Volume 3 Issue 3
Fall 2008 The Progression of Disease
The progression of disease can be divided up onto six phases. Determining the phase of illness can help a person and their physician determine how far from normal healthy function they are. Different organ systems may be in different phases of chronic illness so some overlap exists in applying the concept of illness phase to an individual.
The first phase is one of excretion. This is characterized by periods of normal health interspersed with brief episodes of violent reaction against illness. Gastrointestinal viral infections typically manifest as profuse watery diarrhea and/or vomiting. An upper respiratory infection will have watery nasal discharge, fever, coughing fits, and discharge of bronchial secretions. Poison oak dermatitis develops red itchy blisters that ooze. These are brief and self-limited illnesses that resolve quickly and leave the person with normal energy levels. The immune system functions properly and toxins are expelled quickly, rather than being deposited into tissues. Relatively few individuals function at this level in contemporary society compared to the past. This is due to the extensive contamination of our food, water, air and soil by heavy metals and toxic petrochemicals and to the suppression of symptoms by allopathic medicines.
The second phase is reaction. Examples of this would include chronic nasal allergies, eczema skin rashes, allergic asthma, chronic joint pain, mild fatigue and other nagging chronic but mild discomforts. In this phase, the person no longer has enough life force to expel the invader or heal the problem. Instead, an adaptation to the problem occurs so that life goes on at a lower level of health and vitality. Recurrent sinus infections, urinary infections, menstrual irregularities, digestive problems are other examples of this phase.
The third phase is deposition. This may manifest as uterine fibroids, acne, fatty skin tumors, warts, joint swelling, gout, and other accumulations of toxic material within the body. The body is attempting to segregate the toxins so they do not affect the entire body. Overall vitality is further lowered. Use of medications to suppress symptoms often changes the reaction phase to the deposition phase. Still, a healthy diet and proper detoxification can slowly reverse this phase to a healthier level of systemic functioning.
The next three phases are degenerative in nature and very difficult to reverse. The fourth phase is impregnation. The toxins are driven deeper into tissues and symptoms become more chronic and difficult to control through suppression. Febrile illnesses are less violent in nature than in the first phase but recovery can be prolonged. Chronic fatigue of an extremely debilitating nature can take years to recover.
The fifth phase is degeneration. Joints deform and artery linings build up atherosclerotic plaque. Osteoporosis, degenerative skin disorders, and loss of function in vital organs occurs. Immune function declines and infectious illness become frequent. Depression and anxiety are common. Accelerated aging is visible as extensive wrinkling, stooped posture, slow gait, declining mental function and inability to react to changes in ones life.
The sixth phase is neoplastic. Cancers develop in this phase. Ulcers of the skin and intestinal lining occur. Degenerative neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, ALS, and Parkinson’s disease appear in this phase. Treatment of this phase is generally for symptomatic relief only since the body has lost the ability to heal itself.
The usefulness of the phase system of classifying diseases is that it helps both patients and practitioners to have a better idea of what healing possibilities exist for a particular condition. The importance of identifying the causes of illness and supporting the body to heal naturally cannot be overemphasized! Suppression of symptoms leads to increased illness over time. Remember that whenever you are ill, your body is attempting to heal itself. Symptoms are telling you something about what is happening inside your body. It is the responsibility of you and your health practitioner to decipher the meaning of an illness. Only then can appropriate therapy help you regain your natural state of good health.
On a personal note
This summer has been a wonderful time of being out in the high Sierra mountains. I had the pleasure of climbing Iron Mountain, Tenaya Peak and Vogelsang Peak with my 24 year old daughter who visited from grad school at University of Arizona in Tucson. I climbed several other peaks both solo and with friends. For photos of one trip, visit www.vulgarianramblers.org/#Summer_Tour
I explored a new healing modality using German biological medicines made of spagyric homeopathic remedies (www.bioresourceinc.com). I am getting very encouraging results and am offering this form of therapy to my patients now. I am enthusiastic about my practice after going to a wonderful four day conference in Phoenix. I learned useful new information and learned of further new healing techniques to try. I will detail these in later newsletters.
As fall weather sets in and harvest season approaches, remember to be grateful for all the abundance in your life.
Yours in good health,
Daniel Blodgett MD