I've struggled with thyroid disease for well over a decade. Sometimes it's hard for even me to wrap my head around the ins and outs of coping with it.
I saw this article earlier and I think this is something all of us living with thyroid disease (especially hypothyroid disease) should see. These are life affirming. This disease tries very hard to rob us of who we are - and, if you have other health problems in combination - well, life came seem insurmountable at times.
Take heed of these 14 truths - and share with family and friends who just don't have a clue.
14 Truths People With Thyroid Disease Wish Others Understood
Saturday, August 8, 2015
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Leprosy and Armadillos
What do leprosy and armadillos have to do with each other? Nothing you're probably thinking, but actually, there is a major link between the two.
It appears in the South and Southeastern USA armadillos can transmit leprosy, also known as Hansen's Disease, to humans.
The Hansen's Disease Research Program in Baton Rouge, Louisiana has been studying the disease for decades and for many years there was a leper colony nearby. The program is now part of the US Department of Health Resources and Human Services. Other government research entities have also participated in the research and dissemination of the information related to leprosy and armadillos.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, a branch of the National Institute of Health, has worked with the Hansen's Disease Program in Baton Rouge since 1973. Their original research led to the discovery of M. leprae in armadillos in Texas and Louisiana.
Recently Dr. Richard W. Truman PhD performed a study involving taking samples from wild armadillos with M. leprae and humans with M. leprae. Dr. Truman discovered that 64% of the human sample had a never before seen genotype of leprosy. The samples taken from the armadillos had more startling results - 85% of the armadillos had a never before seen genotype of leprosy - and it was identical to the one found in the human sample.
This lead to the startling conclusion that the wild armadillos were the source of leprosy in humans. Furthermore, it established leprosy as zoonosis - an infectious disease that can be transmitted back and forth between humans and animals.
The NAID published an article that is a must read on the subject. You can find it here.
About 150 - 200+ new cases of leprosy occur in the US each year. Nine new case have just been found in Florida and they are believed to be linked to armadillos.
The leprosy carrying armadillos are found in the Southeastern states:Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. It's been suspected for 40 years armadillos were the source of leprosy in the Gulf Coast states.
For more reading:
Armadillos Linked to Leprosy in Humans
Armadillos and Hansen's Disease (Leprosy)
Leprosy in the US May Be Transmitted by Armadillos Study Finds
The New England Journal of Medicine - Probable Zoonotic Leprosy in the Southern United States
It appears in the South and Southeastern USA armadillos can transmit leprosy, also known as Hansen's Disease, to humans.
The Hansen's Disease Research Program in Baton Rouge, Louisiana has been studying the disease for decades and for many years there was a leper colony nearby. The program is now part of the US Department of Health Resources and Human Services. Other government research entities have also participated in the research and dissemination of the information related to leprosy and armadillos.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, a branch of the National Institute of Health, has worked with the Hansen's Disease Program in Baton Rouge since 1973. Their original research led to the discovery of M. leprae in armadillos in Texas and Louisiana.
Recently Dr. Richard W. Truman PhD performed a study involving taking samples from wild armadillos with M. leprae and humans with M. leprae. Dr. Truman discovered that 64% of the human sample had a never before seen genotype of leprosy. The samples taken from the armadillos had more startling results - 85% of the armadillos had a never before seen genotype of leprosy - and it was identical to the one found in the human sample.
This lead to the startling conclusion that the wild armadillos were the source of leprosy in humans. Furthermore, it established leprosy as zoonosis - an infectious disease that can be transmitted back and forth between humans and animals.
The NAID published an article that is a must read on the subject. You can find it here.
About 150 - 200+ new cases of leprosy occur in the US each year. Nine new case have just been found in Florida and they are believed to be linked to armadillos.
The leprosy carrying armadillos are found in the Southeastern states:Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. It's been suspected for 40 years armadillos were the source of leprosy in the Gulf Coast states.
For more reading:
Armadillos Linked to Leprosy in Humans
Armadillos and Hansen's Disease (Leprosy)
Leprosy in the US May Be Transmitted by Armadillos Study Finds
The New England Journal of Medicine - Probable Zoonotic Leprosy in the Southern United States
© 2015 Beverly Hicks Burch All Rights Reserved.
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Coconut Oil - the Latest Super Food?
We hear a lot about super foods. The most recent one is coconut oil which is suppose to be great for everything from making hair conditioner to weight control to controlling Type 2 Diabetes.
Today's article is an interesting read on some of the benefits of coconut oil. Check it out for yourself.
Today's article is an interesting read on some of the benefits of coconut oil. Check it out for yourself.
Friday, June 5, 2015
Metastatic Cancer - what cancer patients and survivors wish "normals" knew
When I saw this video I cried. No, I didn't have breast cancer, mine was two bouts of lung cancer, but I believe every cancer survivor and every warrior battling cancer will appreciate what this brave young gal has to say.
PLEASE read EVERY card this warrior will show you. It's about EDUCATION.
In Jan. 1982 just after my 28th birthday a tumor and a portion of my right lung was removed because of non-smoking lung cancer. (See, even I feel like I have to address one of her cards 34 years later - "you must not have taken care of yourself" - the blame game.) Then, in Oct. 1995 60% of my left lung was removed because of non-smoking lung cancer. This brave young lady educates "normals" on what cancer warriors and survivor don't need or want to hear. Please take the time to watch this AND share it.
I wish this kind of advice had been around in my day.
#lifer.
PLEASE read EVERY card this warrior will show you. It's about EDUCATION.
