I’m excited to let you know next month starts Pain Awareness Month. Over the past couple of years, you have seen posts from me for the U.S. Pain Foundation. I’m a Texas Ambassador and do advocacy work for them. While I haven’t been able to physically support my advocacy efforts, I do share important information as it pertains to the pain community or initiatives the U.S. Pain Foundation is involved in, as well as attend advocacy training seminars. 

September marks an exciting and educational month which is recognized as Pain Awareness Month. The goal of the month is to raise awareness for the 50 million Americans who live with chronic pain.

Please check out U.S. Pain Foundation to find resources, support groups, news about Federal advocacy efforts, pediatric programs and support for families, and their magazine Invisible Project and more.

About U.S. Pain Foundation

The mission of the U.S. Pain Foundation is to empower, educate, connect, and advocate for individuals living with chronic illness that causes pain, as well as their caregivers and clinicians. Its programs and services include a national network of support groups, educational resources and events, a pediatric program for children and their families, federal advocacy efforts, an awareness magazine called the INvisible Project, and more. The U.S. Pain Foundation is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization. For more information, visit www.uspainfoundation.org.

About Pain Awareness Month

Pain Awareness Month, recognized annually in September, seeks to raise awareness about the need for improved care for the 50 million Americans who live with chronic pain. This year, U.S. Pain Foundation’s theme is #MyPainPlan and focuses on the vital importance of an individualized, multidisciplinary, multimodal approach to pain care. The signature initiative of the month is the MyPainPlan.org site, along with an in-depth survey and white paper about barriers to care and several special educational events. To learn more, visit www.uspainawarenessmonth.org.

Texas Ambassador

Melinda Sandor

Chicago Headache Doctor Brad Torphy, who is the managing director of the Chicago Headache Center & Research Institute, recently discussed the role of caffeine in migraine and headache. During the presentation, which can be viewed on the Chicago Headache Center & Research Institute’s Facebook page, Dr. Torphy shares that caffeine can be beneficial in some […]

Chicago Headache Doctor Brad Torphy Discussed Caffeine and Headache — Chicago Headache Center & Research Institute

Social media platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok, are filled with inspiring images of happy relationships. A quick search reveals some of the most popular hashtags to elevate your relationship to an inspirational love story. All the #CoupleGoals images and videos have a central element in common: Couples have embraced the inclusion of the typical “you” and “me” identities into a new entity: “us”. When you think of a happy and successful relationship, you naturally depict a symbiotic communication where both individuals understand each other perfectly. The symbiosis is often the result of a strong “us”. Couples that can talk about their relationship as a “we” rather than a “me+you” approach have already unlocked one of the biggest secrets behind the Insta-worthy #CoupleGoals photos: Common projects. 

What does a common project say about your couple? Sharing activities, ideas, and values with your other half allow you to build a new entity – the “us” – that can stand strong. Common projects are essential to the strength and survival of your relationship. The more you share, the more you define your couple goals, and the more you allow for an “us” to exist. 

Unsplash – CC0 License 

Turning a house into a home for the two of you

For each couple, a home is a special place where both need to feel happy and safe. Nobody wants to be in a relationship where they feel they only live in their partner’s home. Unfortunately, the situation can present itself naturally. Perhaps, when you met with your current partner, one of you already had a home. Yet, even though one moves in with the other, it doesn’t mean the interior decor should stay the same. On the contrary, seize the opportunity to make a home for both of you. Decorating together can be tricky – there’s no point denying it – especially if you have different tastes. But putting a place together that suits both of you will help create a healthy balance in your couple. You both have a say in the design and conception of a shared home. Think of it as the foundation of your couple. 

Planning your next holiday

Another typical project that should be shared but is often one-sided is your holiday. Planning vacation with your other half is not just the opportunity to get away together and leave everyday routine behind. It’s also the chance to share the excitement and joy of the vacation. Couples who plan their travel together stay together. What does planning together mean? It’s a matter of creating a common purpose, such as deciding about the destination together. As you discuss each location, you can also identify areas that interest you both and areas that one of you would rather avoid. Additionally, you can also create daily itineraries together. Would you prefer a morning on the beach while your partner wants to visit the local zoo? Make sure the day has a little bit of everything. Working together to plan exciting holidays encourages you to compromise to ensure it works for both of you. What’s the point of creating new memories if only one of you has fun? 

