Taking a Toddler's Blood Pressure

I'll describe both before I get into the why and how bits. Sapphire Samurai is a 21 year old Balinese cat. Being at that age, which is positively ancient for a cat, requires special handling. This includes taking his blood pressure at each visit.

I have to say I was skeptical. That vet's office has handled our animals since 1981. They know the cat.

It took three of us. It's taken on the tail and it is a very small cuff. As you might understand there was some human blood shed... mostly mine.

The toddler blood pressure idea made me just as skeptical. This is in part because I am not particularly impressed with the care at that office. Our granddaughter was not impressed nor was she pleased. She can shriek loud enough to damage hearing and did so.

The above information may help you if you face a time when a toddler near and dear to your heart needs checked. There are some very good reasons for it.

Why: The child had required an emergency breathing treatment. That treatment causes the heart rate to soar and the blood pressure right along with it. It is frightening to see a small child's pulse at 174/minute.

There are other reasons. Some disorders start young and cause problems with the numbers, both too low and too high. Obesity can start the process early. In these cases doctors often want to start as early age-wise as possible in order to have a baseline.

How: The process is the same. Managing to do it is not. It's best to have a short sleeved shirt on to dispense with the fight to roll the sleeves up. You may have to hold the child still. In fact, it may take one person to hold the arm, one to hold the child and one to do the test.

Problem: An agitated child will have a higher set of numbers than a calm child. If you know things that will help keep the child calm and amused by all means bring them. The medical assistant will bless you for it.

If you do see numbers that seem inappropriate ask the doctor to explain them to you. It may be a temporary problem like ours with the rescue inhaler. It could also be a sign of something much worse. Dealing with an unhappy toddler is far better than dealing with an illness that could have been prevented.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8944070

Read More

How To Stay Healthy During The Holidays

During the holiday season, most people attend a lot of dinner parties or have family and friends over for get-togethers to celebrate. But what you must remember is how to stay smart during meals and snack times to prevent any weight gain. There are three easy steps you must follow to remain healthy during the holidays. The following three steps are simple recommendations to continue looking and feeling good while enjoying time with those you love during the holidays.

1. Drink plenty of water.

If you drink a cup of water before meals and snacks, you will be less likely to eat as much. Drink at least half of your body weight in water throughout the day. This will not only prevent you from becoming dehydrated, but will make you feel more full, so you will not eat as much. Drinking plenty of water will also cleanse excess salts and other impurities, such as alcohol, from your body's systems, thereby preventing bloating and swelling of your joints and extremities.

2. Remember a serving size is your hand full.

When it is time to serve yourself, only put a hand full of your favorite entrees and desserts on your plate. Do not overindulge with multiple scoops of food because this will lead to overconsumption and additional calories that will lead to excess pounds on the scale. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also safe suggestions to eat, but also remember less is more. You do not have to fill your plate with food to enjoy time with your loved ones.

3. Exercise daily.

You should do at least thirty minutes of cardiovascular exercise every day. Muscle strengthening exercises are also recommended while working abdominal muscles daily, but you should alternate working your other different muscle groups every other day, too. For instance, you should jog thirty minutes every day and do crunches and planks to strengthen your core and abdominal muscles daily, but you should alternate doing arm exercises Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and do leg exercises Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

By following these simple three steps, you should surely maintain your healthy weight during the holidays and maybe even shed some pounds. These are basic recommendations that will keep your weight down and heart healthy. Enjoy your time with your family and friends, but remember to think smart while eating and drinking during the holidays to prolong those precious moments for future years to come.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9274317

Read More

Resolutions for Higher Fitness - Let's See Them Materialize

Did you know that when we make New Year resolutions, nearly 70% of these pertain to achieving higher fitness levels? Most of us strive to achieve higher fitness levels. Wake up in the morning, go jogging, and maybe reduce sugar in the diet.

But often it's all to no avail. This comes with disappointments, one may occasionally feel down, but life goes on.

There are some secrets to weight loss which are simple, but many of us might not know about the same.

Weight loss often has a lot to do with metabolism. Metabolism, in a very scientific way is the rate at which the body burns, or metabolizes food such that it can be used for producing energy.

If the body metabolizes food at just the right rate, it makes sure that an individual is fitter. One could say that if the rate of metabolism is high, one is more energetic. And that's because the food converts faster into energy, so one has the energy to do more.

However, if one's rate of metabolism is slower, one might cease to feel energetic, even if one eats well. In this scenario, the food does not convert to energy in entirety, and the body makes a switchover from food to energy conversion mechanism to a food to fat conversion mechanism.

