By Karen Ravn

February 8 2010

Blood circulating through your body moves with a certain force — that’s your blood pressure. This force can be affected by how strongly the heart is pumping and by the size of the vessels the blood is moving through. Blood moves through large arteries into smaller vessels called arterioles, which can expand and contract. When they expand, blood pressure goes down. When they contract, blood pressure goes up. (The body has some very good reasons and complicated systems for doing this.)

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-hew-blood-pressure-basics8-2010feb08,0,5797255.story

Visit latimes.com at http://www.latimes.com

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Kat Starlove is a life coach, registered nurse, author and speaker. She has over 20 years expereince in teaching, managing administrative positions as well as her self-taught experience in internet informational marketing. She is exceptionally gifted at helping people to become empowered in their personal and career lives.

She is available for coaching services on-line, by phone or Skype and speaking engagements on various topics including empowerment in personal terms and in the work place, wellness and making changes in life.  Her full website is at http://www.healthy-changes-for-you.com

By Karen Ravn

February 8 2010

Blood circulating through your body moves with a certain force — that’s your blood pressure. This force can be affected by how strongly the heart is pumping and by the size of the vessels the blood is moving through. Blood moves through large arteries into smaller vessels called arterioles, which can expand and contract. When they expand, blood pressure goes down. When they contract, blood pressure goes up. (The body has some very good reasons and complicated systems for doing this.)

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-hew-blood-pressure-basics8-2010feb08,0,5797255.story

Visit latimes.com at http://www.latimes.com

Too many times we think health is merely the absence of illness. This is actually not the case at all…In order to have the best health possible through our lives, we now know that we have to practice “healthy habits” all of the time. Healthy Habits do not have to be something to dread. We can develop good habits for our bodies, minds and spirits that give us satisfaction and make us happy.

 

Take for example eating. Maybe you love sweets and love to munch down a doughnut or piece of cake. But maybe if you tried something different and something more healthy, such as yogurt mixed with fresh fruit and granola it might be just as satisfying and also might provide more nutrition for you than the other. After a few hours your body may feel better from having had a nutritious snack as opposed to a less nutritious snack.

 

Are you the person who hates to exercise and sits on the couch watching TV? Maybe if you took ½ hour each day and did an outdoor walk you would feel better, being outdoors, enjoying the fall leaves.

 

To be healthy is an attitude- one of changing bad behaviors to good ones!

In 2008 the American Cancer Society estimated that there would be 182,460 new cases of breast cancer in women. Of these cases, 11,000 would be under 40 years of age.

                                                                  

Even thought the incidence of breast cancer is young women is lower than that of older women, if a young woman gets breast cancer it may be a more aggressive type of cancer and the survival rate may not be as high in younger women.

 

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in cancer deaths in young women under age 40.

 

So, here are some things we can do for optimal breast health:

 

• Perform regular self-exams
• Find out what is our healthy body mass
• Raising vitamin D and calcium intake — while studies of the nutritional benefits of vitamin D and calcium are not  clear, research links higher intakes with lower risk of developing breast cancer
• Eating soy and leafy greens, a good nutritional start for many women
• Getting plenty of sleep
• Getting regular exercise and body movement
• Lessening or (even better) eliminating alcohol and tobacco use
• Managing estrogen exposure, current oral contraceptive or HRT use
• Healing negative emotional patterns that create stress and anxiety

In addition women 40 years of age or older should be having mammograms (a picture of the breast made with X-rays) every 1-2 years.

Women who are younger than age 40 but have a history of breast cancer may think about starting earlier with the mammograms and should check with your health professional.

 

Mammograms can show a breast lump before it can be felt so don’t put it off. Always check with your medical professional for any symptoms you may have such as:

 

A change in how the breast or nipple feels

     1. A lump or thickening in the breast or underarm area

     2. Nipple tenderness

 

A change in how the breast or nipple looks

     1. A change in the size or shape of the breast

     2. A nipple turned inward into the breast

     3. The skin of the breast, areola or nipple may be scaly, red, or swollen. It may  have ridges or pitting, and there may be nipple discharge or pain

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As we enter October we are observing Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We honor all the women who have had breast cancer, the loved ones that have been lost and have optimism for a cure for everyone in the future.

The following are some tips that experts say contribute to staying healthy and lowering your risk of breast cancer:

 

1. Know your family history. Researchers say that if you have a first line relative who had breast cancer your lifetime risk is double that of others. If there are 2, your risk goes up 5 times.

 

2. Get your annual mammograms starting at age 40. If you have an increased risk as a guideline, you should start screening 10 years prior to the family member’s age at onset.

In addition if you are at risk talk to your health care provider about MRI/ultrasound as well.

 

3. If you have family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent (Eastern European) consider genetic testing for the BRCA mutation.

 

4. Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can increase your risk as well as reduce your risk of surviving breast cancer.

 

5. Exercise regularly. By exercising regularly you will keep your weight a good range and increase your immune system function.

 

6. Drink alcohol in moderation. Researchers have found that 2 drinks/day could increase your risk by 21%

 

7. Last, but not least learn and perform a breast self-exam monthly. Always check with your health care provider if you have concerns.

