What’s the deal with fitness trackers these days? The market is saturated with fitness trackers, such as devices built specifically for purposes such as Garmin and Fitbit through to those which are more like smartwatches that have been adapted to meet the trend like the Apple Watches 4.

Behind the hype, attractive interfaces, and ever increasing functions, what are the real reasons for using them, and how can they help you to improve your health at fitness?

From fitness fanatics through to office workers, we are going to explore some of the main reasons both physically and psychologically why a fitness tracker has its place.

Keeping Track of Your Daily Exercise

If you work in an office, your day will most likely start with a commute, you end up at a desk and then finish work with a commute back home. If you don’t leave near to the station or your carpark then you are likely to get in a few steps walking during the commute, but once in the office, the most you will be walking is probably to the coffee machine and back.

A great reason for using a fitness tracker is to be able to keep track of how much exercise you are getting throughout the day. With 81% of office workers spending 4–9 hours sat down, it’s all too easy to finish the day feeling you have been productive, but missed the fact that you may have taken just 3,000–4,000 steps. That’s a fair mark off the recommended 10,000 steps a day.

Setting Realistic Goals

So often we will set a fitness goal and then give up. In fact, a study has shown that up to as many as 73% of people will give up on their New Year’s fitness Resolutions. A huge problem can be because we set the bar too high when we decide to get fit and give ourselves unachievable goals that end up demotivating us. Without being able to track our activity we can have distorted perceptions of not just how many steps we take a day but also how many calories we burn.

The fact that most fitness trackers will track not only your steps but also the calories that you burn both at rest and during exercise. This is a strong reason for using a fitness tracker. They enable you to have a clear idea of where you are starting from, a baseline based on facts and not assumptions, which will help you to set realistic goals and within realistic time frames.

Tracking Your Progress

Another main reason for using a fitness tracker is that it gives you the possibility of managing your progress. Whether that is in terms of steps taken per day, calories burnt or distance run. Fitness trackers will track your rate of recovery after exercise which you can compare over time and monitor as you get fitter.

Many of the fitness trackers also have corresponding applications or can be linked to third party applications, so you can download your data and then review it clearly over the following days, weeks, months and even years.

Motivation

Having a fitness tracker within eyesight on your wrist is a constant reminder of the reasons why you are wearing it – to keep fit. A bit like having Jiminy Cricket sat with you, gently nudging you in the right direction every time you are being to falter.

You can choose your home screen on the majority of fitness trackers as well – which when glancing at the data can stir that innate sense of rivalry inbuilt within us humans, not just with others but also with ourselves. Deciding to walk the long way home, jog for an extra 5 minutes or run up and down the stairs just to beat your total number of steps taken from the day before is great motivation.

And if just seeing the fitness tracker isn’t reminder enough – there are some brands like Fitbit that will actually vibrate if you have been sedentary for an extended period of time during the day. Enabling you not only to track your progress throughout the day but actively giving you the motivation to get up and move.

Earn Free Stuff

If you link up your fitness tracker to certain websites, apps, and even some health insurance companies, you will be able to earn points towards rewards based on your activity to spend on coffees, flights and other treats. The more steps you take, the food you track and data you feed them, the more points you earn. Some companies even offer cash rewards!

If there was ever a good reason aside from health to be using a fitness tracker – free stuff would be it!

Convenience for Runners

I don’t know if you remember the days when you used to painstakingly draw out your route on some running website, or even google maps if you were going on the road, to figure out how far you had run.

Now with fitness trackers such as Polar Vantage M or Garmin Forerunner 235 containing a built in GPS, this is a thing of the past.

Not only are you able to track distance but also speed, and with features such as lap-counters, lap splits, countdown timers and training logs, everything thing you need for a training session is literally on your wrist.

Aesthetics

Fitness trackers have been around on the commercial market since Fitbit launched its first wearable in 2009. Since then the number of companies offering fitness trackers has exponentially increased, so have their designs. From smaller more delicate wrist bands through to larger interfaces with the option to change the straps that make them appropriate for the corporate world and not just the gym. I have a Fitbit Versa with a number of custom Fitbit Versa bands so I can change up the appearance of my tracker whenever I want.

But the buck doesn’t just stop with watches, most recently Motiv have released a ring that can track sleep, heart rate, and activity, enabling your health to be quite literally at your fingertips. On top of this Google have long been talking about their research into contact lens technology. So if watches and rings aren’t for you – watch this space!

