Treating Hypertension

In most cases, high blood pressure is usually present long before its complications developed and shows some of its symptoms. In order to treat high blood pressure it is important to detect it in its earliest stage before it can do severe damages to the critical organs in the body. In addition, the increases in public awareness as well as the promotion of some screening programs that are aimed towards the detection of hypertension in its earliest stage are some of the keys that lead to successful treatment of hypertension. The essence of treating high blood pressure in its earliest stage can decrease significantly the risk of stroke, heart attack and even kidney failure. Moreover, life style changes in patients which are pre-hypertensive are advised since it is not yet well proven that treatment by means of medication are beneficial for patients with pre-hypertension.

In treating high blood pressure, it is important to note the blood pressure reading. For blood pressure that is consistently higher than 140/90 mm Hg, the treatments consist of lifestyle modifications coupled with an appropriate medication. However, for cases wherein the diastolic pressure remains at a borderline level which is usually under 90 mm HG and steadily remains above 85 mm Hg, a more aggressive treatment may be advised. Furthermore, there are instances wherein the borderline diastolic pressures are associated with end-organ damage, this kind of problem is usually associated with systolic hypertension as well as some factors that may have increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases especially on patients that are 65 years and over who are smoking and has hyperlipemia and diabetes. Regardless of the stage of hypertension, any patient can start with any one of the several classes of medication except of course the alpha-blocker medications. The reason for this is that alpha-blockers are usually used only in combination with another anti-hypertensive medication and only in specific medical situations.

There are some particular situations wherein certain classes of anti-hypertensive drugs are preferable compared to others as the first choice of drugs. An example of which is the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) which are inhibitors or the angiotensin receptor blocking (ARB) drugs which are some of the first prescribed medicines especially for patients with heart failure, chronic kidney failure, for diabetics as well as for patients with weak heart muscles.

Moreover, some patients with hypertension sometimes have coexisting medical conditions in which case a particular class of anti-hypertensive medication or a combination of which may be chosen as the initial approach in treating hypertension. The rationale behind this is to control the hypertension at the same time curing the coexisting medical condition.


About the author:
Author’s Bio: Jinky C. Mesias is a lover of simple things and of nature. She spend most of her time reading and writing poetry.

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Top 7 Ways that Exercise Helps Diabetics

Exercise is an important tool in managing your diabetes in order to live a longer, healthier life.

1. Exercise increase insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. The key problem of Type 2 diabetics is insulin insensitivity, or insulin resistance. By exercising you can improve how well your insulin works; this helps you to control your blood glucose level.

2. Exercise improves your cholesterol levels. Exercise helps by raising the good kind of cholesterol (HDL) and lowering the bad kind of cholesterol (LDL). Exercise can also lower triglyceride levels. This is good news for diabetics as diabetics are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. I myself have had cholesterol problems, but between proper diet and exercise and no drugs, I now have a much healthier cholesterol levels.

3. Exercise can decrease blood pressure. Many diabetics also have hypertension or high blood pressure. Exercising can reduce both your resting blood pressure and your blood pressure during effort (including exercise). This is very important for reducing your chances of heart disease and stroke. I also used be on blood pressure medication, and have been able to get off the drugs. Because of the strong genetic component, this took more than just diet and exercise; I take several supplements specifically to help keep my blood pressure in the healthy ranges. I also work on stress management and meditate, but exercise is a key ingredient to lowering it in most people.

4. Exercise can also improve heart efficiency, and help it work less. This also helps with the cardiovascular risk factors. You will be able to exercise harder and it does not feel harder. This will make performing your daily tasks easier. Many people do not exercise because they think they do not have the energy. They need to exercise to get the energy. Your resting heart rate can also lower.
Top 7 Ways that Exercise Helps Diabetics

5. Exercise can improve your mood. Diabetes can be a stressful disease, exercising can help you feel better mentally. Exercise can even improve depression which can be an issue with a disease like diabetes.

6. Exercise aids dramatically in weight-loss and maintaining weight-loss. Specifically, the right kind and right amount of exercise aids in fat-loss and preservation of muscle tissue. Losing weight can improve blood pressure, insulin resistance, glucose levels, and cholesterol levels above and beyond what exercise alone does.

7. Exercise helps you to reduce your chances of diabetic complications. Better control of your blood glucose helps prevent serious complications of diabetes, including blindness, neuropathy, and kidney failure.

Please talk to your doctor and start exercising! You will feel so much better!

About the author:
Katrina McKenna is the leading diabetes and heart disease fitness expert. She is the author of the upcoming book "Diabetes Secrets: How You Can Lose Weight, Control Your Blood Sugar, Look Great and Feel Great with Diabetes". For more information and to subscribe to her free Health and Fitness Journal please go to: http://www.metamorfitness.com

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Health Benefits of Olive Oil

Why should you use olive oil? Well there are several reasons. Substituting olive oil, a monounsaturated fat, for saturated fats or polyunsaturated fats can:
 

Health Benefits of Olive Oil

• Reduce blood pressure
• Inhibit the growth of some cancers
• Benefit people at risk for or with diabetes
• Lessen the severity of asthma and arthritis
• Actually help your body maintain a lower weight

HEALTHY HEART BENEFITS

Atherosclerosis, also called hardening of the arteries, occurs when particles of LDL cholesterol stick to the walls of the arteries. Eventually these particles build up and form plaque. This plaque narrows the blood vessels and increases the work load of the heart in an effort to get oxygenated blood to the entire body. The result can be a heart attack or stroke.

Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fat and antioxidants like chlorophyll, carotenoids and vitamin E. Scientists have identified a compound in olive oil called oleuropein which prevents the LDL cholesterol from oxidizing. It is the oxidized cholesterol that sticks to the walls of the arteries and forms plaque. Replacing other fats in your diet with olive oil can significantly lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack.
 

CANCER INHIBITOR

A study published in the January 2005 issue of Annals of Oncology has identified oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid found in olive oil, as having the ability to reduce the affect of an oncogene (a gene that will turn a host cell into a cancer cell). This particular oncogene is associated with the rapid growth of breast cancer tumors. The conclusion of the researchers was that oleic acid when combined with drug therapy encouraged the self-destruction of aggressive, treatment-resistant cancer cells thus destroying the cancer. Olive oil has been positively indicated in studies on prostate and endometrial cancers as well.
 

Unlike other fats, which are associated with a higher risk of colon cancer, olive oil helps protect the cells of the colon from carcinogens. A study published in the November 2003 issue of Food Chemistry Toxicology suggests that the antioxidants in olive oil reduce the amount of carcinogens formed when meat is cooked.
 

BLOOD SUGAR CONTROLLER

Diabetics or those at risk for diabetes are advised to combine a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet with olive oil. Studies show this combination is superior at controlling blood sugar levels compared to a diet that consists entirely of low-fat meals. Adding olive oil is also linked to lower triglyceride levels. Many diabetics live with high triglyceride levels which put them at risk for heart disease.
 

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES

The body uses the healthy fats in olive oil to produce natural anti-inflammatory agents. These anti-inflammatory agents can help reduce the severity of both arthritis and asthma. Uninflammed cell membranes are more fluid and better able to move healthy nutrients into the cells and move waste products out. A lower incidence of osteoporosis and dementia is found in areas where people consume large quantities of olive oil.
 

A FAT THAT HELPS YOU LOSE FAT

Sounds impossible, right? A study conducted on eight over-weight men published in the September 2003 issue of the British Journal of Nutrition yielded results that indicate a significant loss of body weight and fat mass can be achieved without increasing physical activity and making only one change in eating habits: the substitution of olive oil for saturated fats. The eight men were divided into two groups and for four weeks ate similar foods with the exception that the first group ate more saturated than unsaturated fats. The second group consumed the same number of calories as the first group, but the fats were mostly monounsaturated fat (olive oil). At the end of four weeks, the men from the second group were lighter and had a lower body-fat index than the men who ate the saturated fats.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON BUYING AND STORING OLIVE OIL
Exposure to light and heat can turn olive oil rancid. This destroys the healthy, antioxidant properties of the oil. Look for olive oil that is sold in darkly tinted bottles. Also, look carefully at the display in the grocery store. Are there glaring lights or sunny windows nearby? If so, you will want to check out some different stores. My favorite grocery store keeps the olive oil on the shelves closest to the floor and away from the fluorescent lights.
 

When you get home, find a dark, cool cupboard for storage. One suggestion is to pour some of the oil from the original container into a smaller container. The original container can be kept in the refrigerator for maximum protection. (The oil will become cloudy and more solid in the refrigerator.) The smaller container you select for your weekly supply of olive oil should be opaque and have a tight-sealing lid. Exposure to air is another enemy of the fragile antioxidants.
Confused about the different grades of olive oil? Extra-virgin olive oil is produced from the first pressing of the olives. It has the lightest flavor and contains the richest array of antioxidants. The next pressing of the olives produces fine virgin oil. Refined means that chemicals were used to extract the oil instead of pressing. Avoid refined olive oils. Pure olive oil is a blend of refined and virgin olive oils. I don’t recommend pure grade either. If you see the words cold pressed on a bottle of olive oil that means heat was not used when extracting the oil. Remember, heat destroys antioxidants, so cold pressed is a good thing.
One last thought on this subject. If you are considering switching to olive oil from other oils, you might be shocked when you first look at the differences in price. I’m a serious bargain hunter. I always buy generic and look for bulk discounts whenever possible. But even the most determined penny pincher understands that there are simply some things that are worth the extra money. Olive oil is one of them.

About the author:
Bio Jean Fisher is a former elementary teacher turned web publisher. At www.whatsfordinner.netshe and her partner, Pam Pour, offer solutions for busy families. "What's For Dinner?" is a free service that suggests one delicious meal seven days a week, provides you with an organized shopping list that can be customized to include all your shopping needs, plus two stimulating table topics and one educational after-dinner activity for each day. As one happy visitor commented, "It's everything you need all in one place!" Come see for yourself, there is no registration required. www.whatsfordinner.net

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