So the food that an individual eats is stored as fat in the body. This leads to obesity, and in some situations, may even account for the numerous disorders associated with obesity.

A factor very often linked with an individual's rate of metabolism is the muscle mass one has in the body. If one has higher muscle mass in the body, the body is empowered to burn more calories in less time, or with less effort, and vice versa.

We should consider some very simple examples to explain this concept.

If two people, one who has more muscle mass as compared to another, together walk a mile, the one who has more muscle mass, would burn more calories in the distance covered.

This is very similar to the scenario where one covers a mile in a Ferrari or in one of the cars with a lower power engines, such as a Fiat. In the same distance covered, a Ferrari would consume more fuel, for the very simple reason that it has a higher horsepower.

While one is trying to lose weight, an equally important way to go about the same is by making sure that one maintains a right diet. So if one is able to ensure that

- One limits the consumption of calories

- But one stays fit and supple, even while one limits the consumption of calories,

It could be the finest ways to lose weight, entirely by focusing on one's diet.

In this regard, consumption of herbal based products can help one lose weight, because when one consumes herbal products, the body stays supple. So one finds the energy for one's everyday tasks, and one does not feel the desire to iteratively go for high calorie or sugary foods.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9275037

Read More

Positivity Is the Key to Sustainable Weight Loss

Happy New Year everyone. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, catching up with family and friends. Hopefully you are rested and recharged ready for a fantastic 2016 full of joy and possibilities.

I'm sure most of you would have made New Year's resolutions and have set some exciting goals. However, often people set goals or resolutions around health and well-being that are based on negativity, deprivation and restriction. These are never sustainable long term as we generally force ourselves to do something we don't want to do simply because we think we "should".

If we need to lose weight or get fitter and we "make" ourselves eat less and exercise more we begin to resent it. We either start to crave what we shouldn't have, overdo the exercise and get injured or simply don't do it because we are not enjoying it.

For a sustainable change to happen, I believe we need to simply be mindful of our negative habits around our health and find some positive ways to make the changes required. If we enjoy doing it, we will feel empowered to keep it up. This starts by simply listening to what our body is telling us so we can tune into its natural instincts.

Our body knows when it needs nourishment and when it has had enough, however a lot of us have simply stopped listening to it. A great analogy of this is when you are filling up your car with petrol and when it's full you simply stop otherwise it would just keep spilling over and over. So why do we keep giving our body more food when we know it's had enough? I believe it is because we use food for comfort instead of the physical need of hunger and we tune out to the feeling of fullness because the food is serving a greater need at the time.

I have been eating "naturally" (mindfully) now for 20 years. What that means is I eat when I am hungry and stop when I am satisfied. I eat exactly what I want and I stop when I have physically had enough. I am able to do this easily as I no longer use food for comfort. All the steps are positive and empowering and I do other things that give me pleasure in those moments when I need comfort.

I had also eaten negatively for 20 years and tried all sorts of diet programs and excessive exercise regimes. But none of them worked because they were all negative, based on deprivation and restriction. Natural Eating works long term because it is positive. I eat small amounts regularly which gives me joy, satisfaction and energy. In turn this enables me to exercise in a way that I enjoy because it gives me pleasure, not because I have to.

If you want to make positive sustainable changes around your health and well-being this year, I encourage you to eat naturally, which is simply learning to tune back into your body's natural instincts.

Prior to discovering Natural Eating in 1996, I'd had food and weight related issues for over 20 years. Through combining Natural Eating with Personal Development, I have maintained a healthy and natural weight ever since. I now run my own business, Nourish 'N Nurture, teaching people how to develop a healthy relationship with food.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9276063

Read More

Simple Ways to Improve Your Glucose Levels

How to Help Control Your Glucose Levels Naturally

My Dad was a diabetic for 43 years. I watched as he struggled many times to keep his glucose levels in a safe range. I saw how diabetes begin to destroy his body. I have had a pre-diabetic condition for 11 years. For the past year I have really focused on how to control my glucose levels so that I can avoid diabetes. My Step-dad has had diabetes for a few years but has found a way to greatly improve is glucose levels. This is what I have learned.

Find the Right Diet

When a person has diabetes or a pre-diabetic condition it is imperative that they find a healthy diet. My step-dad was able to lose over 75 pounds. As he lost weight his glucose levels went down. It is important to get to a healthy weight. He drastically changed his diet, or way of eating lifestyle, that also worked in lowering his glucose. 