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored a few reasons for using a fitness tracker – from enabling you to understand your current fitness levels through to the ability to track progress and get motivated. You could actually end up financially better off too. Deals from websites, apps and health companies show how valuable your data is, not just to you, but also to others.

The future for fitness trackers looks bright – and over the next few years, we will certainly see a vast number of innovations not just in style but also increased functionalities.

I am so excited about this, did you hear? QuartzClinical is a cloud-based healthcare data analytics platform that uses artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data to deliver meaningful results for hospitals.

The goal is to help hospitals provide better quality healthcare at a lower cost and also QuartzClinical is leading a seismic shift in how hospitals operate. They help identify opportunities for improvement through dynamic dashboards, detailed benchmarking, highly accurate predictive analytics, and prioritizing the opportunities that will lead to the greatest impact for a hospital system. Their sophisticated platform incorporates lean and six sigma tools and project management tools to help hospitals automate their performance improvement opportunities. Our product has achieved worldwide recognition for its highly accurate predictive analytics that leverages big data and advanced machine learning.

They can predict which patient is likely to be readmitted to the hospital with an accuracy of 80% – that’s unheard of in medicine and represents a real change to how hospitals function. QuartzClinical is affordable to even small hospitals since we use a reasonable sliding scale and do not have per-user charges. Our goal is to create a seismic transformation in healthcare so that the world can become a better place. They also partner with hospitals to help them deliver better healthcare at a lower cost.

People have long known about the benefits of working out in a group. Giving you the chance to make yourself accountable for more than your own body, this approach to getting fit can be a simple way to push yourself in the right direction. A lot of people struggle with this side of life, finding it hard to know where to direct their efforts. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring some of the important aspects which go into this, giving you the chance to start making your workouts into a social activity, rather than something done alone.

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Finding The Right Gym

 

Gyms have become incredibly popular business ventures to run, over the last few years. With so many of these establishments popping up, newer examples are having to work hard to provide an experience which their customers won’t be able to get anywhere else. This has opened the doors to scheduled group events being schedules by companies like this. There are loads of different types of workout which are covered by this, ranging from cycling to swimming, and everything in between.

 

Finding an example which will work for you is crucial when you’re looking at an option like this. There won’t be much point in going to a spin class if you hate cycling, for instance. By browsing the web, you will be able to find loads of examples of gyms offering group Zumba classes, weight lifting sessions, and other workouts which tie you to a group of other people. Going down this route will make it far easier to keep up with your routine, especially if the groups are held nice and often. Most gyms will be happy to boast about these sorts of activities when they are on offer.

 

Downloading An App

 

Over the last decade or so, smartphones have just about taken over the computing space. As more and more people get their hands on devices like these, there are increasing numbers of apps which are designed to go with them, opening the doors to resources which never used to exist. A great example of this comes in the form of gym buddy tools. Taking your location, fitness preferences, and availability into account, tools like these can find strangers who have similar goals to you.

 

It’s important to make sure that you choose the right example when you’re using an app like this. While some may be able to find a partner for you nice and easy, they won’t always take security and safety into account, and this is crucial when you’re meeting up with someone you’ve met online. As a big part of this, it’s always worth looking for examples which use some sort of tracking and alert system to make sure that users are looked after. Along with this, you can always stick to meeting at local gyms to avoid being alone with your gym buddy, and this is a great way to keep things on the right level.

 

Picking A Sport

 

Throughout the course of history, people have long been working hard to create all sorts of different sports. Some involve balls, while others use pucks, but they all share something in common; they all work you out. Of course, you can find examples of this which are done on your own, like tennis, but these can be avoided when you’re choosing the options you like. For example, football is popular all over the world and involves loads of running, making it perfect for those who want to keep fit without having to think about it.

 

Finding activities like this is easier than you might think. With the popularity of certain sports, there are loads of private teams and clubs which have been formed over the years, providing you with the opportunity to get out and get active with a group of like-minded people. As the digital age as developed, a lot of groups like this have put together their own websites and social media pages. This makes it very easy to find ones which will be happy to welcome you, even if you’re completely new to the sport you’re looking to try.

 

Fitness As A Side Effect

 

When you’re looking for an activity which can keep you fit while also giving you some social time, you don’t always have to look for dedicated exercises. There are loads of different ways to spend your time which will be good for your body, and not all of them are considered exercises, making it possible to make improving your fitness into a side effect of the time you spend with your friends. The only important thing to consider is the fact that not everyone will enjoy the same things. This makes it crucial to look for a range of activities, rotating what you do and giving everyone the chance to have their voice heard.

