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Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms, Diagnosis, Stages and Treatment

April 23, 2019 By Heather

You can’t speak coherently, the left side of your body is involuntarily shaking, and sudden random painful muscle spasms keep happening – all at once. This is how stages 3 and 4 of Parkinson’s disease can debilitate you.

Parkinson’s disease may begin as an innocuous tremor that over time leaves a person completely debilitated. As of yet, there is no known cure. However, early recognition of the symptoms and proactive treatments can slow it down.

In this yourfootpalace.com article, we define and explain what Parkinson’s disease is, how to identify its symptoms, how a diagnosis is made, and the stages a person passes through during the progression of the disease.

What Is Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disease of the nervous system associated with tremors, muscular rigidity, slow and imprecise movement. The disease principally affects middle-aged and elderly individuals. It is also related to degeneration of the basal ganglia (a group of structures found deep within the brain) and dopamine deficiency.

This disease primarily affects those over 50 but has been known to occur earlier. Parkinson’s does not discriminate by race, color, gender, or social status, and in recent decades, awareness of the disease has been heightened by Alan Alda, George H.W. Bush, Robin Williams, Muhammad Ali, and Michael J. Fox all having been diagnosed.

What Are Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are typically slow to manifest themselves and may go unnoticed or disregarded until multiple symptoms appear or frequent mishaps begin to occur.

Some of the more common symptoms are:

Involuntary Tremors – these tremors (shaking) may occur while at rest, in the hands, arms, legs, or even through the back affecting posture.

Muscular Affliction – The onset of Parkinson’s may cause minor to severe:

• Muscle Stiffness
• Muscle Rigidity
• Muscle Contractions
• Difficulty Standing
• Difficulty Walking
• Problems with Coordinated Body Movement
• Involuntary Bodily Movements
• Slow Bodily Movements (bradykinesia)
• Slow Uncertain Walk (Gait)

Significant Changes in Sleep – Daytime sleepiness, restless sleep, early awakening, sleep disturbance, or nightmares can all be associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Cognitive Warning Signs – Evening time confusion, difficulty thinking and understanding, dementia, and amnesia.

The following symptoms may also indicate or be a result of Parkinson’s disease:

• Reduced Facial Expression
• Difficulty Speaking
• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Loss of Balance
• Loss of Sense of Smell
• Loss of Contrast Sensibility
• Difficulty Swallowing
• Drooling
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Dribbling or Leaking Urine
• Unintentional Weight Loss

While many of the symptoms above may appear from other afflictions or illnesses, any one or a combination of them should be checked out by your primary care physician.

Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis

No blood test can diagnose Parkinson’s disease. To further complicate things, it is challenging to diagnose in its early phases.

A concrete diagnosis may take years to be made, and it probably won’t be your primary care physician that makes it. Early on, you will likely be referred to a movement disorder specialist who is a neurologist with training to detect conditions like Parkinson’s.

A Parkinson’s disease diagnosis is made through the following steps:

• The doctor will ask questions about your symptoms based on the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale and input information throughout the exam. You can see this questionnaire here alz.washington.edu/NONMEMBER/UDS/DOCS/VER2/IVPforms/B3.pdf

• To make a diagnosis, at least 2 of the following 4 symptoms must be present:

Tremor or shaking in the hands or arms when resting or extended
Bradykinesia or a slowing down of movements
Difficulty maintaining your balance
Stiffness in the arms or legs

• The doctor may examine your face to see how you express emotion, you may also be asked to sit in and stand up from a chair, and walk around the room.

• Because reduced production of dopamine in the brain is one of the causes of Parkinson’s, you may be asked to take a dopamine replacement drug like levodopa used in conjunction with carbidopa. If your symptoms improve, it is more likely that you have Parkinson’s.

• Two scans are also used to take detailed images of the brain, and these tests may help your doctor make a diagnosis. They are:

PET scan – This scan details how your brain functions and how it uses sugar. This test helps to distinguish between Parkinson’s and dementia.

DaTscan – This scan displays problems with dopamine-producing cells. Cells that are healthy and functioning well will light up during the test. Cells lacking dopamine will remain dark. This test helps to distinguish between Parkinson’s and essential tremor (a brain disease with many similar characteristics as Parkinson’s). For more on the DaTscan, read parkinson.org/blog/whats-hot/update-DAT-scanning

Using imaging studies is a relatively new way to diagnose Parkinson’s and requires a highly specialized doctor to interpret the scans correctly. Likewise, due to the costs of the scans, contact your insurance company to verify your coverage for these scans and what percentage may be out-of-pocket.

