Confidence

Confidence

This week’s blog is a recycle from a few years ago.  I am confident it will be worth your time to re-read it.  Your time is precious.  More often than not we have to work at making time for things we feel are worthy.  We work at work, we work at home, we work at school, we work at relationships, we work at health, and we work at happiness.  Life is work.   It is all worth it?  Yes.  You are worth it.  

 

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR

Every day we pay for services that someone else provides.  Who doesn’t love a bargain?  That being said, many look for someone who can “do it cheaper” or “give you a deal.”  News flash my friends.  Cheaper isn’t always better and getting a deal is normally at someone else’s expense.  Some will ask for discount prices.  Others will pay full price to support your time, your expertise, your experience and your work.  Most businesses don’t win on being cheap.  They win on being valuable.

 

A FEW QUOTES

“Don’t lowball yourself.  If you’ve done the work and put in the miles and service with excellence, you’re worth more than you probably believe.”

-Brendon Burchard

“You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.”

-Zig Ziglar

“Don’t lower your expectations to meet your performance.  Raise your level of performance to meet your expectations.  Expect the best of yourself, and then do what is necessary to make it a reality.”

-Ralph Marston

“With realization of one’s own potential and self confidence in one’s ability, one can build a better world.”

-Dalai Lama

 

BE CONFIDENT

Tinybuddah.com shares a few ideas about how to be more confident.

  1. Tap into the confidence you were born with.
  2. Know your strengths and weaknesses.
  3. Expect success.
  4. Trust your capabilities.
  5. Embrace the unknown.
  6. Take risks.
  7. Learn to receive praise.
  8. Practice confidence.

 

START AND STOP

If you haven’t already, start giving the best you’ve got.  If you start giving, you will start receiving.  Start loving what you do. Start being open minded.  Start behaving confidently.  Start accepting.  Start validating others.  If you haven’t already, stop relying on others for your happiness.  Stop relying on them for self-confidence.  Stop spreading rumors.  Stop protesting.  Stop being anti-everything!

 

LUNCH ANYONE?

We get what we pay for.  In this life, there is no free lunch.  When you are in service of others, be sure you deliver your work expertly, confidently, timely, honestly and gratefully.  Work hard.  Be proud of your worth.

 

HDD

We at HDD are confident that we will meet and exceed your expectations when it comes to diagnostic ultrasound.  Trust that our team is top notch.  Expect exceptional, experienced, professional service and the highest standard of quality around.  When it comes to ultrasound, choose the best.  Choose HDD.  You are worth it!

 

 

Left, Left, Left Right Left

Left, Left, Left Right Left

This week’s blog has some interesting information.  When you saw the title of the blog “Left, left, left right left” I imagine your mind went the old Army cadence that matches the march where your feet should be.  Interestingly it is something they use to keep your mind off how tired and bored you are.

 

LEFT? RIGHT?  FRONT? BACK?

We aren’t talking about the Army today.  We are, however, talking about sleeping positions.  Some sleep experts agree that sleeping on your left side has some significant health benefits.  Most people spend a third of their lives sleeping.  Lets find out why sleeping positions matter and which is best.

 

MAYO PLEASE

I will synopsize an article I read by the Mayo Clinic about sleeping positions.  It reminds back-sleepers to beware.  It is the worst sleeping position especially if you suffer from sleep apnea.  It has to do with your tongue and jaw falling down crowding your airway.  Tummy sleepers keep the airway open but strains your neck and back.  It is agreed, side sleeping is a good way to sleep.

 

LEFT OR RIGHT?

It is reported that sleeping on the left side is best because it keeps pressure off internal organs and promotes healthy blood flow.  Healthline.com says that although our bodies appear to be largely symmetrical, our organ placement makes us internally asymmetrical.  During the night when you sleep on your left side, gravity helps take waste on a voyage through the ascending colon, into the transverse colon and finally dump it onto the descending colon resulting in your morning constitutional.  Isn’t that special?

 

THE BENEFITS

Those who suffer from heartburn (AKA GERD) could benefit from left side snoozing.  Why?  It aids digestion.  Researchers theorize that if we lie on our left side, the stomach and gastric juices remain lower than the esophagus while we sleep.  Left side sleeping is not only beneficial to those who have sleep apnea, but also it can be beneficial to those who love them.  If you’ve ever been a bed partner to someone who sounds like a freight train, you understand.

