Category Archives: Going Healthy

Going Healthy, Health, Life

Anxiety Disorders: What Are the 5 Major Types?

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There are five main types of anxiety disorders, and what may be even more surprising is that over 19% of the American population suffer from one or more of them. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., but luckily they are highly treatable. Let’s take a look at how the five major types of anxiety disorders are distinguished.

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is quite common and it often presents as excessive worry and tension and chronic anxiety in patients. There doesn’t have to be anything particularly foreboding to cause the feelings of anxiousness. It’s normal to feel anxious from time to time, but when benign things occur, going into an anxiety ridden spiral that prevents you from enjoying life, there may be something deeper going on.

2. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Due to reality television, obsessive compulsive disorder has gotten a lot of attention. What most people think of is OCD sufferers doing repetitive tasks for no apparent reason. But OCD is more than that. Patients have patterns of unwanted thoughts and fears that grow into obsessions. The fears and thoughts are usually unreasonable and excessive, taking over and preventing patients from living their lives comfortably. The repetitive tasks are an attempt at controlling the anxiety caused by the obsessions.

3. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

We often hear about PTSD and veterans, but it affects a diverse group of people. Post-traumatic stress disorder is usually triggered by a traumatic event, either witnessed or experienced. Some of the more common PTSD triggers include violent personal assaults, natural disasters, accidents and military combat, however, triggers could be any terrifying ordeal. Those who suffer often have trouble maintaining personal relationships, difficulty experiencing positive emotions, trouble sleeping, and more.

4. Panic Disorder

Panic disorder sufferers will often be plagued by sudden and unexpected episodes of intense terror or fear. The fear will usually be coupled with physical responses like chest pain, shortness of breath, racing heartbeat and excessive sweating. It’s very alarming to the patient and those who witness the panic attack that seems to come out of nowhere. Although these symptoms can mimic a heart attack, these episodes aren’t typically life threatening.

5. Social Anxiety Disorder

Humans are social by nature, but for some of us engaging in social ways causes severe discomfort, fear and anxiety. Social anxiety disorder can look like an excessive fear of speaking in front of people or eating in public spaces. It can also be so severe that any type of social interaction brings on an overwhelming sense of panic and fear. Social phobias can cause sufferers to avoid doing things and experiencing a full life. They often feel so self-conscious that they’re unable to maintain relationships, employment and more.

Coping with an anxiety disorder is very difficult to do alone. If you or someone you know are suffering from an anxiety order, please reach out to a licensed therapist for treatment. Learning how to incorporate the skills necessary to live life more comfortably and fully is going to greatly improve your quality of life.

Going Healthy, Going Strong, Health, Life, Parenting, Tips

8 Annual Checkups That You And Your Family Should Never Miss

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Most people know that they should get an annual checkup, but it is important to make sure that your entire family gets their regular physicals as well. An annual checkup offers the opportunity for a physician to detect and diagnose any potential health concerns before they become more serious.

It also helps you stay on top of any existing conditions or changes in your health status. Annual checkups should not be overlooked – they are a vital part of staying healthy.

Here Are The Annual Checkups That You And Your Family Should Never Miss:

1. Physical examinations:

At least once a year, it is important for all members of your family to get a physical examination from their doctor or healthcare provider. During this exam, the doctor will take vitals like temperature and pulse rate, conduct an overall physical assessment, and review your loved one’s medical history and current medications.

2. Eye examinations:

It is recommended that adults receive eye exams every two years, and those under 18 should receive exams annually. Eye exams can detect conditions such as glaucoma or cataracts before they become serious enough to cause permanent vision loss.

3. Dental checkups:

Dentists recommend that adults have a dental checkup at least twice a year in order to maintain good oral health. In addition, children should visit Loop Dentist every six months for a thorough cleaning and examination.

4. Women’s health screenings:

Women of all ages should go for regular breast exams, Pap tests, pelvic exams, and mammograms when appropriate. Additionally, women over 40 should qualify for an annual bone density scan which will assess the risk of developing osteoporosis later in life.

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Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

5. Vaccinations:

Annual vaccinations are a very important part of preventive healthcare for all family members. Vaccines can help protect against various diseases, including the flu and common infectious illnesses such as measles or mumps.

6. Mental health checkups:

Mental health is just as important as physical health. Regular mental health checkups can help identify signs of depression, anxiety, or stress that may be affecting your daily life.

7. Cholesterol checkups:

High cholesterol levels can lead to serious health conditions and should be monitored regularly. Adults should have their cholesterol checked every four to six years, and those with high-risk factors (such as a family history of heart disease) should ask their doctor about more frequent screenings.

8. Blood pressure checkups:

High blood pressure can put you at risk for stroke, heart attack and other serious health conditions. Therefore, it is recommended that adults have their blood pressure checked yearly in order to keep an eye on any changes or irregularities.

Regular checkups are essential to maintaining good health – they catch medical problems early before they become serious enough to require more intensive treatment. Make sure you and your family don’t miss any annual appointments – it could be the difference between staying healthy and catching a potentially life-threatening illness before it’s too late. So schedule your checkups today, and stay healthy!

Going Healthy, Going Strong, Health, Lifestyle, Tips

The Staples of a Healthy Body

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It’s hard, or perhaps impossible, to live life to the fullest if you have poor health. Your health may well be the best friend that you’ll ever have, the one that’ll give you the energy and capabilities you need to be at your best. Of course, we all have health issues from time to time. None of us is indestructible. Yet, while we can’t prevent those things from happening on occasion, there are things we can do that’ll help to push our health in the right direction, and in most cases, that’s enough. Below, we’ll run through the staples of a healthy body. Make sure you tick all of them, and you’ll be on your way to feeling great. 

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Eating Well

It would be convenient if the old saying, ‘you are what you eat,’ wasn’t true. But alas, it really is. You can’t expect to have a healthy body if you’re eating too many meals that would have the bona fide ‘unhealthy’ rubber stamp. It’s not always possible to eat well, but it’s something that’s worthwhile prioritizing. There are a bunch of easy-to-make, healthy recipes that you can make at home in as little as twenty minutes. And yes, they’re delicious — healthy food doesn’t need to mean that there’s no flavor!

Exercise

We tend to think that how we live is pretty normal. But it would look decidedly odd to our ancestors, who were much more active than we are. Humans can’t expect to sit down all day with only minimal movement and still be healthy. You don’t necessarily need to spend several hours in a gym multiple times a week to get your fix of exercise. A brisk walk or jog will get you started. There are other benefits to working out, too, including improved mental health, more energy, and clearer skin. 

Minimizing Long-Term Threats 

You can think of your health in both short periods and long periods. You’ll have long-term threats that could pose a danger to your health years down the line, so it’s a good idea to handle those, too. For example, if you’re a smoker, then you would consider quitting. If you’re at risk for diabetes, then you may adjust your eating habits or consider visceral fat contouring surgery. It’s a good idea to ask your parents what conditions you may be susceptible to getting and then do your research to discover the best way to avoid them. 

Into Nature
One of the more underrated — and fun — ways to look after your health is to spend more time in nature. Studies have shown that it can have a transformative effect on a person’s health, and we don’t just mean physical health. There are real mental benefits to spending time in the great outdoors, and that’ll have a ripple effect that impacts every other part of your life. Plus, the activities that people generally do in nature, such as walking, cycling, or cross-country skiing, can really help to improve your physical well-being while also having fun.