The 'Reading Room' is a brand new section of the 'Bits and Pieces' Website. Our goal for the reading room it to present reviews on a variety subjects of interest to all adults with CVS. Some ideas for subjects follow:
- Living with a chronic illness
- Dealing with illness in the workplace
- Finding the right physician
- Patient / Physician relationsips
Material read and reviewed can include, but is not limited to, articles from magazines, journals, newspapers, or books. We are also interested in hearing about specific web sites that people come across that may be of value. All we ask is that this reading material be related in some way to CVS, or its effects on us as an illness, or our families. The site will be set up for people to easily share a good read or to give a review on a piece someone else has suggested.
The Missing Diagnosis
By C. Orian Truss, M.D.
The Missing Diagnosis is a book about illness caused by the yeast Candida albicans. This yeast is able to invade all body tissues and leads to a large variety of symptoms and a conditions known as Chronic Candidiasis.
Yeast is one subgroup of the organisms known as fungi or molds. They sustain themselves by digesting organic materials with their enzymes. Humans are good hosts due to their favorable temperature and humidity range. When an over-growth occurs, the yeast can spread through the body via the bloodstream into internal organs. This more serious condition is known as Candida albicans septicemia. Everyone's immune system has been stimulated by candida, making tests for its over-growth difficult, if not impossible to detect. Babies are often born with the condition in the form or "oral thrush" which can spread through the system from that location. Males can harbor yeast with all its problems - minus the vaginal problems women experience.
This fungus is known for causing severe hormone problems, ear infections, recurrent sore throat, respiratory problems, constipation, abdominal bloating, gas, diarrhea, vaginal and intestinal symptoms, heartburn, acid reflux, chemical intolerance, migraine headache, eye problems, chemical imbalances causing abnormal brain function resulting in depression, irritability and anxiety, and more.
Teenage girls and women are especially prone to yeast's problems due to the toxic yeast response cycling with the female hormone cycle. Various stages of the hormonal cycle stimulate yeast growth, which increases the toxic load rapidly during menses. Once a general understanding of the cyclic nature of yeast growth and hormonal changes is acquired, a clearer picture of the cyclic nature of the yeast problem is reached. When the yeast has become chronic in women, abnormal hormone function is almost certain. Often loss on interest in sex, extremely dry vaginal conditions, itching, change in menstrual flow or sudden menopause can occur, along with a yeast induced impairment of tissue response to estrogen.
Antibiotics, birth control pills, pregnancies and high carbohydrate diets are some of the causes of yeast over-growth. Once the yeast has entered the internal organs it often causes chronic symptoms in those organs and a general toxic condition over-all which is not easy to detect by test. The organs not infected by the fungus begin to react allergically to the yeast products circulating in the bloodstream. Migraine headaches are a common result. This toxic situation is increased when toxic yeast products cause brain function abnormalities resembling psychological or psychotic problems.
Yeast infection in the mouth causes mouth lesions, dental caries and problems, recurrent sore throat, and sores on gums or in corners of lips.
Yeast infection in the esophagus causes heartburn, sour stomach, regurgitation, stomach pain, and indigestion, and vomiting.
Yeast infection in the small or large intestinal tract causes diarrhea, stool with mucus or blood, chronic constipation, cramping, abdominal distention, growling peristalsis, hemorrhoids and itching.
Other common problems are:
Vision problems ranging from blurring, night blindness, and pressure on eye tissues causing visual disturbance and pain.
Inner ear involvement causing ear aches, hearing loss, or sensitivity and prostrating dizziness.
Ever increasing and incapacitating intolerance to chemicals and odors, foods, and drugs.
"Leaky Gut" intestinal permeability.
Hives, skin lesions, eczema.
Recurrent sinus infections.
Tendency toward hypoglycemia.
Elevated pulse rate after meals with feeling of anxiety.
and many more.
Treatment and prevention methods are suggested. Case histories are offered.
I felt this book was extremely helpful in understanding some of the possible CVS symptoms. Vomiting is discussed in relation to the intestinal permeability, digestive problems and general toxemia and, they do stress the cyclic nature of the symptoms and highlight the problems with the digestive and intestinal tracts. They also discuss yeast's effects on both sexes in all age ranges from babies up through adults. The treatment seems to be very clear and has proved to be helpful fairly quickly
Reviewed by Joy Johnson.
