Monika Patel, Author at A&D Medical

Back to School Month

Monika Patel — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 19:14:38 +0000

Back to School Month – Essential Medical Devices for a Healthy Start

As September arrives, the excitement of a new school year fills the air. Families are busy shopping for notebooks, backpacks, and all the supplies needed for a successful academic year. However, amidst the hustle and bustle, it’s crucial not to overlook the importance of staying healthy. Along with the traditional school supplies, essential medical devices can play a vital role in ensuring your family’s well-being throughout the school year.

Thermometer

A thermometer is a must-have in every household, especially during the school year. Children are exposed to various environments and germs, making them susceptible to fevers and illnesses. Having a reliable thermometer on hand allows parents to quickly monitor their child’s temperature and take necessary actions to prevent the spread of illness. Whether it’s a traditional digital thermometer or an ear/ forehead infrared version, ensuring you have an accurate device is key.

Blood Pressure Monitor

For families with older children, teens, or adults who have health conditions requiring regular monitoring, a blood pressure monitor is an essential tool. Keeping track of blood pressure can help in managing health issues and ensuring that any irregularities are addressed promptly. Automated blood pressure monitors are user-friendly and provide quick, accurate readings, making them convenient for regular use at home.

Pulse Oximeter

A pulse oximeter is a valuable device that measures oxygen saturation levels in the blood and heart rate. This small, portable device can be particularly useful for monitoring respiratory health, especially during flu season or if anyone in the family has a respiratory condition like asthma. By providing immediate feedback on oxygen levels, a pulse oximeter helps ensure that any respiratory issues are identified and addressed quickly.

As you prepare for the upcoming school year, don’t forget to include these essential medical devices in your back-to-school checklist. Prioritizing health and safety ensures that your family can focus on learning and growing, making the most of the new academic year. Stay prepared, stay healthy, and have a fantastic school year ahead!

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How to Take Your Blood Pressure at Home with Abraham the Pharmacist

Monika Patel — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 14:56:41 +0000

How to Take Your Blood Pressure at Home with Abraham the Pharmacist

Monitoring your blood pressure at home is a valuable tool for managing your health, especially if you have hypertension or are at risk of developing it. In a recent video, Abraham the Pharmacist shares essential steps and pro tips to ensure you get the most accurate readings every time you use your blood pressure monitor.

Abraham, a trusted healthcare professional, has collaborated with A&D Medical to provide this informative guide. A&D Medical is known for reliable, easy-to-use blood pressure monitors, making them an ideal choice for helping you manage your health effectively.

Here’s a breakdown of the seven key steps Abraham discusses:

1. Wait 30 minutes: Before you even think about taking your blood pressure, it’s important to wait at least 30 minutes if you’ve recently eaten, smoked, had caffeine, or exercised. These activities can temporarily raise your blood pressure, leading to inaccurate readings.

2. Relax for 5 minutes: Once you’re ready to take your measurement, sit down in a comfortable chair with your back supported. Make sure your feet are flat on the floor, your legs aren’t crossed, and your arms are resting on a table. If you need to use the restroom, do so before taking your measurement, as a full bladder can also affect your results.

3. Position the cuff: Extend your arm with the palm facing up, and place the blood pressure cuff around your upper arm. The cuff should sit about two fingers above your elbow. It should be snug, but not too tight—make sure you can still slide two fingers underneath the cuff.

4. Align the cuff properly: Many blood pressure cuffs, like A&D Medical cuffs, come with alignment markers to help you position them correctly. Follow the instructions to ensure the cuff is aligned properly with your artery.

5. Prepare for the reading: When you’re ready to start the measurement, stay still and avoid any movements, talking, chewing, or laughing. Any of these actions can interfere with the accuracy of your reading.

6. Take two readings: After your first reading, wait for a minute and take a second one. If your first reading is unusually high, a third reading can help confirm the results.

7. Monitor your blood pressure over time: Understanding your readings is crucial. Keep track of your measurements and note any lifestyle factors that may be influencing them. Using a blood pressure monitoring app can help you stay on top of your health.

By following these steps and using a high-quality blood pressure monitor like those from A&D Medical, you can ensure that your home blood pressure measurements are as accurate and reliable as possible. Abraham the Pharmacist’s expertise combined with A&D Medical’s cutting-edge technology makes managing your blood pressure at home simple and effective.