The diet that he is using eliminates sugar, processed flour and includes high carbs separate from high fats. Stevia, a natural sweetener, is a great replacement for sugar. It takes about half the amount of stevia to get the same sweetness as sugar and there is not the "high" that can come from sugar. Also, do not skip meals. In fact, eat several small meals a day in order to keep your blood sugar levels even. Eating consistent meals will help keep your glucose from going high as your liver disperses sugar or from your levels going to low as your insulin kicks in.

Take Time to Exercise

It is important that you take time each day to exercise. Take a 30-minute walk in order to help burn off excess sugar. Not only will it help burn off sugar but it will improve circulation, which is vital for diabetics. It does not need to be strenuous exercise to be effective.

Proper Nutrition is Key

It is important that a diabetic gets the proper nutrition. The longer a person lives with diabetes the more complications that can arise. One way to combat many of those complications is to get the proper nutrition. There are glucose control products that will give you a tasty snack that have ingredients that help stabilize your blood sugar. Getting enough fiber is also a great way to control glucose because fiber will grab hold of excess sugar and remove it from your body. There are also vitamins that will control your glucose levels.

Get Enough Sleep

It is very important to make sure that you get enough sleep every night. While you are sleeping different hormones are released that actually help with glucose control, cravings and hunger. As little as one night of sleep deprivation can affect your body's sensitivity to insulin. Set a regular routine for sleep and stick to it.

These are some things that we have done to help control our blood sugar levels. We have found a great diet, exercise and use products that help control our glucose levels. For more information on these products click here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9252115

Read More

Improving Blood Pressure Numbers

Like many I was shocked to find out that I had stage 2 high blood pressure. I was in my middle forties... that's a condition for a much older person. I was wrong. In fact, I've since learned that even children can suffer this malady.

This begged the question. Now what do I do? I was given a list, but I don't feel that the list is complete. There's more to this problem than diet and exercise. Sometimes other steps are needed.

Rest: If you burn the midnight oil and depend on caffeine or energy drinks to keep you going this could resolve your problem, at least in part. Sleep is necessary and we each have different needs in that department. Figure out how much you actually need and then sleep.

Food: A lot of favorite foods are on the "avoid" list. The problem comes in when we suffer through a boring diet. That is the fastest way I know of to slip up in healthy eating. Talk to a nutritionist and find healthy foods you actually like. You may also want to invest in a cookbook, and I don't mean a diet cookbook. There are substitutes for most of the higher fats sometimes employed and you can control the salt content if you cook it yourself.

Exercise: Moderate exercise three to five days a week is recommended. There are some things that should be added to that part of the list. As with food, find something you like to do. Try many different things until you find one that fits you.

Another thing to be aware of is that exercise doesn't have to be in complete chunks of time. Under normal circumstances I get ten minutes of exercise three times a day five days a week. It's called walking the dogs. Because the time is broken up it doesn't feel as much like exercise.

Meditation: There was a time when I couldn't associate the word with the right definition. Meditation is often thought of as something belonging to other religions. It doesn't matter, at least when it comes to reducing blood pressure. I have used it regularly that and stress.

Doctor: This is the most important part of lowering your numbers. The doctor can tell you which exercises are safe and can give you a referral to a nutritionist. If medications are needed they can be prescribed. In fact it may take two or three tries to get the right medications as there are several that work in different ways.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8949986

Read More

That Makes My Blood Boil

We all have things that thoroughly tick us off. Sometimes it's a pet peeve. Sometimes it's an injustice. Every time we get angry we are putting ourselves at risk for the problems high blood pressure can cause.

Short Term Risks: According to WebMD, even a short term bout of fury increases the likelihood of a heart attack or a stroke. If you add other things that cause stress (like the reason for anger in the first place) the chances increase. Is letting out your anger by smashing things and yelling at people worth your life?

Long Term Risks: Short bouts of anger can be defused fairly easily if they are rare. Once the situation has calmed down the person does and so does blood pressure.

On the other hand, if you are angry all of the time your blood pressure is going to be high all of the time. There are a lot of valid things out there that cause rage but they can't be fixed if those who feel it the strongest are dead.

Fixing the Problem: I mean this in two ways. The first is to proactively work to fix the problem. If you are angry about kill shelters then volunteer your time for rescue, TNR or no kill shelters. If your city has many homeless and their condition bothers you, start or work with organizations that reach out to that population. You may be surprised at how many opportunities you have to turn your anger into something useful and beautiful.

