The gut microbiota in humans is very active providing the release of a variety of metabolites with profound effects on human health and immune regulation. These metabolites and compounds derived from the microbiota exert inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects in the intestinal tissues and systemically. Microbial species maintain immune system balance in multiple ways. An individual's [...]
Understand the potential causes of this condition. There is no clear answer but common issues currently being investigated include inflammation, immune system activation, disruption to the autonomic nervous system affecting breathing and blood pressure ,microclots, inflammation and reduced blood flow in the brain. Learn what lifestyle circumstances aggravate and/or relieve symptoms. Understand the stress response [...]
Day and night as we move through life in the vehicle of our body, most of us would like to make the journey a smoother and more comfortable one. Imagine yourself in the driver’s seat of the body with your hands resting on the steering wheel of your thoughts and feelings. You may already be [...]
TOCILIZUMAB SHORTAGE There have been ongoing difficulties that patients are having with accessing subcutaneous tocilizumab. The pharmaceutical company Roche maintains that there should be enough supply for current patients on subcutaneous tocilizumab and patients should ask their pharmacists to be in touch with the wholesalers. Roche say that stock is being released to [...]
14 October update" The Australian Rheumatology Association has updated the COVID vaccination sheet for consumers here. As per the latest information from the Australia Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) version 1.0 released on the 7th of October 2021, the use of a 3rd primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine in individuals who are severely [...]
This is a technical but comprehensive article recently published IN 2021. review Anesth Pain Med A Comprehensive Update of the Current Understanding of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Nazir Noor 1, Ivan Urits 2 3, Arielle Degueure 4, Lauren Rando 4, Vijay Kata 4, Elyse M Cornett 2, Alan D Kaye 2, Farnad Imani 5, Mahnaz Narimani-Zamanabadi 6, Giustino Varrassi 7, Omar Viswanath 2 8 9 10 Free PMC article DOI: 10.5812/aapm.113629
Here is an article sent to me which covers some very useful concepts. What People With ME/CFS Wish Others Understood
In this Healing Pain Podcast, Dr Joe Tatta interviews Vidyalmala Burch on the topic of How Mindfulness Meditation Can Help You Manage Chronic Pain. Vidyalmala distils what her 30 years of experiencing chronic pain have taught her. In essence, she quite simply describes her pain journey and how she came to realize that the mind [...]
Chronic primary pain is a term that encompasses any condition in which pain is not due to apparent damage in joints, muscles or ligaments. The following article is published with the approval of the journalist and Rheumatology Republic publication. The article expands on the understanding of central sensitisation, Inflammation or central sensitisation? CLINICAL PAIN By [...]
This is a stressful time for many of us. Our current environmental and social challenges are real and are unlikely to be going away soon. The uncertainty of these times can amplify our anxious responses and in many cases, this is an appropriate short-term response to our own circumstances. Our bodies, [...]
I am reminded that the world is an island and all inhabitants are interconnected. This is represented by the view of the world as seen from the International Space Station. This pandemic is an example of the “butterfly effect” in action. The idea that small changes, even the movement of butterfly's wings, can build to [...]
“Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.” — Hermann Hesse Chronic widespread pain (CWP), which includes the conditions of fibromyalgia (FMS) and central sensitisation, is one of the most difficult pain conditions to treat due. In any one [...]
As a medical student, I became aware of a Harvard University academic, Richard Alpert who later chose a different path in life after going to India. He is better known as Ram Das and the author of a highly acknowledged book, "Be Here Now". He died peacefully at 88 on December 22, 2019. His was [...]
Osteoporosis literally means porous bones. When the bones become thinner, they become more fragile resulting in a higher risk of fracture. This is a silent development. There are no warning symptoms for osteoporosis. In the over 50's in Australia in 2012 osteopenia and osteoporosis affected 4.74 million Australians resulting in 140,882 fractures. Osteoporosis [...]
Guest Blog by Bill Patterson, hypnotherapist, psychotherapist and meditation teacher - www.mindbodysolutions.com.au If you're like many people, you may have decided that you want to spend less time staring at your phone. It's a good idea. An increasing body of evidence suggests that the time we spend on our mobile phones is interfering with our [...]
