When asked what the #1 health problem is in America, most people say cancer, obesity or heart disease. But, in speaking with Henri Roca, MD, medical director of the Center for Integrative Medicine in Greenwich, Connecticut (http://www.greenwichintegrativemedicine.org/), last night, I learned that the number one health problem in America is... stress. In fact, eighty percent of diagnoses are either caused by stress or exacerbated by stress -- from heart disease, to headaches, to muscle pain to memory problems and even cancer. How is stress so dangerous? It causes increased release of the hormone cortisol which in turn affects cholesterol levels and blood sugar. Stress also promotes unhealthful behaviors like overeating, drinking and smoking, and can cause insomnia, depriving individuals of the restorative powers of sleep, and more.
The solution is simple to say but can be difficult to implement. Do less -- pick your top priorities, and let go of the lower ones. And, perhaps even more important, Dr. Roca recommends incorporating relaxation practices into your life -- deep breathing, meditation, yoga, visualization... whatever works best for you. Last week, I participated in a guided imagery exercise at a class I am taking. The leader, a psychotherapist, talked us through imagining ourselves walking outside on a warm sunny day... coming to a wooded area... walking along a path... hearing a waterfall... seeing the waterfall... walking into the water... feeling the splash and the spray of the water... stepping back out... reclining on the rocks beside the water... drying in the sun. The whole exercise seemed like it took about 10 minutes. It was actually only three minutes! And every one in the group ended in a very different place from where we started. We were all calm and relaxed. It was amazing to realize how little it takes to relax. Try it yourself.
Jan 28, 2010 at 6:51 AM I have a remarkable recovery from several diagnoses, the worst being cancer, when 7-1/2 years ago I was given three years to live. Two years ago I deteriorated so bad I was on a walker and could barely get around. I have fibromyalgia, severe osteoarthritis, and several other major problems. With mindfulness, breathing, relaxation, guided imagery I have greatly improved. Today I am on NO MEDICATION, no side-effects and things are clearing up. My doctors are so amazed, they asked me to volunteer at the local VA hospital to share my experiences. I now facilitate TWO Mindful Healing groups at the hospital weekly and am helping others.
Jan 29, 2010 at 7:39 PM This sounds so awesome. I also have fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, GERD, COPD, asthma,heart disease,post heart attack, and many less severe diseases and disorders, and take several essential medications. I would love to find something that would help. I recently lost the father of my three children after 44 years and then a week later my mother.. soo to say the least I need something like this.
Feb 1, 2010 at 3:45 AM I also have osteoarthriris and undiagnosed fibrimyalgia ( I call it my " pain Genie" it moves from place to place in my body and stays for 3 to 7 days every 6 weeks or so ). My husband is dying of lung cancer and has asked to be kept at home without chemo etc..
I'm an R.N. and care for him with the help of Hospice.
I would be interested in knowing about any supplements you found helpful.
Thanks ,
Grace
Feb 2, 2010 at 4:03 PM When my husband had lung cancer, I gave him a variety of supplements and he had very good results.
When someone has cancer, you have to build up their immune systme with nutrients and also give them something to kill the cancer.
Unfortunately, my husband got tired taking supplements and gave up. If you would like to what I gave him, send me an e-mail - Fran
Feb 4, 2010 at 5:18 AM Fran,
I have a dear aunt who currently has an aggressive lung cancer (my mother also died of this). She is interested in learning more about nutrition and vitamins. I'd be so appreciative if you would send information about what supplements you offered your husband.
Thank you, Patti
Feb 4, 2010 at 2:48 PM What an interesting site and so informative. I have been wanting to "sound-off" about a problem I'm having so here goes.
I am a very active 83 years, have my own art studio and take care of my home, cat, and feed zillions of birds each day. I am not overweight and never have been but in the last 20 years or so I have developed high blood pressure. Prior to this development I was diagnosed by Cleveland Clinic in 1971 as having a totally blocked left aorta and was given the drug Inderal and Isosorbide for treatment. They explained I was too small and arteries were too small to do by-pass at that time. This medication and proper diet permitted me to continue working as an administrative assistant until I retired at 62 and moved south to be with my daughter and newborn grandson. Since then I have had six stents in various parts of my body to keep the blood moving and have had a wonderful cardiologist. However, in last eight or nine years he has kept adding more pills and more pills for high blood pressure. I monitor it at home on two monitors but it is always sky high when I see him. It is now a joke between us that he affects me and I tell him it's "white-coat syndrome". Recently my eye specialist told me that my arteries were in terrible shape and were "seeping". He was amazed at the number of medicines I was taking. He sent a letter to my cardiologist. He explained that when he looked into my eyes with his "equipment" he could see the true state of the arteries. My cardiologist didn't mention this letter until I asked about it and he dismissed it by saying that "your eye doctor is saying your BP is high - do something about it". So he added another pill to my list. I now have seven prescriptions for BP- two of which are for cholesteral.
I truly am beside myself with all this medication --one doctor says I'm over-medicated and the other says each medicine is targeted for a certain thing. I just read an article on "bottom line secrets" regarding the lack of good care for older patients and I have witnessed it with my own care and my elderly friends. You are given 10 or so minutes of the doctor's time and away he goes. If you question him, he's angry. Let's have some comments from others who are going through this "golden age".
Feb 18, 2010 at 12:35 AM Doris, I was going through the same with my doctor. After going to the emergency room 3 or more times a week with very high blood pressure readings, more drugs added, changed by emergency room doctors, then regular doctor, I decided to go to my home state doctor. He did and ultrasound and said my arteries where in excellent condition, took me off three drugs and gave me one to take once a day. I feel great, back to my old self. All of the other drugs had me in bed sleeping most of the day. Listen to your eye doctor and see another doctor. Take control of your health you will feel a whole lot better.
Feb 18, 2010 at 8:17 AM Larry, What type of cancer did you have and how did you overcome it and what makes you so positive that it will not come back? You are not taking any medication? Does that mean that you did take medication and how much and what kind? I have a reason for these questions and would really like to know how you got where you are now? Do you take vitamins and minerals and if so, what kind? I enjoyed your article a lot, but you didn't go far enough with it. Thanks, Lori
Feb 19, 2010 at 9:57 AM I was most interested to read all the above comments. I think we have to take charge of our own health. In many cases, the body degenerates because we abuse it with foods that are no longer whole. If we reject all he processed 'foods, and try to lead a more balanced life, our bodies can get on with the job of healing.
There is a treatment by Dr Jahanna Budwig, prescribing flaxseed oil together with cottage cheese.. There is more to this of course. This and other methods are described in a book called:How to fight Cancer and Win, by Willian L Fischer.. You might find it at Amazon.com.
I know someone who got her triglycerides way down by just taking flaxseed oil - not even changing her diet.
For getting help with changing your diet and lifestyle, gradually so it becomes a way of life, look for a certified health counsellor. You might find one at the web site for The institute of Integrated Nutrition.