#ill probably continue the reactivation challenge

[lesbiangerman]

haven't been here in a while huh? not a lot was going on except my energy being at an all time low but the language journey is all about the ups and downs so im not giving up or anything :)

ive actually signed up for a great korean course and found out that my favorite method of learning is reading books in my target language so that's great! i bought a A2-B1 german translation of the grimm brother's fairytales and holy shit what a confidence boost it was lmao. amazing feeling when i read it and understand the meaning without much problem.

probably also why i don't learn well from flashcards, turns out i need full sentences.

[madrivervalleyicelandics]

Topline development and postural rehab results after 5 months in my program for Hamingja, a mare who was initially sent to me for training in May. I ended up becoming her owner this summer. I wish I had better photos but because she wasn’t one of mine and I generally don’t post much about client horses, I didn’t take great intake photos and I’ve been lazy ever since. These progress pics are Tumblr exclusives 😉 in that I’m not posting them anywhere else for now.

Along with behavioral issues on the ground, this mare initially presented with a wasted topline and some of the weakest, most hollow obliques I have ever seen on a working Icelandic horse (which is what I tried to demonstrate in that May photo where my hand is resting over her obliques). She was being used in a trekking program and had been sold to a very kind someone who pretty quickly realized something was off about the horse and brought her to me for help.

Now, before I say more, I want to say this:

The owner who brought Hamingja to me had owned her only a very short time and had scarcely ridden her at all, realizing that something was wrong. I want to be very clear that her previous owner is not at fault, and that I do not know nor do I want to know how the horse was trained before this or where the problems originated. It doesn’t matter and my purpose in posting about this horse is not to speak ill of anyone, least of all other professionals who have had a hand in this mares development. For all we know, these issues originated with a pasture injury that no one caught in time. It can happen to the best of us. Knowing her past isn’t relevant to healing her future, and healing her future is my only goal as her trainer and steward.

Regardless, here’s what I wrote about her in a past post, which I think sums up her initial symptoms pretty well:

“Hamingja arrived with some behavioral issues on the ground that seemed to me like they might be pain-related (fidgety, jumpy, hard to catch, hard to lead - always rushing ahead/crowding handler, girthy, pulling back and occasionally even breaking things when tied, etc.). Although she was a trained riding horse who had worked with beginners in the past, rather than jump right into under saddle work I decided to try to address these behaviors first. We did bloodwork, balanced her hooves and teeth, and did a full body evaluation with our vet. We found she was very lacking in topline, and had reduced range of motion in her hip joints. When I lifted a hind leg and brought it forward, she would try to snatch it back, but if I held it (in, for example, the position a farrier might use, which is also a stretch I commonly do for the Psoaz), she would actually lose her balance and begin to fall, which caused her to panic (understandably!). Our vet worked on her and found that the tightness in her hips seemed to be related to tension and weakness in her lower back. So I did three months of in-hand work with her before even thinking of sitting on her. At first she did not want to raise her poll above wither height, preferred to curl her nose behind the vertical, and found it difficult to trot in hand or on the longe without losing balance and gait-mixing with tölt, pace, or canter. When she did lose her balance, I observed that she became extremely fearful and reactive - a bit like spooking at nothing, but it wasn’t nothing - she was afraid of the lack of control she had over her body.”

I have clicker trained Hamingja every step of the way. When I began working with her, she was the most shut-down horse I have ever worked with and as such took the longest to of any horse I have ever trained to begin engaging with the target. She learned quickly, almost immediately understanding what I wanted, but then she would stare into space and stop engaging. It took a lot of patience and letting her choose when to walk away from and end the sessions, and a lot of very high value rewards before I could get any consistent interest in working with me.

She would ping back and forth between staring into space with a glazed expression, and explosive behavior that was certainly unsafe. Once she was no longer shut down and felt comfortable expressing herself, the first thing she began saying was no. I wondered how many years she had been saying no, and been misinterpreted or ignored. Based on the muscle wasting, tightness, and pain in her back and hind end, and the limited mobility in her hip joints (all, just to reiterate, diagnosed and assessed by professional DVMs - this isn’t just my opinion), my guess was that she had probably been trying to tell people that she was uncomfortable for a very long time before her behavioral symptoms became so unpleasant.

In any event, once she began to engage with me consistently, and became less shut down, we then went through a phase where she was very, very reactive. For a couple of weeks, she reared at some point during every single season, sometimes many times. It was her go-to when she felt physical discomfort or felt overwhelmed and while it’s certainly not a safe behavior, it is a normal equine behavior. I did not use positive punishment because I felt strongly that Hamibgja’s extreme behavior was likely the result of far too much positive punishment. Instead, I worked her only in places where she had space to rear safely, and used extinction on the behavior (remained calm, did not react positively or negatively to the behavior, and continued to train and reinforce the things I DID want). Before long, the behavior disappeared as she found emotional control and comfort through her training.

Training a horse with chronic pain is challenging. Hamingja is not a spooky horse, but she was reacting, strongly, to pain in her own body. She was afraid of pain. She had lost a lot of range of motion because her nervous system was protecting itself. In order to help her become comfortable again, she had to start moving - safely and incrementally, in a rehabilitative program. But of course she had no reason to trust that I wasn’t just going to force her to do things that hurt indefinitely, so things were challenging for the first three months or so. Once she began to trust me, she began to feel better and once she began to feel better, she began to trust me more, and feel more better, and trust me more, and so on and so forth.

My original assessment of Hamingja based on her muscular development and behavioral symptoms was that she would take a full year of rehab. Now that we are 5 months in and seeing excellent progress, that assessment still stands. Currently, she has progressed to short hacks waking up and down hills, in addition to her in-hand and under saddle work in the arena where I focus mainly on slow, stabilizing work to strengthen her weak areas and allow her to bear weight and move comfortably again.

From the photos I think it can be seen that her topline has improved tremendously, but there is still a long way to go in bringing her to a place where she trusts herself as a comfortable, robust athlete. I feel like after 5 months I have only brought her, finally, to a good neutral. From here, the real work (and fun!) begins.

[woofwalkies1-blog]

The definition of Stress is “a physiological or biological response to a stressor such as an environmental condition. Stress is the body’s way of reacting to a condition such as a threat, challenge or physical and psychological barrier”.

We sometimes have to have uncomfortable conversations with dog owners, because as much as we love all dogs, sometimes our environment just isn’t suited to all dogs. FACT!! This doesn’t mean you are a bad dog owner, or you have a bad dog, it just means we are the wrong choice for your dogs needs.

Some people may choose to continue to work with your dog, take your money, and allow your dog to be uncomfortable and or become “stressed”, because they need the business or most likely, they are not noticing the subtle signs that your dog is unhappy, but we don’t work like that, and if your dog is not comfortable here, we will likely discuss this with you and come up with a plan to ensure everyone is happy, both humans and dogs.

Stress can present in many ways with dogs, and this post isn’t about how it is presented but why it is presented, because if you can understand why, then that may help you understand why we don’t want to cause any extra stress for your dog.

We may tell you that your dog is excessively humping, displaying aggressive behaviours, excessively barking, becoming nervous, or simply not wanting to be here. Your dog isn’t being naughty, they are usually stressed by our very over stimulated environment and asking us for help.

I am a biologist, and I am a geek, and I work with 60 dogs a day so let’s talk dog biology.

The Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) are responsible for all of a dog’s bodily functions.

The Peripheral Nervous System controls the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), which is responsible for all involuntary responses by your dog. Involuntary responses being the functions that your dog does not have to think about before doing them.

The ANS never stops functioning, but it will adjust what it does dependant on the situation presented. It increases functions or regulates functions but it never stops functioning, unless due to ill health.

To confuse matters, the ANS splits into 2 divisions:                  

The Sympathetic Division which is stimuli responsive, and controls Critical Survival Responses, think “Fight or Flight," activates stress responses, and your dog does not have any control over what he does, during this type of response. He is being driven by survival. A dog who is threatened or in a stressful situation may react out of character, for example, a dog who is injured may bite you or your vet, this isn’t unusual and this is not a display of aggression or a naughty behaviour, it is a survival response.

Then there is the Parasympathetic Division of the ANS which is responsible for the regulation of every day functions, Heart Rate, Respiration, Hormone Production and Rest and Digest to name a few. Through hormone regulation, the Parasympathetic Nervous System will “normalise” the body after a stressful event. This is how dogs stabilise and return to a normal behaviour, and move on from a stressful situation, and return to a “normal” biological state.

Examples of isolated stressful events, which are usually quickly overcome are the occasional trips to the vet, once yearly fireworks night, loud noises whilst building works maybe taking place or after an accident or injury. These short-term stressors for most dogs can be upsetting at the time of incident, and can cause a dog to present with anxiety and unwanted behaviour, however the stress should quickly dissipate and the body should “normalise” when the Parasympathetic Nervous System recognises the issue and kicks in.

Important to note here is that it can take up to 72 hours, for hormone levels to normalise and this would be subject to NO further stressors taking place. A dog will usually remember such an incident, and will learn in the example of becoming injured or frightened not to put himself in that danger again, he should however not continue to be “stressed," over a one off event.

In cases of continued stressful events, it is much more complex, and difficult to understand, and much more important to treat and take professional advice on, either from a qualified canine behaviour therapist, or your vet.

When we think of dogs who are “Stressed”, “Anxious”, “Reactive”, “Naughty”, “Out of Control” (all terms we hear on a daily basis at Woof Walkies, from clients), we actually need to look at what is happening, on a molecular level, before we can figure out how to treat the situation here, and decide if our environment is suitable for the dog.

Dogs are not born nervous, anxious or stressed. They develop these conditions over a long period of time, following prolonged and repeated release of stress hormones.

As discussed above, in the event of a one off stressor, stress hormones will be released, but then the body will return to normal, usually within 72 hours. The dog will continue to act in a stable, and normalised biological state. If however, a stress trigger is on repeat, for prolonged periods of time, every individual stressful event that takes 72 hours to recover from, builds up, and that 72 hour recovery period, is never met. The dog never achieves a “normal” biological state.

Here is one example of how a dog may become clinically “stressed”. A young puppy in a “normal” biological state with no cares in the world, is taken for a walk to the park. He is on his lead, with nowhere to escape to, and is run at by an over zealous, over friendly, large dog, who knocks him to the floor and jumps all over him, being overly playful. The big, scary, dog is removed from the situation, and pup is physically unharmed, but is left shaken and scared, but his mum looks after him and takes him home to safety.

The puppy is then taken for his walk the following day, and he is again on the lead, and another dog is walking towards him, the other dog isn’t too happy around other dogs but his mum really wants to see the puppy. Sadly, the unhappy dog, lunges at the puppy and really scares him, pup drops to the floor, and the unhappy dog barks really loud at the puppy. Both mums want to chat about the puppy and both dogs continue to be in a “stressed” state. Once again, the puppy finally gets home after his second ordeal, although remember he is already still in a “stressed state," from yesterday, and now has to deal with this on top.

What is even worse is, the neighbours who live next door to the pup have 3 noisy and over playful dogs, and they keep barking over the garden wall at the pup, causing him to be a bit nervous for the rest of the evening. Pup knows they are in the garden, all the time, so every time he goes out into his back yard, he is also becoming stressed by the neighbours dogs, even though, they haven’t hurt him in anyway. All he wants to do is learn to toilet safely.

At this point, pups mum knows he is a bit anxious, he is a bit fearful and timid, but it’s ok, she is sending him to daycare tomorrow and on Thursday and Friday too, whilst she goes to work all day. She can’t wait, as her little pup, will learn to love dogs……won’t he……?!?!

STOP: Puppy has had 3 really traumatic events happen, all associated with dogs, in the last 48 hours, biologically, pup isn’t going to recover from this until Saturday, and that is based on him having no more stress in between. Sending him to daycare is only going to heighten his stress and make him even more fearful of dogs. Unfortunately, we don’t know about the previous events because his mum didn’t tell us, and so we do everything we can to encourage pup to be sociable and probably cause him even more stress, without even knowing it.

After 4 weeks of the pup being continually stressed, and being subjected to more and more stress, including the neighbours dogs continuing to cause the pup to feel uncomfortable, and the pup coming to daycare 3 days a week, we need to look at what biological state the puppy is now in.

The pup has now been subjected to “long term stress”, and the repeated release of Adrenaline, Cortisol and Norepinephrine, mean that the pup is probably presenting with obvious stress signals, such as separation anxiety, reactivity towards dogs, being destructive at home, especially when he hears the neighbours dogs, seemingly unwilling to go for walks, being nervous and unsettled at daycare, excessive barking, humping, excessive grooming, over stimulated behaviour, and loss of appetite, amongst many more symptoms.

As the pup gets older, and continues to stay in this unstable state, and his stress hormones are always active, he is unable to normalise, and he develops behavioural issues, which puts his physical health also at risk. Whilst a dog is stressed, he will likely be in “fight or flight” mode constantly. Dogs when in this survival mode, will have a depressed digestion capacity, and will suffer with a decreased appetite, they are constantly on survival alert and ready to run away, and for that, they do not want a belly full of food, which would slow them down.

The dog is now not eating very well, is quite lethargic, which is probably due to the reduced intake of calories, is losing weight or unable to maintain his ideal weight, he has less energy and will be a lot more susceptible to ill health and autoimmune issues. So now, the dog is showing behavioural issues, not wanting to exercise, not wanting to eat, and appears depressed and dog reactive.

Mum is doing everything to help her pup. Changing his food to see if he’ll eat better, but this gives him a bad belly, which makes him feel poorly, and stressed…….She walks him in new places to see if he prefers it there, but this is an unfamiliar and even more scary place, which makes him stressed. She takes him to puppy training where he will learn to “behave," but this is just more stress. She even tries a new doggy day care, because we say he is unhappy here. BUT this is just new people, new routine, new dogs, he doesn’t even want to be with dogs……..And they have no reference to how pup used to be in his “normal” state…………and so enter the ladder of aggression. This is a separate article, but can you see how this story will unfold…...

If we suggest that your dog is “stressed” at Woof Walkies, it is usually an indication that we believe your dogs welfare is at risk. It is not a cop out by us, and it is not us giving up on a difficult dog. We are really just looking out for their best interests.

Not all stress in dogs stems from other dogs, in-fact it is quite unusual here, most dogs blooming love it, but there will usually be something that you should be able to pin point, which is causing your dog to be “stressed”.

How the dog presents with stress will be dependant on your dog as an individual, but learn what is “normal dog behaviour," attend them canine behaviour and communication classes, not obedience classes, behaviour classes. Your dog doesn’t need to be forced to sit, stay and wait right now, he needs to learn to trust you.

Learn about canine body language, speak to your vet, and more importantly, listen to your dog. They are usually trying really hard to tell you they are not happy, trust them! Don’t let them climb that ladder of aggression because they have no other choice.

Apologies for the dodgy diagrams, they were my starting point, but they maybe a bit more useful for those people who are visual learners.

