Wellness Posts by Sandra Strauss

Caregiving Rx: Developing a Resilient Spirit

support@wellness.com — Sun, 24 Jul 2022 04:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Caregiving Rx: Developing a Resilient Spirit by Sandra Strauss

Before my husband was stricken with neurological issues at 59, I never imagined how being a caregiver would transform my life in every possible way. Navigating a new landscape of living related to his neurological issues tested my fortitude to remain steadfast while meeting life’s challenges with courage, strength, and wisdom. Indeed, loved ones are typically thrust into these roles and are usually quite unprepared for all the challenges they will face when a family member develops a chronic, debilitating illness. According to -2021 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures-, 57% of family caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias provide care for four years or more. From my role as a caregiver, I recognized the absolute requirement for sustaining my own spirits through this siege of unknown duration. Especially for those managing loved ones with brain issues, on-the-job training in caregiving is extremely stressful when round-the-clock care is required. I felt overburdened at times as endless responsibilities gobbled up my time, energy, finances, stress quotient and other resources. We are never fully prepared for the many challenges created by a chronic illness or disability and the compounding of related issues and losses. The chronically ill, robbed of their physical health and vitality, often suffer losses in other areas of their lives - their careers, finances, relationships, and overall quality of life, further adding to the stress level and tensions affecting the whole family. Due to the possible loss of income from the stricken partner or spouse’s disability, adjustments are required for the other to serve not only as caregiver, but often in the dual capacity as breadwinner. When prolonged illnesses endure, the combination of loss of income, mounting medical bills, and expensive care costs can drain life savings and drive many into bankruptcy. Combined into this costly mixture are concerns and tensions related to their care, safety, and welfare, along with the well-being for all members of the family. In addition to handling external probabilities, I called upon strategies for navigating the inevitable challenges inherent with chronic illnesses. Ultimately, I had to come to terms with letting go of the life I had anticipated and face a new life with its unfamiliar terrain, using strategies that sustained me throughout this endurance run of heart and soul. Let go of thoughts that don’t reflect what you most desire.- I am a big proponent of the “Law of Attraction”—simply stated, whatever you give the most attention, be it positive or negative, is what you will continue to attract into your life. I focused on what I desired and intended to experience by using daily affirmations to manifest my vison. “Nothing can disturb the calm peace of my soul,” was one I uttered countless times a day to shift me back to a more peaceful heart. When I noticed unwelcome, unproductive feelings rising, I simply did my best to shift them to align with my goal, accepting my imperfections when I was unable to do so. Monitor both inner and outer conversations.- Avoid “awfulizing” situations that only make the situation worse, such as, “This is so devastating for us!” or, “How awful that this illness has made such a mess of our lives.” I did not deny my feelings of being overwhelmed. I just acknowledged them and replaced them with thoughts that ultimately uplifted my spirit. Call upon or create a circle of support. Never navigate this journey alone! Ask and accept help from those who offer it. Be specific as to what is needed to lessen stress. A supportive network works wonders for clearing away your frustrations and fears. It’s both cathartic and therapeutic, just don’t dwell upon them—a key component for finding balance and sanity throughout the turbulence of changing realities associated with neurological issues. Such a circle reinforces the enduring essence of the truth of who you are—strong, capable, wise, and resilient—important reminders especially during times when you may question these traits. By focusing upon your thoughts and intentions to create desired experiences, as well as recognizing the resilience that resides within, will uplift you through the toughest of times. These will empower you in re-engineering your life to forge both your present and future with an indomitable spirit. This also serves as both a blessing and an inspiration for others, who may find themselves whether now or at some point, navigating a similar course. As challenging as it is to accept what is and to let go of what was, ultimately allows your resilient spirit within to sustain you throughout an arduous journey of the heart. Excerpted from her latest book, - A Toxic Brain—Revelations from a Health Journey - , featuring the author’s fervent search for answers regarding her husband’s bizarre symptoms and all the unexpected realities of navigating his debilitating illness. Sandra Strauss is passionate to inspire destinies of health, harmony, and happiness. She offers a collection of strategies in her books, presentations, and blog to support vibrant health and wellbeing, -http://www.SandraStrauss.com.

