Symptoms

Post- traumatic stress disorder. (PTSD)

By Michael | October 28, 2019 | Comments 8 comments

There are still a lot of people who feel that, Post-traumatic stress disorder relates to persons who were involved in combat situations like a war.

The truth is that there are a lot of ordinary people that are combating a stressful event that may have happened in their past and left a traumatic scar from such an event.

Yes the brave solders who have faced unimaginable situations in the course of keeping us safe. The thought of kill or be killed, the suffering they have seen, the death and bloodshed they have witnessed is something I know I would never be able to get over.

PTSD does not only pick on solders, it does not make choices as to its victims. One day you could be living a beautiful happy life when a certain traumatic event may occur to you or someone you love. An event so devastating that it may leave a scar on your emotional well-being.

Many years ago I lost my wife and five-year old daughters in a traffic accident that left me unharmed as being asleep in the back seat of the vehicle, when a snow plow skidded through a stop sign, separating the car in two pieces. This was something that happened in the 1980s and PTSD was not recognized as it is now.

My feeling that justice was not served, so I wanted to cause as much pain and suffering to the driver of that snow plow. I am sure he was suffering to, but I wanted to destroy everything he had nevertheless. I started a campaign of destruction to his material belongings. Being sent to jail on several occasions, where I suffered more traumatic events.

I decided alcohol was the next best way to deal with life. This caused many accommodations at mental hospitals, alcohol rehabilitation centers and even more jail time.

What it Feels Like to Have PTSD. click for You tube video

Alcohol and drugs

In an attempt to cope with the unpleasant symptoms, many people turnto alcohol or other drugs. Around 50% of males and 25% of females with chronic PTSD have major problems with alcohol and drugs; the figures for Veterans are evenhigher. The most common problem drug is alcohol but many people also abuse other illicit drugs (for example, marijuana) or prescription medications. Drug and alcohol abuse impairs the person’s ability to function effectively and to relate to other people. It can cause great difficulties in areas such as relationships, work, finances, and can cause violent behaviour.

This kind of behaviour lasted for over ten years. I do not know what happened, but I stopped continuing on this self-destructive path. The scars will never go away, I still have nightmares and it is October 2019. I let go, and let my Higher Power take over my life. All the anti-depressants, all the re-habilation just did not work for me. I am sure they helped as I am still alive today. I am scared to get into any relationships, it is my choice.

Sometimes the news can be so depressing, as I still hear of wars, rapes, murders occurring on a more frequent basis. It is really sad, there are no winners in any of these circumstances.

I have to admit to you, I borrowed my research from many sources. The Mayo Clinic, CMAH , Veterans Affairs Canada and several other sources.

What is a traumatic event?

Trauma is a very personal thing. What traumatizes one person can be of less significance to others. This variation in peoples’ reactions
occurs because of their individual personality, beliefs, personal values, and previous experiences (especially of other traumatic events in their life). It also occurs because each person’s experience of the incident is unique. However, in all cases the individual has experienced a threatening event that has caused him or her to respond with intense fear, helplessness, or horror.

For military Veterans, the trauma may relate to direct combat duties, being in a dangerous war zone, or taking part in peacekeeping
missions under difficult and stressful conditions. For civilians, the trauma can stem from either man-made events (such as
physical or sexual assault, accidents, and witnessing the death or injury of others) or natural disasters (such as fires,
earthquakes, floods, and ice storms). There are no hard and fast rules to define trauma.

What is Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or
witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

Most people who go through traumatic events may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they usually get better. If the symptoms get worse, last for months or even years, and interfere with your day-to-day functioning, you may havePTSD.

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms may start within one month of a traumatic event, but sometimes symptoms may not appear until years after the event. These symptoms cause significant problems in social or work situations and in relationships. They can
also interfere with your ability to go about your normal daily tasks.

PTSD symptoms are generally grouped into four types: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. Symptoms can vary over time or vary from person to person.

