Health Journal Online

Author: admin

  • Curex Is Making Food Allergy Care Easier Than Ever, Backed by Science

    Curex Is Making Food Allergy Care Easier Than Ever, Backed by Science

    For many people, food allergies are a year-round problem. The fear of accidentally exposing themselves to foods they are allergic to, stomach pains, and even more severe reactions can make every meal feel like a gamble. Even small amounts of allergens in everyday meals can cause a lot of distress, turning something as simple as enjoying food into a stressful and cautious experience. Avoiding the food their entire life may be impossible, which causes significant distress for people with food allergies. Going to restaurants is like playing a game of Russian roulette, as very few kitchens are pure from cross-contamination.

    The first treatment that has emerged to combat food allergies has been oral immunotherapy, or OIT. It is administered in the office by an allergist, who, after conducting testing, creates a cocktail of allergens and asks the patient to drink it. Most doctors mix their own cocktails from ingredients they buy in a store, which is not a precise process and frequently causes significant side effects and even anaphylaxis. While OIT is effective for those who persevere and complete the treatment, few do because of painful side effects.

    Fortunately, a new treatment for food allergies, sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), has become a popular and practical solution for many. Through drops applied under the tongue, the treatment exposes the immune system to small, regulated amounts of common food allergens like peanuts, dairy, or shellfish. Unlike OIT, SLIT is created by specialized pharmacies like Allergychoices. They mix clinical-grade allergenic extracts to create a highly precise dosage of immunotherapy mix. The medication is taken under the tongue—where a smaller dose is effective—instead of being drunk like OIT. The immune system becomes desensitized over time, which reduces the extremity of allergic reactions. Allergy drops like these treat the root cause of food allergies, offering a long-term solution compared to short-term fixes like avoiding trigger foods and constantly carrying an EpiPen for emergencies.

    SLIT allergy drops have been used widely for environmental allergies. Studies have shown that allergy drops work just as well as traditional allergy shots for treating conditions like pet allergies, dust allergies, and hay fever. With SLIT, patients can handle their treatment from their own homes without having to deal with needles or numerous clinic appointments, making it easier to stay consistent and add it to their busy schedules.

    Recent studies have also shown that sublingual allergy drops are effective for food allergies. They rarely produce side effects—owing to much lower controlled dosage—which in turn results in a high completion rate. Patients who complete treatment can tolerate accidental exposure to a few peanuts or similar quantities of other foods in question, leading some to introduce the food into their diet or getting a peace of mind.

    Fewer severe reactions and the ability to enjoy meals without fear are two key benefits of using SLIT drops for food allergies. Many patients report getting confidence in dining out, better energy levels, and improved peace of mind when managing their allergies. Allergy drops don’t just reduce symptoms—they address the root cause, giving patients the freedom to live their lives without constantly having to worry about accidental exposure. For many, it represents a transformation in how they approach food allergies—from a constant source of stress to a manageable part of their daily lives.

    Making Allergy Care More Accessible

    Curex has been leading in the effort to increase the number of people who can benefit from SLIT drops. Curex’s patient-focused approach and scientific innovation have made at-home allergy therapy easier than ever. A telemedicine consultation is the first step in the process, in which certified allergists evaluate the individual needs of each patient. Curex customizes each treatment plan to target specific allergy triggers—whether food-based, seasonal, or pet-related—and changes in the seasons using AI-driven data analysis, guaranteeing optimal effectiveness.

    Curex sends tailored allergy drops directly to 50,000 patients’ homes when the treatment plan is finalized by its clinical team. Regular usage of allergy drops under the tongue is meant to raise tolerance to allergens like specific foods, dust, pollen, or pet dander. “We want to make allergy care less complicated and give patients a solution that works for them,” says Curex’s founder, Gene Kakaulin. Curex gives patients the ability to manage their allergies without the inconvenience and time commitment associated with traditional treatments thanks to this simpler process.

    Curex patients often describe their experience as life-changing. Besides the ease of at-home care, many people report noticeable changes in as little as a few months, such as increased energy, fewer symptoms, and the ability to completely and continuously enjoy life’s moments, including dining and eating out without fear. Curex provides a customized, scientifically supported method of managing allergies for those who are prepared to go beyond band-aid solutions.

    Source link

  • How to use fitness trackers to enhance performance and wellbeing—without losing touch with yourself

    How to use fitness trackers to enhance performance and wellbeing—without losing touch with yourself

    While our ancestors relied on their senses to assess how they were doing, increasingly, we rely on gadgets.

    Today, if you’re curious enough, you can measure your heart rate, your step count, your exercise intensity, and your sleep quality—sometimes all on one sleek device.

    In the best cases, these devices offer a bridge between what you subjectively feel and what you can objectively measure.

    This is generally a really cool and amazing thing.

    Our subjective feelings and assessments matter, but they’re not always the most reliable. Us humans just aren’t particularly skilled at quantifying our experiences and behaviors with cold precision.

    Take, for example, a colleague of mine. He believed he was eating within a narrow caloric window, but after careful tracking, he learned that he was putting away a bonus 500 Calories a day—in barbecue sauce.

    That said, some of us are better than others.

    Ben Johnson, the Canadian sprinter, was reported to have been able to call out his 100 metre time within a tenth of a second of the stopwatch readout.1

    That’s outlier performance, to be clear, but it still makes you wonder:

    How good are you at assessing yourself?

    And, how can you improve your accuracy through the wise use of technology—like fitness trackers—to help you make better decisions about your health?

    In the following article, we’ll tackle the above, plus we’ll address:

    • How accurate are data trackers in the first place?
    • When is tracking helpful? (And when is it not?)
    • Can you train yourself to more accurately assess things by feel?

    Let’s get into it.

    First, how accurate are data trackers anyway?

    Not all data is created equal.

    Some brands produce better products than others. This is not just hardware but also the quality of their software and datasets.

    Beyond that, not all things are equally easy to quantity.

    For example, heart rate and step-count data are generally reliable,2 but many other types of outputs—from calories burned to movement velocity—have substantial margins for error.

    The below chart shows the reliability of various tracking devices.An infographic chart titled 'Tracking Devices and the Health Metrics They Can Assess' comparing different devices (Pedometers, Activity Bands, Smartwatches, Chest Straps, Ring Trackers, Smartphone Apps, Medical Wearables, and Strength Wearables) against various metrics (Steps, Heart Rate, Recovery, Calories, Sleep Duration, Sleep Quality, Speed, and Power). The accuracy is indicated by green checkmarks (very accurate), yellow dots (decent accuracy), and red X's (limited or not available).

