Emetophobia - A Fear of Vomiting

Distress and Emetophobia

2011-08-15T03:33:00.000-07:00

As winter changed to spring I faced personal issues that made me stressed and depressed. Some had to do with health problems of loved ones along with financial worries. On top of that, I was betrayed by someone who I thought was a trusted friend.

None of this helped my emetophobia. It only made it worse.

Then a blessing in disguise happened. I qualified for Black Belt Training Cycle. Part of this training requires running 2 miles 3 times per week, 50-100 sit-ups, pushups, and squats 3 times per week in addition to my regular karate and kickboxing classes.

Cycle lasts three months and as much as I whined and complained about it, the 2 mile runs made feel euphoric. Physically and mentally I feel great from running.

I can’t begin to tell you how much the entire training cycle has mellowed my emetophobic stress attacks.

Upping the Activity level helps Emetophobia

2011-06-25T18:45:00.000-07:00

Increasing my physical fitness has helped me immensely to deal with emetophobia and the panic attacks that come with it. I realized that many factors such as anxiety spun off into emetophobia, hypochondria, and other phobias.

First I started playing tennis. The once a week tennis lessons left me fulfilled but for a short while and by the next day the euphoria wore off. Then I started training in karate. The 3 classes per week left me feeling great physically and mentally. Part of my training now includes running 2 miles, 3 days per week. The 2 mile runs are extremely challenging and leave me feeling great when I accomplish my goals.

I've lost weight, firmed up flabby areas and feel physically fit for the first time in my life. Another benefit to exercise is that it strengthens the body's immune system which fights that nasty norovirus and other illnesses that could have vomiting as a symptom.

My advice to ALL emetophobes is to get moving. Start slow and build up to 5 days per week. Select something challenging but easy enough for you to accomplish. And most of all, make sure it's something you enjoy. It doesn't have to be intense. Yoga, Zumba, or even a brisk walk is a good start. When you've mastered this, add on another activity or increase the one you've chosen. Martial Arts training compliments Yoga. Jazz or tap dance compliments Zumba. The brisk walk could increase to a jog. Or better yet, mix and match.

Emetophobes Should Drink Green Tea

2011-03-16T20:05:00.000-07:00

Only another emetophobe would understand this but my biggest fear of getting cancer is not dying from it. It's not the pain it causes or even losing my hair. I don't want to die from cancer, nor do I want to feel pain or lose my hair. Death, pain and hair loss would be a fear, but it's not number 1 on my list. It's the nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, pain killers, and other treatments.

Now a days we have very good screening so cancer can be caught early and successfully treated. That's great. But it's even better to do what you can to prevent it through lifestyle changes whether you're an emetophobe or not.

There are so many anti-cancer antioxidant foods out there but in this post I'm going to point out why emetophobe's in particular should drink green tea. For the record, I don't like the taste of green tea but still manage to drink 2-4 cups per day. I do this by mixing it with other flavors. Celestial Seasonings sells a blueberry green tea and I like it. Trader Joe's sells a peppermint vanilla green tea which is also very good. However, brewing plain old green tea and mixing it with cranberry, blueberry, pomegranate, or apple juice will give an added antioxidant boost. Or, use it in smoothies (see recipe below).

So why drink green tea? Epigallocatechin gallate. These two hard to pronounce words is the main antioxidant in green tea (not black tea) and chock full of health benefits. Not only does it fight free radicals in the cells but is said to inhibit cancer growth.

Green tea drinkers also have a lower risk of other medical ailments such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, periodontal disease, and osteoporosis. In addition, green tea lowers the risk of simple bacterial and viral infections.

Berry Smoothie

1 large serving or 2 average size servings

1 cup frozen berries of choice

1 individual container of low-fat vanilla flavored yogurt ( I prefer Greek yogurt but any will do)

1/4 to 1/2 cup cold green tea

Put the berries, yogurt and 1/4 cup of green tea in a blender. Add more green tea until the desired consistency. (I like it smooth and well blended but still thick).

How To Deal with Worry

2011-03-12T19:02:00.000-08:00

“If the problem can be solved then why worry? If the problem cannot be solved worrying will do you no good.” – Shantideva

One of the traits of having emetophobia is worrying. We do spend a lot of time worrying we’ll get sick. A few years ago I went through a severe emetophobic stage. During that time I couldn’t enjoy eating out with family and friends or going out for long periods of time because of worry.