In Jan. 1982 just after my 28th birthday a tumor and a portion of my right lung was removed because of non-smoking lung cancer. (See, even I feel like I have to address one of her cards 34 years later - "you must not have taken care of yourself" - the blame game.) Then, in Oct. 1995 60% of my left lung was removed because of non-smoking lung cancer. This brave young lady educates "normals" on what cancer warriors and survivor don't need or want to hear. Please take the time to watch this AND share it.
I wish this kind of advice had been around in my day.
#lifer.
Friday, May 15, 2015
What Is Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA)? | SAA News | Spondylitis Association of America
This is important information, especially if you suffer with chronic back pain.
What Is Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA)? | SAA News | Spondylitis Association of America
What Is Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA)? | SAA News | Spondylitis Association of America
World Automimmune Arthritis Day
Today, May 15th, is World Autoimmune Arthritis Day. The day kicks off a six day virtual event from May 15 - May 21, 2015 dedicated to education devoted to autoimmune arthritis and associated disorders.
For more information and daily activities check out World Autoimmune Arthritis.Org's website.
For more information and daily activities check out World Autoimmune Arthritis.Org's website.
15 Worst Cities for Allergies
I'm sure we all have our pick for the "worst city for allergies". It could be the city you live in or have lived in. I'd also guess the names on this list vary from time to time.
For instance, about 10 years ago me and my husband (heretofore known as "Tall & Handsome" or "T & H") were living in Knoxville, Tennessee not too far from the place where I was born. I was excited to get to spend some time back where I came from.
Well, was I in for a big surprise. That was one of the sickest two and half year stretches of my life which included a brush with death. But, allergies? OMG!
I have allergies to begin with (no cats!) and others, some "non-specific" which is doctor speak for hard to peg. But, what I went through in Knoxville was like body and autoimmune torture and I believe to this day put my body into a "slippery slope" that never recovered 100%.
At the time a co-worker of Tall & Handsome's mentioned Knoxville was one of the worst cities for allergies and a lot of the residents lived with chronic sinus issues.
I looked Knoxville up and sure enough at the time it did make a few "worst" lists for allergies. According to the long time resident talking to T & H it was because Knoxville sits in a valley and smog, smoke and other impurities from coal mines, factories and other places funnel down the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Great Smoky Mountains and the Appalachians and dump on top of Knoxville. How accurate that is, I don't know.
I just know my experience, and I know there was also a problem with black mold. The house we were in at the time was a petri dish of black mold. Not the best conditions for someone with allergies and autoimmune disorders.
So, what are currently considered the worst cities for allergies? They are:
So, is there anything you can do to ease your discomfort? Well, there are some steps, and there's an article that covers why these cities are so bad for allergies and what you can do. For an in depth look, you can read here.
But, to touch lightly, here are some preventive measures you can take during allergy season:
Just remember, before you know it, allergy season will be over, and we'll be facing another cold winter.
For instance, about 10 years ago me and my husband (heretofore known as "Tall & Handsome" or "T & H") were living in Knoxville, Tennessee not too far from the place where I was born. I was excited to get to spend some time back where I came from.
Well, was I in for a big surprise. That was one of the sickest two and half year stretches of my life which included a brush with death. But, allergies? OMG!
I have allergies to begin with (no cats!) and others, some "non-specific" which is doctor speak for hard to peg. But, what I went through in Knoxville was like body and autoimmune torture and I believe to this day put my body into a "slippery slope" that never recovered 100%.
At the time a co-worker of Tall & Handsome's mentioned Knoxville was one of the worst cities for allergies and a lot of the residents lived with chronic sinus issues.
I looked Knoxville up and sure enough at the time it did make a few "worst" lists for allergies. According to the long time resident talking to T & H it was because Knoxville sits in a valley and smog, smoke and other impurities from coal mines, factories and other places funnel down the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Great Smoky Mountains and the Appalachians and dump on top of Knoxville. How accurate that is, I don't know.
I just know my experience, and I know there was also a problem with black mold. The house we were in at the time was a petri dish of black mold. Not the best conditions for someone with allergies and autoimmune disorders.
So, what are currently considered the worst cities for allergies? They are:
- Richmond, Virginia
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Chattanooga, Tennesee
- Chicago, Illinois
- Detroit, Michigan
- New Haven, Connecticut
- Allentown, Pennsylvania
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Springfield, Massachusetts
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Dayton, Ohio
So, is there anything you can do to ease your discomfort? Well, there are some steps, and there's an article that covers why these cities are so bad for allergies and what you can do. For an in depth look, you can read here.
But, to touch lightly, here are some preventive measures you can take during allergy season:
- Keep your windows closed to obviously keep pollen and other pollutants out.
- Keep your home dusted and clean. If you can afford it, hire someone to clean for you.
- Use a mattress cover. Vinyl is recommended, but if you're like me, that's like sleeping on a roll of plastic wrap and creates crinkly, sleepless night. So, a catch - 22 there.
- Another catch - 22 for those of us with Sjogren's syndrome is the use of a dehumidifier. Using one reduces humidity, thus reducing the number of dust mites. But, Sjogren's patients usually need to use humidifiers to add moisture to the air because of our dry eyes and dry mouth.
- You can get some relief with over the counter (OTC) antihistamines. In addition, just recently Flonase has been made available OTC. I have used this nasal spray for years and I don't know what I would do without it. It's also available in generic form which I get by prescription. Flonase basically attacks on all fronts allergy symptoms that would take several other medications to do. It's in the corticosteroid class of drugs.
Just remember, before you know it, allergy season will be over, and we'll be facing another cold winter.
© 2015 Beverly Hicks Burch All Rights Reserved.
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