Antidepressants Blog

Strenuous exercises, such as weight lifting and competitive sports, are not advised for sufferers of high blood pressure. They may do more harm than good. But this does not mean that you should resign yourself to a sedentary existence and lie in bed. Quite to the contrary! You should exercise as much as possible. And the best form of exercise for a patient with high blood pressure or heart disease is walking accompanied by deep breathing.

Start on level ground and walk slowly for half an hour. Develop a regular breathing pattern. For example, inhale deeply during four steps and exhale during the next six steps. Do this for two to three minutes. After five or ten minutes, repeat the deep breathing again. Breathe as deeply as you can so that all parts of your lungs will be filled with life-giving oxygen-rich air. Also, see that the lungs are completely emptied every time you exhale.

Gradually increase your walking distance each day. If you feel fatigued, take a short rest. Gradually you will be able to walk over a steep landscape without difficulty and increase the duration of your walks up to two or three hours a day.

These walks and breathing exercises will be of great help in lowering your high blood pressure and strengthening your heart. They will stimulate and improve blood circulation, increase the capacity of your lungs, accelerate the general metabolism and increase the elimination of toxins and wastes from your system. All this will have a very favorable effect on reducing blood pressure.

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I, myself, agree with the views of Pastor Baumhauer of Vienna on this subject. Since I am in accord with him, I quote here from his statements literally:

The increased research of hereditary factors will enable Iriscopy, as well as the constitution of an individual, to be determined in the widest sense. By constitution, one understands the total of inherited and acquired factors, which determine the actual quality of the blood and lymph, and which in turn result in the state of the remaining bodily organs and tissues. In short: the entire constitutional condition of a man in his ability to withstand the disease producing influences. A constitution reflects the genotype insofar as it is qualified by hereditary factors. Beyond that, it may be modified within certain limits by environmental influences occurring during the course of life (domestic circumstances, nutrition, social factors).

However, it must be stipulated that it is not disease as such but only the dispositions which are transmitted, and that, moreover, from the very first moment of intra-uterine life an effective influence is required to precipitate the actual disease. The total of these tendencies and influences provides the complete picture of the constitution of man (phenotype).

The most valuable aspect of Iriscopy lies in the ability to make a rapid estimation of the human constitutional disposition by an examination of the colour and structure of the iris. The colour of eyes, hair and skin is collectively referred to as the complexion, and these three generally remain in close relation to each other. Since this complexion derives from the blood and other body fluids, certain inferences may be drawn regarding the composition of the blood as well as the morphological structure of the whole organism. The constitution is thus comprehended in terms of chemical and biological functions. Let us take the ground colour of the iris as the principal criterion for the classification of constitution. We thus obtain three main groups:

i. Blue iris—blond hair, fair skin

ii. Grey iris—mixed and compound forms

iii. Brown iris—dark hair, dark skin

It is obviously possible to draw finer differences, such as the lighter and darker shades within all three colourings, but these will here be disregarded. Let us now attempt, in a general way, to give the characteristics of the three different constitutions.

Blue iris: The blue iris is the expression of thinner blood. We have here nothing less than the lymphatic constitution known of old. Von Paltauf has written:

Enlargement of tonsils, lymph nodes, extended lymph node complex of the follicles at the base of the tongue, enlargement of the spleen and the presence of an abnormally large thymus gland at a time when this should have quite disappeared.

Their origin lies in the lymphatic constitution of childhood, during which the lymphatic system and the lymph are already in a condition of hyperfunction. Arising from a continuance of this lymphatic constitution throughout childhood, certain lymphatic and torpid conditions develop during growth and puberty, of which the main examples are: adenoidal growths, nasal polypi, enlarged tonsils, swollen lymphatic cervical glands, swelling of the thyroid gland, and transitional states developing Basedows syndrome and exophthalmic goitre. These are the typical characteristics of this iris colour.