Now, I seem to worry about so many other things as well on a daily basis. This week has been particularly hard as a family member is not well. Below is a link to a link called How To Deal With Worry

http://www.thedailymind.com/how-to/how-to-deal-with-your-worry-and-stop-worrying-today/

Anxiety and Stress fuel Emetophobia

2011-03-08T17:40:00.000-08:00

Many times I’ve posted on the International Emetophobia Society’s forum that anxiety and stress affects the severity of Emetophobia on me. It never goes completely away but during times of high stress and worry, it’s far worse.

I have also come to see that Emetophobia may have morphed from General Anxiety Disorder. I no longer just fear vomiting. At times I fear doom. Images of very horrible scenes involving me or a loved one pass through my mind. Car accidents. Death of a loved one. Sickness. Just to name a few. The images are so frightening that when I snap out of it, my heart pounds and I fear that these mental movies will come true.

From what I’ve seen, most Emetophobes suffer from other issues as well. The most common ones are depression, anxiety, germophobia, and even hypochondria.

Growing up, I used to laugh at the though of someone being a hypochondriac. It was communicated to me that hypochondriacs were only looking for attention. Now that I too have hypochondria, I see that it’s not about attention. It’s a real fear of getting sick. A fear so bad that many times I’ve convinced myself I’ve had some sort of deadly disease even though symptoms don’t exist, or a doctor gives me a clean slate.

It’s clear to me, that my Emetophobia is just sagging branch hanging off the tree of General Anxiety Disorder.

UPDATE: Norovirus Vaccine

2011-01-30T16:30:00.000-08:00

To be honest, this update was 3 months ago but with the holidays, multiple snowstorms and other things going on in life, I haven’t gotten around to keeping up with the norovirus vaccine. I’d like to think that the fact I’m not obsessing over this vaccine is a sign I’m getting over emetophobia but after having a panic attack earlier in the evening, I doubt it.

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/fs/food-disease/news/oct2810norovirus.html

In the first clinical trial of a norovirus vaccine—in which volunteers were deliberately exposed to the common gastrointestinal virus—the inoculation reduced participants’ risk of illness by 47%, according to results released recently by LigoCyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

While I’d like to see the efficacy rate much higher, reducing my risk of norovirus by 47% would mean less panicky situations. In addition to handwashing and other hygienic measures, that would reduce my risk even lower.

The clinical trial, a phase 1/2 study, was conducted at several sites and led by Robert Atmar, MD, of Baylor College of Medicine, as principal investigator, the company reported. The researchers recruited about 90 healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 50 and randomly assigned them in double-blind fashion to receive two doses of the vaccine or a placebo, 3 weeks apart.

Three weeks after the second dose, the volunteers were admitted to a nursing unit and given a drink containing live norovirus. They were kept in the unit at least 4 days and afterward were monitored with clinical assessments and stool sampling, the company said.

Probably just the emetophobia in me but it’s hard to imagine anyone would volunteer to take norovirus.

LigoCyte plans to start a larger phase 2 trial next, Beeman said. The company will examine the results of the phase 1 trial of the intramuscular vaccine before deciding whether to use the intramuscular formulation or the intranasal formulation in the phase 2 study, he explained.

This is very good news in that this vaccine is moving forward to Phase 2. In the US, it takes many years and many tests for vaccines to pass FDA approval and many would be vaccines stop dead in their tracks. My guess is that it will be another 5 years or so before this vaccine is available.

While we can’t jump and down for joy just yet, we have something to look forward to and with each passing day, there is one less day of worry.

For more information on norovirus:

CDC technical fact sheet on norovirus

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/norovirus-factsheet.htm

Surprising Places Where Illness Causing Germs Lurk

2011-01-18T08:46:00.000-08:00

Norovirus and other germs aren't fussy where they hide.  Because I'm extremely obsessed with preventing the spread of norovirus, or any other illness that can make me vomit, I decided to add another post on surprise places these germs are hiding.

Vacuum Cleaners. Researchers at the University of Arizona found that 50% of the vacuum cleaners they tested contained fecal bacteria, e-coli, and mold. Vacuums spread germs from one room to another.  To prevent contamination, spray a disinfectant on the brushes after every use. If you're shopping for a new vacuum cleaner, consider a bagless one since they prevent the spread of germs better than the ones with disposable bags.

Grocery carts and baskets. Most stores have sanitizer dispensers right by the carts. Use them! The University of Arizona study found that almost two thirds of the handles on shopping carts tested had fecal bacteria. That's more than the average bathroom.