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BREAKING THE VICIOUS CYCLE
Intestinal Health Through Diet
Elaine Gottschall, B.A., M,Sc.
This book is available in paperback, the publisher is Kirkton Press Ltd.
Every-day more evidence comes to light linking good health with nutrition. In this book Elaine Gottschall shares her knowledge from four years work investigating the effects of various sugars on the digestive tract. Based on scientific evidence, yet simply presented, Breaking the Vicious Cycle includes the specific carbohydrate diet which enables patients to thrive on a varied diet that very often reduces symptoms and allows healing of an inflamed intestinal tract.
A complete recipe section based on the scientific principle underlying the specific carbohydrate diet contains simple, tasty yet well-balanced and highly nutritious recipe's while being specific as to the types of sugars and starches allowed.
Chapter seven contains an interesting discussion on the bowel-brain connection, also of interest are two web sites and one e-mail address set up specifically for people on the specific carbohydrate diet in Breaking The Vicious Cycle.
Reviewed by Jennifer Lawton.
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When You're Sick and Don't Know Why:
Coping With Your Undiagnosed Illness
By Linda Hanner, John Witek, M.D., with Robert B. Clift, Ph.D.
Available in paperback. (Although this book is out of print it can be found by networking amazon.com and/or barnesnoble.com Julie Jul1533@aol.com also has a copy to lend, should any one be interested.)
"When you're in pain, you need to find out why. And you need to find out right away. This warm and comprehensive guide shows you what to do- and how to cope- when, for whatever reason, you can't find out and your doctor is unable to give you a diagnosis." This book helped me greatly when I felt so frustrated at not being diagnosed. It has chapters that deal clearly with "Communicating your needs and symptoms to your doctor", "What to expect from your doctor", "When your doctor suggests a psychologist or psychiatrist", and "Finding Support", along with many other chapters of benefit. I no longer felt alone after reading this book and it also gave me the feeling that I could empower myself to deal with my own situation head on.
Reviewed by Julie Kennedy.
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Healing Wounded Doctor-Patient Relationships
By Linda Hanner with contributions by John J. Witek,M.D. and doctors and patients around the nation
Available in paperback, $14.95, Kashan Publishing ISBN # 0-9622669-3-0
"This book is packed with information that anyone who ever goes to a doctor for any reason deserves to know and that every professional who wants to maximize his or her healing power must understand." This is a great book for people still searching for the right doctor-patient relationship to deal with CVS.
Reviewed by Julie Kennedy.
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Doctor Shopping: How To Choose The Right Doctor For You And Your Family
By Hal Alpair
Available in paperback, $12.95, Health Information Press, ISBN # 1-88598-701-3
*How to interview, evaluate and select your new doctor
*Over-come intimidation and form a health partnership with your doctor
*Get your doctor to listen to you and answer your questions in plain English
This is a great book for people still searching for the right doctor-patient relationship to deal with CVS.
Reviewed by Julie Kennedy.
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Migraines: A Natural Approach
By Sue Dyson
Available in paperback, $10.95, Ulysses Press ISBN #1-56975-140-4
"Though migraines are a major health problem, prescription drugs work for only a small percentage of sufferers. Migraines: A Natural Approach helps you identify the symptoms and offers strategies for coping."
*Learn the nature of migraines
*Explore alternative treatments
*Find out how to obtain a diagnosis
*Determine your own personal food triggers
Excellent resource reading for how food and diet can relate to migraines. Also great reading for personal control, and alternative treatments.
Reviewed by Julie Kennedy.
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Anyone who wants to contribute a review or summary on these, or any other
pieces of reading material, may do so by filling out the form below, or
by submitting them in writing via email or through the mail to:
Julie Kennedy
Adult Coordinator
1533 Mcafee St.
St Paul, MN. 55106
jul1533@aol.com
Or:
Joyce Leeper
'Bits and Pieces' Webmaster
1104 5th St NW
Kasson, MN. 55944
jel@millcomm.com
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As always, you are free to have your identity posted (including email address if you'd like) or to have us post the reviews anonymously. In either case, you do need to identify yourself when you submit the reviews. Reviews submitted anonymously will not be posted.
With participation from all of you, we look forward to getting this project off
the ground very soon!
Good Reading to ALL!
Form for submitting reviews
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