Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Low BP Symptoms Causes and Treatment Home Remedies
Low BP
Low BP (Blood Pressure) is a condition in which pressure of blood on the walls of arteries is lower due to some reason. There may be several reason behind this condition. Here we will discuss the symptoms, causes and some home remedies (treatment) for Low BP. If you feel the symptoms of low BP then you should immediately get it checked and get its treatment.
How much BP is considered Low ?
There are two readings taken while measuring the BP. First is called Systolic, which means the pressure on arteries when heart pumps the blood. Second is Diastolic, which is pressure on arteries while heart relaxes. The normal BP is 120 / 80 for an average human being. Here 120 is Systolic and 80 is Diastolic. If it goes below 90 / 60 then its consider as Low BP. Even if any one of the reading goes below the mentioned limit then its considered as Low BP. For example if the BP is measured 115 / 50 then it is Low BP.
Low BP Symptoms
Low BP symptoms are usually easily visible but we take them as usual tiredness and need to rest. Low BP symptoms are listed below, and if you notice them then either get it checked or measure your BP using a electronic BP Monitor. Here are some Low BP Symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Lack of concentration
- Fainting (syncope)
- Cold, clammy, pale skin
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Rapid, shallow breathing
Low BP Causes
Low BP can be caused due to some medical conditions and some medications as well. We will mention both of these.
Here are some medical conditions that can cause Low BP:
- Pregnancy: The expansion of circulatory system of mother due to presence of baby causes the BP to drop. It becomes normal after giving birth.
- Heart problems: Heart Attack, heart valve problems and some other heart problems can lower the BP.
- Endocrine problems: Some Thyroid conditions, adrenal insufficiency (Addisons disease), low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and diabetes can cause Low BP.
- Dehydration: During Dehydration your body loses more water than it takes in. Even the water in the Blood is reduced leading to lower blood volume which leads to lower BP. It is called hypovolemic shock which can even cause death.
- Septic Shock: When an infection in body enters the blood stream (called Septicemia) then it can lower the BP to a life-threatening level called Septic Shock.
- Severe Allergic Reaction: Anaphylaxis ( a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction) can cause breathing problems, hives, itching, a swollen throat and a drop in blood pressure.
- Lack of nutrients in your diet: A lack of the vitamins B-12 and folate can cause decrease in umber of red blood cells resulting in anemia and causing Low BP.
Some medications can also cause Low BP, so its better to keep checking you blood pressure if you are using any of these types of medication:
- Diuretics (water pills)
- Alpha and Beta blockers
- Some Drugs for Parkinsons disease
- Some antidepressants
Type of Low BP
Low BP is also called Hypotension. There are various types of Low BP which are described below. These types may also help you understand Low BP.
- Orthostatic or Postural Hypotension: Low BP on standing up from a lying position. It causes dizziness and blurred vision. Its due to lack of blood supply to brain as more blood flows towards legs due to gravity.
- Postprandial Hypotension: It is Low BP after eating. Higher amount of blood flows towards digestive system after eating. Usually heart rate increases after eating, but it doesnt in people suffering from Postprandial Hypotension.
- Multiple System Atrophy with Orthostatic Hypotension: It is Low BP due to nervous system damage.
Low BP Home Remedies
These home remedies can work if you are not a severe patient of Low BP. You may try it, but if you facing Low BP problem again and again then its better to consult a doctor and get it diagnosed.
Here are a few home remedies for Low BP:
- Salt Water: Sodium in Salt increases the BP.
- Coffee: Its a temporary treatment of Low BP but dont become habitual of it as there are some side effects of caffeine.
- Raisins: Its an Ayurvedic treatment. Soak 30 to 40 Raisins in water overnight and take them in morning one by one. You may also drink the water in which raisins were soaked.
- Holy Basil: Holy Basil contain Vitamin C, Magnesium, Potassium, and Pantothenic Acid which are benefitial for Low BP patients. It also reduces stress and calms the mind.
- Licorice root: If your low BP is caused due to low level of Cortisol then Licorice Root can benefit you. You can prepare Licorice root tea by boiling one teaspoon of Licorice root (dried or powdered) in a cup water for five minutes.
- Almonds: Soak five almonds in water overnight, peel off them in morning. Make a paste of them and then boil it with a cup milk. Drink one-cup every day.
