Also called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) – and the silent disease as sufferers may look completely normal and no one knows what it is like for them to feel so awful all the time.

What are the symptoms?

Tired all the time even after resting

Fatigue that can last for 24 hours after any exercise or exertion normally performed

• Muscle soreness and joint pain
• Headaches/Migraine
• IBS or other bowel condition
• Lack of concentration, forgetfulness, confusion
• Disturbed sleep or little sleep or even too much sleep
• Depression
• Disorientation or a “spacey” feeling
• Flu like symptoms, swollen glands, excess sweating, feeling the cold

There are many symptoms that may be associated with this silent illness and it can be difficult for any medical doctor to diagnosis as there are no tests that can confirm it either way. Usually doctors will perform such tests as hormone and nutrient levels, the sufferer may even be referred for psychotherapy or prescribed anti-depressants !

A medical doctor will look at someone who has been ill for six months or more before actually diagnosing which is a long time in anyone’s life to be under par.

Chronic fatigue can go on for years unless there is a practitioner that can work with these people and in my experience it takes time, patience and complete understanding of the client and their life circumstances to combat the problem. People do get well.

I have seen people with Chronic Fatigue who have had a viral illness or bacterial infection, have taken lots of anti-biotics, anti-depressants who end up with blood sugar imbalances, food intolerances, hormonal imbalances, environmental sensitivities, candida, which all lead to liver toxicity, kidney disorders and of course digestive problems. The body becomes completely intolerant of itself and it is fighting all the time and weakening the person. It is a little like fighting off an illness and becoming very tired of it all.

There is help and I have helped people with change of diet and lifestyle which gets them on the road to recovery, it can be quite a journey and would often involve the help of other specialists such as coaching/counselling, hypnosis and other mind techniques.

Never lose hope as there is always something that can be done.

Trisha Stewart

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• Allergies and Intolerances what is the difference ?

I hear and see people all the time who say “ I can’t eat this or that as I have an allergy”, when in point of fact 99% of the time it is an intolerance due to a compromised digestive system. They ask me for a food intolerance test, most times I will refuse because I know from experience there will be more to it than one or two particular foods causing a problem. When the gut becomes compromised, due to poor diet, candida, parasites, molds, it will become sensitive, the enzymes to break down certain foods will be inefficient if they exist at all. This means, a full investigation into what is causing the body to react in this way.

A true food allergy will cause an immunologic reaction. The Immune system is over-stimulated by a certain food or allergen and attacks the body. The body will manufacture immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies which will react to the food or allergen and cause the immune system to release histamines and other chemicals causing an “allergic” response. Symptoms can be as little as bloating, diarrhea, constipation, to skin rashes, swelling of the throat, face tongue to loss of consciousness and in fact death.

Food intolerance is a condition where adverse effects occur after eating a particular food, combination of foods or an ingredient in a food. These could be headaches, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, skin irritation, blocked sinuses, tiredness etc. and can occur at anytime from eating to 72 hours so it is really hard to detect which particular food or combination of foods that has been eaten that has caused the symptoms.

This is not necessarily an immune response it is due to a compromised digestive system, often associated with candida and parasites and too much of one particular food which will cause the system to become compromised.

The most common food intolerances, in order of frequency are milk, eggs, nuts, fish/shellfish, wheat/flour, chocolate, artificial colours, pork/bacon, chicken, tomato, soft fruit, cheese and yeast. This is why it is so important to follow my 30 day plan as this cleanses you of all these foods so that we can get a great foundation for future health.

Some food substances can act like drugs, particularly if taken in large quantities. The most familiar of these substances is caffeine, found in tea, coffee, chocolate and cola drinks. A large intake of caffeine can cause tremor, migraine and palpitations. Other pharmacologically active substances found in food include histamine, tyramine, tryptamine and serotonin, which may be consumed in foods such as red wine, cheese, yeast extract, avocados and bananas. In susceptible people, these foods can trigger urticaria, facial flushing and headaches.

If you read the article on molds, you will also see there are many factors surrounding the food you are potentially eating and this will compromise the gut and the immune system.

Coeliac disease is a gut intolerance to a protein found in wheat, called gluten, it would not be considered an allergy. The symptoms of coeliac disease are controlled by following a gluten-free diet (see article on gluten intolerance). It is unknown exactly why or how gluten harms the gut, although it is now thought to be an abnormal immunological response rather than an enzyme deficiency. It is still not considered to be a food allergy in the true sense of the definition, although it causes great discomfort for the sufferer.

Many other digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, headaches, migraine, menopausal symptoms and pre menstrual tension can all be directly linked to foods.

Depending on severity of condition, length of time suffered, a change of diet, supplementation and healing remedies are all that is needed to restore good health and vitality.

Follow my 30 day plan and you will be feeling better than you have in years, or for more help please contact me.

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