Any questions ask.

[constantviewings]

The TV Show Trials - Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Based out of the New York City Police Department’s 16th precinct in Manhattan, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit delves into the dark side of the New York underworld as the detectives of a new elite force, the Special Victims Unit, investigate and prosecute various sexually-oriented crimes.

This is the second part of this month’s TV Show Trials – Double Feature. If you would like to read the first part, where I reviewed Law and Order, you can find it here. As stated in the first part of this review, Special Victims Unit is my favourite of the two. As always with anthology series, I will give my opinions on each episode individually before summarising my thoughts on the series at the end.

American Tragedy

A celebrity Southern chef shoots and kills a teenage African-American boy that she thought was a serial rapist. But was her life in danger, or was she just an over-reactive racist?

 This episode is based off of both the shooting of Trayven Martin and several racist remarks made by Paula Deen. This is a good episode overall, the perpetrator is very easy to hate due to her ignorance and blatant racism.

Funny Valentine

Can SVU convince an up-and-coming singer to break away from her abusive hip-hop singer boyfriend before it is too late?

 The parallels between this episode and the incident between Chris Brown and Rihanna are loud a clear, so much so that they name drop the real-life inspiration in the episode. Once again, the perpetrator is very easy to hate, and though I tried my hardest I couldn’t help but blame the victim slightly for what happened to her in the end.

American Disgrace

A basketball legend is accused of raping multiple women, but exactly what role did the powerful CEO of the sports apparel company who had a contract with him play in the situation?

 The immediate ties between this episode and its real life counterpart are harder to spot due to the fact that it mixes together elements of multiple cases. This is most likely the reason that I found this episode less enjoyable than most others.

Pornstars Requiem

Two college students are accused of raping a classmate who had appeared in a series of violent online pornographic videos.

 All this episode left me thinking is: can’t people just treat sex workers like they’re normal people (because they are). Just because someone works in the adult entertainment industry does not mean you can assume what rights they do or don’t have. This episode did bring another main element forward, it was this episode that finally gave me a favourite character, Rafael Barba.

Influence

Rock star Derek Lord goes on a national talk show and lectures about the abuse of psychiatric drugs. Meanwhile, an unstable young woman loses her virginity, goes off her prescribed medication, gets behind the wheel of a car, and mows down 10 people. As these events are played out in a highly charged way, the argument about prescribed “meds” is challenged.

 God, this episode pulled some very strong opinions and feelings from me. I don’t think I can support Tom Cruise, as an individual, after learning of his blatant disregard for the psychiatric profession. Apart from the Tom Cruise inspired elements, this episode is an original concept separated from famous events and it raises a serious debate about whether you can convict someone who is affected by mental illness that inhibits their reasoning abilities.

Sick

Two children claim that they were molested by a billionaire.

 Before this episode, I had no clue that there where paedophilic allegations towards Michael Jackson; call me ignorant all you want. I won’t present my personal views on the real-life situation here; but I might in a full review of Leaving Neverland. But, I can say for certain that this episode left me feeling sick.

Blood Brothers

A pregnant 13 year old girl from Washington Heights claims that the son of an ambassador raped her, but the accused goes missing before SVU can question him.

 I never thought I would watch something where the main premise is that of a child killing another child, but here I am. This episode drew inspiration from the Arnold Schwarzenegger scandal from 2011, where he cheated on his wife with a housekeeper who then becomes pregnant with his child and has him play the mother for child support. All these elements are used in this episodes, with an extra sprinkling of child murder to spice things up a bit.

Personal Fouls

SVU investigates an accusation that a revered high school basketball coach sexually abused his players, but they ultimately may need the cooperation of a reluctant pro superstar to make case.

 This episode brought with it some ups and downs, it contained my first recognisable celebrity cameo with Aaron Tviet and the main disappointment that there were no court scenes; which are easily my favourite parts of the show.

Selfish

An immature, irresponsible young mother is assumed to have killed her child, but it turns out to be part of a measles outbreak. A.D.A. Cabot then goes after the mother of the child who started the outbreak, who refuses to immunise him.

 This episode features another easily recognisable celebrity cameo, Hillary Duff. This episode combines the polarising anti-vaccination community and irresponsible mother Casey Anthony; who killed her daughter so she could have a social life. This episode is packed with drama and entertainment value as we encounter twists and turns with this case.

Game

The squad is at a loss on what to do with a violent homicide when Stabler’s son points out that the event is straight out a video game. Interviewing the game’s creators leads them to a former employee, who then leads them (with a few other steps along the way) to a teenage couple who claim to be unable to distinguish fantasy from reality.

 This was probably the least entertaining episode of those I watched. This episode doesn’t revolve around a specific crime, but the topic of violent video games; specifically the Grand Theft Auto franchise. I wasn’t very engaged throughout this episode, as it lacks a clear through-line to keep my attention over the course of it.

Monogamy

The case involves the beating of a seven-months-pregnant woman, whose unborn child has been torn from her body via a primitive caesarean section. Among the many witnesses questioned is the woman’s husband, a psychiatrist with several devastating secrets and knows more about his wife’s beating than he’s willing to admit.

 This episode has, hands down, the best ending out of all the episodes I watched; and is maybe my favourite episode from SVU.

Babes

The grisly murder of a homeless man leads detectives to four high school girls with a pregnancy pact. But after their pact is revealed, somebody drives the girls’ ringleader to an apparent suicide.

 The only note I made about this episode was the boyfriend of the ringleader acted well, so this episode must have been pretty average for me to not write anything else.

Imprisoned Lives

The case of an abandoned seven-year-old boy in Times Square leads to the shocking discovery of two women locked in a basement cage by their abductors for nearly a decade.

 The obvious inspiration for this episode was Ariel Castro. I somewhat enjoyed this episode, but while watching it I couldn’t help but think of Room.

Scavenger

The entire SVU squad races against the clock to solve the puzzles and uncover clues scattered throughout NYC by a serial killer who is taunting then to find him and the next victims on his list.

 This is a really good episode that kept me on my toes the entire time. I don’t have much else to say other than this was the best episode I watched; hands down.

Head

A coprophillic Cyber-Peeping Tom catches a child abuse case on video.

 This is a mildly interesting episode based on the Mary Kay Letourneau case, who raped and was impregnated by their 13-year-old student. Though, the episode incorporates a brain tumour that caused the perpetrator to have paedophilic urges, which is extremely interesting.

Overall, I like SVU more than it’s predecessor and I am quite likely to continue watching it; but casually, as compared to full-time.

[girlaboutcampus]

How I optimised my social media for my mental health

cw: this blog post contains references to food, fitness and dieting culture. 

A few years ago I was working for a chain bookstore over the festive period, mostly on the tills serving customers and occasionally dealing with enquiries and shelving. There was blissfully minimal phone answering too. Bookshops tend to stay pretty busy after Christmas with sales, folks coming in to buy something to read in their remaining time off and to buy dieting books. When I clocked in to take my shift on Boxing Day, there had already been a table of dieting and fitness bibles set up, all on two-for-one deals. Whilst I’m sure this table was set up on corporate instruction, it left a bad taste in my mouth. Bookshops are by no means safe spaces- they’re a place you should go to look for material that challenges and stretches your beliefs, as well as things to help you relax.  However, I don’t think they’re a place you go to be judged for your lifestyle, especially if you’re just on the way up to grab a muffin and latte with friends in the cafe. In many ways, this is the experience of being on social media in microcosm.

This summer, I had a bit of a meltdown, which I’ve talked about a little before. Without university to occupy me, I became obsessed with going to the gym. When I didn’t see results as quickly as I had in the past, I started to hyperfocus on my appearance and weight. It quickly became clear that I’d got myself into a dark place, so I started going to see one of the counsellors at my university (which is an enormous privilege you should make the most of if you also have access to it). It became clear to me, in talking to my counsellor, that a lot of my problem was down to the space I had curated for myself on social media. The fitness board I maintained on Pinterest meant that the algorithm was constantly generating unattainable bodies, diet foods and problematic motivational statements. From following some of my younger brother’s school friends on Instagram, I began to feel bad about not having the body shape of a teenager anymore. I decided to clear a whole day to go through all my social media and make it as much of a hospitable space for my mental health as possible. I should be clear at this point that this might not necessarily work for you, though I found it to be incredibly helpful. I’m sharing in the hope that it might make a little difference for someone else. I’ll start with the easier social networks and work my way up to the big guns. 

Facebook

This one might be more difficult for you depending on how much use you get out of Facebook. Personally, I use it mostly for keeping up with events, messaging friends and updating family members. One thing you can do if you only use it for the latter two is delete the Facebook app and just keep Messenger, that way you have to be on an actual computer to check facebook. If you don’t want to delete the app, then start to take advantage of the mute button. You can go through the hassle of sitting going through your whole friend list, removing people you no longer talk to, see, or are interested in keeping up with (you can let go of some people from school at this point, face it). However, I find that the experience of unfriending people can actually make me feel more anxious. 

The best thing I do- and this one isn’t something you can necessarily do in one day- is mute or unfriend as I scroll down my feed. If someone I once met in a job I had four years ago starts posting offensive and ill-informed political memes to my feed, that’s their time to go. If a friend’s mum posts a lot of things about her New Year’s diet, she’s going to get muted for the time being. If a friend posts a photo of her super cute baby, that’s getting a big heart react- give me more of that good shit. A big part of all of this stuff is trying to train your algorithm to show you the stuff you want, even if it fights back. 

Twitter

First huge bit of advice- block all the bigoted reactionaries. That’s your Piers Morgans, Katie Hopkinses, Julia Hartley-Brewerses and that girl who worships guns. This isn’t me openly advocating shutting yourself out of political discourse, or creating some kind of political echo chamber for yourself.  It’s just starving people who thrive on outrage of the attention they crave. I don’t care if you have a witty rebuttal. They don’t deserve your attention, views or clicks. Try to find professional journalists, politicians, and pundits whose expertise you can trust and who conduct themselves ethically and responsibly, rather than trying to just get clicks for their work. Also, read whole articles and think pieces rather than just the headlines. Headlines are often written to stir up outrage over something that just isn’t outrageous.

 Find tweeters who make you laugh, make good art and whose voices you’d like to amplify. 

Instagram (and Tumblr) 

Now we’re getting into the heavy lifters. It seems to me that the more image-dense the platform, the worse it can be for your mental health, especially if your mental health is tied up in your body image. Instagram and Tumblr might be the platforms to be most cutthroat with. What you decide to do with this one is really deeply personal, but I would suggest going with your gut and unfollowing and muting anything that makes you feel less than, no matter how nice the person running it seems. My first call was to unfollow more or less everyone who’s ever breathed in the general vicinity of a Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. A lot of these models seem to be lovely women, but their lifestyles and bodies are the definitions of unattainable. The one exception I make to this rule is Chrissy Teigen because her content is all about earnestly enjoying food, family and travel. Plus, she doesn’t take herself too seriously. Instagram also has a useful feature that allows you to mute stories, posts or both at your own discretion. That way if there’s someone you follow who posts great travel photos but is always talking about weight loss in their stories, you can filter out that content and keep what you like. I found that, personally, having fewer bodies in my line of sight is for the best. I like to maximise the presence of delicious food, cute animals and uplifting messages I follow. Here are some favourites:

Nigella Lawson

Shila and Eddie the Pomeranians

withlovelinh

Hannah Witton

Demi Adejuyigbe

Pinterest

This is the daddy of all the image-based platforms. Whilst probably the least popular of all the platforms listed here, it probably has the most potential to do harm. Don’t get me wrong, I love Pinterest. It is one of the most easily spaces online and the fact that it is image focused means that there is very little text involved, so it’s an ocean of calm compared to a platform like Twitter. However, it also has what might possibly be the most reactive algorithm of any platform. This is broadly a helpful tool, allowing you to locate the exact material you’re looking for, but it can really double down on any harmful material you put into it. It’s the internet’s worst enabler. In this sense, spring cleaning it is work. I got rid of my fitspo board and replaced it with one more focused on self-care. This didn’t mean getting rid of all my fitness-focused stuff- I still pin specific exercise routines- but I don’t pin #bodygoals stuff now.  A very important part of changing this is being conscientious of what I am choosing to repin. Specifically, I have to ask myself 

“Do I really like this hair/ makeup/ clothing, or do I just want to look like the model?”

If the answer is no, I will ask Pinterest to remove it from my feed. Pinterest also has a zero-tolerance policy for content that encourages eating disorders and self-harm so you can report anything like that. Whilst Pinterest will continue to show you things after you have deleted the boards you can, over time, train it to show you more of the things you want to see. I’ve finally got it to a point where I’m seeing things that make me feel bad far less frequently. 

All of this is work and requires a conscious effort from yourself to remove things that are harmful before they get to you. This system isn’t perfect and you will continue to see garbage some of the time. It is still possible to optimise what you’re seeing in order to feel less anxious and down on yourself. Do keep in mind, that it’s just a small part of your life and that if you are genuinely concerned about your mental health to talk to a professional if that is something you are able to access. Also, this isn’t an alternative to minimising your screentime, which we should probably all try to do a little more. 

Happy new year! 

More like this 

You are doing enough. 

Did I Keep my 2018 Resolutions?

[marnoffam71]

Introduction -

Hii! My name is Amanda ♡ and I am 18 years old living with different chronic illnesses.

I have been diagnosed with Dysautonomia: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Fibromyalgia (FM), Myoclonic seizures, Reactive Hypoglycemia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME, PTSD, & more. I’d hate to list them all but these affect me the most. Every day is a struggle because I never know what symptoms could flare up and when and why. There’s always a lot of questioning envolved when I’m trying to figure out what caused the flare. I usually rarely know what causes it. But basically I became really really sick at the age of 15. I was a month post-HPV vaccination. And I know you’re probably going to judge me based off of this, it doesn’t matter though because its my story.

I’m going to try and summarise the best I can. Basically, at the age of 15, I became chronically ill. The main symptoms that affected me at that time was major blood sugar issues, hypoglycemia, weakness and chronic pain. I always had a feeling like I would faint, but I rarely did. Skip a few months and I’m finishing my sophomore year. I go to my junior year of high school and everything changed. My health began declining. It wasn’t as bad as my senior year though. Although I did have POTS and Dysautonomia, I managed to get fifth in the state for Arizona Marching Band Association. The Thunderband made it to fifth place out of the entire state. And no, it wasn’t easy at all. I had to push my body to the max, no matter how bad I felt I pushed myself because I knew i could make it to the end. Every time we marched on the field, it wasn’t easy. It took a lot of determination and persistence.

Now let’s skip to before I graduated. I was getting diagnosed with things I never expected. Like Vocal Chord Dysfunction, Fibromyalgia, and seizures. This summer wasn’t easy at all. My symptoms were up and down. High heart rate, resting around 125 every day just by sitting. It was exhausting but I managed to get through the two free college classes this summer. I also started my own organization for chronic illness fighters. It’s called Beads of strength. In this, I send packages and orders of beads to recipients to brighten their day and log their journey as they fight along. We recently started making BOS cards to send as well! I enjoy helping others and making them smile!

