Did you know that for your brain and body to really be healthy, your hormones need to be balanced? When our hormone levels are out of whack, a whole host of unpleasant symptoms can rain down on us!

Hormone imbalance is a general term referring to either too much or too little of a hormone in the bloodstream. Hormones are chemicals that are produced by glands in the endocrine system. That system includes the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, pancreas, ovaries, and testes.

Hormones that are commonly imbalanced include:

• Estrogen, which regulates sexual characteristics in females
• Testosterone, which regulates sexual characteristics in males
• Melatonin, which regulates sleep
• Ghrelin, which regulates appetite and fat storage
• Thyroid, which regulates metabolism in every cell
• Aldosterone, which regulates salt and water levels
• Cortisol, which regulates stress and energy
• Progesterone, which regulates pregnancy and menstruation
• DHEA, which is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands in men and women, and whose role is not fully understood.

Symptoms of hormone imbalance include:

• Estrogen: weight gain, hot flashes, migraines
• Testosterone: low sex drive, male pattern baldness, acne
• Melatonin: insomnia, depression
• Ghrelin: excessive hunger, overeating
• Thyroid: fatigue, hair loss, constipation, anxiety, irregular heartbeat
• Aldosterone: high blood pressure
• Cortisol: weight gain, high blood pressure, anxiety
• Progesterone: low sex drive, mood swings, cramps
• DHEA: adrenal fatigue, joint pain, loss of muscle mass

Hormone levels naturally fluctuate throughout life, causing changes in body shape, energy, health, etc. The levels spike during puberty, then decline with age.

​Hormones influence many different bodily functions, including:

• Metabolism and weight gain or loss
• Sexual function
• Fertility and reproduction
• Mood
• Hair growth
• Energy

​Other factors besides age that influence hormone imbalances are:

• Use of certain steroids or birth control pills
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Lack of quality sleep
• Poor nutrition
• High stress

Women often experience hormone imbalance during menopause. The sudden drop in estrogen levels can cause weight gain, hot flashes, night sweats, and disinterest in sex.
For men, low testosterone levels can cause reduced energy, mood swings, physical weakness, and disinterest in sex.

​Bio-Touch has been shown to ease the symptoms of hormone imbalance. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to medical protocols. Family members and friends can help each other feel better using Bio-Touch, without being concerned about negative side effects.

Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991, although he didn’t make it public until 1998. “It was scary,” he said. “I was 29 years old and so it was the last thing I expected to hear. I thought I’d hurt my shoulder doing some stunt because I had a twitch in my pinkie. And the doctor said, ‘You have Parkinson’s disease, but the good news is that you have ten years of work left.’”

Despite the doctor’s prediction, Michael would continue acting in movies and television, earning acting accolades, an Emmy and Golden Globe and many nominations for those awards until 2018, when he was sidelined with back surgery unrelated to Parkinson’s. In 2000, Michael launched The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which the New York Times has called “the most credible voice on Parkinson’s research in the world.” Today the world’s largest non-profit funder of Parkinson’s drug development, the Foundation has galvanized the search for a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Fox is widely admired for his tireless work as a patient advocate.

In the U.S., over one million Americans suffer from Parkinson’s disease (approximately 10 million worldwide). Every year, 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with it. The frequency and severity of this disease increases with age, although an estimated four percent of people with Parkinson’s disease are diagnosed before the age of 50. In general, men are diagnosed more frequently than women.

Parkinson’s disease is caused by the degeneration of a small part of the brain called the substantia nigra. As brain cells in the substantia nigra die, the brain becomes deprived of the chemical dopamine.

Dopamine enables brain cells that are involved in movement control to communicate, so reduced levels of dopamine lead to symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. According to the National Parkinson Foundation, 60-80% of dopamine-producing cells are lost even before the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease appear.