 

To find activities like this, you may have to be a little creative. Hiring bikes to explore your city or local area can be a great idea, giving you the chance to do some sightseeing, while also improving your body in the process. Likewise, exploring the rural areas which you have nearby can also be satisfying, but you will have to do it on foot. Exercise can come from loads of places. To find more examples like this, it will be worth doing some research, spending the time to figure out exactly what you have on offer.

 

With all of this in mind, you should be feeling ready to start working harder on the time you put into getting fit. Making this part of life into a social activity holds loads of benefits, ranging from making it easier to keep yourself motivated to make the whole thing far more fun. Of course, though, this will only be successful if you put the time into it. Once you have people to work out with, you should be able to keep this going for many years, building positive habits along the way.

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Smoking kills!

 

There, we said it, not that it should be any surprise to you. Should you have fallen prey to smoking addiction, you really are jeopardizing your health. This fact sheet will tell you all you need to know!

 

However, other than your good health and longevity on this planet, there are other reasons why you should give up smoking. If you ever needed another incentive (as if the health risks weren’t enough), consider the following.

 

#1: You will look younger

 

No matter what facial serums you use, know that you are aging yourself every time you take a puff of a cigarette. The longer you smoke, the more it affects your skin, causing dryness and wrinkling that might not befit your current age. There is more information here on the scientific reasons why. The sooner you stop smoking then, the better. You will improve the oxygen flow to your skin, your collagen levels will go back to normal, and your skin will look healthier than it might do at the moment. Have a look in the mirror and see the effects for yourself.

 

#2: People won’t avoid you

 

While you may be neglecting your own health needs by smoking, other people won’t be. Knowing the dangers of passive smoking, your friends and family might choose to steer away from you every time you light up another cigarette. Oh, and your clothes and breath will smell bad too, so if you have noticed people backing away from you, even when you don’t have a cigarette in your hand, you now know the reason. Kick the habit then and your social circle will improve tenfold!

 

#3: You will start to enjoy food again

 

Smoking impairs your senses of taste and smell, so if you haven’t been enjoying your food recently, it’s probably not because of your lack of culinary skills (we are assuming). After giving up the smoking habit, your senses will strengthen, and you will get to experience those wonderful tastes and smells that you have otherwise been missing.

 

#4: You will experience a greater sense of freedom

 

If you are constantly craving another cigarette, you might feel locked out of certain places. Bars, diners, hotels, and many workplaces have placed smoking bans. You might even be barred from visiting friends and family, or at the very least, you might find yourself relegated to the garden when you want to smoke. Where once smoking was a social habit, the tide has turned, so to have more freedom in your life, giving up could be the best thing you do today.

 

#5: You will sleep better (and so will those around you)

 

Research has found that smokers are more likely to have less sleep at night due to the increased nicotine levels in their body. Because nicotine is a stimulant, it keeps you awake at night, and because of your dependency to cigarettes, your cravings might also disrupt your sleep patterns. Smoking can also cause you to snore, so if your partner has relegated you to the spare room, then your bad habit may be to blame. Stop smoking then, and your sleeping pattern will return to normal, as will the sleeping pattern of anybody sharing the bed with you.

 

Finally

 

While we advocate the need to give up smoking, we know it isn’t easy. However, there are solutions. Vaping is cheaper than smoking, so by picking up some cheap e-liquid, you will do your financial (as well as your physical) health a lot of good. Your doctor will also have advice for you, so it’s worth booking an appointment for some professional advice on how to kick the habit. Your life will benefit if you do, so perhaps today is the day you consider the change to your lifestyle, for your health and all of the other reasons we have mentioned in this article.

 

Take care, and thanks for reading.

Thanks to my New Years Resolution to try new things, I recently did something that I never thought I would. I, along with my closest friends, signed up for the 2019 Warrior Dash in Austin Tx. I’m so excited and scared at the same time to participate in this run! While researching it I found that this isn’t your ordinary run. There are over 17 unique and challenging obstacles within the race. Learning this makes me a little nervous because this will be my first time running a race with an obstacle course. This year’s race includes three different distances so that everyone can participate in a distance that’s right for them. The three distances to choose from are 5k, 10k, or a chance to skip most of the running and participate in the obstacles with a 1-mile course. Being a person who likes to challenge themselves, I chose the 10k. I can’t wait to see what it’s all about! I’ve heard so many good things about this race and how fun and intense it can be. What’s awesome about this year is that they are celebrating their 10 year anniversary. Being that this is a special year, they have added new obstacles and the three new distances to choose from. Warrior Dash has also offered a great deal this year by providing a discount code. This code allows someone who signs up between January 21, 2019, and January 27, 2019, a buy one get one 50% off. This means that if you pay for one race, you get another half off! All you have to do is use the discount code WARRIORWEEK19 to get this great deal.

