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How To Overcome Killer Stress

How To Overcome Killer Stress





How To Overcome Killer Stress


PAYDAY

It was November 30, 1991 - the date is firmly etched in my mind
- we had returned from visiting a older friend. I took a
shower, then became extremely nauseated - I don't ever remember
being that ill - then tried to throw up, but was too sick to. I
then headed for the front door to get some fresh air and became
dizzy. I lay down on the floor to avoid passing out. Heart
attack! came to mind - I may be dying. I asked my wife to call
the ambulance. I prayed aloud, asking God to forgive my sins. I
wanted to call my son in Tulsa, but there was not enough time.
The ambulance crew arrived, along with two friends. One prayed
aloud for me. The cool night air felt good.

Preliminary tests at ICU indicated a stomach virus, but the
attending physician recommended further tests. There had been
heart symptoms for about ten years, but I hadn't followed the
doctor's advice for medical tests. I had noticed pain up into my
neck during exertion, and a general heaviness in the chest area.
There were times when my heartbeat would skip and I became
winded easily.

My wife had suffered a stroke in 1986 and was later pronounced
permanently disabled. To compound the situation, now we were
under great financial stress. My mailorder business was not
doing well financially, though I enjoyed it and it seemed
tailor-made for our circumstances.

A resting EKG indicated that my heart was not getting enough
oxygen. A stress ekg indicated some problem. Then, in January
1992, a heart catheterization indicated that I had not had a
heart attack. I was placed on one aspirin per day and Cardizem,
which is a heart and blood pressure medicine.

Stress was making me seriously ill. My family was very
supportive, but stress agents were taking their toll. I had
served as an Army Chaplain in Vietnam, and finished a military
career in the Army Reserve, retiring a colonel in 1988. I had
earned a BA, two masters degrees and a doctorate, taught in two
colleges for a total of five and a half years, pastored for
eleven years and spent about five years in school
administration. At one time, I was teaching a full load at
college, working on a doctorate and working on a reserve
military career.

Things went to "zero." Children made me nervous. Crowds of
people bothered me. I didn't want to go anywhere. Other physical
problems began to surface. I looked for a pastorate and jobs,
but didn't know if I could perform. Bankruptcy was put off until
stress forced the issue - we filed for bankruptcy December 1992.

I had been effectively become a drug addict. No, I did not
inject drugs in my veins or smoke or "snort" them. But, by worry
and stress, I inadvertently had my brain command the adrenal
gland to do so! Many of you are stressed-out, too. Learn from my
bad experience, or you may not be so fortunate. Sometimes the
first heart attack is the killer!


SHORT-TERM STRESS (FEAR)

God made a human being so that in case of real or imagined
danger, the adrenal medulla (the inside part of the adrenal
gland) produces adrenaline, a hormone, which is injected into
the blood stream. Adrenaline produces an "acute alarm" reaction
in the body. This acute reaction is generally short-term. The
heart beats faster and blood pressure is raised. Blood is
shunted from the stomach and skin to the muscles to provide
physical strength for "fight or flight." High-energy fats are
dumped into the bloodstream, blood sugar level rises, breathing
quickens, eyes dilate and chemicals appear in the blood to clot
blood rapidly in case of injury. This heightened condition may
save one's life, but it is hard on the body.


LONG-TERM STRESS (WORRY)

When one perceives a real or imagined loss of control, the
adrenal cortex (the outside part of the adrenal gland) produces
cortisol, another hormone, which is injected in the blood
stream. Cortisol produces a "vigilance reaction" in the body.
This is a chronic reaction - a long term state. Blood pressure
rises slowly, body tissues retain sodium and other vital
chemicals. High-energy fats and blood-clotting chemicals are
released into the blood stream. Sex hormones are repressed.
Gastric acid production is increased to maximize digestion. The
immune system is repressed, making one more susceptible to
disease.


WORRY-INDUCED ILLNESS

Both conditions can trigger a heart attack. Excess stomach acid
can cause ulcers, Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
and continued high blood pressure can result due to continued
stress. In short, fear, anxiety, overconcern and worry causes
the brain to command the adrenal gland to inject strong
chemicals into the blood stream. These chemicals act as a poison
over a period of time.

Dr. S. I. McMillen discloses,

Emotional stress can cause high blood pressure, toxic goiter,
migraine headaches, arthritis, apoplexy (cardiovascular accident
or stroke), heart trouble, gastrointestinal ulcers, and other
serious diseases too numerous to mention.

Dr. Carl Jung was the first to teach that the cause of
schizophrenia was a toxin injurious to the brain - said toxin
being formed by emotional disturbance, especially anxiety.

In short, worry or anxiety can cause physical and mental illness.


