Health

Things That Will Cause Anxiety And How To Prevent It

Anxiety is a normal human emotion that everyone feels from time to time. Anxiety is often…

Published

7 years ago

March 2, 2017

Anxiety is a normal human emotion that everyone feels from time to time. Anxiety is often a by-product of stress; which is something that we are all familiar with. Battling anxiety on a daily basis can be exhausting and even result in an anxiety disorder. Anxious feelings generally consist of the following:

Feelings of panic, fear, and uneasiness
Problems sleeping
Cold or sweaty hands and/or feet
Shortness of breath
Heart palpitations
An inability to be still and calm
Headache
Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
Stomach ache
Muscle tension
Dizziness

Neurochemical changes in the brain and environmental factors are considered the two biggest contributors to anxiety. Scientists have vehemently rejected personal weakness, character flaws, or a lack of maturity as being legitimate causes of anxiety. Anxiety, if left unchecked, can affect our entire being; affecting how we feel, think and act, while having evident physical symptoms. Mild anxiety is relatively vague and uncomfortable, while severe anxiety can become debilitating. Therefore, it’s important to know what causes anxiety in order to limit or prevent it.

STRESS

Without a doubt, stress is the biggest contributor to anxiety. Anything that poses a threat to our well-being is a stressor. While some stress is indeed good for us, battling frequently with stress can destabilize our mental and physical health. Mental health professionals generally recommend three ways of coping with and treating stress: self-management, self-help, and medication. Self-management techniques include learning about stress and anxiety, stress management courses, and natural therapies such as aromatherapy. Self-help methods include: exercise, a healthy diet, being assertive (not saying yes to everything), breathing techniques, and expressing your thoughts and worries to someone. Medication should be considered a last resort, but if physical and mental symptoms are in advanced states, doctors may prescribe an antidepressant or a beta-blocker, which helps to counteract the physical symptoms of anxiety. From there, you can begin to work your way backwards through the other two methods, with the goal to end any medicated means altogether.

CAFFEINE

Caffeine is a stimulant that increases blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration. These symptoms are common when experiencing anxiety. Caffeine also fuels your “fight or flight” response, which can make anxiety much worse and even trigger an anxiety attack. Moderate amounts of caffeine can bring some mental benefits; increased alertness, motivation, concentration, memory, and attention. The key word is moderation; no more than 400 mg over the course of a day. Too much caffeine triggers irritability, nervousness, restlessness, upset stomach, fast heartbeat and muscle tremors. As with nearly everything, use caffeine wisely and in moderation.

OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Common supplements such as weight-loss pills, fat burners, and pre-workout products can include heavy amounts of caffeine and other stimulants. Other products that may initiate anxiety include headache and migraine relievers, cough medicines and decongestants. Some popular herbal remedies such as guarana and ginseng may also cause or increase the symptoms of anxiety. The best thing you can generally do here is avoid “energy boosting” pills and supplements altogether.

DEHYDRATION

Proper hydration is essential for healthy brain function. A study at Tufts University directly linked feelings of anger, confusion, fatigue and tension to mild dehydration in student athletes. All of these symptoms are common in people who experience anxiety. In addition to being an essential element in healthy brain function, hydration is also necessary for healthy physiological function. Mild dehydration can cause high blood pressure, fast heartbeat, facial tics, shaking hands, weak and shaking voice, excessive sweating and facial swelling. Professionals at the Mayo Clinic recommend that adult males drink 13 cups of water each day, and adult females drink 9 cups of water a day.

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY

Proper nervous system function requires adequate amounts of certain nutrients. Nutrient deficiency has been directly linked with increased anxiety. B complex vitamins, omega-3, magnesium and calcium, potassium, selenium, Vitamin D, theanine and lactium, GABA, and zinc are considered essential for proper neurotransmitter and other brain functions. A well-balanced diet will generally provide these essential nutrients, but there are substitutes available to help supplement your diet if needed. Dietitians, naturopathy specialists, and nutritionists are all knowledgeable in this area. They may be able to provide some insight into specific actions that you can take to ensure that you’re getting the recommended amounts of nutrients.

SKIPPING MEALS

A healthy diet is the best way to ensure that you’re getting proper nutrition. Because of our frenzied, overworked, and stressed out work culture, it is common for people to skip meals. The negative effects are cyclical in that people who live a frantic lifestyle are much more prone to anxiety and stress, symptoms which may cause them to not feel hungry. Not feeling hungry leads to skipping meals which throws off the body’s blood sugar levels. A prolonged drop in these levels results in increased anxiety and stress. The answer is to change your eating habits. If you find it difficult to eat a full meal for whatever reason, make sure to have at least a healthy snack available. Snacks that contain healthy carbs and proteins are highly recommended.

