Dr
Vallings talk on the five senses
(On the 29 May 2003, Remember that a person with CFS took the notes so there
may be inaccuracies!)
Our 5 senses are directly influenced by transmissions by neurons
in the brain. The rest of the body is directly messaged by transmissions from
the spinal cord. This means our 5 senses are more directly affected by the
brain. Chemicals are needed to make the electrical impulses send messages
across to the next neurons. It is the passage of these chemicals between the
neurons, which send the electrical impulses across to the next neurons, which
make all our parts of the body work. People with ME/CFS have an impulse
mechanism, which is sluggish. Poor circulation also slows down the process. We
also have a poor release of chemicals such as serotonin, an important part of
the cells chemical make up in the cytokines As we know, the over release of
cytokines is the basis of (ME)./CFS and this continually interferes with the
release of chemicals. Many of us also have low vitamin B 12, which is essential
for neuron functioning. The cytokines stimulate the immune system and our
sensations become extreme. We are very sensitive to Fumes, light, sound and
things such as extremes of temperature. This is because of the stirred up
cytokines.
Eyes: the eye is covered with a transparent film; inside is the iris,
which is muscle, then comes the pupil where light shines through. The whole
inside of the eye is lined with the retina. Light hits the retina and sends
messages to the brain. The lens moves in and out in order for us to focus, this
is muscle activity. There is quite a bit of muscle activity moving the eye
around as well. Amazingly, this means lots of eye muscle activity. We know that
people with our illness have muscles, which tire easily so obviously this
affects our ability to focus and we get tired eyes. The optic nerve goes to the
back of the head, crossing over to the other side of the brain; the message
goes through the neurons to get to the brain. Neurons have a need for oxygen
and glucose and a need therefore for good circulation. We have phases of bad
circulation, due to low blood pressure; slow red blood cells due to their
misshapen shape. Because of this difficulty with lethargic neurons and muscles
our eyes can tire easily and become sensitive. We can think that our eyes have
deteriorated and can go to an ophthalmologist only to find out the eyes are
tired and need glasses for this weakness. However, perhaps we are having a bad
day and only to find out that on a stronger day that the glasses we have paid
for no longer work properly, due to our more healthy muscles. We believe that
most of our physical problems are not lasting if they are ME/CFS related, but
of course we all still get normal eye deterioration. We can get conjunctivitis,
where the cornea gets red and sore. An antibiotic or antihistamine will fix
this. Although we may have sore eyes, or be sensitive to the light, there is an
important message from the eye to the brain sent to the perennial glands, which
produces melatonin, which is our body clock mechanism. So people should get
outside and get light in their eyes to enable better production of melatonin
which will help us get a good night's sleep. Sunglasses cut out the light so we
need to sit outside, not necessarily in the sun but without sunglasses. Dry
eyes are also due to sluggish tear glands, we can use artificial tears to
relieve that. Sjogrens Syndrome is similar to ME/CFS, dry eyes is a major
symptom. We need to be checked out that we don’t have this problem. Our
eyes can be runny as well. The tear ducts should drain into the nose but if the
sinus is blocked tears don't drain properly and you look as if you are tearful.
Take antihistamines is to open the nasal ducts.
Ears: Sometimes we are extreme sensitivity to noise, sometimes leading
to tinnitus. Annoyingly loud noise is partly due to the inability to process all
the impact on our senses. The neurons once again are working too slowly.
Another problem is we can hear but we don't really listen. We find ourselves
not remembering. Our concentration seems gone. Ears are more simplistic than
eyes physically, there is less muscle working but still our processes are
slowed down. Tinnitus-- here we have a problem similar to that of continual
pain. (Where the pain gate stays open.). Initially something interfered with
our hearing and ears, perhaps lots of noise at one time, the hearing gate stays
open and we continue to hear long after. This is what this is. Try
anti-epileptic drugs to shut that gate or try to change the noise, some people
use hearing aids which gives sufferers pleasant music to overlay the noise. It
is very hard to treat! Do get your ears checked out as it is very tiring and
stressful and could be a physical problem. Large amounts of aspirin can
negatively affect tinnitus and hearing loss. Willow herb, a pain relief herb
can also affect hearing. Teeth problems can also cause hearing as well as sinus
problems.
Smell: Our noses have similar mechanisms but the nerves go straight to
the brain, a very short route to the brain. Any smell that affects us goes very
quickly to the brain. Therefore if we have chemical exposure, it affects us
really quickly. Our sensitivity therefore can be extreme. Some occupations must
be ruled out because of this. Sometimes the sense of smell can be lessened
because of allergies, so although you can have instant reaction to smell you
can also have loss of smell. Lots of us have ongoing nasal infections and sinus
problems.
Taste: Once again we have a similar position. We can have heightened
taste but also heightened problems of the mouth, such as thrush, dryness etc.
Our taste buds therefore can be damaged. Also rotten teeth can send out nasty
tastes Make sure your teeth are in good condition, soda and fluoride toothpaste
help the gums and teeth.
Thanks once again to Dr Ros for a very interesting talk.