Anxiety and stress refers to any reaction to a physical, mental, or emotional stimulus that upsets the body's natural balance. Stress is an unavoidable part of life. It can result from many things, both physical and psychological. Pressures and deadlines at work, problems with loved ones, the need to pay bills, are just some of the obvious sources of anxiety and stress for many people. Less obvious sources include everyday encounters with noise, traffic, crowds, pain, extremes of temperature and even welcome events such as a new job or move to a new house/area.
Some people handle stress well whilst others are negatively influenced by it. Stress can cause fatigue, headaches, irritability, changes in appetite, memory loss, low self-esteem, withdrawal, cold hands, high blood pressure, shallow breathing, nervous twitches, reduced sex drive, insomnia or other changes in sleep patterns, and/or gastrointestinal disorders. Stress creates the perfect breeding ground for other illnesses because of its effect on the immune response including, cardiovascular disease, cancer, endocrine and metabolic disease, skin disorders, and infectious ailments of all kinds. Stress is viewed as a mental/psychological problem but it has physical affects as the body responds with a series of physiological changes that include increased adrenal secretion, elevation of blood pressure, accelerated heartbeat and muscular tension
Case Study
Mrs D Born in 1961 works as a part-time Police officer and lives at home with her 88 year old mother who suffers with senile dementia. At the first appointment patient requests help with stress induced fatigue, headaches and insomnia of several years standing. Not taking any prescribed medication at present but has previously taken anti-depressants to no effect. The Asyra Comprehensive Analysis screening revealed stressed adrenal function, confirmed by the simple Ragland blood pressure check, and both the cortisone and cortisol hormones were out of balance that have the effect of inhibiting the functioning of disease-fighting white blood cells and suppressing the immune response. Levels of the B vitamins were low in particular B5 , Vitamin C, essential fatty acids and calcium and magnesium. The food screening identified sensitivity to artificial sweeteners, eggs, caffeine, alcohol and wheat. In addition to dietary and supplementation advice it was suggested the patient arrange some respite care for her mother and use this time to relax, pursue a new hobby or just simply relax. At the follow-up appointment one month later the patient said although she found sticking to the diet difficult, she felt better generally, able to cope with things, was sleeping much better and having fewer headaches.