What Can Happen If High Blood Pressure Is Left Untreated?

The Theme of  World Health Day 7^th april  is high blood pressure, let us know 

“What Can Happen If High Blood Pressure Is Left Untreated?”

High blood pressure is often called the silent killer, as people with high blood pressure do not usually have any symptoms until the disease has reached an advanced stage.The lack of symptoms is why some people who are aware they have high blood pressure do not take any steps to control and treat it. Because they feel okay they think everything is okay. But if high blood pressure is left untreated, serious problems may develop over time. 

Lets have a look at the damage a high blood pressure can cause if left untreated.
 
Heart Damage

The heart has to work harder to push blood through narrowed vessels. As the pressure persists or increases, the heart begins to get fatigued, over time, this additional work enlarges the heart and decreases its ability to contract.The enlarged heart also demands more blood supply, making it more vulnerable to insufficiency in blood flow and prone to heart attacks.
    
Stroke

Untreated hypertension can lead to stroke. As blood pressure increases, the pressure on the blood vessels increases. The vessels in the brain are very sensitive to this increased pressure. Eventually, a weak area of a vessel will rupture, causing bleeding in the brain. It can not only lead to heart stroke but also to brain stroke i.e paralysis.

Kidney Failure

High blood pressure can damage blood vessels throughout the body. If blood vessels in the kidneys are damaged, the kidneys are less able to do their job of removing waste and fluid from the body. This accumulated fluid can cause your blood pressure to increase even more. Eventually, your kidneys may fail completely. This is called kidney failure.


Effect on memory and mental function. 

Some research indicates that untreated high blood pressure is associated with the loss of mental ability in older people. Older adults with untreated high blood pressure may have short-term memory loss. They may have trouble with their attention span, too. Also, common are forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease. The higher your blood pressure, the greater your risk for loss of mental ability. Getting treatment for high blood pressure may improve mental functioning.

Peripheral artery disease

It is a condition of the blood vessels that leads to narrowing and hardening of the arteries that supply the legs and feet.The narrowing of the blood vessels leads to decreased blood flow, which can injure nerves and other tissues.Peripheral artery disease is caused by arteriosclerosis, or "hardening of the arteries." This problem occurs when fatty material (plaque) builds up on the walls of your arteries. It blocks the  blood flow to your legs can cause pain and numbness.

According to the American Heart Association, one out of every three adults (33%) suffers with elevated blood pressure,People with a systolic BP of 120 to 139 mm HG or a diastolic BP of 80 to 89 mm HG are considered borderline hypertensive and require immediate changes in diet and lifestyle.
That is why having blood pressure checked regularly is important.

AN EXCELLENT SALAD TO PREVENT SUNSTROKE AND REDUCE BP AND CHOLESTEROL

AN EXCELLENT SALAD TO PREVENT SUNSTROKE AND REDUCE BP AND CHOLESTEROL

An excellent salad to prevent sunstroke.

Mix finely chopped pieces of raw mango and onion together, add chopped green chillies, a dash of rock salt, a pinch of turmeric and red chilli powder, garnish with coriander leaves and serve.

Onion due to its high sulphur content prevents body fevers that can be caused due to sun stroke.Raw Mango is excellent for preventing sun stroke.

Apart from this, raw mango gives vit C and potassium and onion helps in thinning of blood, so this salad also helps to reduce BP and cholesterol.

  ENJOY A SALAD WITH DUAL BENEFITS

KIDS NUTRITION - Don't label foods as "good" or "bad."

KIDS NUTRITION
Don't label foods as "good" or "bad."

Instead, tie foods to the things your child cares about, such as sports or doing well in school. Let your child know that protein in dal, beans, sprouts and calcium in dairy products give them strength for sports. The antioxidants in fruits and vegetables add luster to skin and hair. And eating a healthy breakfast can help them keep focus in class.

World Autism Awareness Day 2nd April 2014

World Autism Awareness Day 

2^nd April 2014

Autism is a disorder that affects the way a person’s brain works. It is the most common mental disorder affecting children. 

The rate of autism in all regions of the world is high and it has a tremendous impact on children, their families, communities and societies.

Autism is a complex biological disorder characterised by difficulties with speech; abnormalities of posture or gesture; problems with understanding the feelings of others; sensory and visual misperceptions, fears and anxieties; behaviour that is different than other people, less interest in food or uncommon food preferences, trouble with motor skills including picking up small objects, catching a ball and riding a bike.

There is growing evidence that nutritional therapy can really make a big difference to children with autism in their ability to learn, to manage their emotions and in the way they process information.  

Caring for a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be challenging on many levels.Children with autism may limit their food intake or have food preferences. They may also break down fat differently. As a result, autistic children are sometimes low in certain nutrients.

Nutrition tips for autism

Research has shown that removing certain foods helps example a  gluten-free and casein-free diet that excludes wheat and milk. However, it may not be the answer as it is not effective in all cases. 

Keep in mind that very restrictive diets require careful planning to make sure your child’s nutrition needs are being met. Seek guidance for special diets of a qualified dietician or a nutritionist before making any drastic changes to your child’s diet. 

Autistic children are found to be highly allergic to some foods like eggs, fish, seafood, tree nuts, peanuts, and soy. Eliminating these foods can improve symptoms.

Autistic children are deficient in certain vitamins and minerals, supplementing the same helps to ensure that the child is getting an adequate quantity of both to aid their growth as well as treat symptoms.

Include "good fats"  like omega 3 which will help to reduce inflammation.

Many have severely disrupted digestion, so restoring balance in the gut is a key focus for nutritional therapy. Digestive enzymes in the food and probiotics help as they contain healthy bacteria.

Also important is balancing blood sugar, there is much overlap between ADH/hyperactivity and autism, so for autistic children who show signs of hyperactivity, improving blood sugar balance is a must.

Also checking for brain-polluting heavy metals, excluding food additives helps.

Making meals as predictable and routine as possible can help. Serving meals at the same time every day is one of the simplest ways to reduce stress.

Bottom line each individual on the autistic spectrum is unique and has their own needs which need to be assessed on an individual basis, don’t do it all alone seek proper guidance and help.