Dr. Curtis McElroy

Author: docmac

  • Taking Control Of Those Silent Killers

    Taking Control Of Those Silent Killer

    Are you aware of the silent killers that may be hiding inside your body?

    heartdisease

    As we grow older, we become more susceptible to elevated blood pressure levels.

    A person suffering from high blood pressure is vulnerable to a lot of dangers, and some of them can be very fatal.

    Statistics show that 1 out of every 3 people over the age of 21 suffer from hypertension, the medical term for chronic high blood pressure. The percentage increases as the age group grows older.

    For example, 3 out of 5 people above the age of 35 have experienced episodes of high blood pressure and 3 out of 4 people above the age of 50 have suffered the same fate.

    Let’s look at the age group below 40 because it is a demographic of particular interest given the wide discrepancy in results regarding cases of hypertension. Some people below the age of 40 have to live with hypertension and there are some people belonging to the same age group that do not experience any problems with high blood pressure.

    What causes the difference?

    Lifestyle has a lot to do with not developing high blood pressure.

    People who follow the proper diet and exercise regularly are less likely to develop chronic high blood pressure. People who do not get adequate sleep are more likely to develop high blood pressure.

    Risk factors for high blood pressure do play a role. The chances of a person developing chronic high blood pressure increases with the presence of these risk factors.

    There are two kinds of risk factors: those within our control and those beyond our control.

    The following are the controllable risk factors:

    – Weight. Subjects above their ideal body mass index (BMI) are more likely to develop chronic high blood pressure. The dangers increase with every point above the ideal BMI. The high blood pressure risk calculator used by the American Heart Association, in fact, considers the subject’s BMI as a critical factor in determining potential dangers.

    Alcohol Consumption- Directly proportional to high blood pressure readings is the amount of alcohol in the subject’s system. Moderate intake of alcohol can dramatically improve a person’s blood pressure measurements.

    Salt Intake- The cardinal rule for individuals Remember the cardinal rule for people with hypertension? Stay away from salt. Even a few grains of salt can be deadly. Sodium in the blood invites water in the blood. And water in the blood would require the heart to exert more effort, resulting in high blood pressure.

    Sedentary Lifestyle- People who live a “lazy” lifestyle are more prone to being obese and to developing heart diseases.

    Stress- Stress forces the body to release epinephrine which constricts the blood vessels and elevates blood pressure readings.

    The risk factors above can easily be remedied by adopting the disciple necessary for a healthier lifestyle.
    Unfortunately, there are also uncontrollable risk factors such as the following:

    Genetics- Indeed, hypertension can be embedded on your DNA. It can be passed on from generation to generation.

    Age- Most people experience their most serious bouts of high blood pressure beyond the age of 35.

    Gender- Men are more likely to develop hypertension at an earlier age. Women are more likely to acquire chronic high blood pressure during the years post-menopause.

    Race- Studies reveal that black people are more likely to develop hypertension than Caucasians. They also tend to suffer more severe cases of high blood pressure.

    Knowing the risk factors associated with hypertension is half the battle.

    The question now is, what are you going to do with such knowledge?

    The first step is accepting you may have a problem, then taking action by monitoring your blood pressure at home as well as working closely with your doctor to achieve optimal blood pressure and start living a longer healthier life.

    Today, start taking an active role in achieving optimal health.

    Learn to check your blood pressure at home and give yourself the chance to live a happier, healthier life.

  • Fall Comfort Foods with a Healthy Twist

    Fall Comfort Foods with a Healthy Twist

    Cooler weather is the perfect time for snuggling under the covers with a good book or your loved ones. It’s also the time most people think about comfort foods. Unfortunately, foods that taste good and provide a feeling of warmth or security may not be so good for you. This fall, try these comfort foods with a healthy twist.

    • One comfort food men want is Meatloaf. While delicious, it can be full of saturated fat when you prepare it using ground beef, veal and pork. You can make this dish much healthier if you choose ground turkey instead. Don’t be afraid to try something new with this favored food. Salsa and Mexican seasoning can give your meal a whole new flavor. Rather than use bread crumbs to bind the meatloaf, use shredded zucchini or another vegetable which also increases the “health” quotient a little more.

