to function normally too. I became stressed and depressed about her state, and all I can think of were ways on how to make her feel better. I felt like I was pressured to do things out of the ordinary merely to give her everything she needed. I’m not perfect, and I do have complaints sometimes. But when I think about my wife’s condition, I have come to realize that there is more than what I can give her.

 

 

Taking Care Of Myself

Robert N. Kraft Ph.D. has a personal recount about MS since his wife is coping from it. “Do not be too hard on yourself, or too easy. Don’t condemn yourself when you behave poorly and don’t congratulate yourself when you behave well – especially when other people say how admirable you are. You are not admirable. You are simply muddling through, doing the best you can.”

When I realized that my wife’s condition was also affecting me, I immediately took care of myself. I was in the right position to say that I won’t be able to provide for her needs when I can’t function. I managed to look for better resources such as therapy sessions and meditations.  I can say that it helped a lot in changing my perspective towards the battle I am facing, especially with my wife’s multiple sclerosis. My wife depended on me so I knew I should take care of myself for her. “Emotional availability is about overtly letting your partner know that nothing is more important than how the two of you feel about one another,” said Stuart B. Fensterheim, LCSW.

All I can say is, even though multiple sclerosis is something that is unfortunate, it became a reason for my wife and me to become closer to each other. I would never regret spending every single time in taking care of her.

Millions of people all over the world suffer from multiple sclerosis (MS), and there’s still a lot of information about it that we probably don’t know. People with multiple sclerosis somehow consider the help of a professional that can guarantee proper guidance or counseling. One way to get that is from BetterHelp. BetterHelp is an online platform that gives us access to therapy at the tip of our fingers. It is one of the best online support  system you can get.

However, in terms of psychological support, it is believed that “Under the right circumstances, online counseling can be just as effective as the traditional in person therapy model, or sometimes even better. Knowing what factors to be aware of from the beginning can help you find the best online therapist for you,” according to MICHELE QUNITIN, LCSW. Since almost everything they do depend on the central system, they opt to find solutions to the problematic situation they have. But what can multiple sclerosis do? We compiled a list of things you need to know to be able to understand what MS is all about.

 

Continue reading “Online Counseling: What You Need To Know About Multiple Sclerosis”

 

 

 The typical reaction of millennials when they come across a 70- or 80-something individual who finishes a marathon or has unblemished skin is: “How can that happen at their age?”

In truth, there is no secret formula for that. Such people are neither magicians nor drinkers from the fountain of youth. While some may indeed be born with fantastic genes, most merely know what to do and not do with their body both internally and externally. It’s highly probable that they don’t also have other vices than living healthily.

In case you’re envious of the oldies and want to get as close to 100 years old as possible, there are some unhealthy habits to ban from your life.

 

1. Binge-Eating

You need to eat to recharge your energy or boost your mood, but you should refrain from munching on chocolate or chips every hour just because you’re bored. Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes can result from that, which may effectively shorten your lifespan. Stick to an eating schedule and practice moderation for whatever you consume.

Binge eating can also be a disorder. “People with binge eating disorder feel like they have little control over their binges, causing them to eat large quantities of food in a short period of time, often to cope with emotional distress,” says Joel L. Young M.D.

 

 

2. Stressing Over Everything

Stress produces a mess. Apart from it lessening your efficiency at work, but it will also make you look much older than your real age. You have to chill out and learn how to cope with stress early to avoid that.

“When finding the stress techniques for you, the main thing to keep in mind is find “what works for you.” People cope differently with stress and what works for other people in your life may not be helpful for you. If you want to see professional help, reach out to a therapist or psychologist in your community,” says Erlanger A. Turner Ph.D.

3. Binge-Watching

Tuning into Netflix and other TV channels are sometimes beneficial since it takes your mind off demanding activities. However, allowing it to take over your days, to the extent that you call in “sick” in the office just to not miss an episode of your favorite show, is alarming. It’ll most likely turn you into a couch potato too, and any thought of exercising will go out of the window. That isn’t exactly a healthy way to live, is it?

 

4. Living Through Your Smartphone

The birth of electronic devices and internet will always feel like a gift from the heavens. They make taking notes, remembering significant dates, capturing images, and connecting with loved ones effortless with a single click of a button. Despite that, you can’t remain fixated on that digital screen for hours and assume it won’t be harmful to your well-being. Go out instead when you have nothing else to do and enjoy life without it as much as you can.