 

ANOTHER POINT OF IEW

I read sleeping on your right side, also known as the right lateral position, offers several potential benefits for patients with heart problems. This position can maintain the heart stability and mitigate the risk of adverse changes in the heart position heart rate and blood pressure.  Although some studies show people with heart failure often avoid sleeping on their left side, there is no evidence this sleeping position causes heart problems.  What do you think about this Dr. White?

 

GLORIOUS SLEEP

In summary, I believe your sleep position isn’t as important as simply getting good sleep.  It improves your overall health.  Not getting enough quality sleep regularly raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity and dementia.

 

HDD

At HDD we are concerned for your health.  If you and your healthcare provider have concerns about your health that can be diagnosed through diagnostic ultrasound, call us at 550-350-3397.

 

Best Buds

Best Buds

Today’s blog has to do with your best “buds.”  This is information that you are probably already aware of.  I’m reliant on my best “buds” for communication, relaxation, education and sanity, however they could be the source of something sinister.  It has nothing to do with your BFF and even less to do with diagnostic ultrasound.   I am referring to your earbuds.

 

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

We rely on our earbuds to communicate hands free, hear music, podcasts etc.  So, what’s the problem?  The problem is that earbuds can trap dirt, sweat and moisture in your ears and expose you to “cooties.” They can irritate the ear’s thin delicate skin making it more prone to infection as well as emitting low levels of electromagnetic fields right next to your brain.

 

I’M NO EXPERT

Let me clarify, I’m no expert.  The tidbits I include in my blogs come from random inspiration and research I hope you will find useful.  I read an article on “Cardiac ear” that I found interesting.  It has nothing to do with your heart and everything to do with your ears. It is called cardiac ear because most people get it from their earbuds while sweating during exercise.   Who knew?

 

EEEOOOWWW!

Jamming earbuds in our ears can push foreign matter in deeper.  This can form a large plug of earwax causing trauma and ear pain, not to mention leaving your ears vulnerable to infection.   As if that weren’t enough, the main issue with earbuds is that they blast music or voices directly into your ear canals.  Over a period of time, you too can become hard of hearing…whaaaat?

 

NO SHARING ALLOWED

This could go without saying but, don’t share earbuds.  Sharing can introduce new bacteria into your ears (as if your own isn’t bad enough) doubling the microbial flora in our ears.  Most bacteria is harmless but infection risk, fungus, rashes, allergic reactions and other unpleasantries do increase when you share.

 

JUDGEMENT FREE ZONE

Rest assured, there is no judgement here.  Most people don’t clean their earbuds which is why I thought this was great blog material. The easiest way is to wipe them off with alcohol or a Clorox wipe.  You can also remove the silicone bud and soak it is warm soapy water.  That being said, perhaps you should give your ears a vacation when possible.  The less time you have without earbuds jammed in your ears reduces the risk of damage.  The American Cancer Society acknowledged that Bluetooth earpieces like Air Pods emit radiofrequency radiation and the possible health effect from these devices cannot be ruled out completely. The society said it has no official position on whether radiofrequency radiation can cause cancer.  This is a hot topic so I encourage you to do your own research on this matter.

 

HDD

Ear infection, dirty Air pods and electromagnetic field are clearly not in our wheelhouse, however diagnostic ultrasound is.  If we can help, call 505-350-3397.

Blockage

Blockage

Today’s blog inspiration comes from an Audible book I’m enjoying.  It is on the New Your Times best seller list called “The Untethered Soul:  The Journey Beyond Yourself” by Michael A. Singer.  It is a fascinating venture into the question “Who are you?”

 

MINDFULNESS

Are you a physical body, a collection of experiences and memories?  Michael Singer has arrived at the conclusion that our identity is to be found in our consciousness, our ability to observe ourselves, and the world around us.  By practicing mindfulness, Singer shows how the development of consciousness can enable us to live in the present moment and let go of painful thoughts and memories that keep us from achieving happiness and self-realization.

 

ENERGY

The book examines the experience of vibration and energy as it flows through us and helps listeners overcome tendencies to block the flow.  Speaking of flow, do you experience blockage in other ways?

