Wrist blood pressure computers are
ideal for monitoring blood pressure under completely normal day-to-day
conditions. |
HIGH
BLOOD PRESSURE
Most of us are familiar with the rather uncomfortable procedure
of having our blood pressure taken. It's a fairly routine procedure
but can be really valuable to the doctors diagnosis. Even if our
reading is normal however, it is advisable to maintain lower levels
by looking after our general health, as lifestyle is often a factor,
which causes high blood pressure.
• Giving up smoking is probably the single most beneficial
change we can make to our general health, including blood pressure
levels.
• Overweight people can significantly reduce high blood pressure
by losing weight. Steady weight loss is always healthier than dramatic
losses, which are often hard to sustain. |
• Moderate exercise two or three times a week
can help maintain a health blood pressure - this can include vigorous
housework, cycling etc and need not necessarily be 'gym' type exercise.
• Salt and alcohol both raise blood pressure - cutting down will
be beneficial.
• Some forms of contraceptive pill can raise blood pressure so always
attend any 'well-woman' sessions with your repeat prescription to have
your blood pressure checked.
| Are you getting
good nights sleep? Sleep is
something we tend take for granted, but anyone with sleeping difficulties
will tell you how absolutely wretched lack of sleep can make you
feel. Most of us can handle the odd disturbed night and younger
people can 'burn the candle at both ends' for quite some time before
it catches up with them. But no matter what your age, persistent
disturbed sleep can be an indicator of other problems. |
 |
Most GP's understand how difficult life can become
for a person suffering sleep deprivation, so if it carries on for any
length of time or begins to affect the rest of your life it's always worth
a mention.
Sleeping pills or alcohol can induce sleep but the type of sleep is abnormal
and the sleeper rarely wakes refreshed. Occasional use of tables can be
beneficial but should never be relied up as a long-term cure. For many
people just changing their sleeping habits can improve matters significantly.
These days, many of us do sedentary jobs in office and although mentally
tired we do not take enough exercise or get enough fresh air to induce
a good nights sleep. If this is your case, try to increase outdoor activities
after your evening meal - a good, brisk walk in any weather is more beneficial
than you think, or half-hours digging in the garden can work wonders.
It's a fact that people who work outdoors in physical occupations have
less sleep problems than office workers do. Many GP's will recommend forming
a 'sleep pattern' - which involves going to bed and getting up act exactly
the same time every night. The body soon learns to recognise this pattern
and you may find you start to feel tired at the same time each night.
|
Worry
and stress are very big factors in a good night's sleep. Worrying
over problems at bedtime is always a mistake - how often has some
problem seemed huge in the night hours only to be easily overcome
the next day? If, however, the cause of your worries are rather
more serious then you really must do all you can to sort them out
during your waking hours. |
Don't put things off to the next day as
you'll only lie awake and churn them over and wake feeling even less able
to sort the problem due to lack of a good nights sleep. And remember good
old-fashioned remedies often have some basis in fact. A hot, milky drink
before bed may seem old fashioned but milk contains a natural sleep inducer
- even the psychological effect of taking a milky drink to bed can train
the mind to expect sleep following the drink. Reading and writing letters
and lists are also an old trick but very often produce results.
Never underestimate the value of good sleep - sleep is a natural behavioural
state in which the body renews and restores itself and without it we become
less able to function in our daily lives.
Did
you know?....
that recent research suggests that there is a link between lack
of sleep and obesity. Sleep deprivation causes hormonal changes
that lead to an increase in appetite. Those who sleep for less time
than they need can have more hunger-inducing hormones and less appetite
suppressors. |
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| Health
& Wellbeing Articles |
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