After all that we’ve gone through the past year and a half, understanding how to live happily while minimizing risk is one of the most significant takeaways from the pandemic experience.

In hindsight, taking better hygiene procedures at home and away and being aware of social distancing only makes perfect sense. Additionally, being better prepared and equipped in case of the next pandemic is a good learning experience.

In a previous post, the ways to prepare for a pandemic discussed things to do before a shutdown, and those lessons are ones we can take in other areas of our lives.

While the pandemic felt as if it came on suddenly, some of the preparedness tips are good for moving forward in everyday life.  For example, having an emergency fund set aside is good practice for natural disasters, illnesses, or just for those “rainy” days that might happen out of nowhere.

Those lessons taught me that things could change in a moment, and being proactive in preparation is better than being reactive and scrambling.

These lessons apply to all aspects of your life, from work to health.

When it comes to your health, getting regular exercise, eating right, getting the recommended amount of sleep are foundations for living well.

That said, it’s essential to understand that external things may cause long-term illness and disease, and often once symptoms appear, it may be challenging to treat.

For example, a headache can stem from blood pressure changes, barometric (and weather) changes, the onset of colds or cases of flu, or maybe of a more severe cause.

Symptoms for many different ailments may mimic each other, so it’s always best to get a professional examination to determine and diagnose the problem. Still, if you have a combination of symptoms, you may be sick or exposed to toxins that make you feel unwell.

For example, if you experience any of these symptoms in combination, you may have food poisoning, the flu, COVID, or another serious illness:

• Headaches

• Abdominal Cramps

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Fatigue

• Difficulty Breathing

We’ve all experienced these symptoms in our lifetimes, and while experience may provide you with a peace of mind, did you know that these symptoms are common when we are exposed to heavy metal toxins and poisoning?

What Is Heavy Metal Poisoning?

Heavy metal poisoning is when the body is exposed to and accumulates an increasing amount of heavy metals in the body.

In small amounts, heavy metals such as zinc are suitable for the body, but others such as Mercury, lead, or arsenic are severely dangerous and can have significant health issues.

There are local, state, and federal guidelines for heavy metals in everyday items as well as laws regarding lead in paint used in homes, but in reality exposure to heavy metals is going to occur. The key is to avoid any unnecessary or extreme amounts of heavy metal exposure.

In addition to some of the common symptoms of heavy metal exposure discussed above. Symptoms of severe exposure and poisoning may include:

Burning or Tingling Sensations: Heavy metals attach themselves in the blood to the central nervous system and may cause burning or tingling throughout the body.

Brain Fog: Heavy metal poisoning may cause difficulty in concentration, memory, or focus.

Insomnia: Sleep patterns may become disrupted and sleeping may be difficult.

Chronic Infections: The immune system becomes compromised and unable to handle the stressors of everyday viruses and other contaminants causing the immune system to be overwhelmed and underperform.

Visual Disturbances: Eyesight may fluctuate, visual hallucinations may occur.

Paralysis: Heavy metal poisoning may cause paralysis, including the vital organ functions, leading to death.

There are ways to avoid heavy metal exposure, from changing what you eat, the types of products you use, and getting a professional investigation of your home to determine the risks and dangers of everyday cleaning and painting products.

If you feel you’ve been exposed to heavy metals, there are at home heavy metal testing kits that are on the market for peace of mind. However, regardless of the results, it’s best practice to reach out to a poison control center and your Primary Care Physician for medical diagnosis and treatment options.