Something I've been listening to on audiable. I found it really informative and helpful in regard to my worsening health conditions at the moment. I've unfortunately been having issues with my hormones, which they initially (Rheumatology) thought could be an autoimmune response, but after much testing (thyroid), it turns out I was suffering from physical manifestations of stress due to an overload of my nervous system. My allergies had also flared up, causing me to break out in eczema, and I had been suffering with cramps from IBS that were quite debilitating.
This was probably due to the changes in regard to my job, but also years of "being there" for family members at the cost of myself. I've decided that I now (after much soul searching, deliberation and guilt) need to set healthier boundaries for myself (as an act of self care), and start pouring into my own cup where things have become one-sided and somewhat uncomfortable. In my opinion there is a definitive line between venting and emotional dumping, and over time I've had to acknowledge the truth (as harsh as it was) that these familial bonds have crossed, and overstepped that line, becoming co-dependent rather than interdependent relationships.
On a positive note, my tutors have been really great concerning my course and very understanding of my health issues. While going through all this it's been quite serendipitous in regard to my lectures. They seem to be touching on the all of the health issues I have going on right now, and through that I feel I have a better understanding as to why my body reacts the way it does.
The majority of autoimmune illness are linked to issues with the the gut-brain axis. Simplified the gut-brain axis is a two-way connection between the gut and the brain. Connected through the largest nerve in the body, known as the vagus nerve, they both they communicate with each other back and forth through this nerve connection. Hence why the gut is sometimes called your second brain. The vagus nerve also has links the enteric and central nervous systems (which include the autonomic, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, as well as extending into our endocrine system that regulates our hormones plus metabolism) and our humoral immune routes of communication; leading to chronic inflammation if not functioning properly.
There is also evidence that the diversity of our microbiome can greatly impact our health as well (both physical and mental), so I've been wondering if the recent rounds of antibiotics and prednisolone I've been taking have also played a part in this cycle of wellness and unwellness. On that note, my new doctor has been encouraging me to eat more probiotic food in order help and prevent dysbiosis. It's a delicate balance in regard to your gut bacteria (microbiota), because if you go too far you can end up with SIBO, something I learned about as part of my studies. We've been also looking at the book "Gut" by Giulia Enders, which is a fun read if you want to look more into this subject. Otherwise I've attached a video and slide show that further summarise Polyvagal theory for your perusal.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SlhFrBoEnxU (Polyvagal Theory)
