Dealing with Hypertension

It's been several years since I was diagnosed with hypertension. I was not even 40 then. Lifestyle and bad eating habits and not to mention genetics have all played a big role in this condition that I rue to have today. Mostly, it's also because I haven't exercised when I used to, not eating very well and more importantly, I just didn't give much attention to my health when I should.

I have been on sick leave for 2 days now. I have mostly utilized my sick leaves for the current year and we just entered September. I don't know what repercussions this will bring to my career but I have to listen to what my body is telling me - I need a rest. I need a break. I need a vacation from the craziness of work, problems and blogging.

Hypertension is also a tricky condition. One moment you're all normal and then it shoots up like a rocket ship. Since Saturday, I was feeling dizzy and nauseated. My blood pressure gauge is broken so I couldn't take a proper reading for my pressure but I suspected that it was my BP that was causing my on and off migraine for the past few weeks. So I decided to go to the doctor yesterday, once and for all and have scheduled a blood chem (the whole nine yards!) to see what was wrong again. My suspicion was laid to rest when the reading came out for my BP. It was very high. The diastolic is more than the normal. A normal reading for adults is around 120/80. Mine was way over that and scary for a small built like myself.

The doctor scheduled me for a blood chem this morning so I am off again. I don't feel dizzy as I was the past few days but I am certainly very hungry due to the fasting. NO water, NO solid food until my blood is drawn and then back to the doctor again tonight for the reading. I pray and hope I didn't have other issues to deal with my health. I'm scared. My family has a history of maladies that contributed to poor health. But the doctor said, there's one thing I can do - lose weight. This time, I'm listening. I'm listening really, really good.

Pharyngitis Again

I am already losing count of how many times I have contacted pharyngitis. I think, it happens to me twice or thrice in a year whenever there is a season change. I was very up and about few days ago before Wednesday and come 20 November, I already have a pain on my throat, hot eyes and weariness and dizzy spells.

I left early last Wednesday because I couldn't keep my focus. I was feeling very lethargic already. I was sick leave again last Thursday. Since I couldn't stand and my whole body ached, I was unable to go to the doctor that same day.

I had a check up yesterday and yes, it is pharyngitis once again. I am back on medications and I do really pray I get well soon. We are travelling in a week's time and were going to a very cold country. I cannot afford to feel like this.

As soon as I feel better, I will really go to the clinic again and have my vaccine shot.

I'm Getting Sickly Again

Well, I give myself a pat on the back for having an improved health after getting afflicted with pneumonia few years ago. My immune system did picked up several notches for the better and I had a good running with a clean bill of health. Not totally so clean. I still have terrible cholesterol level, overweight for my age and height and now, getting a wee sickly again.

I feel bad not going to work today. I had my stuff ready but when I woke up, I was still feverish and dizzy. I left work yesterday earlier because my fever was starting to cause inconvenience like watery eyes, hot temperature, dizzy spells and lack of appetite. Now, my fever has subsided a bit but my whole body aches like some giant just made me his/her punching bag. My whole body aches right now and I pray it will all go away as I get my health ready for the Tokyo trip in few days.

I think I am not giving myself the 101% care I used to. I just have too many things to do that I don't take enough time to really focus on my health and weight issues that is why my immune is getting low again. I better start eating healthy and do regular exercises. I noticed, I don't get too feverish when I was exercising regularly but now that I stopped again, my health and wellness is not very well. No pun intended.

Sick Again

This is my 5th sick leave for the current year. My immune system has been very cooperative for the past few years so I am a bit concerned why I am getting sick often lately.

I feel tired and heavier too. I must admit, my exercise routine is off the wagon again and it's my fault because I cannot commit regularly when I should. I haven't been eating properly too. I wish there's another way how I can be healthier and fit with a good immune system.

I'm just not happy being sick. I don't like sipping work but my body needs to rest. It's back to work for me tomorrow though. I hope I won't have any relapse.

So Hot

It is very hot these days here in the UAE. I just feel so tired all the time and have a tad wheezing. I am afraid to go out after I come home from work because the heat is stifling. I feel suffocated. And that is only a brief moment out of the house. Imagine the laborers and construction workers whose daily work involves manual labor in the open.