The four primary symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are:

• Tremor -involuntary, rhythmic shaking of a limb, head, or entire body. This is the most recognized symptom of Parkinson’s disease. Tremor often starts in one finger that eventually spreads to the whole arm. The tremor may affect only one part or side of the body, especially in the early stages of the disease. Not everyone with Parkinson’s disease has tremor.
• Rigidity -stiffness or inflexibility of the limbs or joints. This often begins in the legs and neck. Rigidity affects most people. The muscles become tense and contracted, and some people may feel pain or stiffness.
• Bradykinesia -slowness of movement or absence of movement. This is one of the classic symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Over time, a person may develop a stooped posture and a slow, shuffling walk. They eventually may lose their ability to start and keep moving. After several years, they may experience akinesia, or “freezing,” and not be able to move at all.
• Postural instability – impaired balance and coordination. A person with postural instability may have a stooped position, with head bowed and shoulders drooped. They may develop a forward or backward lean, which may lead to falls that cause injuries.

A person with Parkinson’s disease may also experience other symptoms. These include:

• Depression and anxiety
• Loss of the sense of smell
• Sleep problems
• Memory loss

​
Bio-Touch has been shown to ease the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. While not a substitute for medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to mainstream medical protocols. And there are no negative side effects to worry about. Everyone, even children, can learn Bio-Touch!

"There was something wrong with human emotions. The good ones left
you as fast as a sneeze, while the bad ones hung around like bronchitis."  

​~ Edward W. Robertson

I still remember it clearly— I was in first grade, and started to feel headachy and sick during class. After placing her palm on my forehead, my teacher told me to gather my belongings. I was headed to see the nurse.

Soon my mom arrived to take me home. By then I was coughing. But what stands out in my mind was the weird high-pitched hissing sound I made when I took a deep breath. The nurse said I was wheezing. Apparently, I had contracted viral bronchitis, and the wheezing was a typical symptom. Our family doctor actually stopped by our house to check on me late that afternoon, and I was good as new after a few soup-and-rest-filled days.

Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to the lungs. Bronchitis can occur from viral, environmental, or bacterial causes. In fact, the same viruses which cause cold and flu can also cause bronchitis.

Bronchitis is marked by a persistent mucus-producing cough, which may be accompanied by chest tightness, a low-grade fever, and shortness of breath.

There are two types of bronchitis: acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis usually goes away within a few days to a few weeks. Chronic bronchitis is a form of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and can continue for months or years.

Industrial bronchitis affects people who are exposed regularly to fumes, dust, or smoke. The airways become irritated, which results in coughing and mucus production. Symptoms may go away on their own. Medication or air filters (especially face masks) may be required to improve symptoms.

Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs that can result from fungi, bacteria, or viruses. These can be acquired by airborne sources (such as sneezing or coughing), or can occur when bacteria or viruses in the nose and sinuses spread to the lungs.

Pneumonia causes a mucus-producing cough, as well as shortness of breath. It may also cause a high fever, clammy/sweaty skin, confusion, headache, malaise, loss of appetite, sharp chest pain, or leukonychia (white nail syndrome).

Unlike bronchitis, pneumonia can be life-threatening. It affects how air is distributed to blood cells. When cells do not get enough oxygen, they cannot function properly. As a result, the infection can spread and become deadly.

Bio-Touch has been shown to ease the symptoms of bronchitis and pneumonia. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to medical protocols. Family members and friends can help each other feel better using Bio-Touch, without being concerned about negative side effects. Click here to learn more about Bio-Touch.

​I’m not much of a drinker. I’ll sip an occasional glass of sparkling wine to be social, but the truth is I’ve never really cared for the taste of alcohol; it reminds me of cough medicine. It’s high in calories, too. I would rather gain weight eating chocolate cake than drinking a glass of wine that’s about 228 calories, or a pint of lager that packs 200 calories. That’s the same as a slice of pizza!

