From within the medical point of view, chronic illness is a condition where symptoms of disease are present in the body for greater than three months. This enduring experience of disease has been steadily growing and expanding over the past thirty years and shows no sign of slowing down. In response, many medications and procedures have been tested and tried and diverse treatment protocols prescribed. The shortfall occurs when treating symptoms of disease rather than causes! Furthermore, symptoms are important messages that indicate disturbances within the delicate internal systems of the body. However, they are often deliberately turned off using prescription drugs, in lieu of genuine treatment and healing. Subtle disharmonies can be present for years before symptoms show themselves and even then, they are not always acknowledged as indicators of potential diseases. Additionally, other factors are involved in disease determination, such as genetic predisposition and family history of related diseases.
Lying at the core of all these considerations are nutritional deficiencies. The monetary driven movement toward kid friendly meals, that emphasis appearance rather than nutrition, combined with the shift away from home cooked family meals, has created a generation of picky eaters. These individuals are deficient in essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other vital metabolic cofactors. Devoid of life sustaining nutrients, internal body systems perform well below what is necessary for sustaining good health. As a result, many diverse digestive disorders develop, affecting the entire system and creating a host of debilitating chronic health concerns.
Two of the most broadly affected system include detoxification and immune. The primary function of the detoxification system is to convert fat-soluble compounds into water soluble compounds, in order for them to be safely disposed of through elimination. The liver and kidneys are the two main organs responsible for this, though the skin and brain play lesser roles. The detoxification system removes all residuals of medications and environmental toxins such as herbicides, pesticides fungicides, solvents and heavy metals. In addition, it also helps to regulate hormone levels and facilitate the conversion of neurotransmitters like dopamine, epinephrine and norepinepherine.
Without proper regulation, these toxins roam throughout the body, creating a variety of problems and difficulties for the entire system. Moreover, they begin reacting with different cell constituents and with accumulation, may reduce cell energy production, cause inflammation, influence endocrine action, interfere with respiratory performance and impair neurological function.
Additionally, immune system is vulnerable to the effects of impaired detoxification. Toxins continually recycled in the body compromise the delicate balance of immune function. This can change the way different cells and the system as a whole, functions. Furthermore, the immune system may lose the ability to define friend from foe and begin to attack the body’s own cells or tissues. This tendency toward chronic over reaction, can be genetically predisposed or manifest due to long-term exposure to a multitude of different viruses and bacteria. These destructive organisms can hide deep within cells, remaining in the system for many years, sometimes dormant other times active, creating ongoing cycles of wellness and illness.
Thus, these chronic infections contribute to a wide variety of conditions such as Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, recurrent Mononucleosis and Multiple Sclerosis.
Other notable symptoms and conditions are:
High blood pressure Seizures
Arthritis Nervous system disorders
Joint pain Hormone imbalance
Obesity Various Cancers
Respiratory issues Asthma
Bronchitis Sinusitis
Leaky brain barrier Encephalitis
Meningitis Headaches
Dementia Mitochondrial issues
Memory loss Concentration problems
This list is endless and can be related to all long- term problems with any system in the body. As cells, tissues organs and systems work together, an imbalance in one area affects all.
It is important to remember when treating chronic problems to look at the body as a whole and to look beyond the symptoms to the cause. For example, oftentimes steroids are given to balance the immune system, however, they simply reduce or mask symptoms without addressing what is really causing the immune system to over react. Since the issue is not really being corrected, new symptoms that are different will continue to develop.
As part of looking for the real culprit of disease, the influence of long term negative beliefs and thought pattern must be considered. These are very powerful and can be the creative force for all illnesses. Recurrent or persistent negativity is at the crux of most chronic illnesses. Many times we learn to expect and anticipate certain experiences from what we have been told by others. Family patterns of health, good or not so, can be imprinted on our minds. However, beliefs can be changed as we let go of preconceived ideas of how we should feel and look. Developing of vision or picture of yourself in great health is a good first step in recovery in addition to healthy lifestyle changes and quality supplementation.
Our bodies have been intelligently created to be healthy and proficient. The quest is to remove stumbling blocks that are preventing healthy changes. As we look at all the systems involved and how they work together, we are more able to see the root causes and make decisions that will support the body in the rebalancing process. The complexity will be determined by the systems involved, the extent of imbalance and the time needed for full recovery. Nevertheless, the good news is, even with chronic illness, health and wellness is possible and attainable.
Tags: chronic illness, holistic
