October Newsletter 2017
Come in during the month of October… and receive one free ear meridian balancing session! Ear meridian balancing is a form of electric acupuncture that is done on the ear.
True health care begins with…YOU. Life Line Screening will come to Woodland Park on Monday, Oct. 16th at the Ute Pass Cultural Center. This event includes a screening for arterial sclerosis (closing up) of main arteries. They use ultra sound equipment. The carotid artery is checked for plaque, the heart rhythm for atrial fibrillation, the abdominal aortic for potential aneurysm, and the lower extremities for peripheral arterial disease. The testing reveals potential problems that may exist, but is considered as only preliminary, not conclusive. Findings should be taken to your primary care doctor for more tests. The abdominal aortic aneurysm screening when done in a hospital as a stand-alone test costs about $400 and requires a physician’s referral. With Life Line, it costs $130 for all four tests. For $10 more, you can get your heel tested as a preliminary screening for osteoporosis.
Prior to the screening, an extensive health history will be filled out. The results are then tabulated and personalized by a computer. I have never had a serious finding but some have reported they had blood clots in their legs detected and carotid artery sclerosis detected that they didn’t realize was there. Absent any serious findings, I recommend doing this health check-up every 2-3 years as a precautionary measure. Keep the paperwork to compare old reports to newer ones, which is another positive aspect of doing it. You will have to make an appointment (call 1-888-653-6450). If you want or need a specific appointment time, it is best to call as soon as possible to get the most choices. To give you a balanced recommendation of Lifeline, when my husband and I did the screening last spring, we both thought the blood pressure readings seemed a bit high. This triggered cautionary advice about hypertension based on data calculated by the computer that was interpreted as the beginning of blood pressure problems. When we took our blood pressure the following week it wasn’t that high. The important thing to note here is that keeping blood pressure down prevents many other health troubles.
More about blood pressure… includes some cautions. In 2015, a trial study was done called SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial). Trial study means a small sample over a shorter period of time. If a trial study shows anything significant, a larger scale study will then be conducted. Good scientists won’t give much regard to a trial study until the larger study with more participants over a longer period of time replicates the same findings. The SPRINT trial study revealed that people over 50 at risk for heart disease should take enough drugs to lower that higher number – the systolic – to 120. They claimed the study showed it can reduce cardiovascular events by 30% and all-cause mortality (deaths) by 25%. Here’s the catch: that 30% and 25% were relative risk verses absolute risk reductions. Absolute risk reductions are the total number of people who are prevented from having a heart attack, stroke, or death. In this study, that absolute risk reduction was so small it was almost inconsequential, yet in 2016 these relative numbers were used to prescribe more drugs to lower the blood pressure down to 120. People started fainting and falling, which can be side effects of excessively low blood pressure, along with dizziness, losing consciousness, changes in memory, weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, impotence, and more. Only the fine print in this research says the absolute risk reductions were small AND side effects were higher in the intensive treatment group. This is a misuse of numbers to sell more drugs, plain and simple, so we must use common sense to protect ourselves. Falling and suffering a head injury can result in debilitating brain damage and even death. If you know someone who is taking so much blood pressure medicine that it makes them dizzy or lose consciousness, please share this information with them. You could show them this newsletter to encourage them to reduce the amount of blood pressure lowering medicine they are taking.
In the late 90’s the normal range for systolic blood pressure was 100 plus your age. That wasn’t ‘ideal’ but it allowed age to be a consideration. Here are some drug-free suggestions to lower your systolic blood pressure or at least keep it from increasing. Good mineral supplements often lower blood pressure, especially ones that include magnesium. Other good heart supplements are Cardio-Plus, Min-Tran, Cataplex B, and cod liver oil. Lifestyle changes can help lower blood pressure and help prevent stroke or heart disease. Eat a Mediterranean diet**, drink plenty of pure water, cut out processed foods and sugar, and exercise. If you smoke, quit smoking and if you use ordinary table salt switch to Celtic Sea salt (for the extra trace minerals it provides). These changes can also help increase energy, strengthen ability to walk and climb stairs, improve overall strength and independence, improve sleep, and lessen pain. These changes will add to your chance of living a long life and add life to the years you do live.
