Anxiety and Stress

 Anxiety and Stress.

A 17yr old had come for CT scan. She had been complaining of abdominal pain since 6 months  Not relieving on medications.Her Ultrasound and Blood reports were normal.
Parents were anxious. They insisted on CT scan.
As soon the scan began, the girl became very cold.She started shivering and complained of breathing difficulty,giddiness.
So I was called in Emmergency.
I checked her vitals Monitoring too didn't find any abnormalities  .
This type of episode was her main complaint along with abdominal pain.
A 35yr lady,was in her last trimester of pregnancy.
She had 2 female children from previous pregnancies .
Anxiety and stress of bearing male child this time,lead to shooting up of her blood pressure .She had to undergo Emmergency Csection at 30weeks itself due to high Blood pressure. This time,too ,she got female baby.2hrs post operative, ,she started bleeding copiously. Her blood pressure which was initially 160/100mmHg inspite of 2 anti Hypertensive drugs,dropped. She became irritable,sweating and complained of difficulty in breathing  ...Anxiety ,stress on hearing about birth of 3rd female child.
A 35yr old,young man came to Casualty complaining of profuse sweating and chest pain.ECG and blood investigations done were found within normal limits.But he was very Anxious and stressed.So kept under observation.
The next 6hrs,repeated ECG and blood investigations were carried out.All normal. Suddenly 3hrs later,he developed breathing problems along with sweating and chest pain. He arrested before any intervention could be done.

3 different incidences.

But underlying common cause - Anxiety and Stress.

These 2 issues are now very commonly seen in many people. As young as 4yr Olds,teens,Geriatrics  ...
It's appalling to see 4yr old come with abdominal pain,Acidity due to Anxiety and Stress .....cause is multiple.
Teens more during  exams,competitive exams coaching period.
Geriatrics due to loneliness.
Other age groups cite work and family pressure.

Anxiety and Stress....
These are common causes of Lifestyle diseases.
Hypertension, Diabetes, Arthritis, Gastric disorders.
Multiple medical conditions.
As Anaesthesiologist, I have seen many patients with unusual pain all over body,Breathlessness, Profuse sweating....at times Hysteria.
Another outcome of severe Anxiety and Stress during Surgery, I have encountered is sudden onset of Congestive Cardiac Failure leading to Pulmonary Edema post operative few hours.Doxumented in Journals as " Brokenheart Syndrome ".
Sudden, Acute reversible condition.
Today ,life is fast paced and competitive right since a child enters world.
Rat race puts lot of pressure and causes Anxiety and Stress.

A volatile, unpredictable and ever changing natural environment, political scenario and global economy makes life indecisive and adds to an always stressful personality.

Role of Technology in Anxiety and Stress-

Technology helps in  making our lives easier and convenient.
But Technology especially AI and Digital world leads to over information. Easily accessible and available.
When unwanted and excess data is available, the mind gets confused and undecided.Always anxious and more stressed.

Digitalisation and Social media platforms bring everything and anything at your doorsteps with just a tap of index finger.
Hence,people are ever impatient and restless.
Small issues get highlighted leading to Anxiety and Stress.We are ever comparing and depressed.

Data privacy and Data invasion-
Technology provides lots of data and information to AI and Social media platforms.
Data privacy is a big issue today.
Invasion of personal private information and life so openly available. This leads to intrusion and trespassing.

Cyber bullying, Cyber crimes,Thefts, Arrests.....
Innocent minds are brutally trolled and manipulated.
Misused and Brainwashed.

Today,AI and Technology are adding to lots of Anxiety and Stress to minds which are already burdened by Family issues,employment issues,competition, escalating costs,Inflation, Political wars,unrests,natural calamities, climate change ....endless list.

How do we ourselves deal with Anxiety and Stress....
How do we teach our children to cope with life ?

External factors like natural calamities, political unrest and global economy is not totally in our control.
But,internal factors related to our life, health, lifestyle depends upon choices we make.
Healthy lifestyle and choices.
Physical and Mental health care.
Sports and Creativity help in good physical and mental health.
Meditation and Yoga have good benefits  .

Technology and Social media usage  .
Mind control is necessary at all ages to prevent Technology from controlling and overpowering us.

Life is challenging and unpredictable.
Accepting and Enjoying.
In the end....it's always...
Que Cera Cera....

- Dr Tripti Milind Galgali
Hubli.