Monthly Archives: July 2017
Hypertension
Posted on July 31, 2017 by admin
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, can be quite life-threatening if the conditions are not controlled. Hypertension is when your arteries are experiencing higher-than-normal pressure which causes extra stress on the vessel walls. A normal blood pressure is approximately 120/80 mmHg. For this condition to become If the walls are damaged or has a tear then other health problems can occur such as Atherosclerosis. High blood pressure can affect the function of other organs and can cause heart failure leading to heart attacks and strokes.
A reason why this condition is dangerous because there are usually no symptoms so many individuals will not know if they have hypertension until something serious occurs or if they visit their family doctor.
There are many factors that contribute to high blood pressure, including drinking alcohol on a regular basis, over consumption of salt, not enough physical activity and obesity, or having hypertension in family history.
If caught early, you can control your lifestyle and lower your blood pressure.
Changing your diet and the amount of physical activity you do can greatly impact your blood pressure. Consider having meals with less sodium and reduce your alcohol intake. When exercising, try to maintain 30 minutes of physical activity everyday which can help lower your blood pressure. Even learning to manage your stress can greatly reduce the pressure on your vessel walls.
Have you Tried Exercising in Water?
Posted on July 25, 2017 by admin
Have you ever considered doing your exercises in the lake or a swimming pool? Exercising in the water can be beneficial for your body and it can be fun to switch up your work out routine once in a while to keep yourself motivated!
Here are some benefits when you exercise in water:
- Low impact on your joints: As you exercise in water, there is buoyancy which help you float and reduce the amount of stress on your joints when you have contact with the ground. Therefore, a lower risk of injuring your joints.
- It can lower your chances of overheating: When your body core temperature is higher than optimal, your body begins to counteract that through sweating. By working out in cold water, it helps you cool off faster so overheating can be prevented. When working out in warm water, it can increase your blood flow and remove toxins in your body.
- There is water resistance: Exercising in water can increase resistance on your body which is beneficial for muscle strengthening and toning without having to carry extra weights.
- Helps with your cardiovascular system: For some individuals, they may think that recreational swimming is a lot more relaxing than running on a treadmill. By lowering your stress, you are protecting your cardiovascular system since your blood pressure can be lower. A study show that recreational swimming can burn the same amount of calories as brisk walking.
Exercising on land may be difficult for some individuals so attempting water aerobics can be a great alternative for someone who would still like to stay active. Anyone can try exercising in water and should consider it as a routine in your weekly activities just to train differently, strengthen your muscles and stay healthy.
The Benefits of Yoga
Posted on July 17, 2017 by admin
Have you been feeling stressed lately? Do you experience anxiety and stress frequently? Maybe you should try yoga.
Yoga can help with posture and stretching of the muscles. By fixing your posture, it can help reduce chronic pain you may be experiencing.
What are the benefits of doing yoga?
Lots of activation of different muscle groups are required in order to hold a pose and this can strengthen them. Yoga is also a stress reliever and sometimes when you are stressed, your body tenses up and back pain can occur. By relieving stress, you can reduce the chances of back pain because you are no longer put much stress and tension on these muscles and strengthening the back muscles makes them stronger and able to support your spine.
Every individual is able to try out yoga as it can help improve flexibility and the poses can be easily followed. However, pregnant women should take caution when trying out certain yoga poses as it can be dangerous for the baby. You can also try out yoga poses at home after a 9-5 shift at work so commitment is not something you need to be worried about.
Healthy Eating
Posted on July 12, 2017 by admin
Many of us do not exceed the minimal intake of nutrients we need daily. Some of us consume too much sugar and fats that our bodies actually require and that can lead to health problems. Many individuals tend to lean towards dieting in order to lose weight and some individuals continue to stay on their current diet and exercise at the gym instead. Both of these situations may cause harm to your body even if you do not notice the changes. We always hear people telling us to eat healthy or go on a healthy diet but what does it consist of?
Firstly, there is the Food guide we can refer to. Taking the recommended servings in each age group and food group is a great start to help your body get what it needs for energy.
If you are not confident about the servings you are consuming daily, then why not learn to cook healthy meals at home? This way, it is easier to measure how many servings of each food group you are consuming and you tend to know more about the ingredients you are using while making a home-cooked meal. Cooking a meal at home also lets you head out to the grocery store and know the products you are buying and consuming. Some food products can be local while some are not. Some restaurants do not indicate where their source of food is coming from but some grocery stores indicate whether their source of food coming is locally or not.