We’re super happy to see how everyone is enjoying it. Throughout March to June, things were staying about the same and I was mostly inside, but also outside when I felt up to it. I started this semester of college doing pretty well, but my health has continued to decline and I’m unable to go to college at the moment. I was bedbound for several months due to an increase of symptoms. We started b12 injections when we checked my levels, it’s helped so much. At the moment, we are focusing on symptom management as my nervous system is fully dysfunctional. New symptoms can show up and it’s pretty scary. Seizures were discovered from all the neurological testing I’ve had done. We found out that I have myoclonic, atonic, and clonic seizures.

Despite all of this going on, I am a published author and I just finished the National Novel Writing Month challenge with more than 50k words. I’m still working on it and hoping to get it edited and published one day! Not only do I enjoy writing, but I also enjoy arts and crafts like cards and puzzles.

[universedesiccant]

Desiccant Product Manufacturer

Desiccant Capsules providers

Maybe this is the hottest and useful thing on the planet. It's been used since several years at the manufacturing components. It's also a very crucial thing in pharmaceuticals, compound businesses and so forth. It really is but one of those fundamental items employed in filters. Silica gels can be utilized for adsorption. This is actually a process whereby the impurities from water have been all removed. These impurities collect on the top of protein gel. Thus, silica-gel is quite essential for purification of drinking water. Besides removing impurities, in addition, it adsorbs certain minerals . This also boosts the quality of drinking water. Thus, silica gel can be quite a helpful item. A variety of manufacturers want regular distribution of aloe vera. Thus, it's extremely crucial to possess a silica-gel supplier that offers premium excellent material. Big businesses receive yourself a source of silica gel out of big silica-gel manufacturer businesses. With a normal source of excellent quality silica-gel, purification procedure is going to be looked after easily. Thus, it's extremely crucial that you acquire yourself a fantastic source of this particular material. There are lots of silica gels, providing businesses. Silica gel can be found in a number of colours and forms. Every one of those variations has their particular benefits. Thus, businesses desire silica dyes in large amounts. Its porous temperament makes it effortless to adsorb impurities onto its own surface. It's affordable and works nicely. These features contribute to its wide usage.

That really is just another helpful material employed in most places. A desiccant is a chemical which aids keeping in mind the environment dry. It lessens the moisture content at the area and so prevents compounds out of shifting thanks to water. That is essential for compounds. Thus, compound businesses use this chemical on a big scale. Such a substance is quite vital in most places. It really is but one of those moisture absorbers. Since water material from the atmosphere might spoil lots of helpful goods, desiccants can be used widely to avoid this from happening. Desiccants generally stop the current presence of water throughout the process known as adsorption. The water molecules accumulate on the face of these chemicals and may therefore be eliminated. Thus giving more life to the substances that might be readily turned into unworthy by responding with water. Because so most places possess moist states, such compounds prove very beneficial for changing the ecological illness. Desiccants play a important part to keep a variety of services and products in good shape. They're an equally significant part storage of such services and products. In most places, they have been also used throughout the chemical reaction between various substances to find the preferred product. Desiccants are likewise an essential chemical in the food market. Ever since packed food could possibly get cluttered in regards in contact with moisture, desiccants have been utilized to avoid this from occurring. There are lots of kinds of these chemicals. Desiccants are utilized dependent on their physiological conditions and their capacity to answer various things. These would be the 2 chief aspects which can be thought before using desiccants. There are various providers of these chemicals. Because so most businesses utilize them, it's crucial to have desiccants from the ideal source. Many fabricating units concentrate for making those substances. Chemical organizations start looking for a trustworthy desiccant supplier. Probably one of the very useful desiccants can be that a molecular sieve. This is definitely an remarkable thing. It's used widely owing to the effective usage as well as result. It's used for specific absorption of particular substances. It's created in a way that it works perfectly to adsorb just smaller molecules. The human body with this sieve contains small pores that will make it hard for larger molecules to experience. Even the smaller molecules are adsorbed that so separated. Thus, it offers contributes to easy methods. These pockets work well in the right separation of items centered on how big these molecules. Ergo, undesired things might be taken out of the blend of numerous substances. There are various kinds of such molecular sieves. They're utilized due to these easy usage. With these kinds of matters, it will become an easy task to distinguish various substances in chemical businesses. They're particularly utilized to distinguish the numerous pollutants from eachother. These things are employed when no other process enables you to different substances from the mix. With good usage, businesses obtain the specified results in several easy ways. All these sieves are available commonly in chemical businesses. For the correct functioning of these sieves, then they have to be produced together with accuracy. The pores of those sieves needs to really be built in a way they adsorb the ideal molecules. Thus, it's crucial to possess a suitable molecular sieve manufacturer. With the manufacture of such goods, many businesses will benefit by the using such sieves.

As its name implies this really is a card which shows the moisture content from the atmosphere. Since moisture plays a main part in changing their condition of varied services and products, it's necessary to continue to keep this variable under assess. With all these cards, it will become simple to find the ideal moisture information. Thus, the usage of these goes together with the measures used to regulate humidity. All these cards have been made in a manner that they allow it to be simple to grasp the content. It's a moisture sensitive compound that affects whilst the moisture rises. There are lots of complex humidity signs which found in lots of businesses. A whole lot of humidity index cards are created in a way that people discover that it's simple to see the fluctuations in humidity from studying them. There are signs written on these cards. This makes it straightforward to utilize these cards from businesses.

These chemicals require a special reference. They're utilized because of their easy accessibility and effective outcomes. Carbon adsorbents are essentially carbon atoms which consume dirt contaminants. Thus, they're employed at plenty of businesses. Since purification is quite vital oftentimes, businesses strain on the using premium quality carbon adsorbents. With these kinds of goods, purification turns into a simple endeavor. Thus, it's crucial to make use of carbon adsorbents. Considering these adsorbents different an extensive selection of impurities, their usage is extremely crucial. With no, businesses might need to spend money on lots of procedures for removing those impurities.

As cotton is quite decent for its practice of adsorption, it's commonly utilized in chemical businesses. Cotton brings impurities that stay glued to its own surface. This effortless mechanism may be utilised in businesses for effective separation of varied combinations. Throughout the practice of fabricating a variety of compounds, cotton coils might be useful for dividing the impurities once the ideal product can be available. As they have been available readily, folks utilize them all of the time in numerous businesses. Cotton coils are notably found in pharmaceutical and chemical businesses. They aid keep the capsules and tablets at good problems. These cotton coils take advantage of highquality cotton which may withstand pressure and also function well.

Aluminum is found in lots of places. As a result of several options that come with the element, many applications are made as a result. Aluminum tubes are just one item that's truly beneficial. As a result of very low resistance of aluminum, these tubes might be utilized in many chemical businesses. They have been also utilised in construction businesses. In general, these tubes have been found at a great deal of businesses as a result of their simplicity of usage and less reactivity.

Moisture Adsorbing Sheet That is just another item that's used to avoid moisture from destroying materials fabricated in businesses. It's created by hydrocarbons and uses adsorption for producing results. It eliminates the moisture from the services and products, hence keeping them tender. This aids in reducing the consequences of moisture onto the services and products. These sheets come in many manufacturing components. They truly are very popular because of their large surface . These sheets could be changed into horizontal boards too. Thus they have been elastic and also have a great deal of importance. They're used in scenarios where moisture content is quite high.

Concerning Supplier Organizations

These things are utilized on daily basis in most places. With a suitable supplier, compound businesses may benefit into a excellent scope. Thus, there's obviously a demand to get the successful supplier. With this kind of a supplier, businesses can depend on the fantastic grade of these services and products and get exceptional results. Businesses employing such services and products have lots of expectations out of their store. Considering the services and products play a very important part within the manufacturing procedures, they ought to meet all your expectations. Because of this, it's challenging to find the ideal supplier. Many businesses have been in the industry to be the adsorbents supplier. Ever since supplying such items can be quite a significant endeavor, organizations hope, just experienced and expert men and women. If low end services and products are properly used, the creation of these businesses are affected. Thus, to keep up decent quality, substances that provide accomplishment are all used. The history of the supplier organizations is essential. Because there are brand new and advanced services and products coming from the market daily, the supplier corporation needs to be in a position to supply the most useful services and products. With advanced level procedures, businesses can always offer the best outcomes. Thus, new improvements in the compound field needs to be implemented effortlessly. With the usage of complex procedures, energy and time is going to be stored. Chemical science has grown to a fantastic extent. Thus, by means of latest technology and improved procedures, lots of new services and products can be manufactured. It's ideal to get a supplier who's producing an assortment of merchandise. This will offer many choices to big businesses to pick the merchandise they desire. The supplier of those products ought to have a fantastic comprehension of those. It's going to aid with good production and provide fine results. Thus, obtaining a fantastic supplier is quite crucial.

Selecting the Most Appropriate Products

Another huge choice to make could be the ideal selection of the services and products. As there are lots of adsorption substances, it's very important to pick the proper ones. Each product has its own very own benefit. Predicated on the condition, businesses should find the item which best solves the specified situation. There may be a lot more than 1 product which may fit your job. There are a number of other things which need to be looked at while deciding upon the adsorbent. The price tag, simple finding the solution and the effect written by it will be a number of the critical facts to think about prior to picking an adsorbent.

Putting It Together

In general, you can find lots of adsorbents to select from. Since adsorption is this a well-researched procedure, you can find lots of products available that may boost this procedure. The need for adsorption has resulted in lots of fresh services and products which may be useful for greater absorption. Numerous properties of those products should know before with them. This is going to lead to better usage and guarantee exemplary work. With the most useful services and products for adsorption, the significance of the resulting products is going to undoubtedly be rather significant. In regions very purity is quite essential, such adsorption procedure is vital. It's in charge of proper products that are finished at the conclusion of most the manufacturing procedures.

Sorbead India could be producer of supreme quality Adsorbents and Desiccant services and products to fulfill up with the maximum caliber and volume desiccants. A few of the Goods are Activated Alumina, Silica Gels, Container Stains, Molecular Sieves and Oxygen Absorbers.

[biomedgrid]

Biomed Grid | Autoimmune diseases of the nervous system: Risk factors and therapeutic challenges

Prevalence of Autoimmune Diseases

The incidence of autoimmune diseases (ADs) has been tremendously increased during the last years and many research groups around the world have reported clinical complications in autoimmune diseases patients [1-3]. They cumulatively affect 5-10% of the industrial world population and are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality [4]. In fact, the rise in ADs parallels the surge in allergic and cancer conditions while infections are less frequent in the Western societies, supporting the previously described ‘hygiene hypothesis’ [5]. Multiple sclerosis (MS), type 1 diabetes (T1D), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) (mainly Crohn’s disease), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), myasthenia gravis (MG), autoimmune thyroiditis (AT), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), bullous pemphigoid, and Celiac disease (CD) are considered as the most familiar representative examples of ADs [6-7]. The prevalence of ADs is distinctively varying worldwide. For example, the prevalence of MS which is the most common inflammatory demyelinating disease involving the central nervous system (CNS) with various clinical types, varies from high rates in North America and Europe (more than 100 cases per 100,000 population) to low levels in Eastern Asia and Sub- Saharan Africa (2 cases per 100,000 population) [7]. Actually, ADs are one of the leading causes of death among young and middleaged women in many countries of the industrialized world [8]. Unfortunately, despite some ADs like MG, RA, CD, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, T1D, MS, and SLE have gained special attention regarding their prevalence, prevalence data are scares for some other ADs like Guillain Barre syndrome, pemphigoid, phemphigus, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, or pernicious anemia [9]. Some studies have reported annual % increases per year for Rheumatic, endocrinological, gastrointestinal and neurological autoimmune diseases and the results were 7.1, 6.3, 6.2, and 3.7, respectively [6]. Meanwhile, neurological ADs could be considered as the most aggressive one among the other ADs.

Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System

Both of central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) could be targets for ADS either one or together. Autoimmunity in both of the CNS and PNS can manifest as the result of cellular or humoral immune responses to autoantigens. As an example, multiple sclerosis (MS) is a cell-mediated autoimmune disease of the CNS in which both myelin and the cell that produces the myelin are destroyed and consequently, characterized by chronic inflammation, demyelination and gliosis affecting the CNS but usually not the PNS [10]. Limbic encephalitis represents a group of autoimmune conditions characterized by inflammation of the limbic system (Hippocampus and fornix) and other parts of the brain. Despite limbic encephalitis was often associated with an underlying neoplasm (paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis); some cases never have a neoplasm identified (non-paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis) whereas antibodies against proteins associated with voltage-gated potassium channels (LGI1 and CASPR2) were detected [11]. Autoimmune channelopathies have become one of the attractive topics of basic and clinical research in neurologic ADs.

An emerging group of neurological disorders is associated with autoantibodies acting on ligand-gated ion channels (receptors) or on voltage-gated ion channels. The pathogenicity of autoantibodies to ion channels has been demonstrated in most of these conditions, and patients may respond well to immunotherapies that reduce the levels of the pathogenic autoantibodies [12]. On the other hand, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) (also called chronic relapsing polyneuropathy (CRP) or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy) is considered a typical example of an autoimmune disease restricted to the PNS because it is apparently caused by an autoimmune response against one or several antigen (s) on peripheral nerves [13]. Diseases such as CIDP and myasthenia gravis (MG) are considered antibody-mediated diseases of the PNS and neuromuscular junctions, respectively. MG is caused by antibodies targeting the muscle acetylcholine receptor or other neuromuscular junction proteins like muscle-specific kinase (MUSK). These antibodies cause malfunction of the communication between nerve and muscle leading to muscular weakness and fatigue. MG is the prototypic autoimmune neurologic disease, since the antibody targeting the acetylcholine receptor was identified back in the 1970s. “Other autoimmune neuromuscular diseases include Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (which is also a disorder of transmission at the neuromuscular junction), neuromyotonia (or Isaacs syndrome, where antibodies target regulatory proteins on the nerves, causing excessive muscle activity), and autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG) (antibodies target a receptor on the autonomic nerves, resulting in autonomic failure).

Surprisingly, several single cases with combined demyelination of both CNS and PNS, occurring either sequentially or simultaneously, have been reported [14]. An example of ADs affecting both the CNS and PNS is the overlapping clinical spectrum of Miller–Fisher–/Fisher–Syndrome (FS), Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis (BBE) and Guillain–Barré-Syndrome (GBS) [15]. It was supposed that all the three diseases may share a common etiology, as supported especially by the presence of common autoantibodies and antecedent infections, and form a continuous spectrum with variable clinical and anatomical involvement of PNS and CNS [16]. Another example is neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) whereas SLE can involve both the CNS and the PNS. In one clinical study there were 19 distinct syndromes described and it was hypothesized that Up to 65% of child SLE patients develop NPSLE at any time during the disease course [17]. Sarcoidosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that primarily affects the lungs, but can also impact almost every other organ and system in the body. Neurosarcoidosis (NS) is characterized by inflammation and abnormal cell deposits in any part of the nervous system – the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves.