    (If you’re curious, we cover the accuracy of various progress indicators in more detail here: Are Fitness Trackers Worth It?)

    Next, when is tracking actually helpful?

    The good: Tracking devices offer us more data about our behaviors and bodies than ever before.

    The bad: Tracking devices offer us more data about our behaviors and bodies than ever before.

    “What’s really remarkable,” says Samantha Kleinberg, a computer scientist who studies decision-making, “is that even a tiny amount of surplus information has a big negative effect on our decision-making.”3

    That’s the paradox of tracking: Too little detail makes it tough to make the right decision, but so does too much. A graph showing 'The Effect of Information on Decision Making' with an inverted U-shaped curve. The x-axis shows 'Amount of relevant information available' and the y-axis shows 'Ability to make decisions'. The peak of the curve is labeled 'Sweet spot', suggesting an optimal amount of information for decision-making, with performance declining when there's either too little or too much information.

    This can be expressed as an inverted U, with the sweet spot at the top of the curve.

    Today, it’s surprisingly easy to have too much information.

    Consider the analysis paralysis you feel after scanning hundreds of reviews from the various taco places in your neighborhood. (All you wanted was a decent el pastor, but now you don’t know which taqueria to pick!)

    Finding just enough information to make good decisions is an art form—especially in the world of health and fitness, where it seems like everyone is trying to outdo each other when it comes to providing more science, more customization, and more complexity.

    But when all that information starts to blur together with no clear path forward, what should you do?

    For starters, you can ask yourself a simple question:

    Does tracking increase my wellbeing and performance?

    If the answer is a clear yes or no, you know what to do. (Either continue tracking as you were, or drop the gadget and walk away.)

    If you’re a little fuzzy, here are three signs to watch for to help you determine if tracking is helpful—or not.

    Sign #1: Tracking is decreasing your stress and validating your method(s).

    When Zak’s coach raved about the benefits of zone 2 cardio, it sounded logical. But when the rubber on his running shoes hit the road, Zak second-guessed everything. Zak prided himself on his ability to grind, and simply didn’t trust that something that felt easy could also be effective.

    Yet, the data didn’t lie. As the weeks went by, Zak watched his resting heart rate drop—along with his recovery time from hard runs. With that reassurance, Zak began to relax about the process—and his resting heart rate dropped further.

    Zak hadn’t trusted his feelings, but he did trust the data from his heart rate monitor.

    Using a tracking device enabled Zak to calibrate his own perceptions so they were more accurate and realistic.

    If you’re a coach who has a client like Zak who’s high performing but doesn’t know it, tracking can help build confidence and reduce the anxiety that they’re “not good enough.”

    Here, you empower them by shining a spotlight on existing performance. Expert assurance can go a long way but can also be bolstered by reliable data.

    (Recently, many people have begun using continuous glucose monitors, or CGMs, in order to “optimize” their blood sugar levels. This can help “validate” certain food choices… but it can also be a waste of time. Read more: Should people without diabetes use CGMs?)

    Bad omen: Tracking is increasing stress or negatively affecting performance.

    Sometimes, data can stress you out without any upside—like when you receive poor scores about things beyond your control.

    Take the new parent of a newborn who gets a poor sleep quality score.

    Tracking has a time and a place. When scores are beyond your control or your priorities lie elsewhere, tracking can create unnecessary stress and is counterproductive.

    You can always revisit tracking when circumstances or priorities change.

    Sign #2: Clear feedback from data is enhancing your motivation and ability.

    For a behaviour to take place, you need three things4:

    • Motivation: A compelling reason or desire to take action toward achieving something. This can come from external sources (your spouse is urging you to quit smoking) or internal drives (you’ve always dreamed of running a marathon).
    • Ability: You have a combination of skills, plus opportunities to express them. (For example, you know how to do a simple resistance training routine, and you have 20 minutes a day to execute it.) This may involve overcoming constraints like time, money, mental and/or physical effort, social pressures, and changes to routine.5
    • Prompt: A prompt is a cue or instruction that elicits an action. (For example, when your GPS tells you to turn left, or when your restless legs “remind” you you’re due for a walk.) Critically, even with high levels of motivation and ability, you may not take action—or the right kind of action—without a prompt.

    Fitness trackers shine when you’ve got plenty of motivation and ability—and just lack the prompt.

    Take my client, Margaret. She used to have a glass of wine most nights, believing it helped her sleep better. Once she started wearing a sleep tracker though, she saw that her sleep quality was much poorer the nights she imbibed. Once she received this prompt—her sleep score—she adjusted her behavior.

    When you highlight important data, the right choices become clearer.

    When it comes to changing behaviours, sometimes all it takes is one key piece of data. As they say, “Once you see it, you can’t un-see it.”

    (PN’s CEO Tim Jones used the feedback he got from various lifestyle trackers to finally reduce his genetically high cholesterol levels—and built a richer, more meaningful life in the process. Read more: How This Guy Cut His Cholesterol in Half Without Drugs)

    Bad omen: Data collection is decreasing motivation or ability.

    When Jan, an avid recreational cyclist, found out he could view—then demolish—the records set on local biking trails, he set to work. But as those records were destroyed, so too was his ability to ride for enjoyment. His focus on speed left him under-recovered and eventually led to burnout.

    If workouts have become more about the numbers and less about technique, experience, or even enjoyment, tracking is likely no longer helpful.

    Sign #3: Tracking is helping you understand yourself better.

    The harder you work, the better your results.

    Right?

    Not necessarily.

    This belief tends to get grinders like Zak into trouble because they think they’re making progress—but really they’re just getting in their own way, even inhibiting performance and recovery.

    Meanwhile, there are also many people who chronically underestimate their effort and capacity, and would benefit from turning up the heat. Here, data can help us more accurately understand our own potential.

    Let’s look at high-intensity interval training (HIIT) as an example. HIIT workouts alternate fixed periods of intense effort with fixed periods of rest. However, these fixed periods of rest are just estimates of recovery times.

    Heart rate data can create a more individualized picture of actual recovery needs, which may be faster or slower than you expect.

    Sometimes, the mind says yes but the heart says not quite yet.

    A good coach does more than just simply ask for more. They also help keep clients out of the unproductive “junk volume” zone, where fatigue accumulates but performance doesn’t improve (and maybe even worsens).