Each Warrior Dash race is uniquely compromised with challenging obstacles to overcome during your run. At the same time, the races are created for any level of runner and allow you to choose the race that suits you the best. Here are a few of the signature obstacles, Up Slide Down, Alcatraz, Get a Grip, and Kiss My Grass. There is also a brand new first-time zip-line obstacle called Super Fly that will be introduced this year! Another obstacle worth mentioning is the       3-story El Capitan. This is the tallest Warrior Dash obstacle that requires you to climb ladders and cargo nets to the top of the 3-story obstacle. Once at the top, you get to the finish with a long slide down! I am so excited and scared to complete these obstacles!

Not only is Warrior Dash an intense run full of obstacles, but they also contribute to a great foundation that means a lot to me. A great way to give back to your community while having fun! Warrior Dash is proud to continue its long-standing partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. By signing up as a St. Jude Hero, participants can fundraise and receive a variety of perks based on the total raised, including access to the St. Jude VIP tent with private showers, complimentary gear check, food, non-alcoholic beverages, a race registration refund, duffle bag, and picnic blanket. All donations go towards the lifesaving work being done at the St. Jude Red Frog Events Proton Therapy Center. Since the program began in 2012, Warrior Dash participants have helped raise more than $15.5 million for St. Jude. Frog Events Proton Therapy Center. Since the program began in 2012, Warrior Dash participants have helped raise more than $15.5 million for St. Jude.

Being healthy is very much something that takes a lot of time and energy to get right, and it is amazing how hard it can be to make sure that you are looking after yourself as well as possible. There are many absolute basics to health and being healthy which you might not be taking care of, in fact, and it is possible that you might be able to improve your life and your wellbeing in general by attending to a few of these as soon as possible. In this post, we will look at some of the health essentials that you might want to be taking care of, so that you can be sure that you are going to live the healthiest life you possibly can. Although some of these are likely to be obvious, it is often the obvious things that we overlook, and which are therefore worth remembering from time to time. With that in mind, let’s take a look at those health basics you should make a point of trying to master as soon as possible.

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Drink More Water

 

Your body is two-thirds water, so it is hardly surprising that you should need it in copious amounts in order to be truly healthy. The vast majority of adults today do not drink enough water, and it is surprising how hard it can be to actually do so if you are not already in the habit of doing it. Drinking more water is all about ensuring that you make it easy for yourself – and we will look at how to do that shortly. First, however, let’s discuss some of the signs that you are probably not getting as much water into your body as you should be.

 

There are many symptoms of dehydration, and once you look at this list you will see that you can probably put a lot of your everyday problems down to a lack of water. One of the most common – and clearest – indicators of dehydration is headaches. If you have frequent headaches, it is entirely possible that you merely need to drink a little more water. Similarly, you might feel tired a lot of the time, which can be a result of your body not being able to work its best because you have not given it the fluid to do so. If your skin is dry and patchy, that is one of the most obvious signs that you don’t drink enough water too.

 

If it is clear that you need more water, the solution is simple: carry some with you at all times. By carrying a bottle of water everywhere you go, you will find yourself drinking from it automatically, and before long it will be a positive habit which you don’t even notice yourself doing. Or you can try it out as a kind of challenge, and see whether you can make it work that way. Try to drink a certain number of liters every day for a week, and see if you feel or notice anything different within yourself. You might be surprised at how profound the change is, and hopefully, that will encourage you to drink more and more in the future. Water is an essential thing your body needs, so make sure that you are drinking enough of it as a matter of course.

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Get Your Sleep

 

It is something of a terrible indictment of our culture that very few of us get the sleep we need. Chances are, you do not get enough sleep regularly, and this is likely to be affecting your health in a number of profound and significant ways. You are probably already aware that sleep is important for your health – but are you aware of just how important, and just what kind of effect a lack of sleep is likely having on your health, and your life in general?