Intrusive memories

Symptoms of intrusive memories may include:

Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event
Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again (flashbacks)
Upsetting dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event
Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event

Avoidance

Symptoms of avoidance may include:

Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event
Avoiding places, activities or people that remind you of the traumatic event

Negative changes in thinking and mood

Symptoms of negative changes in thinking and mood may include:

Negative thoughts about yourself, other people or the world
Hopelessness about the future
Memory problems, including not remembering important aspects of the traumatic event
Difficulty maintaining close relationships
Feeling detached from family and friends
Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed
Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
Feeling emotionally numb

Changes in physical and emotional reactions

Symptoms of changes in physical and emotional reactions (also called arousal symptoms) may include:

Being easily startled or frightened
Being Always on guard for danger
Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much or driving too fast
Trouble sleeping
Trouble concentrating
Irritability, angry outbursts or aggressive behavior
Overwhelming guilt or shame

For children 6 years old and younger, signs and symptoms may also include:

Re-enacting the traumatic event or aspects of the traumatic event through play
Frightening dreams that may or may not include aspects of the traumatic event

Intensity of symptoms

PTSD symptoms can vary in intensity over time. You may have more PTSD symptoms when you’re stressed in general, or when you come across reminders of what you went through. For example, you may hear a car backfire and relive combat experiences. Or you may see a report on the news about a sexual assault and feel overcome by memories of your own assault.

When to see a doctor

If you have disturbing thoughts and feelings about a traumatic event for more than a month, if they’re severe, or if you feel you’re having trouble getting your life back under control, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. Getting treatment as soon as possible can help prevent PTSD symptoms from getting worse.

When to get emergency help
If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. If you know someone who’s in danger of attempting suicide or has made a suicide attempt, make sure someone stays with that person to keep him or her safe. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Or, if you can do
so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.

More Information

How trauma can affect memory

Causes
You can develop post-traumatic stress disorder when you go through, see or learn about an event involving actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violation. Doctors aren’t sure why some people get PTSD. As with most mental health problems, PTSD is probably caused by a complex mix of:

Stressful experiences, including the amount and severity of trauma you’ve gone through in your life
Inherited mental health risks, such as a family history of anxiety and depression
Inherited features of your personality — often called your temperament
The way your brain regulates the chemicals and hormones your body releases in response to stress

Risk factors

People of all ages can have post-traumatic stress disorder. However, some factors may make you more likely to develop PTSD after a traumatic event, such as:

Experiencing intense or long-lasting trauma
Having experienced other trauma earlier in life, such as childhood abuse
Having a job that increases your risk of being exposed to traumatic events, such as military personnel and first responders
Having other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression
Having problems with substance misuse, such as excess drinking or drug use
Lacking a good support system of family and friends
Having blood relatives with mental health problems, including anxiety or depression

Kinds of traumatic events

The most common events leading to the development of PTSD include:

Combat exposure
Childhood physical abuse
Sexual violence
Physical assault
Being threatened with a weapon
An accident

Many other traumatic events also can lead to PTSD, such as fire, natural disaster, mugging, robbery, plane crash, torture, kidnapping,
life-threatening medical diagnosis, terrorist attack, and other extreme or life-threatening events.

Complications

Post-traumatic stress disorder can disrupt your whole life ― your job, your relationships, your health and your enjoyment of everyday activities.

Having PTSD may also increase your risk of other mental health problems, such as:

Depression and anxiety
Issues with drugs or alcohol use
Eating disorders
Suicidal thoughts and actions

Prevention

After surviving a traumatic event, many people have PTSD-like symptoms at first, such as being unable to
stop thinking about what’s happened. Fear, anxiety, anger, depression, guilt — all are common reactions to trauma. However, the majority of people exposed to trauma do not develop long-term post-traumatic stress disorder.