Some individuals like to go on a diet to help lose weight and become healthier but they also avoid carbohydrates. However, carbohydrates are good for your diet and some are healthier than others. There are 3 types of carbohydrates: sugar, starch, and fiber. Sugar has the highest glycemic index compared to all three carbohydrates, meaning it has the potential to raise your blood sugar level the easiest.
How can we incorporate carbohydrates into our healthy diet?
Our body uses glucose for energy and we get glucose from carbohydrates. This is why it is important to consume carbohydrates in our diet and not eliminate them in order to lose weight. We need to know which carbohydrates are healthy and good for us and which ones that are bad for us. Consuming fresh fruits and vegetables are good for us. This is because there are not added sugar in these produce. When trying to take in starch, choose whole grains or legumes since they have a lower glycemic index and contain nutrients that your body requires such as B vitamins and fiber. Sugar is still important for your body to function but it only requires a small amount so limiting your sugar intake would be beneficial.
Scoliosis
Posted on July 10, 2017 by admin
Scoliosis is a condition where the curve in your spine is abnormal. Normally, your spine has a natural “S” shape but individuals with scoliosis tend to have their spine curved sideways. From the posterior view, individuals with scoliosis will not have a straight spine but a slight C curve. Most cases of scoliosis are mild however some cases can be severe which can lead to health problems. The causes of scoliosis is still unknown but can be hereditary.
Who is at risk?
There are many factors that may contribute to scoliosis:
- Age: During puberty, signs and symptoms are most commonly diagnosed
- Sex: Girls tend to be at a higher risk than boys to develop scoliosis
- Genetics: As this condition is hereditary, individuals who have family members who suffer from scoliosis may have a higher risk of developing it
If you have a mild case of scoliosis, there should not be a high risk of complications. However, some complications may occur for this condition, such as lung and heart damage, and back problems. Surgery may be recommended if you suffer from severe scoliosis. Other non-surgical treatments include wearing a brace or just observations from a doctor for mild cases of scoliosis.
Signs and symptoms of scoliosis may not seem that obvious. One sign to look for is usually uneven hips or shoulder blades. It is always best to consult with a doctor to prevent a mild case of scoliosis into a more severe case!
Achilles Tendinitis
Posted on July 6, 2017 by admin
Located at the back of your lower leg close to the heel lies the Achilles tendon. This tendon attaches the muscles at the calves to the heel bone for movement. At times, the tendon could become inflamed due to increased intensity of running or walking. When the Achilles tendon is inflamed, this condition is called Achilles tendinitis. This is most commonly found in runners or athletes. In most cases, non-surgical treatments are sufficient enough for Achilles tendinitis to be treated. If left untreated, your Achilles tendon maybe remain inflamed and it can lead to a tear in the tendon which may require surgical repair.
How can you tell if you are experiencing Achilles Tendinitis? Some symptoms may include:
- swelling at the back of your heel
- tight calf muscles
- mild ache, stiffness, and limited motion around the heel
As mentioned, Achilles tendinitis usually does not require surgery. Letting your Achilles tendon rest is important. Wearing a brace to help relieve stress on the tendon can help with the treatment. The RICE method can be applied.
Why is Good Posture so Important?
Posted on July 4, 2017 by admin
Everyone has heard of no slouching or have a good posture but what are the benefits of maintaining good posture?
Proper posture is when your body is aligned in a position where there is the least amount of stress on your ligaments, tendons, and muscles. There are three types of good posture: sitting, standing, and lying down.
Proper sitting posture consist of a straight back with your buttocks touching the back of the chair. The feet should be parallel and touching the ground with your knees bent at a right angle.
Good standing posture is when your ears, shoulders, hips, knee, and your ankle are lined up straight in a vertical line.
A healthy lying position is keeping the cervical spine in a neutral position.
What are the benefits of having good posture?
- Back and neck pain are reduced
- prevents muscle aches
- your muscles are able to work more efficiently due to reduced muscle strain
- decreases risk of arthritis
- vital organs are in proper position due to proper alignment of ligaments, tendons, and muscles
- protects spinal joints from injury
- helps with proper breathing which is important for your cardiopulmonary system for effective organ function
- provides a tall and slim appearance
What are the risks of poor posture?
- increased risk of experiencing back and neck pain
- abnormal muscle strain results in inefficient muscle movement
- problems with breathing and digestion may occur
- muscle tightness
- increased stress on the spine can result in subluxations
If you are experiencing muscle tightness or back pain, one important aspect to fix those problems could be your posture! Maintaining good posture can do wonders for your body and if you are constantly sitting down due to your job then try out these office stretches to help prevent muscle aches caused by prolonged periods of sitting.