 

The research suggests strongly that failing to get a regular eight hours of sleep a night leads to an increased risk of heart disease, all forms of cancers, stroke, diabetes, and many other serious health problems besides these. Failing to get enough sleep on a regular basis also makes you more likely to be depressed, anxious, and to suffer socially. A lack of sleep has been linked to lower productivity and means that the body is less likely to be able to fight off diseases, owing to a weakened immune system. What’s more, sleepy driving causes more deaths every year in the US than drunk driving and drugged driving combined. Clearly, sleep is important. So how can you make sure that you get more of it?

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One of the most powerful things you can do here is to make a point of going to bed earlier. It sounds simple, but it is hugely effective. The more time spent in bed, the more likely it is that you are actually going to sleep more. You can also improve your chances of sleeping well by reducing your use of screens, as the light interferes with your body’s sleep cycle dramatically. Similarly, limiting caffeine so that you are not drinking any after midday is likely to help you out great too.

 

If you do all of this, you will get to sleep faster, sleep more comfortably and deeply, and enjoy the many health benefits of it as a result. It is absolutely worth doing.

 

Manage Your Stress

 

It is hard to think of a strong benefit for being stressed. In general, the more stressed you are, the more likely you are to become ill, and the more likely you are to cause ongoing damage to yourself mentally and physically. We have come to regard stress as a natural by-product of our busy lives, but is it really necessarily so? Or might it be that we can live better and healthier lives by reducing and managing our stress levels?

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Meditation has become hugely popular as a means of doing just that, and it might be worth looking into. If you want to keep your stress down, a regular meditation practice is one of the best ways to do so. Consider taking a local class or going on a retreat this year.

When we think of what, exactly, sends us to a hospital, it’s easy to imagine all the dramatic infections and wounds that we might have experienced or seen throughout the years. However, it’s often the hidden issues that can cause us a lot more trouble. Here, we’re going to look at some of the most common, expensive, and dangerous chronic conditions that you should be more aware of and how to ensure you’re checking for them.

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Diabetes

A blood sugar test can help you see whether you’re diabetic or pre-diabetic (which means that you may become diabetic in the near future). Those who are overweight or over the age of 45 are at a greater risk of this chronic illness than most. Although it can be a scary diagnosis, there is plenty of medication to treat diabetes, and by eating healthily, exercising regularly, and monitoring blood sugars, diabetes can be managed effectively for the rest of your life.

High blood pressure

Heart disease, also known as the “silent killer” is one of the leading causes of preventable death in modern society. High blood pressure can be one of the earliest signs of it and also causes other issues like a stroke. With the right cardiovascular care, you can catch the warning signs of heart disease early and manage it over time. However, an annual blood pressure test is recommended for all people of all ages, though those who are older or overweight are at greater risk.

Depression

It can be hard to diagnose and harder to treat, but depression has also become an epidemic. Though little understood by the public at large, depression is more than simply feeling sad, it can make you feel genuinely unwell, with low energy levels, no motivation, sleep disorders and more associated with it. You can take self-examinations to look for the signs of depression and talk to your primary healthcare provider about your options if you’re concerned it might be affecting you.

Memory disorders

When it comes to little-understood health conditions, few are more frightening than dementia and Alzheimer’s. You can see signs of it in others and arrange a range of tests that can help diagnose it, such as neuropsychological tests and blood tests for poor thyroid function and vitamin B12 deficiency. Catching that deficiency early and using other preventative methods, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, can not just prevent Alzheimer’s but stop it from progressing too fast, too.

Bone conditions

Osteoporosis and arthritis are both two of the most common chronic health concerns and, although not exclusive to them, they overwhelmingly affect women. When it comes to osteoporosis, having a bone density test as part of your annual exam is part of your best bet of catching it early. There’s no test that can definitely prove arthritis, but if you’re suffering from joint pain or inflammation, blood tests can help determine it as a potential cause.

An annual physical with your doctor, checking your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar can help you catch the warning signs of most preventable chronic illnesses early. Being proactive is the only effective way to protect your health.

My husband and I recently started playing on a kickball team. During our first game last Wednesday I realized we are not as young as we used to be. We were both experiencing muscle cramping during and after the game. That’s when I told my husband we need to start doing some research on sports drinks will keep us hydrated out on the field, something with several electrolytes and something to help prevent cramping.

After doing some research, we found that BODYARMOR has everything we were looking for in a sports drink. From now on BODYARMOR is the only sports drink I will recommend. In addition to having several flavors to choose from, here are a few more things that really caught my attention and love about this sports drink.

