Collin County Living Well Magazine Fall 2013 | Page 29

MEMORY CARE IN PLANO Dietary factors that may lead to hypertension: • Obesity • High sodium-to-potassium ratio • Low fiber/high sugar diet • High-saturated fat & low-essential fatty acid intake • Diet low in calcium, magnesium and vitamin C Medical conditions, which can cause hypertension, include kidney disease (narrowing of the renal artery), endocrine disease (problems of the adrenal glands which affect blood pressure), and atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries) often referred to as a hardening of the arteries. An increase in blood pressure can occur at any time, and usually goes unnoticed until it is identified at a regular health check-up, or during the investigation of another condition. For this reason, it is sometimes referred to as the “silent killer.” In a head-to-head comparison, many non-drug therapies, such as diet, exercise and relaxation therapies have proven more effective in treating borderline to mild hypertension. Reducing weight, together with a change in diet and no smoking, can lower blood pressure and the risk of complications, thereby reducing or even avoiding the need for medication. If medication is prescribed by your physician it is important to take it as prescribed and to communicate with your physician if any side effects are experienced. A low sodium diet is often prescribed in conjunction with a high blood pressure medication. It is important that sodium is reduced but not completely removed from the diet. Feeling dizzy and light headed is one side effect that occurs quite often in the summer months or when doing strenuous physical activity that results in an increase in perspiration and sweating. In an attempt to stay hydrated, sodium levels can be diluted by drinking too much water, which can contribute to an electrolyte imbalance that leads to feeling dizzy and light headed. While hypertension may be referred to as the “Silent Killer,” you can look for the signs and recognize them in time to make the necessary changes in order to live a long and healthy life! Mika Bradford is a certified nutritionist and pharmacy technician. Mika has spent over a decade working in the manufacturing, retail and the clinical application of nutrition supplements. She has worked closely with clients facing a wide range of health issues, including those with special needs and long-term health conditions. If you have questions for Mika, you may contact her at [email protected] or 817-705-7221. Plano’s Newest Memory Care Community. Exclusively designed for those with memory loss. We proudly introduce our newest memory care community—Arbor Hills, a Koelsch Senior Community. Now Open! The Koelsch family has over 50 years experience in senior housi ??????????????????????????????????????????????????Q?????-??????M????? ???????????????????????????????????e?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????!???????????????????-???????????????????????qQ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????t?-=1M ?]??????????????????????M9%=H? =55U9%Q%L? ????????M?????????=?????????????????????????????e????????????????????????????() ????????????????????????????????????=????????????????????????=?????? ??????M?????????????=??????????????????????????????=????????????????????((??!???=??M???1???????9????((??????????????????????????????????)1??????A??????()???!????)5?????? ??? ???????)?-??????M????? ???????()I??????M??????!????? ??????M??????????((????\??A?????A??????A????() ?????? ?????1?????]????5?????????????????((??()9??=?????-M?!??????1?????]????????????????!????A???Y???????)??????????M???((0