Reasons Why You Should Monitor Your Blood Pressure at Home

First let me state I am not a doctor, nor do I have any formal medical training. I do have high blood pressure and after doing some research, I am writing this article to point out reasons why you should monitor your blood pressure at home. Check with your doctor before you take it upon yourself to perform home blood pressure monitoring.

Most people have their blood pressure taken at their visits to their doctors. With the loss of jobs and high costs of health insurance a lot of people are forced to forgo these visits.

Years ago my mother went through knee replacement surgery. I was working as a preschool assistant teacher and running back and forth checking my mom throughout the day and then back at night to make sure she ate her dinner. One day I was not feeling well and walked past a blood pressure machine at the supermarket. I took my blood pressure and was amazed to get a reading of 198/112. No wonder I felt awful. I had not been to the doctor in quite a while. I made an appointment and at that point started taking high blood pressure medication. I remember the doctor saying to me, "I honestly do not understand how you are able to sit here in front of me."

For the above reason I realize the importance for home monitoring. The machine in the supermarket more than likely saved my life. Below are reasons you might want to consider for obtaining a home monitor:

If you have a medical condition, such as kidney problems or diabetes, having a home blood pressure monitor could help you make an early diagnosis.

Even if you are being treated for high blood pressure having a home monitor will help you track your treatment. You would have access to important information between your doctor's visits. If you are on a program to lose weight and are currently taking medication you will want to monitor your condition often as with weight loss your dosage might need to be changed.

If you are performing home monitoring, and you are otherwise feeling well, you may be able to decrease the number of visits you make to your doctor.

Have you ever gone for your checkup and your blood pressure had been on the high side? Just the fact that you are in the doctor's office can cause anxiety and affect your reading. If you have a home monitor if the reading is different outside the doctor's office. This situation is called "white-coat hypertension.

There are various types of home monitors. If you are unsure of what will work best for you, consult with your doctor.

There is the cuff style. The cuff consists of an inner layer of rubber that fills with air and squeezes your arm. There is an outer layer, usually made of nylon, with a fastener that holds the cuff In place.

There is a gauge style. Your blood pressure monitor will either be digital or aneroid. The aneroid monitor has a gauge with a dial pointing to the number of your blood pressure.

Some monitors come with a stethoscope. This will allow you to listen to the blood flow through the brachial artery in the crook of your elbow. If you are not a trained medical person these sounds will be difficult for you to interpret.

Home blood pressure monitors are either manual or digital.

With the manual you will have to pump a bulb and check your blood pressure with a stethoscope. Manual monitors are normally less expensive.

Digital monitors have a cuff and a gauge that records the pressure. With a touch of a button the cuff will automatically inflate. Your heart rate will be calculated and this device will determine your blood pressure by measuring blood flow. The digital monitors can be used on your upper arm, wrist or finger. It has been determined that the arm cuffs are most accurate. When buying a monitor check the cuff size to be sure that it will fit your upper arm.

The costs of home blood pressure monitors may not be covered by your health insurance. Prices, depending on whether you go with the manual or digital style vary from $25.00 to over $100.00.

o After discussing your specific needs with your doctor and deciding on the best home monitor to purchase there are a few tips (listed below) to assist you for accurate use.

o Take your blood pressure twice daily, once in the morning before you take your medications and once in the evening. Always use your left arm.

o Your blood pressure is usually higher when you first get up so you should wait at least 30 minutes. If you exercise in the morning, take your blood pressure before exercising.

o Do not eat, drink caffeine, smoke or drink alcohol for 30 minutes before taking a reading.

o A full bladder can give you a higher reading, so it is a good idea to go to the toilet first.

o Sit quietly for three to five minutes before taking your pressure. Sit with your legs and ankles uncrossed in a comfortable position with your back supported by the back of your chair.

o Your arm should be raised to the level of your heart. You might have to use a pillow, table, desk or chair arm. The cuff should be placed on bare skin and not over clothing.

o While taking your pressure, do not talk. Wait two or three minutes after your first reading to repeat the monitoring to check the accuracy of the first one.

I hope this information will be helpful to you. I do want to stress that home monitoring should not be a substitute for your regular visits to your doctor. Do not change your medications or alter your diet without first consulting with your doctor.

The Breadth of Options Available for Knee Arthritis Treatment

Arthritis of the knee affects millions of Americans every year, and you know what is a shame about it? It stays around like the in-laws who just will not leave! Most of the time it is a normal part of aging and represents a simple wear and tear degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) process that accumulates over years and then starts to bother an individual like a pebble in one's shoe.

