Stress, part 2
Chronic stress, however, is a different matter entirely. Beyond the immediate crisis, when faced with stress day after day, week after week, month after month, bad things happen. Really bad things. Lots of them. In response to stress, the body increases the production of cortisol. It’s been called our “stress hormone.” In short bursts, that’s a good thing. In the long term, though, high cortisol leads to such problems as immune dysfunction and increased risk of illness, cancer, and...
Read MoreStress, part 1
Feeling stressed? You’re not alone. According to Time magazine, 75-90% of all primary care visits are for stress-related problems. 75% of all chronic disease in Western society is directly related to stress. Eight in ten adults report suffering “great stress” at least once each week. It’s not just an epidemic; it’s a pandemic! But what is stress, anyway? Depends on how you look at it. Technically defined, stress is “a state of threatened or perceived threatened homeostasis.” And...
Read MoreCHRONIC FATIGUE
Did you know? 24% of adults report always feeling tired. More than 25 million Americans have severe fatigue, lasting at least one month, at any given time. The estimated annual cost per patient for fatigue-related problems is $2,300 to $8,700. For society, it’s $2 – 7 BILLION!!! Have you ever wondered? Where did my get up and go … go? When is fatigue normal? Abnormal? When should I be worried? As I get older, shouldn’t I expect to feel more tired? What causes abnormal, chronic fatigue? Let’s...
Read MoreADHD
ADHD – It affects millions of children, and adults, and their families. But why? What’s causing this growing epidemic? Is it real? Is it over-diagnosed? Isn’t it just a diagnostic fad, made popular by the media? Isn’t it just an excuse for bad behavior and poor parenting? And once we answer all that, and if it’s real, is there hope? Is it treatable? Is it curable? If so, how? Medication? Therapy? Nutrition? Supplements? Prayer? Let’s tackle this one first: Is it real? Absolutely!!! ...
Read MoreDepression and Anxiety
The stats are staggering: 1 in 4 American adults have been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder of some kind. For children, it’s 1 in 5. More than 60 Million Americans suffer from either anxiety or depression. 1 in 10 Americans currently takes at least one antidepressant prescription medication daily. Since the year 2000, the use of prescription antidepressants has increased more than 200%. Antidepressant prescription sales alone now top $2 BILLION annually! Pre-schoolers are the fastest-growing market for...
Read MoreSimple Steps to Improve Sleep
Insomnia and sleep deprivation are HUGE problems in our stressed out, high-pressure, chronically-fatigued American culture. “Sleep Hygiene” — Things you can do to improve your sleep. • Try to maintain a steady schedule: rising and going to bed at the same time each day. • Avoid distractions when it’s time to sleep – No TV, radios, or laptops. (In fact, such devices produce an electromagnetic field that reduces your body’s ability to produce melatonin, a hormone that helps you feel...
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