THE WAY BACK

One by one, with the help of God and others, I worked on each
stress agent. A program of walking, diet and medicine is
helping. I recommend two excellent resource books to help
overcome killer stress.

One of the best medical resources for stress management is Dr.
Robert S. Eliot's book, Is It Worth Dying For? How to Make
Stress Work for You - Not Against You. Dr. Eliot experienced a
heart attack himself, and now directs the Institute of Stress
Medicine in Denver and serves as Professor of Cardiology at the
University of Nebraska Medical Center.


How To Overcome Killer Stress

Fueling Up On Water

Fueling Up On Water
by Tycoon2k




Fueling Up On Water


It's our body's vital fuel, a health drink from mother nature.
It's calorie-free, inexpensive and easily obtained. Yet few
people follow the old fashioned advice to drink eight glasses
of water a day.

Most people drink when they are thirsty, but the beverage of
choice tends to be some other drink besides water. Americans
drink two or three glasses of plain water a day, according to
a U.S. Department of Agriculture survey conducted in the late
1970. Based on an analysis of all fluid intake by adults, it
is said to total about two quarts of water a day, and this
includes water from foods and from other beverages. It's not
usually necessary to actually swallow two quarts of plain water
every day. However, people with special problems such as kidney
conditions might be exceptions.

Americans drink eight gallons of bottled water a year, roughly
two ounces or a quarter-cup a day, according to the International
Bottled Water Association. Californians drink three times the
national average of bottled water, downing 24 gallons a year, or
nearly a cup a day. Climate and seasons of the year play a role
in one's thirst also, and just as we tend to perspire more in the
summer months, we also tend to drink more water.

Boosting intake of plain water makes good sense, many experts
concur, because water eases digestion and regulates body
temperature.

Water also bathes the cells and accounts for about 60 percent
of body weight. And it can help us exercise longer and more
efficiently. Drinking water can ward off constipation and maybe
even crankiness. An since it's a natural appetite suppressant,
water can help us lose weight and keep it off. It can help keep
skin healthy, although it won't necessarily banish acne.

Who should drink water? We all should, but pregnant women,
nursing mothers and athletes should be especially careful to
drink a sufficient amount. When it is hot or humid, upping
water intake is also wise. There are certain workers who seem
to have a more difficult time developing the water-drinking habit.
Among those who don't normally drink enough water are teachers,
airline attendants and nurses.

Drinking fluids, particularly, water, during exercise reduces
cardiovascular stress and improves performance. After a strenuous
workout, you have to replace the fluids you have lost. Otherwise,
you will suffer chronic dehydration. Drink water before, during
and after exercising, and remember that water reduces body
temperature thus making the whole exercise process safer.

Water can be especially helpful for people with a history of
kidney stones because it dissolves calcium in the urine, reducing
the risk of stone formation. Among physicians, urologists are
probably most likely to extol the virtues of water, And it has
been documented that drinking water mostly before 6 P.M. can
reduce the likelihood of nocturnal bathroom visits.

It is interesting to note also that water helps prevent urinary
tract infections, both for men and for women. Too busy to count
how many glasses a day you drink? There are other ways to calculate
if your intake is sufficient. Dark-colored urine often suggest you
aren't drinking enough water. Get into the habit by starting with
a glass of water with every meal, then work in a cup between meals.




Fueling Up On Water
by Tycoon2k

Walking And Weight Loss

Three universal goals most of us share are: to live longer, to
live free of illness and to control our weight. Interesting
enough, normal walking lets us achieve all three.

In fact, walking may be man's best medicine for slowing the
aging process. First, it works almost every muscle in the body,
improving circulation to the joints and massaging the blood
vessels (keeping them more elastic). Walking also helps us
maintain both our muscle mass and metabolism as we age. It also
keeps us young in spirit. For anyone out of shape or
unathletically inclined, walking is the no-stress, no-sweat
answer to lifelong conditioning.

All it takes is a little time, common sense and a few
guidelines. Unfortunately, there's a lot of misinformation
floating around regarding fitness walking, weight-loss and
dieting.

Walking is one of the best exercise for strengthening bones,
controlling weight, toning the leg muscles, maintaining good
posture and improving positive self-concept.

People who diet without exercising often get fatter with time.
Although your weight may initially drop while dieting, such
weight loss consists mostly of water and muscle. When the
weight returns, it comes back as fat. To avoid getting fatter
over time, increase your metabolism by exercising daily.

To lose weight, it's more important to walk for time than speed.
Walking at a moderate pace yields longer workouts with less
soreness - - leading to more miles and more calories spent on a
regular basis.

High-intensity walks on alternate days help condition one's system.
But in a waking, weight-loss program, it's better to be active
every day. This doesn't require walking an hour every day. The
key is leading an active life-style 365 days a year.

