Chronic illness symptoms can stop us in our tracks. So many people suffer from brain fog, eczema, acne, high blood pressure, heart palpitations, dark under-eye circles, chronic dehydration, varicose veins, weight gain, chemical sensitivities, bloating, constipation, and so on. As I mentioned in my last blog, the good news about these symptoms is that they act as messengers, alerting us to sluggish livers, an overall toxic load, and fatigued adrenals. These messengers communicate the wildly common possibility of undetected viral and bacterial pathogens in our systems, thus providing the opportunity to acknowledge what is out of alignment in our bodies and allowing us to heal.
Chronic Illness Causes
Medical Medium, Anthony William, has explained that there are four major causes of chronic illness: viral explosion, radiation, toxic heavy metals, and DDT.
There are hundreds of strains and variants of the human herpesvirus family and 98% of the time cancer is caused by a virus interacting with one of the Big Four. MS, Lyme disease, RA, thyroid disease, fibromyalgia, vertigo, and several other conditions are the result of excessive viral loads. Radiation can reach us through direct exposure, environmental fallout, food and water contamination, or through inheriting the exposure of our parents and grandparents.
Exposure can lead to endocrine system dysfunction, bone diseases like osteoporosis and osteopenia, bone spurs, immune system failure, and skin disease.
Toxic heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, copper, cadmium, nickel, arsenic, and aluminum, coupled with shingles and Epstein-Barr Virus, are major factors in the development of infertility, Crohn’s, and ulcerative colitis. They are also huge contributors to ADHD, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, anxiety, depression, and more.
Mercury is often inherited and can remain in a family bloodline for thousands of years, further amplifying the negative effects with each generation. DDT, a toxic and dangerous pesticide thought to be of the past, plays a huge role in chronic illness, as your parents and/or grandparents most likely came into contact with it and passed it down to you. It also remains in the environment, infiltrating our food supply.
DDT is still legal in some countries and when sprayed, the wind carries it as far as other continents. DDT, pesticides, and herbicides, are major underlying causes of suppressed immune systems.
There’s No One Solution for Four Causes
Understanding the root cause of our symptoms allows us to address them with our eyes wide open. Once we figure out why you’re feeling “off,” we can establish how to heal the cause and stop the symptoms.
That being said, because there are a number of potential causes and because they can occur through both exposure and inheritance, there is no “one size fits all” for how to combat chronic illness. Some people begin drinking celery juice and the whole world opens up for them. They lose weight, or gain focus, or see an instant decrease in symptoms. Whereas some people take longer to find relief.
Some people have Epstein-Barr virus plus shingles or another herpetic virus living in their bodies. Some people are working on detoxing neurological symptoms caused by mercury. Some people are struggling to purge the toxic copper causing their skin conditions.
We come into this lifetime with a toxic load inherited from our parents and accrue more potential viruses and toxins throughout the course of our lives, depending on our environment and experiences. As hard as it is to hear, the truth is that the more that is built up, the longer it takes to clear.
Healing Takes Time
I’ll be honest: with time often comes frustration. I’ve had patients come to me after seeing countless doctors, experimenting with myriad modalities, who have spent significant time and money seeking solutions to their symptoms.
They are frustrated, scared, and tired. Perhaps you are, too. Perhaps you are tired of searching for causes, mining your symptoms, and waiting for relief.
When I began my healing journey, I was tired, too. I was exhausted from hitting medical wall, after wall, from having my experiences minimized, from reaching for results. I fully and wholly understand the struggle. I’ve been through the process. And I’m here to tell you that mindset is everything. That healing takes time, no matter how much time we feel we’ve already wasted or put into a particular way of healing. Nothing is ever truly wasted, we learn from it all.
You have done nothing wrong. Just reading this blog, educating yourself on potential causes, being open-minded about solutions, is an extraordinary step in your healing.
Once we determine your course of treatment, there is no miracle pill, there is no magic wand, there is no way to expedite the process except for a commitment to walk your healing journey with the support that you need. In my office, in our meetings, on our calls, there is hope. There is support. There is understanding and compassion and care.
It is normal to get discouraged, to be in fear, to feel frustrated, and angry, and activated. These feelings are so very valid. It is also scientifically proven that having a positive outlook yields positive physical outcomes. With this in mind, do your best to cultivate faith and trust in the process each and every day.
You may have lost faith in your body, which does happen. Continue to look at the big picture— where you came from, what you’ve gone through, and how your body still fights on. There isn’t a moment that your body isn’t fighting for you.
Sometimes it can help to get your mind off of your illness. Distract yourself with funny movies, talk to people who uplift you. If distraction doesn’t suit you, find a support group or community of people who understand the experience of your long term condition or symptoms. My Live Q&A sessions are meant to facilitate a sense of community for my patients. Come give that a try. The community is inspiring and uplifting and we heal together.
Sometimes just being heard is enough. Relying on a friend or family member who may not understand your situation, but is able to hold a loving space for you, is invaluable. Leaning on and venting to a trusted confidant who is able to provide empathy and consideration makes all the difference when wellness seems out of reach.
Your experience is complicated and varied and valid. It is typical to be tired. It is expected to want to see results. It is normal for things to take time. Hold on to hope, keep the faith, gather your support system, and know that you are not ever alone.