Getting timely help and support may prevent normal stress reactions from getting worse and developing into PTSD. This may mean turning to family and friends who will listen and offer comfort. It may mean seeking out a mental health professional for a brief course of therapy. Some people may also find it helpful to turn to their faith community. Support from others also may help prevent you from turning to unhealthy coping methods, such as misuse of alcohol or drugs.

I personally do not agree to the idea that there is a prevention to PTSD. I am not a Doctor, just a simple ordinary person. Please know we are all different, and my statement is not based on any medical facts, just personal experience. The medical facts have been listed throughout this post.

ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR DOCTORS ORDERS, AND ALWAYS SEEK THEIR ADVICE.

Whether in the military or as a civilian, at some point during our lives many of us will experience a traumatic event that will challenge
our view of the world or ourselves. Depending upon a range of factors, some people’s reactions may last for just a
short period, while others may experience more long-lasting effects.

Why some people are affected more than others has no simple answer. In Canada, it is estimated that up to 10% of war zone Veterans—including war-service Veterans and peacekeeping forces—will go on to experience a chronic condition known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while others may experience at least some of the symptoms associated with this condition.

You may realize I live in Canada. If 10% of Canadian war zone Veterans suffer from PTSD, I am fearful to look at the statics of other countries such as America.

Often people who have experienced a trauma have been confronted with their own mortality. Their assumptions and beliefs that the world is safe and fair, that other people are basically good, and that “it won’t happen to me,” may be shattered by the experience.
After the event, these people often see danger everywhere and become “tuned in” to threat. As a consequence, they may become jumpy, on edge, and feel constantly on guard. This can lead to being overly alert or watchful and to having problems concentrating (for example, not able to read a book for long, getting only a small amount of work completed in a few hours, easily distracted). Disturbed sleep is very common.

Anger is often a central feature in PTSD, with sufferers feeling irritable and prone to angry outbursts with themselves, others around them, and the world in general. Many Veterans feel let down, abandoned, and judged by others. They may have a sense of betrayal about the way they were treated by a range of people on their return home or about things that have happened since. These feelings of betrayal often result in bitterness and anger. Some people only express their anger verbally (which can still be very damaging).

Others become physically aggressive and violent to property or people, even to those who are closest to them. Often Veterans feel unable to control their anger. The power of their anger may be frightening for them and they often feel considerable remorse afterward. Such symptoms frequently cause major problems at work, as well as with family and friends.

Please let us respect other’s as we would like to be respected. Remember, “An eye for an eye, leaves everyone blind”.

Thank you for reading,

Michael

Your comments are welcome.

Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure Women

By Michael | January 18, 2019 | Comments 6 comments

Low Blood Pressure In Women

This article is going to be a look at the symptoms and causes of low blood pressure in women and what you can do to help prevent this from happening to you or possibly to improve the condition if you suffer from it now by taking charge of your lifestyle and health.

Symptoms to Watch Out For:

Detecting the symptoms for low blood pressure is difficult usually until it is too late. But most of the time, common signs include light headiness, dizziness, and fainting. The lowest category of hypotension is when the pressure significantly drops to a much lower level that is way below the normal range.

A systolic pressure that is below sixty coupled with a diastolic pressure of below forty is a very low blood pressure which can expose the person to various risks associated with chronic hypotension.

Dangerous low ranges have readings of 50/33 and this is common to those suffering from atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, kidney problems, and other related illnesses.

A sudden drop in blood pressure can be very dangerous. A sudden change of 20 systolic pressure from 130 to 110 can result in fainting and dizziness. This happens because the brain is not able to get enough supply of oxygen and other nutrients usually carried by the blood. When this happens other related ailments may occur such as stroke, hardening of arteries, and visual damage among others.

Causes of Low Blood Pressure:

The sudden drop in pressure ranges from the chart can be attributed to a lot of factors. For example, your level can significantly drop due to shock. Severe dehydration often results in hypovolemic shock which is also a life-threatening condition. Other types of shock that cause the blood pressure to drop is called anaphylaxis. This is an allergic reaction due to insect bites, food allergies, and a septic shock when an infection is integrated with your bloodstream.

