Researchers Find Common Killer
By Dr. Gene Clerkin
Many years ago I remember hearing about how stress was bad and it was fairly common knowledge that stress contributed to some major illnesses including heart attacks and strokes. Not many people seemed to know why. Surprisingly enough, I'm finding that a lot of people still don't!
This morning, on the way into the office, I heard on the radio that scientists have discovered stress deteriorates the cells of the immune system. I thought to myself, "They're just figuring this out?" Of course it does! And it contributes to every other condition as well.
Just about everyone holds a certain amount of tension in their body from both past and present stressors. I believe this is due in part to our culture's increased demands on our body and mind. We've become so accustomed to experiencing life in this state that it has become the norm, the standard by which we define our lives. This "standard" is called stress physiology...and it is completely normal when dealing with a stressful situation. However, after about 20 minutes, it becomes physically harmful.
Stressors can be physical, chemical or mental-emotional in nature. Regardless of its type, the normal response is for the body to go into stress physiology. If the brain can't fully process the stress it will continue in the stress response even after the stress is over. For most people it's never over. ( Yes, you too. ) Even something as small as the conversation in your head that never stops... that's stress.
So the question is, "Why does stress cause so many problems and affect the body on so many levels?" Well, to start with, when we experience stress certain "stress chemicals"like cortisol are released. This causes an increase in heart rate, blood pressure and blood sugar. It only makes sense that stress contributes to cardiovascular problems and diabetes.
In addition, the breath becomes shallow and the musculature in the body tightens down causing bio-mechanical changes. This is especially true in the spine where improper movement effects the function of the nerve system. Of course, the nerve system controls all other systems including the endocrine system ( body chemistry ) which regulates everything from hormones to digestion to mood.
One of the most fascinating things to me is how stress affects brain function. The cerebral cortex, or the large part of the brain, is where our higher brain activity occurs. Higher brain activity means processing things other than survival, such as love, creativity, beauty, decision making and life purpose. When you are in a survival mode, or even when your body thinks there's a survival situation, the blood supply to that part of the brain actually diminishes.
Why would it do that? Simple: Your body directs blood where it's needed most and away from the area's that are not needed. In a survival situation we are accessing the lower, or reactive, part of our brain for quick response. The problem is we get stuck in that physiology even after the event is over and we exist as if we're trying to survive. In that state it's physiologically impossible to experience our full potential of love, creativity, beauty and all the other higher brain activities. Life becomes about making to the end of the day, and to the next weekend, and through another month, and to the next vacation and "when I retire then everything is going to be all right". I 've got news for you. You never get there.
So I encourage you to ask yourself some questions: Why am I here (in this life)? Am I here to get by and survive, or am I here to experience life with as much love, joy and creativity possible? In addition to worrying about how stress deteriorates our immune cells, maybe we should concern ourselves with how it deteriorates our life experience.
Invisible Constituents
By Karen Tauches
Forest spaces hold formidable magic. I believe Atlanta is built on such magic energy, for at one time?not that long ago?it was all trees and Indians and animals--and it stayed miraculously like that for more than 10,000 years.
I live in Ormewood Park, a fairly green neighborhood. For 5 years I have lived next to a 5 and a half acre lot of city forest which was recently sold to make 26 brand new Victorian cluster homes. With not even a week?s notice, we fought with developers and developer-friendly neighborhood associations, and in the end lost this treasured space without any significant concessions.
We are taught to believe that business is business. I have to accept this tragedy because this land is too valuable to be left alone for the birds.
Birds, in particular, like humans, are at the cutting edge of adaptation. They are one of the few animals that can remain wild and still co-habitate with humans. As a symbol, the bird, (along with the rainbow and the butterfly) are rather incorruptible. It is hard to feel skeptical about their shape. They connect interminably to childish joy and undomesticated spirituality. I keep their images around as dear symbols.
In my sorrow for what is about to be erased, I documented this particular space with photography and then added on top with paint, the invisible parts?the birds, the rainbows, the moths, the orbs of energy. I am not suited for politics. But one of the things I do have of value to society (as an artist) is the stubborn power of my imagination. I proudly illustrate a reality that business often misses: the fantastic and the free. I offer (with my images) a record for the future of the constituents that do not register a vote. We must not forget them--even if we don?t see them anymore.
