Frequently Asked Questions – Anxiety

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a body’s natural response to stress. It’s a feeling of fear or apprehension about what’s to come. .. general, unpleasant feeling of apprehension. You feel restless and you may have physical reactions such as a headache, sweating, palpitations, chest tightness, and upset stomach. anxiety as “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure.

The duration or severity of an anxious feeling can sometimes be out of proportion to the original trigger, or stressor. Physical symptoms, such as increased blood pressure and nausea, may also develop.

When anxiety is severe enough to interfere with daily function it becomes an anxiety disorder.

What is a panic attack?

Panic attacks are episodes which present abruptly of intense fear or dread accompanied by physical symptoms such as difficulty taking a deep breath, chest pain, palpitations, pounding heart, sweating, trembling and/or shaking. Panic attacks can be so frightening to the person experiencing them that it can feel like a heart attack or impending death. Because panic attacks can interfere with normal functioning, they need to be treated by a health care professional.

Can hormones cause anxiety?

Hormone imbalances are a major cause of anxiety in men and women. As men and women age, hormone levels fluctuate and decline. Changing estrogen and progesterone levels, such as those which occur during the monthly menstrual cycle in women, or during the perimenopausal (10-15 years prior to menopause) and menopause years can cause anxiety or depression. Too much estrogen production in relation to progesterone production is called estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance. causes water retention, tension, anxiety, and irritability.

Changes in the level of testosterone in both men and women have been associated with anxiety. Testosterone helps protect the nervous system by boosting the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin. However, with aging, declining testosterone levels may lead to anxiety and depression.

There is an increase in anxiety and frequency of panic attacks during PMS, post-childbirth, perimenopause and menopause and andropause. These are all times in life when the hormones are fluctuating.

What are natural ways to treat anxiety?

Utilizing herbs and nutrients, getting hormones into balance and implementing lifestyle therapies, can help you conquer anxiety. Replacing and balancing hormones with bio identical hormones is sure to help with anxiety.

Supplement to ease anxiety:

  • Vitamin B5, found in shiitake mushrooms
  • Vitamin C, found in red bell peppers
  • GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) an amino acid and neurotransmitter responsible for production of serotonin
  • Take a calming herbal blend with Passionflower, Valerian Root, Licorice Root Ashwagandha, Rhodiola
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids
  • Probiotics

Lifestyle choices:

  • Eating regular meals and avoid skipping meals
  • Stay active and exercise regularly
  • Don’t drink or quit alcohol.
  • Stop smoking
  • Eliminate Caffeine- Try replacing your cup of coffee with green tea, which contains L-theanine. L-theanine is a calming neurotransmitter
  • Get 7 to 8 full hours of sleep
  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Practice deep breathing
  • Learn to meditate and do so often

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