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Blog Posts Tagged nervous system | Sheila Meyer

nervous system

Why Do You Get Butterflies In Your Stomach?


Have you ever had "butterflies" in your stomach?  Most likely you were nervous about meeting someone new, having an interview or having to give a presentation.  Regardless of the reason ... the fact that those butterflies were there demonstrates the direct link between digestion, mood, health and the way you think. 

Why you get butterflies in your stomach
  1. Your gut ... or, your "second brain" ... contains more than 100 million nerve cells lining your GI tract from the esophagus all the way to the rectum and is directly connected to your brain.  This means your gut and your "big brain" literally talk with each other.  Your gut (or second brain), however, does not have the same thought or cognitive capabilities ... number-concepts like math or balancing a checkbook, decision making, language composition, etc ... that your brain has. It's main role is controlling digestion:
  • swallowing
  • enzymes
  • blood flow for nutrient absorption
  • elimination
2. "Researchers are finding evidence that irritation in the gastrointestinal system may send signals to the central nervous system (CNS) that trigger mood changes." For years it was concluded that anxiety and depression contributed to digestive issues such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and functional bowel problems ... constipation, diarrhea, bloating, pain and stomach upset.  This new evidence is proving that digestive issues could also be the triggers for anxiety and depression. This would definitely explain why a greater-than-normal percentage of people with IBS and functional bowel problems develop anxiety and depression. That can be a lot of people when you consider 30-40% of the population experience functional bowel issues at any given time. 

3. Hashimoto's or other thyroid issues.  I personally had "thyroiditis" when I was in my early twenties. Later, I received a diagnosis of hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's.  There is a definite connection between your thyroid, your gut and your brain.  Have you experienced any of these symptoms?
  • Fatigue
  • Brain fog
  • Depression
  • Slow mental speed
  • Poor brain endurance, meaning you tire easily from reading, driving, working, noisy areas, etc.
  • Worsening memory
  • Anxiety
  • Sleep problems
  • Low motivation
  • Irritable, grouchy
  • Worsening balance
  • Drop things easily
  • Handwriting getting worse
  • Worsening muscle function
 Did you know the thyroid, stomach, digestive tract, and tongue all have a shared cellular origin? It only makes sense that digestive irritations will contribute to worsening symptoms.  Both gluten sensitivity and celiac disease occur at a higher rate in people with Hashimoto's than in the general population.  One study indicated it was 9.3%. 

Hashimoto's has not been prevalent in my labs now for several years.  I attribute this to the healthy lifestyle, diet changes and other wellness and nutritional support. Periodically, I do a wellness scan to see if there are any areas out of balance and needing support.  

Inflammation is a huge factor and food is one of the largest contributors.  Most find their symptoms improving with diet changes.  Figuring out what my triggers were and adjusting my diet accordingly as been key to my overall wellness.  If you are interested in how I do it and the reasons why, then you will want to check out my classes here.  The classes include some bonus modules plus recipes plus a list of foods to substitute and where to get them. 

Getting butterflies in your stomach is not a bad thing.  It definitely shows how the gut ... your "second brain" ... is connected to your "big brain" and how one can affect the other.  


My Freedom Journey

 
People, including doctors, thought we were crazy...all in our heads.  After all, how could normal, every day household and personal product smells affect your ability to function, to cause you to be incoherent and feel shaky inside, to have an emotional break-down?  Inside we were dying.  Outside we appeared normal. 
Fragrances were, and are, part of every day, normal life.....candles, laundry, cleaning, perfumes.  Everyone and their neighbor used them.  For us, we either had to isolate ourselves or suffer the following day or two with a toxic hangover.  Isolation is never a good option, especially with children.  During the summer it was impossible to go outside without inhaling someone's laundry or the recent lawn product application.  My husband was so bad one summer that he could eat constantly and, yet, still lose weight.  Every month I would get a sinus infection and/or chest congestion. 
Then came the food sensitivities and autoimmune disorders.  How could food cause my ears to be red and hot, my cheeks to flush, and cause my entire body to break out multiple times in a horrendous, red, itchy, inflamed rash only to burn when scratched and ooze yellow, sticky fluid?  Imagine, every day having gauze pads over the majority of your body under your clothes and hoping the rash doesn't drain so much that it soaks through your clothes.  It would take months to disappear.  People said "just get a cortisone/steroid shot" for relief.  They could not understand why that was not my choice
By discovering and eliminating my many triggers, finding a new, non-toxic way to support my immune system, my liver, and my thyroid, I have not had a major skin breakout for about 3 yrs and have been able to manage my autoimmune disorders without the use of standard medication. 
I finally found a way to acquire "Freedom from Toxins", "Freedom to Achieve Wellness", and "Freedom to Choose". 


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