When diagnosing Parkinson’s disease, doctors also factor in the following:

• The disease is more common in people over the age of 50.
• Diagnosis involves ruling other diseases out that may mimic Parkinson’s symptoms.
• Making a Parkinson’s diagnosis is often difficult and may require time.

Doctors and scientists are continually seeking to improve methods of diagnosis for earlier detection.

5 Stages of Parkinson’s Disease

There are 5 different stages of Parkinson’s disease, beginning with the mildest and running up to the most severe. While there are similarities in each stage, it is the severity of the symptoms that differentiate one stage from another.

Stage 1 – This stage may include mild tremors along one side of the body, and slight changes in facial expressions, posture, and walking. At this stage, symptoms typically won’t interfere with daily activities and are usually only noticeable by people around them.

Stage 2 – In this stage, tremors may affect both sides of the body, commonly accompanied by rigidity. Everyday activities can still be accomplished but are harder to accomplish. Also in this stage, difficulty with posture and walking are now obvious.

Stage 3 – This stage sees a significant loss of motor control, as sense of balance is disrupted and falls become more frequent. While many can still live independently, basic activities like eating, dressing, and bathing become increasingly difficult as body movements can become very slow.

Stage 4 – In this later stage of the disease, standing is still possible without assistance, but bodily movement is now significantly impaired as the symptoms have become limiting. Patients in stage 4 Parkinson’s disease require assistance with everyday activities and are no longer able to live independently.

Stage 5 – As this is the most advanced stage of Parkinson’s, patients will likely require assistance standing and walking and may require the use of a wheelchair. In this stage, patients will require assistance with all activities as their motor skills are severely impaired. Hallucinations are also commonplace with those suffering in advanced stages.

The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can also be referred to as mild (stages 1 & 2), medium (stage 3), and severe (stages 4 & 5).

Parkinson’s Disease Treatment

A treatment plan will typically depend on the stage of the disease and the severity of symptoms. The following treatments may be recommended:

Medicine – As Parkinson’s disease involves the reduction of dopamine production in the brain, most treatment plans will include the use of levodopa administered with carbidopa. Levodopa converts to dopamine while carbidopa only allows the conversion to happen once levodopa has reached the brain.

Read more on orally administered medication at mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/carbidopa-and-levodopa-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20095211

Massage – Massages have been found to help with rigidity and stiffness. Besides relieving stress, massages can help boost walking abilities, the performance of everyday living activities, and leaves patients feeling better. Visit Foot Palace to schedule your next massage treatment.

Acupuncture – Reduced pain, anxiety, and depression are some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s that can be relieved or reduced by acupuncture therapy.

Living with Parkinson’s Disease

Without being proactive in seeking medical attention and treatment, later stages of Parkinson’s disease can be a living nightmare full of uncertainty, confusion, and hallucinations.

In this article, you discovered the definition of Parkinson’s disease, the symptoms that accompany it, how a diagnosis is made, its 5 stages, and its treatment options.

Don’t allow minor symptoms to develop into major health issues. Ignoring little aches and pains and self-diagnosing could lead to life-long regrets. When there are signs of trouble, seek help from your primary care physician.

Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org
https://parkinson.org
https://www.aans.org/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Parkinsons-Disease

Foot Palace Massage Spa Athens

1720 Epps Bridge Pkwy Ste 106, Athens, GA 30606
(706) 521-5290

Foot Palace Massage Spa Braselton

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(678) 963-5958

Why Do Both of My Legs Hurt?

March 21, 2019 By Heather

Don’t ignore the pain in your legs, it could be a ticking time-bomb! Leg pain is often an indication that a grave health issue is developing.

When you have pain in your legs while resting or lying down for no apparent reason, this may be an indication that something is wrong in the nervous or vascular system. Sudden, severe, or persistent pain such as this should be evaluated by your physician before it evolves into a full-blown emergency or worse.

yourfootpalace.com gathered information about leg pain, its causes, threats, and treatments, then answers several frequently asked questions.

My Legs Hurt

Unless it’s the morning after leg day at the gym, stiffness and pain in your legs is not a good sign. When the following happen frequently, it’s an indication that should lead to a conversation with your doctor:

• Regularly waking up in the middle of the night with leg or foot cramps.
• Numbness or muscle pain in your legs in the morning.
• Discomfort or pain in your legs after sitting for a while.
• Rapid loss of leg muscle definition accompanied by pain and/or discomfort.
• Spontaneous bruising on the legs and/or feet.
• Frequent or lasting numbness of any portion of the legs or feet, and especially the toes.

