Palatine uvula, cranial nerves, congential disease & speech/couching

[SMM]

I'm having a difficult time organising words so I apologize for the fragmentary nature of this post.

There is much information about autism online & on the forum of which I can add or focus more on in a follow-up post if need be. There are some sources claiming removal of tonsils, adenoids & uvula have resulted in improvements from similar conditions, some demonstrating complications. Vaccinations are generally linked with onset. Then there's uvulectomy for HANE, hereditary angioneurotic edema.

A few links on the topic:

http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/hereditary-angioneurotic-edema
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6609687
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21733276
http://www.circumstitions.com/uvulectomy.html

I can't access the full studies but I'll give a brief from what I currently understand. Many African countries traditionally carry out the surgical procedure of uvulectomy as frequently as circumcision. This has raised questions & concerns; brain development seems to correlate with its removal according to age.

It is as though those with a uvula experience developmental diseases, delayed growth or weaker immunity with greater occurrence, a hereditary link is common (uvulectomy in treatment of hereditary angioneurotic oedema (HANE) amongst other conditions).

Is there difficultly in connecting brain hemispheres or processing oxytocin/vasopressin in the presence of a 'malfunctioning uvula; - for those predisposed? Any disruption in connection between frontal lobe & occipital-temporal lobes/hind brain? Brain immunity &/or obstruction to cranial nerves - notably vagal nerve?
What can be surmised so far, nothing with certainty, is impairment to right brain hemisphere where seeing the big picture is involved as opposed to separate units. I have pondered on brain function from amygdala, hypothalamus, nucleus ambiguous, supraoptic & paraventricular nucleus - it's fair to say there are varying contributing factors.

A mutation affecting immunity could lead to the body's defences being unable to remove poisonous substances which could - throughout life - affect neuronal growth, as well as other necessary developmental milestones being hampered. If the uvula assists thymus/thyroids in processing fluids or hormones but is unable to complete whatever function is prerequisite to completion, complications ensue. Autoimmune diseases come to mind.

Shortly after a cycle of detoxing, I experienced constant cough, no other signs of illness. Elongated uvula after a period of stones/swollen uvula, sleep apnea, difficultly breathing/swallowing, nervous tension, feeling as though something was constantly stuck in the throat. One idea is not enough oxygen reaching certain regions of the brain/body.

My sister & father had their uvula removed, my mother had her tonsils removed. Neither myself nor younger siblings have had it removed - that poses its fair share of observable effects in line with experience. In summary: abstract or non-optical contact with inner or outer worlds is limited or requires strenuous input. Everything is absorbed in an analytical manner, barrier to unconscious processes.

Other members of extended family exhibit a similar trend e.g. Tourette's, down-syndrome, speech impediments. Symptomatically it is comparable with ASDs (autism spectrum disorders) or non-verbal learning disorders of which those who have had a uvulectomy don't possess. The speech aspect can sometimes be bypassed by parroting or imitation of sounds produced by others (who have had a uvulectomy) but it is difficult to express anything that may be taking place internally, externally or objectively without experiencing tension or drawing a blank.

There isn't enough data or large enough sample size for explicitly stating any of the points mentioned above as a ubiquitous feature.

Questions were: what is the purpose of the uvula? Can a mutation affecting immunity play a part in complications? Is there any connection between speech, cranial nerves function & the presence of a uvula?

 

[gottathink]

I am not exactly sure how this relates. I have had a choking feeling my entire life, experienced chronically infected tonsils as a child which were swiftly removed when they threatened to block my airways.
As an adult using relaxation and meditation, and visualising cranial-sacral therapy moves on my own head I have cleared alot of this tension. When I engage in this meditation , my eyes and nose start watering, my stressed short sighted vision becomes clear, I feel my whole brain flooding with CS fluid and I feel deeply relaxed. After this I can also think clearly and have alot more energy. Muscle tension in my face, neck and shoulders relax. I feel the area around my palatine is chronically inflamed but this is improved with self work as described.
A correct diet also also has been very instrumental in improved head-mind clarity.
My experience leads me to believe that my infected tonsils were a result of -
1. A grain/sugar Western diet that overloaded the immune system
2. Chronic stress-inherited and as a child causing stress and tension through out the cranial sacral system

 

[ec1968]

I feel my whole brain flooding with CS fluid

Very interested to know how you do that gottathink, and how you think it occurs.