It most commonly occurs in the cranial and facial nerves, the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland [18]. Primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) is a rare inflammatory disorder of the blood vessels of the brain and the spinal cord without any evidence of systemic vasculitis. Antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) have been identified in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs). As in NMOSD, spinal cord and optic nerves are 2 of the most frequently involved CNS sites in combined central and peripheral demyelination (CCPD) syndromes [19] Indeed, the simultaneous occurrence of combined central and peripheral demyelination (CCPD) is rare and data are limited to case reports and small case series [20] without sufficient data referring to etiological aspects of this group of diseases.

Etiology

In general, the etiology of ADs remains to large extent, mysterious [21]. Many research activities have been solely directed to investigate the detailed mechanisms for autoimmune reactivity progression. The situation for neurologic ADs is more sophisticated. However, it seems that autoreactive antibodies are one of the major players [22,23]. The effects of various autoantibodies directed at each specific site of the motor unit cause a specific disease. The question remains standing, why are these autoantibodies formed? Genetic factors may play a relevant role. Like a number of other ADs, myasthenia gravis is associated with a higher-than-expected frequency of certain HLA haplotypes [24]. Probably a number of genetic loci, possibly including B- and T-cell receptor genes, immunoglobulin variable region genes, and class I, II, and Ill MHC molecules, play a cumulative role in determining susceptibility to some ADs, like myasthenia gravis [25]. The associations of myasthenia with these and other markers suggest that there are genes that enhance the ability to produce the autoantibodies of myasthenia. The production of anti-idiotypic (anti-Id) antibodies that may cross-react with autoantigens may also be an important mechanism of auotreactivity in ADs. [26] For example, anti-Id antibodies directed against some primary antimicrobial antibodies have anti-AChR activity [27]. This suggests a mechanism for the induction of the anticarbohydrate antibodies associated with motor neuron diseases and with demyelinating autoimmune neuropathies.

Many viruses use cell-surface carbohydrates as receptors. Viruses may attach to the same carbohydrate structures recognized by the autoantibodies of these neurologic diseases. The proposed mechanism is that the virus recognizes the cell-surface receptor, the viral infection induces the antiviral antibody, the antiviral antibody recognizes the receptor binding site on the virus, the anti-Id antibody is produced against the antiviral antibody, and the anti-Id antibody cross-reacts with the cell-surface receptor and becomes an autoantibody. There are many examples of this mechanism in which immunization with a virus, a hormone, or a drug induces antibodies directed at the cellular receptor for the virus, hormone, or drug. [28]. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most common viruses associated with the Guillain-Barre syndrome. Attenuated murine CMV specifically recognizes the sequence of the sugars N-acetylglucosamine-galactose [29]. This is similar to the antigens of autoimmune demyelinating neuropathies. Analysis of a panel of antiviral and antireceptor monoclonal antibodies from mice indicated that some antibodies are produced that are antireceptor autoantibodies and are also anti Id antibodies (react with the antiviral antibodies). Nerve impulse transmission to muscle occurs at the acetylcholine receptor site by the release of acetylcholine, which is counterbalanced appropriately by postsynaptic cholinesterase. In patients with myasthenia gravis, many of these receptor sites are blocked, bound, or degraded by antibodies induced by events arising in the patients’ own thymus glands. As a result of this autoimmune process, patients have a decreased number of normally functioning neuromuscular units and have symptoms of weakness and easy fatigability. Thymectomy is thus a strategy for potentially intervening early in the process of the induction of autoimmunity [25].

Conclusion

Despite the fact that Autoimmune disorders can affect people of all genders, races, and ages, certain risk factors have been proposed by many research groups [30]. In some ADS, some ethnic groups (African American, American Indian, or Latino) are more likely to suffer from the disease than others. Although predisposing genetic risk factors have been identified for various autoimmune diseases, it is understood that they account only for a fraction of the overall disease [31] The gender was introduced as a potential factor when it was noticed that in some diseases, 90% of autoimmune patients are women. In this context, the female hormone could be one of the autoimmune arms that are responsible for developing auotreactivity in some stages [32]. In addition to hormonal factors, environmental factors have been strongly thought to be included in autoimmune reactivity development. Environmental factors make up a significant part of the risk in disease initiation and propagation. The increasing incidence of autoimmune diseases with a high prevalence in Western countries [33] and the rapid evolution of MS in former low prevalence countries like Japan [34] nurture multiple explanatory concepts around environmental triggers.

The so-called hygiene hypothesis aims to explain the increase in autoimmunity in industrialized countries by linking the decrease of infection rates and the increase in autoimmune diseases to a general improvement of hygiene standards [35]. Next to improved hygiene and a gross reduction of infections, changes in dietary habits are one of the most evident Western lifestyle factors potentially associated with the increase in ADs. Additionally, there are many more environmental factors that have been proposed to promote ADs including climate, stress, occupation, cigarette smoking, and diet. The consumption of ‘Westernized food’, including high salt, high fat, high protein, and high sugar intake, has already been associated with increasing prevalence in various diseases. The change of dietary habits has been under intensive investigation, revealing a direct influence on immune homeostasis and on bacterial communities colonizing the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) [36] and the gut microbiota is tightly connected to the immune system and highly involved in immune regulatory processes [37]. IBD has been associated with shifts and variety reduction in the microbiome. This observation has also been made in other autoimmune diseases not directly associated with the GIT [36,38]. However, there is still deficiency in the studies linking the environmental factors to the disease progression in ADs in general and in neurologic ADs in particular.

Immunosenescence & Autoimmunity

The decline in immunocompetence with age is accompanied by the increase in the incidence of ADs. Aging of the immune system, or immunosenescence, is characterized by a decline of both T and B cell function, and paradoxically the presence of low-grade chronic inflammation [39]. It is now globally accepted that aging is related to increased reactivity to self-antigens and loss of tolerance. These was supported by the observations that elderly people experience general systemic inflammation and, at the same time, they aggravate degenerative diseases, which, in turn, increase the risk of developing ADs [40-41]. For example, rheumatoid factors (RFs) are present in up to 5% of young, healthy individuals, and increases up to 5 times in elderly persons. Similarly, the prevalence of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) is higher in healthy individuals over 70 years of age compared to healthy younger adults [42]. It was hypothesized that the aging-associated increase in inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as TNF-α, C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-8, Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1), and regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) could be an important contributor for the development of auotreactivity [43]. Clinical studies have shown that there is a change from Th1 to Th4 (mainly IL-4 and IL-6) in the cytokine profile as age advances [44]. IL-6 is a potent proinflammatory cytokine closely related to disability in patients with RA; therefore, it represents a therapeutic target for this disease [45].

In addition, there are reports of an imbalance between Th17 and Treg cells. A considerable number of IL-17-secreting naïve CD4+ T helper cells have been detected in the elderly in contrast to reduced IL-17-secreting memory CD4+ T helper cells [46]. Autoantibody production such as rheumatoid factor as well as antinuclear, antiphospholipid, and antithyroglobulin antibodies are present during aging [47,48]. Autoantibody production has been attributed to altered T and B cell function [49], especially to the decrease in antibody affinity maturation. This evidence supports the idea that autoantibody levels may be closely related to the clinical characteristics of elderly and to patients with ADs. A striking feature of the aging process is the involution of the thymus. Reduced thymic output has been postulated to induce compensatory auto proliferation of T cells, which can then lead to premature T cell senescence and contribute to immune system abnormalities associated with autoimmunity and aging [50]. Additionally, alterations in apoptosis in T cells may be an important mechanism of autoimmune disease and immunosenescence.

Expansion of CD4+ and CD8- senescent T cells that have lost the expression of CD28 emerge in normal aging and in several autoimmune diseases including T1D, RA, and MS [51] Reports of telomere length (in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)) alteration in patients with ADs such as RA [52] scleroderma (SSc) [53], SLE [54], Wegener’s disease [55], psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis [56], suggest an excessive cell replication with its corresponding telomere erosion. These findings have been interpreted as evidence of T cell accelerated proliferation in the autoimmune process. In aged animals, the antibodies produced are generally of lower affinity and are less protective than those produced by young animals [57]. Dissection of splenic B cell subsets has revealed significant alterations in sub-population distribution as mice age [58]. Specifically, the percentage of naïve follicular B cells declines dramatically, whereas subsets of antigen-experienced cells increase, including poly/self-reactive subtypes such as marginal zone (MZ) and CD5+ B1-like cells, and memory B cells.

Additionally, an increase in lifespan of mature B cells in the periphery of aged mice has been reported [59]. It is therefore possible that autoimmunity may increase with aging by accumulation of longlived B cells with specificity against “neoantigens” that form during one’s life. Others have also postulated that self-reactive memory B cells may become reactivated later in life (recall memory) due to ageassociated reduction in immune tolerance, loss of tissue integrity leading to the exposure of neo-self-antigens, or re-exposure to similar environmental agent(s) that result in aberrant autoimmune response through molecular mimicry [57]. Briefly, there are three main processes that could explain the age- associated autoimmune reactivity phenomenon: 1. thymic involution, 2. intrinsic damage, and 3. chronic antigenic stimulation. Thus, the microenvironments, soluble factors, surface and signal transduction molecules as well as processes such as telomere erosion and infection diseases can result from a decreased immunity through aging. Understanding these mechanisms will make it possible to establish appropriate treatment strategies, optimize responses to pathogens, and improve the quality of life for the elderly

Genetics of Autoimmune Diseases

Despite many research papers have focused on the genetics of ADs, few have discussed the epigenetics of these group of diseases. Epigenetics is defined as the study of all inheritable and potentially reversible changes in genome function that do not alter the nucleotide sequence within the DNA. Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modification, nucleosome positioning, and microRNAs (miRNAs) are essential to carry out key functions in the regulation of gene expression. Therefore, the epigenetic mechanisms are a window to understanding the possible mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of ADs [60]. It was found (Table 1) that the epigenetic changes occurring in elderly people may affect important genes involved in ADs [60- 61]. Growing evidence supports epigenetic dysregulation as a potential explanation for the higher incidence of autoimmune and neoplastic diseases associated with increasing age [62]. Epigenetic mechanisms linking aging to cancer include hypermethylation of the promoter of tumor suppressor genes such as RB1, p16, and Wnt associated factors, aberrant Dnmt activity, loss of genomic imprinting, and chromosomal translocations in hypomethylated DNA sequences [63,64].

Table 1:Summary of epigenetic mechanisms involved in autoimmune diseases [57].

Additionally, several groups have reported that microRNAs (miRNAs), a new class of small non-protein-coding RNAs that negatively affect gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, are regulated by epigenetic mechanisms, exhibit changes in expression during aging, and have an important role in cancer [65], aging and growth control [66]. Interestingly, two groups reported that the expression pattern of miR-155 and miR-146 miRNAs is altered in synovial tissue in RA, suggesting a potential role of miRNA in the pathogenesis of other disorders acquired with age [67]. Epigenetic modifications may also provide a mechanistic link between immunosenescence and autoimmunity. In this context, the role of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1; CD11a/CD18) in the development of autoimmunity and aging was investigated. LFA-1 is an integrin adhesion molecule involved in T cell activation, whose expression increases progressively throughout life [68]. Interestingly, LFA-1 is overexpressed in T cells from patients with SLE, with the extent of the overexpression directly relating to disease activity and responsible for T cell auto reactivity in vitro, and a lupus-like disease in vivo [69]. Additionally, inhibiting T cell DNA methylation with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-azacytidine increases LFA-1 overexpression.

Furthermore, [71] reported that in MRL/MpJ-Fas lpr mice which develop a systemic autoimmune disease with similarities to SLE, loss of LFA-1 significantly protected mice from the development of murine lupus, as measured by attenuated autoantibody formation, and inhibited development of glomerulonephritis, and increased survival compared to control MRL/MpJ-Fas Lpr mice [70]. It was demonstrated that regions flanking the promoter of the ITGAL gene, which encodes for the CD11a chain of LFA-1, demethylate during aging, providing evidence that age-dependent decreases in T cell DNA methylation may contribute to the changes in T cell function and gene expression that occur in aging [71]. Since anti-DNA antibodies are induced by LFA-1 overexpression, these changes may contribute to the development of anti-nuclear antibodies with aging [72]. Indeed, the identification of cell-specific targets of epigenetic deregulation could be used as clinical markers for diagnosis, disease progression, and therapy approaches.

Autoimmune ecology

The influence of environmental exposure on the risk of developing ADs is crucial and hence, the term ‘’autoimmune ecology’’ has been recently introduced. In fact, environment, more than genetics, shapes immune system. Autoimmune ecology is closer to exposome, that is all the exposures – internal and external – across the lifespan, interacting with hereditary factors (both genetics and epigenetics) to favor or protect against autoimmunity and its outcomes [73]. In this context, the immune response to environmental agents in general, and microbiota, cigarette smoking, alcohol and coffee consumption, socioeconomic status (SES), gender and sex hormones, vitamin D, organic solvents, and vaccines in particular will be the whole point [74]. The effect of different environmental factors on the development of ADs has attracted many research groups around the world. Panel findings on studies of the role of environmental factors and development of ADs are shown in (Table 2) [75]. The environmental risk factors associated with ADs are varied as are the underlying immune mechanisms that lead to these disorders. However, many risk factors have been suggested to be potential contributors that have effects on innate immunity, such as toll-like receptor (TLR) activation by xenobiotics, adjuvant effects, and inflammatory responses; B-cell activation; direct effect impairing the immune function, such as T helper 17 (Th17) and T regulatory cells (Treg); post-translational modifications (PTMs) of self-antigens, and epigenetic modifications, mainly DNA methylation (Table 3) [76].

Table 2:

Note: EPW, expert panel workshop; ADs, autoimmune diseases; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; SSc, systemic sclerosis; SLE, systemic lupus erythematosus; ANCA, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody; ACPA, anticitrullinated protein antibody; RF, rheumatoid factor; MS, multiple sclerosis; HT, hashimoto’s thyroiditis; GD, graves’ disease; CrD, crohn’s disease; UC, ulcerative colitis; T1DM, type 1 diabetes mellitus; GSE, gluten-sensitive enteropathy; DEPAP, 1,2-di-oleyl ester; EBV, Epstein–Barr virus; UV, ultraviolet.

Table 3: Environmental factors and mechanisms involved in autoreactivity

Note: TCDD, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin; TLRs, toll-like receptors; Th, T helper cells; UV, ultraviolet.