Any of these symptoms appearing spontaneously and for no apparent reason are cause for great concern.

Leg Pain Causes

Leg pain may occur from:

• Dehydration.
• Natural wear and tear.
• Injuries to bones or joints.
• Injuries to tendons, ligaments, muscles, or soft tissue.
• Overuse (prolonged strenuous activities).
• Stress.
• Vitamin deficiency.
• Neuropathy (nerve damage)
• Problems in the lower spine.
• Use of tight or heavy belts.
• Sciatica.

Sciatica is shooting pain that runs from the lower back, through the buttocks, and down the back of the leg. Pressure on the sciatic nerve is one probable cause and is commonly seen in men who carry large wallets in their back pocket. The pain will often subside by relieving the pressure on the nerve.

The following causes are generally associated with poor circulation:

• Varicose Veins
• DVT or Deep Vein Thrombosis (blood clots forming in veins deep within the body and not always accompanied by symptoms).
• PAD or Peripheral Artery Disease (the narrowing of peripheral arteries that serve the head, stomach, arms, and legs)
• CAD or Coronary Artery Disease (the hardening or narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle)

Both PAD and CAD can be caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is an accumulation of cholesterol plaque along the walls of arteries. This accumulation causes the obstruction of normal blood flow, and when these plaques rupture, they can cause an acute blockage of the artery.

When pain and discomfort in either or both legs are caused by varicose veins, DVT, PAD, CAD, or a combination of them, immediate medical treatment should be sought.

What Can Leg Pain Lead to?

Sudden, severe, or persistent leg pain should never, ever be ignored. If left untreated, leg pain may lead to:

• Blood clots traveling to the lungs.
• Stress on the heart.
• Fatigue.
• Amputation.
• Stroke.
• Potential heart failure.
• Death.

While the majority of leg pain experiences are passing in nature, they should never be ignored.

Leg Pain Treatment

In cases of leg pain due to exercise, overuse, injuries, or neuropathy, the following may offer some relief:

• Avoid wearing constrictive clothing.
• Keep yourself well-hydrated.
• Get a massage.
• Apply cold compresses.
• Get some rest.

When the pain is sudden, severe, or persistent, seek immediate medical attention. Ignoring this type of leg pain may lead to serious health consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Is leg pain a sign of cancer?
Answer: Possibly. If bone cancer is the cause, the pain may cause a dull or deep ache in a bone region like the pelvis, ribs, arms, and legs. In this scenario, weight loss and fatigue will often accompany the pain.

Question: Can a person die from peripheral artery disease?
Answer: Yes. PAD can cause kidney failure, lead to foot or leg amputation, and because of atherosclerosis, many people suffering from PAD will die from a heart attack, sudden cardiac arrest, or stroke.

As PAD often shows no symptoms, mature adults should be tested during regular medical checkups.

Question: Can a vitamin deficiency cause leg pain?
Answer: Yes. Some symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency may include fatigue and muscle aches or weakness.

Question: Does magnesium help aching legs?
Answer: Potentially. Another common cause of leg cramps and pain is magnesium deficiency. A primary symptom of a magnesium deficiency in the body is cramps, spasms, pain, and aches in the legs and feet.

Seek medical advice before adding or removing dietary supplements from your diet.

Question: What is restless leg syndrome (RLS)?
Answer: Restless leg syndrome or RLS is a condition which causes an uncontrollable urge to move your legs when resting. RLS can be treated by medication prescribed by your primary care physician.

Pay Attention to Your Aching Legs

Frequent or severe leg pain when resting may be an indication of a severe internal medical condition and should not be neglected.

In this article, you discovered what causes leg pain, the threats it may represent, some treatments for it, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Ignoring the sudden, sharp, or persistent pain you feel in your legs may lead to serious medical issues including chronic fatigue, amputation, stroke, or death. This type of pain should be addressed immediately, as part of successful treatment depends on early detection.

Sources:
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Restless-Legs-Syndrome-Fact-Sheet#3
https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/when-walking-makes-your-legs-hurt
https://www.seniorliving.org/health/causes-leg-pain/
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/ischemic-heart-disease
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/coronary-artery-disease
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/coronary_ad.htm

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Foot Palace Massage Spa Athens

1720 Epps Bridge Pkwy Ste 106, Athens, GA 30606
(706) 521-5290

https://plus.google.com/+FootPalaceMassageSpaBraselton

Foot Palace Massage Spa Braselton

2095 Highway 211 NW Suite 7B, Braselton, GA 30517
(678) 963-5958

How to Make Good Posture a Habit

January 18, 2019 By Heather

That pain in your back and neck could be from bad posture. Millions of people suffer from this, and many rely on pain medication to get through the day. What if you didn’t need any drugs to fix it?

