Illness and Family History - Find the missing link

The reason I write about the topics of chronic pain and family history can be summed up in one word:                                        Genetics.

Genetics is the fascinating study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics. Have you ever been told you have "good genes?" Have you ever heard, "You take after your father?" (that can be either good or bad.)

Have you noticed that at the doctor's office - and if you're a chronic pain sufferer, you're always at the doctor - they grill you about your family history? At a recent visit to establish care with a new physician, they asked about my grandparents! I could sort of tell him about my maternal side, but could give limited information about my paternal grandparents.

Especially since I just located my bio grandpa on Ancestry.com and he's deceased.

Obviously, there's a link to the variety of things passed down to us via the family line. My family members have passed down some great things:

A strong work ethic.

       Practical sensibility.

              Love of reading, gardening and old things.

                                              and...
Hypothyroidism

         Depression

                 Parkinson's Disease (yikes)

Talking about these things with your family and doctor is important. Let me repeat that:

                                              IMPORTANT!

                                                     MUY IMPORTANTE (Spanish)

                                                             TRES IMPORTANT (French)

Are there some questions you need to start asking? Don't wait! You'll learn a few things about your family members and may discover missing links in your own health history.

                                                                                 

Tracking Pain Triggers

We chronic pain sufferers are (for the most part) tuned into our bodies. However, we can spend so much time protecting ourselves and trying to prevent pain, that we neglect to identify our triggers. Knowing what triggers a flare, is important to self care and increases the quality of our life.

According to the Mayo Clinic's website, "symptoms can begin after a physical trauma, surgery, infection or significant psychological stress." Sometimes, there's no reason at all, symptoms simply accumulate over time. 

               My body was perfectly positioned for devastation. 

I'd had a hysterectomy, chronic recurrent sinus infections, serious psychological stress and a minor car "incident" in the course of two years. But it was the car incident that sparked the disease.
                         
Paying attention to our bodies is critical for understanding what causes pain flares. This requires us to slow down and listen to what our body is trying to say. It's easier said than done, but I'll share some of my triggers and hope it helps you. I set myself up for a flare whenever I....

             Carry or lift anything over 8 pounds
             Sit too long
             Crane my neck
             Carry a purse on my shoulder
             Do too much
             Run or jump*
             Allow stress to take over
             Hunch my shoulders
             
             And so far, the most surprising trigger is...a sunny day.

                                                                                                        photo courtesy Dania Rizkallah

I actually feel better on cloudy and rainy days!

Do you know what your triggers are? If not, try tracking your pain level and activities for seven days and see if you get a spark.
                                                                       He is faithful and wonderful!