    By looking at real-time metrics of output, fatigue, and recovery, you can better understand yourself and your clients, and help keep everyone training and recovering efficiently.

    Bad omen: Over-reliance on data is making you lose touch with your own senses.

    When you become overly reliant on data, you risk losing touch with your own sense of how you feel, whether that’s hunger and fullness levels, energy and fatigue, or something else.

    A relevant example is “The Great My Fitness Pal Blackout.”

    In January of 2019, the calorie-tracking app (with a reported 200 million subscribers!) went down for a day. Pretty minor—unless you happened to be tracking your macro and caloric intake and waiting for the app to tell you exactly how much you could eat that day… which I was.

    When the app wouldn’t load, I recognized the mild panic I felt was unhelpful. My overreliance on the app had disconnected me from my own internal signals, and without it, I felt adrift. Since then, I’ve shifted my focus to how energetic I feel and one of the oldest tracking technologies available: the mirror.

    (If you feel like you’re lost without your besties—your phone and your apps—there’s a name for that. There are also ways to develop a healthier relationship with your tech. Read more: What is nomophobia?)

    3 ways to use fitness trackers to help you make more accurate self-assessments

    Before we get to how to do the above, let’s talk about why assessing things by feel can be so important.

    Whether it’s body fat percentage or movement speed, even supremely motivated and capable clients will experience diminishing objective results from their training.

    The scale stops dropping, the number of plates you’re able to load on the bar plateaus, or—gasp—your race time even regresses.

    Motivation based purely on progress or other extrinsic goals6 will fall away during these times.

    However, exercisers who focus on feelings of mindfulness7, mastery, meaning8, and success9 develop a more resilient practice. They also enjoy the process more, whether that’s the process of running, lifting, winding down for a good night’s sleep, or just enjoying a meal.

    So, although objective data can provide essential feedback and guidance, you’ll only reap the full benefits of your practice—that is, enjoyment and results—if you maintain connection with your felt experience.

    And good news: You can actually use fitness trackers to calibrate and even improve your ability to accurately sense what’s happening in your body.

    Here are three ways to do it.

    1. Check in with yourself before you check the data.

    Can you imagine asking someone how their vacation was and then waiting for them to look at their photos to be able to answer? That’s what it’s like when you rely purely on external data about your own experience.

    Whatever the metric—how far you biked, how many calories you consumed, or how fast your heart was beating—the simplest way to work mindfully with tracker data is to pause, breathe, and then tune into the powerful (if not always accurate) prediction-making powers of your brain.

    Once you’ve checked in with yourself, you can calibrate your self-assessment by comparing the detailed (if not always accurate) outputs of your fitness tracker.

    Over time, you may be able to narrow the gap between two.

    (Note: Don’t forget to regularly update your app. Algorithms and data sets are regularly adjusted for better predictive accuracy.)

    2. Develop mental shortcuts that can occasionally stand in for objective measures.

    The coaches I work with regularly ask people to estimate the boundaries of their strength (such as how many reps they can do at a given weight until failure).

    Novices are often terrible at estimating this—and regularly off the mark by five or more reps. However, the use of objective trackers can help calibrate their understanding, and most people can reduce their margin of error dramatically.

    In theory, you might use fancy tools like accelerometers or blood lactate measurements, but our coaches just ask, “For a million dollars a rep, how many more reps do you think you could do?”

    Though there’s nothing objective about this question, most clients are able to use the prompt as a kind of shortcut to understand maximal effort. (After all, that last rep may be worth seven figures!)

    The question also leverages the rate of perceived exertion (RPE)—your perception of how hard you’re working—which is one of the most validated sensory-driven approaches.

    Not everyone is automatically good at estimating RPE, but most people can improve their skills by mapping their felt experience with occasional calibration with objective data.

    3. Keep developing your ability to dial into your senses.

    Trackers have components like accelerometers, GPS, and gyroscopes to sense data about speed, distance, and more.

    But humans are no slouches either.

    We have…

    • Mechanoreceptors that respond to pressure, vibration, and the joint angles change
    • A vestibular system that monitors balance and angle changes
    • Proprioceptors that clock the speed and rate of length-change of muscle spindles
    • Thermoreceptors that register register warming or cooling
    • Chemoreceptors that detect chemical changes, such as scent or taste, as well as changes in the bloodstream
    • Nociceptors—part of the body’s alarm system—that sense threat and send signals of potential harm or distress

    And that’s only a partial list.

    You have access to an incredibly rich network of sensory information—something that technology cannot begin to touch.

    All of this information is fed into the powerful pattern-recognition machine of your nervous system.

    To continue honing your ability to use this rich network of sensory information, regularly check in with what and how you’re feeling.

    When you learn to calibrate your own senses with objective data, you can leverage all the cool advances in wearable tech—while still keeping your own experience front and centre.

    jQuery(document).ready(function(){
    jQuery(“#references_link”).click(function(){
    jQuery(“#references_holder”).show();
    jQuery(“#references_link”).parent().hide();
    });
    });

    References

    Click here to view the information sources referenced in this article.

    1. Francis C. Speed Trap: Inside the Biggest Scandal in Olympic History. Toronto: Stoddart Publishing Co. Ltd.; 1990.
    2. Stat News. Fitbit’s accuracy has a dark-skin problem. Stat News [Internet]. 2019 Jul 24 [cited 2024 Nov 23]. Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20240129224809/https://www.statnews.com/2019/07/24/fitbit-accuracy-dark-skin/
    3. Stevens Institute of Technology. Want to make better decisions? Ask for less information, not more. Stevens Institute of Technology [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Nov 23]. Available from: https://www.stevens.edu/news/want-to-make-better-decisions-ask-for-less-information-not-more
    4. Fogg B. Behavior Model. BehaviorModel.org [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 Nov 23]. Available from: https://behaviormodel.org/
    5. Fogg, B. J. 2019. Tiny Habits: Small Changes Change Everything. New York; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
    6. Bradshaw, Emma L., James H. Conigrave, Ben A. Steward, Kelly A. Ferber, Philip D. Parker, and Richard M. Ryan. 2023. A Meta-Analysis of the Dark Side of the American Dream: Evidence for the Universal Wellness Costs of Prioritizing Extrinsic over Intrinsic Goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 124 (4): 873–99.
    7. Hagan, John E., Jr, Dietmar Pollmann, and Thomas Schack. 2017. Elite Athletes’ in-Event Competitive Anxiety Responses and Psychological Skills Usage under Differing Conditions. Frontiers in Psychology 8 (December). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02280.
    8. University of Rochester Medical Center. Self-Determination Theory [Internet]. Rochester (NY): University of Rochester Medical Center; [cited 2024 Nov 25]. Available from: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/community-health/patient-care/self-determination-theory.aspx
    9. Teixeira DS, Bastos V, Andrade AJ, Palmeira AL, Ekkekakis P. Individualized pleasure-oriented exercise sessions, exercise frequency, and affective outcomes: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2024;21(1):1636.

