| The
Basic Facts of High Blood Pressure |
The heart is a tough operating mechanism
which moves blood around the body through a very advanced
system called arteries and capillaries; the blood is then
carried back to the heart by means of veins. Blood pressure
is the thrust of this blood in the body pushing up against
the inside walls of the arteries as the heart is pumping.
As the heart compresses it will drive this
blood into the arteries which makes an increase in pressure.
This increase in pressure is noted as systolic pressure.
When the heart decompresses and fills with
blood, the pressure in the arteries then declines which is
noted as the diastolic pressure. When the blood pressure is
evaluated in the arm, it is both of these pressures which
are evaluated.
Blood pressure is always applied as a systolic
and diastolic pressure number, and is an important measurement.
The measurements are always written one preceding or before
the other number, such as 120/80 and always stated in millimeters
of mercury (mmHg).
The systolic pressure is the 1st or top side
number, and the diastolic pressure is the 2nd or lowermost
number (for example, 120/80), so if your blood pressure is
120/80, it is translating to 120 over 80.
Blood pressure will have a wide range with
a variety of people. For example, the top reading which is
when the heart contracts (systolic) can change from 90 to
240 mmHg and the bottom pressure which is when the heart relaxes
(diastolic) can often change from 40 to 160 mmHg.
Blood pressure can also vary significantly
depending on what you are doing during the day. The lowest
blood pressures usually happen when you are sleeping or if
resting all the muscles. Standing for periods of time, or
if you're performing any form of exercise, any anxiety and
problems, or nerviness can also create increases in blood
pressure.
That means in one day the blood pressure
could change by up to a 30 to 40 mmHg systolic reading with
like changes in the diastolic pressure. This is why it's so
crucial to have the blood pressure taken under the same conditions
each time.
For the bulk of the waking hours, the blood
pressure remains about the same whether you are sitting or
standing still, so ideally, the blood pressure should be 120/80
or lower when the body is rested.
If the blood pressure is steady and remains
high at 140/90 or higher, this may indicate a disease called
Hypertension which essentially means high blood pressure.
When the blood pressure is high, the heart has to work more
to get the blood through your arteries. These then take a
beating from having the blood pressured into them, and the
danger of a stroke, heart attack, or even kidney troubles
then become that much of a greater risk.
High blood pressure is a serious disease
because it has the heart working much harder. If the heart
has to work harder for extended periods, it will become large.
If the heart is slightly enlarged, it can and should still
work alright, but if it becomes greatly enlarged it won't
work alright. High blood pressure can also cause damage to
the arteries which can lead to arterial disease.
The higher the blood pressure is the more
risk you have of acquiring heart disease and stroke. This
means somebody with a blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg is at
greater risk than someone with a blood pressure of 120/70
mmHg. And is the reason it is so important for all to lead
a wholesome lifestyle to make sure their blood pressure is
as low and as healthy as it can be.
If you put up with Hypertension, it can be
treated. Modest cases of Hypertension can usually be treated
through lifestyle changes such as the diet, or increasing
the workout levels. Some find dropping weight is all that
is needed to lower their high blood pressure.
Severe cases of Hypertension will need prescription
medications such as diuretics and beta blockers. Diuretics
aid the body in getting rid of any excess fluids and salt.
But, from individual experience, keep track of potassium levels
also. Beta blockers will lower the heart rate and the hearts
output of blood. These then lower the risk of developing heart
and brain problems. |
| By James
Ellison |
|
| Diet
And Exercise - The Two Sides Of The Coin |
Diet and exercise should go hand in hand,
the basic principle of any diet is to use more calories than
you consume so you are in a calorific deficit.
Cutting back calories is one way of reaching your goal,
only if you are using up more calories during the day than
you consume without activity. But to boost your chances
of losing fat you must exercise.
There are many reasons why exercise is an important factor
in your lifestyle, but exercising when you are wishing to
lose weight is sensible as your body's natural response
to calorie cutting is to go into starvation mode. Starvation
mode is when your body slows down the metabolism so it can
conserve the energy your body has to make it last longer.
So rather than drastically cutting calories it is more advisable
to exercise.
Aerobic exercise is the way to increase the amount of calories
you burn. Aerobic exercise will raise your heart rate which
increases the amount of calories you burn. Exercises include,
running, walking, swimming, cycling and jogging, of course
there are many more aerobic activities to choose from its
just a matter of personal taste.
Here are some tips to help you lose weight:
Eat less processed foods and more fresh produce.
Eat and chew your food slowly, try to stop eating before
you feel full. It takes around 20 minutes for the stomach
to tell the brain that it is full.
Exercise, even if it is just a small walk, every little
helps.
Drink plenty of water, 6 – 8 glasses a day, this
is very important not only to help you lose weight, but
for your general well being.
Make your food portions smaller.
Eat smaller meals more frequently, try including protein
with each meal as it digests slower and keeps your blood
sugar levels on an even keel.