Figure 1: Epigenetic-environmental interaction [77]. Offspring of pregnant Agouti rodents fed with food rich in methyl donors had a different color of coat (brown, (b)) due to an increased DNA methylation status in the viable yellow allele (A vy allele), in comparison to offspring of pregnant rodents fed a normal diet (yellow or mottle, (a)). Intracisternal A Particle (IAP), Transcription Factor (TF), RNA Polymerase (RNA Pol), Methylated Cytosine (M).

Epigenetics interaction with environment was elucidated through a fantastic study on the pregnant Agouti rodents. In this study, researchers fed pregnant Agouti rodents with food rich in methyl donors such as folate, methionine, and choline. They found that, in comparison to offspring of pregnant rodents fed a normal diet (yellow or mottle, (Figure 1) (a)), the offspring of these rodents had a different color of coat (brown, Figure 1 (b)) due to an increased DNA methylation status in the viable yellow allele (A vy allele). These authors demonstrated that the percentage of phenotypes with a darker brown coat rises as increasing levels of methyl supplement are added to the diet. The lack of a methyl supplement has important implications because it indicates a pattern of future obesity and insulin resistance. In other words, mice with yellow or mottle coats have altered metabolism and obesity. It also results in increased cancer susceptibility, adult diabetes, and twice the mortality seen in normal mice [77].

Microbial Infections & Autoimmunity

Microbial infections are one of the major players in the environmental factors that modulate the development of ADs and there is an ambiguous relation between both of them [22]. Infections may play both a causative role and a protective role in the pathogenesis of ADs. Infections can be triggers of ADs as has been shown in animal models [78]. There are different mechanisms by which infection may trigger ADs. Molecular mimicry, epitope spreading, bystander activation and clearance deficiency are the most studied ones. On the other hand, infections may prevent the development of autoimmunity or even withdrawal of an autoimmune process. This happens as a result of the interaction between microorganisms and the host [79]. Parasitic helminths modulate the immune response towards an anti-inflammatory profile which favors their survival in the host. Thus, helminths are suppressors of the immunological pro-inflammatory process [80]. According to the hygiene hypothesis, the increase in ADs is the result of the reduction in exposure to microorganisms and parasites during childhood [81]. This was supported by the geographic relationship observed worldwide. Many inversed associations have been reported between parasitic infections and protection from ADs (Table 4). Many parasites are able to change the cytokine profile from a pro-inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory profile. This change creates the perfect environmental conditions for them to survive and extend their lives within the host.

Table 4:Helminth anti-inflammatory effect in ADs. Adapted from [82,83ssss].

AD: Autoimmune disease, RA: rheumatoid arthritis, MS: Multiple sclerosis, T1D: diabetes type 1, IBD: inflammatory bowel disease, CD: Crohn’s disease.

Table 5:Helminth derived – molecules with immunoregulatory properties.

Note: Adapted from [85] LNFPIII: Lacto-N-fucopentaose III, SEA: soluble egg antigen, TLR: Toll like receptor, DC: dendritic cells, NES: Excretory-secretory antigen, Cystatins: cysteine protease inhibitors, MIF: migration inhibitory factor, Serpins: serine protease inhibitors, ALT: Abundant larval transcript, HES: Excretory-secretory antigen, AdES: Adult excretory-secretory antigen, NBL: newborn larvae antigen, MLCr: crude muscle larvae antigen, LPS: Lipopolysaccharide.

They may promote the inhibition of IFNα, IL-1β, and IL-17 to suppress the Th1 and Th17 response. They also promote the production of IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β, and the activation of regulatory cells including Treg, Breg, regulatory dendritic cells, and macrophages [82-83]. There is production of different molecules during helminth infections. Some of them are probably having a regulatory effect on the host immune system (Table 5) [84]. It is noteworthy that microbiota is the first barrier against pathogenic microorganisms. They may produce molecules against the pathogens during infection because they occupy the same niche, thus competing for the same place. Fluctuations in microbiota population have been described in patients with ADs [85]. Germ free (GF) mice show deficiencies in T lymphocyte differentiation within the lamina propria in the presence of IgA in mucosal layers and alterations in the homeostasis of Th populations (Th1, Th17, and Treg). In addition, most of the studies have established a relationship between the microbiota inhabiting the gut and its influence on health. Usually, microorganisms that live in the gut are not pathogenic under healthy conditions, and they have a positive effect on the host [86].

Nevertheless, some commensal bacteria may drive the preferential development of Treg while others promote Th17 response and inflammation. These bacteria favor the production of regulatory molecules and cytokines, e.g., Foxp3 and IL-10, which characterize the regulatory cells, Treg in particular. Specifically, species such as Bacteroides fragilis and the genus Lactobacillus and Bififobacterium greatly promote the presence of Treg in the gut. In contrast, a pathogenic phenotype characterized by Th17 response and pro-inflammatory cytokines is promoted by segmented filamentous bacteria such as Firmicutes. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that this kind of bacteria is able to induce the production of IgA in the small intestine. Th17 response certainly has its own positive role in the case of infection control, but it is also critical in the development of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases [87]. Consequently, it has been suggested that differences in the modern western diet could be causing the rapid increase in diseases such as asthma [88]. For example, one study shows how a switching from a low fat, vegetable rich diet to a high fat, high sugar diet could alter the microbiota within one day [89]. Away from the microbiota and the helminths, we have found that plasmodium chabaudi infection in BWF1 mice (the animal model for SLE) have several positive impacts on the disease progression when compared with the non-infected lupic mice [90-93]. Interestingly, when animals were injected with gamma-irradiated parasites, despite being unable to abrogate the lupus-associated pathology, they were in some parameters not as worse as the lupic mice. Indeed, the protective effects that the parasites may exert in autoimmune disease either in animal models or in human subjects needs more and more efforts especially for the aggressive category of ADS, the neurologic ADs.

“Take-home” message

The ADs affecting nervous system have not yet gained enough attention despite being vigorously aggressive. The search for the interaction between the different risk factors and focusing on the environmental (especially microbial) ones may lead to a promising resolution for the therapeutic limitation in this category of diseases.

Figure1: Epigenetic-environmental interaction [77]. Offspring of pregnant Agouti rodents fed with food rich in methyl donors had a different color of coat (brown, (b)) due to an increased DNA methylation status in the viable yellow allele (A vy allele), in comparison to offspring of pregnant rodents fed a normal diet (yellow or mottle, (a)). Intracisternal A Particle (IAP), Transcription Factor (TF), RNA Polymerase (RNA Pol), Methylated Cytosine (M).

Read More About this Article:https://biomedgrid.com/fulltext/volume3/autoimmune-diseases-of-the-nervous-system-risk-factors-and-therapeutic-challenges.000726.php

For more about: Journals on Biomedical Science :Biomed Grid

[rosettaluther]

Tips for Healing Emotional Pain

Tips for Healing Emotional Pain:

Emotional pain often takes much toll on the quality of life than physical pain. The stress and damaging emotions accompanying any frustrating event can even cause bodily pain and illness.

In actual fact, emotional stress is related to health complications including chronic inflammation, increased blood pressure, lowered immune function, increased tumor growth, altered brain chemistry and more.

Of course, emotional agony can be very severe that it will affect your capability to enjoy life and, in dangerous cases, may even force you to question if your life is worth anything.

Let Go of Rejection

Rejection actually triggers the same paths in your head as physical pain, which is a major reason why it hurts a lot. The sentiment of rejection toys with your inherent need to belong, and is so disturbing that it impedes your capability to recall memories, think and make decisions. The sooner you get rid of painful rejections, the better for your mental health will be.

Stop Brooding over what is Gone

When you brood, or ruminate, over something hurt, the memories you echo in your mind only turn out to be increasingly upsetting and cause more fury – without making available any new visions. Basically, while thinking about a painful event can allow you to reach closure or understanding about it, ruminating only increases your anxiety levels, and can really be addictive.

Ruminating on a traumatic incident can also increase the levels of C-reactive protein, a sign of inflammation in the body associated to cardiovascular disease.1

Turn Failure into Something Positive

If you continue to feel high and dry after a letdown, or blame it on your bad luck or inability, it’s likely to reduce your self-confidence. Blaming a disappointment on particular factors within your control, like preparation and execution, is expected to be less hurtful, but even healthier is concentrating on ways you can progress and be better cognizant or equipped so you can do well on next occasion (and attempt once more, so there is a next time).

Make Sure Remorse Remains a Beneficial Emotion

Guilt can be positive because it can discourage you from doing something that may hurt another person (making it a solid “relationship guard”). But guilt that hang on or is too much can weaken your ability to concentrate and appreciate life.

If you still feeling guilty after saying sorry for a wrongdoing be sure you have conveyed empathy to them and let them know that you realize how your actions affected them. This will probable lead to true forgiveness and respite for your remorseful feelings.

Use Self-Affirmations if You Have Low Self-Esteem

While positive statements are brilliant tools for emotive health, if they fall out of the limits of your principles, they may be ineffectual. This can be the cause of situation people with low self-esteem find themselves, for whom self-esteem may be more useful. Self-confidence, such as “I have a good work ethic,” can help to strengthen positive abilities you think you have.

The post Tips for Healing Emotional Pain appeared first on One Night Challenge.

from https://onenightchallenge.net/tips-for-healing-emotional-pain/ from https://onenightchal.tumblr.com/post/184058648865

[chadturner0]

Emotional pain often takes much toll on the quality of life than physical pain. The stress and damaging emotions accompanying any frustrating event can even cause bodily pain and illness.

In actual fact, emotional stress is related to health complications including chronic inflammation, increased blood pressure, lowered immune function, increased tumor growth, altered brain chemistry and more.

Of course, emotional agony can be very severe that it will affect your capability to enjoy life and, in dangerous cases, may even force you to question if your life is worth anything.

Let Go of Rejection

Rejection actually triggers the same paths in your head as physical pain, which is a major reason why it hurts a lot. The sentiment of rejection toys with your inherent need to belong, and is so disturbing that it impedes your capability to recall memories, think and make decisions. The sooner you get rid of painful rejections, the better for your mental health will be.

Stop Brooding over what is Gone

When you brood, or ruminate, over something hurt, the memories you echo in your mind only turn out to be increasingly upsetting and cause more fury – without making available any new visions. Basically, while thinking about a painful event can allow you to reach closure or understanding about it, ruminating only increases your anxiety levels, and can really be addictive.

Ruminating on a traumatic incident can also increase the levels of C-reactive protein, a sign of inflammation in the body associated to cardiovascular disease.1

Turn Failure into Something Positive

If you continue to feel high and dry after a letdown, or blame it on your bad luck or inability, it’s likely to reduce your self-confidence. Blaming a disappointment on particular factors within your control, like preparation and execution, is expected to be less hurtful, but even healthier is concentrating on ways you can progress and be better cognizant or equipped so you can do well on next occasion (and attempt once more, so there is a next time).

Make Sure Remorse Remains a Beneficial Emotion

Guilt can be positive because it can discourage you from doing something that may hurt another person (making it a solid “relationship guard”). But guilt that hang on or is too much can weaken your ability to concentrate and appreciate life.

If you still feeling guilty after saying sorry for a wrongdoing be sure you have conveyed empathy to them and let them know that you realize how your actions affected them. This will probable lead to true forgiveness and respite for your remorseful feelings.

Use Self-Affirmations if You Have Low Self-Esteem

While positive statements are brilliant tools for emotive health, if they fall out of the limits of your principles, they may be ineffectual. This can be the cause of situation people with low self-esteem find themselves, for whom self-esteem may be more useful. Self-confidence, such as “I have a good work ethic,” can help to strengthen positive abilities you think you have.

The post Tips for Healing Emotional Pain appeared first on One Night Challenge.

From https://onenightchallenge.net/tips-for-healing-emotional-pain/

from https://onenightchallengelithuania.wordpress.com/2019/04/09/tips-for-healing-emotional-pain/

[universedesiccant]

Desiccant manufacturers in india

Maybe this is the hottest and useful thing on the planet. It's been used since several years at the manufacturing components. It's also a very crucial thing in pharmaceuticals, compound businesses and so forth. It really is but one of those fundamental items employed in filters. Silica gels can be utilized for adsorption. This is actually a process whereby the impurities from water have been all removed. These impurities collect on the top of protein gel. Thus, silica-gel is quite essential for purification of drinking water. Besides removing impurities, in addition, it adsorbs certain minerals . This also boosts the quality of drinking water. Thus, silica gel can be quite a helpful item. A variety of manufacturers want regular distribution of aloe vera. Thus, it's extremely crucial to possess a silica-gel supplier that offers premium excellent material. Big businesses receive yourself a source of silica gel out of big silica-gel manufacturer businesses. With a normal supply of excellent quality silica-gel, purification procedure is going to be looked after easily. Thus, it's extremely crucial that you acquire yourself a fantastic source of this particular material. There are lots of silica gels, providing businesses. Silica gel can be found in a number of colours and forms. Every one of those variations has their particular benefits. Thus, businesses desire silica dyes in large amounts. Its porous temperament makes it effortless to adsorb impurities onto its own surface. It's affordable and works nicely. These features contribute to its wide usage.

That really is just another helpful material employed in most places. A desiccant is a chemical which aids keeping in mind the environment dry. It lessens the moisture content at the area and so prevents compounds out of shifting thanks to water. That is essential for compounds. Thus, compound businesses use this chemical on a big scale. Such a substance is quite vital in most places. It really is but one of those moisture absorbers. Since water material from the atmosphere can spoil lots of helpful goods, desiccants can be used widely to avoid this from happening. Desiccants generally stop the current presence of water throughout the process known as adsorption. The water molecules accumulate on the face of these chemicals and may therefore be eliminated. Thus giving more life to the substances that might be readily turned into unworthy by responding with water. Because so most places possess moist states, such compounds prove very beneficial for changing the ecological illness. Desiccants play a important part to keep a variety of services and products in good shape. They're an equally significant part storage of such services and products. In most places, they have been also used throughout the chemical reaction between various substances to find the preferred product. Desiccants are likewise an essential chemical in the food market. Ever since packed food could possibly get cluttered in regards in contact with moisture, desiccants have been utilized to avoid this from occurring. There are lots of kinds of these chemicals. Desiccants are utilized dependent on their physiological conditions and their capacity to answer various things. These would be the 2 chief aspects which can be thought before using desiccants. There are various providers of these chemicals. Because so most businesses utilize them, it's crucial to have desiccants from the ideal source. Many fabricating units concentrate for making those substances. Chemical organizations start looking for a trustworthy desiccant supplier. Probably one of the very useful desiccants can be that a molecular sieve. This is definitely an remarkable thing. It's used widely owing to the effective usage as well as result. It's used for specific absorption of particular substances. It's created in a way that it works perfectly to adsorb just tiny molecules. The human body with this sieve contains small pores that will make it hard for larger molecules to experience. Even the smaller molecules are adsorbed that so separated. Thus, it offers contributes to easy methods. These pockets work well in the right separation of items centered on how big these molecules. Ergo, undesired things might be taken out of the blend of numerous substances. There are various kinds of such molecular sieves. They're utilized due to these easy usage. With these kinds of matters, it will become an easy task to distinguish various substances in chemical businesses. They're particularly utilized to distinguish the numerous pollutants from eachother. These things are employed when no other process enables you to different substances from the mix. With good usage, businesses obtain the specified results in several easy ways. All these sieves are available commonly in chemical businesses. For the correct functioning of these sieves, then they have to be produced together with accuracy. The pores of those sieves needs to really be designed in a way they adsorb the ideal molecules. Thus, it's crucial to possess a suitable molecular sieve manufacturer. With the manufacture of such goods, many businesses will benefit by the using such sieves.