Medications can also drop the level of your pressure. Drugs used for treating high blood pressure (diuretics) can cause your blood to lose pressure.

According to the American Heart Association, the majority of heart medications like antidepressants and beta blockers as well as the drugs used for treating Parkinson’s can significantly drop the levels of blood pressure.

Using narcotics and over-consumption of alcohol can also drop it as well as other over the counter drugs that can interact with hypertension medications.

You can also suffer because of other underlying conditions such as low blood sugar, thyroid problems, and heart failure. Pulmonary Embolism and Addison’s Disease can also result in a lower blood pressure level. Low blood pressure ranges are much more difficult to quantify even if the current guidelines state that the normal range is 120/80.

However, some health care experts identify low blood pressure ranges as values that are way lower than ninety systolic pressure and sixty diastolic pressure. Similarly, a blood pressure reading that has one lower number either in systolic or diastolic pressure can be considered as low blood pressure. Even if the systolic pressure is 120 (normal) but the diastolic pressure is fifty, this can be considered as hypotension.

Protective Measures for Low Blood Pressure:

CoQ10:

Is thought to influence blood pressure and flow through a mechanism related to nitric oxide. Although most of our CoQ10 is produced by the body itself, certain disease states and long-term statin drug use can cause a deficiency. Eating a diet rich in cruciferous vegetables, nuts, oily fish and beef will help, although in some cases a supplement is necessary too.

Potassium:

Is an essential mineral that plays a key role in heart function and blood pressure regulation. Correcting low potassium levels greatly reduces high blood pressure, especially if sodium intake is reduced at the same time. This is best achieved by regularly consuming potassium-rich foods such as potatoes, legumes, and other vegetables.

Magnesium:

Deficiency is very strongly associated with high blood pressure. Many studies have shown replacing this magnesium deficiency will significantly improve blood pressure, especially if you already have high blood pressure. Cashews and almonds are very high in magnesium, with one cup providing your daily requirements.

A diet low in Omega-3:

Fats is thought to be bad for high blood pressure. This is likely due to the importance of dietary Omega-6: Omega-3 ratio has on heart health. For this reason, there is strong evidence that increasing Omega-3 fats in the diet can help lower blood pressure. Fresh fish is the best source, but supplements are a great alternative.

In Closing:

If you ever experience any of the symptoms mentioned above please seek medical attention immediately blood pressure if too high or too low is a real killer do not take any chances with this silent killer.

High Blood Pressure and Low Blood Pressure can be a hereditary condition so always pass all medical history down to your children and grandchildren making sure that all are aware of the health problems they could be up against in the future.

Blood pressure that is too low is known as Hypotension.

Systolic pressure (mm Hg) Diastolic pressure (mm Hg) Pressure Range

90/60 Borderline Low blood Pressure

60/40 Too Low Blood Pressure

50/33 Dangerously Low Blood Pressure

What is Classified as NORMAL Blood Pressure?

Normal Blood Pressure Range

Systolic pressure (mm Hg) Diastolic pressure (mm Hg) Pressure Range

130/85 High Normal Blood Pressure

120/80 Normal Blood Pressure

110/75 Low Normal Blood Pressure

What is Classified as HIGH Blood Pressure? click for link

High Blood Pressure Range
If one or both numbers are usually high, you have high blood pressure (Hypertension).

PLEASE ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR PRIOR TO STARTING ANY DIET CHANGES OR EXERCISE REGIMENT MAKING SURE YOU ARE HEALTHY ENOUGH TO PARTICIPATE.

Diet and Blood Pressure:

Research has also proven healthy eating habits reduces the risk of developing high blood pressure and helps lower an already elevated blood pressure. Diets low in sodium and fat are ideal. If you’re striving to avoid high blood pressure in the future, diets that stress eating fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy products, fish, poultry and are low in total fat, saturated fats, and cholesterol will also assist in lowering blood pressure.

