Anxiety. It’s a common ailment. When my clients list their medical history, anxiety is often on the list. It seems to be more prevalent than ever. Maybe we are now recognizing and diagnosing it more often, but it is not uncommon for a person of any age, even children, to report various levels of anxiety.

What is anxiety? Many confuse it with stress, but it’s actually more than that. Whereas stress is the body’s physical response in the moment to a situation, anxiety differs in that the physical response continues far after the situation is over. It is almost as if there is no switch to turn “off.” These physical responses can include increased blood pressure, excessive trembling or sweating, chest pains, insomnia, headaches, nausea, dizziness, muscle tension, constipation and/or diarrhea, indigestion, and even rashes or what feels like allergic reactions. The physical manifestations clearly can be many and may cause harm to one’s body over the long term.

The levels of anxiety can be varied as well. I am not a psychiatrist so I won’t get too far into this, but it can range from general anxiety all the way to obsessive compulsive-disorder (OCD) or post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD).

The first step to take if you feel you have anxiety is to talk with a mental health professional. That way you can find out where you are on the spectrum and hopefully even find out where the anxiety is stemming from.

Second, which is where I come in, is supporting your body through this process with proper diet. Studies have shown that specific foods can play a huge part in reducing overall anxiety and improving the body’s ability to cope and recover.

While a healthy, balanced diet is what we typically recommend, let’s break it down into specific foods you can choose to support your brain and mental health.

Foods to Calm Your Nerves

Foods high in B Vitamins: Many of the B vitamins are known to help with anxiety and mood. Some great choices include:
Green leafy vegetables (at least one large handful of raw greens daily is ideal!) Spinach, kale, chard, collard greens
Avocado
Citrus fruits
Beans, peas, lentils
Cruciferous veggies such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts
Beets
Bananas

Foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids: The Omega 3’s (DHA and EPA) we know are very beneficial for the brain and may do wonders for your mood. These are foods such as….
Seafood including wild caught salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring and anchovies
Plant sources with pre-cursors to DHA and EPA include flax seed, hemp hearts, chia seeds, walnuts
High quality fish oil supplement

Fermented foods: Numerous studies have shown that our gut microbes talk to our brain. Crazy, isn’t it? Supporting a healthy gut environment, therefore, is an important consideration for our mental health. Fermented foods include:
Cultured dairy products, such as high quality yogurt (few ingredients, low sugar), kefir, buttermilk, cultured butter
Sauerkraut
Kimchi
Kombucha
Pickles and other pickled veggies
Miso
Tempeh
Natto

Foods high in antioxidants: Inflammation can definitely put stress on our brains. Fight inflammation with antioxidants and other anti-inflammatory foods. Antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, can also help increase the body’s production of dopamine.
Anthocyanins: blueberries, cherries, grapes, blackberries, pomegranates, red cabbage, purple asparagus
Vitamin C foods: Oranges, kiwis, strawberries, pineapple, mango
Others: goji berries, dark chocolate, herbs and spices (especially turmeric)!

Hydrate!: While not a food, keeping up good fluid intake is so important! Dehydration increases stress on the body which can only exacerbate anxiety. While straight up water is a great choice, teas can also have a very calming effect on the body. Aim for 8 cups per day and even more if sweating excessively.

Foods That May Stress an Already Anxious Mind

While eating more of certain foods can be helpful, we also need to cut out those foods that are increasing stress on your body. These are likely nothing new to you, but they are good reminders!

1. Caffeine
Not everyone reacts adversely to caffeine, but if you are one of those who do, caffeine can definitely raise your anxiety level. Try cutting it out for awhile to see how you respond. On a personal note, someone in my own family did this recently and it did wonders for their mood and overall stress level!

2. Sugar
No surprise here, but sugar increases inflammation, raises blood sugar, and overall is harmful for your brain. Dial it back and choose naturally sweetened foods like fruit instead.

3. Gluten
For some, gluten can be very inflammatory and therefore impact your mood and well-being. Try taking a gluten vacation for a couple of weeks and see how you feel.

4. Processed foods, especially fast food
Another no-brainer, but fast food and other highly processed foods are very low in actual nutrition and high in refined carbs, sugars and additives. Ditch the drive through and seek out healthier alternatives.

5. Artificial sweeteners
A component of many processed foods, I single these out because they may be harmful to our guts and therefore impact brain health. Some of my clients have even reported headaches and other reactions from these sweet additives. Go for the natural sugar if forced to choose but in very small amounts.

6. Avoid any foods you are allergic or sensitive to
Some of you, knowingly or unknowingly, may be suffering from food sensitivity reactions. These reactions cause inflammation which can exacerbate stress and anxiety. If you aren’t sure which foods are causing you problems, an elimination diet can be a good first step. Seek guidance from an RD like myself to help tailor such a plan or dig deeper if the offending foods are elusive. For difficult cases, I like using MRT food sensitivity by Oxford Biomedical for decisive answers (www.nowleap.com).