There are other causes of knee arthritis as well, such as acute trauma. Mountain biking or motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, etc. One may end up with a cartilage defect and/or a soft tissue injury which may produce arthritis at way too early of an age.

Additional arthritis generators include chronic activities like jogging. Typically this category includes weight bearing activities or sporting activities rather than non weight bearing activities like cycling or swimming.

So what treatments are available for the millions of people suffering from knee arthritis? There are 3 objectives when dealing with knee arthritis:

1) Relieve the pain

2) Stop the progression and maybe reverse arthritis

3) Avoid Surgery!

Typical onset of knee arthritis pain is insidious. Most people say "Where did this come from?" Initial treatment typically consists of over the counter medications such as acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and naproxen. These can be taken on an as needed basis and should not exceed manufacturer dosing recommendations. Narcotic medications may be utilized for short term exacerbations, however, chronic usage brings with it several side effects. Two medications that can potentially alter the course of arthritis are glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Both are available over the counter and typically formulated together for optimal effect.

The second option for treatment is activity avoidance. This sounds strange, but if you happen to be a skier who frequents black diamond slopes, then shift to the easier slopes during times of discomfort. If you jog a lot and that activity becomes painful, start cross training with an activity that places less weight bearing stress such as cycling or swimming.

Physical therapy consists of strengthening the muscles around the knee in an effort to offload the stresses on the knee itself. This may decrease pain considerably and may allow the patient to either avoid surgery or substantially lengthen the time needed for a total joint replacement. Total joint replacements are not designed to last forever, so avoiding an eventual revision in 15 years or so is optimal.

Using a cane can unload 60% of the weight from a person's knee. There are also knee braces called unloaders which can take significant pressure off the arthritic region of the knee causing pain. There are 3 "compartments" of the knee which can produce arthritis If a person has arthritis predominantly in one compartment, the unloader can be very effective.

Knee injections currently consist of two types. The most common involves cortisone, which is an intense anti-inflammatory solution that can provide relief potentially for months and can then be repeated. The medication doesn't alter the course of arthritis, simply controls symptoms.

Hyaluronic acid injections, such as Synvisc, provide a "motor oil" substance to the knee and may propel the knee to produce more of its own. This may allow the knee to achieve pain relief for over a year. One potentially promising injection substance may involve stem cells, which could potentially alter the course of the disease and regenerate some of the arthritic cartilage.

Joint Pain Or Muscle Pain?

The dilemma of understanding whether that nagging pain is coming from joints or muscles can be quite daunting, especially for someone who's been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, recently. Even for those who have not been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, joint and muscle pains can be considered the red alarm point. So what are they really and how do they differ? And most importantly, how can you tell the difference between joint pain and muscle pain? Joint pains are more like those you get right before flu. Remember that dreaded feeling of numbness in all your joints, as if you've been beaten up with a pole? Right! Now muscle pain is different because they are the type of pains you will get after an extreme workout.

Many people associate joint pains with rheumatoid arthritis, but they hardly consider muscle pains playing a role in the game. In fact, it should be acknowledged that if you have muscle pains around certain areas, especially around legs and arms, the culprit could be none other than joint inflammations that are commonly seen in arthritis.

The common symptoms of stiffness, pain and swelling in joints could easily affect the surrounding muscles and give you mixed signals. Therefore, recognizing whether the pain comes from a joint or a muscle may not be an easy task for someone suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

For example, pain in the feet is very common but no one really cares about it. Remember that if your body is aching or in pain, it is a signal that something is wrong, somewhere in your body. In fact, pain is your messenger that indicates danger. So ignoring aches and pains will not help you in any way. When your feet hurt, you tend to change your posture. The latter may cause stress and fatigue to your muscles. And with that, you've welcomed muscle pain too! These posture problems may then lead to digestion problems, problems of the lower back and knees. Do you see the link?

Similarly in rheumatoid arthritis, joint pains can run from arms to legs, spreading its inflammations all around the joints and sometimes affecting the organs in the vicinity. Therefore, if you experience muscle pains and fatigue on top of the usual joint pains, you should know that inflammations are devil dancing in your body.

According to western medicine, although there is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis, some alternative treatment methods such as Unani system have proven to be effective in eliminating the condition. The bottom line for any person suffering from rheumatoid arthritis is to know that something has gone wrong somewhere and that if treated, or taken care of early, the conditions could even be reversed.

