#and yes that includes the asthma and food allergies and migraines too.

[artemisiatridentata]

can i please go ONE FUCKING DAY without having pain in some body part or otherwise experiencing an unpleasant medical revelation

[cesium-sheep]

mm okay somehow while I was reading that thing abt eds and headaches we wound up back in mcas town and I’m getting that “????? that’s real??????” thing again so I think. coming back to reevaluate that once all the balls currently up in the air have safely settled would be. smart. (someone mentioned “psychiatric manifestation of mcas” and I remembered all the times I would be sobbing for reasons unknown and it would turn out hours or years later I was actually super duper physically ill.)

things that are suspicious:

mom got suddenly very ill in my mid teens, and even though she was diagnosed with and treated for asthma her symptoms never quite fit and she never really got better

when I mentioned mcas to her and she looked it up she was like “.... oh. oh. huh.” and even has some symptom overlap with me (esp gi, eg only ever actually being *hungry* for small portions)

brother has severe seasonal allergies and suspects he may have inherited some of mom’s lung problems

migraines and eds and autism and dysautonomia all have some association with mast cells or comorbidity with MCAS

being too warm makes everything worse, as does pausing bc to clear out spotting (that one is much worse)

very strong opinions about/high sensitivity to certain flavors in foods (and textures)

often (but not always) overwhelmingly upset during episodes, disproportionate to pain or mental distress directly caused by being ill

extremely multisystemic issues (gi, circulatory, neuro, skeletomuscular)

some weirdly specific issues that would be explained, such as the rash under my nose that has persisted for years even with treatment, persistent mild esophageal constriction with no clear cause, persistent nasal congestion despite total absence of seasonal allergies or family-typical allergens

from the same thread as preliminary diagnosis discussion “mcas can cause weird blood counts” (very strange wbc in the one mid-flare blood draw)

from a summary of never bet against occam: “Many people describe a particular trigger, stressor, event or exposure that seemed to be the beginning of their mast cell symptoms” although ‘trace’ symptoms can be seen all the way into childhood

the replies in [this tweet] contain crowd-sourced descriptions of what histamine reactions are like (including emotionality, flushing, and fatigue, one person even mentions “it’s like my brain is swollen in my skull”) (also look into ataxia from this thread, someone else actually experiencing the “lost signal” sensation!! multiple someone elses! when it’s severe it’s like I’m driving an rc car but it has moved out of range, or my joycon signal is blocked, and I feel very lightheaded and disoriented and begin to tip over)

[this] [pair] is an interesting list of potential culprits (H2, H3), as is [this] (TNF-alpha)

edited to add: apparently inflammation can “tighten” connective tissue, meaning mcas could obscure an eds diagnosis??

edited again to add: new [post] from thebibliosphere, including the fact that histamine intolerance is not a guarantee with mcas, and that it’s not uncommon for “bad” foods to be fine for mcas folks and “good” foods to be awful. (also “EDS also means we don’t absorb them as well from the gut”)

and [another] mentioning mast cells are more active at night

[this tweet] mentions that a preliminary diagnosis can be determined simply via multisystemic symptom presence (uhhhhh that’s a yes) and response to medications.

[gethealthy18-blog]

How Birth Month Influences Health And Personality Of Women

New Post has been published on http://healingawerness.com/getting-healthy/getting-healthy-women/how-birth-month-influences-health-and-personality-of-women/

How Birth Month Influences Health And Personality Of Women

Shivani K January 17, 2019

Most of us desire to take a peek at the book of fate to know more about ourselves. Some of us seek this knowledge in astrology. You know, the way the Earth, the Sun, and the Moon are positioned at the time of one’s birth and how that influences their personality. A lot has been written about how one’s birth month can influence their personality. You would be surprised to know that the birth month actually plays a role in influencing the happiness hormones — dopamine and serotonin. The levels of these hormones also have an effect on your mental and physical health. All this being said, we’ve given a detailed account of how each month influences the health and personality of the women born in those months. Let’s read together and get to know ourselves a little better, ladies.

January

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Women born in this month are considered to be less short-tempered. The fact that you don’t get to bask on much sunshine during this month is the reason why women born in January are more prone to depression, and always behave in a repressed manner.