Restaurant Menu's and the salt and pepper shakers on the table.  Cold and flu viruses can last up to 18 hours on hard surfaces.  In a busy restaurant, hundreds of people touched that same menu during that time period. Never let the menu touch the plate or silverware and wash your hands after placing your order or use a hand sanitizer. The same goes for salt and pepper shakers.

Lemon wedges in drinks.    In a 2007 study from the Journal of Environmental Health, nearly 70 percent of the lemon wedges in restaurant glasses contained disease-causing microbes. Enough said!

OMG! I forgot to Wash/Sanitize My Hands Before Eating!

2011-01-18T07:46:00.000-08:00

My fellow Emetophobes. How many times have you freaked out because you picked something up, ate it, and then realized you forgot to wash your hands first?

This happened to me yesterday. With norovirus season deeply embedded around us, my hand washing has been in full force. Today I was running around, shopping, touching all kinds of things that hundreds of other dirty hands touched. Usually when I’m out and don’t have convenient access to a decent bathroom, I use hand sanitizer. When we stopped for a quick snack, my mind was absorbed in my purchases and I forgot to sanitize. My snack was only a cookie and coffee and I enjoyed it very much. But an hour later, when I realized I ate it with unclean hands, a little panic set in. And it bothered me for hours later too.

Every day is a milestone...Winter will turn to spring. I guarnatee it.

2010-12-13T10:28:00.000-08:00

This is the hardest time of the year for Emetophobics that live in the Northern Hemisphere. The combination of darkness and bitter cold is depressing and makes my emetophobia even worse. The excitement of the holiday season helps me to a point.  But, the heavy foods that accompany the season is a burden on my stomach and my nerves.

Once the holidays end, the distraction of the glitz and glimmer of tinsel disappears and all I have is 2-3 more months of even colder temperatures accompanied with ice and snow. That is depressing. Once mid-February comes around, it starts to get hopeful.  The signs of a longer daylight begin to be noticed and the official start of spring seems to be right around the corner. Even though some of our worst weather has been in March, psychologically, it doesn't seem so bad.

And as any emetophobic will tell you, this is a psychololgical condition.  For those suffering with me, try to relax. Keep your mind occupied with hobbies. Consider every day to be one day closer to flowers blooming.

Did I tell you about the cruise I went on last June?

2010-10-23T18:35:00.000-07:00

With all of the stories we here about norovirus on cruise ships you would think it's epidemic. I've been on over 20 cruises and never got sick. As a matter of fact, my emetophobia tends to bother me less when I'm on a cruise. I'm just too busy with activities adventures in the ports of calls; and talking to people I meet, to think about emetophobia, especially when I eat. And unlike the average cruise passenger, I don't eat that much on a and I tend to eat lighter because I'm afraid of getting sick.

Last June we were on a cruise the week after a 'stomach flu' problem. On the sailing before ours, a few people got sick with vomiting. I wasn't aware of this until the second day on the ship but just to share with anyone reading this blog who may be afraid to cruise, here is what I experienced.

1.  The ships doctor didn't know what made them sick as it could have been a case of food poisoning or norovirus but they didn't take any chances.

2. The person was already off the ship by the time I got on but norovirus has an incubation period.
3.  The janitorial staff fully disinfected handrails, elevators and all places on the ship passengers could touch and spread.

4.  All facilities that served food, even the buffets and ice cream bar, adhered to strict sterile practices for the firs 3 days only and then things were back to normal.  A crew member stood by the entrance of every restaurant including the buffets to direct passengers to use the motion detecting hand sanitizer before entering. As an emetophobe, I don't need to be told to do this. I automatically gravitate to these things. Plus I bring my own to use after handing the germy menu back to the waiter/waitress.

5.At the buffet, you could not touch utensils to take food yourself. Everything was put in your dish by a gloved waiter/waitress.  I had to point out every item I wanted in my salad and if they didn't put enough olives in, I had to ask for more.  You couldn't even take your own ketchup or pickles. They put it in your plate. This was the biggest inconvenience because passengers tend to eat big, and when someone else puts a spoonful of mashed potatoes in your dish, it's not heaping the way you spoon it in and it tends to be embarrassing to ask for more.

6. In the dining rooms, there was no salt/pepper shakers on the table, no sugar or other sweeteners, no butter. If you needed these items, the would bring it over when asked, and they were in individual packages like the ones you get at take-out restaurants. It was strange opening a paper wrapper to have a dozen or so flakes of pepper come out.

Even though we were incredibly inconvenienced, it was only for 3 days and it was well worth it to stop the spread of norovirus.

