Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a common diagnosis across the world.  It is basically when the blood flowing through your veins is more forceful than it should be. The force can damage the inner walls of your arteries and make your heart beat too hard.

A normal blood pressure reading is less than 120/80.

The top number is for systolic pressure.  This measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats.

The bottom is for diastolic pressure. This measures the pressure in your arteries between heartbeats.

Due to genetics, you are at a higher risk to develop hypertension if a family member has it.  High blood pressure affects both men and women and it can occur at any age.

Some other risk factors include:

• Excessive alcohol consumption
• High sodium diet
• Little or no physical activity
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Stress
• Insufficient sleep

Consequently, hypertension, if left untreated, can lead to a stroke as well as chronic kidney problems and of course other health problems.

The good news is that there are medications and treatments available to help. Likewise, we all need to do our part to lead a healthy lifestyle with a heart healthy diet and exercise.

Private Home Health Care knows that high blood pressure can appear without any symptoms.  We hope that you have health care professionals that can help you monitor this risky condition. 

#health

International Day of Light

Tomorrow is the International Day of Light.  You may wonder what this day is all about?

The sponsors say it is to promote an awareness for the appreciation of light.  Likewise, light plays a part in science, art and education and it has many natural benefits.

If you look up the definition for light it says, “something that makes vision possible.”  It also mentions electromagnetic radiation and another is “a particular illumination.”

All of these definitions are accurate.  Light truly helps you and I view and understand the world around us.

Light in the form of the sun can lift our feelings.  After many cloudy days you begin to miss that shining ball in the sky because there is not much light.  When the light comes back we can feel an almost immediate turnaround.

Additionally, light is not just the sun.  Other forms of light include gamma rays, infrared ways, ultraviolet light and gamma rays.  Our understanding of light has led us to scientific discoveries and technological progress.  Many uses we take for granted.

• Lights are in our homes and offices.
• UV lights treat certain illnesses and eliminate bacteria and viruses from the air and water.
• We transmit information by using the light found in optical fiber networks.
• We stay safe with headlights in our cars and traffic lights in our towns and cities.

As you can see we have learned a lot about light.  We must however continue to learn more so that we can make progress in our use in the future.

Private Home Health Care hopes you have a chance to share something involving light tomorrow.  You can watch great videos online that talk about the science of light.  You can also look around and find the sources of light in your world.

#InternationalDayOfLight

National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that has been around for centuries but only named in 1981.  As late as 1990 it was defined as a musculoskeletal disease within the family of arthritis.

The word “myalgia” means pain within the muscles.  Fibro refers to fibrous tissues.  

Fibromyalgia is caused by abnormal sensory processing in the central nervous system.  If you have this disease you experience most commonly a sense of fatigue, difficulty sleeping and concentrating, irritable bowel syndrome and often headaches.

Your pain will be on both sides and the top and bottom of your body.  People all over the world suffer from this, all ages and either sex.  Reports do say however, that women are seven times more likely to come down with it.  It is chronic in nature.

Unfortunately you will not find a cure for Fibromyalgia but there are ways to manage the pain.  You should check with your medical professional to see what is best for you.  

There are medications, exercises, relaxation techniques and antidepressants.  Antidepressants can help you relieve pain and promote better sleep. 

An early sufferer of this disease is believed to be Florence Nightingale!  

Private Home Health Care wants to help to share awareness of this difficult disease so that you are aware that you are not alone and there is help available.

#healthcare

National Student Nurse Day

This week in May is designated as National Nurses Week.  In recognition of this, today is National Student Nurse Day.

You and I have most likely dealt with nurses in some situation before.  It may have been at a doctor’s office or a hospital, a burn facility or a mental health hospital.  Nurses actually work in many different places.

Florence Nightingale or the “Lady with the Lamp” is credited with beginning the nursing field.  She came from the higher echelons of England but her calling was the care of the sick.

Florence began nursing during the Crimean War which ended in 1856.  Because of her work during the war and her documenting the excellent nursing given under trying conditions, Florence was given money once she was back in England.