The other part is fixing your internal issues. Nonmedical intervention may include meditation and deep breathing techniques. You may need medical help, especially if your blood pressure is really high. Explain the problem... all of it... to your doctor. A combination of therapies could reduce your numbers and help you turn what you feel into something meaningful.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8952539

Read More

Fear and Blood Pressure

Fear can be a good thing. It starts the "fight or flight" response that helps get us out of danger whether it be attack or retreat. When it is a constant feeling it isn't good. It can be deadly.

Defining Chronic Fear: Many people call this anxiety disorder or similar terms. It is the constant fear that something is going to happen. It could be something real, like an earthquake. It could be something imagined like a child who fears the monster under the bed. It could be the thought of simply setting foot outside the house.

What's the Connection? Fight or flight hormones that never stop cause blood pressure to rise (and stay there), blurred vision and a near inability to accomplish anything related to what is feared. I'll give you an example, using me.

I am afraid of water and I am afraid of heights. I live near the Pacific ocean and there are a lot of piers. Most of them have things to do on them, such as a restaurant or a ferris wheel. It takes every ounce of willpower I have simply to walk out onto any of them. I can feel my blood pressure go up. It's a perfectly safe pier.

What Can I Do? For something like the example above you have to decide if what you want to do is more important than your fear. I wanted to say I'd walked out on the longest pier in Southern California, and I did it. I'm actually very proud of that. This is something you may be able to do.

There are other fears that may not respond to "go out and do it." Again, I'll use myself as an example. As mentioned I am afraid of heights. Can you imagine what even the thought of plane flight does to my insides? I can't fly without medical intervention.

Admitting something scares you and getting help can do more than make you happy about your accomplishments. Getting rid of the hormones that cause high blood pressure could save your life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8952572

Read More

A Silent Killer, But Also a Blessing in Disguise

I had heard of high blood pressure all my life, as it ran in my family. My doctor had warned me many years ago that I had it but it was not high enough all the time at that point to get him to put me on a drug for it. I tried to change my diet, as per his instructions, but figured this was heredity and I couldn't do anything about it.

Looking back on it, going to my doctor for that was my first mistake, as my doctor has no nutritional training and did not know how to get rid of it, he just knew how to manage it. Needless to say dietary changes did not work out too well.

Over the years, it became more of a burden than anything else and I just stopped watching my blood pressure closely. I used acupressure tapping to keep it at bay to some degree and I also worked on my fibromyalgia and put that in remission with my acupressure tapping (EFT). However, I soon started experiencing dizziness and was diagnosed with vertigo. Nothing was ever said about that being tied together with the blood pressure, because doctors don't treat the whole person, they just manage the symptoms you are having at that moment and no one thought to check the coincidence of both being present.

Flash forward a few years, and I started having vertigo symptoms daily and feeling confused because of the dizziness. I did not know it was high blood pressure and was just treating the vertigo. Then one day, I woke up in the early morning hours and tried to get to the bathroom. My vertigo was out of control and I was shaky and very dizzy. When my sister called later that morning, I realized I could not really even talk to her and form the words to speak; I then went to the ER and found out that I was having a stroke. My BP was through the roof and now so were my blood sugars.

Through the hospitalization they put me on drugs to lower the BP and get my sugars under control, but the side-effects of the drugs still made me feel dizzy. I lost the use of my left side and had to relearn how to talk and walk, as well as use my left hand again. However, through the course of the next few months I found a naturopath, Dr. Glidden, whose YouTube videos showed me that nutritionally speaking, my high blood pressure was a sign of a calcium and magnesium deficiency. I also learned that vertigo is osteoporosis of the skull and they were both related and is also a calcium deficiency. I also learned that through chromium and vanadium supplementation I could bring my sugars back into control as well (Another article will explain this one).

So, I got the Youngevity products he suggested and I am now free of both the high BP and the high blood sugars. I'm off all the meds from the hospital. So, now my mission is to help others do the same thing I did. I have tried other products that stated they helped with high blood pressure and had even been on some minerals and calcium products to try to get the same results and all have failed. They were just not in a form that the body could uptake. Minerals have to be very small in order for the body to be able to grab it and get it into your blood stream. These Youngevity minerals are colloidal, which means very small, and are in a formulation that allows the little fingers in the gut (villae) to grab a hold of it and absorb it into your bloodstream. That is why they work so well.

