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Hypertension

6.27.2012

Is my hypertension something to worry about?

 For a lot of people, hypertension (also known as high blood pressure) is something they don't know they have until they go into the doctor for some other ailment. The reason? Hypertension tends not to change anything in one's overall health or feeling of health until it has existed for some time. A very, very small group of people will experience symptoms with hypertension such as headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness or anxiety, but for most people, this isn't the case. That's why hypertension is known as a Silent Killer. In usual cases of hypertension, a person with high blood pressure is completely asymptomatic (having no symptoms) until there has been significant target organ damage. Once the organ damage has begun the condition is pretty serious. But it takes years of high blood pressure to get here. The problem is that since people don't feel any worse for having high blood pressure they usually don't feel motivated to fix the problems in their lifestyle, which are the cause. It's hard to remember that their body is hurting when their isn't the pain or bruise or bleeding to remind them like with a cut or headache or burn.

It's really important to know that high blood pressure causes serious, lasting and sometimes irreversible consequences within your body. Though you may not feel any different, your body is worse off. You have to make it a priority to take care of what is ailing as you would put antibiotics and a band-aid on a cut. Here are some things you can do:

- Limit/Reduce your salt intake (don't forget to check for hidden sodium such as in frozen foods, restaurants, soda pop, etc.)
- Eat healthily
- Drink plenty of water
- Get 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily
- Reduce stress
- Maintain a healthy body weight (or lose weight to get there)
- Quit smoking
- Limit/Reduce alcohol intake

With small changes to lifestyle you can prevent hypertension from developing any symptoms by stopping it's ability to damage your organs.

Love,

Nurse Nina

*Hypertension photo credit: Beth Israel Medical Center*

Elena's Visit to DC

6.22.2012

My mother came to visit this past Spring Break. We took so many photos, it's taken me a long time to get this post up! But here it is! We ran around all day long seeing the sights of DC and barely lasted the week! I had the time of my life and am so glad that she came to visit me and see a bit of my life in DC.






A gigantic bumble bee was flying around her!

Ok gone?

Still nervous!

Oh! He's back!! Run!

Arlington Cemetery



The Zoo with Lucy

And Aura & Eric too!


Georgetown!

Mount Vernon

Cherry Blossoms bloom on the mall!





Klane Visits!




Watching the planes land at Gravelly Point Park



The Monuments

Dupont

Mmmmm


The Capital


The best tour guide, Mr. Tanner Mitchell!





National Science Museum - Butterfly House

I was scared!


DC isn't the same without Mum!

Home Sweet Home

6.21.2012

During a lovely trip home to visit my family, Satie and I went to the Dinosaur Museum. So much fun! Here are a few pics of our time at home!













While home, Marinda and I went on a beautiful hike to Stewart Falls. Here's a few of my pics from the lovely landscape.












Utah can be so incredibly beautiful! Especially in the spring!