As their cultural demise was clear, Chief Seattle spoke for the American Indian culture. He said, ?we may disappear physically from this country, but our spirits will remain here always.? I feel the same is true of the culture of trees and animals and people that are now disappearing. On some mysterious level, their energy will surely remain and hopefully guide us.
As a person who puts creative and lifestyle values first, I identify with the disappearing creatures and spaces of my home city. . .for I often wonder if I am myself a dying breed, soon to be absent from America. Until then my idealistic heart prays for boundaries to be made against commercialism?I do not want to be driven out of my green city, I wish for my cultural needs to be integrated. And I hope that my ritual of documentation will not be taken as an action of defeat. . .In actuality I hope to chide the forest spaces (or at least those who will vote in favor of them) into defense?the bulldozers have not arrived yet in my neighborhood. I am open to signs or directions and in the meantime, I continue to document these sacred spaces.
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Let's get to the bottom of this
By Dr. Gene Clerkin
I spent significant time reflecting on the events that led me to visit the M.D. and was well prepared to share my story so that together we could figure out why I was having painful joint swelling. I didn't however, get the chance to share that story, and felt somehow slighted. Shouldn't I feel grateful to be sent home with a speedy diagnosis of gout and a bag full of sample drugs? "No problem, we'll put you on Allopurinol, one a day for the rest of your life".
That's it? I've got to tell you, the phrase "we'll put you on" didn't really sit too well with me. As if I had no say in the course of action to be taken. It had been so many years since I visited an MD that I don't really remember if it was always like that. I suppose that it's socially accepted and even expected that we are not responsible for our own health. Judging by this doc's presumptuous delivery I'm guessing he probably didn't get a whole lot of resistance from his average patient.
It's not that I have a problem with the practice of medicine, it's the way medicine is being practiced that I'm questioning. It seems as though the most common phrase I hear is "my doctor put me on or took me off this or that medication". I don't know how many people realize the significance of a statement like that. Not very empowering.
Since my practice is in the wellness paradigm I prefer term client or practice member to that of patient. Patient has come to mean victim. A pawn to the good and evil forces that direct one's life. While it may appear the easier route it may not be the most beneficial. One of the aspects of being well is empowerment.
Before I even accept a new client I spend two hours getting to know them and explaining exactly what we're going to do and why. At the end I always ask if what we discussed makes sense and if they think it would be beneficial to begin care. Having the opportunity to tell their story is an important part of the healing process. My very good friend and colleague Dr. Wayne Leyshon used to say "people just want to be gotten", meaning of course that they just wanted to be understood.
Getting to tell their story is a cultural right of passage and when patients are denied that by their doctor it's like saying "what you feel going on inside you is not important". Health researchers are finding that's not the case at all. Terms like Wellness and Quality of Life are emerging as we find things like emotional and psychological well being and the ability to adapt to stress and enjoy life are as important in overall health as the physical lab values.
And you never know, taking a person's history ( his story ) might actually give some clues as to why the symptoms are occurring and what to do instead of or in addition to just treating the symptom. I think the main problem with treating a symptom without any attention as to why it happened is,....well, just that. No attention to why the body is expressing the symptom. If someone comes in and I wave a magic wand over them and make all their symptoms go away, did I really do them a favor? Perhaps I robbed them of the opportunity to figure out what part of their life needs attention. In my case.... What sequence of events have led me to these symptoms and how do I keep from repeating the cycle? What if it's a symptom of something more serious? Is it a product of life style or even a deep seeded emotional pattern? Who knows, but I think it's worth looking into.
He was a really nice guy too, so I can't imagine he would withhold if he new any better. Aside from the prescribed one a day, he also suggested I stay away from wine , cheese and nuts. My subsequent research revealed a much larger list which surprisingly didn't include cheese...There is a god Nuts were fine ( and even important ) too as long as they weren't cooked in oil. There are also a ton of supplements and foods that reportedly work as well or better than the drug.
Moral of the story.... If you want more information, you'd better look for it. Wouldn't it be nice though, if your M.D. worked with you to get to the bottom of your health concern? Maybe they should have a contract that says "we're only here to treat your symptom, enhanced well being not included".