Bio-feedback machines are known to help people lower their blood pressure. One called “Resp e Rate” is about the size of a large paperback book and has headphones and a sensor that is strapped to the abdomen just below the sternum. The machine uses audio and visual prompts to train you to slow your breathing down bit by bit, called “therapeutic breathing”. This lowers your heart rate and causes a deep relaxation, which, with practice, results in lower blood pressure. There are no side effects or drug interactions but you must do it about 5 times a week for 20 minutes. I was told the cost is about what a year’s supply of blood pressure lowering drugs might cost.
The PPRH COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR… is coming to Woodland Park! Saturday, October 7th marks the fifth annual Community Health Fair at the Pikes Peak Regional Hospital. It is an open house with 30 health vendors, door prizes, health information, and some free screenings. A general blood test for $20 is available, but you must not eat before you arrive if you plan to get this fasting blood test. Other offerings include: a hearing screening, eyeglass adjustments, caregiver stress assessment, breast cancer awareness, flu shots, pulse oximetry and fitness advice. Information will be given on Medicare, cardiac rehabilitation, physical therapy, joint replacement, and medical equipment lending. The EMS/Fire Department will have equipment on display there. ALSO!! Kristen and I will be there as we have the last 4 years. Kristin will be providing electric acupuncture to the ear points (auricular Acu-stim). It starts at 8 AM and ends at noon. Hope to see you there!
**Mediterranean diet consists of lots of vegetables, some fruits, nuts, seeds legumes, whole grains, breads, herbs, spices, as much fish as you want. In moderation you can eat poultry, eggs, cheese, and yogurt. Rarely eat red meat. Entirely AVOID white sugar, including what is added to beverages and foods. Avoid all refined grains, refined oils, and processed foods. A glass of red wine daily is also sometimes included as part of this diet. Mediterranean countries actually have quite a variety of what they eat.
If you’d like to help out TCRAS… come see us for our monthly fundraiser on Saturday, October 28th, anytime between 9am and 1pm. Receive an adjustment in exchange for the donation of your choice. All proceeds will go to the Teller County Regional Animal Shelter.
True health care begins with…YOU. Life Line Screening will come to Woodland Park on Monday, Oct. 16th at the Ute Pass Cultural Center. This event includes a screening for arterial sclerosis (closing up) of main arteries. They use ultra sound equipment. The carotid artery is checked for plaque, the heart rhythm for atrial fibrillation, the abdominal aortic for potential aneurysm, and the lower extremities for peripheral arterial disease. The testing reveals potential problems that may exist, but is considered as only preliminary, not conclusive. Findings should be taken to your primary care doctor for more tests. The abdominal aortic aneurysm screening when done in a hospital as a stand-alone test costs about $400 and requires a physician’s referral. With Life Line, it costs $130 for all four tests. For $10 more, you can get your heel tested as a preliminary screening for osteoporosis.
Prior to the screening, an extensive health history will be filled out. The results are then tabulated and personalized by a computer. I have never had a serious finding but some have reported they had blood clots in their legs detected and carotid artery sclerosis detected that they didn’t realize was there. Absent any serious findings, I recommend doing this health check-up every 2-3 years as a precautionary measure. Keep the paperwork to compare old reports to newer ones, which is another positive aspect of doing it. You will have to make an appointment (call 1-888-653-6450). If you want or need a specific appointment time, it is best to call as soon as possible to get the most choices. To give you a balanced recommendation of Lifeline, when my husband and I did the screening last spring, we both thought the blood pressure readings seemed a bit high. This triggered cautionary advice about hypertension based on data calculated by the computer that was interpreted as the beginning of blood pressure problems. When we took our blood pressure the following week it wasn’t that high. The important thing to note here is that keeping blood pressure down prevents many other health troubles.
