Anxiety or nervousness is a common brain and nervous disorder that many experience sometime or another. It is characterized by extreme panic and fear, uncontrolled and obsessive thoughts, nightmares and could even have symptoms like nausea, muscle tension, headaches(www.mitamins.com/disease/Headache.html) and stomachaches. A person could feel unconnected, dizzy, uncontrolled and suffer from palpations, chills and hot flushes.
There are several prescription drugs which are used in the treatment of anxiety disorder. Lorazepam, alprazolam, and buspirone are often prescribed along with antidepressants. Sometimes hormonal secretion from the thyroid or adrenal glands cause nervousness and need specific treatment. Psychological counseling may also be useful in the treatment of nervousness.
Food and well-being have been associated with mood since ancient times. Carbohydrates are known to be good mood elevators. They act as mild tranquilizers through increasing serotonin which is a calming neurotransmitter in the brain. It is better to eat complex carbohydrates such as potatoes, whole wheat bread and pasta as they take longer to digest and thus one feels full for longer.
Vitamin B, especially B-6, also helps in the manufacture of serotonin in the brain. Supplements of Vitamin B6 have been used in the treatment of anxiety disorder. Food rich in antioxidants together with essential fats help in improving energy levels and may relieve the feelings of anxiety. Dehydration may also add to anxiety and nervousness, so it is advisable to ensure a good fluid intake. Hot drinks may have a calming effect, but try avoid excess caffeine. Herbal teas and hot milky drinks may be especially helpful, especially before bed.
There is ongoing research regarding specific vitamins and minerals in the treatment of nervousness. Inositol, a cyclic polyalcohol, plays an important role as a second messenger in a cell. Though it is classified as a B vitamin, it is not really a vitamin as the human body can synthesize it. It has been used to help people suffering from panic attacks and relieves the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder. A trial has shown that when it is supplemented with multivitamins, it can reduce anxiety or nervousness. It is found in many foods, especially those with high bran content. Magnesium has also proved to be an important reliever of anxiety and so may present another useful nutrient to supplement in the treatment of nervousness.
There are many herbs associated with the treatment of nerbvousness. Herbal chamomile tea is often used to combat insomnia(www.mitamins.com/disease/Insomnia.html) associated with anxiety attacks. Passion flower, bacopa and kava are also used in herbal tonics given to reduce anxiety. A drink made of the root of kava and used extensively in Polynesia is a well known relaxant. In one study when used for one week, it helped subjects to reduce both depression(www.mitamins.com/disease/Depression.html) and high anxiety levels and nervousness. These herbs must be taken under supervision as they could have other side effects.
Sometimes dieting though calorie reduction and using diet pills can contribute to anxiety disorder. Diets should be undertaken with care and it may be important to seek professional guidance. Reducing and perhaps even cutting out alcohol and coffee have shown remarkable improvement in the levels of anxiety for some people and generally assist with the treatment of nervousness.
Mitamins Team
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/calming-nervousness-with-diet-95470.html
Nervous dog? Any calming tips?
I have owned a Boerboel dog for a couple months. He was adopted and I got little info on his history. He seems to be scared of almost everything. He is always nervous and at all times all his muscles seem to be tense. He is not gaining weight (not stick thin, but needs a little more weight) because no matter what changes I do to his diet it makes no difference. He loves me and the family but is dead scared of new people. I have taken him to the vet and and he can only recommend sedatives which I can only give on rare occasions. He has been to a behaviourist and apparently it is chemical problem that cant be fixed with training. Does anybody have any ideas how to try get rid of this nervousness or does anybody know of a natural product I can give him to help?
When i went to training I was told if the dog is nervous with somethign whether its thunder or people, your suppose to play with them (ball or whatever they like) while its thundering or new people are coming in. They will come around! Probably just needs a little time!!
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When he gets really nervous take him into a room where no one is and calm him down, pet him, rub his belly, etc. He will eventually get used to new people. I had a rescued dog that was thrown out the window of a car on the highway and he was the same way and thats what i did. and when he still went crazy i would put his leash on him and hold him really close to me till he calmed down.
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Low voices, no quick movements, and though it may seem mean, enclose him with nowhere to hide in a somewhat busy room for a short period of time each day for a couple of months.
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you shoulod seriously look at using dap.
It come in collars, room diffusers and sprays and is said to mimic the bitches hormones at birth that she emites ot calm her pups.
You can by then on any good pet website or from your vet
My sister-in-laws collie wears a dap collar and we have seen an imporvement in her nerves
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Good for you for saving a dog, and for trying so hard to make him better. Look up Rescue Remedy–it is a product that has a website of the same name, and it is used largely to calm dogs over a variety of situations, and I have found it useful in my rescued, emotionally unstable dog (now doing great.) You may also look up a holistic or homeopathic veterinarian who will work wonders with Chinese herbs and accupuncture. Don’t scoff at this type of "medication" as I promise it works! Ask around at vets, dog parks, dog shows if anyone knows of such a vet in your area. Also, that vet will know how to put your dog on a natural diet that is chemical free–such as lean meat and veggies cooked by you–that will work for your dog’s system. As well, you must get a second opinion (or third) on the behavioral training. I have worked with many shelter dogs and while a few dogs have a few traits that could not be "trained out", most dogs, with good training, can become great pets! I have trained dogs that have that nervous problem, likely due to improper socialization, so I know it can be done, but frankly it is a long process with many little steps and I can not go into it here, so please find another dog trainer to help you help you dog. I have seen many many dogs go from nervous, unsocialized, emotional wrecks to AWESOME pets!!! You just have to find the right trainer. And to get started, there are also great books on the subject matter at the library and at Petsmart.
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