Good posture, like poor posture, is habitual. By making good posture a habit, you can avoid eventual debilitating pain, medication, and chronic symptoms like headaches and heartburn.

yourfootpalace.com discusses the differences between good and poor posture, ways to correct and improve your posture, and how to make it a lasting habit.

What is Good Posture

Awareness of what good posture is will help you make it routine. Posture is the manner in which you hold your body while sitting, standing, or sleeping, known as static posture and walking, running, or lifting, known as dynamic posture.

Good posture refers to the three natural curves present in a healthy spine, one at the neck, one at the mid-back, and one at the lower back. Correct posture maintains these curves without increasing them.

Likewise, if you were to look directly at the front or back of the body, the 33 vertebrae that form the spinal column should appear completely vertical.

Furthermore, having good posture depends on the constant awareness of holding your body in a way that results in the least amount of strain on your back.

What is Bad Posture

Bad or poor posture results from certain muscle groups tightening or strengthening, while others lengthen or weaken. This causes a muscular imbalance which results from daily repetitive activities.

While you may not notice it in its beginning stages, poor posture may result in the following:

• Back Pain
• Headache
• Poor Balance
• Muscle Fatigue
• Difficulty Breathing
• Incontinence
• Acid Reflux
• Heartburn
• Constipation
• Slouching
• Body Aches and Pains

If you suspect that poor posture is a contributing factor to any adverse condition you are experiencing, make an appointment with your primary care physician to rule out other potentially more serious causes.

How to Improve Your Posture

To change your posture habits, you need to identify the static and dynamic positions that created the problem.

The following will help you make good posture a habit, taking stress off of your back and reducing the ill effects of poor posture:

Neutral Spine Position – The neutral spine position relieves pressure from the spine, promotes better breathing, and even reduces abdominal pressure. To achieve this position while sitting:

Bring your shoulders down and back
Pull your head to an upright (slightly back) position
Tighten your core muscles
Pull in your stomach as if you were tying the drawstring on a pair of sweats

When standing, shift your weight to the balls of your feet, keep your feet about shoulder width apart, and slightly bend your knees while repeating the 4 steps above.

At first, this may be slightly uncomfortable. Keep in mind that you are engaging specific muscles in a way that they are not accustomed to and telling others to relax. This slight discomfort will quickly fade away as you regain a balance between them.

Use this position as your example when adjusting your chair, standing, or walking posture. The more you practice, the more easily it will become habitual.

Core Exercises – Core muscles in the abdomen, back and pelvic floor all work to support the spine. The following easy exercises will help you strengthen your core muscles and further improve your posture:

• Seated Leg Lifts (Can be done practically anywhere)
• Sit-Ups (Crunches are very effective as well)
• Push-Ups (On the floor or inclined)
• Practice Yoga (Nearly everything in yoga engages the core muscles)
• Walk with Proper Posture (20 minutes to 1 hour per day)

Note: If you have lower back pain, consult your primary care physician, or a physical therapist before beginning any exercise routine.

Reminders – Old habits are hard to break, and when you are dealing with posture, your own muscles are working against you in the beginning. Until you have made good posture a habit, use the following to remind you to “straighten up:”

• Leave sticky notes in plain sight on your desk and in areas where you spend a lot of time.
• Get lumbar support pillows for the chairs at work and at home (these can be a bit uncomfortable at first, but are terrific reminders to straighten up).
• Enlist your coworkers, friends, and family to help you avoid poor posture.
• Adjust the seat and mirrors in your vehicle so that you are compelled to sit in a neutral spine position.

Over time, good posture will become habitual, just as poor posture did. Fortunately, this is one habit that serves a healthy purpose and costs nothing to feed.

Good Posture is a Habit Worth Keeping

Don’t let poor posture rob you of your quality of life. By making simple adjustments throughout your daily activities, you can improve your health and avoid developing some chronic conditions.

In this article, you discovered the differences between good and poor posture, what you can do to eliminate bad posture, and how you can make it a healthy habit.

While the effects of habitual bad posture are gradual, they can cause serious health problems as you mature and get older. Just by making a few simple changes, you can make good posture a permanent habit and help your body perform at its peak.