Health-wise they suffer from migraines, ulcers, and also run a risk of developing heart-related ailments. However, the chances of their contracting thyroid problems are comparatively less than women born during the rest of the year.

February

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February is officially the month of love. So, there’s no surprise that women born during this month are extremely romantic by nature. They have their good share of mood swings too. They expect love and loyalty from their partners. It is said that women born in this month are highly susceptible to thyroid gland problems. Apart from this, they are also likely to contract osteoarthritis which causes stiffness and pains in joints. Another deadly disease that they can suffer from is thrombosis, a condition where there are blood clots in the blood vessels. This can lead to severe health complications.

March

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Springtime reminds us of happy memories, right? Women born in this month radiate good vibes only and are very charming, and charismatic. They are extremely loyal but one mistake from your side will make them hate you in a jiffy.

Rheumatism, as well as, arthritis are two things that bother them. They also suffer from constipation. Therefore, women born in the month of March need to eat a fiber-rich diet and seek proper treatment for their other ailments from the initial stage itself.

April

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April ladies can be considered as born diplomats. They have amazing communication skills, though they are more prone to jealousy.

Health-wise April women are advised to have a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D as they have chances of suffering from osteoporosis. Angina is another problem faced by them wherein women experience severe chest pains. Bronchitis is another problem faced by these women.

May

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Ladies born in May have a very tough character. They are insistent and will never sacrifice their values, come what may.

Constipation and osteoporosis are the problems these women face. They are also prone to a lot of chronic allergies that require treatment. Therefore, for any allergy, including food allergies, it’s important that these women consult a doctor.

June

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Women born in June are creative and curious creatures. They are very straightforward by nature. They love power and they know how to make use of that power.

Just like the March-born, even June women tend to suffer from rheumatism and arthritis. Urinary incontinence is also a common problem for them. They are advised to stay away from alcohol, coffee, tea, and spicy food.

July

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Ladies born in this month are beautiful, smart, and honest. And oh, yes, they are even mysterious. They avoid conflicts and expect others to be cordial with them too.

Chronic neck pain is a common symptom found in these women. This pain slowly starts to spread over their back, shoulders, and hands. They have more chances of contracting asthma. Therefore, yoga and exercises which involve deep breathing is a must for them.

August

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August ladies love their ego. They believe in self-love, and they also have a big heart that loves everybody around them.

Just like the women born in March and June, even these women suffer from rheumatism and arthritis. They need to make frequent visits to the doctor and follow the treatments given religiously. They even have chances of contracting thrombosis.

September

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These ladies are not so forgiving by nature and are known to retaliate. They follow discipline in their lives and don’t entertain temporary relationships.

They suffer from thyroid gland problems that take a toll on their physical and mental well-being. They even have increased chances of developing tumor-related diseases. Therefore, annual checkups are a must for them.

October

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They are go-getters in life. They believe themselves to be self-sufficient. They are smart and strong. They are not the kind of women who wear their hearts on their sleeves.

Anemia is a problem they are disposed to. They need to have an iron-rich diet and consider taking supplements for any deficiencies after consulting a doctor. High blood cholesterol is also a significant problem among them. Therefore, it’s ideal for them if they follow a proper diet after consulting a dietician.

November

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These ladies are witty by birth, trust us! They have the power to smell deceit from a mile away. They are very goal-oriented and will do everything in their abilities to fulfill them.

They suffer from various heart ailments. It’s best to go for consistent health checkups every now and then to keep a check on their heart’s condition. They are also likely to suffer from varicose veins. Essential-oil massages, avoiding lifestyles that require you to stand for long hours can help them with that.

December

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Ladies born in this Christmas month are highly impatient. They can seldom recognize the good around them. However, they have the ability to turn everything into their favor.

December women suffer from a lot of breathing problems like asthma and severe bronchitis. Therefore it’s essential for them to include yoga and breathing exercises in their routines. They can also suffer from thrombosis as well.

Our intention here is to not scare you by mentioning these health problems. We are just cautioning you about the problems that might come knocking at your door one fine day. Therefore, pay attention to your lifestyle as well as your characteristic traits and strive to achieve a healthy balance. If you think we missed out on anything here, let us know in the comments below.