I knew alcohol addiction was a problem for some people, but I was surprised and saddened by the statistics I discovered while researching information for this blog:

• 10,497 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2016, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report published in October 2017.
• About 19,500, or 3.5 percent, of all cancer deaths in the United States were related to alcohol in 2009, according to a 2013 study published in the American Journal of Public Health.
• 1 percent of people killed by homicide or law enforcement in 2013 tested positive for alcohol, according to data from the National Violent Death Reporting System.
• 2 percent of people who died by suicide in 2013 tested positive for alcohol, according to data from the National Violent Death Reporting System.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that more than 15 million people in America are addicted to alcohol. Because it’s readily available to buy in grocery stores, bars, restaurants, movie theaters, sporting arenas, etc., people often consider alcohol use a normal activity compared to drug use. So, alcohol has become one of the most commonly used and abused addictive substances in the country. In fact, one in every 12 adults aged 18 and older meets the criteria for alcohol addiction.

The risk of someone becoming dependent on alcohol rises by a staggering 200 to 300 percent if their parent or guardian abused alcohol. This early exposure can lead a child to think that alcohol abuse is normal. It can cause childhood traumas and make someone more likely to drink to cope with those experiences.

When obtaining and drinking alcohol becomes the highest priority in someone’s life and the driving force behind nearly all their important decisions, they are showing major signs of addiction.

Other behavioral signs of growing addiction include:

• Having withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
• Being unable to function or perform daily tasks without drinking
• Drinking multiple times per day
• Rationalizing or justifying alcohol use
• Drinking in risky situations such as while driving or at work
• Developing a tolerance and needing more alcohol to get the same effects
• Regularly binge drinking
• Being unable to control amount of drinking
• Blacking out from excessive drinking
• Choosing alcohol over relationships and responsibilities
• Declining academic or workplace performance
• Lying about the amount or hiding drinking
• Wanting to stop drinking, but being unable to

Physical signs of alcohol abuse include:

• Changes in weight
• Extremely dry skin
• Flushed appearance
• Frequent stomach cramps
• Decrease in personal hygiene
• Impotence and erectile dysfunction
• Broken capillaries on the nose and face
• Sudden increase in age spots and wrinkles
• Yellowed skin and eyes from liver damage

Chronic alcohol abuse can result in:

• Serious heart problems, including abnormal changes in blood pressure and arrhythmia
• A weakened immune system that leads to an increased risk of infections and disease
• Disrupted communication within the brain, resulting in impaired judgment, motor skills, and emotional and behavioral problems
• Severe liver damage, including alcoholic hepatitis fibrosis, and cirrhosis
• A much higher risk of throat, liver, mouth, esophageal, and breast cancers

• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, developmental disorders, and birth defects resulting from drinking while pregnant

Bio-Touch has been shown to ease the symptoms of alcohol addiction. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to mainstream medical protocols. And there are no negative side effects to worry about. Everyone, even children, can learn Bio-Touch!

​Some days are great – things go my way and people seem friendlier and more open towards me. I feel confident and happy. It’s a good day!

But other days (luckily not very often) everything’s a hassle, people are cold or demanding, and I feel stressed, discouraged, and sad. It’s a lousy day! That’s when I like to retreat to a quiet room at home, get cozy under a soft blanket, recline in a chair, and play some Beethoven. It always soothes me.

Yes, our day-to-day lives can be emotionally trying. But for many people, daily living can be much harder than the typical challenge. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, major depression affects approximately 17.3 million American adults every year. Even the young are affected. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1.9 million American children aged three to seventeen have been diagnosed with depression. And around the world, 300 million people struggle with depression, according to the World Health Organization.

Depression is much more than simply being unhappy. Clinical depression is a complex mood disorder caused by various factors, including genetic predisposition, personality, stress, and brain chemistry.

Some forms of depression may develop under unique circumstances. For instance, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is affected by the weather and time of year. Postpartum depression can occur in women following the birth of their babies.