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Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring – The Gold Standard in Hypertension Diagnosis

Monika Patel — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 21:08:18 +0000

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring – The Gold Standard in Hypertension Diagnosis

Blood pressure monitoring is something that for many of us exists only in a clinical setting. However, when it comes to getting the “big picture” of your blood pressure, sometimes you have to step outside the doctor’s office, literally.

When your primary care physician or cardiologist is looking to get a complete picture of your blood pressure levels, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) can be a useful tool.

The What

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a blood pressure test that you take with you. You’ll wear a blood pressure measurement device for 24-hours, including while you sleep.

The device will monitor your blood pressure throughout the day and night, approximately every 30 minutes. At the end of the testing period, your doctor will review all the readings to determine how your blood pressure levels correlate with your daily activities and sleep patterns.

The Why

There are a variety of reasons why your doctor or cardiologist would suggest an ambulatory blood pressure test. It is a better predictor of cardiovascular outcomes. Ambulatory BP monitoring can detect abnormal changes in BP that might go unnoticed when it’s only measured in the doctor’s office.

Can detect changes in BP that might go unnoticed when it’s only measured in the doctor’s office. In some instances, ABPM may determine these readings are due to white coat hypertension.

Another potential reason is your doctor may suspect that your office readings are lower. In this instance, ABPM would reveal masked hypertension, meaning your blood pressure readings are higher outside the doctor’s office or may be elevated while you sleep.

The Big Picture

When it comes to blood pressure readings, office tests are good, but ABPM removes any doubt. If taken during an average day it can accurately allow medical professionals to diagnose hypertension or other blood pressure related conditions. An ambulatory blood pressure test can also help determine if a patient would benefit from antihypertensive drugs.

While any sort of medical testing can feel overwhelming, ABPM is an incredibly simple way to determine and improve your blood pressure levels. Even better, diagnosing and treating hypertension can improve your overall health.

If you think you may benefit from ABPM, speak with your doctor. They can help you determine the best and healthiest course of action for you.

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The Link Between Hypertension and Stroke Risk

Monika Patel — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 12:40:27 +0000

The Link Between Hypertension and Stroke Risk

Hypertension is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions amongst adults. In the U.S., nearly half of adults have high blood pressure.

That’s a startling statistic on its own, but becomes even more concerning when you consider the increased risk of developing other health conditions.

Amongst these conditions is an increased risk of stroke. More than half of strokes are a result of hypertension. The good news is that there are ways to reduce your risk, but first let’s take a closer look at the connections between hypertension and stroke.

Types of stroke

Hypertension is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions amongst adults. In the U.S., nearly half of adults have high blood pressure. That’s a startling statistic on its own, but becomes even more concerning when you consider the increased risk of developing other health conditions.

How hypertension increases risk

So, why does high blood pressure increase your stroke risk? Simply put – it stresses out your blood vessels.

Hypertension puts blood vessels under constant stress and damages the artery walls, making them weaker. This makes it more likely to develop clots due to poor blood flow. It can also damage arteries to the point of bursting or tearing, which can lead to internal bleeding.

Identify stroke F.A.S.T.

If you or a loved one are at higher risk of stroke, it’s important to know the signs. Thankfully, there’s an acronym to help you out – F.A.S.T.

It stands for:

Face drooping

Arm weakness

Speech difficulty

Time to call 911

It’s simple, straightforward, and can save a life.

Reducing your risk

Now for the good news. You can greatly reduce your risk of stroke by managing your blood pressure. Simple steps like being more active, eating healthier, and medication prescribed by your doctor, can make a huge difference.

Hypertension and stroke can be scary, but with a well-executed game plan you can control your blood pressure and reduce the stress on you and your arteries. If you’re concerned about your blood pressure and/or risk of stroke, speak with your doctor. They can help you develop a plan that fits you.

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Getting a Read on Respiratory Health and Pulse Oximeters

Monika Patel — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 21:09:59 +0000

Getting a Read on Respiratory Health and Pulse Oximeters

This past year has brought with it many lessons. One that may have escaped your notice is the importance of monitoring respiratory health. If that string of words doesn’t ring any bells, just take a deep breath, inhale, exhale, and keep reading.

