Do seasons have an effect on blood pressure?
Seasons do have an effect on blood pressure. During the winter, some patients with borderline hypertension experience elevated blood pressure readings. And their blood pressure can rise to dangerous levels, necessitating medication to maintain control. They may be able to lessen the dosage in the spring or discontinue the medicine entirely in the summer.
The predominant idea for increased blood pressure in colder temperatures is that it is caused by artery tension. When our bodies become cold, blood vessels constrict to retain heat. This can result in an increase in blood pressure in certain individuals. However, additional things may contribute to your elevated winter blood pressure. For instance:
Do you have relatives or friends who live in assisted living facilities? Finding the ideal gift can be challenging. Certain gifts may be prohibited due to health concerns: people who must maintain a healthy blood sugar level should avoid sweets or chocolates. There is little space in the apartment or place for an additional stuff. Your giftee's physical or mental capacities (or both) may be deteriorating in some circumstances.
Any gift you offer will almost certainly be appreciated. However, it helps if the item is something the recipient can actually use and enjoy. Make it specific to their diseases, requirements, and interests. The following is a compilation of gift ideas for the holidays – or any other occasion.
Social engagement gifts
People who live in assisted living homes often find themselves feeling lonely and isolated. Maintaining social connections with loved ones combats this and also aids in the prevention of chronic disease and cognitive decline. Among the possible gifts are the following:
A simple phone. The simpler a phone is to operate, the more likely it will be used by your loved one. Purchasing a landline phone that has large and easy numbers (starting at $25), a flip phone (starting at $35), or a smartphone that has few buttons and apps for easy navigation (starting at $50). Bear in mind that cell phones require a monthly service fee; rates vary by carrier.
A smart speaker. If using a phone is too difficult for your loved one, consider investing in a smart speaker ($20 and up) that can be set to dial important numbers (like yours). At any time, commands can be spoken aloud to initiate a call. Ascertain that your loved one has internet access, which is required for smart speaker use.
A photo album. A loose-leaf picture album (about $20) or an easily manufactured photo book ($10 and up) filled with recent photos of family and friends can serve as a warm reminder of connections, or as a present to give to others in the senior living home. This type of social engagement is critical for wellness. Additionally, it will make the individual feel good to see all of the images of folks who care about them.
Gifts to aid independence
Simple actions can become difficult as a result of health difficulties. These gifts might provide a measure of independence for your loved one.
Tools that are adaptable. With a long-handled shoehorn, a button hook, or a zipper pull (all under $10), your loved one may regain some control overdressing.
A magnifier. A magnifying glass ($5 and up) is very useful for those with poor vision (and who hasn't misplaced their reading glasses?). It's also useful for reading or seeing little objects. Make it a lighted magnifying glass ($15) for a wonderful enhancement.
Aids to writing. Writing becomes difficult due to hand arthritis or neurological diseases (such as Parkinson's disease). Adaptive pens with ergonomic shapes ($10 and higher) can assist your loved one in jotting down facts or thoughts.
What Is Acute Prostatitis
In men, the prostate is a walnut-sized gland located beneath the bladder. This gland produces a fluid that when combined with sperm forms semen. Because the prostate surrounds the urethra (the tube that transports pee from the bladder to the outside of the body), diseases that cause the prostate to expand or enlarge may press on the urethra, causing pain or difficulty urinating.
Prostatitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the prostate gland. Acute prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland that manifests itself suddenly. Acute prostatitis is caused by an infection, most commonly by bacteria that migrate up the urethra and into the prostate. Several of these bacteria are common pathogens found on and inside the human body. Other infections are spread sexually.
Prostatitis affects the majority of men who have a normal prostate gland, although the infection may be more prevalent in older men as the gland grows larger with age. Prostatitis and prostate cancer are not known to be associated.
Symptoms
Acute prostatitis is characterized by the following symptoms:
Urination causes burning or dribbling.
Having difficulty initiating the urine stream or being completely unable to pass urine at all.
Urine that is cloudy or contains blood.
Pain in or around the penis, in or around the scrotum, in the back, or in the rectum.
Chills and fever.
Symptoms are similar to the flu, such as muscular aches and general weakness.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will gently insert a finger into your rectum to examine your prostate. Generally, when the prostate is infected, it feels swollen. When slight pressure is applied to the gland, you may feel pain or have a strong urge to urinate. Additionally, your doctor will perform a general exam to determine whether the infection has migrated to other organs, such as the kidneys.
A urine specimen will then be examined for signs of infection, such as white blood cells and bacteria. Urine will typically contain white blood cells in a typical case of acute prostatitis. Additionally, blood tests may be performed to determine your kidney function and blood cell count. If your doctor suspects that your swollen prostate is causing urinary obstruction, he or she may perform an ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan.
Identifying and addressing underlying issues, as well as making lifestyle adjustments, will aid in recovery.
Many people develop hypertension as they age, and it can be difficult to regulate. This is referred to as resistant hypertension – blood pressure that remains above a predetermined target, such as 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), despite the use of three distinct classes of blood pressure medications (including a diuretic) at the maximum tolerated doses. The disorder is a significant risk factor for stroke, heart disease, and dementia, among other complications. How can you bring it under control?
All drugs should be reviewed.
Bring a list of all the prescriptions you are currently taking to your doctor or a bag with all the medication bottles. Include OTC medications, vitamins, and supplements. The list, or bag, of medications, might assist your doctor in determining which medications or supplements may be increasing your blood pressure.
For instance, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) might cause an increase in blood pressure. Decongestants (such as phenylephrine, which is present in a variety of cold medications), some antidepressants, and corticosteroids can also help. For instance, "alternative drugs or physical therapy can help minimize or eliminate the need for NSAIDs in some patients," according to Harvard cardiologist Dr. Deepak L. Bhatt, editor-in-chief of the Harvard Heart Letter.
Alternatively, the doctor may determine that your medications can be simplified: fewer pills overall or fewer pills that must be taken more than once a day.
Treat the underlying causes
Additionally, underlying disorders can contribute to persistently high blood pressure (see "What causes resistant hypertension?"). It is critical to bring them under control. However, determining whether or not you have one may necessitate some detective work as well as a comprehensive medical examination.
For instance, you may be unaware that you have a condition that increases blood pressure, such as sleep apnea – breathing pauses during sleep. Sleep apnea symptoms include chronic loud snoring, a momentary cessation of breathing (and possibly gasping for air), and excessive sleepiness during the day. A sleep study conducted in a laboratory or at home (with a portable device) can give information.
What factors contribute to resistant hypertension?
Resistant hypertension (high blood pressure that does not decrease despite various drug treatments) can have a variety of causes. The most common reasons include consuming too much salt, which can reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure drugs; and missing doses or modifying them on your own. Additional reasons include the following:
gaining weight
obstructive sleep apnea
excessive alcoholic consumption
chronic pain
atherosclerosis is a condition in which arterial walls become inflamed.
interactions between medications
Panic attacks
elevated aldosterone levels (which causes the body to hold on to sodium and water)
kidney issues
consuming licorice noir (which contains a compound that can increase blood pressure).
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