- Carrot Juice: Drinking one glass of carrot juice with two teaspoons of honey twice daily can improve your Low BP.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Lose weight with 10 Exercises at Home
If the thought of going to crowded gyms with equipment hoarders makes you cringe, theres a simpler (and cheaper) way to stay fit right about now.
With New Years just around the corner, there will be plenty of focus on fitness, with losing weight and setting health goals the second most popular resolution for most people. Gyms can not only get crowded, but finding time to work out becomes difficult.
"It doesn’t matter where you work out, it’s what you’re doing, how often you’re exercising and ensuring that it’s effective that makes it most beneficial," says exercise physiologist Andrea Doepker-Gavidia of Train For Life Fitness & Lifestyle Consulting in Saskatoon.
Doepker-Gavidia argues that you can easily get fit in the comfort of your own home — as long as youre up to the challenge.
If you can avoid the phone calls, the television and chatty kids or family members in the background, Doepker-Gavidia says you can set a schedule to reach your health and weight goals without spending any money on memberships or stability balls.
"Choose exercises that are full body movements that mimic everyday patterns. These will use more energy and incorporate more muscle groups and will teach your body how to move as a whole more efficiently," she tells The Huffington Post Canada.
Working out with weights has proven to both intensify and speed up your metabolism, according to Womens Health magazine, but sometimes using just your bodyweight or sticking to cardio can combat stress better than strength training.
To make things a little easier on you, Doepker-Gavidia suggests turning off your phone during your routine, invite a friend or another family member over as a fitness buddy and turn up your favourite music (like one of these awesome workout tunes from 2012) to tune out everything around you.
Ready to get motivated? Here are Doepker-Gavidias 10 exercises you can do on your hardwood floor — we recommend starting out with 15 to 20 sets and only adding weights when youre ready:
Squats:
Stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart and lower your hips (almost like youre sitting in a chair). As you bend your knees, your thighs will be parallel with the floor, says exercise physiologist Andrea Doepker-Gavidia of Train For Life Fitness & Lifestyle Consulting in Saskatoon. Ensure your knees don’t go beyond your toes and keep your chest up and look straight ahead. Stand back up to start position and repeat.
Triceps Push-Ups:
Place your hands on the floor and keep them under your shoulders. Holding your body straight, bend your elbows close to you body. Lower your chest between your hands and push back up into the starting position. If youre having trouble completing a push-up, place your knees on the floor to make things easier. For intensity, raise your feet up onto stairs or an elevated surface to increase the difficulty.
Skaters/Leaps:
To start, get into a semi-squat position and leap sideways to land on your right foot. Immediately push off in the opposite direction and land on your left foot. Make sure you perform these skaters continuously.
Plank Crawl:
Pace yourself for this one. We recommend giving yourself a goal of 15 to 20 crawls. Begin this move in a push-up position with your hands directly under your shoulders. Lower yourself down one arm at a time into a plank position on your forearms, while keeping your elbows directly under your shoulders. Push back up one arm at a time into your starting push-up position. Alternate the arm you lead with and maintain a straight body throughout the movement. Lower your knees to the floor to decrease the difficulty level.
Walking Lunge:
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and place your arms to the side. Step forward with your right foot and lower your left knee towards the floor. Your knees should bend about 90 degrees. Ensure your right knee stays over your right ankle and dont let your knee go past your toes. Step up to balance on your right foot and switch feet.
Single Leg Balance Stick:
Balance on your right foot with your left foot behind you. Lean forward, keeping a straight body position and lift your left heel towards the ceiling. Maintain a slight bend in your standing knee so you don’t lock your knee. If youre having trouble balancing, focus on something in front of you or hold your back leg for initial support (pictured here).
Bird Dog:
Begin on all fours (downward dog), ensuring your hands are directly under your shoulders and your knees are directly under your hips. Slowly extend your right leg behind you and reach your right arm forward into a straight line. Hold your balance without arching your back. Return to the starting position and repeat on the opposite side.
Side Plank Hip Drops:
Begin by lying on your right side with your right elbow directly lined under your shoulder. Keeping your feet on the floor, lift your hips off the floor and support your body with your forearm. Hold for three seconds and slowly lower your right hip onto the floor and repeat.
Bridge:
Lay on your back with your arms by your sides. Bend your knees while keeping your feet flat on the floor. Maintaining a straight back, raise your hips up to a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Hold for three seconds and lower your hips slowly back to the floor and repeat.
Superman Back Extension:
Lay on your stomach and reach your arms forward (like youre flying). Gently raise your legs and upper body off the floor while keeping your head straight. Pause for three seconds and repeat.
