ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
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What is it?
Inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity of behaviour, often seen from childhood into adulthood.
What does it affect?
Cognitive function.
Why do I have it?
You may have intestinal hyper-permeability, nutrient deficiencies or high levels of chemicals (especially lead).
How can I help myself?
Check food sensitivities, increase B vitamins and investigate having a heavy metal detox.
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Lou Gehrig's Disease)
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What is it?
Progressive loss of motor neurons & blood-brain barrier. Muscle loss occurs peripherally, moving inwards. Eventual loss of function to cranial nerves, swallowing, tongue movement, speech and lungs. Usually occurs around age 50.
What does it affect?
Cognitive ability & muscular system.
Why do I have it?
No known cause.
How can I help myself?
Eat a balanced diet, including lots of dark green vegetables, fruit and protein. Avoid exogenous toxins (alcohol, drugs, pollution) which can easily cross the blood-brain barrier.
Alzheimer's Disease
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What is it?
Progressive degeneration of brain, causing disability (physical & mental). People often suffer from pneumonia as a complication. Occurs between ages 60 and 90.
What does it affect?
Cognitive ability / function, muscular & nervous system.
Why do I have it?
Some theories suggest 'type 3 diabetes', mitochondrial disorders / oxidative stress.
How can I help myself?
Eat a balanced diet, including lots of vegetables. Manage carbohydrate levels.
Anorexia Nervosa
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What is it?
Psychologically distorted view of body > fear of gaining weight > limited food intake / starvation. Loss of 15% body weight, menstruation stops, often depression occurs.
What does it affect?
Emotional state, social behaviour, electrolyte imbalance, cardiovascular system.
Why do I have it?
Long-lasting and habitual negative thought patterns can lead to a low sense of self.
How can I help myself?
Question negative thoughts through journalling, seek help from counselling and a nutritionist.
Anxiety (including panic attacks, phobias, OCD & PTSD)
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What is it?
Heightened sympathetic response (increased heart-rate, blood pressure, sweating) affecting daily life.
What does it affect?
Nervous system & cardiovascular system.
Why do I have it?
You may have cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, had a head injury, have hormonal / neurotransmitter imbalances or serotonin deficiency.
How can I help myself?
Meditation, stress management, increase tryptophan levels (serotonin), inositol, take probiotics, nervine relaxants (passionflower, lemon balm, skullcap), adaptogens (ashwagandha, rhodiola), decrease stimulants.
Autism
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What is it?
Delayed social development & aversion to engage in social behaviours around age 3. Often people display repetitive actions.
What does it affect?
Cognitive function & social behaviour.
Why do I have it?
You may have intestinal hyper-permeability. Some theories also suggest mercury poisoning.
How can I help myself?
Check food sensitivities, increase vitamins and minerals (high dose), investigate having a heavy metal detox.
Bipolar Disorder
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What is it?
Varying shifts between mania and depression. Extreme - 'bipolar 1', mild - 'bipolar 2'. Occurs in late adolescence / early adulthood.
What does it affect?
Emotional state & social behaviour.
Why do I have it?
No known cause.
How can I help myself?
Some theories suggest high dose niacin (vitamin B3).
Bulimia Nervosa
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What is it?
Psychologically distorted view of body > binging episodes (desire to gain control) > purging episodes (desire to release guilt / shame). Often occurs in highly successful individuals.
What does it affect?
Emotional state, social behaviour, electrolyte imbalance, cardiovascular system.
Why do I have it?
Similar to anorexia nervosa, long-lasting and habitual negative thought patterns can lead to a low sense of self, accompanied with high expectations of achievements.
How can I help myself?
Question negative thoughts through journalling, seek help from counselling and a nutritionist.
Cluster Headache
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What is it?
Sharp, stabbing pain around eyes and side of head, often in groups of 2/3 per day for weeks. Worsens if a person lies down.
What does it affect?
Cognitive function.
Why do I have it?
You may have low magnesium or vitamin B2 levels.
How can I help myself?
Increase magnesium and B2 foods (leafy greens, nuts or animal liver).
Common Headache
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What is it?
Head pain due to tension / inflammation of head, eyes, neck or shoulder. Constriction / dilation of cerebral blood vessels.
What does it affect?
Cognitive function.
