Author: Nurses on Demand

Why do you need to keep a pulse on your blood pressure? Heart disease is the “2nd leading cause of death in Canada,” but many of us don’t really understand the warning signs (read this Government of Canada article). A key to preventing heart disease is a clear understanding of blood pressure and blood pressure readings. You can prevent heart disease by understanding and controlling your blood pressure. In this article, we’ll talk about: Understanding blood pressure readings The difference between HIGH blood pressure and LOW blood pressure Leading causes of high blood pressure and what to do Systolic and …

Many of us have heard about self-care and practicing good habits daily, but we all struggle and forget when it comes down to it. As a result, we don’t maintain our health or well-being. Every day, we juggle various tasks, from picking up the children from school to grocery shopping. Unfortunately, self-care tends to fall to the bottom of our to-do lists. Having a hot bath or going to the gym is considered a luxury activity. The time has come for you to begin thinking more about self-care and giving yourself an increase of endorphins so you can become a …

Spring is a beautiful season full of nature when trees start to bloom and flowers bud, but it comes with its downside. The key time of the year for seasonal allergies. Millions of people start to suffer from seasonal allergies which come with sneezing, runny noses, itchy, congestion and other symptoms. Some allergy symptoms can become more fatal like a life-threatening anaphylactic shock. The most common seasonal allergy is called Hay Fever or Rhinitis, it causes cold-like symptoms but unlike a cold, hay fever isn’t caused by a virus. This allergy to hay is an allergy to the grass which …

Mental stress is often a result of feeling overwhelmed or out of control. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to reducing mental stress, here are a few ideas that might help: 1. Identify your stressors first step to reducing mental stress is to identify what is causing it. Once you know what your stressors are, you can start to address them. Has work been bothering you lately? Relationships? School? Ask yourself these questions, even if it involves some deep reflection 2. Make a plan When you feel overwhelmed, it can be helpful to make a plan. Breaking your tasks down …

If you have prehypertension, your blood pressure is classed as “high normal” rather than worryingly high. Still, you’re at risk of developing high blood pressure and may benefit from knowing how to lessen the chances of its development. Here are some ways you can naturally lower your blood pressure and reduce the need for future medication.  Consume less salt  Your blood pressure can drop by roughly 6 mm Hg if you reduce sodium intake. Cut the salt you add to food and remember many processed foods already contain added salt. Read product labels to find out how much sodium they …

It can be nerve-wracking when your child’s temperature starts rising. What many parents don’t realize is that fevers are not necessarily bad. In fact, a fever is a sign that your child’s immune system is working. The increase in temperature indicates that something has breached the body’s defenses and it has recognized this and is fighting it. Fevers in Babies Babies tend to be more delicate when it comes to disease. This is particularly true in newborns. If your baby is less than three months old and has a fever over 100.3°, be sure to take him to the doctor. …

Mental health is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. It can be hard enough going about a typical day without the added trouble of feeling overwhelmed by stress and anxiety. If someone is feeling overwhelmed by their mental health issues, it is important to seek professional help by visiting a doctor. Professional help is a resource that cannot be replaced, but several exercises and remedies may provide assistance with managing stress and anxiety. It is also important to talk with a doctor before performing these techniques. Practice Diaphragmatic Breathing A person can lower their levels of stress and …

It seems like just yesterday when men around the world committed to growing out their mustaches in support of men’s health! In actuality, Movember became a formal initiative in 2004! In the spirit of November, we want to remind our readers why the importance of men’s health is still alive and well and to shed a spotlight on the movement as a whole. Movember is an annual event involving the growing of mustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide. Movember officially started in 2003 as …

It’s official the holiday season has arrived! Well, we may be a bit early but between Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, there’s definitely an increase in festivities. With an increase in social gatherings or big dinners, you may also see something else start to rise. Sodium levels! Although sodium intake is something mentioned often, most people aren’t sure exactly what it means and why they should care. Eat less salt, right? It’s actually a lot more than that. In fact, too little sodium is equally as dangerous! In this blog post, we are diving into sodium!  What is Sodium? It’s one of …

For seniors in Edmonton, the aid of professional in-home care services can be a life-changing experience. Whether you need help with your medical needs or want to maintain a healthy lifestyle to live longer, there are many benefits for seniors who use services from professionals.  The Benefits Of Senior Home Care Wondering if in-home care services for seniors are right for you or your loved one? Here are 4 benefits in-home care for seniors can provide: Injury Prevention Senior home care is beneficial for those at a higher risk for accidents because they may not take proper care of themselves …

Allergies, fatigue, seasonal depression; it’s a great time to start thinking ahead and prepare your body for tackling cold-weather ailments that could soon be heading our way. We’ve compiled a quick list of five key ways to stay on top of your health and wellbeing in September – many of which will guarantee a more enjoyable fall season for you and your family. Choose immunity-boosting foods — As the weather gets colder and flu season starts, it’s important for your immune system to be in tip-top shape. Now is the perfect time to boost your natural immunity and give your body …