The state of having high blood pressure is also referred to as hypertension. You are a possible candidate for hypertension if your blood pressure is higher than 140/90 mmHg.

Hypertension can originate from a lot of things. For one thing, improper diet with increased intake of fatty and high-cholesterol food can cause hypertension. Emotional disturbances can also heighten the risk of hypertension. Sometimes, doctors cannot point out the root cause of hypertension but for those which reasons are determined the solution is more apparent.

If you have some problems with your kidney’s blood vessels then the chances of acquiring hypertension is higher. Renal parenchymal and renal vascular diseases are the two most common kidney ailments that can cause hypertension.

A pregnant person is also susceptible to hypertension as during pregnancy, major changes happen in a woman’s body. When a body adapts to the baby growing inside her, even though these changes are all regarded as normal, some of these activities can eventually lead to hypertension. Expectant moms that have a record or a lineage of heart problems are advised to be extra careful during the entire pregnancy stage.

Using birth control pills can also be a factor as these pills are known to have some side effects. The change in the body’s blood pressure is the primary side effect of taking pills.

If you any heart problems, chances are, your blood pressure becomes erratic. Your blood pressure can either be low or high, depending upon the reaction of your heart and your body.

If hypertension persists, there are different problems that could arise out of it. People with hypertension can contract a stroke at anytime. The chances of stroke are very high.

Hypertension can also cause faulty vision. When the fine blood vessels of the eyes break because of high blood pressure you could have blurry vision, which can even lead to blindness. Hypertension can also damage the kidneys as the kidney’s blood vessels can thicken with high blood pressure.

A way to be free of hypertension is to regularly check your blood pressure. Doing that is very essential for a fuller, healthier life!

Jason Rickard is the owner of Your Favourite Shop - Offering White Noise and Relaxation CDs - Visit Hapa Health for more articles.

Tags: anxiety, cd, cds, health, help, hypertension, info, noise, snoring, whiteanxiety, cd, cds, health, help, hypertension, info, noise, snoring, white

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In comes the sunshine. That’s how some people describe the benefits of therapy lights. Scientists think that simulated intense light has an effect on chemicals in your brain and your skin and that they can be used to help some conditions. There are lots of different types of therapy lights so I’m going to described just a few of them and the conditions that they can be used with:

Light boxes (Phototherapy or bright light therapy)

Many therapists have realised that sitting close to a simulated sunlight box can alleviate symptoms for some complaints. The intensity of the light should be at least 2,500 lux and exposure every day is required. Remember that a medical practitioner must prescribe the strength and type of light used in addition to the duration of the exposure.

SAD Light Boxes

Seasonal Affective Disorder in its mildest form is sometimes known as ‘Winter Blues’. You don’t have to be a genius to know that we all feel a lot better during the long sunny summer days. We appear to have more energy too. You lose some of that enthusiasm when winter comes when there aren’t as many daylight hours. Some people get what they call ‘winter blues’ which makes them feel lethargic and ill and gives them a tendency to overeat. For others this becomes bad enough it to interfere with their lives and can cause a lot of upset. It can also change your behaviour.

The symptoms often begin at the start of the winter season and start to get better in March and April when spring arrives. It may not be necessary for you to use light SAD therapy daily during winter and advice from a trained professional is advised.

Jetlag and Sleep Disorders

Where the circadian rhythms or body clock of the brain have been affected by periods of sleep deprivation or extended night or daytime hours. Flying over time zones can have this effect. The light box can simulate the difference between waking hours and sleep or night time and helps to re-adjust the body and brain into rhythm quickly.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Sufferers

There are lots of research papers written on Alzheimer’s Disease and many of them deal with the damage that happens to the part of the brain that controls the circadian rhythms. Damaged nerve pathways together with poor eyesight as you get older can lead to indoor levels of light being insufficient to tell the difference between day and night. There have been experiments to find out how therapy lights and light boxes can be used and they have determined that they can help to maintain the rest and activity cycles of Alzheimer sufferers’ for longer.

UVB/UVA1 light

The technology that is used in tanning beds can also be used to help relieve problems with vitiligo, patches of psoriasis, pale scars and stretch marks. For best effect the light should be focussed onto the affected patch without exposing the surrounding normal skin. This type of light will damage normal skin so you must always take appropriate action to avoid over exposure.

Coloured-light or Intense Pulsed Light Therapy

With these types of therapy lights, floodlights have colored filters in order to bathe the skin in light of different wavelengths or colors. It has been shown that certain colored filters are better for different conditions:

Blue: Destroys the bacteria that can cause acne.
Green: Used to treat irregularities in skin pigment like liver spots and age spots,
Yellow: For the treatment of vascular conditions such as thread veins and rosacea.
Combination green and yellow: This light reduces wrinkles and fine lines.
Red: Can be good for headaches and, when directed at one area, for the relief of arthritic pain.

Low-level laser light (Ruby and KTP) therapy

Laser treatment has been developed to help shrink patches of discoloured skin like moles or birthmarks. The pigment (melanin) in the skin absorbs the laser light, which causes darker areas to break up and help it to look more normal.

The two therapy light systems above can be combined and used to remove areas where there is too much hair.

Information in this article is not advice. Anyone wishing to try these treatments should contact their medical practitioner first.

Steve is a software engineer and the keeper of Therapy Lights devoted to the use of light as an aid to good health. http://www.therapy-lights.thecatcollar.com

Tags: light sad therapy, light therapy, sad lights, seasonal affective disorder, therapy lightslight sad therapy, light therapy, sad lights, seasonal affective disorder, therapy lights

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1. Stop smoking.

All the experts agree on this one. Ever since 1960 when it was announced that smoking was harmful to your health, people have been reducing their use of tobacco products. Just recently, we’ve seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Warn your children of the false romance or ‘tough guy’ image of smokers. Find ways to quit smoking such as hypnosis and support groups.

2. Eat foods rich in beta-carotenes.

They can cut your risk of a stroke by 40 percent. Foods rich in beta-carotenes include carrots, cabbage, winter squash, sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens, apricots, and seaweed.

3. Exercise.

Make it your daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it’s a stress buster. Think ‘move’ in small increments of time. It doesn’t have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that’s great when you’re up to it. Move more and feel better!

4. Avoid restrictive diets.

Frequent dieting, fasting, binging and purging imbalance your electrolyte levels, causing weakening of the heart muscle and damage to the heart.

5. Reduce your exposure to pollution.

If you can’t live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It’s a good pollution deterrent.

6. Don’t drink too much alcohol.

Whilst it is true that a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more alcohol than that, or binge drinking on a night out, can cause other serious health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer.

7. Reduce stress.

Stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e., go back to number one above!, exercise is a great stress reducer, Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible.

8. Cut down on fat.

Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise.

9. Keep a positive mental outlook.

There’s a definitive connection between living well and healthily and having a cheerful outlook on life. Yes, keep on smiling and laughing!

10. Avoid processed foods.

The food industry aims at making products look and taste appealing without thought to the products’ nutritional value. Loaded with chemical additives and designed to be addictive, processed food is manufactured first for profit.

Stay clear of them!!!

Tim Godfrey is co-author of the healthy dieting book -’Mediterranean Diet Secrets’.

To receive all the latest dieting news and learn more about the book visit: http://www.mediterraneandietsecrets.com

Tags: diet, mediterranean diet, nutrition, Weightlossdiet, mediterranean diet, nutrition, Weightloss

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