 

• First of all, they have three lines of drinks to choose from:

BODYARMOR SPORTS DRINK

BODYARMOR LYTE SPORTS DRINK

BODYARMOR SPORTWATER

• It is safe for our boys to drink

BODYARMOR is made with natural ingredients, naturally sweetened, natural flavors and nothing artificial. There is no caffeine and it is gluten-free – this gives me peace of mind because my boys always like to share my drinks with me and I know they are not drinking a sports drink full of sugar with no nutrients.

• Potassium instead of Sodium

This is a fun fact I didn’t know, potassium prevents cramping due to its role in nerve function and muscle control. Most traditional sports drinks use sodium as their key electrolyte, BODYARMOR uses potassium as a key ingredient. I really appreciate they using potassium instead of Sodium. We get enough sodium in the food we eat every day already. We don’t need any more in our sports drinks. This has made me more aware of our drink ingredients and will start checking them from now on.

• BODYARMOR Ingredients

It has more electrolytes than other sports drinks! BODYARMOR is higher in vitamins and potassium but low in sodium with some coconut water in it. BODYARMOR has no colors or flavors from artificial sources, it is naturally sweetened with pure cane sugar and coconut water. Each flavor is loaded with Vitamins A, B complex, C & E, Electrolytes and amino acids.

• Packed with Electrolytes

Electrolytes help maintain fluid balance, especially after a tough workout. When you sweat you lose water and electrolytes, which is why it so important to stay hydrated. Another bonus to having several electrolytes in this sports drink is, electrolytes help with muscle contraction, nerve signaling, bone health and prevent muscle cramping. Which is exactly what we need!

When it comes to your health, you cannot afford to take any risks. Whilst most symptoms do not indicate anything serious, it is better to be safe rather than sorry, right? Unfortunately, a lot of health conditions can be associated with one thing: stress! If you know how to look out for the warning signs of stress, you can go a long way to ensuring you do not suffer from anything worse. With that in mind, continue reading for more information on the different health warning signs and symptoms associated with stress.

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Stress is the feeling a person experiences when faced with situations that are either threatening or unfavorable. You may be shocked, but a small degree of stress is actually considered to be good and healthy. However, stress levels should not be allowed to rise past a certain level. Too much stress is to blame for most, if not all, chronic health conditions known to man. You can head to www.advancedurology.com/ for some more information about some of the most chronic health conditions and how to treat them. Conditions linked to stress include migraine headaches, heart diseases, strokes, and high blood pressure.

 

How do you react to stress?

 

People respond to stress in different fashions. However, there are certain stress symptoms that are evident in almost everyone suffering from stress. People suffering from stress are highly irritable. During stress, the body sends out what is commonly known as a stress response. This response is the body’s way of protecting the person against stress.

 

The main stress symptoms include muscle tension, erratic sleeping patterns, serious headaches, poor sleeping patterns, and high irritability levels. Erratic sleeping patterns result when the brain is troubled. Unmanaged insomnia can have big side effects as you struggle to function properly during the day because of lack of sleep. Irritability is manifested when a person loses their temper easily and goes about picking a fight with almost everybody around him or her. This is because the person’s stress has taken over. Their anger and frustration stem from this, yet they express it by blowing up over something seemingly meaningless.

 

Muscle tension is yet another symptom experienced by people suffering from stress. These people often complain of back or neck pain. Head to https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/neck-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20375581 for more information on neck pain. Experts argue that this pain might be arising due to restricted blood flow to the affected parts. This can be remedied by the person taking deep breaths and doing exercises to stretch the muscles. Stress is also known to cause a build-up of stress hormones in the brain, which can lead to migraine headaches. Regular migraine headaches may be indications that a person is suffering from stress. Over-the-counter pain medication can be taken to remedy this situation.

 

So there you have it: an impact into the effect that stress has on our bodies, as well as the different symptoms you should look out for. It is important to look out for these warning signs and symptoms because they can often manifest into something a lot worse.

More often than not, it’s perfectly fine to not worry about a symptom or body issue that appears for a couple of days. It’s normal to feel under the weather every now and then and, thankfully, most symptoms will disappear on their own after a day or two. But what if one symptom seems to persist? Sometimes, it could be worth getting something checked out if it has been bothering you for a few weeks, even if it does seem to be only a mild issue. After all, it could be a sign that you have a more serious underlying issue developing!

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Here are some symptoms that you should get examined by a doctor, just to be on the safe side.