So, I finally found the nutrition I needed to allow my body to heal itself. Now, I needed to heal the emotional component. Once the body is nitrified, any other alternative healing modality you use then impacts the body so much stronger. I consulted Karol K Truman's book, Feelings Buried Alive Never Die, and found out that the emotional component to high blood pressure is: Feels a strong need to be in control of everything, allowing people or situations to bother you, letting your emotions and reactions rule you, and not minding your own business/interfering with others. I muscle tested the emotions and found that that I was reacting to all of them!

Muscle testing is a way of asking the body a yes or no question and getting a yes or no answer. Most people can do this by standing barefoot on the floor and setting the parameters for your body by leaning forward as far as possible with straight knees and saying 'this is yes, affirmative'. Then lean backwards as far as possible and saying 'this is no, negative.' Then allow your body to just stand straight up in a neutral position and ask the question. Your body will either pull forward or lean back. It can be very subtle on some people so really pay attention.

Ask about each emotion listed and then note each response. When you get a yes on something, then note that and do the following: tap on your third eye point, the spot right in the middle of the forehead where a cyclops eye would be, with two fingers and then state the following while concentrating on the tapping, "Even though I feel... (say the statement you triggered on), I choose to release this and allow my body and my blood pressure to be calm and peaceful. " You can state other peaceful things you want to happen to your body as well.

Once you are done with the tapping, take a minute to listen to your body and see if any memories come to mind. Then tap in that same area and state the memory and approximate age when you remember it happened and then ask your body to release it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8989289

Read More

Dealing With High Blood Pressure

Hypertension commonly referred to as high blood pressure, can be seen more and more often in people as they grow older. People who suffer from borderline Hypertension are often advised to lead a healthier life while those who have major problems are treated with medication. It is important to keep a check on your pressure so that you can catch any problem quickly and get it treated.

Causes and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

Most of the time, hypertension is caused due to bad lifestyle habits. These include smoking, drinking alcohol, a high intake of salt, lack of exercise, etc. Hypertension also occurs more in people as they get older. In some cases, it may also run in the family. These account for around 90% of hypertension cases.

If the Hypertension is not caused by these factors, the other factors are called secondary hypertension. These include problems like diabetes, hormonal conditions, consumption of contraceptive pills, kidney diseases, lupus, painkillers, recreational drugs, etc.

Even though it is difficult to catch the signs of Hypertension, these are some of the common symptoms that can be seen in people:

• Vision problems 

• Bad headaches 

• Bleeding from the nose 

• Nausea 

• Confusion

If you start to experience one or more of these symptoms frequently, it is advised to visit a doctor and get your blood pressure level checked.

Treating High Blood Pressure

Hypertension is usually kept under control with a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. Those who have borderline Hypertension are often told to change certain lifestyle habits in order to keep the blood pressure normal. Regular check-ups are also necessary so that the doctor can keep a track of the blood pressure levels and change the dosage of medicine if and when necessary. 

It is also very important to change your lifestyle habits in order to control blood pressure levels. Here are some important changes in lifestyle that should be made by people suffering from Hypertension:

• Decrease the amount of salt that you consume in your food. It is advisable to reduce the junk food and switch to a lot of vegetables and fibrous foods. 

• Exercise daily for at least 30 minutes. It is important to keep your weight in check and lose those extra pounds so that you are healthy 

• Reduce the amount of stress. Stress can be a major factor that can contribute to high blood pressure. 

• Stop smoking and reduce your consumption of alcohol to not more than one glass a day. Both these habits can cause a number of other problems besides hypertension. 

• Drink a lot of water daily

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8916914

Read More

Hypertension - Causes and Symptoms

With a rapid change in lifestyles, work pressures, a fast paced life or even personal habits, hypertension has come across as a medical issue of significant magnitude and serious concern.

The condition is vastly prevalent in both, developing and developed countries. In United States, 67 million people are afflicted by hypertension, which is nearly one in every three adults, and only half of these people (47%) have the condition under control. Some other medical disorders which are equally risky are also attributed to the condition. Around 7 in 10 people who have their first heart attack are afflicted by hypertension. And the same stands true for stroke as well. Around 8 in 10 people who suffer from their first stroke have high blood pressure. Moreover, hypertension is very often linked with kidney ailments, and if one is suffering from a kidney disease, his chances of contracting hypertension are higher.

What is hypertension?

When our heart beats, it pumps blood through the entire body by means of arteries, and blood pressure is defined as the force of blood on the vessel walls. Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure.