Not fearing the future

The future brings a world of uncertainties and questions. But you can face it together as a couple, discussing eventualities and considering how to best face some situations. Admittedly, nobody wants to think about the death of their loved one or their own, but planning the future together already includes that conversation. You can feel reassured about facing the worst-case situation if you’ve already considered your preferred course of action. Knowing that you have planned a pair of standing cemetery headstones, for instance, can remove a lot of the anxiety linked to the unknown. Unfortunately, some things are not preventable, and while you may delay them for as long as possible, there will be a time when one of you will be left behind. Yet planning together can give you more control and protect your sense of togetherness, even in death. 

Improving your mental health day after day

Couples who embark on a self-improvement journey together are more likely to boost each other’s motivation and overall health. Starting a fitness challenge together can help to stick to your workout and encourage each other. More often than not, deciding on health changes together creates a shared dedication to get better. But that doesn’t only mean working out. Simple healthy additions to the home, such as an air purifier or anti-pollution houseplants, can have a bigger impact when both of you are involved in the decision. When both of us stand behind the decision to improve your health, you build a positive environment that supports your motivation. Motivation makes it easy to stay fit! 

Sharing and making your happiness

At the core of a strong and happy “us”, there’s a need for clear, honest, and transparent communication. Secrets shatter a couple’s loyalty. Being open about what you both want and expect from the relationship from the start will ensure you are both walking in the same direction. As silly as it might sound, there’s only so much you can compromise for love. If one of you wants kids, for instance, and the other doesn’t, there will be a point when the relationship can’t grow any further before it doesn’t fulfill your needs. The bottom line? You are in charge of how to build and make your togetherness, and to do that, you need to have all the pieces. 

Making memories together

Marriages – or unmarried long-term relationships – don’t create togetherness through their official or unofficial union. They build togetherness by giving the “us” space to grow. Creating traditions and rituals that work for your couple is the key to making meaningful memories. There is no right or wrong when it comes to your couple’s culture. Most couples build a language that is theirs, referring to shared experiences, or inventing sweet pet names for each other. Ultimately, you write a story that gives life to your relationship. 

In conclusion, joint projects turn the “me + you” into an “us”. While it doesn’t mean that all projects should be together, it is your responsibility in a relationship to give enough space and opportunities for the “us” to grow into its own entity. You don’t have to share absolutely everything, me-time is something you can and should preserve. But sharing enough of the good times let you go through the stormy days safely. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

First Published: 1/2/17
Updated: 8/20/20

There are two kinds of brain fog in Lyme disease. Some people have both forms.

• Type 1 Brain Fog. The first kind is a feeling or sensation of cloudiness or fogginess of the head.
• Type 2 Brain Fog. The second type is a problem with brain function where a person cannot think. People with thinking problems usually have problems with short-term memory, confusion, poor attention, organization, word finding, or concentration.

Type 1 brain fog is caused by a buildup of cytokine inflammation chemicals and another chemical made in brain infections called quinolinic acid. It is also due to a buildup of toxins in the blood from mold or yeast overgrowth in the intestines. While the literature does not describe this type of brain fog or its treatment. I have observed great improvement in Type 1 brain fog by lowering cytokine inflammation chemicals with liposomal curcumin 500 mg 3 times a day, eliminating intestinal yeast, or removing mold toxins. See Step One: Treat Infections or Mold Toxins below for links to articles on this site regarding yeast and mold toxins. Note, fixing Type 2 brain fog also fixes Type 1 brain fog.

In this article I focus primarily on the treatment steps for Type 2 brain fog. Type 2 brain fog has three possible causes

• inflammation caused by infections like Lyme and/or mold toxicity,
• mitochondria cell energy factory dysfunction caused by oxidative stress from infections or direct damage from mold and other toxins, and
• excess histamines due to allergies or Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.

Step One: Decrease Inflammation

Eliminate Infections or Mold Toxins

Determine which infections you have or if you have mold toxicity and treat them to lower inflammation that leads to Type 1 brain fog in Lyme disease.

For information about how to diagnose Lyme, yeast, bartonella, or mold toxin problems see:

• How to Diagnose Chronic Lyme Disease? More Than A Test.
• A Silent Problem. Do You Have Yeast?
• How to Diagnose Bartonella in Chronic Lyme Disease or
• Mold and Lyme Toxin Illness.