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Source: https://www.stylecraze.com/trending/birth-month-influences-personality/

[chickennuggetsanddinos]

I don’t normally do these, but...

First and foremost, a disclaimer: I do not mean to offend with what I’m about to rant about. I recognize that some people need to eat specific diets because of health and medical reasons. I also recognize people eat diets for moral reasons, such as those who a vegetarian or vegan. I commend those who do that and envy your restraint and moral fortitude for doing so. You keep doing you. Additionally, I am neither a doctor, nutritionist, or in any way qualified to give advice on health or nutrition. I am merely voicing an opinion from the standpoint of someone trained in empiricism. My problem does not lie with what a person should and shouldn’t eat or why. My problem is with those who put themselves on a specific diet which A) Makes no sense, B) Has no scientific backing for those who do not have specific medical concerns triggered by food, C) touts itself as a “cure” for anything, and D) makes itself out to be something attainable by all people and something you should do because (insert whatever conspiracy theory here about food)

My issue lies with the “Whole 30″ diet. The only reason I have the issue is because when I visited my family for the first time in two years last week, they were preparing to start after I left. Being trained in the scientific method and practicing skepticism, I began to do a little research. I was displeased with what I found. I was even more displeased with the fact that my family believed this would be the magic solution to their health problems and that they did not consult with any trained professionals or do any research looking at the effectiveness of what they were about to do or consider the fact that there could be unwanted ill effects, which seems irresponsible to me.  For those of you who may not know, “Whole 30″ is a strict, elimination diet that promises to “help you put an end to unhealthy cravings and habits, restore a healthy metabolism, heal your digestive tract, and balance your immune system” (https://whole30.com/step-one/) They say: “Think of it as a short-term nutritional reset”. Their language use is very careful; throwing “could”, “might” and “may” when they’re discussing what this diet treats, legally covering their asses so as to not be sued when it, ultimately, doesn’t work. They claim to treat things, such as seasonal allergies, fertility issues, digestive issues, low energy issues, and even mental issues (such as ADHD. Autism, thankfully, is not listed because their lawyers knew better). 

Their page says “ So how do you know if (and how) these foods are affecting you? Strip them from your diet completely. Cut out all the psychologically unhealthy, hormone-unbalancing, gut-disrupting, inflammatory food groups for a full 30 days. Let your body heal and recover from whatever effects those foods may be causing. Push the “reset” button with your metabolism, systemic inflammation, and the downstream effects of the food choices you’ve been making “ which, in and of itself, is not a bad statement. I’m sure that all of us could benefit from cutting out some of the food from our diet. That $.39 cup of instant ramen I have in my pantry is most likely a poor choice for me to eat and it would most likely be better for me to actually eat something like a salad for lunch. But, there are a few barriers to me doing so that I will get to later in this rant, so buckle up and just wait. The basic rules of this diet are as follows (which can all be found at https://whole30.com/whole30-program-rules/): 

You must cut out all:  Sugar, natural or artificial (which means sugar, honey, stevia, maple syrup, sweet’n’low, etc.) Dairy Grains, either in whole or processed form (even oils such as corn) Alcohol, even in cooking (which makes many flavor extracts out as well as they contain alcohol) and ideally tobacco products. Legumes (i.e. peanuts, all beans, all soy products, tempeh, or soy-based additives in foods) Carrageenan (a derivative from seaweed which turns gelatinous when mixed with water), MSG (or it’s other forms), or sulfites Baked goods, junk foods, or treats with “approved” ingredients (meaning you can’t take a muffin and make it using avocado oil and coconut flour. “That’s what got you in trouble in the first place” the website says)

Also, you can’t weigh yourself for the 30 days

However, there are exceptions to these rules, which are as follows: 

You may use Ghee or clarified butter, because the milk fats are no longer present You may have fruit juices, either to drink or cook with You may eat green beans, snow peas, and sugar snap peas, because they are “far more “pod” than “bean,” and green plant matter is generally good for you”(notice again the “generally” so as to cover their asses) You may use all vinegar, except malt vinegar, which contains gluten You may use Coconut aminos as a soy sauce substitute, even if it has “coconut nectar” in the ingredients You may have salt even though table salt contains dextrose (which is sugar) because otherwise the Potassium iodide would oxidize away and leave you without an essential nutrient