Sources:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/3-surprising-risks-of-poor-posture
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/4485-back-health–posture
https://acatoday.org/content/posture-power-how-to-correct-your-body-alignment
https://medlineplus.gov/guidetogoodposture.html

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Foot Palace Massage Spa Athens

 1720 Epps Bridge Pkwy Ste 106, Athens, GA 30606
 (706) 521-5290

5 Benefits of Sleeping in a Cold Room

December 19, 2018 By Heather

If you could look younger, sleep better, and save money this winter by doing this simple trick, would you?

Because a subtle temperature change can maximize your sleep while improving your bodily functions, everyone should know the impact and simple adjustments to accomplish this.

yourfootpalace.com explains how the body’s core temperature is related to sleep, uncovers the most significant benefits of sleeping in a cold room, and answers frequently asked questions about sleep and room temperature.

Core Body Temperature and Sleep

Our core body temperature is regulated by the hypothalamus and kept between 96.8 and 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit during every 24-hour cycle.

Within a normal circadian rhythm, a warmer core temperature is associated with being alert and energetic. It is when the core temperature drops that drowsiness and sleep occur.

Knowing core temperature influences your sleep state is already a plus, but there are additional benefits that enhance your overall well-being.

What Sleeping in a Cold Room Can Do for You

Before you go cranking up the thermostat and jumping under all the blankets and comforters, check out these 5 benefits you get from sleeping in a room that’s kept between 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit:

1 – Fall Asleep Easier – A cooler room can aid the body in lowering its core temperature, naturally signaling that it is time to sleep.

2 – Fight Insomnia – According to a study by the University of South Australia, insomniacs have a higher core temperature and are kept awake while their bodies are losing the heat that is interrupting or delaying their sleep.

Lowering the temperature in the bedroom can help fight insomnia by dropping the body’s core temperature. Read more at http://w3.unisa.edu.au/unisanews/2004/June/insomnia.asp

3 – Uninterrupted Sleep Cycles – Sleeping in a cold room helps you stay asleep, and in turn, allows you to cycle through the critical sleep stages naturally.

When sleeping in a warmer environment, you are more likely to wake up throughout the night as your core temperature may rise.

If your core temperature rises too fast or too high, this may trigger you to sweat. Sweating is one of the body’s ways of cooling itself off, as well as a mechanism to try and maintain the sleep cycle.

When you wake up shivering, your core temperature has dropped too far. Shivering is one of the body’s mechanisms (muscle movement) to warm itself.

4 – Improved Melatonin Production – Melatonin is the body’s natural sleep hormone and a powerful antioxidant, and its production increases while sleeping in a cooler environment.

An increased melatonin level works to keep you asleep throughout the sleep stages, and aids in slowing the aging process! Ready to turn down the thermostat yet?

5 – Increase Your Metabolism – Sleeping in a cold room works to rev up your metabolism which in itself helps to lower your risk of disease, and boosts the production of growth hormones.

These growth hormones work to mend muscle tissue, aid in the healing of bone fractures, and are used by children in their growth stages.

Lower the Thermostat and Avoid Overheating While Sleeping

Your overall health and well-being are dependent on your ability to consistently get a good night’s sleep. Sleeping in a cold room can help you do this while saving money on your heating bill. It’s a win-win situation.

In this article, you discovered how the body’s core temperature is directly related to the quality of your sleep, the most significant benefits of sleeping in a cold room, and answers to frequently asked questions about room temperature and sleep.

Your health, looks, and well-being are directly related to your ability to rest. Your uninterrupted sleep stages are of your mind and body’s greatest necessities, and you can enhance your sleep while maintaining your circadian rhythm by sleeping in a cold room.

Sources:

https://blog.dana-farber.org/insight/2016/09/whats-the-connection-between-night-sweats-and-cancer/
http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/science/what/characteristics

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Foot Palace Massage Spa Athens

 1720 Epps Bridge Pkwy Ste 106, Athens, GA 30606
 (706) 521-5290

Summer Safety – How to Beat Summer Heat

July 25, 2018 By Heather

It’s summertime, and the heat is on. In many regions across the US, we do not see just high temperatures. We see record-breaking high temperatures.

These highs become more concerning as they are coming in heatwaves and persisting for days and even weeks at a time.

The team at Foot Palace has brought the following tips and ideas together to help you avoid heat-related health issues and thoroughly enjoy your summer.

How to Drop Your Core Temperature

To avoid heat stroke and heat exhaustion, keep your body at its average temperature. For the majority of people, that temperature is 98.6 F (37 C). Here’s how to lower and regulate your core temperature naturally and effectively:

Stay Hydrated – Your body loses water by sweat, breath, and urination. Replacing this water with cool beverages keeps your body temperature regulated and functioning well.