For more information about treating Lyme, yeast, bartonella or mold toxicity see:

• The Ross Lyme Support Protocol.
• A Lyme Disease Antibiotic Guide.
• Kills Yeast: A Brief Guide.
• Kills Bartonella: A Brief Guide. or
• Mold and Lyme Toxin Illness.

Lower Inflammation Cytokines and/or Quinolinic Acid

Curcumin is a component of turmeric that lowers both cytokines and quinolinic acid which improves brain fog. Take a liposomal form of curcumin to increase the absorption. Liposomal means that it is microscopically wrapped in fat to increase its absorption.

• Curcumin 500 mg (liposomal) 1 pill 3 times a day.

For more information about cytokines and additional supplements see Control Cytokines: A Guide to Fix Lyme Symptoms & The Immune System. For more information about curcumin see Curcumin.

Step Two: Fix Mitochondria

Mitochondria provide power to cells in the body. This cell power provides energy to function and to heal. In mitochondria dysfunction, infections and mold toxins cause the immune system to make excess oxidizing agents that damage the covering of the mitochondria. This leads to poor uptake of sugar and fat into the mitochondria and damages chemical reactions in the mitochondria. Because of this brain cells cannot function nor do they have the energy to heal – this causes Type 2 brain fog.

For Type 2 Brain Fog I find there are two important steps to repair the mitochondria.

• First, fix the outside of the mitochondria by repairing the damaged phospholipid fat covering. This is called phospholipid repair.
• Second, repair the inside of the mitochondria using the antioxidant called glutathione.

Phospholipid Repair

There are two products I suggest to support phospholipid membrane repair. These products are both manufactured by Researched Nutritionals. These products are NT Factor Energy* and ATP 360*. The main difference in these products is that ATP 360 includes Co Q10 and NT Factor Energy does not. ATP 360 is the newest product. Co Q10 should not be used in Babesia treatments that include atovaquone (Mepron and Malarone) because it interferes with their ability to kill this germ. For more information see A Comparison of ATP Fuel, ATP 360 & NT Factor Energy by Researched Nutritionals.

Choose one of the products below based on whether you can take Co Q10 as I describe above. Do not use both of these products together at the same time.

• NT Factor Energy take 2 pills 3 times a day for 2 months, then decrease to 1 pill 3 times a day for 4 months. (This product does not include Co Q10.)
• ATP 360 take 3 pills 1 time a day for 6 months. (This product includes Co Q10)

Increase Glutathione

Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that repairs cell injury and mitochondria energy from the inside. It is made in every cell. Liposomal glutathione is best. This type of glutathione is microscopically wrapped in phospholipid fats which increases its absorption. One can also breathe glutathione in using a nebulizer or take it by IV. The nebulizer and IV versions may work more effectively in some than the liposomal oral form. Read more about the nebulizer and IV versions including dosing and how frequent to take them in the article Glutathione: The Great Fixer.

An alternative to glutathione is to take a building block of glutathione called N acetyl-cysteine (NAC). Inside cells NAC is used to make glutathione. My preference is the liposomal glutathione but in some it does not work or is too expensive.

• Liposomal Glutathione 500 mg/5 ml take 5 ml 1 or 2 times a day, or
• N Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) 500 mg 1 pill 3 times a day.

See How to Fix Mitochondria & Get Energy in Lyme Disease for additional steps you can take to repair the mitochondria.

Step Three: Lower Histamines

Histamines are made in excess in allergies and in a condition called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. If you have either one of these conditions, then you should work to stabilize the cells where histamines are made. These cells are called mast cells. Histamines in the right amount actually help brain function. But in excess they can shut down brain function. Excess histamines cause a brain immune cell called microglia to make too many cytokine inflammation chemicals. As I note above, cytokine inflammation is a cause of brain fog. In addition the brain has an H3 histamine receptor that shuts down brain function when there are too many histamines.

To treat this condition, work to stabilize your mast cells so they do not produce or release as many histamines. The bioflavonoids quercetin and luteolin stabilize mast cells. You can use one or both of these.

• Quercetin 250 mg 2 pills 2 or 3 times a day
• Luteolin 100 mg 1 pill 2 or three times a day.

See Mast Cell Activation Syndrome & Lyme for additional steps you can take to treat this condition.