When it comes to good health and weight loss, exercise and diet
are interrelated. Exercising without maintaining a balanced diet
is no more beneficial than dieting while remaining inactive.

The national research council recommends eating five or more
servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Fruits and vegetables
are the ideal diet foods for several reasons. They're relatively
low in fat and calories, yet are often high in fiber and rich in
essential vitamins and minerals.

Remember that rapid weight-loss consists mostly of water and
muscle - - the wrong kind of weight to lose. To avoid this, set
more reasonable goals, such as one pound per week.

Carbohydrates are high-octane fuel. They provide energy for
movement and help raise internal body metabolism. They're also
satisfying. The key is not adding high-fat toppings to your
carbohydrates.

It's everyday habits which define our weight and body composition.
A three-minute walk after each meal is worth four pounds less body
fat annually. Two flights of stairs a day burns off half a pound
of body fat in a year. On the other hand, one candy bar eaten
daily will cost you 20 pounds annually.require walking an hour
every day.


Walking And Weight Loss



Mister Linker


1000000 Links

Walking & Weight Loss
by Tycoon2k

Exercise Melts Body Fat

Exercise Melts Body Fat
by Tycoon2k Webmaster




If you want to reduce your body fat, focus on increasing the
amount of exercise you get rather than decreasing your food
intake. A recent national study was done using two groups
of sedentary men, one group in their 20's and the other over
age 65. A lot was learned from this accumulated data and it
is interesting to note that there was a significant relationship
between lack of physical activity and fat. Not surprisingly,
the most sedentary men had the most body fat.

These studies have also indicated that the governments current
recomended daily allowance for calories does not correlate with
the body's actual energy needs. For example, although 2400
calories have been calculated for older men, they in fact burned
an average of 2800 calories daily.

The leading experts now recommend that people who want to lose
weight start increasing their physical activity. Just being more
active in general (such as climbing the stairs instead of taking
the elevator, moving around instead of sitting still, sitting up
instead of lying down as well as showing some excitement and
enthusiasm instead of boredom), are things that more effectively
burns calories and reduces body fat. Everyone seems to have lost
sight of the value of being active. Consider this, a half-hour
aerobic workout accounts for far less energy expenditure than our
minute-to-minute movement in the office or at home.

Millions of Americans are trying to lose weight, spending
approximately $30 billion a year on diet programs and products,
often they do lose some weight. But, if you check with the same
people five years later, you will find that nearly all have
regained whatever weight they lost. A national panel recently
sought data to determine if any commercial diet program could
prove long-term success. Not a single program could do so.

Being seriously overweight and particularly obesity predisposes
individuals to a number of diseases and serious health problems,
and it's now a known fact that when caloric intake is excessive,
some of the excess frequently is saturated fat.

People who diet without exercising often get fatter with time.
Although your weight may initially drop while dieting, such weight
loss consists mostly of water and muscle. When the weight
returns, it comes back as fat. To avoid getting fatter over time,
increase your metabolism by exercising regularly.

Walking is one of the best exercises for strengthening bones,
controlling weight, toning the leg muscles, maintaining good
posture and improving positive self-concept.

To lose weight, it's more important to walk for time than speed.
Walking at a moderate pace yields longer workouts with less
soreness - leading t more miles and more fat worked off on a
regular basis. High intensity walks on alternate days help
condition one's system. But in a walking, weight-loss program,
you are not requried to walk an hour every day as some people
would have you believe.

When it comes to good health and weight loss, exercise and diet
are inter-related. Exercising without maintaining a balanced
diet is no more beneficial than dieting whle remaining inactive.



Exercise Melts Body Fat
by Tycoon2k Webmaster

HAY FEVER, ALLERGY AND ASTHMA

HAY FEVER, ALLERGY AND ASTHMA
By tycoon2k Webmaster





Hay fever is a chronic condition characterized by sneezing, nasal congestion, runny and itching nose, palate, ears and eyes. If you recognize any of these symptoms chances are, you or some member of your family has experienced hay fever at one time or another.

Doctors call it allergic rhinitis. Most people know it as hay fever and if you've got it - - as 22 million Americans do - - you're likely to be plagued during the spring and fall seasons by such annoying symptoms as sneezing, congestion, runny nose, itchy throat and red, watery eyes. Allergy has different names. Allergy reactions occurring in the nose and sinus are called "sinus" or "hay fever" or "allergic rhinitis." And when allergy reactions occur in the chest we call it "asthma." Allergy reactions in the skin are named "hives" or "angioedema." So you see, allergy has different names depending upon where in your body it occurs.