 

[gottathink]

I just lie down and relax my breathing and body etc, then using my mind examine my entire skull for tension keeping in mind the anatomy of the bones and connective tissues as well as the brain itself. When I locate an area of tension I visualise light or fluid or energy moving into the area. When I first started doing this I just imagined my skull expanding like a balloon (but a balloon the correct size) and fluid travelling up my spinal chord to flush through my entire brain. It is very relaxing and calming. I also have done some training in cranio-sacral therapy and actually just apply the techniques by imagining the forces acting in a particular way.
The trick is to connect and identify where the stress is.
Because there is a physical manifestation of fluid and blood flow, (ie my sinus runs and eyes can go quite red as the muscles controlling my lense and movements relax and circulate blood in areas that have been restricted.) I believe that what I am visualing is actually happening.
Research on sleep and the brain published in August shows that flooding the brain with CS fluid is actually the purpose of sleep. I figured that about ten years ago so interesting to see supporting research.
The CS fluid pumping action is driven by the sphenoid bone and the sacrum. When these areas are stressed the rhythm becomes distorted or stops. My visualisation activity is to restore this.

 

[ec1968]

The reason I'm interested is because during major surgery earlier this year I had a csf leak. For 48 hours postop I had to lie completely still, with my head slightly lower than my feet, until the fluid re-generated. The headache was phenomenal and lasted for 4 solid days! Not something I'd recommend.

 

[gottathink]

Oh yes I bet a 'dry brain' is not pleasant. I hope you have recovered well.

 

[SMM]

I am not exactly sure how this relates. I have had a choking feeling my entire life, experienced chronically infected tonsils as a child which were swiftly removed when they threatened to block my airways.
As an adult using relaxation and meditation, and visualising cranial-sacral therapy moves on my own head I have cleared alot of this tension. When I engage in this meditation , my eyes and nose start watering, my stressed short sighted vision becomes clear, I feel my whole brain flooding with CS fluid and I feel deeply relaxed. After this I can also think clearly and have alot more energy. Muscle tension in my face, neck and shoulders relax. I feel the area around my palatine is chronically inflamed but this is improved with self work as described.
A correct diet also also has been very instrumental in improved head-mind clarity.
My experience leads me to believe that my infected tonsils were a result of -
1. A grain/sugar Western diet that overloaded the immune system
2. Chronic stress-inherited and as a child causing stress and tension through out the cranial sacral system

Apologies for the late response. There are studies indicating low biopterin (BH4) coenzyme levels in CS fluid could cause tension or complications or if neopterin too high (or if both are elevated). A biopterin known as phenylalanine hydroxylase is involved in converting phenylalanine into tyrosine which is involved in conversion process of dopamine, thyroxine, norepinephrine and serotonin.

Tyrosine deficiency potentially leads to low levels of the above. Hypothyroidism or phenylketonuria (high level of phenylalanine that cannot be broken down) could result.

Neopterin, biopterin, and nitric oxide concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of children with central nervous system infections.

Abstract

We measured neopterin, biopterin and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of pediatric patients with central nervous system (CNS) infectious diseases. The nitric oxide and neopterin concentrations were significantly elevated in encephalitis patients, especially in two cases with serious neurological sequelae, while the biopterin levels were not elevated. The bacterial meningitis patients, on the contrary, had high cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of neopterin and biopterin, but not of NO. Although these findings are preliminary, it may suggest that cerebrospinal fluids nitric oxide would be a useful marker to prospect neurological prognoses in the CNS infections.

