Posts from — August 2010

Having your blood pressure taken is easy. Here are a few tips to get ready for your appointment.

o  Be certain to take your blood pressure (BP) medicines on the day of your appointment, unless you are specifically told not to by your provider.

o  Avoid drinking coffee or caffeinated beverages for at least 30 minutes before your appointment.

o  Don’t smoke for at least 30 minutes before your appointment.

o  Prevent vigorous activity for at least 30 minutes before your appointment.

o  Wear short sleeves.

o  Go to the bathroom and empty your bladder before your blood pressure (BP) is taken.

o  Sit and relax with your feet on the floor and with your back supported for at least 5 minutes before your blood pressure (BP) is taken.

o  Sit and relax with your feet on the floor and with your back supported for at least 5 minutes before your blood pressure is taken.

o  Do not talk while your blood pressure (BP) is being taken.

o  When you take your blood pressure at home, keep a log and write it down. Make sure to take your blood pressure log to your appointment. When you don’t have a log, ask your primary care team for one.

o  Bring your home blood pressure machine with you to your appointment. Have your team nurse/provider be certain that you’re using it correctly.

o  Ask your nurse or provider what your blood pressure (BP) numbers are.

o  Ask your nurse or provider what your blood pressure goal is.

Stress is our body’s reaction to an event or change.  To some degree it is part of our every day life. Each day we experience it in some way – when we deal with traffic, can’t find something, sleep past the alarm, company arrives unexpectedly… Even positive changes in our lives can result in stress – moving, getting married, beginning a new job…

Every individuals has different levels of stress in their lives. What’s stressful for one individuals may not be stressful for another. Every individuals reacts to stress differently.

In small doses, stress could be beneficial. It gives you a boost of energy. It makes you more alert. It keeps you focused.

As the level of stress increases or if it persists, it may be a problem. Stress can affect our physical and mental functioning. It becomes harder for us to handle. We may become less able to cope with it in a positive way.

How does stress make you feel?

Initially, your heart beats faster and you’ll breathe faster. You are preparing to meet the challenge. Over the longer term, you may feel mad or helpless. You can also have a headache, aches in you neck, jaw or back, have difficulty sleeping and have problems with weight gain or weight loss.

It is important to handle stress in a positive and healthful way. When you can remove yourself from the stress – do it. When that is not possible, create a plan to help you manage the stress.

Pre-Diabetes is becoming more common in the USA.  As many as 50 million people  have pre-diabetes.

In pre-diabetes, your blood sugar levels not in the normal range.  They are higher than normal, but not as high as with diabetes.

What does this mean?

When you have pre-diabetes, you are at risk for developing kind 2 diabetes.  You’re at risk for developing heart disease.  You’re at risk for stroke.  A lot of individuals  go on to develop kind 2 diabetes within 10 years.

Diabetes may cause  damage in almost every part of your body.  It can lead to blindness, damage to your heart and blood vessels, kidney problems, stroke and nerve damage.  For women, diabetes can complicate pregnancy.  

What can you do?

There are a few things you can do.  

o  Manage your blood sugars.  

o  Lose a little weight – 5-7% of your current body weight.  This can be done with moderate diet changes and physical activity. This can help to delay and even prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes.