Panic Attacks

Stress: What it does to the body

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Grunge image of a stressed overworked man studyingI want to start this article by first mentioning that this is not meant to condemn or make individuals feel like there is no hope for their situation if they are stressed. Stress is not a death sentence, and is not a bad thing. However, stress needs to be kept in check and dealt with in moderation. It is my hope that this article would provide you with motivation to keep your stress in check. As always if this is an area you struggle with, please consult myself or another health care provider for help.

Stress is a normal and purposeful reaction in the body. That is right, it has a purpose. The analogy I give to patients is always facing a bear or a tiger. Stress helps to fuel our response – we can either fight the tiger, or run from it – hence, stress can be deemed a “fight or flight” response. With this analogy in mind, stress causes many physiological reactions in the body that fuel it to respond in one of these ways. The body perceives stress as stress regardless of whether your stress is a tiger or a pile of papers, screaming children, or the lack of control over your circumstances. What this means is the body reacts the same to stress whether it is big or small. With that in mind, the sum of several small stressful situations, with a negative appraisal, could be more detrimental than one larger stressful situation.

So the question remains, what does stress actually do in the body:

Respiratory System – breathe harder and faster

  • Problem: for those with asthma, respiratory issues, or lung disease, this can make breathing more difficult. As a result, panic attacks or asthma attacks can ensue.

Cardiovascular System – increased heart rate, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

  • Problem: for those with pre-existing heart problems, this reaction can pose a problem due to a worsening of symptoms. As a result, the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke are increased.

Endocrine System – increased stress hormone and blood sugar

  • Problem: with these effects, many do not realize that stress can lead to increased risk of such things as Type 2 Diabetes and obesity. This effect can also lead to decreased immune functioning, leading to frequent colds and flus.

Digestive System – increased sensations in the stomach and decreased absorption

  • Problem: these symptoms may not sound extreme, but it can cause many individuals distress. When one is already stress, having increased sensation in the stomach can often lead to discomfort, nausea, pain, and ultimately lead to more stress. In addition, the body is focused on other areas of the body and fueling them for fight or flight, as a result, blood flow is diverted away from the digestive tract, and thus nutrient deficiencies can result. This lack of absorption and blood flow can lead to such symptoms as constipation and/or diarrhea.

Male Reproductive System – decreased blood flow to these areas

  • Problem: decreased blood flow to the male reproductive system can cause many problems including erectile dysfunction, decreased sexual desire, decreased sperm production and decreased sperm maturation.

Female Reproductive System – decreased blood flow to these areas

  • Problem: decreased blood flow and increased cortisol can lead to a lack of menstruation, irregular cycles, painful periods, Premenstrual Tension Syndrome (fluid retention, breast tenderness, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, depression, etc.), increased hot flashes, and decreased sexual desire.

If you or a loved one is experiencing chronic stress and is struggling to cope, do not struggle in silence. Seek help from a health care provider such as myself. To learn more please contact me through the contact portion of my website or by calling the clinic at 519-537-7058.

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

References:

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress-body.aspx

Calming Down from a Panic/Anxious State

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Grunge image of a stressed overworked man studyingPanic and anxiety can be challenging to live with and cope with, especially during acute episodes. Because of the nature of these different states, different individuals respond to different techniques to cope or manage these situations. This blog will provide some different techniques that may help some individuals to calm down from an acute panic/anxiety episode. That being said, this blog is not meant to replace any medical advice you may have been given by your health care provider, so please make sure to consult your health care provider before attempting these at home. In fact, some of these techniques could actually make someone feel worse, so please once again do not attempt any of these without seeking medical advice. Also, if you have a pre-existing condition that makes you susceptible to these types of acute states, please consult professional medical advice, whether it is a naturopathic doctor, counsellor, family doctor, psychologist, etc., to better prepare an emergency plan to best fit your needs.

Ways to Calm Down

  1. Get out of the situation – This suggestion is not always possible, but if it is and can be done safely, attempt to get out of the situation you are in. This may not be best for everyone though, especially for individuals who are in the process of working through their anxiety. Being in an uncomfortable situation may be necessary for healing in their particular case.
  2. Pray – Prayer can divert one’s focus from the problem to a solution, which can be helpful in these types of episodes.
  3. Deep Breathing – For some, focusing on their breath during an acute attack can make the situation worse. However, for some individuals, it helps them to re-center and re-gather themselves.
  4. Exercise – Even a short walk can help get your focus off of the situation at hand. In addition, exercise changes the activity in our brains and can actually help some to enter a relaxed state.
  5. Literally get up and change seats, attempting to look at the situation from a different angle – When we get up and change our position, it changes the activity in our brains and allows us to literally see things from another perspective. In some situations, this may be enough to help us to re-gather and re-focus.
  6. Drink a Calming Tea – Making a calming tea like chamomile can help us to physically reset to a calmer state.
  7. Laugh – This last suggestion is easier said than done. However, laughing can help change the atmosphere that we have created or entered from tension to joy. This might involve reading some jokes online or watching a funny movie. Whatever it is, attempt to surround yourself with joy and laughter.

Have you benefitted from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Elisha Cook via the contact portion of this website.