It's a common scenario, you go to see your doctor only to find your blood pressure is high. But is that the best way to measure you blood pressure?
Turns out, you will get a better idea of what your real blood pressure is by taking it at home instead of just at your doctor's office.
High blood pressure is called a silent killer. That's because it takes its toll over time, damaging your blood vessels, kidneys and heart along with other organs. You don't feel the effects of having high blood pressure until years later once the damage is done. So keeping it controlled all your life, even when you don't think you need to is very important to your overall health.
The problem is that the reading you get at your doctor's office isn't always the most accurate. That's because most of us suffer from what's known as "white coat hypertension," meaning our blood pressure at that time is higher than normal because we are sick or hurt and maybe a little anxious about being in a doctor's office.
Taking your blood pressure at home is one way to get a more accurate reading. As a matter of fact, a new study out of the journal "Archives of Internal Medicine" found that using a portable home monitor over a 24 hour period to measure blood pressure better predicted whether someone would develop kidney failure or even death.
The simplest way for you to take your own blood pressure is to buy and inexpensive monitor. Take your blood pressure twice a day, once in the morning and once again at night. Record these numbers over at least a 5 day period. Take these numbers with your to your next doctor's appointment and that will give you and your doctor a better idea of what your true blood pressure numbers really are.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
"Media Diet" For Kids
When it comes to keeping your kids slim and trim you might want to think about a "media" diet.
The main reason is because childhood obesity is still an epidemic in this country and part of the reason seems to be too many junk food commercials.
According to the CDC three times as many kids are obese now as they were back in 1980. A new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics is suggesting that banning companies from advertising junk food during children's television programs could help control kids weight. This is their so called "media diet". According to one of their pediatric experts, Dr. Victor Strasburger, studies have shown that kids are psychologically defenseless against advertising. And seeing all the advertising for junk foods helps fuel their desire for these foods instead of healthier choices. Other experts don't necessarily agree that it's the junk food commercials that mainly cause this weight gain issue in children. They feel that just the amount of time spent watching TV is the main culprit. To them, 6 hours of TV watching isn't all that different from 6 hours of bed rest. The same goes for computer time.
So, some suggestions that will help keep your kids weight down include getting TVs and computers out of their rooms. That will make it much easier to monitor how much time they really spend on these activities. And limit the amount of time they spend watching TV to no more than 2 hours per day. That will give them more time to run around and just have kid fun, something that will also help them keep a healthy weight all year long.
The main reason is because childhood obesity is still an epidemic in this country and part of the reason seems to be too many junk food commercials.
According to the CDC three times as many kids are obese now as they were back in 1980. A new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics is suggesting that banning companies from advertising junk food during children's television programs could help control kids weight. This is their so called "media diet". According to one of their pediatric experts, Dr. Victor Strasburger, studies have shown that kids are psychologically defenseless against advertising. And seeing all the advertising for junk foods helps fuel their desire for these foods instead of healthier choices. Other experts don't necessarily agree that it's the junk food commercials that mainly cause this weight gain issue in children. They feel that just the amount of time spent watching TV is the main culprit. To them, 6 hours of TV watching isn't all that different from 6 hours of bed rest. The same goes for computer time.
So, some suggestions that will help keep your kids weight down include getting TVs and computers out of their rooms. That will make it much easier to monitor how much time they really spend on these activities. And limit the amount of time they spend watching TV to no more than 2 hours per day. That will give them more time to run around and just have kid fun, something that will also help them keep a healthy weight all year long.
Shower Before Getting In The Pool
You change into your bathing suit and jump in the refreshing cool pool waters. But did you forget one important step?
That step you missed might be getting yourself or other people sick, something a simple shower can help with.
Interestingly, most of us take a shower after swimming, but according to a national poll conducted by the University of Michigan, not many of us shower before getting into the water, and the same goes for our kids. Only 26% of parents surveyed felt it was important to shower "before" getting themselves or their kids into the water. But at the same time 64% of those same parents thought it was very important for their children not to swallow pool water to avoid getting sick.
But showering before you get into the pool can help cut down on what's known as recreational water illnesses. Bacteria from our bodies, especially those of young children can get into the water. Although most disinfectants used nowadays do a good job getting rid of what might make you or your kids sick, there are a couple of bugs that chlorine can't kill, cryptosporidium for one. This comes from fecal matter, usually because of dirty diapers.
So, one key to keeping yourself and everyone else swimming healthy is to shower off before getting into the pool. And the key word is to shower off, not just rinse off. Use soap and water and for diaper wearing or young children you need to make sure the diaper area is well washed. While in the pool check children frequently to see if they need to use the restroom. Simple steps that can help keep us all enjoying a cool dip on a hot day.
That step you missed might be getting yourself or other people sick, something a simple shower can help with.
