Back to the January Issue
January 2013 Health Bulletins
- Ask The Doc
- MLK Day of Service
- Pass the Gas
- National Blood Donation Month
- What Did You Do During Winter Break?
- Submit Your Photos
- Health and Wellness Events
 |
Ask the DocDr. Davis Smith answers questions submitted by our readers. |
|---|
Q: I work out and eat well but my blood pressure and heart rate are still high. What do I do? -Amanda, American University
A: Normal blood pressure is 120/80 or less, and a normal resting pulse for a 20 year-old is around 70, though I’ve seen them in the 40s, too. Occasionally a college-age student will have elevated blood pressure (BP), and if this persists over time, it deserves further evaluation.
BP measurement is a bit of a finicky task for a few reasons. First, pulse rate is quite variable. It changes with your activity level and is very sensitive to caffeine and other stimulants, nicotine, certain medications, and the stress hormones that underlie the fight or flight response. Physical activity immediately before measurement can falsely elevate the numbers, as can use of the wrong-sized cuff and other errors in technique.
It’s also important that your BP is being measured in a doctor’s office. Many automated units give unreliable results, so if you’ve been using your grandfather’s machine or a pharmacy kiosk, ignore the numbers. Most patient’s BP and pulse is going to be higher when visiting a health care provider, because being in a medical office is stressful to most people. This response can be quite extreme in some people, so it’s called “white coat hypertension.”
The optimal conditions for BP measurement include:
- Sitting calmly for at least 5 minutes prior to measurement
- Warm and quiet environment
- Having your back supported and your supported arm held at heart level
- Not speaking
- Correctly sized cuff, correctly positioned
- Trained examiner with a good quality stethoscope (for listening to the heart and other internal sounds) and sphygmomanometer (the device that measures BP by constricting blood flow and then measuring its pressure)
Measurement should be made on both arms, as there may be variation between them for benign or pathologic reasons.
Your regular physical activity and healthy eating habits are of course good for you, no matter your BP. If your BP and pulse are high right after exercise, they’re supposed to be; your body is feeding your hard working muscles. Plus, regular exercise-especially endurance training-tends to lower pulse rate. Most of the students sent to me for elevated BP have had their pressure measured elsewhere, like at the gym or training room. They turn out to have a normal BP when measured under the optimal conditions described earlier.
If, after careful screening, your BP is still high (under controlled circumstances), talk it over with your clinician. Elevated BP, also called hypertension, is classified as primary or secondary. Primary hypertension means your BP is high because of intrinsic kidney system flaws that are not completely understood by the medical community. Some people, because of genetics, develop primary hypertension early in life and may need treatment.
Secondary hypertension means your BP is high because something is making it so. Causes of secondary hypertension include medications (e.g., birth control pills and anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen), alcohol use, kidney disease, vascular and endocrine conditions, thyroid or aldosterone disorders, and Cushing’s syndrome. Another potential cause is obstructive sleep apnea. Persistently elevated blood pressure over years can cause premature heart attacks, heart failure, stroke and kidney disease.
Your health care provider will be able to help evaluate the data in the specific context of your body and health, and recommend follow-up steps to bring your BP to a healthy level. For more information about blood pressure, CLICK HERE.
MLK Day of Service
On January 21, 2013, we celebrate the life and ideals of Martin Luther King Jr. This is a chance to reflect on what it means to protest injustices and speak about peace, and also an opportunity to get directly involved with causes you support. As explained on the MLK Day of Service Web site, King once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”MLK Day is a part of United We Serve, a national service initiative. You can find something to do on your own, or organize other students and take action together. To learn more about Martin Luther King Day of Service, CLICK HERE.
Pass the Gas
The butt of many jokes (pun intended) and awkward social silences, air in your digestive tract (gas) can be caused by swallowed air or the process of breaking down undigested foods in the large intestine, which produces hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and in about 1/3 of people, methane.Gas moves through the gastrointestinal tract and must be absorbed or released through the mouth or rectum. Gas can cause abdominal pain, bloating, belching, and flatulence. Beans, milk products, certain vegetables, and sugars (real and artificial) are more likely to produce gas. If this is a persistent issue for you, or the discomfort is severe, speak with your health care provider about prevention and treatment. For more about passing gas, CLICK HERE.
National Blood Donation Month
January is a great time to offer up your arm and donate blood. According to the American Red Cross, “Patients nationwide need about 44,000 blood donations daily for cancer care, surgeries, and the treatment of serious diseases and trauma.”Blood donation is a simple, painless process. To learn more about blood donation or find a blood drive near you, CLICK HERE.
What Did You Do During Winter Break?
From snoozing to sledding, students took full advantage of their time off.
Visted Pennsylvania
I went to Pennsylvania, where I am from, and did some digging into my family history in northern Pennsylvania. I also went hiking in Appalachia, and visited beautiful Philadelphia to see family and friends who I love and can't be with on a normal basis.
-Aubrey M., Memorial University of Newfoundland
Backpacked Israel
Flew to Israel for three weeks of backpacking, and couch surfing.
-Robert M., Rutgers University
Relaxed on a Beach
I went to Hawaii with my family for two weeks! It was my main motivation and stress reliever during finals week. All I could think of is reading a good book, listening to the waves crash, and sun warming my skin. If Hawaii is in the distance, studying for finals is worth it.
-Morgan N., Utah State University
Enjoyed Snowboarding
Went home and enjoyed lots of snowboarding.
-Chris J., Elizabethtown College
Jamaican Cruise
I spent time with my family on a winter cruise to Jamaica with my parents, little brother, step-grandparents, and step-aunt.
-Timothy B. Tarrant County College Northwest
Snowboarding Fun
Wished for more snow and went snowboarding!
-Tahsha L., UW Marshfield/Wood Co.
Sledding in Missouri
Sledding! I went back home to Missouri for winter break.
-Ashley T., UCLA
Relaxing in Philadelphia
I relaxed at home in Philly, concentrating on my two hobbies (trumpet and photography), and tried to make any money I could for next semester.
-Tabitha S., Temple University
Where’s your favorite place to unwind?
Whether on a hilltop or under the covers, where do you like to take a time-out?To submit your photo, CLICK HERE.
January Health & Wellness Events
Click on each event to learn more.National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
National Folic Acid Awareness Week 6-12