Why do I have it?
Check food allergies / sensitivities, environmental factors (chemicals / extreme temperature) or constipation.
How can I help myself?
Pressure-point massage or acupuncture. If due to constriction try caffeine (green tea or good quality black tea / coffee).
Depression
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What is it?
Low mood, loss of interest / pleasure, feeling guilty / worthless, anxious, weight fluctuations, disturbed sleep, fatigue, changes in behaviour, difficulty focusing, suicide. Five of those nine symptoms for two or more weeks, most days = clinically depressed.
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What does it affect?
Emotional state, social behaviour, cognitive function.
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Why do I have it?
- Major Depressive Disorder: negative thinking patterns
- SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder): vitamin D deficiency.
- Post-natal Depression: hormonal fluctuations.
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How can I help myself?
Increase anti-inflammatory foods. Increase safe sun exposure / take a liquid vitamin D supplement.
Encephalitis
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What is it?
Inflammation of the brain and protective membrane. Headache, fever, lethargy, dysfunction, seizures and / or paralysis may occur.
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What does it affect?
Cognitive function, nervous & immune system.
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Why do I have it?
You may have a viral infection.
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How can I help myself?
Get checked by a medical doctor.
Epilepsy
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What is it?
Uncontrolled, recurring and random cerebral discharges > seizures / convulsions.
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What does it affect?
Cognitive function / ability, social behaviour, emotional state.
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Why do I have it?
You may have had a brain injury / irritation, connected with alcoholism.
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How can I help myself?
Support liver whilst on anti-seizure medication and avoid alcohol.
Huntingdon's Disease
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What is it?
Progressive degenerative brain disease > loss of muscle control. Occurs between ages 30 and 50.
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What does it affect?
Cognitive function / ability, muscular system, social behaviour, emotional state.
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Why do I have it?
It is associated with high dopamine and low acetylcholine levels.
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How can I help myself?
Increase dopamine
Meningitis
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What is it?
Inflammation of the meninges - protective coverings of the brain. Usually affects children and can be serious if not treated quickly.
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What does it affect?
Cognitive function / ability & nervous system.
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Why do I have it?
You may have caught the pathogen (bacterial / viral) from someone.
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How can I help myself?
Get checked by a medical doctor.
Migrane Headache
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What is it?
Throbbing pain on one or both sides of head, often accompanied by an aura (dizziness / vision changes).
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What does it affect?
Cognitive function.
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Why do I have it?
You may have low serotonin or nitric oxide levels. Nitric oxide is responsible for dilating blood vessels.
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How can I help myself?
Check food sensitivities (especially dairy, citrus fruit / tomatoes). Increase anti-inflammatory foods and magnesium.
Multiple Sclerosis
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What is it?
Progressive degenerative autoimmune, brain disease > central nervous system failure.
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What does it affect?
Nervous system function / ability, cognitive function / ability & muscular system.
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Why do I have it?
Associated with chronic inflammation > intestinal permeability > immune system attacks protective myelin sheath (nervous system).
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How can I help myself?
Increase anti-inflammatory foods (Swank diet), increase antioxidants, take vitamin D, reduce stress, identify & eliminate food sensitivities.
Parkinson's Disease
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What is it?
Degenerative brain disease > loss of muscle control & coordination.
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What does it affect?
Cognitive function / ability & nervous system.
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Why do I have it?
You may have low levels of dopamine.
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How can I help myself?
Increase dopamine-rich foods, take an L-dopa + carbidopa supplement.
Reye's Syndrome
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What is it?
Neurological illness following a viral infection (the flu, a cold or chicken pox). Usually occurs in young adults under age 20.
What does it affect?
Cognitive function / ability & the liver.
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Why do I have it?
Associated with taking aspirin (White Willow's bark).
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How can I help myself?
Get checked by a medical doctor.
Shingles
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What is it?
Inflammation of sensory neurons due to chicken pox > a painful rash.
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What does it affect?
Cognitive function / ability.
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Why do I have it?
You may have a low immune function and / or are stressed.
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How can I help myself?
Increase protein intake, vitamin C & D to boost immunity. Take an adaptogenic herb (astragalus, ashwagandha) for stress. For the rash: use a cooling topical cream (peppermint) and / or anti-inflammatory (curcumin).