If you cannot switch off the body's stress response ….. you will not have restorative sleep ….. If you don't have restorative sleep you won't clean the toxins from your body and brain ….. your immune system is undermined (weakened) …. relationships suffer as you cannot function psychologically, emotionally or physically at optimal levels. . The [...]
Inflammation is both good and bad. Acute inflammation is essential for metabolic regulation and the healing of injuries. It is a response of the immune system to injury, infection, radiation exposure, the influence of toxins, or the activation of autoimmune responses. The inflammatory process is designed to remove damaged cells, invading pathogens or chemical toxins. [...]
Sleep is the most potent health promoting activity for well being and longevity. It is ignored by most people. All living creatures sleep.. why? The duration and quality of sleep is now considered by many to be the most important lifestyle behaviour that determines health and vitality. Sleep is a vital function. Getting enough quality [...]
I have had the opportunity over the holidays to reflect on how to approach health in 2019 and below is the summary of my thoughts. I have used the Pathways to Wellbeing template as the basis of these reflections. Mind-Body Awareness What is the mind ? Thoughts and [...]
Breathing Exercises Must Be a Real and Effective Intervention to Consider in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial In this recently published research article more evidence is provided that targeting the autonomic nervous system is worthwhile in fibromyalgia management. Here is the article https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29653069 Breath Awareness is now a mainstream health practice. Spending [...]
Guest Blog by Bill Patterson Bill is a Clinical Hypnotherapist and Psychologist. He works with individuals and groups to help achieve goals in health and self-improvement. The way we think about things is important in determining how we feel. Our thoughts are negatively biased as a possible protection against harm. Read on to find out [...]
I have just completed a podcast with Eileen Laird. She lives in America and has rheumatoid arthritis. She has delved deeply into ways to manage this condition as well as other autoimmune diseases. I was delighted to be her guest number 102. Here are the notes she has prepared to describe some of the things talked about in the podcast. [...]
Do you want to learn how to reduce the health-impairing effects of the over-analytical mind and the overactive stress response, simply and naturally ? Evidence is growing that the over-active mind and stress response can exacerbate the state of imbalance within any system of the body. This can amplify the experience of chronic anxiety and [...]
I recently had a wide ranging interview with Gary Kirwan From BiohackersLAB. "If you know someone who is interested in how natural approaches can help manage chronic pain and reduce inflammation, or, how lifestyle factors such as diet and meditation can impact our health, then this interview is for them." Gary Kirwan . I enjoyed [...]
Breathing Exercises Must Be a Real and Effective Intervention to Consider in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial In this recently published research article more evidence is provided that targeting the autonomic nervous system is worthwhile in fibromyalgia management. Here is the article https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29653069 Breath Awareness and breathing with purpose is now a [...]
STRESS AND ANXIETY Stress is a natural part of living and the body's systems are finely tuned to deal with stress. However, too much stress and for too long can overload body systems and is a cause of illness, anxiety and accelerated ageing. Understanding the nature of stress and anxiety and how to release it is [...]
Recurrent infections, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and cancer are the signposts of a declining immune system. There are a host of lifestyle factors that can either accelerate or retard natural age-related decline. In this post, I want to look at the effects of a sedentary lifestyle and of stress on this decline. If exercise were [...]
I was interviewed recently by Michael Gill, the director and founder of Dragon Claw, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to provide information, community and support for those coping with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and juvenile arthritis to minimise the stress and anxiety arising from these conditions. Michael has rheumatoid arthritis and is very [...]
It was in December 2015 that I first created an “ah ha!” jar as a way of reminding myself of the wonderful aspects of my life and to balance out the impact of the daily serving of "bad news” presented by the media. I have previously posted a blog about this and have decided to post this [...]
LIVE LONGER WITH THIS SIMPLE PRACTICE In this present age of digital domination our lives are becoming ruled by "screens" and "likes". Just simply observing pedestrians and commuters over the next few weeks staring at their devices, will remind you just how much our lives have changed in 10 years. Our brains are now, more than [...]