With New Years just around the corner, there will be plenty of focus on fitness, with losing weight and setting health goals the second most popular resolution for most people. Gyms can not only get crowded, but finding time to work out becomes difficult.
"It doesn’t matter where you work out, it’s what you’re doing, how often you’re exercising and ensuring that it’s effective that makes it most beneficial," says exercise physiologist Andrea Doepker-Gavidia of Train For Life Fitness & Lifestyle Consulting in Saskatoon.
Doepker-Gavidia argues that you can easily get fit in the comfort of your own home — as long as youre up to the challenge.
If you can avoid the phone calls, the television and chatty kids or family members in the background, Doepker-Gavidia says you can set a schedule to reach your health and weight goals without spending any money on memberships or stability balls.
"Choose exercises that are full body movements that mimic everyday patterns. These will use more energy and incorporate more muscle groups and will teach your body how to move as a whole more efficiently," she tells The Huffington Post Canada.
Working out with weights has proven to both intensify and speed up your metabolism, according to Womens Health magazine, but sometimes using just your bodyweight or sticking to cardio can combat stress better than strength training.
To make things a little easier on you, Doepker-Gavidia suggests turning off your phone during your routine, invite a friend or another family member over as a fitness buddy and turn up your favourite music (like one of these awesome workout tunes from 2012) to tune out everything around you.
Ready to get motivated? Here are Doepker-Gavidias 10 exercises you can do on your hardwood floor — we recommend starting out with 15 to 20 sets and only adding weights when youre ready:
Squats:
Stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart and lower your hips (almost like youre sitting in a chair). As you bend your knees, your thighs will be parallel with the floor, says exercise physiologist Andrea Doepker-Gavidia of Train For Life Fitness & Lifestyle Consulting in Saskatoon. Ensure your knees don’t go beyond your toes and keep your chest up and look straight ahead. Stand back up to start position and repeat.
Triceps Push-Ups:
Place your hands on the floor and keep them under your shoulders. Holding your body straight, bend your elbows close to you body. Lower your chest between your hands and push back up into the starting position. If youre having trouble completing a push-up, place your knees on the floor to make things easier. For intensity, raise your feet up onto stairs or an elevated surface to increase the difficulty.
Skaters/Leaps:
To start, get into a semi-squat position and leap sideways to land on your right foot. Immediately push off in the opposite direction and land on your left foot. Make sure you perform these skaters continuously.
Plank Crawl:
Pace yourself for this one. We recommend giving yourself a goal of 15 to 20 crawls. Begin this move in a push-up position with your hands directly under your shoulders. Lower yourself down one arm at a time into a plank position on your forearms, while keeping your elbows directly under your shoulders. Push back up one arm at a time into your starting push-up position. Alternate the arm you lead with and maintain a straight body throughout the movement. Lower your knees to the floor to decrease the difficulty level.
Walking Lunge:
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and place your arms to the side. Step forward with your right foot and lower your left knee towards the floor. Your knees should bend about 90 degrees. Ensure your right knee stays over your right ankle and dont let your knee go past your toes. Step up to balance on your right foot and switch feet.
Single Leg Balance Stick:
Balance on your right foot with your left foot behind you. Lean forward, keeping a straight body position and lift your left heel towards the ceiling. Maintain a slight bend in your standing knee so you don’t lock your knee. If youre having trouble balancing, focus on something in front of you or hold your back leg for initial support (pictured here).
Bird Dog:
Begin on all fours (downward dog), ensuring your hands are directly under your shoulders and your knees are directly under your hips. Slowly extend your right leg behind you and reach your right arm forward into a straight line. Hold your balance without arching your back. Return to the starting position and repeat on the opposite side.
Side Plank Hip Drops:
Begin by lying on your right side with your right elbow directly lined under your shoulder. Keeping your feet on the floor, lift your hips off the floor and support your body with your forearm. Hold for three seconds and slowly lower your right hip onto the floor and repeat.
Bridge:
Lay on your back with your arms by your sides. Bend your knees while keeping your feet flat on the floor. Maintaining a straight back, raise your hips up to a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Hold for three seconds and lower your hips slowly back to the floor and repeat.
Superman Back Extension:
Lay on your stomach and reach your arms forward (like youre flying). Gently raise your legs and upper body off the floor while keeping your head straight. Pause for three seconds and repeat.
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