Potential triggers of depression include:

• genetic or family history of depression
• psychological or emotional vulnerability to depression
• biological factors such as imbalances in brain chemistry and in the endocrine/immune systems
• major stress in the person’s life

Women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression. Many hormonal factors may contribute to the increased rate of depression in women, particularly during times such as menstrual cycle changes, pregnancy and postpartum, miscarriage, pre-menopause, and menopause.

The main symptom of depression is a sad, despairing mood that:

• is present most days and lasts most of the day
• lasts for more than two weeks
• impairs the person’s performance at work, at school, or in social relationships

Other symptoms of depression include:

• changes in appetite and weight
• issues with sleep– too much or too little
• loss of interest in personal cleanliness, work, hobbies, people, or sex
• withdrawal from family members and friends
• feeling useless, hopeless, excessively guilty, pessimistic, or having low self-esteem
• agitation
• irritability
• fatigue
• trouble concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• crying easily or feeling like crying but not able to do so
• thoughts of suicide (which should always be taken seriously)
• losing touch with reality, hearing voices (hallucinations), or having strange ideas (delusions)

Bio-Touch has been shown to address symptoms of depression, and help people feel cared for and less stressed. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to medical protocols. Family members and friends can learn to help each other feel better using Bio-Touch, without being concerned about negative side effects.

“Be true to your teeth and they won’t be false to you.”  
   ~ Author Unknown
​
Mom and Dad were diligent in their efforts that their children would have shiny, straight teeth. Growing up, my sister and I were driven to regular dental and orthodontic appointments despite our protests. Our parents knew a healthy mouth was important even without the scientific evidence that we hear about today. And we continued that routine with our own children.

Why? Because children learn good habits early, and you can’t be truly healthy without good oral health. Broken or missing teeth, diseased gums, cavities, and bacterial imbalances can spread illness of the mouth to other parts of the body. A healthy mouth is one of the immune system’s front-line defenses against numerous infections.

Chronic bad breath is due to the overgrowth and imbalance of bacteria found in the rear of the mouth. And a secondary source is bacterial gases and decay found in unhealthy gums and gum pockets.

As bacterial by-products and toxins accumulate, particularly in the gums, they can pass into the blood system. While there are other mechanisms at play, medical studies have linked many body ills to oral disease. These include:

• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Lung Disease
• Strokes
• Periodontitis (gum disease)
• Dementia
• Kidney disease

There are genetic mutations that cause some people to be born with missing or malformed teeth. But discolored or stained teeth and susceptibility to oral diseases are not significantly impacted by hereditary factors. So, while genetics may play a small role in bad teeth for some people, it is primarily lifestyle habits that contribute to poor oral health.

So, what are some good habits to adopt to boost your oral health? Consume “teeth-friendly” foods, rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals. These include fruits and vegetables, yogurt, cheese, milk, and almonds. Avoid eating junk foods, hard candies and dried fruit. Never chew on ice or use your teeth as a tool to open things. Drink water instead of sports, sweetened, and carbonated beverages. Limit alcohol consumption. Brush your teeth after eating. If you can’t brush, rinsing with water will help. Avoid using tobacco or drugs, which promote tartar on the teeth, leading to stains and bad breath. And have regular dental checkups.

Bio-Touch has been shown to enhance oral health and alleviate pain and inflammation of the teeth, gums, and mouth. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to medical protocols. Family members and friends can learn to help others feel better using Bio-Touch, without being concerned about negative side effects.

“The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.”
        ~ Frank Lloyd Wright

Did you know that life expectancy in the United States is steadily increasing? And more amazingly, the fastest growing segment of the American population is the 85 and older age group! Wow!

My hubby and I live in an active 55 and older community, and we love how fit and fun our neighbors are. They hike, bike, swim, golf, play tennis and pickleball, etc. We join in, too, and have signed up to play bocce ball this fall. Bocce ball is the most popular activity by far, with hundreds of participants!