    If you’re a coach, or you want to be…

    You can help people build sustainable nutrition and lifestyle habits that will significantly improve their physical and mental health—while you make a great living doing what you love. We’ll show you how.

    If you’d like to learn more, consider the PN Level 1 Nutrition Coaching Certification. (You can enroll now at a big discount.)

    • The post How to use fitness trackers to enhance performance and wellbeing—without losing touch with yourself appeared first on Precision Nutrition.

    Source link

  • ADHD Reduces Life Expectancy? Here’s How It Affects Men And Women Differently

    ADHD Reduces Life Expectancy? Here’s How It Affects Men And Women Differently

    As ADHD diagnoses continue to rise in the U.S., researchers have uncovered a troubling link between the behavioral disorder and reduced life expectancy, with the impact varying between men and women.

    Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders affecting children. The condition can impact various aspects of life, including academic performance, professional achievements, interpersonal relationships, and daily functioning.

    In a large-scale study published in The British Journal of Psychiatry, researchers analyzed data from over 300,000 participants with ADHD, comparing it with a similar group without the condition to understand its effects on longevity. The findings revealed that men with ADHD had a life expectancy reduction of 4.5 to 9 years, while women faced a reduction of 6.5 to 11 years.

    “It is deeply concerning that some adults with diagnosed ADHD are living shorter lives than they should. People with ADHD have many strengths and can thrive with the right support and treatment. However, they often lack support and are more likely to experience stressful life events and social exclusion, negatively impacting their health and self-esteem,” said senior author, Professor Josh Stott in a news release.

    The researchers also noted that only a fraction of the total population of adults with ADHD could be studied as less than one in nine adults with ADHD had been diagnosed.

    “We know from studies of traits in the community and from studies of childhood diagnosis that the rate of ADHD in our sample is just a fraction of what it should be,” Professor Stott added.

    Since the condition often goes undiagnosed, particularly in adults, this new research may overestimate the reduction in life expectancy for those with the condition. The study findings may not be generalizable to other geographies or settings, the researchers caution. Also, since the study has not evaluated data on the specific causes of death, it is not possible to directly attribute the years of lost life to different factors.

    However, researchers noted that early deaths in ADHD patients could be “caused by modifiable risk factors and unmet support and treatment needs in terms of both ADHD and co-occurring mental and physical health conditions.”

    Source link

  • Every Morning This Ancient Amazonian “Drip Method” Is Being Used To Support Healthy Weight Loss

    Every Morning This Ancient Amazonian “Drip Method” Is Being Used To Support Healthy Weight Loss

    Product Name: Every Morning This Ancient Amazonian “Drip Method” Is Being Used To Support Healthy Weight Loss

    Click here to get Every Morning This Ancient Amazonian “Drip Method” Is Being Used To Support Healthy Weight Loss at discounted price while it’s still available…

    All orders are protected by SSL encryption – the highest industry standard for online security from trusted vendors.

    Every Morning This Ancient Amazonian “Drip Method” Is Being Used To Support Healthy Weight Loss is backed with a 60 Day No Questions Asked Money Back Guarantee. If within the first 60 days of receipt you are not satisfied with Wake Up Lean™, you can request a refund by sending an email to the address given inside the product and we will immediately refund your entire purchase price, with no questions asked.

    (more…)

  • 5 Guided Meditations to Investigate Panic and Anxiety

    5 Guided Meditations to Investigate Panic and Anxiety

    Explore these five guided meditations for softening feelings of anxiousness and calming panic.

    Unprecedented, uncertain—these are terms we’ve heard used in excess over the past few years. But no matter how tiring uncertainty may be, one thing remains true: We’ve all had to adapt to changing circumstances the best we can and as fast as we can. One thing we know is that mindfulness can help. If you’re finding yourself overwhelmed, here are five guided meditations worth following to ease anxiety and calm panic. 

    5 Guided Meditations for Panic and Anxiety

    1. A Meditation for Investigating Panic Attacks

    1. First, congratulate yourself that you are dedicating some precious time for meditation.
    2. Become aware of your body and mind and whatever you are carrying within you. Perhaps there are feelings from the day’s events or whatever has been going on recently.
    3. May you simply allow and acknowledge whatever is within you and let it be, without any form of analysis.
    4. Gradually, shift the focus of awareness to the breath, breathing normally and naturally. As you breathe in, be aware of breathing in, and as you breathe out, be aware of breathing out.
    5. Awareness can be focused at either the tip of the nose or the abdomen, depending on your preference. If focusing at the tip of the nose, feel the touch of the air as you breathe in and out… If focusing on the abdomen, feel the belly expanding on an inhalation and contracting on an exhalation.
    6. Breathing in, breathing out, experiencing each breath appearing and disappearing. Just breathing. And now gently withdraw awareness from the breath and shift to mindful inquiry.
    7. Mindful inquiry is an investigation into emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations that are driving your panic, anxieties, and fears, often beneath the surface of your awareness. There is a special and unique way of doing this practice that can foster the potential for deep understanding and insight.
    8. When you practice mindful inquiry, gently direct your attention into the bodily feeling of panic or fear itself. Allow yourself to bring nonjudgmental awareness into the experience of it, acknowledging whatever it feels like in the body and mind and letting it be.
    9. To begin this exploration you need to first check in with yourself and determine whether it feels safe or not. If you don’t feel safe, perhaps it is better to wait and try another time, and just stay with your breathing for now.
    10. If you are feeling safe, then bring awareness into the body and mind and allow yourself to acknowledge any physical sensations, emotions, or thoughts. Then, just let them be…without trying to analyze or figure them out.
    11. You may discover that within these feelings there’s a multitude of thoughts, emotions, or old memories that are fueling your fears. When you begin to acknowledge what has not been acknowledged, the pathway of insight and understanding may arise. As you turn toward your emotions, they may show you what you are panicked, worried, mad, sad, or bewildered about.
    12. You may learn that the very resistance to unacknowledged emotions often causes more panic or fear and that learning to go with it, rather than fighting it, often diminishes them. When we say “go with it,” we mean that you allow and acknowledge whatever is within the mind and body. Just letting the waves of emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations go wherever they need to go just like the sky makes room for any weather.
    13. Now gently return to the breath, being mindful of breathing in and out…riding the waves of the breath.
    14. As you come to the end of this meditation, take a moment to congratulate yourself and take a moment to appreciate the safety and ease you may be feeling right now that you can bring into your day. By acknowledging your fears, you may open the possibility for deeper understanding, compassion, and peace. Before you get up, gently wiggle your fingers and toes and gradually open your eyes, being fully aware here and now.
    15. Send some loving-kindness your way. May I dwell in peace. May all beings dwell in peace.