Interestingly, most of us take a shower after swimming, but according to a national poll conducted by the University of Michigan, not many of us shower before getting into the water, and the same goes for our kids. Only 26% of parents surveyed felt it was important to shower "before" getting themselves or their kids into the water. But at the same time 64% of those same parents thought it was very important for their children not to swallow pool water to avoid getting sick.
But showering before you get into the pool can help cut down on what's known as recreational water illnesses. Bacteria from our bodies, especially those of young children can get into the water. Although most disinfectants used nowadays do a good job getting rid of what might make you or your kids sick, there are a couple of bugs that chlorine can't kill, cryptosporidium for one. This comes from fecal matter, usually because of dirty diapers.
So, one key to keeping yourself and everyone else swimming healthy is to shower off before getting into the pool. And the key word is to shower off, not just rinse off. Use soap and water and for diaper wearing or young children you need to make sure the diaper area is well washed. While in the pool check children frequently to see if they need to use the restroom. Simple steps that can help keep us all enjoying a cool dip on a hot day.
Roughhousing Good For Kids
When it comes to playing with your kids a little roughhousing may be doing a lot more good than you'd think.
Small kids love to attack and pounce all over Dad and Mom. It's a good time had by all. But that good time might also be crucial to how well a child develops over the years. According to Australian researchers this type of rough and tumble play between Dad's and kids helps shape a child's brain. Roughhousing between the ages of 2 and 5 allows them to learn to manage emotions and thinking along with physical action and put these crucial steps all together. Watching films of children playing with their fathers, these researchers noticed that not only were the children having fun and giggling, but they could also see the child concentrating really hard to try and get one over on the Dad. And when they were able to "defeat" the Dad, whether he let them or not, they gained a sense of achievement. On the other hand if they lost they learned a lesson in life about not always being able to win. So either way, whether the child came out on top or not, it worked to teach them something about life. And this type of play also help build a sense of trust between child and parent.
Although the study was done with Dads and children, the same most likely applies to how Moms roughhousing with children can help them as well. The lesson here is that simply spending one-on-one time playing with your kids, without the interference of TV, video games or computers is crucial to helping them develop into strong adults.
Small kids love to attack and pounce all over Dad and Mom. It's a good time had by all. But that good time might also be crucial to how well a child develops over the years. According to Australian researchers this type of rough and tumble play between Dad's and kids helps shape a child's brain. Roughhousing between the ages of 2 and 5 allows them to learn to manage emotions and thinking along with physical action and put these crucial steps all together. Watching films of children playing with their fathers, these researchers noticed that not only were the children having fun and giggling, but they could also see the child concentrating really hard to try and get one over on the Dad. And when they were able to "defeat" the Dad, whether he let them or not, they gained a sense of achievement. On the other hand if they lost they learned a lesson in life about not always being able to win. So either way, whether the child came out on top or not, it worked to teach them something about life. And this type of play also help build a sense of trust between child and parent.
Although the study was done with Dads and children, the same most likely applies to how Moms roughhousing with children can help them as well. The lesson here is that simply spending one-on-one time playing with your kids, without the interference of TV, video games or computers is crucial to helping them develop into strong adults.
New Cigarette Labels
Coming soon to the nearest cigarette pack, graphic pictures of what smoking can actually do. But will these labels work?
Experts are certainly hoping that pictures of rotting teeth or even a corpse will get some to give up the smoking habit.
The U.S. was the first country to issue warnings on cigarette packages over 25 years ago. But now many nations have been putting graphic and even gruesome pictures, of what can happen when someone smokes, right on the box so you have to see it before lighting up. And in those other countries the pictures seem to help cut down on smoking, so now the U.S. is adding similar ones. The FDA is requiring that by October 22 of next year all cigarettes sold in the U.S. have one of nine graphic pictures along with short one liners like "cigarettes cause cancer." The pictures will cover most of the package and include images of a man smoking from a tracheotomy tube, a mom holding a baby with smoke swirling around both of them and even a picture of diseased lungs caused by cigarette smoking.
Each label will also include a national quit hotline phone number with the hope being that after seeing the pictures smokers will call the line to get help in breaking this costly addiction. And although some experts feel the photos used on packaging here in the U.S. are too tame, especially when compared to what other countries use, they do hope the message gets carried to all smokers, but especially young teenagers who are picking up a cigarette package for the first time. A little shock value to get them to hopefully stop a bad and deadly habit.
Experts are certainly hoping that pictures of rotting teeth or even a corpse will get some to give up the smoking habit.
The U.S. was the first country to issue warnings on cigarette packages over 25 years ago. But now many nations have been putting graphic and even gruesome pictures, of what can happen when someone smokes, right on the box so you have to see it before lighting up. And in those other countries the pictures seem to help cut down on smoking, so now the U.S. is adding similar ones. The FDA is requiring that by October 22 of next year all cigarettes sold in the U.S. have one of nine graphic pictures along with short one liners like "cigarettes cause cancer." The pictures will cover most of the package and include images of a man smoking from a tracheotomy tube, a mom holding a baby with smoke swirling around both of them and even a picture of diseased lungs caused by cigarette smoking.