As its name implies this really is a card which shows the moisture content from the atmosphere. Since moisture plays a main part in changing their condition of varied services and products, it's necessary to continue to keep this variable under assess. With all these cards, it will become simple to find the ideal moisture information. Thus, the usage of these goes together with the measures used to regulate humidity. All these cards have been made in a manner that they allow it to be simple to grasp the content. It's a moisture sensitive compound that affects whilst the moisture rises. There are lots of complex humidity signs which found in lots of businesses. A whole lot of humidity index cards are created in a way that people discover that it's simple to see the fluctuations in humidity from studying them. There are signs written on these cards. This makes it straightforward to utilize these cards from businesses.

These chemicals require a special reference. They're utilized because of their easy accessibility and effective outcomes. Carbon adsorbents are essentially carbon atoms which consume dirt contaminants. Thus, they're employed at plenty of businesses. Since purification is extremely vital oftentimes, businesses strain on the using premium quality carbon adsorbents. With these kinds of goods, purification turns into a simple endeavor. Thus, it's crucial to make use of carbon adsorbents. Considering these adsorbents different an extensive selection of impurities, their usage is essential. With no, businesses might need to spend money on lots of procedures for removing those impurities.

As cotton is quite decent for its practice of adsorption, it's commonly utilized in chemical businesses. Cotton brings impurities that stay glued to its own surface. This effortless mechanism may be utilised in businesses such as effective separation of varied combinations. Throughout the practice of fabricating a variety of compounds, cotton coils might be useful for dividing the impurities once the ideal product can be available. As they have been available readily, folks utilize them all of the time in numerous businesses. Silk coils are specially found in pharmaceutical and chemical businesses. They aid keep the capsules and tablets at good problems. These cotton coils take advantage of highquality cotton which may withstand pressure and also function well.

Aluminum is found in lots of places. As a result of several options that come with the element, many applications are made as a result. Aluminum tubes are just one item that's truly beneficial. As a result of very low resistance of aluminum, these tubes might be utilized in many chemical businesses. They have been also utilised in construction businesses. In general, these tubes have been found at a great deal of businesses as a result of their simplicity of usage and less reactivity.

Moisture Adsorbing Sheet That is just another item that's used to avoid moisture from destroying materials fabricated in businesses. It's created by hydrocarbons and uses adsorption for producing results. It eliminates the moisture from the services and products, hence keeping them tender. This aids in reducing the consequences of moisture onto the services and products. These sheets come in many manufacturing components. They truly are very popular because of their large surface . These sheets could be changed into horizontal boards too. Thus they have been elastic and also have a great deal of importance. They're used in scenarios where moisture content is quite high.

Concerning Supplier Organizations

These things are utilized on daily basis in most places. With a suitable supplier, compound businesses may benefit into a wonderful scope. Thus, there's obviously a demand to get the successful supplier. With this kind of a supplier, businesses can depend on the fantastic grade of these services and products and get exceptional results. Businesses employing such services and products have a great deal of expectations out of their store. Considering the services and products play a very important part within the manufacturing procedures, they ought to meet all your expectations. Because of this, it's challenging to find the ideal supplier. Many businesses have been in the industry to be the adsorbents supplier. Ever since supplying such items can be quite a significant endeavor, organizations hope, just experienced and expert men and women. If low end services and products are properly used, the creation of these businesses are affected. Thus, to keep up decent quality, substances that provide accomplishment are all used. The history of the supplier organizations is essential. Because there are brand new and advanced services and products coming from the market daily, the supplier corporation needs to be in a position to supply the most useful services and products. With advanced level procedures, businesses can always offer the best outcomes. Thus, new improvements in the compound field needs to be implemented effortlessly. With the usage of complex procedures, energy and time is going to be stored. Chemical science has grown to a fantastic extent. Thus, by means of latest technology and improved procedures, lots of new services and products can be manufactured. It's ideal to get a supplier who's producing a number of merchandise. This will offer many choices to big businesses to pick the merchandise they desire. The supplier of those products ought to have a great comprehension of those. It's going to aid with good production and provide fine results. Thus, obtaining a fantastic supplier is quite crucial.

Selecting the Most Appropriate Products

Another huge choice to make could be the ideal selection of the services and products. As there are lots of adsorption substances, it's very important to pick the proper ones. Each product has its own very own benefit. Predicated on the condition, businesses should find the item which best solves the specified situation. There may be a lot more than 1 product which may fit your job. There are quite a few other things which need to be looked at while deciding upon the adsorbent. The price tag, simple finding the solution and the effect written by it will be a number of the critical facts to think about prior to picking an adsorbent.

Putting It Together

In general, you can find lots of adsorbents to select from. Since adsorption is this a well-researched procedure, you can find lots of products available that may boost this procedure. The need for adsorption has resulted in lots of fresh services and products which may be useful for greater absorption. Numerous properties of those products should know before with them. This is going to lead to better usage and guarantee exemplary work. With the most useful services and products for adsorption, the significance of the resulting products is going to undoubtedly be rather significant. In regions very purity is quite essential, such adsorption procedure is vital. It's in charge of proper products that are finished at the conclusion of most the manufacturing procedures.

Sorbead India could be producer of supreme quality Adsorbents and Desiccant services and products to fulfill up with the maximum caliber and mass desiccants. A few of the Goods are Activated Alumina, Silica Gels, Container Stains, Molecular Sieves and Oxygen Absorbers.

[onenightchal]

Emotional pain often takes much toll on the quality of life than physical pain. The stress and damaging emotions accompanying any frustrating event can even cause bodily pain and illness.

In actual fact, emotional stress is related to health complications including chronic inflammation, increased blood pressure, lowered immune function, increased tumor growth, altered brain chemistry and more.

Of course, emotional agony can be very severe that it will affect your capability to enjoy life and, in dangerous cases, may even force you to question if your life is worth anything.

Let Go of Rejection

Rejection actually triggers the same paths in your head as physical pain, which is a major reason why it hurts a lot. The sentiment of rejection toys with your inherent need to belong, and is so disturbing that it impedes your capability to recall memories, think and make decisions. The sooner you get rid of painful rejections, the better for your mental health will be.

Stop Brooding over what is Gone

When you brood, or ruminate, over something hurt, the memories you echo in your mind only turn out to be increasingly upsetting and cause more fury – without making available any new visions. Basically, while thinking about a painful event can allow you to reach closure or understanding about it, ruminating only increases your anxiety levels, and can really be addictive.

Ruminating on a traumatic incident can also increase the levels of C-reactive protein, a sign of inflammation in the body associated to cardiovascular disease.1

Turn Failure into Something Positive

If you continue to feel high and dry after a letdown, or blame it on your bad luck or inability, it’s likely to reduce your self-confidence. Blaming a disappointment on particular factors within your control, like preparation and execution, is expected to be less hurtful, but even healthier is concentrating on ways you can progress and be better cognizant or equipped so you can do well on next occasion (and attempt once more, so there is a next time).

Make Sure Remorse Remains a Beneficial Emotion

Guilt can be positive because it can discourage you from doing something that may hurt another person (making it a solid “relationship guard”). But guilt that hang on or is too much can weaken your ability to concentrate and appreciate life.

If you still feeling guilty after saying sorry for a wrongdoing be sure you have conveyed empathy to them and let them know that you realize how your actions affected them. This will probable lead to true forgiveness and respite for your remorseful feelings.

Use Self-Affirmations if You Have Low Self-Esteem

While positive statements are brilliant tools for emotive health, if they fall out of the limits of your principles, they may be ineffectual. This can be the cause of situation people with low self-esteem find themselves, for whom self-esteem may be more useful. Self-confidence, such as “I have a good work ethic,” can help to strengthen positive abilities you think you have.

The post Tips for Healing Emotional Pain appeared first on One Night Challenge.

from https://onenightchallenge.net/tips-for-healing-emotional-pain/

[uncle-ak]

What Do You Do When...?

They say; April showers bring May flowers. It is still showering/raining in May. I pray these are showers of blessings because, with the condition of the world at this time, we need to hold on to the slightest glimpse of hope.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month; I used to think it was October. World Mental Health Day is on October 10th. Raising awareness about mental health involves fighting stigma, providing support, educating the public, and advocating for policies that support individuals with mental health challenges and their families.

A sequel from my previous blog post… Have you been or are you on a journey to something non-traditional in your culture, society, community, home? It doesn’t have to be work-related. 

Reflecting on some challenges I have experienced, not directly mental health-related but affected my mental wellness. Background story; a journey to a non-traditional profession in the African community. The first month of grad school was so challenging that it was the first time I thought of giving-up/dropping out. Prior to my grad school experience, I used to make the statement that the only reason I would ever try the Insanity Workout by Shaun T was if something in life drove me insane. Well, guess what, life in grad school was getting me there barely weeks into it. 

It was September 2012, I had just left the financial aid office the third time that week where I was told that my financial aid/school loan application which I completed in July 2012 was not processed. So my tuition and housing weren’t paid for, I couldn’t buy textbooks which cost an arm and a leg and I was pursuing a degree that wasn’t/isn’t “typical” in the African community so who do I call to ask for financial assistance while waiting for financial aid to kick in before I am kicked out of the program? I did have a letter that stated the application was processed but the financial aid office was yet to receive it; something wasn’t adding up. So what do you do when…?

I had about $2000 in checking, about $1000 in savings, a $700 unused credit card, and a reasonably functioning 2004 used car which I drove about 7hours with from Maryland to Massachusetts and the car insurance of $600 due by December for the next six months. I was in a new territory away from family and friends, with no known relatives in the area. I had done some job searching from retail/cashier, to a home aide, to a residential assistant for individuals with a disability but looking at my class schedule, most of the jobs I found were not flexible enough to accommodate that and the locations were all over the place.

It was probably the second week into September 2012 when I left the financial aid office the third time, I found myself at the center of the campus when my binder suddenly dropped from my hand and the binder rings popped open. I didn’t have the energy to pick them up so I just sat on the pavement and watched the wind blow the papers away. I’m not sure how long I sat there but as the papers were flying, I noticed a yellow paper that caught my attention. I somehow dragged myself up, went to the paper, and realized it had the list of resources available on campus one of which was counseling services and fitness classes. One of the exercise classes for that day was… you guess right! The Insanity Workout by Shaun T.

Prior to this moment, I had never considered seeking counseling. I took a course in counseling psychology in undergrad so I had a vague idea of what it was like but I battled with the notion that going to therapy meant I had a mental health condition. Even with that thought process, I felt the need to talk to a “stranger” who would listen from a different perspective. So I found the strength to pick-up my binder and walked to the counseling center. I signed up to receive counseling once a week which continued for the duration of the grad school program while school was in session. After my first intake session, I decided to go try out the Insanity Workout. I always kept workout clothes in the trunk of my car; so I grabbed them and went to the class. I must say it was a good way to take out my frustrations, I kept going two to three times per week for the duration of the semester.

I must say seeking counseling was the best decision I ever made. It didn’t eliminate life challenges, it helped me realize how my thought process amplified situations or how I was self-limiting or how I was unconsciously holding on to the past or holding onto something in the present that wasn’t there or expecting others to act/respond a certain way, or feeling entitled or blaming others for things I had no control over or trying to control things that I couldn’t. 

So the theory part of the grad school was drawing to an end in December 2014, the thought that the counseling sessions were ending gave me anxiety. My counselor gave me a gift with a heartwarming message.

Back in Maryland, from January 2015 to June 2015 I did fieldwork (aka clinical/non-paid internship) Mondays to Fridays in addition to working 8hours overnight on Fridays and 16hours on Saturdays and Sundays. I barely had a social life. Funny how the mini extrovert side of me was trying to override the major introvert side of me during those years in grad school. I was granted a break from fieldwork to go attend the commencement ceremony back in Massachusetts which took place in May. Initially, I didn’t think I was going to attend it because of the workload but my supervisor made it happen. The graduation party took place in June. By August, my classmates were posting on Facebook about passing their board exam and I had not even registered, so what do you do when…?

So I deactivated my Facebook account (I haven’t reactivated it since then) that same month and registered to take the exam by the end of October. In September my youngest brother became seriously ill and in early October I experienced the most heartbreaking betrayal EVER relationship related. It was my first experience of how emotional pain can be mind-numbing. You know how you can take medications for a headache or any physical pain or put heat/ice on a hurting joint and it somewhat feels better? Besides going for long walks and driving in silence to sometimes unknown destinations and using the GPS to return, nothing else helped. 

During this time, I did contemplate seeking counseling services but I didn’t follow through because I felt like I did not want to depend on counseling. Besides I was out of school so I would have to pay for it. I had Medicaid insurance at the time so I assumed the copay was no joke. With that and my brother’s health on my mind, I couldn’t study so I postponed the board exam to November before thanksgiving week because it was the holiday season; thanksgiving, Christmas then New Year. It would have been too much distraction to study including working. I was charged for postponing the exam, money that I didn’t budget for; so add financial burden to emotional pain. The good thing is I wasn’t paying any rent at the time. My only bills were car insurance, phone bill, and taking care of my basic necessities.

Three days before the November exam date, I fell sick and was diagnosed with an upper respiratory tract infection; I started treatment right away. I didn’t want to postpone the exam again. It was more expensive to postpone this time because it was close to the scheduled date. I had not told anyone about taking the exam. Uber wasn’t a thing back then, getting a taxi/cab wasn’t within the budget given the distance and I’m not into inconveniencing people to render me a favor especially since it was last minute and I didn’t want to explain to anyone why I was going to that location. So what do you do when…?

So I drove myself there. I just wanted to get the exam over with. I said to myself, if I don’t pass, then I’ll retake it hopefully with less emotional stress/pain the second time around. I just didn’t want the year to end without at least trying. I don’t recall answering all the questions before the timer went off and the testing screen closed out. I went to my car, took a nap then drove home. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulder.