Good news! Assuming you were able to accomplish that simple task, your respiratory health is in pretty good shape. Respiratory health, or lung health, was at the center of discussions surrounding COVID-19, but beyond the pandemic how much do you know about lung health and how it’s measured? Well, that’s a complicated question, but one of the tools used is the pulse oximeter.

What’s a pulse oximeter?

This tool that’s common place in hospitals and clinical settings is still a bit mystifying to most of us. So, what is it? Well, aside from the finger clippie thing (that’s a technical term) they put on you at the hospital – it’s an electronic device that measures the oxygen saturation levels in your blood cells. It performs this task quickly and without using needles or taking a blood sample, allowing for oxygen levels to be monitored in real-time.

Fun fact – pulse oximeters are usually attached to your fingers, but can also be attached to the forehead, foot, ears, toes, or even your nose. Let that be a reminder to be kind to your medical staff.

Getting a reading

When it comes to understanding the numbers in a pulse oximeter reading, it’s fairly simple. Anything higher than 90% is generally satisfactory. Anything below, and you should monitor for other symptoms (such as blue lips, fingers, or nails) and, if you’re monitoring at home, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Keep in mind that readings should also be considered with previous monitoring, to determine if there has been a significant drop.

Who are they for?

Pulse oximeters can be a helpful tool for monitoring and managing a range of respiratory health conditions. Some common situations where they are used include:

During and after surgery for procedures that use sedation.
Determining the efficacy of lung medications.
Measuring a person’s stamina and ability to handle increased activity levels.
Monitoring breathing during sleep to test for sleep apnea.

With all of its challenges, one of the silver linings of this past year is an increased awareness of the importance and value of our health. A pulse oximeter is just one of the many tools that can allow us to get a better understanding of our own health. Knowing and owning your own health is a great way to get ahead of any potential issues and ensure you enjoy a healthy life for as long as possible.

If you think you could benefit from tracking and understanding your oxygen saturation levels, speak with your doctor. They will be able to determine the best way to incorporate this medical tool into your routine for maximum benefit.

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Benefits of Health Tracking with Tech

Monika Patel — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 23:12:02 +0000

Benefits of Health Tracking with Tech

What’s the hottest trend in tech? We’ll give you a hint – it’s you! Specifically, it’s your health.

Health tracking is more than just a fad, it’s a whole new form of personal healthcare. Health tracking technology gives people more options for monitoring and improving their own health.

While that may not sound appealing to the tech-challenged, you probably already know more than you realize. For example, getting started is as easy as downloading a new app.

To help you decide if health tracking is for you, here are just a few of the benefits:

Become More Invested in Your Health

Health tracking has come a long way from simply counting steps or measuring activity. Today, by simply downloading an app you can track everything from your sleep to blood pressure.

While at first, it may seem like an inconvenience, monitoring your health can lead to a stronger connection to your own health and fitness goals. Connected devices like blood pressure monitors and weight scales can make tracking your biometrics easier. Which in turn can lead to healthier choices from diet to exercise.

Keep Chronic Conditions Under Control

For those who suffer from chronic conditions, health tracking apps have been a true life-line and game changer. Apps like Heart Track make it easier to capture and analyze vitals such as blood pressure and other biometric parameters. This can be helpful both for the initial diagnosis and the management of symptoms.

Streamline Appointments

With some apps, like Heart Track, you can opt to share data directly with your doctor. This easy exchange of information makes your doctor’s job infinitely easier. With all this information at your doctor’s fingertips, it can also cut down on your appointment times and possibly lessen the frequency of appointments.

Download HeartTrack for free here.

A Healthier You

No matter what your current health needs, the number one benefit of health tracking apps is a healthier you. While no one system works for everyone, the myriad of health tracking options means that you can find an app and a system that works for you and your health goals.

If you’re considering making a health-tracking a part of your healthcare plan, speak with your doctor. They can help you determine what you should be tracking and what information will be most useful for you and your health goals.

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10 Spices and Herbs that Lower Blood Pressure

Monika Patel — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 19:09:03 +0000

10 Spices and Herbs that Lower Blood Pressure

Healthy eating has a bland reputation. Not that it’s completely unearned. We’ve all suffered through a flavorless, heart-healthy meal. It doesn’t have to be this way, though. There’s a whole world of heart-healthy flavor out there. All it takes to discover it is a quick trip to your spice cabinet (or your local grocer).

