Concussion Nutritional Support
“It is estimated that as many as 3.8 million concussions occur in the USA per year during competitive sports and recreational activities; however, as many as 50% of the concussions may go unreported.”1
A concussion is considered a mild form of a traumatic brain injury. This happens when there is trauma (bump or blow) to the head during a sporting event or during a fall. During the impact, the brain is pushed in a back and forth motion against the skull. Generally speaking, a concussion is not a life-threatening injury, but the side effects can be very serious.
Depending on the type of injury, signs and symptoms of a concussion have the potential to show up immediately. This occurs most often in high impact sports or car accidents. Often times, however, the symptoms can take up to 24 hours to a week before they appear in lower impact injuries. Some injuries may develop into Post-Concussion Syndrome. A diagnosis of Post-Concussion Syndrome is considered if 3 or...
Anxiety
Imagine, that you are sitting in a restaurant. At some point during the meal, you notice that your heart is beating faster than normal and that there is a slight pressure in your chest. You feel like you are having difficulty getting a breath in and you also notice that the lights in the restaurant are starting to bother you. You begin to hear every noise around you- a child clinking his silverware against his glass, the waiter writing down an order and conversations becoming increasingly louder. Suddenly, the restaurant feels overwhelming and small. At which point you may feel a tingling
sensation down your arms or your stomach cramping. You may be thinking, is this a heart attack? Why can’t I get a deep breath? Why is it so loud in here? What’s happening to me?
Chances are, if you have experienced any parts of the scenario listed above – You’ve had a panic attack. Panic attacks can occur anywhere and at any time. A panic attack is often...
Stress- Adrenal Burnout
“Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency.” – Natalie Goldberg
Do you wake up in the morning feeling tired? Does your boost of energy dwindle as the afternoon approaches; causing you to crave something sugary or even coffee? Just to function at work or home do you need to be constantly stimulating your body with caffeine, sugar or food? You may be experiencing what is known as Adrenal Fatigue.
How do we get Adrenal Fatigue?
Adrenal Fatigue is just a name for a long term problem that finally ends in additional stress or overload on the adrenal glands from multiple system failures. Simply stated: our body needs energy to function and also healthy organs and nervous system to manage everything. Glucose is the first level of energy mostly regulated by the liver. Thyroid function is also critical to maintaining good energy, repair and overall metabolism.
Foods that are stimulatory like caffeine and sugar...
Postpartum Depression
Your baby finally has arrived and it is a time of pure bliss. The snuggles, the coos, the bonding…it has all become so real. But there is something inside of you that just isn’t right. You are emotionally and physically drained from the hours of labor. The sleep deprivation starts to kick in because your little one can’t tell the difference between night and day. If you are breastfeeding, the nipple pain you are experiencing hurts so bad that you may even shed some tears. The feedings and diaper changes are around the clock. Becoming a new mother can be hard at first. As many as 1 in 5 new mothers will suffer from severe depression or anxiety after giving birth, and a woman is significantly more likely to suffer from one of these conditions during her first year as a mother than at any other time in her life.1
The Hormones
There are many factors that can contribute towards postpartum depression. First, the hormonal roller coaster after giving birth is one that no...
Depression
“Physical pain is a sign something ain’t right.
Mental pain, in my opinion, is the exact same thing.”
Robert Whitaker, Author of Anatomy of an Epidemic and Pulitzer Prize Nominee
Mental and emotional problems can interfere with one’s life in every aspect. Depressive disorders are associated with poor work activity, disrupted sleeping patterns, bad eating habits, and can put a toll on family units and social life. Anxiety and stress have become acceptable diseases of the 21st century, linked to fast lifestyles and demanding jobs. More than 1 in 20 Americans are depressed, according to the most recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and 20% of adults will suffer from some type of mood disorder that requires treatment over their lifetime (1).
The diagnostic criterion for depression is set forth by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition as follows….
Depressed moods or loss of...
