How does a symptom appear?
The explanation I give to my patients about why they are having illness symptoms frequently involves a bucket analogy. At times a symptom can be traced back to a very specific event or toxic exposure or illness or stress that starts a downward spiral. If you think about when a symptom started you may be able to determine this for yourself. But, often, toxic exposure, viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic illness will build up over time and then in combination be the source of the problem and the cause of chronic illness.
That is the reason for my bucket analogy.
Your organs of elimination are like a bucket. Your liver/gall bladder, bowel, kidneys, bladder, and skin all work together to remove the stressors from your body. Toxins and immune challenges go in and should be emptied out in an efficient fashion. However, excess carbohydrate consumption (white refined sugar especially), stress, and high toxic exposure can all make these organs of elimination work less efficiently. This makes the bucket fill faster than it is emptying. As you come in contact with new chemicals, metals, and immune challenges the bucket keeps filling. If you are not actively encouraging the drainage of these pathways the problem keeps building. You may or may not have symptoms during this time.
At some point, the bucket is very close to overflowing. This is when random exposures to even small amounts of something toxic to your body will push you over the edge. A walk into a store that sprays perfume on everything will start a sneezing attack. Foods (even healthy ones) could produce allergic or bowel reactions. Dental work (even a cleaning) causes a headache. These are examples of the bucket overflowing. The organs of elimination can’t handle more. So, the crisis is more dramatic.
Eventually, the bucket is constantly overflowing, causing the symptoms to be chronic and lasting for longer and longer periods of time.
Some Symptoms of the Overload on the Organs of Elimination are:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Swollen tonsils/lymph nodes
- Joint pain
- Constipation/diarrhea
- Mood problems
- Heart palpitations
- Hormone imbalance
- Allergies
The Solution: Empty the Bucket!
We have many ways of supporting these organs of elimination. We have several new supplements that have been very successful in supporting the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, bladder, and bowel and assisting with detoxification.
Ask your Practitioner what might be best for you. We now have a Far Infrared Sauna by High Tech Health in our office that can be used to help with moving toxins out of the body by sweating. Lymphatic massage or dry skin brushing, drinking an adequate amount of good quality water, keeping your bowels moving well, exercise, and eating healthy foods all help, too.
I hope this analogy helps you understand the why behind your symptom. I look forward to helping you on your path to diagnosing chronic symptoms and achieving better health.
Yours in health,
Kerry Cradit, B.S. Nutrition