Timing

At the beginning of treatment focus on removing the sources of inflammation like infections and removing mold toxins. In addition, lower inflammation cytokines with curcumin. If you have excess histamines, use the luteolin or quercetin.

Later, after three to six months if you have no improvement then add the mitochondria repair steps using phospholipid repair and liposomal glutathione. These additional steps can take up to six months for maximum effect.

Hyperbaric Oxygen

At times even the supplements and antimicrobials are not effective. In these situations treatment with hyperbaric oxygen can be helpful. This requires a minimum of 40 dives to a depth of 2.4 atmospheres. Hyperbaric oxygen lowers brain inflammation, improves nerve function and connections in the brain, and improves mitochondria function.

Disclaimer

The ideas and recommendations on this website and in this article are for informational purposes only. For more information about this, see the sitewide Terms & Conditions.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

See full profile: on LinkedIn 
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About the Author

Marty Ross, MD is a passionate Lyme disease educator and clinical expert. He helps Lyme sufferers and their physicians see what really works based on his review of the science and extensive real-world experience. Dr. Ross is licensed to practice medicine in Washington State where he has treated thousands of Lyme disease patients in his Seattle practice. 

Marty Ross, MD is a graduate of Indiana University School of Medicine and Georgetown University Family Medicine Residency. He is a member of the International Lyme and Associated Disease Society (ILADS) and The Institute for Functional Medicine.

News | August 17, 2020

Health and well-being company Humana Inc. announced a pilot home-testing program that will enable at-home COVID-19 test collection for members, making Humana the first insurer to offer LabCorp’s at-home test-collection kits. Humana also announced an innovative new collaboration with Walmart and Quest Diagnostics to help members more easily get tested, becoming the first health care company to offer its members drive-thru testing at hundreds of Walmart Neighborhood Market drive-thru pharmacy locations across the country. Humana will continue to waive member costs related to COVID-19 diagnostic tests.

To create a seamless experience for members, Humana has developed a coronavirus risk-assessment tool. Members who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 infection, or those without symptoms who may be been exposed to the virus qualify for testing and will be given the option to request an in-home test or drive-thru testing. This is part of Humana’s ongoing effort to meet members where they are and ensure that they have a wide range of options and choices for COVID-19 diagnostic testing. Humana members with Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, Medicaid, or Employer Group plans through Humana are eligible for the tests, with Humana waiving member costs for the tests.

Humana Inc. is committed to helping their medical and specialty members achieve their best health. Humana’s efforts seek to lead to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large.

For more information, please contact: 

• Jim Turner, Corporate Communications, Humana, 500 West Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202; 502-608-2897; Email: jturner2@humana.com; Website: www.humana.com

Disclaimer: The information provided through PsychU is intended for the educational benefit of mental health care professionals and others who support mental health care. It is not intended as, nor is it a substitute for, medical care, advice, or professional diagnosis. Health care professionals should use their independent medical judgement when reviewing PsychU’s educational resources. Users seeking medical advice should consult with a health care professional.The content displayed on this page was developed by OPEN MINDS, a national publishing, education, and consultation firm specializing in the mental health field. The expressed opinions, informational content, and links displayed do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of PsychU, PsychU Community members, or Lundbeck, LLC, and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc.

Jill Ettinger is an LA-based writer and editor focused on vegan and cruelty-free living.

AUG. 13, 2020

7 Natural Ways to Treat and Prevent Maskne

Mandatory or not, wearing a face mask in public is helping save lives (maybe even your own) by reducing the spread of the coronavirus. The more consistently we wear them, the sooner we won’t have to wear them at all—in theory, anyway. 

But even once masks are no longer required, many of us may still find ourselves wanting to wear them. Why? Because in addition to keeping us safe from disease, they can also hide our maskne—those unsightly breakouts caused by wearing masks in the first place!

For now, anyway, don’t lose your masks. But you can lose that maskne. Here’s how.

1. Wash your masks.

This should go without saying, but it’s so easy to pop your mask into your purse or take it off in the car and then forget about it until the next time you need it. Reusing unwashed masks is better than wearing no mask at all, but it’s best to have several masks you can rotate through and clean regularly. A clean mask is going to reduce the bacteria, reducing your risk of breakouts. Be sure to use a fragrance-free, natural detergent, too. Synthetic detergents can be rough on the skin as well, and you don’t want to be inhaling those chemicals either.