    2. A Meditation to Create Space Between You and Your Anxiety

    1. When you’re ready, come into a comfortable seated position. Let’s take some breaths here. Find your ground by feeling your feet on the floor beneath you. Feel your body touching the chair or cushion you’re on. Really allow yourself to settle into this: Feel gravity, and release your weight toward gravity. Let’s take a few deeper breaths now. If you are already feeling anxious, it can be helpful to really extend the exhale. Take a nice, long inhale, then very much emphasize the exhale.
    2. Explore how you’re feeling right now. If you’re feeling anxious right now, it’s a great opportunity to practice. But if not, bring to mind a time recently when you felt some kind of fear, anxiety, worry, or agitation. Recall the situation or conversation. Just remember that event, and as you do, you might start to notice anxious thoughts emerging in your mind. You might also start to notice some related sensations in your body.
    3. Open your attention wide. Before we turn toward the anxiety more fully, let’s first open our attention wide. Here’s where we can use A.W.E. (And What Else?) Just notice. You may be feeling anxiety right now, but let’s direct our attention away from that and actively explore our senses.
    4. Open your eyes and look around. If your eyes are closed, I invite you to open them to look around the space you’re in. Simply orient yourself. And now notice three things that you see in the space around you. They can be very neutral or even pleasant things—flowers, an image. Simply describe them to yourself in your mind: the colours, shapes, forms.
    5. Turn your attention to the sounds around you. Once you’ve noticed three things visually and described them to yourself, turn your attention to hearing. Allow your attention to settle on the sounds around you. Listen for three different sounds; they can be near or far. Emphasize pleasant or neutral sounds. And, again, describe them to yourself: notice the vibration, the tone, how they arise and then pass. 
    6. Now, let’s turn our attention to taste. This might be a little more challenging, but just notice: Can you detect any flavour in your mouth? Maybe something you ate before starting this practice? Toothpaste? Just notice what it’s like to taste.
    7. Now, turn your attention to your sense of smell. You might take in a deeper breath here. Just notice: Can you detect any scent in the space around you? Notice how they can shift and change with each breath.
    8. And finally, let’s move to the sense of touch. Beginning on the outer surface of our skin, feel the contact with the chair or the ground. If your hands are touching or resting against your body, just feel that sensation. It’s very simple: What do you notice when you turn your attention toward your hands touching? Feel the contact of your clothes with your body. Feel the temperature of the air on your skin. What can you notice?
    9. If you have the energy and some space now, turn your attention toward the felt sense of anxiety. If you feel the need for more space at any time, simply keep turning your attention outward: the sounds, the sights—wherever it feels calming and grounding for you to attend in your senses. When you do feel ready to explore, turn your attention to the felt sense: How do you notice anxiety? Where do you feel it in your body? Take a breath and notice where you feel it. Maybe it’s in your belly? See if you can notice the details, too: Is it throbbing or tingling? What’s the energy like? Within the sensation of anxiety, does it feel like there’s a lot of movement? Does it shift and change as you pay attention to it?
    10. Can you gently relax around the feeling of anxiety or fear? Think of the rest of your body holding this feeling with a lot of care. Pay close attention, explore, be curious: How does anxiety show up? How is it shifting? If at any point it becomes overwhelming or you get lost in thinking and find you’re unable to stay with the sensations, simply go to And What Else: Notice the sights around you. Notice the sounds. Feel the ground.
    11. If you are able to pay attention to this sense of anxiety, simply noticing it, let’s drop in a question. Staying with the felt sense of this fear, anxiety, worry, or agitation, just ask: What do you need? What do you want me to know? What are you trying to offer me? Just see what answers, images, words arise here. We’re asking ourselves here: What do I need?
    12. As we close out the meditation, see if you can commit to doing something to address that need you’ve identified. Alternatively, simply remember the information that has arisen for you during this practice. And now, if you’re ready, take a few deeper breaths. Soften your body slightly. Feel the seat under you, the ground under you.

