Total Access Medical - Direct Primary Care Blog

Heavy Cannabis Use Increases Risk of Developing Anxiety Disorder, New Study Suggests

Mar 05, 2024 by Total Access Medical

 A new study says cannabis may not be so relaxing for everyone.

Researchers report that 27% of people who went to an emergency department for cannabis use developed a new anxiety disorder within three years.

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Boost Your Immune System This Winter In 5 Simple Ways

Jan 30, 2024 by Total Access Medical

Your immune system is a large network of organs, white blood cells, proteins, and chemicals that protect your body from germs and other invaders. The immune system also helps you heal after an injury or illness. It’s also very smart as it remembers every germ (microbe) it’s ever defeated, so if that microbe enters your body again, it can quickly be demolished. 

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Tips to Relieve Stress

Jan 04, 2024 by Total Access Medical

Stress is a destabilizer and a catalyst for other health problems because it messes with the optimal state of balance in our bodies.

Our sympathetic (‘fight, flight, or freeze’) nervous system gets fired up to respond to stressors, which triggers a range of physiological changes, such as the release of stress hormones and an increase of blood pressure. When this happens, nonessential activities like digestion are put on standby.

In the short term, these changes can help us cope with a stressor, but repeated or chronic activation of our body’s stress response can be a serious threat to our mental and physical wellbeing.

Over time, stress hormones like epinephrine and cortisol stop helping us and start being destructive to our bodies. Being in a constant state of stress increases strain on our hearts, suppresses our immune system, and increases inflammation

Here are evidence-based ways to relieve stress.

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8 Everyday Things That Age You

Jul 31, 2017 by William Kirkpatrick

While ageing is an inevitable part of life, how quickly or well you age depends on many different factors. Although there are some obvious causes of premature ageing, there are many seemingly harmless things that can also add on the years. And besides, no one wants to grow old before their time. 

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How Stress Influences Your Risk For Heart Disease and Stroke

Jul 24, 2017 by William Kirkpatrick

You're stuck in line at airport security and your plane leaves in 10 minutes. You become antsy. As your breath quickens and your muscles tense, your anxiety builds and it feels like you're on the verge of a heart attack.

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How Can I Improve My Memory?

Sep 26, 2016 by William Kirkpatrick

We live in a stress-filled, fast moving world in which remembering daily / weekly tasks can be difficult. Whether you're a student studying (or cramming) for exams, a working professional interested in doing all you can to stay mentally sharp, or a senior looking to preserve and enhance your brain power, there are lots of things you can do to improve your memory and mental performance. It's a well known fact that a strong memory depends on the health and vitality of your brain.

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Don't Let Your Personal Wellness Plan Stress You Out

Jul 27, 2015 by Richard Stamps

Remember, your personal wellness plan is supposed to encourage you, not defeat you. Here's how to make sure it helps instead of hurts.

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Make Stress Awareness Part of Your Personal Wellness Plan

Apr 14, 2015 by Richard Stamps

April is National Stress Awareness Month. Learn the signs, understand the statistics, and discover how to make stress-busting activities part of your personal wellness plan.

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