 

5. Lacking Goals

Dreaming isn’t only for kids. You need to have at least one right after accomplishing every goal so that you can direct your actions well. Not having a dream at any age may encourage you to procrastinate and focus on getting by alone.

Just a thought: “Self-direction is a person-centered approach to working with people to achieve their goals. This method has been applied to various populations, initially used for older people, brain injury patients, and the disability segments. Most recently it has seen success in the treatment of mental health disorders and substance/behavioral addictions,” says Adi Jaffe Ph.D.

 

6. Drinking/Smoking

Alcoholic beverages and cigarettes may taste amazing when you feel tensed or problematic, but they’ll wreak havoc in your system. Your liver and lungs are at high risk from the beginning; nonetheless, the other organs will also be in danger the longer you drink and smoke, respectively.

 

7. Looking For Social Approval

Another unhealthy habit that many are guilty of is seeking the approval of others for anything you wish to do. That lets them run – and ruin – your life, to be honest. You should dig deep in your heart to know what makes you happy rather than ask people if they like your decisions or not.

 

8. Keeping Toxic Relationships

Lastly, you are better off with affairs that don’t elicit heartaches, anger, and insecurity from that. In case you don’t break the relationship immediately, it can poison your mind and cause you to try all the unpleasant activities you’ve just read above.

 

Having multiple sclerosis is not a walk in the park. As an autoimmune disease, the doctors cannot honestly pinpoint what causes the immune system – your body’s first line of defense – to turn against you. Some days you feel as healthy as an ox; other times you lose your vision, feel numb, have trouble with your balance, etc. Undoubtedly, it doesn’t just bring physical pain but also emotional distress since the disorder robs off your capability to do even regular tasks. “Identifying the predictors of pain is important for both health professionals and researchers, because pain has repeatedly been found to be a strong predictor of activity limitations and participation restrictions,” Shahnaz Shahrbanian, PhD wrote.

Once diagnosed, a physician can prescribe medicine or therapy or both. The thing is, neither can cure the condition, and you may get short-term relief in exchange for thousands of dollars’ worth of medical bills throughout your life. In case that fact doesn’t sit well with you, realize that there are ways to treat multiple sclerosis without drugs.

 

Manage Digestive Problems

The disease wreaks havoc efficiently and almost stealthily as it begins in your gut, the section where everything you consume temporarily settles before they go to their rightful places. “The gut is the second largest site of exposure of the body to the outside world after the skin, which is a largely impermeable barrier,” explains Daniel Mielcarz, PhD. In case your intestines become inflamed due to the unpleasant substances they have to deal with often, they can malfunction and push the contaminants toward the bloodstream. The harmful chemicals can then reach the nervous system at that point and disturb the central organ – the brain – that tells the rest of the body what to do.

To fight multiple sclerosis, therefore, you need to fix your digestive problems first.

 

Detoxify Your System

Now that we are in the modern age, it is effortless to inhale or consume substances that seem good yet are bad for our health. Fast foods, for instance, bring you closer than ever to saturated fats and sugars that most likely affect the progression of the disease. Every straw you sip on, every plastic cup or utensils you use, may allow heavy metals like silver and lead to enter your bloodstreams.

“What we eat influences the ability of bacteria in our gut to produce small molecules, some of which are capable of traveling all the way to the brain. This opens up an area that’s largely been unknown until now: how the gut controls brain inflammation,” Francisco Quintana, PhD explains.

In reality, a human body does not have the proper tools to transform all of that into useful nutrients. That’s why they often remain as toxins in there until you find a way to flush them out. Thus, you may do juice cleanses a few times a week. Or, drink green tea and other herbs with anti-inflammatory properties on a daily basis to detoxify your body.

 

 

Say No To Candida Overgrowth

Have you ever had a yeast infection? It is the ailment that results from the excessive amount of fungus growing either inside or outside of your system. How that usually takes place is similar to how bakers activate the dry yeast that makes the bread soft and fluffy – by feeding sugar to the microorganisms and leaving them in warm water.

What connects this issue to multiple sclerosis is the truth that you tend to cure the infection with antibiotics or steroidal creams. When they’re absorbed, your brain signals the immune system to blindly fend off the chemicals even though they mean no harm. But since your antibodies are under mutiny, the drugs can trigger the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, giving you pain.

