Your brain is well equipped to protect you, especially in the presence of very real (or even imagined) stress. The initial response to a stressful situation results in energy that helps you react to the threat you perceive. It is part of what makes the anxiety or stress you experience occasionally motivate you to take on an important task, study for a test, or take a new job.

Stress is caused by external stimuli, while anxiety is an internal response to stress. Even though stress is inevitable, humans are well equipped to endure a long period of stress and anxiety. Poorly managed stress or chronic anxiety, on the other hand, can severely affect emotions, memory, and overall health.

COVID-19 – the disease caused by the novel coronavirus – and the information overload it has resulted in has caused stress and anxiety to skyrocket worldwide. The complex human brain is endowed with a unique ability to imagine threats to health and the myriad ways this virus can harm. Most COVID-19 recover and experience only mild or moderate symptoms like body aches, fever, and cough. Above all, it is the uncertainty about its effects on individuals’ physical, financial, and social health (and those close to them) that creates this unprecedented level of stress and anxiety.

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Stress And Anxiety: A Look Back At Their Mode Of Action

Our human ancestors had to resort to a fight or flight response to survive in their inhospitable world. In a state of fear or stress, a charge of adrenaline prepared them to flee danger or defend their territory and stay. In our modern societies, this process is seldom necessary for survival.

Stress sets off chain reactions that first start in your protective brain. When you perceive an incident as terrifying, the tonsils – two almond-shaped masses each located in a hemisphere of the brain – kick in. These two complex cells help regulate the survival instinct (fight-or-flight response), emotions, hormone secretion, and memory.

Studies suggest that the tonsils also participate in the process of anxiety. It is believed that the tonsils of people with an anxiety disorder are hyperreactive. The tonsils are part of a more extensive network within the central nervous system that regulates the physiological effects of stress and anxiety.

The body’s stress response system is designed to switch when needed and switch off as the threat subsides. Feeling anxious or stressed is part of this quick process that helps us stay alert when in danger. On the other hand, persistent stress or anxiety can be problematic and affect physical and mental health.

The ongoing global pandemic is conducive to a lingering sense of stress. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the potential effects of the COVID-19 crisis on your health, both mental and physical, and to find ways to deal with the stress and anxiety you feel.

Information Overload Contributes To Stress And Anxiety

In our modern world, we are no longer content to rely on the Internet for the sole purpose of work or study; it is used today as a means of entertainment, meeting, and contact with people, and as a source of the information world. It is accessible at your fingertips, 24 hours a day.

For many people, a good morning ritual begins with reading the newspaper, checking social media messages and posts, glancing at the TV news, or listening to the radio. However, you have to ask yourself if this is the right way to start the day.

Most people have never lived through a global pandemic as dire as that of COVID-19. A tiny virus invisible to the human eye has abruptly changed the way of life for almost everyone, causing a global health and financial crisis, inspiring fear of an unknown future.

Recognize the signs of stress

We all get stressed out from time to time, but it’s everyone’s reaction to stress and anxiety that makes all the difference. The symptoms of persistent and poorly managed psychological and physical stress are very numerous. Here are a few examples:

• Increase or decrease in activity or usual energy
• Difficulty sleeping or relaxing
• Rapid heartbeat
• Frequent headaches
• Gastrointestinal discomfort
• Change in appetite
• Increased vigilance
• More irritable or angry feelings
• Excessive worry
• Feeling sad or depressed
• Feeling tired
• Inability to have fun and have fun
• Preference for solitude
• The feeling of anxiety or fear, or confusion
• Difficulty making decisions or having clear ideas
• Increased or reduced consumption of alcoholic beverages or tobacco or abuse of medication or illicit drugs

Long-term activation of the body’s stress response system can increase the risk of severe health problems. Therefore, it is essential to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress and take the necessary steps to manage it before it gets out of hand.

Take Care Of Yourself

At all times, finding new ways to decompress and have stress-free time every day is essential for your long-term health. It is especially crucial during a global pandemic.

The anxiety and worry about everything that is going on in the world and the possible repercussions on aspects of our lives are quite understandable. Most importantly, remember to listen to your body and emotions and get what you need when you need it. Strive to be hopeful and celebrate your successes, no matter how small, express your gratitude and love, and don’t hesitate to seek professional help when needed.

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Natural Therapy

Most adolescents know the absolute horror of waking up with a pimple on their face. And in the teenage world, this can seem like a death sentence.

But your life doesn’t have to be over because of acne or skin issues. In fact, after adolescence, many adults struggle with skin issues and disorders throughout adult life. But often, the treatments for these conditions are only temporary solutions, or they include abrasive chemical compounds.

To naturally treat skin issues, you have to begin with a holistic approach, as everything you put into your body plays a critical role in skin health. In addition, your environment also plays a huge role in your overall skin health.

Here, we’ll explore a few natural methods for attaining clearer skin, and a few proactive tips to prevent skin issues as well.

Working from Within

The state of health within our bodies sometimes manifests externally, and this becomes evident on our skin.

In order to take a holistic approach, you have to treat your entire person, taking the environment into consideration as well. And there are several aspects to consider.

Not drinking enough water is usually a number one cause for poor skin health, and this can not only affect your skin, it can affect your entire physiology. Additionally, working or living in an unclean environment can have your skin exposed to dirt and grease, and this can also affect skin health.

Last but not least, a balanced diet of healthy foods will promote healthy skin. And removing stress from your life can also have a great effect on skin health as well.