    3. A Meditation for Working with Anxiety

    1. To begin, sit in a way that is relaxed, and take a moment to adjust your posture on your seat to one that’s more comfortable. Feel your body in contact with the surface beneath you. 
    2. Allow yourself to experience whatever is present right now. Whatever bodily feelings, mood, emotions, mind states, and thoughts are present. You might take a few deeper breaths to invite the body and the mind to relax and settle. Take a nice full deep in-breath, relaxing, releasing, and letting go on the out-breath. Breathe in, and fill the chest and the lungs with the in-breath. Release and let go on the out-breath. 
    3. As you breathe in, you might invite in a quality of calm. You could repeat the word calm silently to yourself as you breathe in, and then again as you breathe out. Breathe in, calm the body, breathe out, calm the mind. 
    4. When you’re ready, let the breath settle into its natural rhythm, allowing it to be just as it is. Breathe in, breathe out. 
    5. You might invite a smile to the corners of your eyes and the corners of your mouth; a smile sends a message to our brain and to our nervous system that we’re safe and don’t have to be hyper-vigilant. Smiling invites us to relax, and be at ease.
    6. While sitting in a way that is relaxed and alert, you might bring to your mind a situation that is a source of anxiety or stress for you. It might be a work situation, family, health, finances, or it might be a combination of factors. Allow yourself to take in all the feelings, sensations, and emotions, and the overall sense of this situation, in the body and in the mind. Choose not to follow scenarios in your mind about what might happen or things that might go badly, and simply observe your thoughts and let them go. Be open to whatever bodily sensations are present with kindness and acceptance. There might be contraction, heat, tightness, tingling, or pulsing. Whatever is present, say yes to what you’re feeling. Be open to these feelings and let them come and go. Bring a kind awareness to whatever emotions are present, and allow yourself to feel them fully; they might be fear, worry, anxiety, or sadness, to name a few. Let these feelings be as big as they want to be, and say yes to all that you’re feeling. Let your awareness and kind attention hold whatever is present, whatever is arising for you in the body, heart, and mind. Bring interest to the changing flow of experience, letting everything stay for a period of time, and then pass on their own time. Meet it all with kindness, acceptance, and interest. 
    7. If anxious thoughts arise like, “This will never go away” or, “I’ll never be able to do everything I have to do,” meet these thoughts with kindness and care. Without identifying with them or treating them as true, let the thoughts come and go. Continue to open to your experience in this way, meeting your experience with kindness and care. If it’s challenging, acknowledge that it is difficult. You could put a hand on your heart and wish yourself well, if this is helpful. 
    8. Think to yourself, “May I be happy, and may I live with ease.” Take a nice deep full in-breath, letting go on the out-breath. Hold your experience with kindness and with care. 
    9. Bring awareness to any emotion that may be present, perhaps underneath the feelings. Maybe there’s fear that the sadness, grief, or worry will continue. See if you can say yes to the emotion. Meet your emotions with kindness and care, and notice how they too shift and change if you can open to them. 
    10. If a sensation or an emotion gives rise to an urge or an impulse to do something negative, like eat something unhealthy, take a drink, or take a drug, see if you can stay with that energy. See that this too comes and stays for a while, and then passes. If it’s helpful you could imagine it as like a wave coming along. Maybe there’s a strong energy, and the wave crests. But if you stay with it with awareness and with kindness, perhaps those feelings pass for a while, and then there’s calm. Be open to the thoughts or narratives that come up in your mind; they might be “This is too much,” or “I need to do something to deal with this pain or difficult feeling,” and invite yourself to stay with the direct experience. 
    11. If the pain, discomfort, difficult emotion, or difficult feeling seems like it’s too intense, see if you can bring your awareness to another part of your experience. Perhaps an area of your body that feels more neutral, such as your hands, or your feet, or your seat, or something in your life that you’re happy about or grateful for. Let your awareness rest on a more pleasant or neutral experience for a time. When you feel ready, let your attention move back to the bodily feelings, and be open again to your experience, riding whatever waves arise. 
    12. Stay as close to your direct experience as you can, and bring a kind awareness to the thoughts and stories that surround the pain, stress, or difficult emotion. Choose not to identify with the thoughts but just acknowledge them as thoughts. Let them come and go in their own time with kindness. 
    13. Sit quietly for a couple of minutes, and be open to the changing flow of experience, recognizing how mindfulness can help us open up to and untangle ourselves from painful thoughts, stress, worry, anxiety, and the patterns of behavior that tend to go with those feelings, emotions, and mental states.

    4. A Meditation to Sit With Difficult Emotions

    1. Come into a comfortable sitting position. Imagine something difficult that you are going through. It doesn’t have to be the most difficult, but something moderately difficult. We want to practice with moderation before we move into the most difficult. Now, recognize your desire to push away the difficulty, to reach toward something that would soothe the difficulty in the moment (reaching out to someone, chocolate, distracting with technology, etc.), or denying that this difficulty is actually happening.
    2. Now turn toward it. Breathe deeply in through your nose and out through your mouth a few times. Now invite into your awareness a large figure of compassion and strength who envelops you in a blanket of love, acceptance, and security. It can be a big cloud of compassion, a large grandmotherly figure, anything that feels loving and kind. Now, imagine this figure is holding you.
    3. Turn fully toward your difficulty. Face it, head on. There is no need to be scared. Feel this wise being enveloping you and speaking kindly to you: “It will be okay, you are okay, you are lovable, you are enough, you are not alone, and we will get through this together.” Let yourself offer and receive loving and kind statements as many times as you need until your mind and body can soothe and slow down.
    4. Each time, you notice yourself reaching for the old familiar way of turning away from discomfort, try gently turning toward it. The more you train the mind to acknowledge and name whatever difficulty is here, it won’t feel so challenging. In addition, your limbic system and specifically your amygdala will send a signal to your sympathetic nervous system that you can physiologically relax.

    5. A Meditation to Explore Anxious Feelings

    1. Begin with a brief mindful check-in, taking a few minutes to acknowledge how you’re currently feeling in your body and mind…being mindful of whatever is in your awareness and letting it all be. There’s nothing that needs to be fixed, analyzed, or solved. Just allow your experience and let it be. Being present.
    2. Now gently shift your attention to the breath, becoming mindful of breathing in and out. Bring awareness to wherever you feel the breath most prominently and distinctly, perhaps at your nose, in your chest, or in your belly, or perhaps somewhere else. There’s no other place you need to go…nothing else you need to do…just being mindful of your breath flowing in and out. If your mind wanders away from the breath, just acknowledge wherever it went, then return to being mindful of breathing in and out.
    3. Reflect on a specific experience of anxiety, perhaps something recent so you can remember it more clearly. It doesn’t have to be an extreme experience of anxiety, perhaps something that you’d rate at 5 or 6 on a scale of 1 to 10. Recall the experience in detail, as vividly as you can, invoking some of that anxiety now, in the present moment.
    4. As you imagine the experience and sense into it, be mindful of how the anxiety feels in your body and stay present with the sensations. Your only job right now is to feel and acknowledge whatever physical sensations you’re experiencing in your body and let them be. There’s no need to change them. Let the sensations run their course, just like a ripple on a lake is gradually assimilated into the entirety of the body of water.
    5. Now feel into any emotions that emerge…anxiety, fear, sadness, anger, confusion…whatever you may feel. As with physical sensations, just acknowledge how these emotions feel and let them be. There’s no need to analyze them or figure them out
    6. If strong emotions don’t arise, this doesn’t mean you aren’t doing this meditation correctly. The practice is simply to acknowledge whatever is in your direct experience and let it be. Whatever comes up in the practice is the practice.
    7. Bringing awareness to your anxiety may sometimes amplify your anxious feelings. This is normal, and the intensity will subside as you open to and acknowledge what you’re experiencing and give it space to simply be.
    8. Continue feeling into the anxiety, just allowing any feelings in the body and mind and letting them be, cultivating balance and the fortitude to be with things as they are. The very fact that you’re acknowledging anxiety rather than turning away from it is healing.
    9. As you continue to acknowledge your physical sensations and emotions, they may begin to reveal a host of memories, thoughts, feelings, and physical experiences that may have created limiting definitions of who you think you are. You may begin to see more clearly into how these old patterns of conditioning have driven your anxiety. This understanding can set you free—freer than you ever felt possible.
    10. Now gradually transition back to the breath, breathing mindfully in and out… Next, slowly shift your awareness from your breath to sensing into your heart. Take some time to open into your heart with self-compassion, acknowledging your courage in engaging with your anxiety. In this way, your anxiety can become your teacher, helping you open your heart to greater wisdom, compassion, and ease within your being.
    11. As you’re ready to end this meditation, congratulate yourself for taking this time to meditate and heal yourself. Then gradually open your eyes and return to being present in the environment around you. May we all find the gateways into our hearts and be free.