We're all around. You just don't know it.

2010-10-07T11:08:00.000-07:00

How many people in this crowd have Emetophobia?

Emetophobics live with this condition quietly. When I meet people it's not the first, second, or even third thing I tell them about me. Due to the embarrassing nature, it's not something I even want to bring up. That is unless, a situation comes up that I feel comfortable mentioning it or someone happens to vomit standing next to me and I'm forced to tell everyone why I'm freaked out.

Recently I was talking to a woman and by the nature of the convo, I could tell she might have emetophobia. Possibly not even knowing she had it. That's when I casually brought it up and sure enough I found another one like myself. A closeted emetophobe.

The similiarities and differences about our condition was striking. I've always contended that I suffer moderately whereas saying the word vomit or seeing someone do it far enough away, such as across the street, doesn't bother me too much but if they are near me and I can hear it, see it close up, or worse yet - SMELL it, I panic to no end and will actually start gagging.

This woman can't even stand to see the fake rubbery vomit they sell in the 'practical joke' areas in toy stores.

Doing the Fist Bump

2010-09-30T09:24:00.001-07:00

For the past 3 years I've been training in Martial Arts which I actually enjoy doing. Believe it or not, this training has been one of the hardest activities for me to endure as an emetophobe. It's due to the fact that the place I train at is a potential germfest. Most of the classes are kids classes and as cute and lovable as these children are, they pick up and spread viruses from school, parks, playgrounds, and birthday parties. For those that have kids, you know what I'm talking about.

The Dojo (that's karate speak for gym or training area) and the mat where we walk around barefoot on is cleaned and sterilized daily at the end of the day but that's only comforting when your class is the first or second one of the day and the mat is still freshly cleaned from the night before. Unfortunately, the adult classes are last when dust, lint and God knows what have accumulated. It's unrealistic to expect them to clean it after each class.

In mixed martial arts there's a lot of physical contact. For example, self-defense techniques where we partner up taking turns attacking each other while the other person defends themself. The attacks include neck grabs from the front and back, strangleholds, etc. This is beyond disgusting because we start with a warm-up, stretch, and punching/kicking practice. By the time we get to the self-defense part, we're all sweatied up. Some of the adults sweat so much, there are wet spots on the mat.

At the end of class when everyone else is high fiveing, I'm doing the fist bump.

Norovirus season is approaching

2010-09-30T09:19:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder for anyone who wants to avoid getting norovirus to wash your hands frequently. That includes after using the bathroom, shaking hands or touching potentially germy surfaces, and before eating or sticking your fingers in your mouth.

You may not have seen me lately but...

2010-08-06T09:30:00.000-07:00

I'm still around with emetophobia. Most of the time I'm ok but I still get my moments of panic, especially when I have an upset stomach. Even though I haven't posted any articles in a while, mostly because I ran out of ideas to write about, I'm still around here moderating comments. So feel free to continue commenting.

Thanks for all of you who have given me the thumbs up on this blog. I hope it helps all of you who may have stumbled onto here thinking you were alone with this phobia.

There IS a plus side to being emetophobic

2010-02-20T15:17:00.000-08:00

If you find that most of my posts on this blog have too much whining and complaining about emetophobia, then you're in for a treat. While there are very few bright sides to having any kind of phobia, this article will point out some of the positive habits emetophobia forced me to adopt in my life.

Personal hygiene. If everyone practiced impeccable hygiene habits, there would be virtually no contagious diseases. Norovirus, Flu, many cases of foodbourne bacteria, and the common cold are spread by our hands. The average person doesn't wash them enough - especially when they are sick. As an emetophobe, I'm extremely conscious of this and wash my hands frequently especially after using the bathroom and before eating which is a very good habit.

A clean homestead. I live alone and therefore have less stress about catching a bug from a family member. So my concern is catching a bug from a dirty home. Cleaning my house includes wiping down light switches, door knobs and telephones, and of course the remote control. These are places the average normal person doesn't think about. Another good habit.

Healthy eating. Since my biggest fear in life is vomiting, I will do anything to stay healthy and that includes giving up bad foods and replacing them with healthy ones. Foods that boost the immune system and those anti-oxidents that prevent cancer cells from forming.

Physical and mental fitness. Not only does physical fitness go hand in hand with a healthy diet to prevent illness, but it's also good for the anxiety that triggers my panic attacks. One of the greatest physical achievements in my life has been in my martial arts training, which I never would have signed up for had I not experienced emetophobia.

