August 24, 2015
STRESS and It's hidden health effects
I know what you're about to say, "It's been a while" and you are absolutely right! I have been dealing with a health issue that I had to get a hold of. After sitting here for the past few months, I have been focusing on me from the inside out.....literally. I thought, why not talk about this issue, make others aware of it and have my experience possibly help someone else along the way.
First, let's talk about my symptoms. I was tired, had hormone fluctuations, hot flashes, insomnia, extreme fatigue, muscle soreness and weakness, I was craving sweets (and I normally don't even eat sweets), I felt like I was losing my mind when I was getting very forgetful or as I called it "fuzzy brain" and there were days I was so run down and overwhelmed that I don't know how I made it through the day. After going to see the doctor, having countless amounts of blood work done and being referred to an endocrinologist, I found out some of my problem and then the solution was hormone therapy. UMMMMM...... NO! That is exactly what I wanted to stay away from, chemicals, drugs or anything foreign going into my body. I then decided to see a homeopath (best decision EVER).
By now you're probably asking, "OK, Charity, what is it that you have?" Yeah, yeah, I know.... just trying to set up the picture here. I have what's called Adrenal Fatigue AND I found out about multiple food sensitivities that were making my body go CRAZY. Finally, I found someone who was willing to help me and not want to pump toxic, chemicals into my body that I try so hard to steer clear of. You will find many MD's who don't even believe in this but I assure you, it is real and now I am proof.
What caused it is a mix of many things but the bottom line is STRESS. I had a very unique and overwhelming situation going on in my life, I was running myself ragged trying to manage my business, time, family and home. I unfortunately contracted Ecoli from a gym pool AND on top of all of that, I was prepping for a bodybuilding competition (figure division). My poor body didn't know what to do, my cortisol levels went haywire and THEN told me to screw off and just shut down.
Understand that stress is a specific response by the body to a stimulus, such as fear or pain, that disturbs or interferes with normal physiological equilibrium. Stress can be many things, it can be physical, mental or emotional strain or tension and can be an occurrence (chronic or acute) OR a causative factor in a state of disease.
I'm not going to go on and on (and I definitely could) but I will leave you with this, we often have symptoms and know that something is "off" in our bodies. You have to listen to your body and then you must respond to it. You are doing it no good by ignoring what is going on or thinking that it will be ok, or it will get better. You may for a while but the reality is that it is probably being temporarily masked and could eventually turn into something much worse. You only have one body. I for one will make sure that I treat this one with the utmost respect, responsibility and care only to make it the best one!
I will leave you with a list of Adrenal Stressors because stress comes in many different forms and even when we don't "feel" stressed, that doesn't mean that there is not stress on our bodies.
Photo credit: Healthy Eating and Living[/caption]
Have you experienced any of these symptoms? How did you learn to cope with them?
Do you follow us on Instagram?
What caused it is a mix of many things but the bottom line is STRESS. I had a very unique and overwhelming situation going on in my life, I was running myself ragged trying to manage my business, time, family and home. I unfortunately contracted Ecoli from a gym pool AND on top of all of that, I was prepping for a bodybuilding competition (figure division). My poor body didn't know what to do, my cortisol levels went haywire and THEN told me to screw off and just shut down.
Understand that stress is a specific response by the body to a stimulus, such as fear or pain, that disturbs or interferes with normal physiological equilibrium. Stress can be many things, it can be physical, mental or emotional strain or tension and can be an occurrence (chronic or acute) OR a causative factor in a state of disease.
I'm not going to go on and on (and I definitely could) but I will leave you with this, we often have symptoms and know that something is "off" in our bodies. You have to listen to your body and then you must respond to it. You are doing it no good by ignoring what is going on or thinking that it will be ok, or it will get better. You may for a while but the reality is that it is probably being temporarily masked and could eventually turn into something much worse. You only have one body. I for one will make sure that I treat this one with the utmost respect, responsibility and care only to make it the best one!
I will leave you with a list of Adrenal Stressors because stress comes in many different forms and even when we don't "feel" stressed, that doesn't mean that there is not stress on our bodies.
- Fear
- Emotional Stress
- Infections (acute and chronic)
- Financial Pressure
- Lack of Relaxation
- Exercise (too little or too much)
- Prescription and Non Prescription Drugs
- Smoking
- Wound Healing
- Death of a Loved One
- Physiological Stress
- Unwanted Employment
- Gut Irritating Foods such as Grains and Legumes
- Caffeine
- Sugar and White Flour Products
- Over Exertion
- Lack of Sleep
- Lack of Nutrient Dense Food
- Marital Stress
- Nutrient Poor Food
- Toxins
Photo credit: Healthy Eating and Living[/caption]
Have you experienced any of these symptoms? How did you learn to cope with them?
Do you follow us on Instagram?
