Happy Memorial Day (tomorrow)

We recognize that Memorial Day is the day to honor our veterans and active service personnel for their work and sacrifice.  So thank you for your service.  I (We) appreciate what you do.

What’s the history of Memorial Day?  Memorial Day was called Decoration Day when it was first celebrated in 1868.  On that day General John Logan ordered that flowers and decorations be placed on Civil War graves as a remembrance of their sacrifice.  The celebration and remembrance spread across the land.  Eventually the name was changed to Memorial Day.  In 1971 the National Holiday Act placed the day as the last Monday in May and gave us a three day weekend for Memorial Day.

I took this picture of the Statue of Liberty when we visited New York City a few years ago.  Happy Memorial Day. 

In the News--Women play dangerous waiting game with heart symptoms

Researchers at the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada have found that women “deny” and delay seeking medical care for heart symptoms.  Because women deny and delay, they are more likely to suffer more severe heart damage than men.  Why do women deny and delay?  The researchers suggest women allow their focus on their caregiving role in the family.  Women may discount their symptoms thinking heart disease is more a “man’s disease”

·        What are symptoms of a heart attack?  Angina (chest pressure or discomfort, squeezing, tightness in the chest),

·        Angina pain may spread to shoulders, arms, back, neck, teeth or jaw.

·        Angina pain may feel like bad heart burn. 

·        Feeling short of breath

·        Feeling anxious, feeling dizzy or lightheaded

·        Sweating

·        Feeling sick at your stomach or vomiting

Women may experience any of the above symptoms and also unusual fatigue.

Anyone who experiences these heart symptoms should call 911 and get emergency help.  Ambulance staff have equipment to monitor and support your condition. 

Science Daily, Women Play Dangerous Waiting Game with Heart Symptoms, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141028082640.htm

Mayo Clinic, Heart Attack Symptoms: Know what’s a medical emergency. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-attack/in-depth/heart-attack-symptoms/art-20047744

 

Dealing with Denial

When bad news hits us in the face, our first reaction is to deny.  “No way can that lump be cancer.”  Denial is our normal coping mechanism.  It’s a protective response that gives our brains time to adjust to bad news, In fact, you may remember that denial is the first step of grieving. 

We can grieve over many losses in life.  Of course, we grieve over the loss of loved ones, including beloved pets.  But we can also grieve over loss of other aspects of life, such as our health or a job that we enjoy.  Many people who have heard a diagnosis of serious life-threatening illness such as cancer or Alzheimer’s will recognize they went through the stages of grief. 

How do we constructively deal with denial?  According to Mayoclinic.com, these strategies can help us deal with denial.

       ·       Face what you are afraid of.  Allow yourself to honestly examine the situation you are in denial about.  Is it wise to keep ignoring a problem?  If it’s about a lump, stop denying it’s a problem.

·       Talk to someone you trust; Vent about your fears and concerns.  You will find the weight of the situation lightens as you share your thoughts and fears.

·       Get help.  Go to your family doctor and get his opinion.  If he recommends a referral to a specialist, do that.

·       Write it down.  Journaling helps a person cope constructively.

·       A support group can provide a helping hand as people cope with tough times of life. 

·       A strategy I personally have used over the years: ask yourself what’s the worst that can happen and can I live with that “worst?  I have found these questions decrease my anxiety over the situation. 

Five Stages of Loss and Grieving can be found at http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-5-stages-of-loss-and-grief/000617
Mayo Clinic, Denial: When it helps, when it hurts,

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/denial/art-20047926

Check out my new website

This blog post counts as #880 that I’ve written and posted on my blogger site since I began in 2011.  My newest venture has been building a website.  Please check out my new website at

http://www.sharonehohler.com/wp/  I am certain it will be a work-in-progress but I am proud of my accomplishment.  (Not bad for a non-technie person like me).

 

 

In the News--what causes high blood pressure--salt or sugar?

"Too much salt will give you high blood pressure".  We’ve heard this from researchers and doctors all the past 50 years.  Millions of us have tried to be mindful of how much salt we eat and lower our salt intake.  Will too much salt give you high blood pressure?  Is this a true statement?  Some researchers are questioning this statement.  They are suggesting maybe it’s processed sugar, not salt, that causes hypertension. 

This revolutionary research published in American Journal of Cardiology reports that lowering salt intake has had very poor results (lowering a person’s systolic –top number—by 5 mm Hg and the diastolic –bottom number by 2.5mm Hg.  The researchers are recognizing that insulin resistance (type 2 diabetes) and obesity occur in the same people who have hypertension (high blood pressure).  Doctors know that the high sugar levels in a person’s blood causes the body to shift fluid into blood vessels and reach a dilution level the body needs.  Could this increased volume inside blood vessels be causing the high blood pressure?   Could it be the processed sugars we are eating?   The researchers are concluding that processed sugar is bad for us and we eat too much of it. 

http://www.kshb.com/news/health/new-study-calls-sugar-not-salt-the-main-enemy-of-a-healthy-heart

If this is true, we can improve our health by cutting back on processed foods, especially sweet foods.  We can eat more fresh fruits and decrease our cake intake.  Watch this topic; I bet we will hear more about this. 

 

In the News--Can we avoid Alzheimer's disease?

This headline refers to research that is piling up.  Researchers are recognizing that diabetes and Alzheimer’s are connected.  People with out of control diabetes are being recognized as increasingly risky for developing Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, some researchers are calling Alzheimer’s disease, “type 3 diabetes.” 

As I have pointed out the last few weeks, out of control diabetes does harm quietly to our blood vessels, hearts, kidneys, and other parts of our bodies.  Why not consider that it can damage our brains?  While we need some sugar for our brain cells to function properly and to think well, a high level of sugar in our brain circulation may be causing damage there also. 

So what researchers suggest we do?  If we do not have diabetes, focus our efforts on healthy lifestyle to prevent developing diabetes.  If we have been diagnosed with diabetes, work with our doctor to keep the diabetes under control.  A normal blood sugar level will help prevent complications and damage.  Here’s some things we can do:

·       Eat more healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and low-fat meats and cheeses.  Eat less processed, sugar-laden foods.

·       Work to lose weight if you are overweight.  (Not an easy thing to master for many of us.)

·       Add exercise to our days.  The Mayo clinic suggests 30 minutes most days.  While this sounds like a lot, start slow and work on it.  Also increase slowly and in small amounts to avoid hurting yourself.

·       Brush and floss daily.

·       Watch your feet for sores daily.  http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/diabetes-and-alzheimers/ART-20046987?p=1

Happy Easter

 

We hide Easter eggs, let our kids hunt them and enjoy too much candy.  We gather together with family and loved ones to enjoy a big meal.  (Ham is the traditional Easter meal for my family). 

But the most important reason for Easter Sunday happened centuries ago. Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Easter Sunday morning.  He had been crucified on a cross on Friday (three days earlier). We Christians believe this sinless Jesus took our sins and faults on himself and died to give us the gift of forgiveness.  We celebrate our risen King Jesus. I am sharing a link to a youtube.com video.

 

Join me in listening to Casting Crowns sing O Glorious Day at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xODpgyqGCYM