People with suspected food allergies benefit from these type of diets, however, the major difference is that you usually cut out one or two at a time, document the results, and then move on based on your data on an allergen elimination diet. Ya know, like the actual entire scientific and empirical process dictates. Do you know why that’s the case? Because, by only messing with one or two variables at a time, you can easily make an association between food X and symptom A. You can more easily demonstrate a functional relationship, causal or correlational. When you mess with more than 2 variables (3 at the most) in one go, you don’t have enough control over what you’re doing to be able to say with any type of certainty that food X (Y, Z, so on) is systematically associated with an abatement of symptom A (and/or B, C, and so on). You have absolutely no way of knowing, using the Whole 30 diet program, if your issue was the grain, the legumes, the dairy, the sugar, or any of the other things you cut out from your diet at the same time. That’s the biggest emphasis I want to make in this section. Since it’s all being removed at the same time, it makes it impossible for you to make an empirically sound claim.  Now, again, do not get me wrong. Those with undiagnosed food-triggered conditions, such as sensitivities or allergies, will most likely see a benefit on this diet. You will also, most likely, lose some weight on this diet, which would most likely benefit many of us as we consume way too many calories and carry some “extra weight” (myself included. I gained 30 pounds in a year because I was in grad school, off and on medications, and had a major life change as far as my activity level went. It was my fault and I’m working on reshaping my life to lose it and go back to a healthy weight. I’m not perfect nor am I claiming to be). However, once the 30 days are over, you are free to go back to eating and drinking as you had before (which most people will because when you deprive yourself of things, you want it more and you will begin to do drastic things to get it. It is a well studied phenomenon and dietitians generally advise against cutting things out like that for weight-loss because of this very fact). So, that means that if you go back to your eating habits pre-30 days, you will 1. most likely not find what you may be allergic or sensitive to unless you reintroduce one food at a time and take data on symptom progression and 2. most likely gain the weight lost right back.  Additionally, I find it hard to see how cutting these specific food types from your diet will have any direct impact on non-food related illnesses and disorders. Perhaps in 10 years, I will eat my words. We only recently discovered that 90% of bodily serotonin is made in the gut by the microbiome, but we’re still not sure how that plays a role in our overall mental health. It’s only a thing we observed. We don’t yet know the role any manipulation of the microbiome might have on the outcome of mental health. Studies are being done as I type, but for now, no claims can be made because we have no evidence. However, Whole 30 claims that their diet can help treat illnesses that, as of now, have absolutely zero connection to food, such as Lupus. In fact, on their site (https://whole30.com/step-one/) they claim “More than 95% of participants lose weight and improve their body composition, without counting or restricting calories. Also commonly reported: consistently high energy levels, improved athletic performance, better sleep, improved focus and mental clarity, and a sunnier disposition. (Yes, more than a few Whole30 graduates said they felt “strangely happy” during and after their program)...Finally, testimonials from thousands of Whole30 participants document the improvement or “cure” of any number of lifestyle-related diseases and conditions.high blood pressure • high cholesterol • type 1 diabetes • type 2 diabetes • asthma • allergies • sinus infections • hives • skin conditions • endometriosis • PCOS • infertility • migraines • depression • bipolar disorder • heartburn • GERD • arthritis • joint pain • ADD • thyroid dysfunction • Lyme disease • fibromyalgia • chronic fatigue • lupus • leaky gut syndrome • Crohn’s • IBS • Celiac disease • diverticulitis • ulcerative colitis”. There are no citations for these claims, no data comparing this to control groups, and they even say that their evidence comes from testimonials. I would like to point out a little saying: The plural of anecdote is not data. You absolutely cannot rely on the stories of others as valid and reliable evidence because there was no control and such things are subject and biased.  Again, not to be misunderstood: Everyone has bias. In fact, I am exhibiting bias right now by typing this. I am biased against diets such as these. But, my bias does at least have some evidence behind it in the form of peer-reviewed, evidence based studies (which Whole 30 lacks, which knocks their credibility out). And, I’m not trying to discredit the stories of those for whom this diet led to an improvement in their health and wellbeing. What I am trying to discredit, though, are the claims that these results will happen for everyone. They are very careful with their language usage, as I pointed out earlier, but reading through still gives the impression that this diet is the magic cure, which it most certainly is not and can never be.  