Once you’ve adjusted your lifestyle and have begun eating properly, it’s now time to treat any persistent skin issues if the aforementioned methods were ineffective.

Topical Solutions

When it comes to store-bought topical solutions such as powders and creams, you really have to be careful what you’re putting on your body.

For example, products like talcum powder have been linked to the development of ovarian cancer in women. And this has actually sparked numerous lawsuits for compensation.

Correspondingly, anything that you put on your body will be absorbed into the body. This means that harmful chemicals or toxins such as aluminum or parabens, if present, can find their way into your bloodstream and cause problems over time.

If you’re looking for natural topical solutions to treat cases of mild acne, try using Tea Tree oil, or Bovine cartilage. Additionally, washing your face and avoiding the use of makeup can also help clear up your skin, much faster than those who wear heavy amounts of makeup each day.

Exercise and Sunshine

Believe it or not, many studies have shown a link between regular exercise and better skin health. Interestingly, even the sun, which can age your skin, in small doses is considered beneficial for optimal skin health.

When you exercise you’re releasing endorphins and perspiring, and this helps with removing toxins from the body. Additionally, you’re also strengthening the muscles which can make your skin appear much more youthful.

There’s no denying the benefits of regular exercise nor the essential amounts of Vitamin D that the sun provides for you. When you combine the two while going running in the morning. For example, you’re getting a double dose of what your body needs to maintain health.

Exercise also keeps the skin tight around the muscles, and this is what can prevent drooping and sagging over time. And when you exercise in line with a balanced diet, your overall skin tone is sure to improve. Just be sure to watch what you’re eating and avoid any greasy foods or foods high in sugar content.

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Early Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease

Knowing early signs of periodontal disease can save your teeth and gums from serious damage.

Periodontal disease refers to gum problems. The milder form is called gingivitis, which refers to gum inflammation. If this becomes more severe, patients develop periodontitis.

While a dentist is trained to manage most oral health conditions, you may be referred to a periodontist if you have clear signs of gum disease. A periodontist has greater expertise on gum conditions and is the most suitable healthcare professional to manage gingivitis and periodontitis.

Many Sydney periodontics can provide an accurate diagnosis and effective management of gum disease.

But for now, let’s take a look at what gingivitis and periodontitis are and how you can identify them early on.

The early signs of gingivitis

Gingivitis begins with inadequate cleaning of the mouth. When people forget to brush, floss, and use mouthwash regularly, a layer of bacteria and food accumulates over their teeth. This is called plaque.

Over time, plaque hardens into what’s called tartar, which is difficult to clean. Because people are unable to get rid of tartar, bacteria continue to proliferate inside the mouth. These bacteria produce acid, which damages enamel, the hard, white layer of teeth that shows when you smile.

Acid and bacteria lead to gum inflammation (or gingivitis). The earliest signs of gingivitis include gums that bleed while brushing or red, swollen, and inflamed gums.

The good news is that gingivitis is reversible. If you want to catch periodontal disease early on, you must catch it at this stage.

Gingivitis can be reversed by ensuring adequate cleaning of the mouth. Basic dental hygiene practices include:

• Brushing two times a day
• Flossing
• Regular mouthwash use
• Consistent and regular dental check ups

You can try improving your oral hygiene and see if symptoms of gingivitis disappear. If they don’t, you must seek medical attention because long-term, untreated gingivitis will turn into periodontitis.

And periodontitis is a word you don’t want to hear from your dentist.

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What is periodontitis?

In contrast to gingivitis, periodontitis is not reversible. And this is the main difference between the two conditions.

If you neglect bleeding gums for too long, the gum line can start receding. This means that the layer of bone and gum tissue over the teeth starts shrinking, which creates small pockets in the area. These pockets can accumulate bacteria and other debris, leading to even more inflammation and damage.

Chemicals released by bacteria and the body’s immune response to them both lead to gum and bone resorption around the teeth. As more and more gum tissue is destroyed, teeth begin to loosen in their sockets and eventually fall out.

Periodontitis is the most common cause of fallen teeth in adults.

Signs that can help you identify the condition early on include:

• Shrinking gum tissue
• Persistent bad breath, which reflects bacterial presence inside the mouth
• A change in how your teeth fit together when you close your jaw
• Loosening of teeth

Factors that increase your risk of gum disease

Although plaque is the primary driver of periodontal disease, various health conditions can increase your risk of disease development.

It’s important to be aware of these conditions because if you have them, you need to watch out for early signs of gum disease more closely compared to an average person.

These factors include:

• Family history — if someone among your close relatives has gingivitis, your risk is increased.
• Cigarette smoking
• Anticholinergic drugs, which reduce saliva production. Saliva normally protects your teeth and gums by washing away (and killing) harmful bacteria.
• A compromised immune system due to an illness like HIV. This predisposes you to oral infections, which can lead to gum disease.
• Pregnancy, menstruation, puberty, and menopause. All of these are associated with massive hormonal fluctuations, which may lead to gingivitis.

Takeaway

The two main periodontal diseases are gingivitis, which is mild, and periodontitis, which is advanced.

Early signs of gingivitis include painful, red, and swollen gums or gums that bleed during brushing. You want to catch periodontal disease at this stage and visit a periodontist because it’s still reversible at this point.

If gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, you’ll notice loosening of your teeth and a receding gum line. At this point, the disease is irreversible and immediate medical attention is required.

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