Ulcerative colits, Eczema, and positive imagery.

Calm and relaxed

I don't mean to get all weird on you, but I thought you might be interested in this:

I found out an interesting thing the other day - there seems to be a bit of a link between Eczema and Ulcerative Colitis.

Imagine the skin. It is made up of many layers, and is very complex, but I am going to simplify it to make the principle clear. In a layer that lies below the surface, all the cells are packed together. The function of this layer is to stop water escaping and thus the skin becoming dehydrated. The way that this layer does it, lies in the contact area between the cells. Particularly towards the surface of the skin. Here the edge of each cell is bound to the next one by what is scientifically (and delightfully simply) called "Tight Junctions".

In tight junctions a kind of mucosal layer on each cell bonds together. Almost becoming one. This forming a kind watertight seal.

Above this there is an outer layer of cells. The ones you can actually see on the surface of the skin (I think) called the Stratum Corneum. This layer can be imagined like bricks forming a wall. The mortar that binds these bricks together is made from lipids. This layer has the function of forming a barrier to the outside world with all its microbes and chemicals etc.

But guess what. It seems that in both Eczema and Ulcerative colitis (on the inner lining of the gut) this process has broken down. The result is all too familiar to many readers of this blog. If you have ever seen UC during colonoscopy you will see that it actually quite resembles Eczema.

So, given my interest in hypnosis and imagery, and the fact that I have a bit of eczema on my lower leg I am trying, under self hypnosis, to imagine the cells of the Eczema healing and the barrier becoming functional again.

You can only try can't you? I will be interested to see if it can improve the situation.

So I have been doing this for a couple weeks now. Everyday I do about 30 mins. I will report back if there are any changes. Do you think I should make up some imagery for UC?

As a related aside if you want to download a free mp3 file, of a journey that simply encourages you to relax and let go you can do so by clicking here.

It doesn't have anything to do with eczema or UC but it will give you an idea of what it is like. Just get yourself comfortable and go with the flow. Don't listen to it in a car or in any situation which to fall asleep would be dangerous.

If you are interested to ask questions, delve deeper, or are considering a little personal archeology AND if you happen to be in Nottingham on 28th April at 3:30pm you could attend my free talk on the subject. It is at the Broadway Media Centre in the lounge.

If you'd like to come along please just send me a message from here, or from the download page I've linked to. There are about 15 seats and I need to make sure I know how many people are coming.

No obligation and a free CD to take away.