I Changed My Diet But My Blood Pressure Is Still Too High:

Just changing your eating habits and are exercising may not correct your blood pressure readings. If you are still experiencing high blood pressure you may need to explore other high blood pressure treatments such as medication. High blood pressure treatments using medications vary. Some simply flush water and sodium from your system. Other drugs make your heart beat slower. Still, other medications increase the openings of your blood vessels or make them relax, all of which help to decrease blood pressure.

Please always consult with your Doctor first!!!!!!

Note: High Blood Pressure Is just as important To Regulate As Low Blood Pressure

P/S : Some of the words may look like spelling errors, but are used in medical terminology.

I do have a separate post that addresses High Blood Pressure. Please make sure you check it also here at, Empower Your Lifestyle, hearing from our readers is important and leaving your comments, suggestions, or questions in the space provided below is appreciated.

Thank you and be well.

Michael

Comments are welcome.

High Blood Pressure-The Silent Killer

By Michael | October 12, 2018 | Comments 10 comments

High Blood Pressure

Empower Your Lifestyle would like to discuss the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure this health condition today is known as the Silent Killer for a seriously legitimate reason. Not only are we going to look at the symptoms of this silent killer but the causes and somethings you can change right now to help lower the chances that it can strike you without warning.

Statistics of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the most prevalent health conditions facing Americans today. In fact, 68 million Americans – 1 in every 3 U.S. adults – have high blood pressure, and nearly twenty percent do not know they have it.

Less than half of people with high blood pressure have their condition under control. High blood pressure contributes to nearly a thousand deaths a day.

Almost thirty percent of American adults have pre-hypertension, which raises the risk of developing high blood pressure.

Out of the sixty-nine percent of people who have their first heart attack, seventy-seven percent of people who have a first stroke, and seventy-four percent of people with chronic heart failure have high blood pressure and do not know it.

In 2009, nearly 350,000 American deaths listed and included high blood pressure as a primary or contributing cause.

The United States is not the only country facing high blood pressure as a rising health problem; globally, forty percent of adults ages 25 and older were reported having high blood pressure in 2008.

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure:

Symptoms of high blood pressure can go completely undetected for years but there can be some subtle signs now and then that most people do not pay much attention to until they begin to happen more frequently.

If you have a family history and high blood pressure has been reported within the family tree at any time then you could be a candidate to have the same condition even at an early age.

Some of the most common things to notice and seriously keep track of how often they occur are severe headaches, sure everyone gets a headache occasionally but if you start to get them more often and they become more severe then it is time to see your doctor.

Fatigue and or confusion are things that most people do not suffer from, and especially at the same time, we can all overdo working or activities that can give us fatigue but a good nights sleep should take care of the problem.

Blurred vision is a symptom that some will not consider when we all spend so much time on the small screen of our smartphones and computers/laptops/tablets today it is just something we expect to happen when we do not rest our eyes from staring at the screen for hours, but when this continues to happen then please see your doctor.

Ringing in your ears can signify high blood pressure especially when it goes on for hours understandably there could have been that time that you had the headphones too loud but we are being serious here.

The last five symptoms I am going to lump together when any of these happen you need to seek medical help as soon as possible they are sure signs that your body is telling you “Houston We Have A Problem” experience any chest pain, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, blood in your urine, and pounding in your chest, neck or ears.

When you have those last symptoms listed my suggestion is to call an ambulance if you are not close to a hospital because being honest here this is your body telling you a serious problem needs attention right now.

Causes of Blood Pressure to Spike Suddenly:

What are some causes of blood pressure to Spike suddenly?

Overuse of stimulating drinks such as tea, coffee, and alcohol can cause a sudden increase in the blood pressure in a short period.

Increased weight, pain, and hormonal imbalance can also be attributed to a sudden increase in blood pressure. In some cases, pregnancy can lead to high blood pressure.

What are some causes of blood pressure to Spike known as Secondary hypertension?