This type has a particularly distinct predisposition with regard to the respiratory system: asthenic pulmonary states, pleuritic and bronchitic conditions, haemoptysis and tuberculosis, here produce most victims. There is also a greater tendency to reabsorption of uric acid with greater accumulation in blood and body fluids, giving rise to rheumatic and neuralgic disturbances. Arteriosclerosis and corneal opacity is more frequent with this type. Heart and kidneys are found to be more easily susceptible.

To summarise: the following are the typical characteristics—blue iris,

lymphatic-rheumatic-tubercular constitution.

Grey Iris: The grey iris, which is due to the reinforcement of the connective tissue fibres of the vascular layer, has a constitutional similarity with the blue iris, but with a special tendency to rheumatic-catarrhal affections involving septic skin conditions such as acne, furunculosis, obstinate skin eruptions; and as a secondary consequence of suppressed perspiration strong catarrhal secretions from all the mucous membranes.

As a result of insufficiency of the renal secretions with noticeably disturbed conditions of quality and quantity of the urine, there arise many unrecognised and difficult conditions of disease of obscure origin.

Summarising: The grey iris is the sign of a rheumatic-catarrhal constitution.

Brown Iris: The brown iris results from a larger concentration of pigment cells, and suggests above all a greater concentration of blood and body fluids.

An admixture of a greater or smaller quantity of bile pigment frequently lends the eye a greenish shimmering lustre. Because of the concentration of blood, and arising from various environmental and domestic influences, the deficient digestion of this type is a characteristic feature with a special predisposition to diseases of the digestive system, of the gastro-intestinal canal along with the associated organs: gastric atony, nervous dyspepsia, constipation, with their secondary states of flatulence, stomach pains, and gastric and duodenal ulcers. These unfavourable tendencies more frequently appear in the female sex with the following consequents—cephalalgia (headaches), cholelithiasis, appendicitis, abdominal plethora (abdominal stasis—particularly of the portal system) and signs of congestion, as well as neurasthenia (sensitive nervous weakness) and hysteria (also psychoneurosis).

The functional tendencies consist of a morbid sensitivity of the liver, so that slight disturbances of bile secretion arise from dietetic errors, such as jaundice, hepatic eclamapsia, and inflammation of the gallbladder. Concentrated and cholesterin-rich blood may also aggravate any tendency to new growths.

To summarise: Brown iris—gastric-bilious-carcinomatous constitution.

Thus, by observing the basic iris colour, one may determine in every human being the relatively weak aspect of his organism which is in the slightest degree susceptible to

disease-producing influences, and which therefore merits particular consideration from the outset.

It by no means always requires a complicated and exhaustive clinical examination, but merely Iriscopy in conjunction with the history, sex, age and occupation, in order to establish the constitution with its particular predispositions, and thereby to determine quite easily in what respects it has a prophylactic significance.

Apart from the colour of the irisis, there is also the actual structure, with its special indications of a constitutional deterioration in the resistance of the total organism, and a decrease in general vitality. Of particular significance is the integrity of the anterior (superficial) layer of the iris as revealed by the greater or lesser degree of delicacy and strength, and through which it is possible to see the underlying supportive connective tissues and vascular layer. This integrity is an indication of the resistance factor in the total organism.

Disregarding the colour of the iris, and assessing only the integrity of the anterior superficial layer we have the following:

1. Ideal Iris: a fine textured iris with an unbroken surface, without crypts or contraction rings (nerve rings).

2. First-grade Iris: an iris texture with little trophic change affecting the anterior layer, although small crypts are evident, especially in the area of the iris-wreath. People with such an iris are in general extremely resistant of constitution, and mostly enjoy untroubled health.

3. Normal Iris: partial atrophic change of the anterior layer, revealing larger portions of the deeper vascular layer, a greater prominence of the iris-wreath, and disproportionate distribution of pigment.

4. Degenerative Iris: almost complete atrophy of the anterior layer, honeycomb-like network of the connective tissues of the vascular sheath, a star-shaped distortion of the iris-wreath, and considerable infiltration of the chromatophors in the deeper layers of the stroma, indicating a deep degeneration of the vital state, and at the same time suggesting the detrimental effects upon the organism of hereditary influences.