    Source link

  • 10 Simple Swaps for a Greener Lifestyle

    10 Simple Swaps for a Greener Lifestyle

    10 Simple Swaps for a Greener Lifestyle

    Are you looking to make a positive impact on the environment, but don’t know where to start? Making simple swaps in your daily life can have a significant impact on reducing your carbon footprint and living a more sustainable lifestyle. In this article, we’ll explore 10 simple swaps you can make to live a greener lifestyle.

    1. Switch to Reusable Bags

    One of the easiest swaps you can make is to switch from single-use plastic bags to reusable bags. This simple swap can make a big difference in reducing plastic waste and pollution. You can use reusable bags for grocery shopping, carrying lunch, or as a beach bag. Look for bags made from sustainable materials like cotton, jute, or recycled plastic.

    2. Ditch Single-Use Water Bottles

    Single-use water bottles are a major contributor to plastic waste and pollution. Instead, switch to a reusable water bottle made from sustainable materials like stainless steel or glass. You can refill your bottle at home or at a water fountain.

    3. Opt for Energy-Efficient Lighting

    Traditional incandescent light bulbs are energy-hungry and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Switch to energy-efficient LED bulbs, which use significantly less energy and last longer. This simple swap can make a big difference in reducing your energy consumption.

    4. Choose Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

    Many cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can harm the environment and human health. Switch to eco-friendly cleaning products made from natural ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils. These products are gentle on surfaces and the environment.

    5. Replace Paper Towels with Cloth

    Paper towels are a major contributor to paper waste and pollution. Instead, switch to cloth towels or rags for cleaning and drying. You can wash and reuse them multiple times, reducing your paper consumption.

    6. Buy in Bulk and Avoid Packaging

    Buying in bulk is a great way to reduce packaging waste and save money. Look for products with minimal packaging or buy in bulk from stores that offer this option. You can also avoid packaging by buying items like nuts, grains, and spices in bulk and storing them in airtight containers.

    7. Switch to a Bamboo Toothbrush

    Traditional toothbrushes are made from plastic and contribute to waste and pollution. Switch to a bamboo toothbrush, which is biodegradable and compostable. Bamboo is also a highly renewable resource.

    8. Choose Second-Hand or Sustainable Fashion

    Fast fashion is a major contributor to waste and pollution. Instead, choose second-hand or sustainable fashion options like clothing made from recycled materials, organic cotton, or repurposed fabrics. You can also shop at thrift stores or participate in clothing swaps with friends.

    9. Use a Coffee Filter Instead of Paper

    If you’re a coffee lover, switch to a reusable coffee filter instead of using paper filters. This simple swap can reduce your paper consumption and save you money.

    10. Plant a Tree or Support Reforestation Efforts

    Trees are essential for the environment, providing oxygen, shelter, and habitat for wildlife. Plant a tree in your backyard or support reforestation efforts by donating to organizations that plant trees. You can also offset your carbon footprint by planting trees or supporting reforestation efforts.

    Conclusion

    Making simple swaps in your daily life can have a significant impact on reducing your carbon footprint and living a more sustainable lifestyle. By switching to reusable bags, ditching single-use water bottles, and choosing eco-friendly cleaning products, you can make a positive impact on the environment. Remember, every small change counts, and by making these simple swaps, you can live a greener lifestyle and contribute to a more sustainable future.

    FAQs

    Q: What are some other ways to reduce plastic waste?
    A: In addition to switching to reusable bags and water bottles, you can also reduce plastic waste by avoiding single-use plastic straws, cutlery, and packaging. You can also participate in beach cleanups and advocate for plastic bag bans in your community.

    Q: How can I make my own cleaning products?
    A: Making your own cleaning products is easy and cost-effective. You can use natural ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils to create a variety of cleaning products. You can find many recipes online or experiment with different ingredients to create your own custom products.

    Q: What are some sustainable fashion options?
    A: Sustainable fashion options include clothing made from recycled materials, organic cotton, and repurposed fabrics. You can also shop at thrift stores, participate in clothing swaps, or rent clothing for special occasions. Look for brands that prioritize sustainability and transparency in their production processes.

    Q: How can I reduce my energy consumption?
    A: You can reduce your energy consumption by switching to energy-efficient lighting, turning off lights and electronics when not in use, and using power strips to plug in devices. You can also insulate your home, upgrade to energy-efficient appliances, and use solar panels to generate renewable energy.

  • Recharge Your Body: The Surprising Benefits of Incorporating Active Recovery Days into Your Fitness Routine

    Recharge Your Body: The Surprising Benefits of Incorporating Active Recovery Days into Your Fitness Routine

    As the world of fitness has evolved, so has the understanding of the importance of recovery days. Gone are the days of "no day off" and the notion that pushing oneself to the limit is the only way to achieve results. In fact, incorporating active recovery days into your fitness routine can have a significant impact on your overall well-being, performance, and longevity in the gym.

    The Science Behind Recovery Days

    When we exercise, our bodies induce small tears in our muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This damage triggers an inflammatory response, which is a normal and important part of the repair process. However, if we don’t take the time to allow our bodies to recover, this damage can lead to chronic inflammation, fatigue, and potential long-term damage.

    Active recovery days, on the other hand, allow us to "reboot" our bodies, promoting optimal recovery while still engaging in physical activity. This paradox seems counterintuitive, but the benefits are undeniable.

    The Benefits of Active Recovery Days

    1. Reduced Muscle Soreness: Intense workouts can leave us feeling stiff and sore, making everyday activities a challenge. Active recovery days can help alleviate this discomfort, allowing for a greater range of motion and reduced stiffness.

    2. Improved Mental Clarity: Exercise has a well-documented impact on mental health, and active recovery days can help maintain this benefit without exhausting the body. A clear and focused mind can lead to improved productivity, better decision-making, and enhanced overall well-being.

    3. Increased Performance: Active recovery days can actually enhance performance by allowing the body to rebuild and adapt to the demands placed upon it. This can lead to improved strength, speed, and overall athleticism.

    4. Reduced Injury Risk: By giving the body a break from intense training, active recovery days can reduce the risk of injury. This is especially important for high-intensity, high-risk sports or activities.

    5. Better Sleep: Adequate sleep is essential for repair and recovery, and active recovery days can help regulate sleep patterns. A well-rested body and mind are better equipped to tackle the demands of daily life and exercise.

    6. Increased Motivation: Taking a break from intense training can actually boost motivation, as the body and mind are given a chance to recharge. This can lead to a renewed sense of enthusiasm and commitment to fitness goals.

    Types of Active Recovery Activities

    So, what exactly does active recovery look like? The options are vast, but some popular choices include:

    • Yoga or Pilates: Gentle, low-impact exercises that promote flexibility, balance, and strength.

    • Light Cardio: Activities like jogging, cycling, or swimming that stimulate blood flow and heart rate without pushing the body too hard.

    • Stretching and Foam Rolling: Targeted exercises to loosen tight muscles and reduce muscle soreness.

    • Restorative Yoga: A more passive approach, focused on relaxation, breathing, and restoration.

    • Walking or Hiking: A low-impact, natural way to get some exercise while still allowing the body to recover.

    Incorporating Active Recovery Days into Your Routine

    1. Start Small: Begin with one day per week and gradually increase the frequency as needed.

    2. Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how you’re feeling. If you’re struggling to recover, it may be necessary to reduce the frequency or intensity of your workouts.

    3. Experiment with Activities: Try different types of active recovery to find what works best for you. Be open to new activities and adjust as needed.

    4. Make It a Habit: Treat active recovery days as a non-negotiable part of your fitness routine, ensuring consistent progress and a healthier, happier you.

    Conclusion

    Incorporating active recovery days into your fitness routine can have a profound impact on your overall well-being, performance, and longevity. By giving your body a break from intense training, you can reduce muscle soreness, improve mental clarity, and increase performance. Don’t be afraid to try something new and adjust your approach as needed. Remember, the goal is to listen to your body and find what works best for you.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: Can I still get a good workout in on a recovery day?
    A: Yes, but keep it low-intensity and focused on technique rather than intensity.

    Q: Do I need to do active recovery on a specific day or can I do it at any time?
    A: Active recovery can be done at any time, but it’s often more effective as a dedicated day rather than scattered throughout the week.

    Q: Can I do active recovery in the morning or evening?
    A: It’s best to do active recovery in the morning, allowing you to tackle the rest of your day with a clear and focused mind.

    Q: Can active recovery be done solo or with a group?
    A: Both, but solo active recovery may be more beneficial for those struggling with motivation or accountability.

    Q: Will active recovery slow down my progress or hinder my goals?
    A: On the contrary, active recovery days can help you reach your goals by reducing injury risk, improving performance, and increasing motivation.

    recharge-your-body-the-surprising-benefits-of-incorporating-active-recovery-days-into-your-fitness-routine

  • Kluver-Bucy Syndrome

    Kluver-Bucy Syndrome

    Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center – From the National Institutes of Health
    Related MedlinePlus Pages: Brain Diseases, Dementia

    Source link

  • What Is Cushing Syndrome? Amy Schumer Says Online Comments About Her ‘Puffier’ Face Led To Diagnosis

    What Is Cushing Syndrome? Amy Schumer Says Online Comments About Her ‘Puffier’ Face Led To Diagnosis

    Amy Schumer has opened up about how comments on social media helped her with the diagnosis of Cushing syndrome. In a candid podcast interview, the 43-year-old actress revealed that after receiving online feedback about her “puffier” appearance, she realized that she had a hormonal disorder caused by high levels of cortisol in the body.

    The Emmy winning actress and comedian who gained widespread recognition with her stand-up comedy said she received comments about her “moon face” while she appeared in February last year for promoting her Hulu series “Life & Beth”.

    “It was like a year ago and the internet really came for me after doing a bunch of press and I was like, ‘OK, everybody like, relax,’” Schumer told host Alex Cooper.

    “But then, like, doctors were chiming in in the comments and they were like, ‘No, no, we think like, something’s really up. Like, your face looks so crazy that we think something’s up,’ she said.

    Schumer said she was diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome at the end of the same month.

    Know signs of Cushing syndrome:

    Recognizing the signs of Cushing syndrome is crucial for early detection and treatment. Symptoms can include unexplained weight gain, especially around the abdomen and face, a round “moon face,” and a hump of fat on the upper back. Other signs include thinning skin, easy bruising, high blood pressure, muscle weakness, and fatigue. Mood changes such as depression or anxiety, along with memory issues or difficulty concentrating, may also signal the condition.

    Causes of high cortisol:

    High cortisol levels can result from several causes including the use of glucocorticoid medications prescribed for autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammation. In some cases, it could be caused by pituitary tumors, which produce excessive Adrenocorticotropic hormone, (ACTH), a hormone that stimulates cortisol production. Also Adrenal tumors, often benign, can also produce too much cortisol, though in rare cases, they can be cancerous.

    Complications:

    If left untreated, the condition can be potentially fatal, as the condition causes hypercortisolism, a dangerous imbalance of cortisol in the body. This can lead to a range of severe health issues, including chronic infections, blood clots, heart attacks, and even depression. Also, those with untreated Cushing syndrome may experience significant weight gain, memory problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a higher risk of broken bones. The condition can also lead to metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or impaired fasting glucose.

    Source link

  • Dietitians Unite 2025 Exclusive Cocktail Party

    Dietitians Unite 2025 Exclusive Cocktail Party

     

    After a day of professional development, join us at Chin Chin to network, unwind and bask in the buzz of an incredible day.

    Think: drinks, delicious canapés AND an invaluable opportunity to connect with leading professionals in the nutrition and dietetics field.

    But get in quick! Cocktail party tickets are strictly limited to just 50, and sales close at 5pm on Friday 14th March. We can’t wait to see you there!

    Source link