The results were out a week later. I was at work, I had worked 8hours overnight. I logged into my account and the first thing I saw was PASSED. I took a picture then refreshed the screen to see if it will change but it didn’t. I logged out and logged back in and it still said PASSED. I went to my car. I took a nap, drove home. I logged in on my laptop and the results didn’t change. I logged into the home desktop and got the same results. Do I need to say I was in disbelief that I passed? I checked my results for the next three days and then I shared with family and friends. I would say I didn’t feel comfortable sharing nor asking for anything relating to my journey in the undergrad or grad school because I was pursuing a degree that wasn’t understood and still isn’t understood by a good number of people around me. So I had to do a lot of figuring out on my own.

I later received my certificate via mail with the numerical results. I had 450/600, the minimum required score for passing. My heart stopped for a few seconds. Recounting this got me teary-eyed. My journey from 2009 in undergrad, to my unpleasant experience in grad school (details for another day) to the very trying year of 2015, was about to be over… I can’t put the feelings into words. I had some emotional healing to do, so I decided I won’t start the job searching until after the New Year but it dragged through till the end of January. During this time I reflected on what I had learned during counseling in grad school and did a lot of reading on emotions and the mind for self-healing. 

The first week in February 2016, I posted my resume around 9 AM, by 11 AM I had two interviews scheduled for that week. By mid-February, I had two job offers but they didn’t sit well with me. By the end of February, I reconnected with a friend whom we went to community college together. He was the first African (Nigerian) I knew to study in the field, had recently graduated and was working. He had shared some suggestions/resources on how to study for the board exam. It turns out he was in contact with the regional manager of a location where I did the first portion of my fieldwork/clinical/rotation. That regional manager was looking to fill an open position. Per the regional manager’s words during our communication via text; “based on your work ethic during your time with us, you are hired.” I was in disbelief, he asked for my email and by the next day, I received an offer letter. The rest they say is history…

So what do you do when life throws you curveballs or there’s a sudden stop sign, red light, yield sign, crossroad, speed bump, extremely curvy ramp, exit? I think it all depends on the options available; stop and take a moment to reflect on your why. Why am I thinking/feeling this way, why do I want this to be this or that way? Counseling services can be expensive and sometimes the waiting time to see a counselor could be weeks. Last year I took a class to become a Mental Health First Aider; it’s like CPR for Mental Health. I learned a lot about a number of resources, some of which provide options for those with low income. Link

As I type this, I am reminded of a Stuck in The Middle interview which discusses mental health in the African/African-American community; a topic that is shunned in our community and needs to be addressed more. Link

I am generally on the quiet side depending on the topic of discussion so I have come to realize that my silence may give off the impression that my life has been smooth and dandy. I would say it has taken me a while to write in the first person (I) and share this much depth about me. In my earlier writings, I typically wrote in the third person because it is easier and it deflects attention. Sitting here, recounting/writing this which has taken me years to share this experience in this much depth, I have come to appreciate who I am and who I am becoming more now than before. And with that said, may I share that I am working on bringing to life the book I’ve been writing in my head since 2017. Inspired by Achu Ebong Mba (aka Riflex) the newest published Author in town; No Such Thing As Halfway. Grab a copy if you haven’t yet and joint to the conversation.

[essentialise]

How to Live Well with Seronegative Arthritis in 2020

My journey to becoming a coach and helping others began when I became unwell myself, losing the ability to walk due to seronegative arthritis. As part of my mission to continue to make a positive impact on the lives of those of us who have a chronic disease, I recently took part in some research. Conducted by the University of Liverpool, I was interviewed by Jacqui Whitford-Stark, and below, is an exert of our interview. I hope it provides insight and awareness of how I have managed and lived well with seronegative arthritis.

Before Seronegative Arthritis

1 – To begin with can you tell me what your life was like before your diagnosis?

Before the diagnosis I was very active, I had a young son and I was recently married. I was part of social clubs and sports clubs, so I kind of found myself to be, you know, I was in my 20`s I started to get more aware. I started to look after myself better started to be more social, came out of university into work. Then I started my own business, so I had to make a concerted effort as a small business owner to be more social outside, but yeah, I was relatively athletic, I had hobbies and I was fairly easy going.

2 – Can you tell me what it was like after your diagnosis?

Erm, so, initially I very much struggled, I was diagnosed in hospital. I had, my joints had flared to a point where I couldn’t physically move, I spent 4 weeks in hospital while I was diagnosed and treated to get into a settled place to be discharged. I did find it very difficult. I was referred straight to intensive physio and straight for hydrotherapy. I had acupuncture and other physical therapies, which to be honest with a mindset of really wanting to get back up onto my feet and get moving again and get my quality of life back to as good as it could be I feel the NHS supported me physically, a lot, I’m very grateful that. Naturally, I was then discharged, I did find it difficult, mentally, to go from being physically able and disease-free, to then go to having to be helped to shower and do basic functions. I also lost the ability to very easily go out and socialise or even go for a walk to clear my head and I turned into a bit of a hermit. I was able to carry on my business from home luckily because 95% is on the computer and I was so grateful for that. If I had been doing a manual job I would have been looking at long term sick. Looking back, I was very happy with the help I received physically, I struggled to use crutches because it also affected my wrists and my shoulders. So, getting my mobility was a case of very small increments, small gains, getting back onto my feet, getting a gait that was effective. At first, my gait was compromised that left me in additional pain which was then x-rayed then there was concern that I may have had as, but thankfully that was not the case, it was just compacting due to my gait. I think the big thing that really affected me was mentally, erm, I did struggle as a, in some ways a proud man, to go from looking after my son and being very active and helpful around the house to suddenly not being able to do the housework. Having to ask the friends and family to come and help me with, to do things I could not do for myself. Losing that independence, I struggled quite a lot with that at first. Also, they initially thought I might have reactive arthritis before the blood tests, so there was an element where the doctors were saying, you will be ok, you’ll be better in a month. Then came actually no, you have rheumatoid arthritis erm, it’s going to be a chronic ongoing illness. So, I had to shift my mindset from ill be fine in a month too I’m going to have this for the rest of my life erm so mentally I did struggle.

I was isolated because I couldn’t get out and about, I was isolated because my business wasn`t a social one. The social elements I had intertwined before, I couldn’t really attend in the same way. So yeah, I think for about a year my mood was low, I felt elements off frustration and resentment; why me? why so young? I had looked after myself previously. Now looking back, I realise that I probably had flare-ups in years previous, but put them down to sports injuries. The signs were there I suppose but, it’s very easy when you are young to think you are indestructible and to not think about the stiffness in that kind of way.

3 – How does your illness affect your daily life?

I have spent the last 4 years trying to extract as much of my mobility and my pain management and my general stiffness, erm to live a well as I can.  I feel I have literally turned myself into a walking experiment. I have spent a year experimenting with my nutrition, seeing what food makes me flare what would make me feel better, and documenting it. Experimenting in different forms of movement and stretching and different forms of exercise to see the things I am limited in, what I can’t do anymore, in terms of physical exercise and certain sports. I kind of really took the initiative to try and get my quality life back to almost what it was, within the limits of my conditions.

I have found many things that help me meditation in the mornings gives me a chance to loosen up and it seems to work quicker than just sitting there wishing it does!

I try to input positive things into my mind I feel that that reinforces that if you are going to live in a positive way you can’t be thinking negatively and pulling yourself back, you are going to have days where you feel a bit down but, using gratitude to realise this is all part of the journey and you are going to find yourself having difficult times, but, really there are other sufferers who are a lot worse than I am.

4 – How do you feel about your illness now compared to when you were first diagnosed?

I’m in a position where medication does control my seronegative arthritis I have not had a flare-up for a few years now I have got myself to a point where I have routine my life where I don’t actually, really think about it every day.

I kind of see it now as, at the time I felt it had taken something away from me, in almost some ways now, I feel it has given something to me. I’m a much more grateful, much more grounded as a person. I’ve come to understand that managing something like this is a responsibility and I’ve taken the accountability to do that and in doing that I’ve become a more rounded person its actually been something that’s developed the way my mind works I look at the world. I think in a strange way, it has its difficulties, but also it has helped my own growth.

5 – How do you see things changing in the future?

I kind of see it as, I’ve been disabled for a few years now, I want to keep it in that place of stability so I can continue to live my life at this, you know, level of activity and movement and enjoying myself. I know there will be future erm, future developments, possible changes in medication. I’m looking at reducing my medication so it has less overall impact in the long term. I’m in some ways quite excited to what the future might bring, I definitely feel that again the physical help is great but I’ve really taken a passion towards the fact that the mental help is not there in the same way. If diagnosed at a young age, you don’t have the life experience to absorb the mental impact. I found that difficult and I appreciate that other people in a similar demographic as me would also find that difficult. I talked to a person who sort of had the same story as me, and he suffered psychologically after his diagnosis, the same as me. I feel the future going forward looking after the psychological aspects of the disease as well as the physiological aspects of the disease is where the biggest development should be.

6 How have your support needs changed as a result of your illness?

My support needs changed in terms of my daily life, significantly, at first, and still to this day there is a slight element but, I feel I have managed to adapt a lot of things I could do before, so I can still do them independently.

7 – Who are the people you feel support you or help you the most?

I was heavily dependent on my wife initially, to help me get around and to do things naturally as a young man you can be quite hot-headed and try to do things for yourself I quickly realised there are things I can do but if you push yourself to far…. one day I tried to shower myself and fell over, so yeah, I did push the boundaries which in some ways you do need to do that but you need to be mindful.

8 – How satisfied are you with the support you have from family, friends, and so on?

My parents and wife`s parents I have been very supportive in helping my life running and keep operating. That it was good to have a support network around me at the time, there are people out there who don’t have that network life must be very hard for them. I think my friends and family being local enough to visit and help kept me sane and kept me going. The emotional support from my family, the practical everyday actionable things that they were doing for me helped me to continue living my life.

9 – How satisfied are you with support from medical professionals?

The physical support was good from the NHS. At the time of diagnosis, I got a lot of support from the seronegative arthritis department and the physiotherapy department at the hospital. I was there quite often, they really took my feedback and tailored things for me the way I need them to be, I was very grateful to them. 18 months into my illness I finally decided to speak to my GP about my emotional health and I explained how I was feeling mentally; the challenges I had faced and how I was trying to move on but I was still struggling in certain areas. I was referred to counselling and I did have one session which really unlocked the last few bits of the chain for me to really push forward and made me dig a bit deeper and feel a bit more settled. I found I just needed to remove the element where I was still feeling a little bit of grief for the mobility I used to have before my illness. I was looking at things I couldn’t do anymore, instead of things I could do which were similar, for example, I used to play team sports before, now I was not able to play team sports at a certain level. I was not physically able to do that now. I still needed a way to satisfy being part of a team the competitive element of things. So, I went to play for a disabled football team, and now I coach the team.  It was a case of unlocking the, right if you can’t do this, what can you do that fulfils the same needs you have. That really gave me clarity, I was kind of heading in that direction I just needed the external help to make me dig deeper to question me. I found after that I have been on an upward spiral, it really helped me.

Adjusting to Life With Seronegative Arthritis

10 – If you were to compare yourself to others with rheumatoid arthritis, how well do you feel you have adjusted?

Compared to people that I know, I think my adjustment was slow initially, as in I was just adjusting to things physically, not adjusting to things mentally. I feel I am at a point that I am lucky the damage I have is not as significant as others I know. I feel most people I’ve met have adjusted well. I have met a few who haven’t adjusted mentally, after the initial period, so yeah, I like to feel I have adjusted to a higher-end but it wasn’t the case initially., I really struggled. I suppose, if I look back probably with me being younger, but also coming from a higher level of physical fitness, that went within a week. It was very difficult to catalyse this too but the consultant said this level of physical fitness helped me get back onto my feet again, to gain my mobility. I feel I adapted to a high level.

11 – To what extent would you say you still feel like you lead a full and normal life?

I feel I am able to lead a normal life, I am able to walk, I can`t run, but running is ultimately optional. I am able to drive now which I couldn’t initially, I can drive an automatic car, without adaption which is great. I can play with my children, there are a few things I have to adapt because of my knees, but I don’t see things I can’t do, I can always do something similar. I have recently started some boxing training because the part of the issue I had when I relearned to walk was the connection between my hands and my feet. My consultant suggested dancing or boxing training, this works hands and feet in tandem, now I go to a boxing club and work on my footwork and my arms, naturally I’m not punching anything physically, but I’m doing all the footwork and the hand movements, they put me in the ring and tell me to do a certain shadow box, so I have to then adjust my feet and my hands at the same time, so it’s like dancing.  There are others who don’t like contact so you have partners to dance around the ring with, it’s interesting because even the actual boxers need to do this, its all about how not getting punched. You need that control of your hands and feet. It’s an alternative kind of therapy. Its really helped coordination between my hands and feet.

12 – Based on your personal experiences, what advice would you give someone who has recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid seronegative arthritis

I would preface it with the fact that you have to go in with an expectation that you are going to have some challenges along the way, but that is very much reminiscent of life and its, it does take some acclimatisation. I could show a level of compassion and vulnerability at having been there myself, the initial stages are difficult but it definitely gets better as you learn more about seronegative arthritis.

I would advise them to do their research, and to see what works for them, to really experiment and take ownership of the condition. You need to understand that your body is constantly evolving and changing, with an immune system that is active in this way, it brings fatigue, that’s going to be difficult to manage, pain and things that at the end of the day, you will probably see them as negative, but, if you can control that and understand that you can manage this.

A big thing for me was, as I experimented, I realised, some of this is in my control, it’s not completely out of my control. Certain things I eat, if I don’t sleep enough, if I I’m not active enough, if I put myself in a situation where I am cold for too long I will feel it more.

Be a student of your own condition, instead of letting it be the monkey on your back, or being that person who uses the condition as an excuse that you can’t do things. It’s almost as much a mindset as it is physically, if not more, to kind of realise that, you will have difficult days, you will have better days, parts of it is in your control parts of it are not. You can’t resent the parts you can’t control because that is the kind of life we live, it is up and down. if you take that kind of ownership and say I’m going to keep growing as a person because really, I kind of see it as my mind has expanded and I’m more powerful in my head now than I used to be, even if I’m not as powerful physically. Again, it’s like trying to find ways to satisfy a need that you have that you can’t satisfy directly.

I suggest seeing others with chronic illness, socially, if you can, they can understand your journey better, because people close to you, while all well-intentioned, struggle to understand the pain you are going through, or how the impact of your joints moving is. Sometimes, if you have very visible physical joint problems people can be more compassionate, but if it’s not visible it’s sometimes hard to explain it.

Don’t neglect yourself socially, really try to strengthen the areas you can and make sure you are fulfilling your needs to live a naturalised life.

I am very much a fan of people researching their condition and integrating their own thoughts with their consultants. I feel I have gone in and the medical staff are receptive to me, I don’t just go in there and say what can you do for me, I go in and say I’ve looked at this what do you think about this, this is a detailed report of what is going on at the moment. I think you get a lot out of it if you are willing to try yourself to make a difference and work with them. It is difficult to do, especially in the aftermath of what you feel you have lost. Become a student of your condition.