 

A Persistent Cough

 

We can all suffer from a tickly cough from time to time. Usually, it’s a sign that we are coming down with a cold. But most coughs will clear themselves up after a few days. However, if you have had your cough for more than a couple of weeks, it’s definitely time to consult a doctor. They will examine you and make sure you don’t have a respiratory condition that needs treating. If you have been in contact with asbestos ever, you might even need to contact a solicitor like https://nbalawfirm.com/library/louisiana-mesothelioma-attorneys.cfm, as your cough could be a sign of mesothelioma. If this is the case, you will be entitled to some compensation.

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A Sudden Loss In Weight

 

Any change to your weight that occurs even when you haven’t changed your diet or exercise routine is something that you need to be concerned with, especially if you are losing weight. There are a variety of health conditions that this could be linked to. One of the most likely causes is an issue with your thyroid. However, as you can see at https://medicinenet.com/weight_loss/symptoms.htm, it can also be a symptom of more serious illnesses, such as cancers and dangerous viral infections.

 

Chest Pain

 

If you ever experience any chest pains, it is essential that you are checked out by a medical professional as soon as you can. This could be a sign of a heart condition. If the pains are extreme, it could be a sign that you are about to have a heart attack. If the pains appear along with numbness or pins and needles in your left arm, you need to call for an ambulance straight away.

 

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A Change In Your Toilet Habits

 

Most people are regular when it comes to going to the toilet to do their business. In fact, some people might be like clockwork! So, a change in your toilet habits can show that something is wrong with your digestive system or bowels. It will be necessary to go to your doctor about this to rule out anything serious. He or she will be able to advise you on how you can get regular again if there is no underlying condition!

 

Fingers crossed you never experience these symptoms for too long.

Life can get hard when you’re just not in the best shape that you can possibly be. Not only that, but it can get really stressful! But, in all fairness, to be in tip-top shape, you do have to put a lot of commitment into your body. We have to eat right, drink right, exercise the right amount, and give ourselves that little bit of leeway with treats every so often. But, if you’re not in your best shape right now, we know that it’s going to be getting you down because the reason for it might not even be your fault! It could be something that has happened to you to cause your health to slip just a little bit. Either way, we want to try and get you to the best position possible with your health, and here’s how we think you can do just that.

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If You’re Injured

 

If your problem is that you’re injured, then the chances of this disrupting your life are huge. The disruption to your life could really hinder your chances of getting better quickly, so let’s think about what you can do. First of all, what caused the injury? If it was a car accident that wasn’t your fault, or perhaps you had a fall at work, or even out in public. If it was any of these, then you should try your chances with a claim. You can easily get help for your personal injury case, and the money that you could win from the case would be more than worth it. If you’ve had to take a few weeks of work, then this is definitely something you should consider because you’re just never going to be able to get the money back. Take your time to rest, recover, and slowly ease yourself back into daily life, rather than rushing into it all at once.

 

If You’re Sick

 

If you’re ill, then life can just seem like the most tedious task in the world. You wake up with a head full of cold, your throat is hurting and you barely have enough energy to try and face the day. Or even worse, you’re actually throwing up, and you just feel as though it’ll all never end. If you want to get back into tip-top shape, then focus on healing your body with healthy foods, lemon, and honey water drinks, and resting up. People physically exhaust their bodies because they try and do too much when rest really is the best medicine.

 

If You’re Just Treating Your Body Badly

 

If you’re treating your body badly, then what do you expect? If you drink all of the time, smoke, and have a poor diet, then you’re obviously going to feel the effects. What you need to try and do is treat your body like a temple. Take yoga classes, eat plenty of greens and fresh fruit, and exercise regularly. In fact, if you want a good diet to follow that should keep you in tip-top shape, think about following one like the paleo diet.

As a mother of two lovely boys born by C-section, I would like to discuss a non-opioid pain-relieving option related specifically to C-section surgery. To begin I feel it is important to share my experience. When I turned 26 years old I found out I was pregnant. Both the doctors and I thought I was unable to have children due to a childhood accident. However, due to our surprise, my husband and I were blessed with a beautiful little boy. Before he came along, my pregnancy went as smooth as possible. I felt little to no pain or suffered from morning sickness during the entire pregnancy. In fact, I continued to work until a few days before my due date.