    • What better to serve with meatloaf than Mashed Potatoes? In some homes, a big bowl of mashed potatoes is a staple with many meals. Instead of using potatoes, give pureed parsnips a try. Parsnips have a similar consistency to potatoes but an entirely different taste as well as being a healthy alternative. You could also serve mashed sweet potatoes and ensure your family gets the extra vitamins offered by these root vegetables.

    • Macaroni and cheese is another comfort food people turn to when the weather begins to cool. Using whole-grain pasta instead of white pasta will enable you to provide fewer carbs without greatly affecting the taste. You could also add steamed vegetables – broccoli, cauliflower or spinach – to the macaroni which will provide additional fiber and nutrients.

    • Chicken noodle soup has been served to families for hundreds of years and for good reason. Scientists have proven that chicken noodle soup is a natural healer. Not only does the warmth help clear congestion, it has components which can be found in common cold medicines. You can make it even healthier by adding carrots, broccoli, onions and other vegetables your family enjoys.

    • Fruit Crumbles are a wonderful dessert that is comforting. Choose in-season fruits such as apples, figs and pears. Use brown sugar, cinnamon and fiber-rich oats to provide the topping. Watch the amount of sugar you use and it can be a terrific dessert for cooler weather.

    • Spiced cider is a soothing beverage to round out the day. Rather than drinking coffee after dinner, have a hot, steaming cup of spiced cider instead. Not only will the warmth of the apple cider comfort you, the scent from cinnamon and other spices will warm you on a different level.

    Comfort food is important as it provides a sense of safety and warmth on a cool autumn day. Even if they are normally laden with extra fat or calories, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy them. Simply make some changes to the ingredients so reduce the fat content and make them fall comfort foods with a healthy twist.

  • Elevate Your Endorphins with 7 Cool Weather Activities

    7 Cool Weather Activities to Elevate Your Endorphins

    If you have exercised at all in the past, you know how good you feel afterwards. The reason for the rush of energy and improved outlook after working out is because the body produces chemicals called endorphins. These chemicals cause what is often called a “runner’s high” where pain and discomfort disappear and a sense of euphoria is common.

    You don’t have to work out in a gym to get the benefits of elevated endorphins. In fact, most strenuous activity will produce these chemicals. Here are seven cool weather activities that will help elevate your endorphins this fall.

    1. Running is an activity most people can do. It’s great for burning calories and for cardiovascular health in addition to giving you an endorphin boost. If you’re new to running, start out slow and add just a few minutes to each day until you reach you’re desired speed and distance. Don’t forget to wear a good pair of running shoes to ensure your feet are safe from injury and comfortable.

    2. Hiking and backpacking are great activities for cooler weather. Check your local area for ready-made hiking paths or backpacking trails. If you don’t want to go alone, call your local park and recreation office to see if they have any resources for group guided hikes.

    3. Bicycling has long been an enjoyable year-round activity. The benefit of bicycling during the cooler weather is that there is less risk of heat related illnesses. In popular tourist areas, you may find less traffic during the cooler season too.

    4. Horseback riding is another activity that people enjoy year-round. Scout your area for riding stables that offer guided trail rides. Guided tours, especially those that provide the horse too, will charge for their services but the exhilaration you will feel afterwards will be well worth it.

    5. Tennis can be played any time of the year, but playing in the cooler weather will make it more pleasant. Sure, you will still break a sweat, but the cooler temperatures and possible breeze will refresh you as you play.

    6. Backyard football is not only for young boys. Adults can enjoy a good game of touch football and the endorphins produced will have you feeling great all day. Gather family and friends to enjoy a game in the yard or a nearby park. You’ll be glad you did.

    7. Raking and removing leaves is something many people do out of necessity. But it’s also a great way to pile on the endorphins. Instead of using your lawn mower to vacuum the leaves, grab your trusty rake. Not only will you clear your lawn of leaves but you’ll also clear your head.

    Fresh air, crisp temperatures and an hour of vigorous activity is all it takes to elevate your endorphins. Not only will you feel great throughout the day, you will have less stress, more mental clarity and get a better nights rest.

     

Copyright @ 2017 DrCurtisMcElroy