Hypertension is one cardiovascular disease that most of us would rather not be faced with. Yet, despite our antagonism towards the idea of this dreaded condition, many of us remain to be victims of this “silent killer”. While some of us are able to know that they are hypertensive, many are still unaware of their conditions. This reality, should be well avoided, as high blood pressure can be fatal and can also be precursors to other serious conditions such as strokes, heart disease or even kidney failure.

It is important to know that there are some people who are at higher risk of having high blood pressure. These high risk persons include people who smoke, are obese or overweight, are diabetic, have hypertension family history, suffer from kidney disease, and also men who are over 45 years and women older than 55. Aside from these risk factors, things such as stress, faulty lifestyle and diet can all lead to high blood pressure.

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure or if you belong to those people with high risk factors, then it becomes necessary to watch and monitor your blood pressure and heart rate. You need not be constantly at the doctor’s office but you should know the importance of being one with your physician in battling hypertension and its possible effects. This can be done with regular checkups, professional blood pressure monitoring, medication (for some) and even some lifestyle changes.

Another way to maintain a good blood pressure and to monitor your heart is by having a decent blood pressure monitoring plan. In the old days, we can simply rely on hospitals and doctors for equipment, but the modern years provided us with the convenience of various medical tools and equipment that we can use at home. One such tool is blood pressure monitors.

Blood pressure monitors come in various forms and sizes. You can easily buy them online or off the Web. Having your very own blood pressure monitor allows you to bring reliable medical equipment within your reach. This is especially important for those who need to have regular blood pressure checks. Most of the blood pressure monitors that we have today are digital. This means that reading your BP levels can be so much easier and more convenient. You are given no guessing game that can simply worsen your condition. Of course, it is important to choose a high quality blood pressure monitor that is accurate, easy to use, easy to understand and one that can be handy enough for practical use. The prices of blood pressure monitors vary with the make, model, and the brand. As a word of advice, never scrimp when it comes to such medical equipment as it can be a good form of investment that can prolong or even save lives.

With a reliable blood pressure monitor, you and your family can easily monitor BP levels with ease and accuracy. It is a necessity when it comes to personal health care. If you are unsure which model or make to buy, it would always be best to ask for advice from your doctor which one can be your best partner for home blood pressure monitoring.

CHOCOLATE:

There has been a lot of articles in the news about the lethal effects of chocolate recently and here’s why! Chocolate contains theobromine. Theobromine is a similar compound to caffeine and stimulates the heart and nervous system. In dogs it can poison them with death occurring from heart failure. Cats may not metabolise chocolate in the same way as dogs but are also thought to be at risk.

Plain and dark chocolate contains more theobromine and therefore is more dangerous than milk chocolate if your dog or cat ingests it. Theobromine stays in the dogs system for a long time, this means that chocolate poisoning can even occur if small amounts of chocolate are fed repeatedly.

Also remember that cocoa powder, baking chocolate and other foods contain theobromine. In the November 2003 Issue of Dogs Today they also pointed out that Cocoa mulch (sold in garden centres) smells delicious to dogs but is highly toxic.

Dog chocolate has had the theobromine removed. However, if it contains milk (see below) and sugar then it is probably best you avoid this as well, especially if your dog is already overweight!

COWS MILK:

‘Cats and dogs along with most other mammals lose, to a variable extent, their ability to digest lactose (milk sugar) with age, because the activity of the enzyme lactase declines with age’ Source ‘Manual of Companion Animal Nutrition and Feeding’ by BSAVA (British Small Animal Veterinary Association).

Lactose cannot be broken down without the enzyme lactase. Cats and dogs which are lactose intolerant may suffer from diarrhoea and/or flatulence when fed milk.

RAISINS AND GRAPES:

The ASCPA (Animal Poison Control Centre in the USA) has recently published information stating the toxicity of raisins and grapes in dogs (they do not know how they affect cats yet, but advise to avoid feeding them anyway). Eating just a handful of raisins and grapes has been shown to cause kidney failure. They do not know why as yet but it might be due to a pesticide sprayed on the grapes or perhaps a type of mould found on the skin of grapes and raisins.

Christmas Treats!

FATTY MEAT SCRAPS:

Most dogs and cats will get a bit of Christmas dinner this year, however bear in mind that if it is more than the occasional scrap, very fatty foods may lead to problems such as pancreatitis. The pancreas releases enzymes to help digest the food. Pancreatitis is a very painful inflammatory condition associated with the ingestion of fatty foods.

FRUIT AND VEGGIES:

Green vegetables are a great way of boosting your dogs immune system, you can feed these raw or cooked. You could even try a piece of raw carrot as a healthy treat. Vegetables are probably better for dogs than fruit. Some fruits are quite acidic (as well as sugary) and may not be good for dogs with skin or digestive complaints.

Remember, everything in moderation! You do not want to be clearing up diarrhoea due to too much Christmas pudding!

You might not be aware of it, but puppies and young dogs can get diabetes. This happens when the pancreas does not develop normally in puppies, causing it to release insufficient insulin. Since insulin is important in moving glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body, this causes glucose to build up in the blood instead of reaching the important muscle and liver cells to provide them with energy. This can cause a number of symptoms and eventually even kill your dog. However, there are treatments that can stop this. Let’s take a look at the symptoms of diabetes in young dogs and what you can do to help your pet.
Juvenile diabetes in dogs will generally result in failure of your puppy to grow properly. These dogs will be smaller than normal in most cases, and prone to lose weight over time, but they’ll be constantly hungry and eat ravenously. Since the body cannot use its glucose properly, it cannibalizes muscle to produce the energy it needs. In the long run, this can result in weakness or even paralysis in a puppy suffering from juvenile onset diabetes.
The elevated blood sugar caused by juvenile onset diabetes in dogs will affect a number of different bodily systems. Excess sugar is processed through the kidneys, causing frequent urination and intense thirst in your pet. High levels of blood sugar can also affect the eye, damaging the lens and leading to dimness of vision and even blindness. Loss of muscle mass, in combination with low levels of energy available to cells in the body results in general weakness.
If your dog seems small, underweight, weak, urinates more frequently than he or she should, or eats and drinks a lot more than normal, juvenile onset diabetes may be the culprit. Elevated blood sugar levels are toxic to many systems in the body, including the liver, brain and blood vessels, and a dog that suffers from uncontrolled diabetic symptoms will not live out his or her full life. As soon as you believe your dog has this problem, you need to see the vet. A simple blood test will help determine the level of sugar in the blood, and treatment can be initiated – the earlier the better.
Unfortunately, the methods that work well for humans – oral insulin tablets and control of the diet – don’t work very well in dogs. This means that people with a dog that is suffering from diabetes will need to provide daily injections of the right amount of insulin (carefully monitored with blood tests and tests of sugar in the urine) to allow their pets to live healthy lives. In addition, daily feeding must be in controlled amounts and on a regular basis to provide a consistent sugar supply.
The good news is that with proper care and attention on the part of the owner, a diabetic dog can live a full and healthy life. If you suspect your young dog is suffering from diabetes, take action now and help your pet be happier and healthier.