One out of every six Americans suffers from an allergic condition. Allergy is an inherited trait, a genetic susceptibility towards the production of certain allergy anti-bodies. Hay fever is basically an allergic reaction to pollens from trees, weed and grasses. Unlike garden flower pollen, which is carried by insects, the dry lightweight pollens which cause allergic rhinitis are generally spread by wind currents which make them difficult to avoid. In fact, samples of ragweed pollen have been found 400 miles at sea! While most people suffer mild discomfort with hay fever, it is estimated that more than 40 percent of the 5.8 million children who have respiratory allergies miss some school, stay in bed or feel upset by the condition.

Additionally, complications from allergic rhinitis can be serious. The same allergens that cause hay fever can reach the lungs causing asthma and other complications. Sinusitis (inflammation of the sinus cavities) and nasal polyps (small outgrowths of the mucous membrane of the nose) may develop. Secondary infections of the ear, larynx and bronchial tubes may occur. Also, prolonged year-round nasal stuffiness and mouth breathing may lead to facial bone growth changes in children.

Surprisingly, many parents realize that their children have asthma before their physicians do. An accurate diagnosis, however, is most important in helping to determine an appropriate individualized treatment program. Physicians specializing in allergy/immunology have special skills in the area of asthma management. The allergy and asthma specialist will detect and determine those environmental elements (pollens, molds, dust mites, animal danders, workplace chemicals) which may be the cause of a patient's asthmatic condition. A careful medical history, physical examination, selective allergy skill testing and lung function studies are typically performed. Occasionally, blood tests, home and workplace evaluations, and x-rays of the sinuses and lungs are required.

Unlike hay fever, asthma is a more complex disease involving a reversible constriction of the muscles lining the human airways,. It is more often associated with allergy immune cells and can get progressively worse reaching life-threatening stages if not properly controlled. It can be treated more effectively when it is diagnosed early.

The best therapy of all, however, is avoidance of those things which produce asthma symptoms. This includes allergens, such as house dust mites, pets and irritants, such as tobacco smoke and chemical fumes.



HAY FEVER, ALLERGY AND ASTHMA
by Tycoon2k Webmaster

SENSIBLE DIET TIPS

SENSIBLE DIET TIPS




Start your diet with a food diary, record everything you eat, what you were doing at the time, and how you felt. That tells you about yourself, your temptation, the emotional states that encourage you to snack and may help you lose once you see how much you eat.

Instead of eating the forbidden piece of candy, brush your teeth. If you're about to cheat, allow yourself a treat, then eat only half a bite and throw the other half away. When hunger hits, wait 10 minutes before eating and see if it passes. Set attainable goals. Don't say, "I want to lose 50 pounds." Say, "I want to lose 5 pounds a month." Get enough sleep but not too much. Try to avoid sugar. Highly sweetened foods tend to make you crave more.

Drink six to eight glasses of water a day. Water itself helps cut down on water retention because it acts as a diuretic. Taken before meals, it dulls the appetite by giving you that "full feeling." Diet with a buddy. Support groups are important, and caring people can help one another succeed. Start your own, even with just one other person.

Substitute activity for eating. When the cravings hit, go to the "Y" or health club if possible; or dust, or walk around the block. This is especially helpful if you eat out of anger.

If the pie on the counter is just too great a temptation and you don't want to throw it away, freeze it. If you're a late-night eater, have a carbohydrate, such as a slice of bread of a cracker, before bedtime to cut down on cravings. Keep an orange slice or a glass of water by your bed to quiet the hunger pangs that wake you up.

If you use food as a reward, establish a new reward system. Buy yourself a non-edible reward. Write down everything you eat - - everything - including what you taste when you cook. If you monitor what you eat, you can't go off your diet.

Weigh yourself once a week at the same time. Your weight fluctuates constantly and you can weigh more at night than you did in the morning, a downer if you stuck to your diet all day. Make dining an event. East from your own special plate, on your own special placemat, and borrow the Japanese art of food arranging to make your meal, no matter how meager, look lovely. This is a trick that helps chronic over-eaters and bingers pay attention to their food instead of consuming it unconsciously.

Don't shop when you're hungry. You'll only buy more fattening food. Avoid finger foods that are easy to eat in large amounts. Avoid consuming large quantities of fattening liquids, which are so easy to overdo. And this includes alcoholic beverages. Keep plenty of crunchy foods like raw vegetables and air-popped fat-free popcorn on hand. They're high in fiber, satisfying and filling. Leave something on your plate, even if you are a charter member of the Clean The Plate Club. It's a good sign that you can stop eating when you want to, not just when your plate is empty.

Lose weight for yourself, not to please your husband, your parents or your friends. Make the kitchen off-limits at any time other than mealtime. Always eat at the table, never in front of the TV set or with the radio on. Concentrate on eating every mouthful slowly and savoring each morsel. Chew everything from 10 to 20 times and count! Never skip meals.