Multitasking became very popular, but the more I think about it the more I realize you can only actually do one thing at a time!  At first it seemed like a good idea to drive, talk on the phone, and listen to the radio all at the same time.  That is until more and more traffic accidents occurred leading to entire ad campaigns against these practices by some really famous and influencial people.  Ok so now what?

Well I think it all comes down to just doing your best.  Sure it would be great to ALWAYS check everything off your to-do-list with time to spare, but it’s just not always possible! And guess what?  THAT”S OK. 

Alright.  So maybe I’m writing this blog post for myself as well and that’s ok too.  I’m just going to do my best to get it all done ONE TASK at a time.

Heart attacks are the #1 killer of both men and women. It occurs when there is a blockage in the heart, generally caused from a buildup of plaque lining the coronary artery. The blood cannot flow through the heart while there is a blockage. That means that oxygen is not getting to the heart and the heart muscle becomes damaged and then begins to die.

Causes of Heart Attacks

There are multiple causes of heart attacks.

Coronary Artery Disease is the number one cause. It is the buildup of plaque along the inner wall of the coronary artery. The plaque consists of fat and cholesterol as well as other items found in your blood.  Once the plaque builds up enough to block the blood flow, a heart attack occurs.

Another cause is a severe spasm of the coronary artery. This can occur from drug usage, emotional stress or pain and smoking cigarettes. The spasm closes up the artery and induces a heart attack.

Symptoms/Signs of a Heart Attack

Heart attacks can either come suddenly or build up slowly in a person. That is why it is important to get help immediately. Every second that a heart attack is occurring more and more of the heart muscle is being destroyed.

Chest Pain or discomfort

Shortness of breath

Pain in the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach

Fainting

Nausea/vomiting

Cold sweats

Lightheadedness

When experiencing these symptoms, you or someone else needs to call 9-1-1 immediately to get medical attention as fast as possible.

Tips for a Healthy Heart

The best way to start preventing a heart attack is to begin eating a low fat diet. You need to increase your fruit and vegetable intake and reduce your salt intake. This eating pattern will help reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol level. It will also help you lose weight, which also benefits your heart.

Quitting smoking is also a great idea. It will not only help your heart, but your lungs as well.

Finally, take time to work out. Exercise strengthens all of your muscles, including your heart.

In what ways are you working on your heart health? Have you or someone you know survived a heart attack? If so, tell us about your/their recovery and lifestyle changes.

June 1^st is the first day of hurricane season for the Gulf and Atlantic Coast areas.  That means a few months of waiting and watching for possibly devastating tropical storms and hurricanes.  This also means a few months of added high stressors that compound our normal, everyday stresses.

Stress is feeling overwhelmed or having to deal with more than you are used to physically and emotionally. Stress speeds up your heart rate and breathing. In many situations, these symptoms can actually be helpful, allowing you to speed up your normal reactions in.

Unfortunately, stress is unhealthy when it is frequent and/or lasts too long.  Stress can affect you both emotionally and physically. Physically, stress can lead to back pain, headaches, an upset stomach and restlessness. It can lower your immune system making it difficult to remain healthy and can affect weight gain. 

Stress can also affect you emotionally. People suffering from stress can become moody, irritated and depressed, and can even lower your self-confidence.

Hurricane season does not help New Orleanians relax. That is why it is important to know the signs and symptoms of stress disorders and to learn use little tricks and tactics to help deal with added stressors.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder      

Many people don’t realize that Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is actually an anxiety disorder.  People who suffer from OCD use obsessive thoughts about patterns and numbers to distract themselves from actually feeling the uncomfortable emotions surrounding stressful situations.  OCD causes people to spend hours of their day performing “rituals” that distract them from dealing with the world around them.

Some symptoms include fears and phobias such as a fear of germs, need for order and exactness, constant counting, eating foods in a specific order and constantly repeating words or phrases. 