More about blood pressure… includes some cautions. In 2015, a trial study was done called SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial). Trial study means a small sample over a shorter period of time. If a trial study shows anything significant, a larger scale study will then be conducted. Good scientists won’t give much regard to a trial study until the larger study with more participants over a longer period of time replicates the same findings. The SPRINT trial study revealed that people over 50 at risk for heart disease should take enough drugs to lower that higher number – the systolic – to 120. They claimed the study showed it can reduce cardiovascular events by 30% and all-cause mortality (deaths) by 25%. Here’s the catch: that 30% and 25% were relative risk verses absolute risk reductions. Absolute risk reductions are the total number of people who are prevented from having a heart attack, stroke, or death. In this study, that absolute risk reduction was so small it was almost inconsequential, yet in 2016 these relative numbers were used to prescribe more drugs to lower the blood pressure down to 120. People started fainting and falling, which can be side effects of excessively low blood pressure, along with dizziness, losing consciousness, changes in memory, weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, impotence, and more. Only the fine print in this research says the absolute risk reductions were small AND side effects were higher in the intensive treatment group. This is a misuse of numbers to sell more drugs, plain and simple, so we must use common sense to protect ourselves. Falling and suffering a head injury can result in debilitating brain damage and even death. If you know someone who is taking so much blood pressure medicine that it makes them dizzy or lose consciousness, please share this information with them. You could show them this newsletter to encourage them to reduce the amount of blood pressure lowering medicine they are taking.
In the late 90’s the normal range for systolic blood pressure was 100 plus your age. That wasn’t ‘ideal’ but it allowed age to be a consideration. Here are some drug-free suggestions to lower your systolic blood pressure or at least keep it from increasing. Good mineral supplements often lower blood pressure, especially ones that include magnesium. Other good heart supplements are Cardio-Plus, Min-Tran, Cataplex B, and cod liver oil. Lifestyle changes can help lower blood pressure and help prevent stroke or heart disease. Eat a Mediterranean diet**, drink plenty of pure water, cut out processed foods and sugar, and exercise. If you smoke, quit smoking and if you use ordinary table salt switch to Celtic Sea salt (for the extra trace minerals it provides). These changes can also help increase energy, strengthen ability to walk and climb stairs, improve overall strength and independence, improve sleep, and lessen pain. These changes will add to your chance of living a long life and add life to the years you do live.
Bio-feedback machines are known to help people lower their blood pressure. One called “Resp e Rate” is about the size of a large paperback book and has headphones and a sensor that is strapped to the abdomen just below the sternum. The machine uses audio and visual prompts to train you to slow your breathing down bit by bit, called “therapeutic breathing”. This lowers your heart rate and causes a deep relaxation, which, with practice, results in lower blood pressure. There are no side effects or drug interactions but you must do it about 5 times a week for 20 minutes. I was told the cost is about what a year’s supply of blood pressure lowering drugs might cost.
The PPRH COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR… is coming to Woodland Park! Saturday, October 7th marks the fifth annual Community Health Fair at the Pikes Peak Regional Hospital. It is an open house with 30 health vendors, door prizes, health information, and some free screenings. A general blood test for $20 is available, but you must not eat before you arrive if you plan to get this fasting blood test. Other offerings include: a hearing screening, eyeglass adjustments, caregiver stress assessment, breast cancer awareness, flu shots, pulse oximetry and fitness advice. Information will be given on Medicare, cardiac rehabilitation, physical therapy, joint replacement, and medical equipment lending. The EMS/Fire Department will have equipment on display there. ALSO!! Kristen and I will be there as we have the last 4 years. Kristin will be providing electric acupuncture to the ear points (auricular Acu-stim). It starts at 8 AM and ends at noon. Hope to see you there!
**Mediterranean diet consists of lots of vegetables, some fruits, nuts, seeds legumes, whole grains, breads, herbs, spices, as much fish as you want. In moderation you can eat poultry, eggs, cheese, and yogurt. Rarely eat red meat. Entirely AVOID white sugar, including what is added to beverages and foods. Avoid all refined grains, refined oils, and processed foods. A glass of red wine daily is also sometimes included as part of this diet. Mediterranean countries actually have quite a variety of what they eat.
If you’d like to help out TCRAS… come see us for our monthly fundraiser on Saturday, October 28th, anytime between 9am and 1pm. Receive an adjustment in exchange for the donation of your choice. All proceeds will go to the Teller County Regional Animal Shelter.