Emetophobia has gripped me in some very debilitating ways and probably always will. At least I can look at the silver lining in such a terrible condition.

OK, now I'm going back to the whining posts. :)

They did THAT while cameras were rolling!?!

2009-12-13T07:13:00.000-08:00

For years I've been glued to cooking shows. More than half of what I watch on TV comes from the Food Network, TLC, FLN, and those weekend cooking shows on PBS.

Some of the hygienic habits I witnessed from celebrity chefs is shocking - or more like disgusting. Without mentioning who they are, I've seen more than one Food Network chef stick their fingers in food to taste it then proceed to touch other food or cooking utensils without washing their hands. Maybe this is something that only freaks me out because I have emetophobia. But my thought on this is are: if they are doing this in front of the camera, imagine what filthy habits they are allow when the cameras are off in the hidden kitchens of their restaurants.

A quick thought - using words to describe IT.

2009-12-06T06:13:00.000-08:00

Emetophobia brings out the bizarre in me. Most emetophobes have a hard time using euphemisms and other language to describe vomit. I'm ok with all of them except "throw up." It's a little difficult for me to write this blog entry using those two words.

I won't even use the two words in the same sentence even if they are separated by other words. Go figure

Emetophobia's peak season just around the bend

2009-11-30T16:01:00.000-08:00

This time of the year and into the winter months my emetophobia tends to worsen. It's a combination of the longer nights and bitterly cold temperatures in addition to the widespread illnesses that cause vomiting such as the flu.

My days have been ok but almost every night mild panic attacks plague me. It's frightening how the most benign stomach grumble or gas pain triggers those panicky symptoms of fear, trembles, and shivers. They last sometimes late into the night.

Even though I love the spirit of the holiday season, this damn phobia hinders some of this enjoyment.

Emetophobia morphed into Generalized Anxiety Disorder

2009-10-30T19:33:00.000-07:00

Since I started this blog, there has been substantial changes in my life regarding emetophobia. For one, my good days have been panic free and my appetite is almost normal. My bad days are slightly worse than they used to be but I have them less often. For most of the spring and summer, I would say that about 30% of the time I would either panic or change my daily pattern to accomodate this phobia.

Now that it's fall, the daylight is shorter, and the temperature turns colder, my emetophobia usually comes on full force. It's different this year than in the past. Now, I find myself in a panic for other issues.

For example, I convinced myself I had Ovarian cancer even though I had no symptoms of it, no ill feelings, and a clean bill of health from the Doctor. There was absolutely no reason for me to doubt the tests and exam from the Dr. except for my irrational thoughts.

Several other Emetophes have told me that they too develop additional phobias in relation to emetophobia. A fear of germs is one such phobia since germs may cause us to get sick.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is chronic and exaggerated worry and tension, even though nothing seems to provoke it. Having this disorder means always anticipating disaster, often worrying excessively about health, money, family, or work.

to be continued....

Where have I been? I'm here and the same.

2009-10-16T17:01:00.000-07:00

At one time this blog was much more active. And for a while, I felt really really good. But then autumn arrived and that's usually the toughest time of year for me. The weather gets colder, days are shorter, and emetophobia hits me extra hard. Now, I'm going through a very tough time. It seems every night I have mild panic and depression.

On top of that, a frightening epidemic - H1N1 is making the rounds, or at least that's what the PR is saying. I'm scared to get the vaccine, but also scared not to get it. I haven't had a chance to make the 45 minute drive to Whole Foods to get my immune boosting herbs from Dr. Weil and the mail-order through his website it too expensive.

Normally, I wouldn't mind paying the extra money, but to add on to my anxiety this fall, the recession has hit my income very hard and I just don't have the disposable cash. I'm also in the "saving my money" mode since there is a chance I'll be unemployed early 2010.

My appetite has been light to moderate but at least I'm eating and over the years, I learned how to maximize nutrition with the least amount of food consumption. Someday, I'll write a blog entry just on that.

Anyway, I hope all of the readers of this blog are doing well.

H1N1 vaccine. I'll get this vaccine when swine's fly

2009-09-06T17:41:00.000-07:00

In case anyone is wondering, NO, I'm not getting the vaccine. I have never had a flu shot and I never had the flu.

As an emetophobe, I go over and above all recommended preventative measures. This includes:

*Washing my hands frequently especially before eating.
*Not hugging or kissing friends when I greet them.
*Taking vitamins, astragalus, and other immune boosting herbs.
*Using hand sanitizer when I can't get to a sink.
*Being extra careful with the above mentioned steps when I'm at places with a lot of kids around particularly my karate class.