So if you are out all the time, just make sure you are well hydrated and wear light clothing and cotton fabric to absorb perspiration. Last thing you want to get is sick in this very hot and humid season.

Sick, Sick, Sick

For 1 and 1/2 years, I have managed to steer clear of any bouts with cough, colds, sinusitis, fever, flu and other usual suspects in making my immune down. It is happening again. If someone sneezes near me and I will catch the flu. That's how frail my immune system has gotten these past few days.

I am trying my very best to eat well, exercise regularly, meditate to relax my mind, and keep myself warm when necessary. However, I just get sick easily unlike other people. I was so good for the past 1 and 1/2 years without any use of sick leave because I was fine but now, a month away from the end of the year and I have used 6 days already.

So, I am so sick of getting sick. I just hope I'll finish the year without anymore bouts with colds, cough, flu, sinusitis and whatever. I just want to be healthy like most people.

Another Trip To The Hospital Soon

I never liked the hospital atmosphere. I feel something sad and negative looming in the air whenever I am in a hospital. Even clinics scare me! I just cannot stand the smell, the sick people around me and the people in iguanamed scrubs walking past. I have to make another trip to the hospital soon for my check up. I just hope this time, the results will be okay even if I still have to lose a lot of weight. I just want to enjoy life without feeling pain here or there.

Flu Season is On

Another bout with the pesky cold is dampening my spirit. I usually love the colder months here and I just like the way winter season makes my skin glow, my pores tight, my hair manageable and my complexion lighter than usual. However, this is also the season where I battle the fight to ward coughs and colds.

Just few weeks ago, I had my sinusitis attack again. It's coming back too! I have been sneezing with matching watery eyes and awfully painful joints. I hope I am not coming down with a flu because I cannot afford another sick leave especially when I just used few days 2 weeks ago.

So, this season is a bit tricky. The weather is either cool and cold. The breeze is inviting but it dips around the afternoon towards early morning the next day. It will get colder as the days pass and we should all be ready to brace ourselves with the weather changes.

Follow this tips to ward off the flu this season:

1. Drink plenty of water and fresh juices.

2. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Get proper nutrition and take your multi-vitamins too.

3. Have enough rest and sleep.

4. Wear proper clothing. If your office area is like a freezer then change the temperature control accordingly.

5. Wear woolen socks at night to keep your feet warm.

6. Have an inoculation for Influenza.

7. Control stress because it is one of the biggest factor which weakens your immune defenses.

Keep those tissues and flu virus at bay and strive to be healthy throughout the colder months.

Bed Rest

I am on a 3-day bed rest while I recuperate from acute sinusitis and hypertension. I went to the doctor (finally!) yesterday because I couldn't stand the pressure on my nasal cavity and I was feeling feverish already. That could only mean one thing, I needed my antibiotics whether I liked it or not.

I waited for 45 minutes before being called in the doctor's office. Both myself and the doctor were surprised to see my blood pressure to read as 143/100. That was way too high.

So, I am back to my antibiotics, anti-allergy and hypertension meds again. I also have to wait for the result of my blood test for everything that could possibly causing my hypertension and inability to lose weight inspite of the exercise regimen and low-sodium diet.

Am I going through menopause?!? I am praying that my renal test is also okay. I drink a lot of water and certainly not a salty food junkie but I'm really scared.

Throbbing Headache

I didn't have any bouts with migraine nor had headache spells for sometime now. I think I would akin this to taking my hypertension medication. However, my blood pressure is shooting up the gauge again albeit my work stress level is very minimum.

I haven't been sleeping really well lately. I am just excited over my upcoming vacation back home so my mind is preoccupied at most times. 

My headache today is really over-the-top painful! I cannot take any pain killers because I have an allergic reaction to most medication and analgesic and other form of pain killer tablets or capsules are one of my no-no to take.

I hope I am not coming down with a flu or something. I feel my joints a little achy my body a bit heavy (too much fats?!?).

Movies and Me

Oh, I don't know what title to give this post. It's just that for the past week while I was having my much awaited vacation leave, I was also sick and in bed. During that time, I must have watched a dozen of movies I never dare to watch on the big screen.

Imagine being sick for almost a week? Boring right and utmost back-wrenching! So, I did the unimaginable. I watched and watched until I fall asleep or the medicine kicked in, which ever came first to knock me off.