When one's blood pressure is higher, the heart is required to pump harder, and the condition is called hypertension. This is a condition that has many effects on our body. It could cause damage to organs and many illnesses as well, such as kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke or aneurysm, which is swelling of arteries or cardiac chambers.

Normal levels of blood pressure should be below 120/80, wherein 120 is the peak blood pressure in arteries and 80 is the minimum blood pressure in arteries. When blood pressure reaches the limit of 140/90, the condition is known as hypertension.

If one suffers from high blood pressure due to unknown causes, it is known as essential blood pressure. But hypertension may be caused due to secondary causes, such as kidney disorders or tumors, and the same is known as secondary hypertension.

The condition is more prevalent in adults and seniors, but even those younger, teens and children could be at risk. About two million teens and children in United States are afflicted by hypertension.

What causes hypertension?

There are some factors which are known to enhance the risk of occurrence of hypertension. These include smoking, being obese or overweight, not getting regular exercise in everyday life, or even high levels of salt intake.

Similarly, insufficient consumption of calcium, magnesium or potassium from our diets, a deficiency of Vitamin D or higher alcohol consumption increase the chances of prevalence of hypertension. Stress makes one more vulnerable to hypertension, and even genetics, or a prior family history of hypertension makes one more likely to contract the condition. Kidney ailments, some thyroid problems or tumors also make one more vulnerable to hypertension.

How can one find out if he has hypertension?

Some symptoms of hypertension include severe headaches, chest pain, dizziness, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, nausea, problems with breathing, or blood in the urine. However, it very often happens that a person suffering from hypertension does not have any of these symptoms. This is common, and one in three people who are afflicted by hypertension do exhibit any of the symptoms of hypertension. So one must try and make sure that he goes for periodic blood screening tests, even if no symptoms of high blood pressure are prevalent.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9057595

Read More

Eight Natural Remedies Tips To Lower High Blood Pressure

When most people are diagnosed with hypertension, their doctors will prescribe some form of remedies, in terms of medication. However, medication is not the only option that can keep your heart healthy and your blood pressure down.

Below are eight tips that you should probably consider adding to your routine, if you do suffer from hypertension:

1. Quit smoking! This is one of the first thing, outside of prescribed medication, that anyone diagnosed with hypertension should consider. Smoking narrows and hardens arteries and veins, and makes your heart work harder - none of which are good things.


2. Another good idea is to start exercising. A little bit of moderate exercise is great for your heart, and can help to lower blood pressure significantly. Just do not overdo it, and make sure you clear your exercise plans with your doctor first!


3. Learn stress management techniques. None of the remedies out there, even medication, will help much if you are stressed!


4. Losing weight is another easy way. If you are carrying extra weight, your heart is working harder, and that means that your blood pressure will be higher.


5. Consider your diet too. Something as simple as cutting salt out of your diet can be one of the most effective way to lower hypertension, and if you also cut out saturated fat, and eat a well balanced diet, you will do yourself a world of good!


6. Consider herbal remedies. Snakeroot, ginseng and hawthorn are just a few of the herbs that have been shown to help lower blood pressure. Again, however, make sure you clear any herbal remedies with your doctor before you use them - they could interact with your medicine.


7. Interestingly, it has been found that Omega 3 fatty acids are one of the best alternative treatments, in terms of lowering hypertension. Others include amino acids, and Coenzyme Q10.


8. Finally, if you are looking for supplementary remedies, then you might want to try acupuncture as an option. It may be up for debate, in terms of being a cure for blood pressure, but some studies suggest that it may be effective.

While all of these tips can do a lot of good, when it comes to both your blood pressure, and your health, you should always remember that they are complementary. They should not replace any medication you are prescribed, but rather act as support for the treatment you are supposed to be taking.

Your first choice should always be the medicine and treatment that your doctor prescribes and recommends - after all, hypertension is potentially deadly, and you do not want to take any chances! Find high blood pressure remedies that work, and use them! Fortunately there is one long history proven folk natural remedy which is extremely effective to cure any hypertension related diseases. 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9091543

Read More

Dash Diet

If you're suffering hypertension, you have probably been instructed to change your diet. In fact, research has consistently demonstrated that high blood pressure can be affected and successfully managed through the integration of a proper diet only. The DASH diet was specifically designed to lower the blood pressure in a natural way - it's an eating plan that incorporates a wide variety of whole foods, lots of vegetables and fruits, and lean meats and poultry. Another key aspect of the eating plan is that it's generally very low in sodium - an element that's been consistently associated with heightened risk of hypertension.