2. Stick with cotton masks.

Unless you’re an essential worker required to use a specific kind of mask, you may want to avoid heavier fabrics (like nylon) and stick with a breathable cotton. If you can find organic cotton, even better. Lighter masks, especially in the summertime, won’t trap as much heat, which reduces the risk of maskne and skin irritation. Cotton is also easier to clean.

Pro-tip: Kinder Beauty’s Add-On Shop is offering this 100% cotton mask that you can purchase, touting the beautiful words, “SPREAD KINDNESS, NOT A VIRUS.”

3. Ditch the makeup—at least on the bottom part of your face.

No one can see much besides your eyes, anyway. So leave the foundation off (not ideal during summer, anyway), and focus on playing up your eye game, if you choose. Foundation and concealers can sometimes plug up your pores. That doesn’t work well in the humid environment your mask is creating. Not to mention, it’s also a waste of money to use all that makeup if your face is going to be covered with a mask!

4. Don’t go crazy with your skincare routine.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? If your skincare routine was already working, chances are it’s the mask, not your daily cleanser or moisturizer, that’s causing the breakouts. If your skincare routine was due for an overhaul, anyway, try a natural (and cruelty-free) cleanser for acne-prone skin, like Willing Beauty Do-Over Cleanser(featured in the March 2020 Kinder Beauty Box). It may help reduce breakouts and speed up healing if they’re already happening.

5. Use the other kind of face mask.

There are lots of store-bought face masks to help reduce breakouts. But you can also whip up a quick and easy DIY face mask for acne prone skin with ground up oats, apple cider vinegar, and a few (just a few!) drops of lavender and tea tree essential oils. Mix the ground up oats with enough vinegar to create a thick but smooth paste. Add in the oils and mix well. You can use this all over your face or spot treat trouble areas. Pro-tip: If you don’t want to make your own, we recommend the Sonage: Saffron Energizing Vitamin Mask, featured in Kinder Beauty’s July 2020 Jasmine Collection. 

6. Wear sunscreen.

Yep, even under your mask. The last thing you want is weird mask tan (or burn) lines on your face, especially if your skin is already aggravated. And since masks can fog up sunglasses, you may be going without them more often than usual. Skip the burn, and stay safe.

7. Stay home.

While many businesses have reopened and many people are returning to “normal,” keep in mind we’re still in the middle of a global pandemic. We’re all safer at home, and that’s good news for maskne sufferers, too. Order in, take a staycation, and only go out when necessary. The less often you need to wear your mask, the safer you are and the healthier your skin will be, too.

Pain Week is a publication specifically for Pain Doctors, one I haven’t heard of before. This mini article and Podcast shine a light on a topic those who suffer from chronic pain already know. Pain medication is not being prescribed when needed and specialized pain care is dwelling.

This Podcast is very interesting, we now know why most doctors are running for the hills, as they say.

Melinda

A SINGLE POINT OF ACCESS FOR FRONTLINE PRACTITIONERS

Aug 10, 2020

At the 2018 Department of Justice (DOJ) Opioid Summit, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions remarked that opioid prescribing had reached its lowest point in 18 years. Still, the DOJ is committed to reducing opioid analgesic prescriptions an additional 30% to 33% within the next 3 years. More than ever, prescribers of controlled prescription medications are under intense scrutiny from lawmakers, regulators, and payers. At the same time, some 50 million adults in the US have persistent pain, nearly 20 million of whom experience pain that interferes with daily life or work activities.

As noted by the Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force (PMTF) in its December 2018 draft report, the trend of healthcare professionals opting out of treating pain has exacerbated the shortage of pain management specialists, leaving some patients without access to individualized care. In this session, a partner in a Washington, DC based health law firm will discuss recent legislative and regulatory activity at the federal level and trends in criminal enforcement. He will also discuss noteworthy developments at the state level and analyze the anticipated benefits, drawbacks, and unintended consequences of such actions on people with pain and those who treat them.

Topics will include the implications of recently passed comprehensive opioid legislation—the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act; a draft report on pain management best practices by PMTF and the pushback against it; and efforts to reform the federal approach to investigating controlled-medication prescribers.

• BY MICHAEL C. BARNES
• JD, MIEP

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