Now, before I end, I’d like to discuss my final point (D): That this diet is neither easy or attainable for everyone, unlike what the site claims.  The site claims that Whole 30 (https://whole30.com/whole30-program-rules/): The diet is not hard (they say fighting cancer is hard, losing a loved one is hard, but cutting out the foods is not hard) The diet does not require planning You don’t have to eat something you don’t want You don’t have the option to have a “slip”, so don’t even think about it It does not require effort.  These are lies. They are bold faced lies and they know it. Let me go ahead and break each of these claims down, show how they are lies, and point out how the statements may also be a toxic mindset.  1. The diet is not hard. That’s utter horseshit. Yes, beating cancer is hard. Yes, losing a loved one is hard. It’s also hard to go to the store, take the time to read the label of EVERYTHING you now have to buy, and it’s hard to actually get some of the ingredients “approved” on this diet, especially if you are A) low income and/or B) live in a food desert. Additionally, making some of the “approved” ingredients is difficult. Do you know how much time it takes to make clarified butter? I do and it’s a lot, especially if it’s your first time and you have literally zero idea what you’re doing. Also, the withdrawal symptoms your body is going to go through on this diet are going to be shit and not everyone has a day or two to feel like ass and then get back on our feet. You don’t want to be irritable, crabby, and shaky at work trying to get your things done. Not everyone can take those couple of days off and then come back right as rain. By saying your diet is not hard, you are making people who have very little options for their food feel like shit because they “should” be eating X, Y, and Z, but they have $50 for the week and 4 people to feed and they can’t justify a $10 bottle of avocado oil. Finally, cooking can be difficult for those who have not grown up in a situation where they were taught to prepare and cook foods or they work such hours that make cooking a daunting task (like those on 3rd shift, or those who work more than 30 hours per week) 2. The diet requires no planning. Again, horseshit. Unless you are able to hold a vast of information in your working and short-term memory such that you do not have to plan for your shopping and your meals each and every day, you must plan for this diet. I watched my sister spend hours researching foods, hours making a list for compliant foods, go to multiple grocery stores to get said foods, and spend a full day prepping for the weeks meals. I should also mention my sister is married, works 12 hours per week (max) and has very little responsibilities outside the house. Imagine how that would work if she held a full-time job outside of her house in addition to homschooling her two children (which she does, but it’s summer vacation where they are now, so she’s not actively doing it), and took more than one class at a time (again, she takes a course per semester at the community college for a degree she has no intention of using to get a job). So, that brings us to a total of about 2-ish days of planning for the following 7 for a family of 4 who has a stay-at-home parent. What about those who don’t have that? By saying this diet requires no planning, you make it seem as though all who are in any position in life can do this with no issues or barriers because it’s so easy.  3. You don’t have to eat something you don’t want. This is the only statement I’ll say is technically true. 

4. You don’t have the option to “slip”, so don’t even think about it. This diet says should you eat something on the non-approved list, you’ve undone everything you’ve been working towards and your 30 days resets. For a diet that’s all about “food freedom”, this seems a bit restrictive to me. Additionally, having the mindest of “I can’t eat this because my diet says not to” or “I can’t eat that because I’ll have to start over” constitutes you punishing yourself for no other reason than someone said so. That’s not a freedom of choice. That’s someone dictating your choices for you.  So, there you go. There’s my rant. Again, I’m not an expert on food and health, but I do have 6 years of training in human and animal behavior, the scientific method, and skepticism. I’m not telling you how to eat, because I’m unqualified to do so and I have a lot of work to do on my diet, personally, so if I were to even give advice, I’d be a hypocrite (which I am unwilling to do). All I want to do is to point out the utter nonsensical nature of this thing and how it can actually be doing more harm than good. Please, if you’re thinking of starting a diet, consult with your doctor and do your research on the effectiveness, benefits, and risks involved. Go into something as serious as your health as informed as you can be so you don’t end up doing any damage or getting yourself sick. That’s all I really want is for people to be happy and healthy.