High blood pressure, also called hypertension affects 1 in 4 adults. Do you know your numbers? do you what a normal reading is? A good normal reading is 120/80 with borderline at 130/85 to 140/90.
For more accurate measures of your blood pressure and what affects it consider home blood pressure monitoring. Buy a blood pressure monitor for home use. Wrist and arm monitors are available at Target, Walgreen's, CVS, Wal-Mart, and local medical supply stores. Shop on line by doing a search for "blood pressure monitor".
Record your blood pressure readings daily starting with morning, midday, and night. Make a note of your activity and how you are feeling. You may notice that extreme anxiety makes it go up. The correlation to your pressure will help you manage the things that make it go up. Share your results with your doctor so medication and lifestyle changes can be made if necessary.
You may find that while your blood pressure is high in the doctor's office, it may be normal in everyday activity. Remember, the doctor's result is a one time reading every one to four or more months. With normal home results, and high results at your doctor visits you may have "white coat" hypertension. There is much controversy over whether this should be treated. Check with your cardiologist.
If your blood pressure is borderline at 130/85, you want o start a low salt diet. The best is the DASH diet (http://bit.ly/hnbsL). Exercise, weight control, and stress reduction are other things to include in your treatment plan. For higher blood pressure readings over 140/90, medication may be necessary. Take your home blood pressure results in to your doctor. This will help in deciding on the best treatment for you.
Check out the American Heart Association http://hearthub.org/ for more information.
by J.L. Richardson, MD, author of the Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide.
http://www.mypatienthandbook.com/
www.twitter.com/MD4U
jueves, 16 de julio de 2009
miércoles, 15 de julio de 2009
Medication Mimics Disease
Medication mimics disease. Medication mimics disease. Medication mimics disease. This is one of the first medical pearls I learned in medical school. Tried an true. Time and again I have found it to be truer than I would like to believe.
I first wrote about this last year as my father was recovering from heart bypass surgery. Click the following link to read the blog on this after you finish reading this one, http://bit.ly/Dsr8H. I have experienced this myself and this time I know it is the medication that caused my recent asthma attacks.
When you are on more than one medication, it is hard to tell if it is the medication or another illness. In an effort to treat one problem, you develop another that makes you feel worse than what you have been treated for.
I was so pleased to see my blood pressure responding to about the fifth medicine my doctors had tried without success. Finally, the "magic" medication was working! After a few daily doses of this 24 hour, long acting, slow release pill, I started getting short of breath and wheezing. The asthma flareup was not responding to regular use of inhalers.
I could see no other cause for my asthma, so I decided to stop the blood pressure med. After two days the asthma attacks became less frequent, but remained. I went back to my medicine cabinet, and figured it must be another new med. I decided to read the drug information for side effects. Quite naturally, I trusted my doctors would know this was a side effect, and not give it to me since I have asthma (or not?). I read up on the side effects of yet another muscle relaxant "sample" my doctor had issued me. All my doctors missed this, and instead chose to give more med for the asthma.
I took matters into my own hands again, and stopped the other medication. After two days these 24 hour, long acting, "magic" meds were out of my system the asthma was gone, and I started feeling a lot better!
Medication mimics disease. Yes, it does. This was only one lesson learned. As I blogged before (http://bit.ly/r1snG), you should be reading the same information as your doctor on your medication and side effects. Well, if your doctor is not reading it, what are you going to do? Read it yourself, or get someone to read it to you!
You would like to think your doctor knows, but they don't especially if they are giving out new medication samples routinely. Second lesson, doctors are so eager to try new meds and to satisfy the drug reps that give them. This means they may get a financial incentive or some other "prize", and they will get more free samples.
Third lesson, we as patients are so eager to see results and feel better that we do as prescribed. We would like to know our doctor would "do no harm". Doctors hardly have or take the time to read about new medication. They just give it out, and if they pray, pray for the best.