On November 11 my day started like any other day. My husband was getting dressed for work as I was preparing breakfast for the both of us. When we were done eating, he headed off to work and I started on the household chores. I knew the baby would be here any minute and I wanted to knock out some of the minor chores around the house. While washing our never-ending laundry, I began having regular contractions. I sat down for a few minutes to take a breather and the contractions just kept coming. I decided I would call my husband so we could go to the hospital. Once we arrived at the hospital they evaluated me and decided I was going to be admitted. They started monitoring my contractions and noticed baby’s heartbeat kept dropping. My doctor notified us if this continued, we would be forced to do a C-section for the baby’s safety. Unfortunately, baby’s heartbeat dropped again, so they called to schedule a C-section and had me in the surgery room within an hour. As a new mother, I didn’t know what to expect, all I knew was I wanted to do everything I possibly could to keep my baby safe.

Once we were done with the procedure, my doctor informed the reason for the unplanned C-section was due to baby’s umbilical cord being wrapped around his neck. This was causing his heartbeat to drop. Thankfully, I gave birth to a healthy 8lb 8oz baby. Once I was rolled to my room they informed me, if I was in pain just push the button for more pain meds.  As a new mother, I never considered other options to relieve my pain.  The pain after the C-section was so unbearable all I could focus on was how to relieve my pain. The only pain reliever that was offered to me was opioids. Now that I look back on it, I remember spending the first few days of my son’s life being super groggy due to the opioids. I decided to breastfeed my son, so I tried my best to stay away from the pain medications.

Today, I would like to inform you that there are non-opioid options to relieve pain. These options were never presented to me but I encourage you to take a look at the Choices Matter campaign and visit planagainstpain.com. See if it is something you would be interested in. A few of the leading concerns surrounding opioids and childbirth are impact on breastfeeding, side effects, and fear over the risk of dependence or addiction. In a study, 44% of C-section mothers were not completely satisfied with how their pain was managed during birth. It is very important to discuss pain management options with your doctor long before your surgery date. There are treatment choices to consider before and after surgery that can impact the medications used, for example, opioid versus non-opioids, and for how long they’re needed. The trend is to use non-opioid medications at the start of treatment to limit, or completely eliminate, your need for opioids, which may be associated with unwanted side effects that can impact the recovery process. Thankfully, I was able to discontinue the opioids in a timely manner but unfortunately, that’s not the case for some.

 

 

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No matter how busy your personal schedule may be, it’s extremely important that you prioritize your health and schedule routine appointments with various health professionals in order to assure yourself that your body is functioning as it should. Here are just a few professionals you should consult on a regular basis!

 

A Doctor

 

The majority of us only ever visit our doctor when we are experiencing symptoms of illness or significant problems with our overall health and wellbeing. But you can visit for a general health check too! This will involve having your BMI worked out (to check that you are a healthy weight) and having blood taken for routine examinations. If your weight is deemed unhealthy, a doctor will then be able to advise you of parts of your lifestyle that can be changed for positive improvement. This kind of check can put your mind at rest. They’re essentially an MOT for your body and will ensure that everything is working and in good nick.

 

An Audiologist

 

Believe it or not, hearing loss affects a large percentage of the population at some point or another. What’s more? Its effects aren’t limited to the elderly. Individuals of any age can experience problems with their auditory health. Changes can be temporary or permanent and they can also take place suddenly or over a gradual period of time. Regardless of the way that hearing loss begins to creep into your life, it’s important to remember that it can ultimately have profoundly detrimental effects on your day to day routine, so you do need to monitor your hearing carefully. Sometimes changes may not be immediately apparent to you. But there are signs that you can look out for. Common symptoms of auditory loss include having the volume turned up too high on devices and not realising until someone with good hearing points it out, misunderstanding what others are saying to you, asking people to repeat themselves regularly, or having to concentrate and focus intensely on what people are saying in order to gather the information that they are putting across. If you do begin to experience any of these symptoms, however, don’t despair. There are plenty of brilliant developments taking place in the field of auditory health. You can learn more about the options available to you here!

 

A Dentist and a Hygienist

 

When it comes to dental care and hygiene, you only need to routine two appointments on annual basis – one with your dentist and one with your hygienist. This, for the most part, will consist of your dentist poking around your mouth and giving you the all clear, and the hygienist giving you a quick scale and polish. However, if problems are identified, these professionals will be able to rectify them with relatively quick and completely painless procedures!

 

These are just a few health care professionals you should make time for in your routine. But they are perhaps the most important! So, schedule your next appointments as soon as possible for the sake of your health and wellbeing!