Avoid alcoholic or caffeinated drinks, soda, and other drinks high in sugar. These have a diuretic effect and can quickly lead to dehydration and over-heating of the body.

If you have diabetes, take diuretics (water pills), have high blood pressure, or take prescription medication, speak with your doctor about how much and what you should or should not drink.

Take Frequent Breaks – If you work outside, take frequent breaks to rehydrate, and cool off. If you begin to feel nauseated, dizzy, or weak, get help immediately.

Take a Cool Bath – One of the most fabulous ways to lower your body temperature is to treat yourself to a relaxing cooling bath.

Eat Light – Fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, watermelon, mango, strawberries, celery, and spinach all have high water content and will help you stay hydrated. Eating them refrigerated will help reduce your core temperature very quickly.

Eating hot or heavy meals on summer days will raise your body temperature. Wait until sundown or when the temperatures are milder for these meals.

How to Cope with High Heat and Humidity

When you have high heat and high humidity, your body’s natural cooling system (evaporating sweat) can’t function properly. You sweat, and it just stays there.

During these times, running the air conditioner will help alleviate both the heat and humidity.

If your home does not have air conditioning, the power is out, or it has stopped working, frequent cool baths or showers during the day will help you avoid overheating.

Another option is to find an air-conditioned hangout like a mall, library, theater, or day spa.

Sunscreen Safety Tips

One of the most annoying things that can happen in the summer is to get a sunburn. They are sensitive, hot to the touch, and damaging to the skin.

Also known as sun exposure or UV exposure, sunburns damage the skin’s DNA and typically result in a 3 – 5 day stretch of pain, fever, nausea, and fatigue.

Sunscreen is a highly useful tool to create a barrier between the sun’s UV rays and your skin. The following will help you maximize its effects:

Look for a brand that protects from UV-A and UV-B rays with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher (the higher, the better).
Apply sunscreen thickly and thoroughly at least 30 minutes before sun exposure.
Apply to all parts of your body exposed to the sun. Including your ears, back, shoulders, and back of the knees.
Reapply it after swimming, exercising, or performing strenuous activities.
Reapply it frequently when outside for long periods of time.

Summer Safety Tips for Kids and Seniors

Most vulnerable to summer and heat-related illnesses are our children and our senior citizens. The following tips will help you to keep them from harm’s way during the hottest months of the year:

Parked Cars – Never leave senior citizens or children in parked cars. On a 100 degree day, the internal temperature of a vehicle parked in the sun can rapidly rise to lethal temperatures of 130 to 170 degrees.

Hats and UV Protective Clothing – Broad-brimmed hats and clothing with a high UV protection factor work exceedingly well to protect sensitive skin from the sun’s UV rays.

The brim of the hat should be broad enough to cover the face, ears, and the back of the neck. And, even with the hat, apply sunscreen to the face, neck, and ears.

Sunscreen – Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide which block the sun’s UV rays.

Reapply sunscreen immediately after leaving the water. Always protect ears, nose, lips, front and back of legs, and feet even when it is cloudy.

Know Where to Go – In the event of a power outage during a heatwave, both kids and seniors should relocate to an air-conditioned location like a mall, library, theater, or restaurant. Staying in the home as the heat rises could prove harmful or even deadly.

Specifically for Seniors – Due to illnesses or medication, a senior may not be aware that they are feeling hot or dehydrated. Likewise, most seniors live on a strict budget and will hesitate to run their AC for extended periods of time.

As family, friends, and neighbors, it is essential to be vigilant of the health and wellness of each other. Make sure our seniors stay out of harm’s way by checking in on them from time to time – reminding them to keep cool.

Watch this video to learn how to keep seniors safe from heatstroke.

Beat the Heat for a Healthy Summer

Summer health is a question of protecting your skin, hydrating your body, and keeping your body temperature regulated.

Not everyone is successful at keeping cool. If someone is displaying the warning signs of a heat stroke, your immediate response may save their life.

Signs of a heat stroke include hot red skin, fast pulse, headache, dizziness, confusion, and loss of consciousness. In these cases, immediately do the following:

Call 9-1-1, this is a medical emergency.
Do not allow the person to consume any food or drink.
Move the person to a cooler place.
Lower the person’s temperature using wet cloths or a cool bath.
Stay with the person until assistance arrives.