I never thought I would enjoy the time spent at home watching movie and just lying in bed doing that. So what if the laundry piled up; the dirty dishes reached the ceiling and my back almost form part of the bed cushion? I was having a fun time while blowing my nose and coughing like a mad dog!

Tuh-tah for now. I am going to watch Julie and Julia and that's going to be very nice because it's about blogging and cooking! What a treat, though I don't like cooking but I like Meryl Streep and Amy Adams!

Not so Well Again

I have been under the weather for the past few days. It must be the change of season because most of my officemates are either coughing, sneezing or bugged with a flu. Recently, my daughter caught the bug, then my hubby and now it is me.

One thing I really dislike when getting the flu is how awful I feel and look. My hair is a mess; my flannel pyjamas which I always keep at the back of my closet have to be worn; I have a dark circle under my eyes; my nose is runny; my voice is a bit hoarse and my whole body and joints ache so bad.

Going Under the Weather

It's not me this time! I did fall ill several times in the past years; however, I have reversed that misfortune and my immune is A-OK.

My daughter has fallen ill these past few days and I have no clue that she was about to fall sick. Her temperature reached 40 degrees and I was not prepared for anything like that. She was diagnosed with "fever of unknown origin." Honestly, I have not heard about that in my life although my office mate had fallen sick few months ago and was diagnosed with "viral flu" where the symptoms were so similar to the ones my daughter had. The doctor mentioned something about viral infection and I could not really digest what he was telling me. I checked the Internet for other details pertaining this viral flu and fever of unknown origin but was lead to Influenza and other myriad of maladies.

Well, she has mild fever now due to colds but is still under medication.

It's really difficult when you have kids getting sick. They are just helpless. I hope my princess get well soon.

Arf, Arf!

Nope, not the barking of a dog nearby but that of my daughter. She isn't barking but coughing like a small pup. I had to skip my class today to take care of her because she's coughing like crazy.

Stuff like this really throws me off the balance. One moment I am a career woman making decisions and the other moment, I am a mom, worried-sick of her little child.

I hope my baby feels better soon. I can't stand seeing her cough her guts out.

Flu Boo Boo... and again...

Having been on and off sick, I am so getting sick of it! I really don't know how to make myself healthier than ever. I drink lots of water, exercise regularly, eat fruits and veggies. I am a less meat eater, not much on fried foods but yet, I still fall ill quite fast. I am already bordering being a hypochondriac because of my frail health. However, if you look at me, I am not emaciated. I am even in the chubby side but I still get sick easily. %&@#!!!

Flu Boo Boo part 2 (or 3 or 4 or 5, or was it 6 or 7???)
by Ria Cervantes

Not again!
I have this cough and phlegm
I don't know what to do.

I drank more water
And juices too
So my resistance will have power.

Now and then,
I get sick my friends
How do I recover?

More rests?
Or even medicines
To make my immune system the best.

Frankly now
I am so tired
Of falling ill in a row.

Tell me please
What will make me at ease
So I don't fall ill again.


sob...sob...sob....sob...sob

Under the Weather

I have been sneezing my guts away for the past 2 days and now I have fever and cough again. For crying out loud, what must I do to jack up my immune system? I am just sick of being sick most of the time. Do I need to change my eating habits, my lifestyle? I exercise and run like crazy on the treadmill, I eat fruits and veggies. I don't eat meat often. I certainly don't drink and smoke. I take multi-vitamins, have long rests during weekends but why do I still fall ill all the time? Sob...sob...sob...

Sheepy

Just as I was exuding with great happiness because of my nice blog template, I learned that our dear guinea pig pet, Sheepy has fallen ill. He is exhibiting the following symptoms of serious illness like deep breathing, lethargy, risen and puffy fur, eye discharge and loss of appetite. I called the vet right away because I couldn't take him to the clinic anymore as it's late. The doc advised me to force feed him with water laced with sugar and to apply eye ointment to clear the discharge. My daughter has fallen asleep crying because this is the first time for her to see our beloved pet having a hard time breathing. My heart aches to see my daughter get hurt and same goes to my pet Sheepy. I just wish he get's better. I can't afford losing someone so dear to us. Please help me pray for our little Sheepy to get well. We love him so much...