But, along with these encouraging signs, there are also challenges that aging people face. Despite advances in health care, many older people have chronic, incurable, and progressive diseases. The most widespread health conditions are arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer, pneumonia, dementia, and osteoporosis. Accidents, especially falls that result in hip fractures, are also common. These medical issues often result in the need for assistance with activities of daily living.

Older adults are at increased risk of being socially isolated or lonely. They retire from jobs, children move away, and friends and spouses pass away. The grief that follows the loss of a spouse can last many years and cause anxiety, illness, and depression.

Fortunately, recent studies suggest that healthy, successful aging is achievable. Many factors, including genetics, the environment, and lifestyle choices affect how we age.
Illnesses like diabetes, congestive heart failure, and some forms of dementia can be delayed or even prevented. Even loss of muscle strength is partly preventable. And most importantly, a positive attitude seems to help overcome illness and personal loss.

What are some steps to successful aging?

• Adopt and maintain healthy habits and a positive lifestyle.
• Avoid cigarette smoking.
• Have no more than one alcoholic beverage in a 24-hour period.
• Exercise regularly with weight-bearing, aerobic, and balance activities.
• Maintain a comfortable weight.
• Enjoy hobbies and interests, particularly social activities such as dancing, Tai Chi, card games, etc.
• Strengthen relationships with family and friends.
• Engage in educational activities to challenge the mind.
• Take advantage of nearby resources such as community support and local senior centers.

​Another important step to successful aging is having Bio-Touch sessions. Bio-Touch has been shown to alleviate many symptoms associated with aging, especially the negative consequences of isolation. Bio-Touch lowers stress levels and contributes to feelings of being cared for.

While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to medical protocols. Family members and friends can learn how to help each other feel better using Bio-Touch, without being concerned about negative side effects.

​“We don’t heal in isolation, but in community.”
​    ~ S. Kelley Harrell

Trauma affects the mind and body in so many ways. As a Bio-Touch practitioner, I remember working on two ladies at the Center who had suffered different traumas in their lives. Along with their other symptoms, they began to lose their hair. A lot of hair. One of them took to wearing a wig, and the other wore scarves to cover her hair loss. I felt so sorry for them having to go through that.

Then last year, after suffering a severe back injury, I, too, experienced this phenomenon. My hair started coming out in handfuls, lying in tangled clumps on my pillowcase. Luckily for me, my back is healing nicely, and my hair loss was temporary. But losing so much hair was devastating, especially while also dealing with extreme pain and sudden disability.

This kind of hair loss is called telogen effluvium. The trauma of severe pain and stress can be a “shock” to the system, causing hair roots to be pushed prematurely into a resting state. Telogen effluvium can be a short-term problem or it can cause permanent hair loss. As much as 70% of scalp hair is shed about two months after the “shock.”

Trauma is defined as a psychological and/or emotional response to an experience that is deeply disturbing. Trauma can result from being involved in an accident, having an illness or injury, losing a loved one, or going through a divorce. Extreme trauma can encompass experiences like rape, battlefield stress, or torture.

Because trauma reactions fall across a wide spectrum, psychologists have developed categories to differentiate between types of trauma. Among them are complex trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and developmental trauma disorder. 

Complex Trauma happens repetitively and cumulatively. The traumatic experience transpires within a particular time frame or within a specific relationship, and often in a specific setting.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop after a person has been exposed to a terrifying event or has been through an ordeal in which intense physical harm occurred or was threatened. Sufferers of PTSD have persistent and frightening thoughts and memories of their ordeal.

Developmental Trauma Disorder is a recent term in the study of psychology. This disorder forms during a child’s first three years of life. The result of abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment, developmental trauma interferes with the infant or child’s neurological, cognitive, and psychological development. It disrupts the child’s ability to attach to an adult caregiver.

Many people undergoing traumatic events find themselves facing troubling symptoms. The severity of these symptoms depends upon the person, the type of traumatic event experienced, and the emotional support received after the event. Symptoms can be varied and are not always experienced in the same way by all individuals.

