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Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a condition that prevents the lungs from getting enough oxygen due to the build-up of fluid in the lung’s air sacs called the alveoli. Some of the most common causes of ARDS include aspiration, pneumonia, septic shock, the inhalation of chemicals, as well as traumatic injury. Those who smoke or drink alcohol are also at a higher risk of developing ARDS. When the lungs become built up with fluid, their ability to expand then decreases. Consequently, you will then exhibit symptoms such as rapid breathing, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, as well as low blood pressure and even organ failure – such as…
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How Stress Can Impact the Heart
As many as 75% of adults between the ages of 20 and 64 report that they are living with some level of stress in their lives, therefore making it one of the biggest threats to our health and wellbeing. Stress can not only lead to further problems with mental health, such as depression and anxiety, but it can also have an impact on personal relationships as well as with productivity at work or in school. Research has also shown that excessive or chronic stress can be just as bad for your heart health as having an unhealthy diet and being physically inactive. For example, this research showed that there was…
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Managing Stress and Anxiety During COVID-19
Stress and anxiety are two things that most people have experienced in their lives at some point or another. While there are certain things that we can do in effort to prevent them from being daily re-occurrences in our lives, there are also times when the stress and anxiety we live through is often brought on by things we don’t have any control over. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic. As a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant increase in the number of Canadians that are experiencing a decline in their psychological health – including not just an increase in stress and anxiety, but also an…
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Physical Manifestations of Stress
We’ve all experienced stress and/or anxiety from time to time. Stress and anxiety can occur as a result of something minor, to more serious factors such as financial or relationship problems (i.e. dissolution of marriage.) It is the body’s way of responding to both real and perceived situations that it deems harmful. This stress response is known as “fight or flight.” For some individuals, stress and anxiety are things that they can easily overcome – while for others, it can be debilitating. In some cases, it may even be chronic, which can lead to things like changes in personality, withdrawal from hobbies and activities once enjoyed, and social isolation. These…
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How to Handle Post-Holiday Stress
The holidays are over and a new year has begun, but you find yourself feeling more stressed than ever – and there could be many reasons why. For example, you might be feeling a bit of a financial punch after having spent extra money for things like Christmas gifts and travel expenses, have strained personal relationships, or you may be feeling discouraged for not having set or started on your new year’s resolutions just yet. Whatever the case may be, there are certain things you can do to help yourself cope with the oh so common post-holiday stress. First and foremost, when it comes to setting (and following through on)…
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Skin and Stress
If you’ve noticed recent acne breakouts or other abnormalities with the skin on your face (such as increased redness, psoriasis or eczema) that you don’t normally experience, there is a strong possibility that those breakouts could actually be caused by stress. This is because when you are stressed, two specific hormones known as cortisol and adrenaline increase, causing inflammation as well as contributing to the aggravation of many of the aforementioned skin conditions – in addition to decreased elasticity of the skin and an increase in lines and wrinkles. In general, stress can wreak havoc on the body, but there are certain things you can do to find relief and…
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Stress-Fighting Foods
Stress can impact us in a number of ways and for a number of different reasons. There are also many different ways to deal with stress, including everything from trying different relaxation techniques to speaking with a counsellor. Stress can also be a common contributor to both anxiety and panic attacks, which sometimes need to be managed with medication. What you might not be aware of, however, is the role your diet can also play when it comes to stress management. When you’re stressed out, your body produces hormones that can cause a temporary increase in your blood pressure. If your high blood pressure is, in fact, related to stress,…
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How Stress Can Impact the Skin
When you’re under a lot of stress, it can have a major impact on your health. Most notably, stress often causes an increase in anxiety. However, stress can also impact you and your health in ways you may not even realize. For example, it can contribute to fatigue, insomnia, body aches and pains (such as muscle and joint pain), headaches, upset stomach, chest pain, overeating lack of appetite, alcohol or drug abuse, and even a decreased sex drive. Stress can also contribute to some serious skin problems. When you’re stressed, there is a rise in cortisol, which is your body’s main stress hormone. If your cortisol levels are high, this…
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Stress – More Than Just a Word
Stress isn’t just a word, nor is it something we simply feel from time to time. It’s much more complex than that. Why? Because there are different types of stress, and they all come with their own characteristics and symptoms. Our approach to how we handle stress also differs depending on the type of stress it is you’re experiencing. For example, is it acute, episodic, or chronic? Knowing the difference is important. As a family physician, acute stress is the most common form of stress that Dr. Ali Ghahary sees in patients. This type of stress is often brought on by being under pressure or having demands placed upon you,…
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Managing Migraines During Pregnancy
Migraines, characterized by intense and debilitating headaches often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound, can pose a significant challenge for pregnant women. During pregnancy, the body undergoes a myriad of hormonal and physiological changes which can trigger migraines or exacerbate their frequency and severity. However, the management of migraines during this period is complicated by the paramount need to ensure both maternal and fetal safety, limiting the use of many conventional migraine medications. Hormonal Fluctuations and Their Implications on Migraines The primary drivers behind migraines during pregnancy are hormonal changes. The surge in hormones like oestrogen and progesterone, which are critical for maintaining pregnancy, can affect…
