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BLOOD PRE S SURE
facts to know
Here’s a new twist on an old phrase: What
you know
can
hurt you—especially if all
you know about blood pressure are some
common myths.
>
You’ll either get high blood
pressure or youwon’t—there’s
nothing you can do about it.
<
Factors beyond your control
can increase your risk for high
blood pressure. For instance, your risk goes
up as you age or if close relatives also have
the condition. But good lifestyle choices—
such as maintaining a healthy weight,
exercising regularly and reducing sodium
intake—can help lower your chances of
getting high blood pressure.
>
You don’t get high blood pres-
sure until at least middle age.
<
Anyone can have high blood
pressure. So it’s important to
get your blood pressure checked regularly.
>
If you feel good, you don’t
have high blood pressure.
<
High blood pressure rarely
causes symptoms. You can
have it and feel fine, even as it’s raising
your risk for problems such as heart at-
tack and stroke.
>
If your high blood pressure
improves, you’re cured.
<
High blood pressure is often
a lifelong disease. Even if
readings return to a normal range, it’s
important that you follow your doctor’s
treatment advice.
Sources: American Heart Association; Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention; National Institutes of Health
OSTEOARTHR I T I S
Less pain, more relief
Tips for making your joints feel better
L
earning that you have osteoarthritis settled one important question:
Now you know the reason for your sore, stiff joints. But the diag-
nosis likely raised another key concern for you: How to get along
with arthritis—and even thrive—despite your aches and pains.
That’s often easier to accomplish when you make a plan for
managing your symptoms. For starters, you might ask your doctor about:
Medication.
Many types of medicines are available to help with arthri-
tis pain and inflammation. These include over-the-counter pain relievers,
such as acetaminophen for pain and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs) for pain and swelling. Stronger NSAIDs are also available as
prescription pills or skin creams.
Exercise.
Just because you have arthritis doesn’t mean you can’t be
active. In fact, with a regular dose of moderate activity—for instance,
walking, swimming or cycling—your joints may actually move better
and hurt less.
Weight control.
Do you have a few pounds to shed? Excess weight
puts extra stress on load-bearing hips and knees. The good news? Even a
modest reduction may lessen the strain and pain. Ask your doctor what’s
a healthy weight for you.
Heat and cold therapy.
To help lessen pain and stiffness, you may want
to try applying either a heating pad or a continuous heat wrap or a cold
pack to your sore joints. Taking warm showers or baths may also help.
Sources: Arthritis Foundation; American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Why our
nurses
are the
best
What do almost all of
our patients recall about
their experiences at our
hospital—whether they
were here for a routine
screening test, a complex
surgery or even the birth
of a baby?
Three words: our excep-
tional nurses.
Every one of them is a
highly skilled professional
trained to carefully assess a
patient’s health and imme-
diately notice and respond
to the most subtle changes
in that person’s condition.
Many are registered
nurses with four years of
college preparation. But
others have earned gradu-
ate degrees. These include
our nurse practitioners,
who can prescribe medi-
cations and treat common
diseases. And it also in-
cludes our certified nurse-
midwives, who help deliver
babies.
Still, what really distin-
guishes our nurses is their
compassion. Our nurses
truly care about every
patient they encounter.
They are a patient’s best
advocate. When you’re a
patient at our hospital,
our nurses will make every
member of your health care
team aware of your unique
needs.
In short, our nurses
will consider your lifestyle,
family situation and state
of mind when you trust
us with your health. They
will care for you as a whole
person—as someone with
both physical and emo-
tional concerns.
OLDER DR I VERS
Stay safe on
the road
Growing older doesn’t necessarily make
you a bad driver. As an older driver, you
probably have decades of experience
behind the wheel. And compared with
younger drivers, you’re less likely to take
risks like drinking and driving.
Even so, some of the changes that ac-
company aging—such as a slower reaction
time or declining vision—may affect your
ability to drive safely.
However, you may be able to compen-
sate for these changes. For example:
1
Are you losing flexibility or strength? Is
it becoming harder to turn your head and
look over your shoulder when you change
lanes? Then:
●
Ask your doctor about physical therapy
or stretching exercises to improve flexibility.
●
If possible, drive a car with an auto-
matic transmission, power steering, power
brakes and large mirrors.
●
Reduce your driver’s side blind spot by
adjusting the mirrors.
2
Is your vision changing? Is it difficult to
read signs or handle glare at night? Then:
●
Always wear your glasses, and be sure
your prescription is current.
●
Cut back on night driving.
●
Have your eyes examined every year or
two if you’re 65 or older.
3
Are your reactions slower? Is it a chal-
lenge to respond quickly to other cars?Then:
●
Leave more space between your car and
the one in front of you.
●
Begin braking early before stopping.
●
Drive in the right-hand lane on fast-
moving highways.
Check in for a checkup
There’s no set
age when it’s no longer safe to drive. How-
ever, if people you trust have expressed
any concerns about your driving, take
their remarks seriously and get feedback
from your primary care doctor.
Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; National
Institute on Aging
EXCEPTIONAL CARE: Our nurses make sure every
patient and their family are priorities.
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T H E S A M A R I T A N
S P R I N G 2 0 1 5
N E W S , V I E W S & T I P S
S A M A R I T A N H E A L T H