The DASH Diet, or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, was developed a few years ago and voted one of the best diets to lower blood pressure by a vast number of health experts. In fact, just a few years ago, the dietary plan was even selected as the best overall diet by a scientific panel chosen by the US News and World Report. The DASH study involved almost 460 adults, assigned to two eating plans. The adults in the DASH group received a lower sodium intake - around 1,500 milligrams per day - and showed significantly reduced blood pressure at the end of the trial.

The DASH diet works by providing you with a varied and healthy eating plan, consisting of lots of fruits and vegetables, combined with low-fat dairy products, lean meats, nuts and beans, and whole grains. It includes a reduced amount of red meats, sodium-rich foods, sweets and sweet-containing beverages, all of which have been correlated with increased blood pressure. The dietary plan also limits the consumption of egg yolks, since they're rich in cholesterol. It's very efficient when it comes to managing hypertension, as the diet plan is generally low in saturated fats and cholesterol. Also, the protein that comes from the fish and lean meats and the minerals and fibers control the blood sugar and cholesterol levels. 

The elevated cholesterol levels people experience are usually associated with increased consumption of sweets or processed foods, rich in salt - the DASH diet strives to lower that amount as much as possible in order to keep your blood pressure on track. In addition, the fats included in the plan are predominantly unsaturated, instead of the saturated and trans fat, which have been associated with heightened risks of cardiovascular disease.

The eating plan can easily be tailored to your specific calorie needs, depending on your age and physical activity. Generally, the DASH plan is suited for a caloric intake of around 2,000 calories per day, but can be modified to lower calories, especially if you're trying to lose weight.

The DASH eating plan is easy to follow and, as it's generally low in saturated fats and salt, it can reduce your risk of hypertension, as well as successfully manage the symptoms, if you're already suffering from it. Research consistently demonstrates that following the DASH diet results in lowered cholesterol levels and improved overall health and general well-being.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9108221

Read More

What Causes High Blood Pressure

Have you ever felt this sudden adrenaline rush inside that's not really in a good way? A feeling that gets you uncomfortable and it seems like your heart is racing or beating way too fast? Well, do you know what that feeling is? Well, don't worry we'll tell you everything to know about it. That feeling is known as Hypertension or most commonly known as High Blood pressure and if you think this is a positive adrenaline rush then you're sadly very wrong as it isn't good for your heart and may even point to many heart problems that either you already have or you're going to have in the future. So, whenever you realize that you're facing hypertension, you should know you have to lower it for living a healthy lifestyle. Before you know how to lower high blood pressure we must understand the main causes of this problem. So, in this article we're going to tell you about the common causes of high blood pressure.

Smoking habits

It might seem like it has no connection to you but if you consult a general physician regarding this problem, the first thing he'll ask is whether you smoke or not. As excess nicotine enters your body it causes the pressure of blood to rise at an unusual rate. So, if you want to know how to lower blood pressure, the first thing that you need to do is to let go of that cigarette.

Obesity

There are three kinds of people. The first type are the slim ones that usually don't have any problems regarding blood pressure, the second ones are the fit ones that lead a healthy lifestyle and almost never have any problems about high BP and finally the third ones are the obese people that claim to be healthy but actually are facing many different sorts of health problems. Amongst those problems high BP is on the very top as excess fat on the body affects your heart a lot. So, if you want to dodge this problem lead a healthy lifestyle, leave junk food and join the gym.

Excess amount of salt in diet

I bet you've heard 'A little salt never harmed anyone' a lot of times but do you know when the amount of salt is not little anymore? Well, that's when you start harming yourself as excess amount of sodium chloride in the blood causes your heart to pump more blood than it should making your BP rise. It is said that excess amount of salt in food is the easiest way to kill a BP patient. So you better keep that salt away from your dish if you have this problem.

Too much stress

Do you remember what got your heart racing when you were a kid? That's right your exam result and that happened because you were nervous but do you know this can actually become a very serious problem if not treated well? That's right! Nervousness and stress is something that relates directly to the rise and fall of blood rush in your circulatory system. This is something that you need to take care of. It isn't a very hard deal as you can start by taking things very lightly and relaxing on bad situations.