What is 2009 H1N1 (swine flu)?
2009 H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of 2009 H1N1 flu was underway.

Why is 2009 H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu”?
This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus.

 

2009 H1N1 Flu in Humans                                     

 

Are there human infections with 2009 H1N1 virus in the U.S.?
Yes. Human infections with the new  H1N1 virus are ongoing in the United States. Most people who have become ill with this new virus have recovered without requiring medical treatment.
CDC routinely works with states to collect, compile and analyze information about influenza, and has done the same for the new H1N1 virus since the beginning of the outbreak. This information is presented in a weekly report, called FluView.

Is 2009 H1N1 virus contagious?
CDC has determined that 2009 H1N1 virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human.

How does 2009 H1N1 virus spread?
Spread of 2009 H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?
The symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

How severe is illness associated with 2009 H1N1 flu virus?
Illness with the new H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe. While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred.

In seasonal flu, certain people are at “high risk” of serious complications. This includes people 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions. About 70 percent of people who have been hospitalized with this 2009 H1N1 virus have had one or more medical conditions previously recognized as placing people at “high risk” of serious seasonal flu-related complications. This includes pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.

One thing that appears to be different from seasonal influenza is that adults older than 64 years do not yet appear to be at increased risk of 2009 H1N1-related complications thus far. CDC laboratory studies have shown that no children and very few adults younger than 60 years old have existing antibody to 2009 H1N1 flu virus; however, about one-third of adults older than 60 may have antibodies against this virus. It is unknown how much, if any, protection may be afforded against 2009 H1N1 flu by any existing antibody.

How does 2009 H1N1 flu compare to seasonal flu in terms of its severity and infection rates?
With seasonal flu, we know that seasons vary in terms of timing, duration and severity. Seasonal influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Each year, in the United States, on average 36,000 people die from flu-related complications and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related causes. Of those hospitalized, 20,000 are children younger than 5 years old. Over 90% of deaths and about 60 percent of hospitalization occur in people older than 65.

When the 2009 H1N1 outbreak was first detected in mid-April 2009, CDC began working with states to collect, compile and analyze information regarding the 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak, including the numbers of confirmed and probable cases and the ages of these people. The information analyzed by CDC supports the conclusion that 2009 H1N1 flu has caused greater disease burden in people younger than 25 years of age than older people. At this time, there are few cases and few deaths reported in people older than 64.

Prevention & Treatment

 

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against 2009 H1N1 virus.  However, a 2009 H1N1 vaccine is currently in production and may be ready for the public in the fall. As always, a vaccine will be available to protect against seasonal influenza
There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners* are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

Other important actions that you can take are:

• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs,* tissues and other related items might could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the basket. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

If I have a family member at home who is sick with 2009 H1N1 flu, should I go to work?
Employees who are well but who have an ill family member at home with 2009 H1N1 flu can go to work as usual. These employees should monitor their health every day, and take everyday precautions including washing their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.* If they become ill, they should notify their supervisor and stay home. Employees who have an underlying medical condition or who are pregnant should call their health care provider for advice, because they might need to receive influenza antiviral drugs to prevent illness. For more information please see General Business and Workplace Guidance for the Prevention of Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Flu in Workers.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner*. CDC recommends that when you wash your hands — with soap and warm water — that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn’t need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where people have been identified with 2009 H1N1 flu and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people. CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.

If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Are there medicines to treat 2009 H1N1 infection?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with 2009 H1N1 flu virus. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. During the current pandemic, the priority use for influenza antiviral drugs is to treat severe influenza illness (for example hospitalized patients) and people who are sick who have a condition that places them at high risk for serious flu-related complications.

What is CDC’s recommendation regarding “swine flu parties”?
“Swine flu parties” are gatherings during which people have close contact with a person who has 2009 H1N1 flu in order to become infected with the virus. The intent of these parties is for a person to become infected with what for many people has been a mild disease, in the hope of having natural immunity 2009 H1N1 flu virus that might circulate later and cause more severe disease.

CDC does not recommend “swine flu parties” as a way to protect against 2009 H1N1 flu in the future. While the disease seen in the current 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak has been mild for many people, it has been severe and even fatal for others. There is no way to predict with certainty what the outcome will be for an individual or, equally important, for others to whom the intentionally infected person may spread the virus.

CDC recommends that people with 2009 H1N1 flu avoid contact with others as much as possible. If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

(from CDC 9/09)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diabetes

 

According to Dr Oz in his book “You-Staying Young” he proposes “that if you go to the bathroom more than 12 times/day or more than 3 times in a 3 hour period, you should get your urine tested for sugar”.

 

There are 2 types of diabetes, Type 1 is usually found in children and Type 2 (adult-onset) is the more common form and affects some 23 million Americans.

 

In Type 1 the pancreas does not make insulin because there is some auto-immune problem with the body’s insulin producing cells.

 

In Type 2 your cells block the insulin and causes the sugar to circulate in the blood as opposed to fueling your cells.

 

Type 1 diabetics take injections of Insulin to provide the needed amount.