Remember that there are times when you are going to have
off days, and you may eat a little more than you should
or exercise a little less. Don't feel guilty as it is perfectly
normal, just stay motivated and determined and you will
be fine.
If you decide that you are going to try one of the popular
diets on the market, ie Weight Watchers, Atkins, South Beach
Diet or The Zone Diet, you must speak to your doctor first.
|
| By Lucy
Bartlett |
|
| Finding
the Best Acne Treatment for Your Troubled Skin |
Acne causes embarrassment and discouragement for millions
of people. Most are in their teen years, but adults are
affected, too. There are many choices of acne treatment
on the market. Some are well formulated, while others are
weak and ineffective. Finding the best acne treatment for
your skin can improve your outlook, and your looks.
The best products for treating your acne are natural, gentle
products. Look for botanical ingredients in the list. Some
herbal ingredients that are healing to blemished skin include
sage, yarrow, coltsfoot, wild thyme, horsetail, althea (or
marshmallow), and balm mint (or melissa). Aloe vera is a
well known skin healer, and is often included in good acne
products.
Also valuable in a treatment remedy for acne are certain
essential oils. Some essential oils are harsh for skin.
(None should be used straight, but should always be diluted
with a carrier oil!) The best acne treatment products might
include oils such as lavender, rose, tangerine, and geranium.
These are not only healing to the skin, but will make the
product smell great, too.
If the product is made with a transdermal system, any vitamins
or herbal ingredients will be able to absorb into the skin
and treat the acne where it starts. Some vitamins that might
be included in a topical acne treatment include vitamin
C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and pro vitamin B5.
Just like healthy food for the body, the best acne treatment
will provide nourishment and nutrition directly to the skin.
The skin tends to reveal the health of a person. What shows
up on the outside often indicates a deficiency or need on
the inside. Getting a healthy diet can help you overcome
your acne, and is a good addition to make to your use of
good products.
Even the best products, however, won't clear up that acne
if they are used inconsistently. It's a good idea to get
into the routine of taking your vitamin supplements and
cleansing your face every day. Don't let procrastination
or disorganization leave you without time for taking care
of yourself. The skin is the largest organ in the body.
It is a major agent in removing toxins from the body. It
needs to be pampered and cared for.
A moisturizer is also an important part of an acne treatment.
Like other components, it needs to be 100% natural, or it
can make matters worse by contributing to clogging the pores.
Make sure you take the time to read the label to make sure
the ingredients are natural botanicals, nutrients, and healthful
oils.
Some people say you should try to use only products on
your skin that you would be willing to put in your mouth.
This might not always be the case, since the skin does act
like a filter, while absorbing nutrients and other substances.
Still, one should be cautious about using unnatural products.
|
| By Jim
McDonald |
|
| Choosing
the Right Wheelchair For You |
Most people are familiar with prescriptions from a doctor
for medications, but not for mobility aids such as wheelchairs
or even crutches. The process of choosing the right wheelchair
can be especially difficult, because the types of options
available are as varied as the types of people in the world
and their various lifestyles.
Depending on what you do on a daily basis, you may need
a chair with a pressure-relieving cushion, brake extensions,
or other special options in order to make it effective.
Since a wheelchair is designed to either fully provide or
significantly add to your mobility, it's vital that you
get the right chair for you.
Unlike prescriptions for medications, which are very specific,
a doctor's prescription for a wheelchair often reads "a
wheelchair". This is partly because most General Practitioners
are not experts in physical medicine and so they are not
really qualified to make a suggestion as to exactly what
type of chair you'll require.
When possible, it is a very good idea to go through the
selection process with a qualified physiotherapist or occupational
therapist who knows what your daily routine and lifestyle
look like so that they can help you get the chair that properly
suits your needs.
Depending on what your requirements are, you may need to
have your doctor write a somewhat specific prescription
for insurance purposes. If you'll be spending a significant
amount of time in your chair, or if you have particular
needs in terms of posture or support, these options can
represent a considerable expense above a basic wheelchair
system – for many insurers to provide payment, they
require that these options be outlined by a physician, which
means that you may need to have the prescription re-written
by your doctor after an evaluation with a rehabilitation
professional.
Although evaluations are not yet required by all insurers,
most rehabilitation personnel consider them an absolute
requirement – people always test-drive a car before
buying it, and in the same way you should get to test-drive
your wheelchair and have a professional opinion to ensure
that it will do what you need it to.
Getting a professional evaluation before purchasing your
wheelchair is the best way to ensure that you get a chair
that will support you in doing what you need to do on a
daily basis so that you can live comfortably and do the
things that you want and need to do, so even if your insurer
doesn't demand one – insist on it!
|
| Raquel Simons has done extensive
research on wheelchairs and related topics. She also acts as
a freelance writer for http://www.thewheelchairsite.com/ |
|
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News |
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