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov
https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/summer
http://www.houstontx.gov/health/heatillness.html
http://heatkills.org/how-hot/
https://blog.cedars-sinai.edu/5-fun-sun-safety-tips-kids/

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Foot Palace Massage Spa Athens

 1720 Epps Bridge Pkwy Ste 106, Athens, GA 30606
 (706) 521-5290

High Blood Pressure and Hypertension – 8 Ways to Lower Blood Pressure

June 26, 2018 By Heather

High blood pressure and hypertension develop over time from a combination of eating habits, lifestyle, your age, and in many cases genetics. Yes, you can inherit this.

The dangers of allowing high blood pressure to persist cannot be overstated. A wide variety of potentially serious health risks – including sudden death – are related to high blood pressure and hypertension.

In this article, the team at Foot Palace compiled extensive and important information about the definition, causes, potential hazards, and ways to control high blood pressure.

Hypertension Definition and High Blood Pressure

For the general population, hypertension and high blood pressure are one and the same. It is a logical assumption as those with hypertension have high blood pressure. However, if you have high blood pressure, that does not necessarily mean you have hypertension. Let’s shed light and differentiate the two:

High Blood Pressure – This is a symptom occurring when the systolic BP reading is above 140 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) and the diastolic BP reading is above 90 mmHg.

A high BP reading is often an acute symptom of stress, anxiety, or other external factors.

Hypertension – When a person’s blood pressure is consistently or chronically elevated, it may be diagnosed as hypertension.

By definition, hypertension is a medical condition of the cardiovascular system characterized by long-lasting elevated blood pressure.

According to the Mayo Clinic,

“High blood pressure (hypertension) can quietly damage your body for years before symptoms develop. Left uncontrolled, you may wind up with a disability, a poor quality of life or even a fatal heart attack. Roughly half the people with untreated hypertension die of heart disease related to poor blood flow (ischemic heart disease) and another third die of stroke.”

Hypertension potentially leads to:

Heart and artery damage
Heart disease
Stroke
Aneurysms
Enlarged left heart
Heart failure
Heart attack
Stroke
Dementia
Kidney failure
Optic neuropathy (eye nerve damage)
Bone loss
Sexual dysfunction

Given hypertension can exist quietly, it can progress to advanced stages quickly.

The Stages of Hypertension

Being diagnosed with anything can be a traumatizing experience, especially when “stage 2” is attached to it. When it comes to hypertension, be aware that there are four stages, and higher numbers indicate a more advanced and critical condition:

STAGE 1 Hypertension – Prehypertension is from 120/80 to 139/89

STAGE 2 Hypertension – Mild Hypertension is from 140/90 to 159/99

STAGE 3 Hypertension – Moderate Hypertension is from 160/100 to 179/109

STAGE 4 Hypertension – Severe Hypertension is 180/110 or higher

If your blood pressure is in the prehypertension range, it is likely that you will end up with chronic high blood pressure unless you take action to prevent it.

Without taking action and making significant changes, stage 2 hypertension may quickly develop into a stage 3 or stage 4 condition.

High Blood Pressure Symptoms

If you are one of the many who wait until symptoms start popping up to take corrective measures, you may be in for a surprise when it comes to high blood pressure and hypertension. The following excerpt is from the American Heart Association:

“Looking for a list of symptoms? If you are looking for a list of symptoms and signs of high blood pressure (HBP or hypertension), you won’t find them here. This is because most of the time, there are none.

Myth: People with high blood pressure will experience symptoms, like nervousness, sweating, difficulty sleeping or facial flushing.

Truth: High blood pressure is a largely symptomless “silent killer.” If you ignore your blood pressure because you think a certain symptom or sign will alert you to the problem, you are taking a dangerous chance with your life.”

Hypertension Treatment – How to Lower Blood Pressure in 8 Ways

Once you’ve been diagnosed with any of the four stages of hypertension, you may need to take a close look at your lifestyle, eating habits, and external stressors.

Through substantive changes, constant vigilance, and possible medical assistance, it is possible to lower your blood pressure and keep it under control.

The following activities or a combination of them may result in the lowering of your chronic high blood pressure.

1. Maintain a Healthy Weight – Your weight is a factor that heavily influences your blood pressure; this body mass index (BMI) calculator will help you assess your current situation and determine your ideal weight target.

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

“People who are overweight or obese are at higher risk for chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Anyone who is overweight should try to avoid gaining additional weight. Additionally, if you are overweight with other risk factors (such as high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high blood pressure), you should try to lose weight. Even a small weight loss (just 10% of your current weight) may help lower the risk of disease.”

