In this episode, Lesley shares her intense experience with an onset crisis linked to chronic infections and explores the intersection of traditional medicine, psychiatry, and addressing chronic infections. Lesley recounts her health journey, which initially involved manageable symptoms like night sweats and minor anxiety. However, following the birth of her granddaughter in 2022, she experienced a severe health collapse characterized by extreme anxiety, panic attacks, and sleeplessness. Despite efforts to manage her symptoms through medication and lifestyle changes, her condition worsened, leading to a psychiatric hospitalization. Lesley's story highlights the complexity of brain health and the significant impact chronic infections can have on mental well-being.

Today we are diving into Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and its significant impact on health, particularly chronic immune issues. EBV, known for causing mononucleosis, can also trigger autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto's, lupus, and multiple sclerosis by hijacking the immune system. We also highlight the importance of recognizing EBV as a root cause of various chronic conditions and advocate for a comprehensive approach to treatment.

Rick and Becky share their journey of addressing their youngest son T's severe asthma and allergy issues, which began with frequent ER visits, multiple diagnoses, and continuous medication use. Initially focused on symptomatic treatment, they shifted to a holistic approach involving Nutrition Response Testing (NRT), which revealed deeper root causes, including significant food sensitivities and gut health issues. Through extensive testing and dietary adjustments, we identified and eliminated inflammatory foods, which led to a notable improvement in T's overall health. Listen to hear their family's story.

This week's episode explores why some immune systems ignore infections. We look into how different factors can disrupt the balance between two key parts of the immune system, TH1 and TH2 cells. TH1 cells act quickly to kill infections, while TH2 cells coordinate longer-term responses and produce antibodies. When the balance tips too much towards TH2, it can lead to chronic inflammation and less effective infection control. Factors like acute illnesses, stress, and antibiotics can trigger these imbalances. Understanding these triggers helps to explain why some people get sick more easily or have different reactions to the same infections.

Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune conditions, are leading causes of death and significant contributors to healthcare costs in the U.S. In this episode we emphasize the importance of a balanced immune system in preventing and managing chronic illnesses. The episode also covers the role of recurring infections, reactivated dormant infections, and chronic low-level infections in the development of chronic diseases. We also highlight the importance of a root cause approach to addressing chronic illness by focusing on immune system health.

Welcome to my podcast! I'm Elizabeth Mae, and my functional health practice helps people heal when they’ve exhausted traditional options. I will be sharing stories of people  who have healed themselves through addressing the root cause of chronic illness. With a focus on nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle changes, this podcast will explore our core belief that everyone can heal when strategically supported. Today, we are sharing our story and more about what is to come this season. Stay tuned!