In 1860 the Nightingale School of Nursing was opened at St. Thomas Hospital in London.  This was a huge step for women and the field of nursing.

Today there are many options if your calling is to be a nurse.  You will find it a very challenging and competitive field but with many rewards.  

There are nursing schools in just about every state in the US.  Your courses would include theoretical learning as well as practical learning.  You would have practical experiences in nursing activities including administering medications, charting and patient assignments.

Your specialty could be burn care nursing, clinical nursing, and mental health.  You could also become a nurse practitioner or a midwife.  There are many options depending on your interest.

Once your schooling is done you then pass a certification exam and once passed you are a registered nurse.

Private Home Health Care understands the work involved and we salute the men and women who study and learn how to become a registered nurse.  Best of luck to you.

Herb Day

In 2006, a group of five nonprofit organizations began Herb Day. The purpose of the day is for us to celebrate and become aware of the awesomeness of herbs.

You probably have herbs in your house, maybe fresh or dried.

Your recipes most likely call for many of the familiar herbs, like thyme, rosemary, parsley and sage (or was that parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme from the song Scarborough Fair!).

Seriously, there are so many herbs to choose from to add to your food but they aren’t just for recipes.  The organizers of this day also want you to learn that herbs are also for health and beauty.

For health benefits sage can improve brain function and memory.  Peppermint can help your abdominal pain and nausea and basil helps fight infection and increases your immunity.

Rosemary is an herb that could help you with your skin.  The antioxidants are known to help tighten and tone your skin.  It has hydrating properties to moisten your skin.  In addition, if you have eczema it’s anti-inflammatory properties can help to reduce redness.

These are just a few benefits of herbs and now is the perfect time to think about planting herbs.  You can start some in your kitchen, use pots, flower boxes or a garden.  There are many websites to help guide you.

Private Home Health Care is sharing this website that you might find helpful.  Herbs are versatile and have so many uses we hope you give some a try!   ​​https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/a43329616/how-to-start-a-herb-garden/

National Hospitals Week

Hospitals are on our minds this first week in May as it’s National Hospitals Week.

The American Hospitals Association estimates that there are 6,000 hospitals in the United States.  We all know that medical care has its challenges and the cost of healthcare has been increasing over time. Hospitals however, strive to continue to provide top quality healthcare. 

We in Boston are very lucky to have so many renowned hospitals that are just a drive away.

Furthermore, hospitals provide vital care in many different areas.  

You can go to a hospital for an emergency, to have a baby or for surgery.  You’ll also be able to have appointments with family doctors or specialists located in hospitals. Additionally, you can discover doctors for all parts of your body in this one location.

There are hospitals that are long-term, short-term, for children and for our veterans and for those with mental health issues. 

This week was created in order to recognize the care and support given by the hospital workers across all these different types of hospitals.

Private Home Health Care has worked with many hospitals over the years.  We understand the hard work involved but we also know how satisfying the work can be. This week we take a moment to thank the many wonderful hospital workers for their expert care.

#NationalHospitalWeek

Salsa

Salsa is a delicious condiment that is celebrated during the month of May.  

If you can believe it, history lists as far back as the Aztec age for the early roots of Salsa.

Are you a salsa lover? Do you like it mild, spicy or somewhere in between?

What do your taste buds enjoy?

Salsa can be enjoyed in quite a few ways.  You can of course eat it with tortilla chips as an appetizer.  There are also dinner recipes that use salsa.  One that comes to mind is a salsa chicken that’s easy to make and delicious. Check out recipes for fish as well if you are looking for a bit of spice.

Here are a few fun facts.

• Did you know that by 1991 salsa had overcome ketchup for the most condiment sales?
• The name for the Salsa dance comes from the condiment. It represents the spiciness of the dance moves.
• Relish and salsa are considered European sisters. Relish is French and Salsa is Spanish.

