Stress Management Doctors (Who Don’t Lecture)
How Integrative Stress Management Doctors Can Help
Perhaps at no time in history have Americans been under this much stress, bombarding us from all angles. From the aftermath of Covid-19 to global financial uncertainties, and a politically divided nation, we are all feeling the pressure. Add to that the day-to-day pressures of parenting in a digital world, working in a competitive market, and juggling the rest of our responsibilities … and it can truly be overwhelming.
Yes, stress is a normal part of life, and our bodies are designed to respond to stressors in ways that help us survive. However, chronic stress can have serious physical and mental health consequences for both women and men. Managing stress means more than just soldiering-on endlessly. If we ignore stress, sooner or later our mind and bodies will be at their breaking point, with dangerous mental and physical consequences.
Sadly, many people do not get help with stress management until it is too late. Most people get professional help with their taxes or changing the oil on their car – yet they refuse to get help for the stress in their lives. But a holistic, integrative medicine doctor like Nishath Hakim, MD at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak, MI can offer you proven medical tools to deal with stress – before it takes an irreparable toll on your mind and body.
How a Holistic Stress Management Doctor Can Help
Everybody’s life is different. That is why seeing a holistic, ‘integrative’ medicine doctor who looks at the whole person is important. Dr. Hakim at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak, MI focuses on the whole situation rather than just treating specific symptoms. She will work with each patient to diagnose the root causes and effects of mental and physical problems.
This includes using the most advanced techniques – including blood tests for hormone imbalance and GI-MAP gut health assessment. She then helps the patient employ a variety of approaches to reduce stress and promote healing, including nutrition, exercise, body-mind practices, supplements, and other forms of complementary medicine – as well as connection with a counselor or therapist and/ or natural hormone replacement or other medications only if necessary.
Most Common Causes of Stress
The primary causes of stress can vary widely from individual to individual. Financial stress is often the most significant source of stress for both women and men, and can include factors such as accumulated debt, job loss, rising costs, college expenses for children, lack of retirement funds, tax debt, and general financial instability.
Relationship stress is another obvious significant source of stress for both women and men and can include factors such as marital or partner conflict, divorce, dealing with teens, aging parents, difficult neighbors, family problems, and even the grief experienced when a loved one is lost.
And of course, work-related stress is a common cause of pressure for both women and men, and can include factors such as high workloads, difficult bosses or coworkers, looming deadlines, and long hours working or commuting. Health-related stress such as chronic illness, injury, and disability of yourself or a family member can also be overwhelming.
We all also experience environmental stress every day: pollution, poor diet, climate extremes, sitting in traffic, noisy neighbors, allergens, and more.
Why Stress Management is a Medical Issue
People tend to think that stress is “all in the mind.” But this could not be farther from the truth! Exposure to chronic stress actually causes several physiological changes in the body, affecting nerve endings, hormones, and cells in several ways. This is why it is important to see a stress management doctor like Dr. Hakim at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak, MI.
Chronic stress can activate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline. These hormones can cause an increase heart rate, leading to an increased risk of heart disease. Adrenaline and noradrenaline can cause blood vessels to constrict, leading to increased blood pressure and reduced blood flow to vital organs.
Chronic stress can also lead to increased cortisol levels, which can cause the breakdown of muscle tissue, increased blood sugar levels (Type 2 Diabetes), and decreased immune function. Additionally, chronic stress can lead to decreased thyroid function, which can cause fatigue, weight gain, and depression.
Further, chronic stress can also affect cells in the body, leading to an increase in inflammation, leading to an increased risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Stress is also proven to decrease immune function, making individuals more susceptible to infections and illnesses. And, unmanaged stress can cause telomeres (the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes) to shorten, which can accelerate the aging process and increase the risk of age-related diseases.
Holistic Stress Management Doctor
The last thing someone under stress needs is to be lectured by a doctor who chastises them that they “need to lose weight” or “stop smoking” or “relax more.”
A holistic doctor like Dr. Hakim at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak, MI can help manage stress through lifestyle changes, mind-body practices, supplements, hormone balancing, and even medication and/or referrals to counseling when necessary. A holistic doctor takes an integrative approach to health, which means they consider the whole person, including their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
In addition to assisting a patient with lifestyle changes a holistic stress management doctor may also suggest dietary changes. Eating a properly balanced diet can help regulate hormones and neurotransmitters that play a role in stress and mood. For example, foods high in omega-3 fatty acids like fish and nuts have been shown to reduce inflammation and improve mood.
Supplements can also be helpful in managing stress. After doing blood work, Dr. Hakim can identify and prescribe supplements that can help improve energy, reduce anxiety, and promote overall well-being. Mind-body practices like meditation, yoga, and tai chi can also be helpful in managing stress. These practices have been shown in clinical studies to reduce cortisol, improve physical health, and reduce symptoms of chronic diseases.
In some cases, medication can also be useful in managing stress. A holistic doctor may recommend natural or integrative medicine options, such as CBD oil or low-dose antidepressants, and/or safe, low dosage prescription medications to manage stress-related symptoms.
Stress Management Doctor | Royal Oak, MI
Overall, a holistic doctor can help manage stress and improve physical, mental, and sexual health and enjoyment through a variety of different approaches. By taking an integrative approach to health, a holistic doctor can help patients achieve optimal health and well-being. When it comes to managing stress, a holistic doctor will focus on a variety of different approaches to help improve a patient’s physical, mental, and sexual health and enjoyment.