The difficult question of the connection of the constitution with a definite mento-emotional habitus can merely be referred to here. The influence of the soma upon the psyche and the reverse is firmly established, as well as the supremacy of the mind over everything material. A satisfactory explanation for it is given only by the theory of psychophysical correlation in human nature, in which body and soul, although essentially different from one another, are yet naturally co-ordinated in combinations which constitute human substance.

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If your feet are cold and your legs chilled, the pain is often worse. A good pair of trousers, warm boots, or a thick skirt and two petticoats are good investments. I’m well aware there are still employers and headmasters who lay down rules about clothes. Some actually ban girls wearing trousers; others take exception to boots. We have a long way to go before we win the freedom to wear whatever is most suitable and practical.

Helpful foods-Oranges, bananas and tomatoes are particularly useful around the time of your period because they help replace the potassium your body may have lost if you have been taking diuretics to help get rid of the bloat. And if you feel tired or giddy it’s a good idea to have a small stock of sugary foods handy, like glucose tablets, boiled sweets, barley sugar or grapes. Things to keep clear of are those tempting salty snacks like crisps or salted peanuts. They encourage your body to retain water and give you a thirst. If you drink more fluid than you need you are far more likely to get waterlogged. Incidentally, if you suffer from the bloat, drinking black coffee could help because it is a mild diuretic.

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Care of your thermometer

After each use, the thermometer should be shaken down below “normal” and washed with soap and cold water. Sterilize the thermometer by soaking it in a solution of rubbing alcohol before storing it in its case. Place it back in the medicine cabinet where it will be handy the next time you need it. Do not let children treat the thermometer as a toy.

Treatment of fever

The most reliable medications for lowering fever are aspirin and paracetamol, a non-aspirin pain reliever found in some over-the-counter preparations. You can give one children’s aspirin or the equivalent amount of paracetamol for every 7 kilos of weight. This dose can be repeated every four hours. Other basic guidelines for administering aspirin or paracetamol include:

1. Do not awaken the child to give aspirin or paracetamol.

2. Do not mix aspirin and paracetamol or alternate between the two.

3. Call the doctor if fever persists longer than 48 hours or if other signs of illness are present.

Keep a feverish child lightly clothed or covered to allow the body heat to escape. This, too, will help lower a fever.

Other methods of reducing a fever include placing the child in a lukewarm bath or encasing the naked child in a wet sheet. A child with a consistently high temperature should be under the care of a doctor.

Although giving the child aspirin has long been the accepted home treatment for lowering a fever, aspirin should not be used if the child has chicken pox or influenza. A condition called Reye’s syndrome has been possibly linked to the use of aspirin in the treatment of chicken pox or influenza. Reye’s syndrome is a relatively rare type of encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, accompanied by changes in the liver, and it usually starts after the child has begun to recover from chicken pox or influenza.

It has not been proven that aspirin causes or promotes Reye’s syndrome, but it is recommended that aspirin not be given to children with chicken pox or influenza. Instead, sponge baths and aspirin substitutes such as paracetamol – which has not been linked to Reye’s syndrome – should be used to manage the fever and other symptoms.

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Home care

Wash the wound with soap and water, then examine it for any embedded dirt or other foreign matter. Inspect the wound carefully under good light, if necessary with a magnifying glass. To stop the bleeding, place a square of sterile gauze over the abrasion and apply gentle pressure directly to the wound.

If there is no dirt in the wound, apply a non-stinging antiseptic, cover the abrasion with a sterile bandage, and keep it covered until it heals completely and the scab falls off by itself. If the abrasion is in an area that is moved constantly (at a joint, for example), swab the scab periodically with an antibiotic or antiseptic ointment to keep it flexible and to avoid cracking.

If dirt is embedded in the wound, scrub gently. Sometimes, dirt will work its way out of the wound if you keep the abrasion covered and apply liberal amounts of antibiotic ointment twice a day.