Common symptoms of trauma include:

Mood symptoms:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Shock
• Anger
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Despair
• Guilt
• Shame
• Self-blame
• Sadness
• Panic attacks
• Hopelessness

 
Behavioral symptoms:

• Frequent nightmares
• Being easily startled
• Fatigue
• Edginess
• Self-medication with drugs and alcohol
• Self-harming behaviors
• Difficulty concentrating
• Social isolation
• Avoiding certain events that may trigger memories
• Avoiding certain people

Physical symptoms:

• Insomnia
• Racing heartbeat
• Muscle tension
• Aches and pains
• Exhaustion
• Agitation
• Dry mouth
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Significant loss of scalp hair

Psychological symptoms:

• Confusion
• Difficulty concentrating
• Insecurities
• Repressed memories
• Dissociation
• Emotional numbing
• Constant fear
• Denial and disbelief
• Flashbacks – the individual may re-experience traumatic events over and over
• Emotional detachment
• Low self-esteem

Bio-Touch has been shown to alleviate symptoms associated with trauma. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to medical protocols. Family members and friends can learn how to help each other feel better using Bio-Touch, without being concerned about negative side effects.

“The gut is the seat of all feeling.” 
       ~ Suzy Kassem
 
I was astonished to read in a Johns Hopkins medical article, how digestive diseases affect 60 to 70 million Americans annually. That’s a lot of people. What’s more, a study by consumer digital health care company, Amino, found that, like so many other health conditions from bunions to thyroid disease, digestive issues are diagnosed in women almost twice as often as men. Though not conclusive, there is evidence that stress, diet, lifestyle, and hormones are to blame.

The body’s digestive system is made up of multiple organs including the esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small intestines, and colon. These organs work together to break down food and fluids into nutrients the body needs to be healthy. Waste products the body doesn’t need are eliminated.

Intestinal gas, burping, and abdominal bloating, although uncomfortable or embarrassing, are a normal part of the digestive process. However, gastrointestinal issues can occur that range from mild to serious or even life threatening.

Some symptoms of these issues include:

• Indigestion
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Heartburn
• Ulcers
• Acid reflux
• Bleeding
• Trouble swallowing
• Hemorrhoids
• Fecal incontinence

 
 These symptoms can be caused by conditions such as:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Gastritis
• Appendicitis
• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn’s disease
• Diverticulitis
• Pancreatitis
• Colon, colorectal, or stomach cancer
• Celiac disease
• Gall stones

 
Bio-Touch has been shown to alleviate symptoms of digestive disease. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to medical protocols.
 
Learning how to help people feel better using Bio-Touch is an incredible experience. And you can confidently use the healing power in your fingertips without worrying about negative side effects! 

“Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it.” 
     ~ Haruki Murakami

Three years ago, my mother was dying. She was 95 years old, had lived a great life, and was ready. Her journey to death took about six weeks, and my sister and I were able to share it with her as we sat at her bedside.

As heart wrenching as it was to see the physical changes taking place, it was awe-inspiring, too. Mom was conscious and lucid as she spoke to us about every day things. Then she’d look up towards the ceiling and tell us, excitedly, how she was seeing relatives and friends who’d been dead for years. Her brother had passed away a decade earlier. He was an artist, and Mom was thrilled watching him paint pictures for her-welcoming her upwards! She would say, “Oh, I wish you could see what I’m seeing!”

When Mom seemed agitated, I would touch her using the Bio-Touch points specific to stress. Almost immediately she would be calmer and breathe easier. She would smile and say, “You did that Bio-Touch on me, didn’t you?” She felt relief and so did I— I was grateful to have a helpful tool like Bio-Touch at my fingertips!

Death, like life, is a personal journey everyone experiences in their own unique way. And the care givers and/or loved ones of the dying person will be on a journey of their own as they witness this dying process.