 

Type 2 diabetics may be diet controlled or take medicine as needed to control the problem.

 

Diabetes can have serious and life changing effects on our bodies, left untreated.

Good Nutrition for Your Heart

 

Eat plenty of:

 

Fresh fruits and vegetables

Red grapes

Cranberries

Tomatoes

Onions

 

All of the above are anti-oxidants which reduce inflammation by eliminating the damaging oxygen free radicals

 

Garlic – A clove/day or by pill 400 mg/day, can also help hypertension

 

Extra virgin olive oil – It has phytonutrients which increase the good HDL cholesterol in your body

 

Omega 3 fatty acids-

Decrease triglycerides in your blood, which cause plaque in your heart arteries

Decreases high blood pressure

Try to get 2-3 portions per week in wild salmon, mahi mahi, cat fish, flounder, tilapia

 

4 oz Red wine at dinner

Can increase the good cholesterol, HDL

Relaxes us

Has anti-oxidants

You can have high blood pressure (hypertension) for years without a single symptom. Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases your risk of serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke.

Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure.

High blood pressure typically develops over many years, and it affects nearly everyone eventually. Fortunately, high blood pressure can be easily detected. And once you know you have hMost people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms, even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels.

Although a few people with early-stage high blood pressure may have dull headaches, dizzy spells or a few more nosebleeds than normal, these signs and symptoms typically don’t occur until high blood pressure has reached an advanced — even life-threatening — stage.

When to see a doctor
Unless you have symptoms of extremely high blood pressure, there’s probably no need to make a special trip to the doctor to have your blood pressure checked. You’ll likely have your blood pressure taken as part of a routine doctor’s appointment.

Ask your doctor for a blood pressure reading at least every two years starting at age 20. He or she will likely recommend more frequent readings if you’ve already been diagnosed with high blood pressure, prehypertension or other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Children age 3 and older will usually have their blood pressure measured as a part of their yearly checkups.

If you don’t regularly see your doctor, but are concerned about your blood pressure, you may be able to get a free blood pressure screening at a health resource fair or other locations in your community. You can also find machines in drugstores that will measure your blood pressure for free, but these machines aren’t often calibrated and can give you inaccurate results. (Information retrieved from Mayo Clinic.com)

The Emotion of Your Heart

 

 

When I was a young girl I used to play a game with my mother in that I would ask her “how much do you love me”?  Knowing our game she would reply the same each time, “from the bottom of my heart” giving me a hug as I laughed and gleefully screamed in delight. We have all heard many sayings put together with the word heart; I love you with all my heart, love can break your heart, my heart will go on, my heart is broken, etc. The heart has been associated as being a source of emotion, love, courage, wisdom and our soul. In ancient Greece there was a belief that there was competition between the heart and brain in regard to thinking and feeling or intellect and emotion.

 

In traditional Western medicine we look at the heart primarily as a muscular organ which pumps blood throughout our body giving us the nutrients and oxygen we need in order to survive. But if we look at the heart in a less traditional fashion, more contemporary fashion,we can learn a lot about keeping our bodies, minds and spirits in better health.

 

According to research in the past few years there is a critical link between the heart and brain with the brain responding to the heart in many ways. When we experience the following;

1. Anger

2. Frustration

3. Anxiety

4. Insecurity

5. Hostility

6. Loneliness

7. Isolation

8. Depression

9. Repression of negative emotions

Our heart rhythm patterns become more erratic, our stress hormone levels become elevated, our blood vessels can constrict, our blood pressure may rise and eventually our immune system becomes weakened. With consistent or repeated negative patterns of emotion our hearts become overburdened over a period of time affecting how our bodies function.

 

However when we experience positive and heart warming emotions such as;

1. Love

2. Care

3. Compassion

4. Appreciation

5. A sense of connection

Our heart seems to reflect more harmony showing smoother heart rhythm patterns, lowering of blood pressure and opening of our blood vessels. This all puts less stress on our hearts thereby making the workload less and our bodies function more efficiently in a harmonious state.

If we believe that emotions affect our hearts, and ultimately how our bodies function then we must practice techniques that change our behaviors or emotions.

Some of these practices may include;

1. Upon awaking each morning make a mental list of 5 things that you are appreciative for. Think about each one, and enjoy the good thoughts.

2. Find something positive to focus on for the day, and when the going gets tough think back to that positive focus.

3. Appreciate yourself.

4. If you are having a difficult situation or feeling a negative emotion change your thinking. Turn it around by reflecting on a past feeling where you felt appreciated, concentrate on that feeling rather than the negative feeling.

5. Learn to communicate your frustration in an acceptable, useful way. Don’t repress things.

6. Find a support structure. Turn to your family, friends for companionship. Do not isolate yourself.

7. Most importantly, learn to understand what you are feeling and be more aware of bad emotions coming into play. If you have difficulty with this one, start a journal for each day and write down your thoughts and feelings to reflect on at a later time. It may help you to get to know yourself.

8. Lastly, smile. You would be surprised that when you smile, the world smiles with you!  

  

Now, when I say to my husband “I love you” I know that it’s good for my heart!