To get you started on your journey to healthy eating with some spice, here are ten herbs and spices that will keep you from reaching for the salt:

Cinnamon

Odds are cinnamon has you thinking sweet thoughts, but this spice has a lot more versatility. This warming spice is good at getting your blood vessels to chill and improve blood flow, which is a good thing for your blood pressure and overall heart health.

Ginger

This versatile spice has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. A natural calcium channel blocker, ginger is a great way to naturally reduce your blood pressure.

Nutmeg

Rounding out our trilogy of classic, sweet and savory holiday spices is possibly the most versatile of them all. Nutmeg is packed with antioxidants and has a slew of anti-inflammatory properties, which have been shown to help reduce blood pressure and improve heart health.

Cardamom

Another sweet and savory option you may not be as familiar with is cardamom. This antioxidant-rich spice is still relatively new in the world of scientific studies. However, early findings are promising, and show that it has the potential to safely reduce blood pressure through its diuretic properties.

Thyme

In addition to being something we could all use more of, thyme (the herb) is really good for your heart. Studies have shown thyme can reduce blood sugar and increase blood flow. Both of which are good for your heart. Also, it contains compounds which have been shown to reduce blood pressure.

Basil

This common herb is anything but common when it comes to heart health. Sweet basil can help to relax blood vessels and reduce blood pressure. It may also have calcium channel blocker properties.

Garlic

Not only is it good for keeping vampires at a distance, garlic also boasts properties that ward off hypertension and heart disease. In fact, studies have found that garlic can have a similar effect to some blood pressure medications.

Mint

After all that garlic talk, you (and anyone in your vicinity) will be happy to hear that mint also has some heart health benefits. This antioxidant-rich leaf helps protect your cells from damage and reduce your risk of heart disease. Plus, it comes in tea form, making it a fairly easy addition to your daily routine.

Cayenne Pepper

If you like your spice to be literal and with a side of sweat, cayenne pepper is a good way to get your blood flowing (literally). This pantry staple is known for increasing blood flow by relaxing your blood vessels. And if cayenne isn’t your tastebud burner of choice, capsaicin (what gives all peppers their kick), has been shown to help reduce blood pressure.

Turmeric

This spice may not sound familiar, but if you’ve every enjoyed curry you’ve definitely enjoyed the health benefits of turmeric. Studies have shown promising results when it comes to its blood pressure reducing properties, when taken regularly.

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Diabetes and Blood Pressure

Monika Patel — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 20:36:00 +0000

Diabetes and Blood Pressure

According to the CDC, nearly 50% of American adults suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure). When you narrow the focus to adults with diabetes, that percentage increases to over 60%. That means 2 in 3 adults with diabetes have high blood pressure. With over 10% of the US population living with some form of diabetes, learning more about the link between these two conditions can be a lifesaver.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a group of diseases that impact the way the body processes sugar. With type 1, the pancreas does not produce enough of the hormone insulin, which is needed stabilize the body’s blood sugar levels. With type two, the person may produce insulin, but their body has become resistant to insulin. While there are differences between type 1 and type 2, both come with a higher risk of developing hypertension.

Higher risk of hypertension

What about diabetes makes adults more at risk of developing hypertension? Diabetes damages arteries. This makes them more vulnerable to hardening, which can cause high blood pressure. If left untreated, hypertension can lead to additional health issues including blood vessel damage, heart attack, and kidney failure. This makes management of diabetes imperative to heart health.

Highs and lows

On the flipside of hypertension is hypotension (low blood pressure). Low blood pressure is any reading below 90 for systolic or 60 diastolic. Unlike high blood pressure, low blood pressure is usually accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. It’s important to note that some people experience no symptoms from low blood pressure, and can actually live normal, healthy lives.

Symptoms can be confused with diabetes

As is the case with many overlapping health conditions, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish the source of symptoms. While high blood pressure usually does not present any physical symptoms, the dizziness and fatigue that can accompany low blood pressure could be confused for low blood sugar. This can be frustrating and confusing, especially when first learning to manage and live with diabetes.

Double-teaming defense

Both diabetes and hypertension increase your risk of heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. Learning how to manage both is imperative to your health. There is some good news. With the right game plan, both diabetes and your blood pressure can be managed. This could mean changes to your diet, regular blood sugar and blood pressure monitoring, and, if needed, medication.