Like my mother, the dying person may begin to see or speak to friends and relatives who have already died. Some people explain this as the veil being lifted between this life and the next, while other people believe these are hallucinations. Personally, I know my mother was not hallucinating.

The dying person may pick at their sheets and clothing in a state of agitation. They may have trouble swallowing food, liquids or medications or may refuse to take the medications prescribed. Other signs of the dying process:

• The body temperature lowers by a degree or more.
• The blood pressure lowers.
• The pulse becomes irregular and may slow down or speed up.
• There is increased perspiration.
• Skin color changes as circulation is diminished. This is noticeable on the lips and nail beds as they become pale and bluish.
• Breathing changes occur, often becoming more rapid and labored, then irregular and slower.
• Speaking decreases and eventually stops altogether.
• Periods of relaxation may be interrupted by sudden movements of arms and legs.

Rapid breaths followed by periods of no breathing at all, called Cheyne-Stokes breathing, may occur. Congestion in the airway can causing loud, rattled breathing. This change in breathing can be very uncomfortable for loved ones to hear, but does not appear to be unpleasant for the person who is dying.

Hands and feet may become blotchy and purplish (mottled). This mottling may slowly work its way up the arms and legs. The person usually becomes unresponsive and may have their eyes open or semi-open but not seeing their surroundings. Eventually, breathing will cease altogether and the heart stops.

Bio-Touch has been shown to help with breathing, ease agitation and pain, and relieve other symptoms of the dying process. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to medical protocols. Family members and friends can learn how to help each other feel better using Bio-Touch, without being concerned about negative side effects.

​"Be where your feet are.”  
    ~Anonymous

The above quote is good advice. We should strive to be in the moment, and not regret yesterday or fret about tomorrow.

But whoever wrote that quote probably never had to contend with a bony bump jutting sideways out of the base of their big toe. Doctors refer to it as hallux valgus, but it’s better known as a bunion.

I remember staring in shock at my grandmother’s pretty, heeled shoes when I was a little girl. Grandma had taken the drastic step of cutting small slices into the sides of the leather for relief. I could see her bunions peeking out of her shoes!

A bunion makes the big toe joint stick out to the side, forcing the big toe to curve in closer to the other toes.

Women are 2 to 3 times as likely as men to have bunions, often developing them from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly (especially high heels, shoes with pointed toes, or shoes with narrow toe boxes). For other people, bunions are caused by factors beyond their control. These can include:

• a family history of a foot type that is susceptible to bunions
• neuromuscular disorders
• conditions affecting the joints (e.g., arthritis)
• severe injury to the foot
• deformities at birth
• problems that affect the way a person walks (e.g., rolling in at the ankles)

At first, bunions may cause no pain. But as the big toe begins to turn in towards the other toes, there will usually be redness, pain, swelling, and tenderness in the area around the joint. Pressure inside the joint or from footwear pressing against the bunion may also cause discomfort. As the affected toe curves closer to the other toes on the foot, these toes can become painful as well.

Complications of bunions may include corns, calluses, hammer toes, and ingrown toenails. Other complications include irritation of the nerves surrounding the bunion area. Excess rubbing of the bunion against the footwear may lead to changes in the skin, resulting in corns or calluses. Hammer toe is a deformity of the toe immediately next to the big toe. A hammer toe is slightly raised and points upwards from the base and downwards at the end of the toe. Ingrown toenails can result from increased pressure from the big toe on the other toes. There may also be a decrease in the amount a joint can move when affected by the bunion.
​
Bio-Touch has been shown to ease the symptoms of bunions. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to mainstream medical protocols. And there are no negative side effects to worry about. Everyone, even children, can learn Bio-Touch!

 "Just breathing can be such a luxury sometimes.” 
​       ~ Walter Kirn

     I don’t have asthma, nor does anyone in my family, but I can’t think of anything that would be more frightening than fighting for my next breath.