NICOTINE AND ALCOHOL

Nicotine is a stimulant that raises blood pressure and heart rate, which can lead to anxiety. Cigarettes contain carbon monoxide which can result in breathing problems, this can lead to the body reacting in a way that resembles oxygen deprivation. When we are deprived of oxygen, neither the brain nor the body can function properly. The use of nicotine and alcohol is an incessantly negative cycle. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, people who suffer from an anxiety disorder are two to three times more likely to abuse legal and illegal substances. Multiple studies have shown the detrimental effects of nicotine use, especially smoking. Quitting any kind of nicotine use is the only viable alternative to counteract these effects. Medical experts recommend that if you choose to drink alcohol that you do so in moderation. For healthy adults, this means no more than two drinks a day.

Health

3 Asbestos Risks to Know About Before Tackling a DIY Home Reno

Published

34 mins ago

April 23, 2024

Adam T

While warm weather seasons might be a good time to tackle DIY home improvement projects, you must consider more than the scope of the renovation and the anticipated expense.

Depending on the age of your home, there are potential health risks to be mindful of before getting behind walls, handling insulation, ripping out floor tiles, or doing other things.

Asbestos risks are real. While there wasn’t a total asbestos ban until recently, the Environmental Protection Agency prohibited asbestos use in some new products after 1989. So, a home built before then might have materials containing asbestos. And if the asbestos fibers get into the air and are inhaled by you, your family, or visitors, the long-term consequences could be severe.

For example, asbestos exposure can lead to a severe form of cancer known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is rare and aggressive. By the time it’s diagnosed — it can take decades before it develops and causes problems — the cancer is typically at an advanced stage.

So, it makes sense to hire a professional contractor if your home may contain asbestos.

Consider these three things you must know about asbestos. You’ll see why caution is vital when contemplating a DIY home renovation project.

1. All Asbestos Is Dangerous

While some believe that some asbestos is less harmful than others, it’s best to treat all asbestos as detrimental to one’s well-being. And the more asbestos fibers you breathe in, the higher your odds of getting asbestos-related ailments. The problem with undertaking DIY home renovations is that products containing asbestos can, if the products are removed carelessly, release asbestos fibers into the air. So, if you’re ripping out flooring tiles with asbestos and damage the tiles in the process, that’s all it’ll take to potentially release asbestos fibers.

2. You Won’t Immediately Know You’ve Been Exposed

One of the problems with asbestos exposure is that you won’t necessarily know you have been exposed. If working in an environment with materials containing asbestos, you might suspect possible exposure. But if you breathe in asbestos fibers, you won’t experience tell-tale signs. So, your lungs won’t feel irritated, your throat won’t itch, and you won’t cough.

Asbestos fibers are too small to see with the naked eye, which means you won’t see it in the air.

Considering that it can take decades between exposure and symptoms, you can appreciate why people with asbestos-related ailments are often surprised by a diagnosis later in life.

If you renovate your basement, bathroom, or some other space without taking proper precautions to prevent asbestos fibers from getting into the air, you could endanger the health of anyone in your home. It’s just that they may not know it until decades later if they get mesothelioma.

3. Asbestos Exposure Can Lead to Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, and Other Diseases

Lung cancer and asbestosis, a chronic lung ailment caused by breathing in asbestos fibers, are known as dose-related ailments. This means the more asbestos fibers you inhale, the more probable you’ll get one of these two diseases.

What makes mesothelioma different from lung cancer and asbestosis is that even a relatively small exposure can cause mesothelioma. And exposure can come in different ways. If your loved one works in an environment with asbestos, you might breathe in the fibers if they come home after work and have asbestos fibers on their clothes. So, second-hand exposure is possible.

These are three things to know about asbestos exposure before tackling any home improvement project. While you likely have nothing to worry about if your home was built after 1989, you should exercise caution if you have an older home. It’s a good idea to contact a professional who can give your home a once-over to let you know if there are any asbestos risks.

Health

Navigating Holistic Wellness: A Journey as an RN Health Coach

Published

6 days ago

April 17, 2024

Adam T

Embarking on the path of an RN Health Coach sets forth an expedition brimming with discovery, connection, and cultural immersion. From traversing distant lands to fostering wellness in remote communities, this journey intertwines travel with the pursuit of holistic well-being. Let’s explore the captivating voyage of an RN Health Coach, navigating diverse landscapes while promoting vitality and global health advocacy.

