Overcoming crises with splashes of color – and how our throat robs us of fitness – a CSL event in Mainz

Herbert Rude, Group Leader SHG Rhine-Main-Nahe

It feels like we've been lurching from one crisis to the next for the past few years: the financial crisis, the euro crisis, the coronavirus crisis, and now the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, people with a high enzyme deficiency are often already burdened enough by the health problems resulting from their deficiency. Crises disrupt their emotional balance, can trigger anxiety, and even depression. "That's why crises need to be managed, and strengthening resilience helps with that," said Ines Schneider, an anti-crisis coach, at a recent patient event in Mainz.

Finally, an in-person event was held again in the Rhein-Main-Nahe region for the self-help group, and the numerous exercises designed to strengthen resilience demonstrated just how beneficial it was. "Thoughts influence the body, but the body also influences thoughts," said the coach. Singing, humming, or breathing exercises can help with panic attacks, palpitations, or outbursts of anger, as can visualizing a walk by the sea with the cries of seagulls and a gentle breeze.

Resilience – or the ability to withstand adversity – results from becoming aware of positive emotions. "The little bright spots in life are important," she said. Focusing on these leads to inner peace, and that strengthens resilience.

This isn't about denying the crises; they must be accepted and processed. The focus must be on solutions. This is achieved much more effectively by activating internal resources. Because...Visible thoughts and positive inner images strengthened, as did corresponding bodily activities and bodily impulses Nervous system: They led to the production and release of Neurotransmitters and hormones that have an antidepressant effect and affect our Support the immune system.

Since the body influences mood, there are also very simple ways to strengthen resilience: "Head up, chest out, and smile," she recommends, among other things. And: "Practice, practice, practice."„

The second topic of the event was sleep apnea. "It is dangerous and its consequences are underestimated," said Dr. Andreas Forster, a pulmonologist from Darmstadt. He referred to studies by the Federal Highway Research Institute, according to which probably one in four traffic fatalities is attributable to sleep deprivation.

„"It becomes dangerous when the upper airways become blocked during sleep," explains Dr. Forster. This causes the oxygen level in the blood to drop, while CO2 accumulates. The result is brief awakenings, so short that the person doesn't even notice them. These awakenings prevent the onset of deep sleep, leaving the affected person feeling unrested and tired during the day. In the long term, this can lead to dangerous conditions such as atrial fibrillation or diabetes.

Since the relevant muscle between the throat and neck is passive, it cannot be trained. For many patients, weight loss is a possible treatment option, as 70 percent of apnea cases are due to severe obesity. "But 30 percent are not," says Dr. Forster.

The most common and successful treatment involves wearing a breathing mask that uses pressure to keep the throat and neck area open during sleep. The appropriate pressure is set in a sleep lab. However, for many patients with mild sleep apnea, simply sleeping on their side instead of their back is helpful.

Herbert Rude, May 14, 2022