Hopefully this gives you a few specific food ideas to get started! Again I will reiterate that if you are struggling with anxiety, seek professional help. Don’t do this on your own. Along with expert advice, change up your diet to give your brain the support it needs!

We need to understand that a transplant surgery performed to grow hair back on a bald head again is a major medical procedure that needs to be done by an experienced surgeon at a renowned clinic.

There are multiple things that we need to take care of before and after any surgical procedure. In hair transplant treatment, aftercare process is quite crucial for any patient. So, let’s discuss a few important things connected with FUT (follicular unit transplant) surgery aftercare process.

Hair transplant aftercare is a vital topic that the patients who had a surgery must know and follow without any error.

Every single patient who had a transplant surgery by utilising a strip method, then for the most part it will leave the clinic with a bandage tied to his/her head. However, we need to keep in mind that the bandage is utilised just to help the recently closed donor area on the back of the scalp.

Patients are given medicines to manage the pain for the initial couple of days after the treatment. The main night after transplant surgery, you need to be extra cautious and don’t rub or scratch the transplanted region. It is suggested that all patients relax for the first few days and stay away from overwhelming physical activities.

Patients have to return for doctor assessment and hair wash the day after surgical operation. Amid this first visit, the bandage is expelled and donor area cuts and the transplanted area are evaluated. The donor and beneficiary regions should be washed properly while instructing the patient how to wash it at home on day two to four after restoration procedure.

After the surgery, hair wash should be done twice every day with a special strategy to limit the likelihood of dislodging the unions/grafts. Many patients often inquire as to whether they can skip washing hair inside the initial couple of days to abstain from harming the unions. The appropriate response is absolutely not. Hair wash is an important step in hair transplant care that ensures the usual development of the transplanted hair follicular grafts/unions.

After hair transplant in India, surgeons recommend a couple of limitations in patient’s physical activities. A few clinics suggest exceptionally strict guidelines for physical exercises. It is better that patient keeps his ordinary, everyday exercises with some minor restrictions.

The exercises that add pressure on the operated area edges at the donor zone need to be avoided for the initial month after surgery. Some of those exercises are:

Heavy weightlifting
Excess bending of the neck.

Top hair transplant surgeons in India recommend that patients should stay away from direct sun exposure to the beneficiary area for around a half year after FUT (follicular unit transplant) surgery. Grafts/unions may get damaged because of direct and extreme sun exposure.

A healthy smile is everything. Even a quick smile can boost your mood, increase your confidence and make you feel like a winner. However, a healthy smile doesn’t happen overnight. If you’re looking for white and healthy teeth, you’re in the right place. Check out these 10 simple ways that’ll help you get the smile of your dreams.

Brush Better!

We’re taught by our parents how to brush our teeth at a youthful age. Nowadays, there’s probably an app for that. Yet, according to a 2014 survey by Delta Dental, roughly 30% of all Americans aren’t brushing enough! That’s a crazy amount, especially since your dentist cannot stress enough the importance of brushing your teeth!

First off, start by brushing your teeth for at least two minutes, two times a day. Don’t have time in the morning? Set your alarm clock a few minutes earlier so you have no excuse to put off brushing your teeth. For a healthy smile, make sure you’re brushing in small, circular motions to eliminate much of the plaque coating the surface of your teeth.

Let’s not forget all sides of your teeth, including the back and the gumline. Bacteria loves to gather in these areas, so giving them a good scrub will keep them away. Lastly, replace your toothbrush every 3 months. The bristles that sweep away plaque won’t be of any use if they look like a toilet bowl wand.

Don’t Forget to Floss!

It’s scary to think only 1 in 4 Americans are flossing every day. However, you can’t trick yourself or your dentist, especially when they ask if you’ve been flossing. That’s why it’s important to learn to floss the right way.

The next time you’re in the bathroom, dust off your floss and wind about 12 in. of it around your index fingers. Gently move it between the crevices of your teeth in a curved motion, using about half an inch of floss for each tooth. You’ll be surprised by how much gunk you’ll pull out, and how yellow the floss strand will get. With practice, flossing will take as little as a minute.

Start Using Mouthwash

Having a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss may be one thing, but do you even have mouthwash in your bathroom? Mouthwash is of utter importance; it contains enzymes and minerals that not only repair your teeth, but also neutralizes any acidic foods and drinks you eat. Mouthwash is also useful, to help flush out any remaining chunks of food your floss didn’t reach.

However, we do have to say mouthwash is not an alternative to brushing your teeth. Too much mouthwash can cause dry mouth, which isn’t good if your plan is to have healthy teeth. Stick to swishing a tiny amount in the morning right after brushing and flossing.

Take a Look at Your Diet

Your stomach isn’t the first thing your food faces when getting digested. Your teeth are what breaks down your food into smaller portions for easier swallowing to begin with. Too many sugary or acidic foods can destroy your white teeth.