That can point to the methylation process affecting many mechanisms including B vitamins absorption and kryptopyrroles. There is also MTHFR mutations that could be underlying.

My response, too, may or may not be related. I am glad you have mentioned what you have - uvula/tonsils/adenoids blocking airways somehow makes me think of the endocrine or immune system being 'blocked' in someway. Notably the hypothalamus or pituary gland but those organs are so interrelated at certain junctures or pathways that if one goes down, the others are impacted. Well not exclusive to the endocrine system ;)

Going to give cranial-sacral therapy visualisations a go. Relaxation and meditation are truly wonderful. Focussing on breath and sensation/tension & releasing helps regain a sense of flow.

As for diet - I find myself cold frequently and experienced indigestion or problems with food if not all my life before going paleo. My stomach did not produce nowhere near enough acid for digestion. I recently tried supplementing with L-phenylalanine and caprylic acid which seems to have made some difference. Beforehand I was taking betaine HCl/digestive enzymes and probiotics. SAMe and L-methylfolate could potentially be useful. Some foods make me feel instantly nauseous, give me an upset stomach for so long and seem to promote an alkaline internal environment to boost.

The reason I'm interested is because during major surgery earlier this year I had a csf leak. For 48 hours postop I had to lie completely still, with my head slightly lower than my feet, until the fluid re-generated. The headache was phenomenal and lasted for 4 solid days! Not something I'd recommend.

That doesn't sound pleasant at all! What did you have the surgery for?

 

[Rich]

Going to give cranial-sacral therapy visualisations a go. Relaxation and meditation are truly wonderful. Focussing on breath and sensation/tension & releasing helps regain a sense of flow.

have you sought professional therapy as has been suggested to you?

 

[SMM]

Going to give cranial-sacral therapy visualisations a go. Relaxation and meditation are truly wonderful. Focussing on breath and sensation/tension & releasing helps regain a sense of flow.

have you sought professional therapy as has been suggested to you?

Yep, had an initial screening with a clinical psychologist 2 weeks ago, have yet to fully see what it means for the course of therapy. We discussed my childhood & growing up where talking about self-pity, "pity me" thought patterns brought me to tears. I told a social worker who was present that I felt as though I was being spoken to like a child when he repeatedly asked what I wanted them to do for me.

The clinical psychologist didn't think it was autism exclusively and mentioned dissociation and introject. Will be having a follow-up appointment in a few weeks.

I think I'm more aware of anxieties, fantasizing, repression, defensiveness, being too hard on myself and validation seeking. I read Fear of the Abyss which has offered greater insight into my own Abyss. I've been journaling & hope to post more on these, the appointment and reading Fear of the Abyss, when college closes in a few days & things will be calmer.

 

[gottathink]

Apologies for the late response. There are studies indicating low biopterin (BH4) coenzyme levels in CS fluid could cause tension or complications or if neopterin too high (or if both are elevated). A biopterin known as phenylalanine hydroxylase is involved in converting phenylalanine into tyrosine which is involved in conversion process of dopamine, thyroxine, norepinephrine and serotonin.

Tyrosine deficiency potentially leads to low levels of the above. Hypothyroidism or phenylketonuria (high level of phenylalanine that cannot be broken down) could result.

My response, too, may or may not be related. I am glad you have mentioned what you have - uvula/tonsils/adenoids blocking airways somehow makes me think of the endocrine or immune system being 'blocked' in someway. Notably the hypothalamus or pituary gland but those organs are so interrelated at certain junctures or pathways that if one goes down, the others are impacted. Well not exclusive to the endocrine system ;)

This is interesting, I feel there is some very relevant information I need to go through carefully because I am reading alot of relevant bits and pieces for my own situation. I am so tired of being tired and feel I am stuck in a working hard to recover state my entire life.

Thanks for the posts, and discussion I will continue to follow it.