Precautions

•     Do not treat an abrasion that involves the full thickness of the skin. Have the doctor look at it.

•     Remove dirt from an abrasion, both to guard against infection and to prevent the dirt from being permanently sealed under the skin.

•     It is unlikely, but not impossible, that tetanus will follow an abrasion; since minor abrasions are seldom treated by a doctor, take the precaution of keeping the child’s tetanus boosters up to date.

•     Impetigo may begin at the site of an abrasion; if it occurs, refer to the section on Impetigo.

Medical treatment

If an abrasion is deep and badly soiled, your doctor may apply a local anesthetic to the region and scrub out the dirt with a brush or a substance that will dissolve the dirt.

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Is it true that all children have different hypo reaction symptoms?

It is true that different children feel differently when they are having a hypo, although some symptoms are very common and experienced by very many people. A child will probably feel much the same whenever he has a reaction, but with different sorts of insulin, it is not always so, particularly if the reaction is a more severe one. It is important to recognize at an early stage, if you have a reaction coming so that you can take sugar and prevent it becoming severe.

Is it all right to use ice-cream or lollies in an emergency instead of sugar for an insulin reaction?

Yes, in an emergency situation any food that contains sugar is suitable, provided that you take just the right amount. To take too much, though it may get you over an emergency, may lead to high blood glucose levels later on. Of course in general it is better to take too much than too little.

If I feel all right, what is the point of testing blood so often?

It is possible to feel well yet not have really perfect control of your diabetes. Although most people know when their blood glucose levels are very low or very high, few people can really tell moderate variations in blood glucose. Thus, how you feel may not be an adequate guide to good control and that is why we do blood tests. There are two main reasons. One is that blood will often give you an indication that things are going wrong even before you feel unwell, and thus you can take action to prevent yourself becoming sick. Prevention is better than cure. You and your doctor will also get important information from your tests about your diabetic state, and this will help you decide if the insulin type or dose, or the diet balance and other aspects of treatment are right for you.

Particularly because you are growing, treatment that is correct for you at one stage may not necessarily be correct for you later on. Blood testing may give an ‘early warning’ sign that adjustment is necessary, and at other times it may also help to reassure you that all is well.

The second reason may be harder for you as a child or youth to appreciate. There is reason to believe that efforts towards good control of your diabetes when you are young pays dividends in the long run, and will help keep you in good health through later life. Regular blood tests are the only effective way of checking on your diabetic control from day to day.

Is it necessary to test for ketones all the time?

No, although you doctor may ask you to do so for special reasons. It is generally only necessary to test for ketones if you are feeling ill or if your sugar tests are very high but it is a good idea to check routinely from time to time.

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The good news is that there’s plenty you can do to beat high blood pressure. And while you’re on the way, you can have the satisfaction of knowing that you’ll be defying heart disease and stroke as well. In fact, researchers poring over data from the famed Framingham Heart Study have found that the combination of lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and a decline in cigarette smoking can dramatically reduce heart disease deaths. Here’s how.

Make a DASH for it. Even if you don’t already have high blood pressure, the results of a study called Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) may make you want to run to your nearby produce stand. The 11-week study compared three diets: a standard high-fat American diet, which was the control diet; a diet high in fruits and vegetables; and a “combination diet” that was low in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol, and high in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products. When it was over, the average blood pressure for the combination diet group was 5.5 millimeters of mercury systolic and 3-0 millimeters of mercury diastolic lower than the control diet group. Among those with high blood pressure, the combination diet group’s average blood pressure was 11.4 millimeters of mercury systolic and 5.5 millimeters of mercury diastolic lower than the control diet groups.

A typical day of eating from the combination platter? It consists of 7 to 8 servings of grains (as in bread or cereal); 4 to 5 servings of vegetables; 4 to 5 servings of fruits; 2 to 3 dairy products; up to 2 servings of meat, poultry, or fish; and 2 1/2 servings of fat and oils (the equivalent of 2 1/2 teaspoons of oil).