Prevention is the best medicine

Of course, the best management is prevention. If you have a family history of diabetes or hypertension talk with your doctor about what you can do to reduce your risk. Simple adjustments to your diet and exercise can make a huge difference in reducing your risk. Knowing your family’s health history is a vital step in all aspects of your health, but especially when dealing with heart health.

If you’re concerned about your risk, management, or prevention of diabetes talk with your doctor. Together, you can figure out your personal risk of developing hypertension and/or diabetes and also come up with a plan to keep you as healthy as possible.

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Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar to Heart Health

Monika Patel — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 20:44:18 +0000

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar to Heart Health

A spoonful of sugar may help the medicine go down (metaphorically speaking), but what about a spoonful of apple cider vinegar? Apple cider vinegar is the latest and greatest “miracle cure” for everything from weight loss to managing diabetes to curing dandruff. It may even have some heart health benefits, but before you make a break to the pantry, let’s take a closer look at this fad.

A history of health

In truth, vinegar has been around for millennia (think 3000 BC) and has been used both for culinary and medicinal purposes throughout its history. With an abundance of polyphenols and antiseptic properties, it makes sense. So, what does modern science say about this ancient remedy? Well, that’s a more complicated answer.

The proof is in the polyphenols

First, lets talk about polyphenols. This variety of antioxidant is known for its ability to help balance your gut by allowing good bacteria to thrive. That’s good for digestion, weight loss, diabetes management, and yes, even heart health. However, the problem is that studies haven’t been able to conclusively show that humans actually absorb this from vinegar.

Vinegar and vascular health

What does this mean for your heart? Well, the jury is still out. The good news is that research has suggested that vinegar can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as reduce blood pressure. The bad news is that most of these findings come from animal studies. While there could be new findings later, for now there’s not enough conclusive evidence.

Flavor and polyphenols

So, you probably shouldn’t take a swig out of your vinegar on the regular (seriously, don’t. It’s highly acidic.). However, a spoonful of apple cider vinegar could help some heart healthy foods go down a little easier. Apple cider vinegar is great for adding a punch of flavor to just about any dish (looking at you, spinach.).

Apple cider vinegar may not be a silver bullet for a healthier heart, but a healthy diet can improve your heart and overall health. Before starting any new diet, you should speak with your doctor. They’ll be able to discuss all your dietary needs and determine the best options for a healthier you.

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Benefits of Intermittent Fasting on Blood Pressure

Monika Patel — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 20:51:03 +0000

Benefits of Intermittent Fasting on Blood Pressure

If you struggle with hypertension, your doctor has probably told you once (or twice) to watch what you eat. What you fuel your body with can have a noticeable impact on your blood pressure. However, have you considered the “when,” involved? As in, when you eat.

It’s this idea of controlling the time (or times) at which you eat that has fueled the trend of intermittent fasting. Despite what the name implies, there is food involved. Perhaps more surprising, fasting may have some blood pressure and other health benefits.

The skinny on intermittent fasting

Before we get into the benefits of this diet, let’s discuss what intermittent fasting is. While it may seem like a hot new trend, the concept of intermittent fasting has been around for quite some time. In fact, going all the way back to prehistoric times (think hunters and gatherers), human bodies have been designed to go for long periods without consuming calories.

This form of dieting puts less emphasis on caloric intake, and more on controlling when you eat. For example, the 16/8 plan allows you to eat during eight hours of the day and fast for 16. Another fasting method is the 5:2 which limits your caloric intake on two non-consecutive days.

How it works

Now that we know intermittent fasting does in fact involve food – how does it work? Well, think of it as a reboot for your metabolism.

In the age of technology, we’ve become far less active and prone to grazing during our waking hours. Intermittent fasting works by prolonging the period when your body begins burning fat. Simply put, it gives your digestive system more time to process.

Blood pressure benefits

At last we arrive at the benefits of this lifestyle. Studies have shown that fasting can help reduce blood pressure and insulin intolerance for those with type 2 diabetes. It can also help with weight loss, and has a proven track record of keeping the pounds off. And if that’s not enough, studies have also shown a lower rate of heart failure and a longer life span for those who practice fasting regularly.

Remember, when it comes to diets, one size does not fit all. A successful diet plan is one that you can stick with. If you’re considering intermittent fasting, speak with your doctor. They can help you determine if it makes sense for your health and lifestyle.

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