For that reason, avoid the germination of candida at all costs. Stop eating dairy products or taking probiotics for some time as well as they contain live active culture that promotes yeast growth.

 

 

 

 

The people who live with a chronic disease and still manage to succeed with their goals are some of the unsung heroes on this planet. It is already difficult for healthy folks to deal with a slight cold or a minor injury. For the former, though, they may go under the weather when the pain hits, but they’ll continue to power through the day despite having an illness that keeps on coming back.

How can they do that, you ask? Well, it’s all about the life choices you make. When you think, “I won’t let this health issue take control of me,” you can work towards achieving that. And if you claim that you’ll survive any jab at your health, there’s no doubt that you’ll genuinely do it.

Below are more ideas on how to live well despite having a chronic illness.

 

Go With The Flow

Your new objective is to ride the current. In a regular situation, you may not need to take a break just in case you have a fever or a sore throat. But because it’s a lingering pain that you’re dealing with, it may be impossible to concentrate on your tasks while the disease is still in active mode. According to Trudi Griffin, LPC “Adding a therapeutic professional to your support team, whether it be a psychotherapist, psychiatrist, or a licensed mental health counselor, can boost your feelings of safety and empowerment.”

What you can only do is accept that it is your reality now. On good days, you’ll be able to function like any member of your team. During the sick days, you may just want to stay in a fetal position, and that’s OK too. Your colleagues won’t ideally mind as long as they’re aware of your condition.

 

 

Stop Being Cynical

Having a chronic ailment makes some patients pessimistic about life and love in general. Since they carry an illness that may never go away regardless of how much therapy or medication they get, it’s easy for them to assume that they will be lonely forever. This idea is further strengthened by this phrase:  “Many people experience depression when coping with a chronic illness. There are a combination of factors that contribute to depression including lack of control, feelings of helplessness, loss of physical mobility, impact on career, chronic pain, strain on relationships, and medical complications” by Becky Reiter, MA, LPC.

 

That’s wrong, you know. Your illness does not equate to you being broken or being undesirable. Some individuals even have a health issue wherein it’s painful for them to have sex, and yet they are in a happy relationship. You don’t need to couple with anyone if you’re not into it, but at least make peace with yourself and stop being so negative.

 

Know The Triggers

Assuming you have the disease for a while now, then you already have an inkling of what causes the problem to spike up. It can be cumbersome lifting or lack of movement. Some foods may also bring you pain. With that said, it’s best to avoid the things that will trigger the chronic disorder.

 

Enjoy Your Life

Finally, you can live well once you prevent chronic illness from hindering your happiness and adventurism. Though the pain may strike almost every day, it won’t stay active 24/7. You should savor the times when you aren’t in agony, for that reason, and try as many activities as you please. This is further supported by  with Andrea M. Risi, LPC “  The mind-body connection shows us that if we feel depressed or anxious, the body feels more pain or fatigue. Changing negative thoughts to positive ones can decrease both physical and emotional pain.”

 

Whether you’re pain-free or not, you’ll only live once. Remember that whenever you feel like giving up and succumbing to the chronic disease. Cheers!

 

 

Have you ever felt like walking to the right, but your body just wants to stay in the other direction?

That’s the simplest way to describe what scoliosis patients tend to experience. This health condition causes your once-straight back to curve into a C or an S, depending on how severe the problem is. “Scoliosis is a spinal deformity consisting of lateral curvature and rotation of the vertebrae,” Joseph A Janicki, MD explains.

The thing about scoliosis is that it is mostly a side effect of previous injuries. If you received a surgery that made your pelvis uneven, you might develop the spinal curvature. In case your head, foot or knee went under the knife, it’s possible to have this disorder too.

Now, you got two options to correct the matter. The first one is another medical operation. It’s cool if you don’t mind the recovery period and the fact that the doctors will cut your upper body open. The second choice is to exercise your way out of it. When you are stressed out or anxious, your muscles often tighten. “Since scoliosis affects the muscles in the back and core, the more relaxed you are the less contracted the muscles may be. This can assist greatly with pain management,” Jason Lowenstein says.

Check out the most suitable workouts to ease your scoliosis below.

 

 

Side Stretch

Stretching your figure sideways is a great technique to kickstart the day. The activity can release the tension on the spine and improve your stiff muscles.