Strive for fitness. Research has also shown that the fittest guys have the lowest blood pressures and cholesterol levels. And when followed over many years, the rate of death from cardiovascular disease is higher in the least fit than in the most fit. Thirty minutes of aerobic exercise at least three times a week is a good start. And add some weight training to the mix when you’re ready for more, suggests Dr. Pickering.

Pick up the pace. If you’re a runner concerned about high blood pressure, you may want to pick up the pace. Researchers from the National Runners Health Study discovered that running faster had a 13-3 times’ greater impact on lowering blood pressure than a leisurely jog. The researchers noted that “the principle should apply to any sustained and vigorous exercise, such as cycling and swimming.”

Tame your tongue. Does talking fast raise blood pressure? Researchers measured the blood pressures and heart rates of 111 cardiac patients as they read the U.S: Constitution rapidly for two minutes, then slowly for two minutes. Rapid reading triggered a rise in the subjects’ blood pressures and heart rates, according to the study. Never forget: You have the right to remain silent.

Shake the salt. Not all the experts agree, but for now it’s probably a good idea to limit salt intake to help shake high blood pressure. It may just bring it down a few points or even prevent it. The American Heart Association recommends eating no more than 6 grams of salt a day. In case you’ve never counted, a teaspoon of salt is about 6 grams. But when tracking your salt intake, keep in mind that lots of prepared foods contain massive amounts of added salt.

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Alcohol avoidance

Alcohol aggravates the situation. Sleep study units are constantly asked to review obese, moderate to heavy-drinking males with a snoring problem. Treatment for most of these individuals is entirely in their own hands, with success being directly proportional to motivation and willpower.

Posture

A common observation made by snorers and their sleeping partners is that the condition is significantly worsened when the offender lies flat on his back. The observation has prompted several investigations into the effects of posture on snoring. Without doubt, improvement brought about by either lying to one side or by raising the head and shoulders can be attributed to the mobility of structures like the tongue and soft palate which present less of an obstruction to the airway in these positions than in the lying (supine) position. There is disagreement on the effects of posture on those patients who experience occasional complete airway closure during sleep, with some reports of significant improvement in nocturnal symptoms while others claim no improvement at all. Experimentation with various sleeping positions would have to be the simplest and one of the first modes of treatment considered by any snorer, and can be employed while other measures (such as weight loss) are being taken.

Surgery

Medical attention is justified when simple measures offer little or no improvement. Surgery is appropriate in some instances but the range of surgical techniques is as varied as the underlying causes. An operative procedure known as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, thankfully shortened to UPPP, has been employed successfully to treat heavy snoring. It involves extensive removal of soft tissue from the oropharynx but should by no means be considered minor surgery. There are conflicting reports on the efficacy of UPPP in the treatment of snoring and upper airway obstruction. There would seem to be a role for the procedure in the treatment of “uncomplicated” snoring but there is considerable disagreement on its usefulness for the sleep apnoea syndromes. In most cases, however, the severity of snoring is diminished after UPPP.

Other forms of surgery aim to either correct or remove structural anomalies which encourage snoring. Examples include mandibular reconstruction for a small or poorly positioned jaw, removal of nasal polyps and other corrective procedures to improve nasal breathing, and the removal of enlarged tonsils and adenoids in both children and adults.

Treatment of underlying disease

Occasionally, patients suffering metabolic disturbances caused by a hormonal imbalance will experience generalized symptoms such as fluid retention or excessive bone growth. Hypothyroidism (myxoedema) is one such example in which fluid retention, particularly around the neck, combined with a decrease in muscle tone, promotes snoring. Specific medication is the cure for hypothyroidism and associated snoring.

Other devices

Mouth appliances, inserted like a mouth guard, are now available which force the user to breathe through the nose by occluding the mouth, thereby bypassing the upper segment of the soft palate. These devices may well work for some but are unlikely to help where a large proportion of the upper airway is prone to collapse or if there are coexisting structural impediments to breathing below the nasopharynx. They are not recommended for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea.

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