Toxic Bodies and Inflamed Brains

support@wellness.com — Tue, 24 May 2022 23:45:30 Z

Wellness.com - Toxic Bodies and Inflamed Brains by Sandra Strauss

How Mold, Metals and More are Driving Alzheimer’s Disease and other Chronic Illnesses - Awakening to find my husband, Rick, speaking strangely and not acting at all like the man I had known for more than 30 years, terrified me. At 59, he was rarely sick, but now he experienced severe tremors, a crushing headache, nasty rash, gut-wrenching pain, and an array of strange symptoms, seemingly overnight. Suspended in a world without answers, his mainstream team of specialists was unable to precisely diagnose his mysterious condition. It would take years to get to the bottom of those symptoms, ultimately revealing multiple root causes and chronic inflammation linked to many of today’s health conditions.- “The epidemics (barely acknowledged by conventional medicine) of chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, autism, dementia, autoimmune illness, cancer, mold toxicity, and Lyme disease all share a common theme: inflammation created by an immune system that has been overstimulated and does not know how to correct itself,”- says Dr. Neil Nathan in his book, -Toxic. Eventually through precision biomarkers developed by Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, a pioneer in mold research devoted to the evaluation and treatment of illnesses caused from mold, ticks, and other biological agents, we gained new insights. About 25% of the population has a genetic predisposition that makes them more sensitive to mold illness. With compromised genetics, these inflammatory agents continually wreak havoc on the immune system, endlessly firing up symptoms. Further testing confirmed excessive inflammatory exposures from metals, including lead, aluminum, mercury, and cadmium. Additionally, other hazardous chemical exposures from two decades living adjacent to his father’s leather tannery contributed to Rick’s lifetime toxic burden. Once toxicity was identified, Rick was prescribed a rigorous detox protocol. However, his genetics still jeopardized his chances for full recovery. His body and brain were extremely inflamed. We were getting closer to the true picture, but Rick’s traditional doctors rejected the notion that toxins were responsible for his rapid deterioration and personality and behavioral changes. Unfortunately, as I’d later learn most doctors don’t have the training to identify them. A startling realization struck me: Could there be legions of people undergoing traditional tests that don’t reveal underlying issues, yet still suffer from undiagnosed root causes? What if the roots of their illnesses were evaluated or treated with therapies that might change their health destinies? With environmental exposures so prevalent now, why aren’t traditionally treated patients being tested for them? - From neuropsychological tests, doctors then suspected frontotemporal dementia, affecting behavior and executive function. Years later, a neurologist diagnosed Rick with Lewy body dementia, a degenerative neurological condition. A year after Rick’s death, more answers were revealed in -The End of Alzheimer’s- by Dr. Dale Bredesen and later in consultation with him. His traits, symptoms, and biochemical markers exactly mirrored those of a type of Alzheimer’s with toxicity as a specific root cause. Lewy body dementia and Type 3 (toxic) Alzheimer’s, as identified in Bredesen’s research, share many similarities. Alzheimer’s is not one condition as often treated, but three subtypes, each with distinctive characteristics. Environmental factors and toxic exposures are suspect as -dementogens-, a term used to describe toxic agents that may lead to cognitive decline. Type 3 is associated with toxic exposure, genetic predisposition, and other factors. These patients are genetically compromised to properly detoxify, triggering the cascade of autoimmune responses and biochemical assaults on the body and brain from inflammation. “Type 3 Alzheimer’s disease is the result of exposure to specific toxins . . . a manifestation of chronic inflammatory response syndrome, due to biotoxins such as mycotoxins,”- states Bredesen. Now, by exploring toxicity as a potential factor in patients with cognitive decline offers the opportunity for successful treatment whose prognoses otherwise would be grave. Proven protocols outlined by Bredesen’s team, e.g. detoxification, hormone balancing, and lifestyle interventions of diet, exercise, stress management, sleep and others, have been dramatically reversing cognitive decline for more than a decade! In the 2021 study addressing risk factors for dementia, -“Precision Medicine Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease,”- cognitive testing of participants revealed an 84% improvement at the conclusion of the nine-month clinical trial. These precision evaluations and protocols currently available through functional medicine have forged a new paradigm of care. They hold more than promise for taming inflammation, reversing cognitive decline, recovery from chronic illnesses, as well as offering preventive measures for revolutionizing wellness for us all. Excerpted from her latest book, -A Toxic Brain—Revelations from a Health Journey-, featuring the author’s fervent search for answers regarding her husband’s bizarre symptoms and all the unexpected realities of navigating his debilitating illness. Sandra Strauss is passionate to inspire destinies of health, harmony, and happiness. She offers a collection of strategies in her books, presentations, and blog to support vibrant health and wellbeing, -http://www.SandraStrauss.com.