So those are the biggest causes for rise in BP. There are many other causes for this disease but these 4 causes seem to top the list. Take care of your health and make your soaring blood pressure to normal easily by knowing about these facts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9120354

Read More

5 Foods That Lower Blood Pressure

When it comes to lowering your blood pressure, medication can be of great assistance. However, what you eat and drink is more important than medication itself. Studies have shown that food and drink is just as powerful as medication. This article will have a look at 5 foods that lower blood pressure.

Bananas

Banana's contain approximately 450 milligrams of potassium. If potassium is consumed more, more water and sodium will go through your urine. Potassium removes the dangerous effects that sodium causes. In order to lower your pressure, the amount of sodium consumed each day should be less than 1500 milligrams. The amount of potassium should be increased to around 4700 milligrams.

Yogurt

Another food is yoghurt. An adult should have about 1000, to 1500 milligrams of calcium daily. Yoghurt that has a plain flavour and has no fat in it, will help your pressure to remain low. It is recommended that a couple of cups or more should be consumed each day. You could also consume this yoghurt with vegetables, dips or on the top of oatmeal.

Dark Chocolate

Dark Chocolate contains Polyphenols is also one of five foods that lower pressure. This is an important class that contains bioactive phytochemicals. Studies have shown that this can prevent vascular disease or heart disease. In order to keep your blood pressure low, it is best to go with the real dark chocolate. Coco powder that is natural and unsweetened can be used. So can Coco Powder that has less calories, sugar and fat in it.

Garlic

Garlic can also be included in one of the foods that lower blood pressure. It has been proven that Garlic reduces the chance of prostate and lung cancers. It can also remove cancer cells. Garlic can also prevent you from getting colds. In terms of lowering your blood pressure, it will often assist those who have hypertension.

Asparagus

Asparagus contains anti-inflammatory. This is what helps an individual recover from health difficulties including: heart disease and cancers. It also contains glutathione. Glutathione can free your body from radicals and other poisons. Also included in asparagus are: vitamins, B, C and K. iron, calcium and zinc and much more. As a result, this is another of the foods that lower pressure.

These are just five foods that lower your pressure. There are of course, many other foods that can help with this. Why not do some research and find out for yourself. You never know what you might find.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9128721

Read More

How to Say Goodbye to Blood Pressure Problems

There are about a million-and-one health concerns we have, especially as we get older. The doctor is probably talking to you about blood pressure, weight, nutrition, respiratory health, muscular/skeletal health and more all at the same time. This can all be a little overwhelming, yet luckily, being all around healthy may be easier than you think.

One of the biggest issues people begin to run into, especially as they get older, is blood pressure. Too high or two low, whatever it is, having blood pressure that's out of whack can throw your whole system off. Luckily there are a ton of different methods out there that can help you get your blood pressure back on track, a lot of which will improve your overall health in many different areas!

#1 Blood Pressure Check-Ups

You're probably already receiving regular check ups at your doctor, but it's good for you to be able to check in-between visits yourself. There are several different types of equipment you can use to do this, so you should choose the one that works best for you.

1. The Aneroid Monitor

This is the cheaper option, but it is a little more of a hassle. It uses a pointer in order to let you read your own blood pressure.

2. The Digital Monitor

The digital monitor is quick and easy and allows you to check your blood pressure point-blank with a digital reading.

#2 Lifestyle Changes

This can seem like a daunting task, but when you're being plagued with bad blood pressure, the first place you should look is in your lifestyle habits. What does your diet look like? Sodium is a huge culprit for giving people unhealthy blood pressure levels, so cut that out where you can.

Also, try eating more vegetables and fruits. It becomes easier and easier, and more fun and enjoyable, to eat natural foods like this the more you do it. You'll begin to acquire a taste for it, and you won't even be interested in the junk food you once ate.

If you smoke or drink excessively, try to cut back. It's certainly not easy at all to cut back on these things when you've created a dependency to them, but with a little help from your doctor, you can make the process easier.

Exercise is another area that you should pay careful attention to. Exercise in general will help even the healthiest looking body work better, but if you're overweight, then you're at a higher risk of dangerous levels of BP.

Whether you're overweight, underweight or just right, exercise will always help your BP and overall health.

The best part about this is that eating healthy will help you in virtually all aspects of health, not just BP. If you find it hard to get motivated, try getting an exercise buddy so that the two of you can encourage each other, and have a little fun while you're doing it.

#3 Fall Back On Your Doctor

If you've tried these lifestyle changes and you're still dealing with dangerous BP levels, talk to your doctor about your next options. Doctors can provide you with professional guidance, medications, and personalized care plans that will work best for you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9137916

Read More