Obstructive sleep apnea, kidney problems, adrenal gland tumors, thyroid problems, certain prescription medications, other medications such as birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants, and over-the-counter pain relievers.

Certain defects you are born with (congenital) in blood vessels and people that are diabetic can have secondary hypertension. Using illegal drugs can cause a spike in blood pressure such as cocaine and amphetamines.

Stress is one of the biggest factors today in the secondary hypertension category because most people try to relieve the stress with eating, drinking, smoking, and other bad habits which only cause blood pressure to increase more.

Safe Blood Pressure Levels Vs. High Blood Pressure:

What is considered safe (normal) blood pressure level?

More than 120 over 80 and less than 140 over 90 – you have a normal blood pressure reading but it is a little higher than it should be, and you should try to lower it. Make healthy changes to your lifestyle.

The top number is your systolic blood pressure. (The highest pressure when your heart beats and pushes the blood around your body.) The bottom number is your diastolic blood pressure. (The lowest pressure when your heart relaxes between beats.)

What are dangerous levels for blood pressure? Also low blood pressure in women (click)

Any blood pressure level of 140 over 90 or higher you may have high blood pressure (hypertension). Change your lifestyle – see your doctor or nurse and take any medicines they may give you.

But here is another thing you need to be aware of when it comes to high blood pressure these numbers can determine high and low blood pressure in another way when the numbers stay constant in the following manner:

if your top number is 140 or more – then you may have high blood pressure, regardless of your bottom number.
if your bottom number is 90 or more – then you may have high blood pressure, regardless your top number.
if your top number is 90 or less – then you may have low blood pressure, regardless of your bottom number.
if your bottom number is 60 or less – then you may have low blood pressure, regardless of your top number.

Protective Measures Against High Blood Pressure:

If you are concerned about lowering your blood pressure, don’t despair, there are high blood pressure treatments that really work and the good news is they do not involve prescription medication.

Keeping your blood pressure under control is an important step to prevent strokes and other serious health problems.

The following important high blood pressure treatments are easy to implement and you’ll see the results of lower blood pressure.

When you fall in the normal blood pressure ranges for adults starting now is better than waiting until you reach the pre-hypertension stage which is considered anywhere between the 120/80 to 140/90.

You can often lower high blood pressure (hypertension) effectively by incorporating lifestyle changes. Adopting and following healthy lifestyle changes each day can help you prevent using prescribed medications for high blood pressure treatments.

Increasing your activity level is one of the best ways to begin to lower your blood pressure. Exercising at least 20 minutes a day is a great start in keeping your heart healthy and controlling blood pressure.

A simple 20-minute walk around the block or any activity that elevates your heart rate will do wonders for controlling your blood pressure.

If you smoke, STOP NOW! Smoking injures the walls of your blood vessels and contributes to the hardening of your arteries.

Even though smoking does not cause high blood pressure, it is unhealthy for your heart. Smoking contributes to heart and blood pressure problems not to mention the cancer-causing agents in tobacco.

Do not drink too much alcohol. Alcohol consumption raises blood pressure so alcoholic drinks should be limited to one drink a day for women and two drinks for men.

Research has also proven healthy eating habits reduces the risk of developing high blood pressure and helps lower already elevated blood pressure.

Diets low in sodium and fat are ideal. If you are striving to avoid high blood pressure in the future, diets that stress eating fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, fish, poultry and are low in total fat, saturated fats, and cholesterol will also assist in lowering blood pressure.

If you have changed your eating habits and are exercising, but are still experiencing high blood pressure you may need to explore other high blood pressure treatments such as medication.

High blood pressure treatments using medications vary. Some simply flush water and sodium from your system. Other drugs make your heart beat slower. Still, other medications increase the openings of your blood vessels or make them relax, all of which help to decrease blood pressure.

Please Always Consult your Doctor if you are experiencing any discomfort.

Thank you and be well.

Comments are always welcome

Michael