Health Mates BW
Friday 10 March 2017
Wednesday 16 November 2016
HEALTHY HEART
Healthy hearts
1. Smoking is dangerous
The chemicals in tobacco smoke harm your
blood cells. They also can damage the function of your heart and the structure
and function of your blood vessels. This damage increases your risk of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is a disease in which a waxy
substance called plaque builds up in the arteries. Over time, plaque hardens
and narrows your arteries. This limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your
organs and other parts of your body.
2. Be physically active every day.
Jogging and
running increase the heart rate which is important for the heart muscles. This
increases the blood flow in and out of the heart to the working muscles, this
reduces blockage of blood passages.
3.
Go easy on that alcohol
Increases in your blood pressure can also be caused by weight
gain from excessive drinking3. Heavy drinking weakens the heart
muscle, which means the heart can't pump blood as efficiently this leads to
diseases such as heart faiure
ANTINENTAL CARE
ANTINENTAL CARE.
Pregnancy is a joyous stage for all mothers, below are
tips to having a healthy baby during your pregnancy
1.
AVOID ALCOHOL
As soon as a pregnant
woman takes alcohol, the alcohol travels through her blood stream and into the placenta, when
the alcohol reaches the baby, the baby cannot break it down as fast as an
adult. Which can lead to a miscarriage
2.
Stress is a NONO
Stress such as the loss
of a loved one or a fight with the baby daddy can have bad effects on the
expected child, this can lead to premature birth and even sleeping
complications to the child after its born. If you're worried about
being too tense, start by acknowledging what's stressing you out, then figure
out the best way to deal with those issues. Sometimes it helps to talk to
another pregnant woman or mother
3 REGULAR
CHECK UPS ARE ESSENTIAL
As a pregnant woman one needs to go regular
checkups, this is essential as the mother can be made aware if there are any
troubles in her pregnancy, the growth and development of the baby are
monitored. If the mother lacks any nutrients she is made aware.
WATCH THAT SALT
Salt is a commonly used in most meals, either at
restaurants, there is more to what we
call as an ingredient, scientifically Salt (NaCl) is a natural mineral made up of white
cube-shaped crystals composed of two elements, sodium and chlorine.
Salt
has various side effects if taken in large amounts
·
KIDNEY FAILURE
If salt is taken in large amounts,eating salt raises the amount of sodium in your
bloodstream and wrecks the delicate balance, reducing the ability of your
kidneys to remove the water. Over time this large amount of water in the
kidneys cause distraction to the kidney its self, leading to kidney disease and
kidney stones
Renal stones are
relatively common. Over a lifetime, women and men will have renal stones at
least once. Although common, renal stones are painful and can cause nausea,
difficulty passing urine and may progress to kidney disease if there is a
blockage.
·
The heart
The extra blood pressure caused by eating too much
salt puts extra strain on the insides of your arteries. This stops them from
performing their primary function of supplying parts such as the heart with
oxygen, this can be deadly as it can cause stroke.
This is why we recommend that you take salt at less amounts salt and also go to check if your blood pressure is not high nor lower in all clinics of Botswana this service is free nation wide
Thursday 27 October 2016
Thursday 20 October 2016
TIPS FOR SURVIVING A HEAT WAVE
BY: Ikanyeng Simololang
In
Botswana, during summer heat waves can strike areas of the country where cooler
climates are the norm. In these areas, many homes do not have air conditioning
and surviving in the extreme temperatures become a challenge for everyone. The
following steps can help you keep cool during a heat wave even if you have an
air conditioned home.
1.
Take advantage of cooling power of water -Fill buckets or basins and soak your
feet. Wet towels and bandannas can have a cooling effect when worn on the shoulders
or head. Take cool showers or baths, and consider using a spray bottle filled
with cold water for refreshing spritzes throughout the day.
2.
Head downstairs-Since hot air rises, the upper stories of a home will be warmer
than the ground floor. A basement can be a cool refuge from the midday heat.
3.
Eliminate extra sources of heat- Incandescent light bulbs can generate
unnecessary heat, as can computers or appliances left running. Eat fresh foods
that do not require you to use the oven or stove to prepare.
4.
Remember to maintain an adequate level of hydration - You'll need to consume
more water than you usually do when it's hot. If you're sweating profusely, you
will also need to replace electrolytes by eating a small amount of food with
your water or by drinking specially-formulated electrolyte replacement drinks.
Thirst is the first sign of dehydration; you should drink sufficient amounts of
fluids before you feel thirsty in order to prevent dehydration.
5.
Avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeine, as both of these substances can act as
diuretics and promote dehydration.
6.
For a homemade "air conditioning" system, sit in the path of a box
fan that is aimed at an open cooler, or pan filled with ice.
7.
Try to visit public buildings with air conditioning during the hottest hours of
the day if the heat becomes unbearable. Libraries, shopping malls, and movie
theaters can all be good places to cool down.
8.
Don't eat large, protein-rich meals that can increase metabolic heat and warm
the body.
9.
Be able to recognize the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and true heat
emergencies (heat cramps, heat rash, heat exhaustion, heat stroke). Call
emergency services (911) in the event of a heat emergency and try to cool the
victim until help arrives.
10.
Finally, remember that pets also suffer when the temperature rises. Cooling
animals (dogs, rabbits, cats) by giving them a "cool" bath or shower
will help keep their body temperature down. A cool towel on a tile floor to lie
on, a cool towel or washcloth lying over the skin next to a fan will also help
cool the animal. Make sure they have plenty of cool water to drink as well.
MAINTAINING NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE
BY: Ikanyeng Simololang
Blood pressure is the force your blood exerts on the
walls of your arteries, the blood vessels that carry oxygen –rich blood away
from your heart. When your heart beat and forces more blood into your arteries,
the force is a little higher, this is called your systolic pressure. Between
beats, the pressure drops this is called your diastolic pressure.
Tips
for keeping normal blood pressure
Getting older, having diabetes and having a family
of diabetes are some of the factors that increase your risk for high blood
pressure but you can fight back through the following measures;
- Exercise
- Loss excess weight
- Eat healthy
- Put
the brakes on smoking and drinking of alcohol beverages
Jogging can help to keep the body free from diseases
as the blood vessels and veins
Photo Credit: Louis Jalon
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