Exploring Cultural Health Traditions

As an RN Health Coach, venturing into different corners of the world unveils a tapestry of diverse cultural health practices. From the tranquil temples of Thailand to the vibrant markets of Morocco, each destination offers a unique insight into ancient healing modalities deeply entrenched in wellness traditions. In these experiences, we embrace practices like Thai massage in Thailand and forest bathing in Japan, witnessing firsthand their rejuvenating effects on both body and mind.

Empowering Remote Communities

Beyond exotic wellness practices, the role of an RN Health Coach extends to remote communities where healthcare access may be scarce. Trekking through rugged terrains and expansive landscapes, we collaborate with local healers and community leaders to address prevalent health challenges. In rural Himalayan villages, education initiatives and preventive care programs empower individuals to take charge of their health. Similarly, our work in the Amazon rainforest bridges modern medical knowledge with indigenous healing practices, fostering holistic wellness that respects tradition and innovation.

Curating Wellness Retreats

RN Health Coaches curate immersive wellness retreats, blending travel with transformative experiences. From secluded yoga retreats in Costa Rica to mindfulness workshops in Bali, these sanctuaries offer a space for self-discovery and renewal. Surrounded by lush tropical landscapes, participants embark on a journey of introspection guided by expert practitioners. Through yoga, meditation, and nutritious cuisine, guests rejuvenate their bodies, minds, and spirits, emerging with a renewed sense of vitality.

Advocating for Global Health

The journey of an RN Health Coach transcends individual wellness pursuits, encompassing a mission of global health advocacy. Whether advocating for clean water access or promoting vaccination initiatives, we strive to create positive change on a global scale. Through partnerships with local organizations and international aid agencies, we address pressing health issues, advocating for equitable healthcare systems and promoting health literacy worldwide.

Joining The Nurse Coach Collective

For those aspiring to embark on a transformative journey into holistic nurse coaching, The Nurse Coach Collective offers a comprehensive Transformative Nurse Coach 7-month Program. Join a community dedicated to fostering wellness, transcending borders, and embracing the transformative power of travel and holistic health.

In conclusion, the journey of an RN Health Coach is a dynamic odyssey fueled by purpose and passion. From exploring ancient healing traditions to empowering communities with vital healthcare resources, every step of this journey contributes to a healthier, more resilient world. Let us inspire others to embark on their own journey towards optimal health and well-being, embracing the transformative adventure that awaits on the path to wellness.

Health

Amino Acid-based Oral Rehydration Solution

Published

7 days ago

April 17, 2024

Adam T

Amino Acid-based Oral Rehydration Solution (AAORS) represents a significant advancement in medical science, especially in the realm of hydration and nutrient replenishment. These solutions, enriched with amino acids, offer therapeutic benefits that go beyond simple hydration, aiding in faster recovery and improved metabolic functions.

Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks for proteins, which are crucial for countless bodily functions. They play key roles in the process of building muscles, repairing tissue, and producing enzymes and neurotransmitters. When included in ORS solutions, Amino Acids can provide essential or conditionally essential nutrients directly to the body’s bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system and ensuring rapid and efficient absorption.

One of the primary advantages of AAORS products is their ability to improve hydration efficiency. Conventional ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) products mainly address the electrolyte balance in the body. However, Amino Acid-based ORS products enhance this by not only replenishing fluids and electrolytes but also providing nutrients that support cellular health and recovery.

For patients who are unable to consume sufficient nutrients orally due to illness, surgery, or digestive complications, AAORS products such as IV2 can be lifesaving. The amino acids in the product help maintain muscle mass and prevent protein-energy malnutrition. It is particularly beneficial in clinical settings involving critical care, postoperative recovery, and cancer treatment, where patients might have elevated nutrient requirements or limited capacity to consume or absorb nutrients.

The hydration provided by Amino Acid-based IV2 is also more sustainable compared to typical ORS products. The presence of amino acids can enhance the body’s ability to retain water, thus providing a longer-lasting hydrating effect. This is particularly important in conditions that require prolonged hydration, such as chronic illnesses, extreme physical activities, or exposure to high temperatures.

IV2 is a zero-sugar, amino acid-based electrolyte developed by military doctors in South Korea. Well known for muscle recovery and energy boost, Amino Acids take up 40% in a single packet of IV2, calling it the Amino Acid-based ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution). This precise ratio of Amino Acids and essential ingredients of the AAA Formula™ effectively hydrates and replenishes without the use of sugar.

In conclusion, AAORS products such as IV2 mark a profound shift in how hydration and nutrition are approached in clinical settings. By delivering both essential fluids and nutrients directly into the bloodstream, these solutions ensure rapid absorption, improve cellular function, and enhance overall performance.