Regular exercise in healthy doses is a must for any one suffering from joint and muscle pain due to rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally there are health supplements such as Omega-3 fatty acids, SAMe, TMG and Glucosamine that can assist you in the process. Additionally, there are alternative healing methods such as reflexology, yoga and reiki that you can try out with zero risk and no after effects.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Aches and Pain Disease Facts

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), is one of the most debilitating of all 100 or so forms of the disease, causing joints to ache and throb and eventually become deformed. Rheumatoid Arthritis can make simple things like opening a jar or taking a walk excruciating for sufferers.

Unlike osteoarthritis, which is caused by wear and tear on the joints, RA is an inflammatory condition. Its exact cause is unknown, but researchers believe that it is the caused when the body's immune system attacks the tissue that lines the joints.

Who gets Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Women between the ages of 20 and 50 years of age, fall victim to this debilitating disease two to three times more than men. Statistics show that no one is immune from it, however. Even children and the elderly have been diagnosed.
To date, there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but treatments are being used to help sufferers protect joint damage in order to live more productive lives.

The Symptoms:

The signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may come and go over time, according to Mayo Clinic experts, and may include:

-Pain and swelling of the joints, especially in the hands and feet.

-Generalized aching or feelings of stiffness of the joints and muscles.

-Loss of motion.

-Loss of strength in muscles attached to the affected joints.

-Fatigue, which can be severe during a flare-up.

-Low-grade fever.

-Deformity of the joints.

-General sense of not feeling well.

Rheumatoid arthritis usually causes pain in several joints at the same time. In its early stages, the joints of the wrists, hands, feet and knees are most affected, followed by pain in the shoulders, elbows, hips, jaw and neck as the disease progresses.

Small lumps, called rheumatoid nodules, are also common under the skin of the elbows, hands, feet and Achilles tendons during outbreaks. They can be as small as a pea, or as large as a walnut, and generally aren't painful.

Considered a chronic disease, rheumatoid arthritis features severe flare-ups featuring severe swelling, pain and weakness, followed by days, weeks or months of normalcy.

What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Although a specific cause is not known, some researchers suspect that rheumatoid arthritis is triggered by a virus or bacterium infection in some people. Hormones are also being researched as a development factor.

Risk Factors:

With no known cause, it's hard to know for sure who will get RA, but some risk factors may include:

-Age. The risk of getting rheumatoid arthritis seems to increase with age, until age 80, where it suddenly decreases.

-Sex. Females are more likely to contract RA then men.

-Viral Exposure. Being exposed to an infection, possibly a virus or bacterium that may trigger rheumatoid arthritis.

-Genes. Inheriting specific genes may make some people more susceptible.

When To See A Doctor:

Persistent discomfort and swelling in multiple joints on both sides of the body may be a sign that it's time to seek medical treatment. Your doctor can work with you to develop a pain management and treatment plan for your rheumatoid arthritis.

Undersleeve for Knee Brace

Knee brace provide lateral support and is worn on the knee after knee injury and helps you from getting injured again. It is also worn as a comfort for people with arthritis or with general knee problems and also after knee surgery. Undersleeve for knee brace helps the knee brace from migrating. To give comfort for the knee it is advisable to wear an Undersleeve for knee brace. There are two types of knee braces. Functional Knee Braces are used as a substitute for damaged ligaments. This is usually used after a ligament injury. Prophylactic Knee Braces are used to prevent injuries especially in sports.

Knee braces help in reducing the pressure on knee joint. Elastic knee brace have breathability and wearing comfort. These provide a natural movement to the knee. Post operative braces are used after surgery and can be used for initial immobilization and later gradual movements. You can also make a custom made brace with the referral from an orthopedist. Wearing a brace is not the end all of treatment. It is always better to strengthen the area with exercises and can help in eliminating the use of brace itself. You have to go for rehabilitation and physical therapy. When playing certain sports it is advisable to wear knee braces to protect from knee injury. When playing sometimes very high force on the knee can damage it and knee brace can stabilize the effect and thus prevent injury, so many sports persons use knee brace. Some sports don't allow knee braces so check it out before wearing it. Always wear knee brace prescribed by your doctor. If you go and buy over the counter braces they may not fit you properly .Knee braces should also be placed properly. If not it may cause harm.

Knee braces are worn usually during injuries treated are Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury, Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury and Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL).