Taming Toxic Triggers

support@wellness.com — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 22:39:47 Z

Wellness.com - Taming Toxic Triggers by Sandra Strauss

Bad news for global citizens: We’re now living in a world where it’s impossible to escape from toxic exposure—even to remote wilderness areas. It’s not a matter of -if -you’re toxic, but to -what degree- because we’re now consuming, inhaling, and absorbing toxins at a rapid rate. Why are toxins such a hazard to our health? - They’re poisons creating inflammation leading to imbalances in our bodies. They manifest a wide range of common symptoms: fatigue, headaches, gut issues, brain fog, joint pain, food sensitivities and many more. They’re linked to dementia, depression, autoimmune issues, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other life-threatening conditions. “Toxins are now the primary cause of chronic disease,”- says Joseph Pizzorno-, -naturopathic physician and transformational leader in medicine. “They are driving much of what we see as clinicians. We need to reckon with the fact that our population is incredibly sick, and toxins are a major driver.” - We’re living in a toxic stew with earliest exposures in the womb. Throughout our lives we accumulate them from our food, air, water, personal care products, household items, medications, electronic frequencies (EMFs), and industrial practices, to name a few. Over time, all those daily doses add up, igniting inflammation often resulting in chronic health issues. Indeed, recent health statistics demonstrate we’re experiencing more dementias, cancer, obesity, diabetes, and “alphabet maladies” like ADHD, ADD, OCD, ALS, MS, and other neurological issues significantly greater than previous generations. According to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, every 65 seconds someone in the United States is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and the number of cases in the US is expected to double over the next 30 years! - Unfortunately, mainstream medicine isn’t focused on the connection of toxicity to many of today’s illnesses, so most patients aren’t being evaluated for it. However, millions are suffering from undiagnosed illnesses linked to toxins. Identifying the root causes of inflammation is critical in recovering from such illnesses. With continual environmental assaults, patients should be regularly monitored for toxic levels and treated with proven therapies that target inflammatory agents. For instance, biotoxin researchers estimate about 25% of the population is genetically susceptible to inflammatory responses caused from mold and other biotoxins. Genetically prone as poor detoxifiers, millions are unfortunately primed for an illness recognized as Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). They suffer a wide range of symptoms of varying intensity and duration from autoimmune responses associated with this illness. Unfortunately, without all doctors being trained to recognize or effectively treat the toxic roots of many of today’s maladies, the inflammation rages on, perpetuating the illness and patient misery. Let’s look at obesity. Toxins are a likely culprit for weight gain because today’s toxic burdens are straining detoxification pathways. If your body is unable to adequately process out toxins, they’re enveloped in fat cells and stored in your tissues, often as visceral fat surrounding your organs. Detoxification helps address the underlying issue to achieve weight loss goals, so it’s vital to identify the link between toxins and weight gain. Fortunately, now there’s good news for all of us living in today’s toxic times with proven protocols and interventions that can both prevent disease as well as recover health. This is the foundation in functional and integrative practices, which treats the body as an integrated, holistic system, focused on disease prevention and addressing the root cause of diseases. Functional practitioners offer precision evaluations, using specialized tests not currently used in many conventional practices. For instance, you’re likely to be tested for mold, heavy metals, or chemicals, and if unsafe levels are detected, prescribed appropriate therapies. Functional medicine recommends adopting lifestyle habits related to food choices, detoxification, exercise, stress management, sleep, and other interventions that cool common inflammatory triggers. While genetics plays a role in many health conditions, by addressing the root causes of inflammation, reduces their ability to express imbalances and corresponding disorders. These interventions and transformative therapies provide a proven pathway for taming toxic triggers and other sources of inflammation. This is indeed a wake-up call for us all. Inflammatory triggers are being fueled everywhere. Although we are all vulnerable living in such inflammatory times, the exciting news is that functional and integrative practitioners have answers, evaluating and treating patients with tools and therapies to both recover and support whole health. Excerpted from her latest book, - A Toxic Brain—Revelations from a Health Journey - , featuring the author’s fervent search for answers regarding her husband’s bizarre symptoms and all the unexpected realities of navigating his debilitating illness. Sandra Strauss is passionate to inspire destinies of health, harmony, and happiness. She offers a collection of strategies in her books, presentations, and blog to support vibrant health and wellbeing, - http://www.SandraStrauss.com.