If everyone else gets the vaccine, then the chances of me getting it are slimmer.

Writersblock...indeed

2009-08-16T13:14:00.000-07:00

It's been over a month since my last entry. There are a few reasons for this. For one, my summer has been filled up with one relative visiting after another. And when they visit, it's either a day trip somewhere or sometimes an overnighter.

Another reason is that my emetophobia hasn't been that bad lately. I guess that's good.

Last, I ran out of things to write about. That's right, I have writersblock, just like my name suggests. Hopefully, I come out of it soon. I tend to be more emetophobic in the fall and winter.

Things That Make You Go Puke

2009-07-06T07:48:00.000-07:00

Last week my office sponsored a table at the Southampton Days Fair. There's something about fairs and carnivals that makes me feel both exhilarated and scared to death at the same time.

In general, I love the atmosphere and excitement that surrounds county fairs. The face painting, games of chance, sideshows, cheesy puppet shows and other activity that I associate with fairs and carnivals.

Even some of the rides can be fun. It's the ones I won't go on that scare me. For the record, I've never, ever felt nauseated or vomited after going on an amusement ride. That's because I won't go on rides I believe will make me sick. That includes rides that spin fast, go upside down and yes, roller coasters. Funny thing is that I will go on virtual rides that are known to cause motion sickness and I love them and never feel sick from them. Merely closing your eyes while on these rides will remedy any motion sickness so I'm not afraid of them.

Watching some of these rides operate puts a pit in my stomach. Our table was near this nausea inducing twirling ride.

Other rides I won't go on are:

The Gravitron

The Roundup

Combining these rides with typical fair food is another fear inducing thought. I don't like fried, greasy foods and the smell of them on a sizzling day makes it that much worse. Emetophobics ponder the thought of how many people during a typical day at the fair vomited somewhere on the grounds.

Honey and Cinnamon

2009-06-14T19:23:00.000-07:00

Writersblock is a screenname I commonly use and for good reason. It's been almost a month since my last blog entry and that's mostly due to writersblock - not having any good stuff to write about. Rather than repeating how awful panic attacks are or the dire fear I have of getting a stomach flu, I prefer to write about different, helpful and interesting matters somehow related to emetophobia or what us emetophobes want to read.

Last week a family member sent me an e-mail about the medicinal value of honey and cinnamon. I don't know where this e-mail originated from so I can't give anyone the credit, but nonetheless, I'd like to share snippets that I found of particular interest.

Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. It will do what some call turning to sugar. In reality honey is always honey. However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time it will do what I rather call "crystallizing". When this happens I loosen the lid, boil some water, and sit the honey contain in the hot water, off the heat and let it liquefy, is then as good as it ever was. Never boil honey or put it in a microwave. To do so will kill the enzymes in the honey.

Since us emetophobia sufferers obsess over expiration dates, this is good news and one less item in my pantry to worry about.

It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a 'Ram Ban' (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases. Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients.

I've heard before that cinnamon has antimicrobial properties but can't swear by the above claims that both honey and cinnamon cures "most" diseases. In fact, I strongly doubt them but scientific studies do claim that many ailments and illnesses can be remedied or cured by honey and cinnamon. And it's cheap enough to keep stocked in the pantry. However, diabetics should consult their doctor before self-dosing on honey.

The e-mail goes on to list the conditions and how to prepare a honey and cinnamon remedy. I've snipped out a few that relate to illnesses that emetophobics would be the most interested in.

BLADDER INFECTIONS:Take two tablesp oons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a Glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.
CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, were found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic Cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.
COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon Lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This Process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.
UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears Stomach ulcers from the root. GAS: According to the studies done in India and Japan , it is revealed that if Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.
IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral Diseases.
INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkl ed on two tablespoons of honey taken before food Relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.
CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day

Will deep breathing help panic attacks?

2009-05-17T18:34:00.000-07:00

The number one piece of advice I've been given is to do deep breathing techniques when a panic attack begins. In theory, it works and it works very well. In reality, I have a hard time doing deep breathing exercises when my stomach is in knots.

One reason is that I only get panic attacks when I have indigestion, bloating, cramping or other common stomach ailments. Deep breathing requires concentrating on the air flowing down the lungs and the stomach expanding. This type of technique not only keeps me focused on the same part of the body that's giving me the attack, it makes the symptoms feel worse.

Emetophobia sucks!