In a strange way, chronic disease has helped me grow as a person, I’ve spoken to people who have said I have almost been so resilient I have bounced back further than where I was at the start. My mindset has developed now, I’m able to conquer things I wasn’t able to conquer before. I feel gratitude now, because of the changing elements of the disease its unstable which gives you that uncertainty in your life, in a way you need a bit of uncertainty in your life to grow, so,  in some ways it’s a strange blessing in disguise.

Thank you for reading my interview, and I hope there was some value in there for you. Please contact me if you wish to discuss how I can help you to overcome your challenges through my bespoke coaching programme!

The post How to Live Well with Seronegative Arthritis in 2020 appeared first on Life Coach Preston | Business Coach Preston | Essentialise.

source https://www.essentialise.co.uk/live-well-with-seronegative-arthritis-2020/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=live-well-with-seronegative-arthritis-2020

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Coronavirus: How environmental destruction influences the emergence of pandemics

New Post has been published on https://apzweb.com/coronavirus-how-environmental-destruction-influences-the-emergence-of-pandemics/

Coronavirus: How environmental destruction influences the emergence of pandemics

There have now been more than one million cases of COVID-19 worldwide and tens of thousands of deaths.

Many cities and countries across the globe are under lockdown or have implemented strict measures to ensure people stay in their homes. Health officials are encouraging physical distancing from others, as well as frequent handwashing and respiratory hygiene.

The world as humanity knows it has changed, and that’s prompted many to wonder: How did we get here? And is it possible that environmental destruction and climate change have contributed to where we are today?

READ MORE: The novel coronavirus has infected more than 1 million people worldwide

While experts say it’s too early to tell whether the novel coronavirus could be connected to climate change, many researchers had sounded the alarm for years that some sort of pandemic was coming — largely due to how the world has developed.

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“It’s been well known for the past 30, 40 years…that the greatest threat to humanity from a virology perspective is a pathogenic respiratory RNA virus,” said Marc-André Langlois, the Canadian Research Chair in molecular virology and intrinsic immunity, and a professor in the faculty of medicine at the University of Ottawa.

“If there’s one virus that will wipe out a large swatch of humanity, it would be this type of virus.”

1:41 Coronavirus outbreak: Canada surpasses 11,700 cases, over 290,000 tests completed

Coronavirus outbreak: Canada surpasses 11,700 cases, over 290,000 tests completed

Zoonotic disease transmission

Zoonoses are diseases and infections that can be naturally transmitted from animals to people.

Humans can get these sporadically or routinely, but sometimes, the diseases evolve and can only pass between people, according to Craig Stephen, who’s a professor at both the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine and the University of British Columbia’s School of Population and Public Health.

“This pathogen is usually endemic in animal species,” Langlois said. “Somehow, that pathogen that normally should not infect humans developed some genetic adaptations to infect humans.”

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Defining common terms used to explain the illness

Zoonoses can be passed from an animal to a human indirectly or directly through a vector, Langlois said, adding that bats can be prime reservoirs for dangerous viral pathogens.

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“The first step that has to happen is something changes, usually caused by us, that brings us into close contact with this wildlife species,”said Chelsea Himsworth, the B.C. regional director at the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative and a professor at the University of British Columbia’s School of Population and Public Health.

“Then the virus has to actually transmit.”

Environmental destruction and human encroachment

There are a number of drivers that can contribute to the emergence and transmission of diseases, including climate change, globalization and land use changes, such as urbanization and deforestation, according to Katie Clow, a One Health professor at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph.

[ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ]

“The density of human populations is increasing,” Langlois said. “Because of deforestation and global warming, this is enhancing the ability of arthropods — mosquitoes, in particular — to transmit zoonotic disease.”

Climate change disrupts the global ecosystem and causes species to move around, said Colin Carlson, an assistant research professor at the Center for Global Health Science and Security at Georgetown University.

“Health is probably the most personal way that we feel climate change,” Carlson said. “We do know that climate change means more Lyme disease throughout the northeast in Canada and the U.S.”

READ MORE: Climate change means more disease, deaths for Canadians, Lancet report finds

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But Stephen said it’s not just climate change and habitat destruction that’s happening. After the 1950s, he said, there was something called the “great acceleration,” where human populations started to grow, international travel increased and carbon pollution rose.

“That great acceleration, yes, climate change is part of it, but climate change is just one of the major challenges we have with these great global changes, none of which act independently,” Stephen said.

When talking about global pandemics, he noted it’s important to examine human connectivity and how certain “edges” between interfaces are changing and developing.

2:51 COVID-19 survivors answer viewers’ questions

COVID-19 survivors answer viewers’ questions

“We are connecting ourselves more intimately and more rapidly with our global neighbours,” Stephen said. “That’s one of the big, big things that says a pandemic is more likely to happen now than it was previously.”

Humans are also changing their edges with nature by fragmenting their habitat, he said, adding that climate change is also transforming ecology, which is allowing for different avenues in which pathogens can move around.

“We have a very anthropocentric view of the world — it’s sort of all about us, and no one cares until it’s causing a pandemic,” Himsworth said.

“By the time it’s causing a pandemic, it’s too late.”

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One Health, one world

One Health is an approach to creating and incorporating policies, research and programs that allow multiple sectors to work together to create better public health outcomes, according to the World Health Organization.

“One Health is a concept that’s been around for a while, but it’s really gaining traction, particularly within the last decade,” Clow said.

“It’s an approach that looks at how animal health, human health and environmental health are really interconnected.”

If people go beyond the traditional perspective of disease, Clow added, they need to think about the ecological factors and social conditions that support it and its transmission.

“It really helps you get a bigger picture about what sort of factors are playing into the entire disease process.”

READ MORE: Mosquitoes are on the move due to climate change, and they could bring diseases

According to Carlson, One Health approaches have helped scientists trace diseases back to wildlife and build surveillance systems that keep track of diseases.

“That does help us contain outbreaks much earlier,” he said, although that doesn’t mean One Health solutions can stop the current COVID-19 pandemic.

“They might have prevented it, and they may have already prevented other ones that otherwise would have happened,” Carlson said.

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“Right now, we’re in a situation for the next few months — potentially over a year — where the entire problem on our hands is a human-to-human transmission problem.”

READ MORE: Tick-tock: Ticks are spreading across Canada. Here are their new homes

For Himsworth, however, it’s important to look at incorporating One Health approaches in the future.

“What happens in a forest in Asia has the potential to impact the health and livelihood of someone in Abbotsford,” she said.

“That is, in a nutshell, this sort of One Health approach that everything is interconnected. I think we’ve felt for a long time like we need to have this sort of approach to health problems and haven’t really been able to operationlize it or see what that would look like in reality.”

Looking ahead

In the long run, climate change means people will be dealing with more disease outbreaks that are similar to COVID-19, according to Carlson.

“If we don’t do something lasting, either in terms of the wildlife end, in terms of developing vaccines, in terms of changing the way we respond to outbreaks early on, in terms of changing the way that we internationally coordinate the legal and governance end of the problem, this exact thing could happen again,” he said.

For Himsworth, people may not be able to stop certain diseases from emerging but they can do their best to prevent them.

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“As a human society, we’re increasing our population, increasing our footprint on the earth. It may be that no matter what we do, we will be vulnerable to these,” she said.

“I think the one thing that we can do is being at least more thoughtful stewards of the natural world.”

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Can Canadians expect another pandemic like COVID-19 in the future?

Societies are addicted to consumption, Stephen said, which is driving carbon pollution, and that’s allowing climate change to happen.

“We’ve talked a lot about recycling, we’ve talked a lot about reusing, but none of that is going to work if we don’t reduce,” he added.

“Instead of just looking for signals of illness, death and disease, we need to look for signals of vulnerability…Flattening the curve should be proactive, rather than reactive.”

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According to Francois, developing a vaccine can also help combat future epidemic and pandemic threats.

“A lot of these respiratory viruses — the influenzas and all the coronas — share certain attributes,” he said.

“If there was a sincere and dedicated investment by government, we could develop vaccination platforms to quickly react to emerging epidemic and pandemic threats.”

5:05 Is a coronavirus vaccine on the way?

Is a coronavirus vaccine on the way?

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© 2020 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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Will it be safe to hold the Olympics in 2021?

Fixing a date for the Olympics is really one piece of a much larger question: When will things get back to normal? (Pixabay /)

Follow all of PopSci’s COVID-19 coverage here, including travel advice, pregnancy concerns, and the latest findings on the virus itself. For global updates, see here.

On March 24, the prime minister of Japan and the president of the International Olympic Committee announced that the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which were supposed to begin on July 24, must be postponed until 2021.

"The leaders agreed that the Olympic Games in Tokyo could stand as a beacon of hope to the world during these troubled times and that the Olympic flame could become the light at the end of the tunnel in which the world finds itself at present," the IOC and the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee said in a joint statement.

It’s hard to imagine what our society will look like more than a year in the future, when right now each day seems to bring new, unpredictable challenges. Eventually, the COVID-19 pandemic will loosen its grip—but will it do so in time for the newly scheduled massive international event?

“Nobody really knows the answer to that right now,” says Wesley Pegden, a mathematician at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. “Right now the focus is on keeping the number of infections and deaths as low as possible.”

The disquieting reality is that it’s not yet clear what will happen over the next few months. Our knowledge of COVID-19 and projections are changing rapidly as scientists discover new information about the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, at the root of the pandemic. How risky it will be to light the Olympic torch depends on what strategies we use to combat COVID-19 and how successful they are.

“By then one of two things will likely have happened,” says Justin Lessler, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore. “We’ll have either had the pandemic rage through and hence there would be widespread immunity and it would be reasonable to hold such an event, or we’ll have figured out ways to control it without doing the same sorts of extreme social distancing measures we’re having to do now.”

Under the first scenario, a large chunk of the population would have already been infected by next summer—which also means that a truly staggering number of people would be killed by COVID-19. The Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team recently estimated that if we’d taken no actions to slow the spread of COVID-19, it might have infected up to 90 percent of the world’s population and killed more than 40 million people.

However, communities around the world have reacted to COVID-19 by closing schools and workplaces, discouraging or banning travel, and urging everybody to stay home as much as possible. These social distancing steps will help flatten the curve of COVID-19 infections, spreading them out over time instead of frontloading them like a tsunami, which inundates hospitals and clinics with far more critically ill people than they have the space, supplies, or staff to care for.

“It’s a little too early to say how everything will evolve,” says Sara Del Valle, a mathematical and computational epidemiologist at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. But slowing transmission could also mean that many people are still susceptible to COVID-19 next year. “If that’s the case, then we’re not going to be able to have international events next year because it would still be spreading.”

Del Valle and her colleagues have studied how past crises—including the 2009 swine flu pandemic and the 1918 influenza pandemic—have played out. Usually, these pandemics cause an enormous first wave of infections, followed by a somewhat smaller second wave the following year.

“Based on all the modeling and the simulations and previous pandemics, we suspect that there is going to be a significantly large wave next year,” Del Valle says. However, she adds, many of the historic pandemics she has studied were caused by strains of influenza, which is not a coronavirus. “It’s possible that this pandemic will be very different.”

The Olympics gathers hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world and sandwiches them very closely together, which aids in transmission of any virus, but is of particular concern for one as contagious as the novel coronavirus. And visitors exposed to the virus could bring it back home with them. “It would probably help to spread the infection widely around the world because so many people are there,” Lessler says.

To avoid a situation like this, we’ll have to devise more effective ways to rein in SARS-CoV-2. One possibility is that scientists will develop an effective treatment for COVID-19. A vaccine would also make a huge difference. “That would potentially allow for large events to continue,” Del Valle says. That said, while scientists are working at unprecedented speed to create a vaccine, experts say it will be at least 12 to 18 months at the very least before one can be ready for public distribution.

Advances in testing for the novel coronavirus could also have a major impact on how we respond to new cases of COVID-19. Currently, many cases are going unreported because tests are in short supply and many people experience relatively mild symptoms or remain asymptomatic. However, scientists are developing serological tests, which detect antibodies in the blood of people who have recovered from COVID-19. Figuring out how many people have already caught the disease could tell us the true scale of the pandemic and help identify people who are no longer at risk for becoming sickened. And having rapid and plentiful diagnostic tests could also make it easier for us to track the disease by quickly identifying when somebody is sick and tracing all their contacts.

These developments could allow us to tailor our responses for different areas. “We would be able to quickly respond around particular cases and take the types of measures we’re taking at this global, broad scale now and potentially take them at a very precise level, hitting exactly those individuals who are most at risk,” Lessler says. “It can have a substantial effect in allowing us to ease back on these broad-scale interventions that we have now.”

All of these innovations could impact the likelihood of whether we’ll be watching feats of athleticism next summer, although each approach comes with its own challenges. But fixing a date for the Olympics is really one piece of a much larger question: when will things get back to normal?

“It’s not so much a question of when we’re going to have enough of this extreme social distancing. It’s a question of, when are we going to have a plan for what comes next?” Lessler says. “What the social distancing measures are doing is buying us time; if we just...go right back to business as usual, all we’ve done is delayed the epidemic.”

Social distancing steps are crucial and have the potential to save many lives over the next several months. However, our forecasts shouldn’t stop there, Pegden and his colleague Maria Chikina, a computational systems biologist at the University of Pittsburgh, argued in a recent post on Medium.

“The future is coming whether we like it or not and eventually we’ll have to have a plan,” Pegden says. “Even though there is a lot of uncertainty about the possible scenarios in the future, it might be preferable to model specific examples of these futures rather than just model the next four months.”

These scenarios, he says, could test many different outcomes—for example, what could happen if a treatment is developed in six months that slices that fatality rate of COVID-19 by 50 percent? What if a vaccine is introduced in two years? What if the capacity of hospitals in certain cities is increased by 60 percent?

Del Valle and her colleagues are examining some of these questions. “We’re trying to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the healthcare system—so, which hospitals will be hit the most and which hospitals might need to come up with mobile facilities so that they can hopefully help more people, and stuff like that,” she says.

The team is also developing forecasts for how COVID-19 will spread in different countries and states that will be updated regularly, as well as investigating how best to relax social distancing measures. They’ve previously simulated a hypothetical influenza pandemic and predicted that schools and workplaces would have to be reopened and stay-at-home orders lifted slowly over a period of months.

“It's going to have to be gradual and it's going to have to be implemented in different ways geographically,” Del Valle says. “Areas like New York…or Seattle, once they go through the first wave, then they’re probably going to be able to start relaxing interventions earlier than other areas that are just starting to experience cases.”

But it’s also important to have a strategy for what happens after the COVID-19 pandemic so that once our society does begin to return to stability it can stay that way. Del Valle envisions a global disease forecasting center that would allow researchers to more quickly identify emerging disease and predict how they will spread.

“We would all be better prepared to respond to new pandemics and newly emerging outbreaks around the globe,” she says. “We need to be more proactive instead of reactive.”