Clinic Updates with Health and Wellness Reminders
Willow Holistic Health continues to evolve to meet the needs of our patients. I think by now many of you have ‘met’ our lovely virtual assistant Chamille. Yes, she is real, not AI. She is so kind and will help you with everything she can.
Evocare billing is still managing our billing situation, we can always send a message to him and his company if you have any needs regarding invoicing etc. I will say, Elation Health does not have the greatest billing program ever made, and this is one of the reasons, that over the next few months we will be switching to a new system called Bioinsights. It will start with us just using their AI note taking, and then we will make the whole switch next year. I have been very impressed with them so far. The last thing I wanted to do was change EHRs again, but, I think the benefits of this one will far outweigh the challenges of changing. Never the less, for the sake of ease, when you have a moment, download all of your lab and imaging results, just so you will have access to them on your own computer, or print them off, whatever you prefer.
Now, fall is here, and it is that reflective time when the earth begins turning inward, with the energy of all living things going back underground. This is a time when we can do the same, a time when we can pull back a bit and spend some intentional time focusing on what is important to us, and envisioning our future, and our wish. It is a time of color, and beauty with good smells, and fresh and wonderful foods. No matter what is happening around you, try to bring these into your world. Cook a new dish, go for a hike in a new place, clean a spot in your home and create a meditation or reading nook. These little efforts are important for our physical and mental wellness, and go a long way to help ameliorate stress and anxiety.
Lets talk about the affects of chronic unrelenting stress that keeps the body's stress-response systems switched on long after they're useful, and the wear shows up across nearly every system.
Hormonal and metabolic. Our stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine are made to be available in abundance for short periods of time, when in danger, or during an acute illness. However, when the stress hormone cortisol stays elevated, it can raise blood sugar, promote fat storage (especially around the abdomen), and contribute to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes over time. It can also disrupt thyroid function and reproductive hormones, leading to irregular menstrual cycles, lower libido, and fertility problems.
Cardiovascular. Sustained adrenaline and cortisol raise heart rate and blood pressure. Over years this contributes to hypertension, arterial damage, inflammation, and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
Immune system. Short bursts of stress can briefly boost immunity, but chronic stress suppresses it. People tend to catch more infections, heal more slowly, and respond less well to vaccines. Chronic stress also promotes low-grade systemic inflammation, which is linked to autoimmune flares and many chronic diseases.
Digestive. The gut and brain are closely connected, so stress can cause or worsen acid reflux, stomach pain, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. It's a well-established trigger for irritable bowel syndrome symptoms and can change the gut microbiome.
Musculoskeletal. Muscles stay tense, leading to tension headaches, neck and shoulder pain, jaw clenching (and teeth grinding), and lower back pain. Chronic pain conditions often get worse under stress.
Brain and mental health. Prolonged cortisol exposure affects the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, which will literally shrink in the presence of chronically elevated cortisol levels. This impairs memory, concentration, and decision-making. Chronic stress is a major risk factor for anxiety, depression, irritability, burnout, and emotional exhaustion.
Sleep. Stress and poor sleep feed each other. Racing thoughts and elevated cortisol make it harder to fall or stay asleep, and sleep loss then makes the body more reactive to stress.
Skin and hair. Stress can aggravate acne, eczema, psoriasis, and hives, and can trigger hair shedding.
Behavioral effects. Indirectly, chronic stress often pushes people toward habits that compound the damage: overeating, alcohol or tobacco use, less exercise, and social withdrawal.
What helps. Regular physical activity, consistent sleep, social connection, and practices like mindfulness, deep breathing, or time in nature all reduce the body's stress load. Therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral approaches, can be very effective, and addressing the underlying source of stress when possible matters most. If stress has been persistent and you're noticing physical symptoms, mood changes, or trouble functioning, it's worth talking with a doctor, since some of these effects are treatable and others can be mistaken for separate medical conditions.
There are a lot of amino acids and supplements that can help to support the adrenal glands and repair the hippocampus and other bodily systems. If you are interested in have a wellness work-up specifically around chronic stress, just give us a call. 603-678-6269
More to Come