2. Quit Smoking – There is no healthy amount of tobacco consumption. For those with hypertension, cessation is considered one of the best things (treatments) that can be done.

According to the American Cancer Society:

“The US Surgeon General has said, “Smoking cessation [stopping smoking] represents the single most important step that smokers can take to enhance the length and quality of their lives.” It’s hard to quit smoking, but you can do it.”

The American Cancer Society has a help page on “How to Quit Smoking or Smokeless Tobacco”.

3. Reduce and Limit Alcohol Consumption – For those that consume alcohol, limiting it to one drink a day for women and two per day for men has the potential to lower your blood pressure by approximately 4 mmHg.

1 drink is the equivalent of a 12 ounce beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.

Be cautioned that consuming more than moderate amounts of alcohol may potentially interfere with blood pressure medications or cause a several point rise in your blood pressure.

4. Exercise or Increase Physical Activities – 30 minutes of regular exercise 5 days per week can potentially lower your blood pressure by 5 to 8 mmHg. Consistency is a key factor with exercise, if you simply stop exercising, your blood pressure will likely rise again.

Aerobic exercises that may lower your blood pressure include walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming. Consult your doctor about developing an appropriate exercise regiment for your particular situation.

5. Develop Better Eating Habits – A diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, but rich in whole grains, fruits, and low fat dairy can potentially lower your blood pressure up to 11 mmHg.

While the effect of sodium intake on blood pressure varies among groups of people, even a slight reduction can lead to a reduction of up to 5 to 6 mmHg. For most adults, the lower the intake, the better – 1,500mg per day or less.

6. Schedule Spa Days and Massages – Reduce stress by making time for enjoyable activities such as taking a spa day or making it a couples massage with a loved one.

The following is taken from a study by the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine:

“Massage is a safe, non invasive, and soothing treatment for hypertension, particularly for people that experience stress on a frequent basis. If treated regularly, massage patients demonstrate long term improvement in stress levels and heart rate.”

Lowering your blood pressure may require medical assistance, and if so, these are potential solutions:

7. ACE Inhibitors – Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE Inhibitors) are a category of medications that slow the activity of the enzyme ACE, which in turn decreases the production of angiotensin II.

This results in the enlarging or dilation of blood vessels which results in the lowering of blood pressure.

8. Diuretics – In cases where ACE Inhibitors aren’t enough to reduce high blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe a diuretic to be taken with the ACE Inhibitor. Diuretics remove salt and excess water or fluid from the body. Lower fluid levels means less blood volume, thus a lowered blood pressure.

Monitoring Blood Pressure and the Best Devices

Besides regular visits to your doctor, there are several ways you can monitor your blood pressure. This will help you track your progress, and help your doctor make or suggest alterations in you’re prescribed treatment(s).

Blood Pressure Monitor – Visit your local pharmacy. They will likely carry a variety of BP monitors for you to choose from.

There are those that come with an arm sleeve, ones that go around your wrist, and some that attach to your finger. Nearly all of them are battery operated with a digital readout and work with the push of a button.

Smart Watches – While most smart watches will only track your heart rate, there are some that will also take your blood pressure. Watch the following video to see how this works.

Blood Pressure App – If you search “blood pressure” in your app store (on your Mobile device), there will be a series of apps to help monitor blood pressure, weight, pulse, heart rate, etc.

Choose one that fits your needs and install it. Most of them will keep running records and help you gage your progress.

It is suggested you create a journal, or find a downloadable chart and track your blood pressure on a daily basis. Staying aware of your numbers and which efforts are impacting your numbers is great information on the road to improve your blood pressure.

Keeping Blood Pressure Under Control

Knowing that there is a blood pressure problem is the first key to solving it. Once you have determined contributing factors to your situation, the responsibility is ultimately yours to make the necessary lifestyle changes.

Implementing and being consistent in the above suggestions may improve your condition and lead to quantifiable results. These results are needed for to get your BP under control and maintain it.

As with most other illness, the stages of hypertension can be managed through the consistent management of your diet, exercise, habits, weight, and stress. In the case of hypertension, these actions are beneficial and may result in a longer, better quality life.

Sources:
https://medlineplus.gov/bodyweight.html
http://vascularcures.org/high-blood-pressure-and-vascular-disease/
https://www.cancer.org/healthy/stay-away-from-tobacco/guide-quitting-smoking.html
https://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/blog/2015/01/24/benefits-massage-hypertension

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 1720 Epps Bridge Pkwy Ste 106, Athens, GA 30606
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