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.

Health Benefits of Drinking Sambong Tea (Blumea Balsamifera)

I have heard of Sambong's medicinal properties many times when I was young. Little did I know what I will soon be drinking it's very aromatic and slightly sweetish brew.

Sambong or Blumea Balsamifera as scientifically known is a weed and generally grows in the Southeast Asian region. This plant from the genus Blumea is described to be softly hair with half woody shrub and very aromatic. The leaves are elongated and the small flowers are scattered along leafy branches of the plant.

This weed is widely popular in the Philippines where the leaves are brewed for medicinal reasons. It is one of the few herbal plants approved by the Department of Health in the Philippines as an alternative treatment to some disorders. And because of the many medicinal and benefits of this plant, it is widely drank by many Filipinos.

Here are some benefits of drinking Sambong tea:

• Acts as a diuretic agent
• Reduces edema
• Effective in dissolving kidney stones
• Effective in the management of mild cases of hypertension & rheumatism
• Helps treat colds & fever
• Has anti-diarrheic and anti-gastralgic properties
• Helps remove worms and boils
• Relief of stomach pains

Health Benefits of Flaxseed

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Flaxseed is also known as linseed. This crops has been planted during the ancient times and is still commercially produced for its health and other benefits. It is also the riches plant source of omega-3 fatty acids and lignans.

The ancient crop list many health benefits which are the following:

• Fights constipation, diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome
• Lowers cholesterol 
• Helps prevent cancer
• Prevents diabetes
• Boosts immune system
• Helps manage weight and good for weight loss
• Enhances memory, mood, and attention
• Reduces symptoms of Menopause
• Reduces the risk of stroke and aids in the prevention of heart diseases
• Prevents or aids in the control of hypertension 

This wonder crop can be ingested whole, crushed, ground or in oil form.

Prescribed Medications

I am fully aware of the numerous parties and the eating I will have this holiday season that my medications are on stand-by. I am regularly taking my hypertension medication and for my cholesterol. I am very careful of the food intake at this time because of the many temptations around me. I don't want to end up eating too much and putting my medications off track because of the binges. My doctor's appointment is not too far from now too so I better be careful and have those numbers in check or else, my doctor will prescribe more medications for me. Of course, I don't want to end up having too many prescribed drugs for fear of prescription drug abuse addiction or relying too much in the aid of various medication.

It's really tough facing this festive season without taking into consideration my health. I just have to keep reminding myself that I want my blood test to come out good in terms of lower cholesterol and uric acid levels. That way, I don't really have to keep taking medications for my hypertension and high uric acid.

My Lab Results

I got my lab results last night and went to see my doctor again for a reading. My cholesterol is high but my blood sugar is normal. However, I can't believe my uric level is so high. It's not even just above the meridian. It's high!

So, that could be the reason why my ankles ache in the morning before I get up. Although, my ankles don't swell, I do feel pain there and on my knees. I thought, the pain was brought about by the 2.7 km walk I did so I didn't give much thought.

Well, I may go vegan for a while. I have no idea how it will go and how my taste buds will receive the new idea and food group. I don't have a problem taking red meat and some seafood out of my eating equation but  not eat my favorite wheat breads and oatmeal cookies? That's just plain torture!

I am barely on my 40s and yet I have these conditions normally felt by middle-aged people. The doctor advised me to really lose weight and strict diet on low purines because purines found on most food I love to eat are one of the culprits of my rising uric acid. 

I just wonder why I was predisposition to have these kinds of conditions. I don't smoke. I don't drink. I get my 8 hours of sleep. I eat healthy foods and not much of a meat eater. I exercise and I try my best to think of positive thoughts. And yet, I still have these conditions which can affect my heart if I don't do something about them. I am really bummed right now.

Anyway, no use crying over spilled milk. I just have to follow my doctor's advise to the letter. I may experience some withdrawal symptoms while I wean away from breads and other delicious food I love to eat. Let this be a warning... Grumpy alert!

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.

Grapefruit and It's Health Benefits

Grapefruit is one of the super fruits loaded with nutritional value that will leave you with plenty of health benefits. It is high in fibre, rich in vitamins and nutrients and is one of the best fruits to eat when trying to lose weight because of its low calorie content.

It is a tangy fruit with a pink to ruby colored flesh. It looks like a big orange but slightly pale rind color. It is available all year round so you don't have to worry about not getting it on any other season.

Eating this fruit will be beneficial to your health as it packs a variety of vitamins and nutrients needed by the body. Here are list of healthy benefits when eating this super fruit:

Rich in Vitamin C - Since it is from the citrus family, it is rich in Vitamin C which helps boost the immune system.

High in Potassium - This is very beneficial to people suffering from hypertension. Potassium is an important nutrient in the body which helps lower blood pressure and improves one's well being.

Lycopene - This is a great antioxidant component which helps fight free radicals in the body. Grapefruit is rich in Lycopene that is why it has that reddish flesh color. Some studies also show that Lycopene can ward the risk of cancer.

Calcium - This is fruit is also a good source of calcium. Calcium helps make bones and teeth healthy. It is also beneficial for people with hypertension because calcium helps in the protection of the heart by regulating the blood pressure.

Pectin fibre - The grapefruit is rich in soluble fibre which helps lower the bad cholesterol. Pectin fibre also help slow down the development of atherosclerosis which is a condition where the arteries are thickened due to the fatty deposits.

Low Salt Intake and a Healthy Heart

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The body can only take so much sodium in the system. Too much of the salty, processed and sodium-laden food is very detrimental to one's health.

A human can only consume around 1,500 mg of sodium to be in the normal level. When the consumption is beyond that, there will be health risks involve like hypertension. Hypertension, when not treated and controlled, will lead to heart diseases and stroke.

One way of regulating the intake of sodium is to read labels when buying food in the grocery. Avoid putting too much salt while cooking. Use herbs to spice up your food instead. Avoid processed and canned goods because they are high in sodium. Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits rich in fibre and potassium.

My Hypertension

I was diagnosed with hypertension last year. I didn't realize I had it until my nape ached for more than a week. My knees were painful and I felt nauseated and light-headed at the same time. 

My triglyceride was very high for my age and I was put into strict DASH or Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension. My food for more than a month was either steamed, grilled and less seasoned than usual. My taste buds actually adapted to the bland tastes of my meal but it really helped lower my triglyceride. 

The doctor also advised me to exercise regularly (which I am failing to do right now!) and be active no matter how mundane it seems. Losing weight was also one of the tasks I had to commit myself to because I cannot carry any heavy weight around my stomach area.

Avoiding stress is also a must. I cannot get mad nor get upset over silly matters. It is a big make-over on my perception in life. I want to be healthy so I have to commit. It's not easy having hypertension. 

Hoodia Weight Loss

I have tried some weight loss supplements in the past and one of them was hoodia. I cannot recall the effect it has done to me but it is one of the few that worked for me.

Prior to trying weight loss supplements, I have gone through numerous web sites and health stores here to check out the products. The health stores have shelves full of weight loss supplements. So, I asked myself then, "does hoodia really work?" I did not buy on impulse because I wanted to make sure that it was not hype.

I checked with my friends who have lost weight and some of them suggested that I try hoodia as long as I couple it with regular exercises and proper and balanced diet.

Now that I have hypertension, it is very difficult for me to take supplementary medication or vitamins because it may cause palpitation. I will check with the doctor again if I can try taking hoodia while taking my hypertension medication. The last thing I want to happen is to have complications.

Hoodia weight loss supplements may be the answer for some but I still suggest for people who wish to take any weight loss supplements to check their physician.