Theresa Cannizzaro, a respiratory therapist, was featured in an article on Asthma.net. She had asked some of her patients to describe what it felt like to have asthma. Here are their answers:

     “Fish out of water.”
     “There is an elephant sitting on my chest.”
     “I cough so much that I can’t catch my breath.”
     “My chest feels tight and heavy.”
     “I feel like there is a pillow being held over my face.”
     “I am short of breath and can hear myself wheezing.”

Asthma is a long-term condition that can cause wheezing, breathlessness, and coughing. It often starts in childhood, but it can happen for the first time at any age. The severity of symptoms varies from person to person, ranging from very mild, occasional breathlessness and wheezing, to very debilitating symptoms.

Asthma is caused by inflammation of the airways —in particular, small tubes called bronchi. The bronchi are more sensitive than normal because of this inflammation. When a trigger of some kind irritates the lungs, the airways become narrow, the muscles around them tighten, and there is an increase in the production of sticky mucus (phlegm). This makes it difficult to breathe and causes wheezing and coughing. It may also make the chest feel tight.

Common Asthma Symptoms

• Coughing: can be dry or mucus-filled, often worse at night or early morning
• Wheezing: whistling or squeaky sound, especially when exhaling
• Chest tightness: feels like something is squeezing or sitting on the chest.
• Shortness of breath: hard to catch breath or breathe deeply enough.

Anyone of any age, family background, race, gender, or general health can develop asthma. Researchers think many genetic and environmental factors play a role, especially during the first years of life when the immune system is developing.  

These factors include:

• Family history: If parents or siblings have asthma, increased chance of developing it.
• Exposure to secondhand smoke: Smoking, or exposure to secondhand smoke, especially in early childhood or from mothers who smoked while they were pregnant.
• Environmental irritants: Exhaust fumes, air pollution, indoor allergens such as dust mites, cockroaches and mold, chemical irritants or industrial dust.
• Premature birth or respiratory illnesses that harm the lungs: Children born prematurely or who suffered from a respiratory illness early on.

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Bio-Touch has been shown to alleviate symptoms associated with asthma. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to medical protocols. Family members and friends can learn how to help each other feel better using Bio-Touch, without being concerned about negative side effects.

​“Tinnitus…the sound that no one else hears.” 
    ~ Author Unknown

About 10 years ago, my husband’s aunt told us about a weird phenomenon she was experiencing. Aunt Dorothy was in her late 80s and laughed as she related hearing what sounded like a radio playing, off and on, in her home. She lived alone and made sure that the radios and TVs were turned off. Yet, she still heard voices, music, and static as if a radio was blaring. She was no longer laughing a month later as she described how the noises were keeping her up at night and driving her nuts.

Tinnitus, from the Latin word meaning ringing, is the perception of sound within the human ear when no external sound is present. It is a fairly common problem, affecting about 1 in 5 adults and children, or nearly 36 million Americans.

Tinnitus can be perceived in one or both ears or in the head. It is usually described as a ringing noise. However, in some people it takes the form of a high-pitched whining, buzzing, hissing, humming, or whistling sound, or as ticking, clicking, roaring, “crickets” or beeping. Others hear music and/or voices as if a radio is playing nearby.

Tinnitus is not a disease but a symptom resulting from a range of underlying causes. Causes include ear infections, blood vessel disorders such as tumors, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis, foreign objects in the ear, nose allergies that prevent fluid drain and cause wax build-up, and injury from loud noises. Prolonged exposure to loud noise can damage receptors in the ear, causing hearing loss and ultimately tinnitus.

Tinnitus is also a side effect of some oral medications, such as aspirin and antibiotics, and may also result from an abnormally low level of serotonin activity. Sometimes tinnitus is simply a result of age-related hearing loss. In many cases, however, no underlying physical cause can be identified.
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Bio-Touch has been shown to alleviate symptoms associated with tinnitus. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to medical protocols. Family members and friends can learn how to help each other feel better using Bio-Touch, without being concerned about negative side effects.