Finally, once daily long acting medication sounds convenient. it is, but once you take it it lingers in your body longer. The side effects are continuous. When you have more than one medication, and more than one long acting, you can get a new disease or severe exacerbation of another.
Look out for yourself. Read up on your medicines before you take them. Check with your pharmacist who may be of some help (my pharmacist was unaware like my docs). Talk with others who may take the same. I would say call the drug company, but am hesitant to say if they would own up to whatever side effects you may be having.
Medication mimics disease. When in doubt, start with medication adjustment. Discuss it with your doctor, if you are able to get them before you succumb to another disease caused by medication.
Best, safe health to all!
By J.L. Richardson, MD, family medicine doctor, patient, patient advocate, and author of the award winning Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide.
www.mypatienthandbook.com/
www.blogtalkradio.com/drjfpmd
www.twitter.com/MD4U
I first wrote about this last year as my father was recovering from heart bypass surgery. Click the following link to read the blog on this after you finish reading this one, http://bit.ly/Dsr8H. I have experienced this myself and this time I know it is the medication that caused my recent asthma attacks.
When you are on more than one medication, it is hard to tell if it is the medication or another illness. In an effort to treat one problem, you develop another that makes you feel worse than what you have been treated for.
I was so pleased to see my blood pressure responding to about the fifth medicine my doctors had tried without success. Finally, the "magic" medication was working! After a few daily doses of this 24 hour, long acting, slow release pill, I started getting short of breath and wheezing. The asthma flareup was not responding to regular use of inhalers.
I could see no other cause for my asthma, so I decided to stop the blood pressure med. After two days the asthma attacks became less frequent, but remained. I went back to my medicine cabinet, and figured it must be another new med. I decided to read the drug information for side effects. Quite naturally, I trusted my doctors would know this was a side effect, and not give it to me since I have asthma (or not?). I read up on the side effects of yet another muscle relaxant "sample" my doctor had issued me. All my doctors missed this, and instead chose to give more med for the asthma.
I took matters into my own hands again, and stopped the other medication. After two days these 24 hour, long acting, "magic" meds were out of my system the asthma was gone, and I started feeling a lot better!
Medication mimics disease. Yes, it does. This was only one lesson learned. As I blogged before (http://bit.ly/r1snG), you should be reading the same information as your doctor on your medication and side effects. Well, if your doctor is not reading it, what are you going to do? Read it yourself, or get someone to read it to you!
You would like to think your doctor knows, but they don't especially if they are giving out new medication samples routinely. Second lesson, doctors are so eager to try new meds and to satisfy the drug reps that give them. This means they may get a financial incentive or some other "prize", and they will get more free samples.
Third lesson, we as patients are so eager to see results and feel better that we do as prescribed. We would like to know our doctor would "do no harm". Doctors hardly have or take the time to read about new medication. They just give it out, and if they pray, pray for the best.
Finally, once daily long acting medication sounds convenient. it is, but once you take it it lingers in your body longer. The side effects are continuous. When you have more than one medication, and more than one long acting, you can get a new disease or severe exacerbation of another.
Look out for yourself. Read up on your medicines before you take them. Check with your pharmacist who may be of some help (my pharmacist was unaware like my docs). Talk with others who may take the same. I would say call the drug company, but am hesitant to say if they would own up to whatever side effects you may be having.
Medication mimics disease. When in doubt, start with medication adjustment. Discuss it with your doctor, if you are able to get them before you succumb to another disease caused by medication.
Best, safe health to all!
By J.L. Richardson, MD, family medicine doctor, patient, patient advocate, and author of the award winning Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide.
www.mypatienthandbook.com/
www.blogtalkradio.com/drjfpmd
www.twitter.com/MD4U
domingo, 12 de julio de 2009
You Are A Preferred Patient If You Are....?