Getting The Best Virginia Workers' Compensation Settlement

When you are injured in a work place accident, you will probably be eligible for Virginia workers' compensation. At some point the insurance company will approach you and ask you if you are interested in a settlement. How much should you settle for? Based on my 30 years of practice as a workers' compensation lawyer, I have compiled what I think are some of the most important factors you need to consider.

FIRST, you need to understand the insurance company will put a value on your case based on what it projects it may need to pay you.

SECOND, if you have a Virginia Workers' Compensation award, you know you have a life time medical award and thus the insurance company may be looking at paying your medical expenses for the rest of your life.

THIRD, if you have an ongoing award of compensation, the insurance company may be looking at paying you 500 weeks of compensation under Virginia Law.

FOURTH, if your injury is to your eye, arm, finger, toe, hand, arm, foot, or leg, you can usually expect to be paid for any permanent damage to that part of your body.

FIFTH, if your injury is very serious and leaves you totally disabled, then you may have a claim of compensation that could go longer than 500 weeks potentially for the rest of your life.

SIXTH, on the other hand if you have returned to work and you are not incurring any medical expenses and your injury has not given you any permanent work restrictions, then your claim may have little or no value for settlement purposes.

SEVENTH, if you face an expensive operation in the future such as a knee replacement, you would need to consider this in negotiating any settlement.

EIGHTH, many insurance companies in Virginia will not settle a workers' compensation case and allow you to keep lifetime medical coverage. If you do not have an alternative way to pay medical expenses, this can prevent a settlement.

NINTH, if you are on Social Security Disability or are applying for it, then you need to know the impact a workers' compensation settlement will have on your Social Security benefits.

TENTH, if you have a third party case arising out of the same accident as your workers' compensation accident the workers' compensation carrier may have a lien on your workers' compensation case.

IN SUMMARY, there are many factors involved in settling a workers' compensation case; therefore, the best advice is to contact an experienced workers' compensation attorney to evaluate any settlement before it is signed. Please review my article: How to Choose the Best Virginia Workers Compensation Attorney or Lawyer. Virginia Workers' Compensation Law is a specialty field. You would not choose a general practitioner for brain surgery so why would you choose a general practitioner for your workers compensation claim? You just cannot assume every attorney knows the ins and outs of Workers' Compensation Law.

This may be considered AN ADVERTISEMENT or Advertising Material under the Rules of Professional Conduct governing lawyers in Virginia. This note is designed for general information only. The information presented in this note should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

Do You Have an MCL Injury? - Use Knee Braces For Support

The knee joint may seem to be a simple joint, but actually, it is the most complicated joint in the human body. It is mostly injured more than any other. Four bones make up the knee joint: femur, tibia, fibula, and patella.

The femur is the largest bone in the thigh so it is also called the thighbone. Just below the tibia (shinbone), there is the fibula and then the patella which is also called the kneecap.

The four ligaments help to bind these bones together. One of the collateral ligaments is the Medial Collateral Ligament, abbreviated as MCL. It is also called Tibial Collateral Ligament. It is located in the inner side of the knee and attaches the thighbone to the shinbone.

An MCL injury occurs due to being hit on the outer surface of the knee and stretched. The damage of tissues depends on the force applied on the knee. An injury to the MCL can also cause a Medial Cartilage Meniscus Injury. The knee has two cartilage menisci-one on the medial or inside and the other on the lateral or outside upper surface of the shinbone.

MCL injury is classified into three grades depending on the severity of the injury. In a Grade 1 injury, 10 percent of the tissues are damaged. In Grade 3, fully 100 percent of the tissues are damaged. Of course, Grade 2 lies between the two.

The symptoms of an MCL injury vary according to the nature of the injury. Grade 1 symptoms include mild tenderness, usually no swelling, and no instability of the knee. When force is applied to the outside of the knee, the pain is felt while the knee is bent at 30 degrees. In case of a Grade 2 injury, the knee may swell up and there would be pain when the knee is bent to 30 degrees.

With a Grade 3 injury, there would be pain and the patient may feel like the knee is unstable and giving out. MCL assessment tests are conducted to diagnose an MCL injury. These tests include a questionnaire about general health problems and current injury. The physician will perform physical assessment as well to find out the cause of pain. Resisted Muscle Tests and Valgus Stress Test are two tests that are conducted.

Non-operative treatment for an MCL injury includes rest, placing ice, compression, and elevation. The patient may also use a knee brace or knee immobilizer for support. One should consult a doctor as soon as possible after injury. No one can afford an injured ligament.

This article provides the basic information about MCL and MCL injury. In case of any medical problems with your knee, you should visit your doctor.