What to do:

1. Stand up straight and make the distance of your feet as wide as your shoulders.
2. Beginning with your right, put your arm upward, and then arch it to the side as if you’re trying to reach something.
3. Make sure to support your hip on the other half of your body to maintain your back’s stability.
4. Do it until you feel your muscles tighten.
5. Repeat on the left side.

 

Plank

In case you don’t like moving so much, you may try planking. It is both challenging and smooth at the same time because you need to hold a single position with most of your body parts off the ground.

What to do:

1. For starters, plant your forearms on the mat, keeping the elbows perpendicular to the shoulders.
2. Push yourself up from that pose until your weight is on the arms and tips of your feet.
3. Then, open your palms and extend your arms so that your body is in a diagonal shape.
4. Prolong the time you stay in that position gradually.

 

 

Downward Dog

This exercise is an upgraded version of the plank. It stretches your back and engages your abdominal muscles, which is a plus if you want to stay in shape.

What to do:

1. From the same plank above, move your hips backward.
2. Your arms can stretch to the back too, but don’t let your palms leave the ground.
3. After that, thrust your body forward until your shoulders are in line with your palms.
4. Repeat the steps while holding the pose each time.

“We have found that understanding the muscles that hold and move the spine yields a valuable way to reverse both common types of scoliosis. Yoga turns out to be a simple and effective means to apply it,” Dr. Loren Fishman, MD explains.

Hip Roll

The routine is perfect for making your hips more flexible. Rather than taking a toll on your spine, the movement may relax it.

What to do:

1. Lay down on the floor.
2. Bend your knees until your heels are almost touching your buttocks.
3. With your core muscles tight and your neck straight, raise your pelvic area toward the ceiling.
4. Hold the position for a few seconds once your back is straight and no longer touching the ground.
5. Once you’re ready to come down, you can start from your shoulders to the middle section.
6. Do it again in a minute or two before moving on to a different exercise.

We are in a world where everyone depends on synthetic pills a lot. If you have a fever or common cold, for instance, you can take paracetamol. In case you feel constipated, there are over-the-counter medications that you can buy as well. Life should be easy because of them, right?

Despite that, it is no secret that a lot of chronic diseases have come to surface since such innovations have occurred. It can make you wonder, “Would such illnesses appear if we avoided synthetic products altogether?”

In light of this, allow me to introduce you to Gotu kola.

What Is Gotu Kola?

Gotu kola is one of the many aromatic plants out there which is still yet to be explored fully by the great scientists out there. Although this herb is native to a lot of countries all over the world, it is commonly known as Ayurvedic medicine and has been called with various names in India like Bat-maina (Meghalaya), Karivana (Marathi), Tvashti (Sanskrit), and Muyalchevi (Malayalam), among others.

Centella grows anywhere like grass, so it isn’t hard to find. There had been on-going pharmacological studies on its chemical properties, too. They can prove the idea that Gotu kola can be the next famous and useful herb all over the world.

What Can Gotu Kola Do?

In India, the plant has been mistaken as Bacopa monierri because they were both called there as “Brahmi,” but later on they have cleared that the latter is called Mandookaparni while the former is the “Brahmi.” However, it’s safe to say that this confusion has a basis because they are both known as excellent memory enhancers. Besides, researches showed that aqueous extract prepared with the plant resulted in good cognitive learning for the albino mice they used. This extract is also a promising antidote for seizures triggered by Pentylenetetrazole with the added benefit of it as a hindrance to learning impairment which other antiepileptic drugs do have.

This plant is also said to have properties that can be therapeutic to tumors. Scientists are very enthusiastic into developing this into an anti-cancer drug with its extract. After all, experiments on mice showed that it has a direct effect on DNA synthesis without being somewhat poisonous to the cells. Asiaticoside, a chemical property of Centella, works well in collagen synthesis, making it worthy with wound-healing actions. Because of this, it might be helpful for cancer chemotherapy as it improves the anti-tumor activity of vincristine in cancer cells.

Aside from the illnesses mentioned above, as of today, Gotu kola is perceived to give people protection from cardiovascular damages, radiation, hepatoma, and neurological problems. People brew its leaves to make tea out of it so those who have dysentery, diarrhea, and other abdominal issues can drink it.

The good thing with Gotu kula is that it has very low toxicity. However, just like any other thing in the world, it has to be taken in moderation because studies showed too that a large amount of this plant could be narcotic.

 

Wonder herb or not, though, don’t forget to talk to your physician before taking any Gotu kola product.