There is little room for "theirs" and "ours" medicine, and there is very little of it. The myth that doctors, nurses, and health care workers get better or preferential treatment is absolutely preposterous. It' s more like rich patient, poor patient and healthy patient, sick patient. There is more health discrimination than ever amongst people based on sex, money, ethnic, and religious background. This is what we should be concerned about and be doing more to prevent any type of discrimination!
Think as you like; however, many documented experiences of health disparity occur amongst health care professionals by their own health care providers. How pathetic is that? If you are female, you will be more likely to get some "attempted" lack of health care by a doctor who may feel as every woman's symptom is "in her mind", and if you're over 65 the feeling is "who cares". Disabled patients especially those with communication challenges like hearing impairment, are underserved too often. If you are too sick, or they don't know what to do for you, you will be kicked to the curb. Oh, yes! When that happens, you must continue to seek and find the best for you and those you advocate.
Before your health care provider's options "run out", you better run...to you! It is in your best interest to know what illnesses affect you, and to know all about them. With the credible information on the Internet, from books, media, and from real people, you are able to know as much or more than your doctor about what ails you and what works best. The health care providers are there to coach, but it is your game.
Many patients come to me with more information than I already knew on conditions they have. It is good to see they want me to know and learn, too. In return, I read and research what they bring, and talk about what matters to them, what is best for them It would be really nice if more of my personal doctors did that. Doctors that failed to do so have been replaced (or should I say "kicked to the curb") with those that do best by me as a patient. There are good doctors, and there are bad doctors for everyone. It's your choice to take it...or leave it and move on. Someone will give you non discriminatory, preferential treatment as a patient, not by what you do or by by some other limiting parameter like age, sex, etc.
For many doctors I see as a patient, or advocate for someone else, there is no talk of Dr. Richardson. This actually can make it harder for me and them to get the best, most timely, and most cost effective health care. I am J. Richardson Patient. If I have to become Dr. Richardson, my appointment is not made sooner, my co payments remain the same, my health insurance premium goes up, and on and on. My peers, other health workers, and patients have similar stories.
Patients of this great nation, you must see that American health care doesn't care! There are no special favors like great care, and low cost unless you are "proven" 100% healthy, and/ or wealthy, i.e you have no pre-existing condition. Is a national health plan the only way we may see equal care for all? Maybe if we had health coverage like our President and lawmakers, things would be better, and would be in existence by now. After all we were promised that by them while they were campaigning for our trust and official appointment. Instead we are fed almost daily press conferences on healthcare for all repeating the same things in a different way on a different day.
It's your game - coach it, referee it, and play it so that you are the winner, my patients. You are a preferred patient if you are...getting good medical care.
Think as you like; however, many documented experiences of health disparity occur amongst health care professionals by their own health care providers. How pathetic is that? If you are female, you will be more likely to get some "attempted" lack of health care by a doctor who may feel as every woman's symptom is "in her mind", and if you're over 65 the feeling is "who cares". Disabled patients especially those with communication challenges like hearing impairment, are underserved too often. If you are too sick, or they don't know what to do for you, you will be kicked to the curb. Oh, yes! When that happens, you must continue to seek and find the best for you and those you advocate.
Before your health care provider's options "run out", you better run...to you! It is in your best interest to know what illnesses affect you, and to know all about them. With the credible information on the Internet, from books, media, and from real people, you are able to know as much or more than your doctor about what ails you and what works best. The health care providers are there to coach, but it is your game.
Many patients come to me with more information than I already knew on conditions they have. It is good to see they want me to know and learn, too. In return, I read and research what they bring, and talk about what matters to them, what is best for them It would be really nice if more of my personal doctors did that. Doctors that failed to do so have been replaced (or should I say "kicked to the curb") with those that do best by me as a patient. There are good doctors, and there are bad doctors for everyone. It's your choice to take it...or leave it and move on. Someone will give you non discriminatory, preferential treatment as a patient, not by what you do or by by some other limiting parameter like age, sex, etc.