OCD can be treated by a psychiatrist or mental disorder specialist.  The treatment process can be long and slow, but can allow many OCD sufferers to lead productive lives.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) materializes as exaggerated anxiety over normal, everyday things.  People who suffer from GAD generally can’t stop worrying about things like health, money, family and friends.  People who suffer from GAD generally are restless, irritable, constantly worry and experience headaches, nausea, trembling and insomnia.

GAD can sometimes be helped by some medications and psychological treatment.

Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder is one of the more common anxiety disorders.  Panic Disorder can usually be diagnosed by the frequent experience of panic attacks.  A panic attack occurs when the patient suddenly feels an overwhelming sense of fear.  Symptoms of a panic attack include difficulty breathing, chest pain, the fear of death, the sensation of choking, terror, dizziness, sweating and trembling.

Panic disorder can be treated by some medications and through psychological treatment.

Tips

Some helpful tips to reduce stress in your life include:

·         Figure out where the stress is coming from

·         Reduce the amount of stressors in your life

·         Find healthy ways to alleviate your stress (exercising, writing, etc…)

·         Make sure to get enough sleep

·         Be positive

·         Eat healthy, nutritious meals

These are just a few tips to help you relax during this hurricane season.

What has helped you alleviate your stress in the past?

Why should a condom always be worn during sexual contact?

A condom is the most effective way to prevent the spread of the HIV virus during sexual contact.

A latex condom creates a barrier that is 98% effective in preventing pregnancy, as well as protects against bacteria and certain viruses.

Condoms can reduce the risk of HPV and the risk of cervical cancer.

Condom Facts You Should Know

-           Condoms should be worn anytime there is sexual contact, whether it is vaginal, anal or oral.

-           An animal skin condom is not as effective as a latex condom because there are holes large enough for the HIV virus to get through. Latex condoms offer better protection! 

-           Never use an old condom. Always check the expiration date. If a condom is expired do not use it, because the chance of the condom ripping increases.

-           Do not use two condoms at once. The friction between the two condoms rubbing together can cause a break.

-           Never reuse a condom.

-           Make sure to get all of the air out of the condom once it is applied to the penis. Air bubbles can cause the condoms to break during intercourse.

-           Not wearing a condom can have a negative effect on your life. Remember that wearing a condom is easier (and cheaper!)  than taking care of a baby or treating an STD.

-      If you are a teenager and it sounds like everything I’ve just said is a bit too much to handle, you can decide to NOT have sex and move on to other important issues…

Controversies

One controversy surrounding condoms is whether or not they should be available to teens under the age of 18 and whether or not schools should make them readily available.

A study in Massachusetts would suggest that condoms should be distributed in schools.  In that state, many high schools make condoms available to students.  The state also has a teen pregnancy rate of 22 per 1,000 girls—a rate far below the national average.

What are your thoughts?  Do you think high school students should have access to contraceptives in their schools?  Teens- do you think that access to contraceptives would make a difference in you life?

There is a lot of speculation about the harmful effects of energy drinks.  Much of this has to do with the lack of FDA regulations.  Soft drinks containing more than 71 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per 12-oz. must label the amount of caffeine on their can or bottle—this is not the case for energy drinks.

A recent study from the John Hopkins University School of Medicine indicated that most energy drinks on the market do in fact contain less caffeine than a cup of brewed coffee (which contains about 200 mg per 12-oz. serving).

Before you go crack open a Red Bull, there are some other issues to consider.  Energy drinks may not have a whopping amount of caffeine, but it does contain a huge amount of sugar—about 14 teaspoons for 16-oz.  They are also pretty high in calories.  A 16-oz. Rock Star contains 260 calories, the same as a candy bar.  The truth is if you were to take in an equal amount of calories, but did it with something healthful like chicken breast, wheat bread or milk, you would enjoy the same energy boost and increase your health at the same time.

Frequent energy drinkers also run the risk of becoming addicted to the caffeine.  Symptoms of caffeine withdrawal include headaches, shaking, nausea and fatigue. 

As with anything, discuss this with your doctor if you have a question or concern about what is BEST FOR YOU!  This is especially important if you have a chronic condition like diabetes or high blood pressure! 

Do you have any tips or suggestions for boosting energy naturally?