Each label will also include a national quit hotline phone number with the hope being that after seeing the pictures smokers will call the line to get help in breaking this costly addiction. And although some experts feel the photos used on packaging here in the U.S. are too tame, especially when compared to what other countries use, they do hope the message gets carried to all smokers, but especially young teenagers who are picking up a cigarette package for the first time. A little shock value to get them to hopefully stop a bad and deadly habit.
What Teens Are Drinking
There's good news and bad news when it comes to what teenagers are drinking these days, and that could have a big impact on their health.
Although teens are now choosing healthier drinks, they are still reaching for sodas far too often.
The CDC found that teenagers are drinking more water, milk and juices than they used to. Their national survey found that nearly three quarters of teens drank at least one glass of water a day, almost half drank one glass of milk a day and 30% drank 100% fruit juice. This is good because these types of drinks can help keep kids healthy and help them avoid excessive weight gain.
But, unfortunately, the same survey found that although soda drinking is down, around 1 out of every 4 teens admitted to still drinking one soda a day. Interestingly, although boys were more likely than girls to drink milk and whole fruit juices, they were also more likely to drink soda daily. And when you add how many teens drink other sugary sports drinks it turns out that nearly two thirds of teens drank a sweetened beverage everyday.
Those sugary drinks, even just one a day, can pack on the calories and pounds and that can add to the obesity and overweight problems we are seeing in today's teens. But hopefully this downward trend in sweetened drinks will continue and more teens will find the benefits of simply reaching for a glass of water, milk, or 100% fruit juice to quench their thirst.
Although teens are now choosing healthier drinks, they are still reaching for sodas far too often.
The CDC found that teenagers are drinking more water, milk and juices than they used to. Their national survey found that nearly three quarters of teens drank at least one glass of water a day, almost half drank one glass of milk a day and 30% drank 100% fruit juice. This is good because these types of drinks can help keep kids healthy and help them avoid excessive weight gain.
But, unfortunately, the same survey found that although soda drinking is down, around 1 out of every 4 teens admitted to still drinking one soda a day. Interestingly, although boys were more likely than girls to drink milk and whole fruit juices, they were also more likely to drink soda daily. And when you add how many teens drink other sugary sports drinks it turns out that nearly two thirds of teens drank a sweetened beverage everyday.
Those sugary drinks, even just one a day, can pack on the calories and pounds and that can add to the obesity and overweight problems we are seeing in today's teens. But hopefully this downward trend in sweetened drinks will continue and more teens will find the benefits of simply reaching for a glass of water, milk, or 100% fruit juice to quench their thirst.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Children & Pet Allergies
Your bringing home a new baby, so what do you do with your pets? Turns out, that dog or cat might be one key to keeping your baby healthy.
What that pet might do is keep your baby from developing allergies, even later in life.
Researchers followed babies from back in the 1980s until they just recently turned 18. They looked at what types of pets they had in their homes back then, if any, and what kind of allergies they developed as young adults.
They found that children with a dog or cat were not at an increased risk of developing pet allergies. But the important time frame was that first year of life. Infants who had cats had a 50% less chance of developing allergies later on. Growing up with a dog, on the other hand, had the same affect on boys, but not on girls, a finding the researchers are still trying to figure out.
Part of the reason having a pet during the first year of your baby's life protects them from allergies, could be what some are calling the "hygiene hypothesis." In other words, dirt is good for children and getting exposed to pets and occasionally playing in the dirt can help build their immune systems. And since the immune system is like a muscle, the more of a workout it gets early in life the stronger it will be when these kids are grown up, then exposing them to everyday things and not getting to concerned about keeping them clean all the time might be one key to helping them fight off illnesses later in life.
In other words, it's OK to be a kid and get messy every now and then. But like our moms always said, "don't forget to wash up before dinner."
What that pet might do is keep your baby from developing allergies, even later in life.
Researchers followed babies from back in the 1980s until they just recently turned 18. They looked at what types of pets they had in their homes back then, if any, and what kind of allergies they developed as young adults.
They found that children with a dog or cat were not at an increased risk of developing pet allergies. But the important time frame was that first year of life. Infants who had cats had a 50% less chance of developing allergies later on. Growing up with a dog, on the other hand, had the same affect on boys, but not on girls, a finding the researchers are still trying to figure out.
Part of the reason having a pet during the first year of your baby's life protects them from allergies, could be what some are calling the "hygiene hypothesis." In other words, dirt is good for children and getting exposed to pets and occasionally playing in the dirt can help build their immune systems. And since the immune system is like a muscle, the more of a workout it gets early in life the stronger it will be when these kids are grown up, then exposing them to everyday things and not getting to concerned about keeping them clean all the time might be one key to helping them fight off illnesses later in life.
In other words, it's OK to be a kid and get messy every now and then. But like our moms always said, "don't forget to wash up before dinner."
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