The next time you’re at the store, fill up your shopping cart with foods that are teeth-friendly. This includes fresh vegetables, non-citrus fruits and assorted nuts.

Quit Drinking Sodas

One of the biggest dangers to your teeth that goes under the radar is sodas. Far too often do we sip on carbonated drinks for an extended period of time not knowing the dangers soda poses to our teeth.

The primary problem is the high concentration of sugar in sodas. Sugar is food for bacteria in your mouth, and these bacteria excrete acidic juices afterwards. This can lead to terrible cases of tooth decay and worse. Keep your teeth healthy by limiting the consumption of sodas to less than one cup a day.

Cool Down on the Hot Drinks

Are you a coffee or tea type of person? These drinks are great for slow mornings, but here’s a wakeup call. Hot drinks can put your teeth at risk for the rest of the day. Scalding temperatures can cause dry mouth and stained teeth, neither of which are enjoyable.

To protect your teeth down the road and make sure they’re white and healthy for a lifetime, put down the entire coffee pot and limit yourself to a cup a morning.

Keep the Alcohol Under Control

Life is easy if you can go home and enjoy a beer or your favorite bottle of wine. However, if you at all care for your teeth you’ll take this wholeheartedly. Alcohol, especially red and white wines, are highly acidic. The acidity in these beverages are a primary cause of tooth decay, stained teeth and can leave your smile dull.

That doesn’t mean you have to give up these drinks entirely! As with the other drinks on the list, keeping it in moderation won’t be a problem for you or a healthy smile.

Stress Less!

It’s hard not to stress, but even the slightest amount of stress can impact a healthy smile. Stress causes anxiety-relieving habits, including grinding and teeth clenching, both of which can wear down the thin layer of enamel that protects your teeth.

Stress varies from person to person, as such so does any relief methods. However, to avoid teeth clenching during the day, chew sugar-free gum, and at night wear a protective mouthguard.

Wear a Mouthguard

Speaking of mouthguards, if you play sports it’s crucial that you wear one. In most sports, coaches won’t even let their players go onto the field without one, so why should you? A mouthguard protects your teeth from any knockout. You don’t want to go home with a bleeding lip and a missing tooth! That’s definitely the opposite of a white set of teeth.

Visit your nearest sporting outlet, or even come to the dentist. When you get a mouthguard, initially you’ll have to warm it up and mold it around your teeth so it’s comfortable when you later use it.

Visit the Dentist!

Keeping up with your teeth is well worth it, and who better to impress than your dentist! Visit your dentist to stay up-to-date on good oral care practices, as well as surprise them with your healthy, white teeth.

Botox is a standout among the most famous cosmetic treatments ever since it made its mark in the market. However, in spite of its worldwide acknowledgment, it is likewise may be the most misunderstood cosmetic procedures as well.

While it’s not difficult to get attracted with the guarantees of reversing the age and getting back your younger face in a few sessions, a lot of people who are captivated by this cosmetic treatment still shy away from trying out this procedure because of the myths encompassing botox treatment.

A few people are afraid that their face will ‘freeze’, the idea that most likely began from seeing many actors and actresses in the media, having a simply dead-like look. With their appearances solidified in an interminable shock, it appears like they themselves can’t trust how far they ran with their Botox utilization.

In reality, when appropriately managed, Botox will not only protect your facial expressions, but it will also remove the wrinkles and fine lines from the skin.

Botox was affirmed by the specialists to treat direct to extreme ageing lines between the eyebrows, yet is regularly utilised for different wrinkles as well. Botox is in this manner utilized for smoothing out forehead lines, crow’s feet (lines around the eye), lines around the mouth, skin circles on the neck, and the lists continues endlessly.

Those actors or actresses, with their abnormally angled eyebrows may essentially be the casualties of utilizing Botox infusions in a way they were never expected to be utilized. Legitimately controlled Botox infusions will smooth out the skin while safeguarding the natural curve of your eyebrows.

Utilizing Botox isn’t meant for you to look plastic or fake. Obviously, one should know when it’s the last straw, which is a lesson that was surely learned by those people who suffer from excessive infusions.

Many people stay away from getting a botox treatment because they consider it to be toxic materials. While Botox is without a doubt created from the possibly toxic botulinum microscopic organisms, the concentration of the toxic material in Botox is too low, so, when appropriately regulated by a certified surgeon. There’s no chance to get for a poison to some way or another spread outside of the little area where it is infused.

Botox treatment has the power to simply change your appearance. Now is the time when you can down a few years, and look young and fresh once again.

Since Botox surgery is usually controlled through infusions specifically to the muscle, many people believe that the whole treatment is a bit painful, but that’s not the truth. In any case, what you can hope to feel is more like an itching or a slight burning sensation. While wounding of the skin may happen, it will commonly clear in a couple of days.