Private Home Health Care loves to have salsa at home and out at restaurants.  Here is a link to Food Network recipes for you to try if you are feeling adventurous:  https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/photos/all-star-salsas

National Honesty Day

The last day of April is National Honesty Day.  Honesty or telling the truth is a positive character trait.  Honesty feeds into having integrity and leads to trust.

Have you ever been dishonest?  I think each of us can say that we’ve all told at least one lie in our lives.  Perhaps you felt that a lie needs to be told to save someone’s feelings. Maybe you’ve stretched the truth a bit.  Then again, you may have told a real whopper.

No one is perfect because all of us have told some sort of a lie at some point in our lives. It may have been unintentional but that’s still not being honest.   Even those nominated for sainthood must have been dishonest at some point!

Whatever dishonest moment you’ve had in the past you can change it in the here and now.

On this National Honesty Day you are encouraged to be honest and truthful in your words and actions.  

If you are in the business world or in your personal life, strive to be honest.  When you are dealing with a sibling, child, parent or a friend try to do your best to be honest.  The more honest you are the more trusted you become and consequently the more integrity you gain.

Private Home Health Care believes in being honest and we try to gain and hold the trust of the people we serve. Celebrate the day by trying to be honest all day.

#NationalHonestyDay

Birdwatching

In 2022, a website listed a total of approximately 15.23 billion bird watchers in the United States.  That’s a lot of bird watchers in the United States.

Do you consider yourself a birdwatcher?  On this National Audubon Day it is a chance for you to take some time to birdwatch whether you are new to it or a bird expert..  

John James Audubon became a popular figure for birdwatchers and nature.  He is credited with writing and illustrating one of the best ornithological books cataloging the birds of our United States back in 1827-1839..  In addition, Mr. Audubon is also credited with identifying 25 new bird species.

The National Audubon Society, named after Mr. Audubon, is a national society and anyone can join.  Likewise in Massachusetts, you can also join a local group called the Mass Audubon Society (https://www.massaudubon.org/).

Basically, you can find over 60 wildlife sanctuaries to visit through the Mass Audubon Society. You’ll also see information on programs offered, ways for you to get involved and listings for wildlife and land conservation opportunities.

As you can see, there are many ways to enjoy the birds in your area.  Birds are everywhere and they make themselves heard and seen right out your window wherever you are.

Private Home Health Care hopes that on this day and the days ahead you will be able to find time to observe the birds in your surroundings.  This time of year the birds are a sign of warmer weather to come.  We hope you will enjoy learning and listening to birds.

#NationalAudubonDay

Medical Laboratory Professionals Week

Have you ever had a blood test?  Have you ever wondered where the test goes and who takes care of analyzing it?

You may or not be surprised to learn that the tests are received and analyzed by medical laboratory professionals.

A medical laboratory professional works out of a hospital or medical facility.  In order to be able to analyze blood, urine, and other body samples you need to be trained and certified by an accredited board.

Your job as a laboratory professional is very important.  You act as a health detective.  Through the test, you analyze data.  Based on this you assist doctors with patients’ diagnoses and treatments.  You also help to track progress of a treatment to determine if it is working.

A medical laboratory professional has a lot of responsibility.

If you chose to be a medical laboratory professional, a strong background in biology, chemistry and math is helpful.  You could be a technician with an associate’s degree or a medical laboratory scientist requiring a baccalaureate degree.

As a medical laboratory scientist you would collect and process specimens, assure lab procedures performances and maintain instruments.  In addition, you would relate lab findings to common diseases/conditions.  These match what a medical laboratory technician does.

Additionally, as a laboratory scientist your responsibilities include sophisticated analyses and evaluation and interpretation of results.  Likewise, you problem solve, consult, conduct research and even develop new test methods.

Your schooling as a medical lab scientist is much more involved than a technician.  You have in-depth courses in education and management, professional course work and a clinical experience of five to six months.

Whether you are a medical laboratory technician or scientist, both roles are important to the health field.  These are the people who receive samples and ultimately help to keep us able to manage disease or conditions that come our way.

Private Home Health Care salutes these medical professionals this week.

#MedicalLaboratoryProfessionalsWeek