For many doctors I see as a patient, or advocate for someone else, there is no talk of Dr. Richardson. This actually can make it harder for me and them to get the best, most timely, and most cost effective health care. I am J. Richardson Patient. If I have to become Dr. Richardson, my appointment is not made sooner, my co payments remain the same, my health insurance premium goes up, and on and on. My peers, other health workers, and patients have similar stories.
Patients of this great nation, you must see that American health care doesn't care! There are no special favors like great care, and low cost unless you are "proven" 100% healthy, and/ or wealthy, i.e you have no pre-existing condition. Is a national health plan the only way we may see equal care for all? Maybe if we had health coverage like our President and lawmakers, things would be better, and would be in existence by now. After all we were promised that by them while they were campaigning for our trust and official appointment. Instead we are fed almost daily press conferences on healthcare for all repeating the same things in a different way on a different day.
It's your game - coach it, referee it, and play it so that you are the winner, my patients. You are a preferred patient if you are...getting good medical care.
Your Personal #Health Guide on Google Books
Read excerpts at Google Books http://books.google.com/books?id=kPmXiNrg1pYC&printsec=frontcover&dq=patient+handbook+to+medical+care
Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide is written for patients by a medical doctor "to inform and educate patients about medical care". Health maintenance, prevention, early detection, and early treatment are the foundation for great health.
This Writer's Digest International Self-Published Book Award winner informs patients about
basic medical care. By reading this how-to reference book you will learn:
Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide is written for patients by a medical doctor "to inform and educate patients about medical care". Health maintenance, prevention, early detection, and early treatment are the foundation for great health.
This Writer's Digest International Self-Published Book Award winner informs patients about
basic medical care. By reading this how-to reference book you will learn:
- how to keep a medical diary
- how to get your medical records
- how to document your complete medical history
- what the physical exam should include
- about preventive tests and when to get them
- about tests your doctor orders
- about specialists and other medical providers
- about health care plans and coverage
- how to seek quality health services.
Also featured are "My Health Notes", blank pages for you to write your medical history, questions, and things to discuss with your health care team!
Great health is true wealth!
viernes, 3 de julio de 2009
Health Insurers Sell Funeral Plans
"You may have already planned ahead for funeral expenses." This is the opening line in a brochure found in a doctor's waiting room. The brochure from Emphesys, further states "call me today for a free quote or a personal consultation in the convenience of your home your home" (so they can assess how to get you to the grave sooner?).
Does this sound like the type of reading material you want to see when you go to your doctor's office? This is absolutely appalling! Insurance companies have no shame, and little respect when it comes to advertising and selling their products. It's all about the bottom line, the profits. Life and death. We will give you limited covered health care, as much generic medicine as you need, increase your insurance premiums every year by 25%, and pay for your funeral, too. How thoughtful.
There is a big conflict of interest here - going to doctor's office to stay well and walk out with a brochure on funeral expenses. The biggest conflict is that the company appears to be part of the health insurance group. The Internet search for this company led to this link http://www.manta.com/company/mm8g6r0 listing the web address as http://www.humana.com/ .
Even sadder is the fact that the doctor did not know this brochure was in his office.
Does this sound like the type of reading material you want to see when you go to your doctor's office? This is absolutely appalling! Insurance companies have no shame, and little respect when it comes to advertising and selling their products. It's all about the bottom line, the profits. Life and death. We will give you limited covered health care, as much generic medicine as you need, increase your insurance premiums every year by 25%, and pay for your funeral, too. How thoughtful.
There is a big conflict of interest here - going to doctor's office to stay well and walk out with a brochure on funeral expenses. The biggest conflict is that the company appears to be part of the health insurance group. The Internet search for this company led to this link http://www.manta.com/company/mm8g6r0 listing the web address as http://www.humana.com/ .
Even sadder is the fact that the doctor did not know this brochure was in his office.
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