 

BLOCKAGE

Webster defines blockage as “An obstruction which makes movement or flow difficult or impossible.”  Blockage can be physical, mental, spiritual and emotional.  Not all blockage is bad.  For example, the Robo-Kill app on my phone blocks the majority of robocalls I receive daily, saving me frustration and time.  A few years ago I attended a self-defense class where I learned how to block off a potential attacker.

 

NOT SO FAST

Not all blockage is good.  For example, arterial blockage is called Atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.  It is a condition where a waxy substance called plaque forms inside the arteries.  If enough plaque builds up, the artery becomes clogged and blood flow is slowed or stopped.

 

BE STILL MY HEART

When plaque builds up, it narrows your coronary arteries, decreasing blood flow to your heart. Decreased blood flow may cause chest pain (angina), and shortness of breath, and heart attack or even death. Plaque can suddenly, unexpectedly rupture.  The blood clot that forms over the rupture can break loose and can cause a heart attack or stroke.

 

HOW SWEET IT IS

Only those from another planet are unaware that saturated fats, fried foods, foods high in sodium, sodas, processed and fast food are some pretty serious offenders when it comes to poor heart health.  We are all aware of the evils of sugar, but experts agree that diets high in added sugar may be just as big a threat by contributing to obesity, inflammation, high cholesterol and diabetes, all of which are risk factors for heart disease.

 

IT’S SIMPLE, JUST NOT EASY

Eat a heart healthy diet including “good fats” and lean protein.  Increase your intake of fiber, fresh fruits and veggies.  Vacate that couch and exercise.  Lose the weight.  Nothing good comes from using tobacco, ever.  Minimize bad habits like excessive alcohol, although studies show a glass or two of red wine may actually be heart healthy.   Lifestyle changes are the key to better health.  It is simple, just not easy.

 

HDD

If HDD can help in the diagnosis of blockages or other conditions, call us at 505-350-3397.

Idiot

Idiot

Thanks for reading today’s blog. It is a recycle from a few years ago but I thought it warranted repeating.  It is my mission to bring you something interesting and informative each week.  Often we cover health issues.  Today we cover an issue that many of us can relate to. 

 

IT’S COOL

Admit it.  We all want to be good at what we do, have knowledge in different areas, be able to perform an array of tasks, speak intelligently about things and look cool doing it, right? No one wants to look like an idiot.

 

IDIOT

When was the last time you were classified as “idiot status?”  Perhaps you said or did something you immediately regretted…gulp!  Maybe it was an action or inaction that landed you the coveted title.  Maybe you weren’t an idiot at all.

 

CHEST PAIN

I have a friend who experienced pain in her chest and jaw.  She went to work hoping it would subside.  She didn’t want to cause any commotion.  How embarrassing!  She refused to call 911 or her doctor in case it turned out to be nothing.  She didn’t want to look like an idiot.

 

LUCKY

Fortunately, she is fine.  Unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky.  I assure you, there is not a soul in the ER that is going to think you are an idiot for going in with chest pain or other symptoms that concern you.  I speak from experience, better safe than sorry!

 

HEARTBURN

I lost my mom 16 years ago to a heart attack that started with symptoms that went ignored until the pain became unbearable.  She went to the ER twice and finally got admitted.  She was released the following day with a prescription for Prilosec and the assurance that it was probably just heartburn.  She died a few days later from a heart attack.  Heartburn…really?

 

LETS REVIEW

I don’t claim to be a heart expert.  I research then report facts that I wish someone had shared with me when my mom was having heart issues.

WebMD gives us a few symptoms to look for.

  • Discomfort, pressure, heaviness or pain in the chest, arm or below the breastbone.
  • Discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat or arm.
  • Fullness, indigestion or choking feeling which may feel like heartburn.
  • Sweating, nausea, vomiting or dizziness.
  • Extreme weakness, anxiety or shortness of breath.
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeats.

 

CALL 911

If you experience symptoms, call 911!  If you think you are having a heart attack, do not delay.  Immediate treatment of a heart attack is imperative to lessen the amount of damage to your heart.

 

ARE YOU CONVINCED?

The intention of this blog is not to scare you, but I hope you are convinced to take your concerns seriously.  You are not an idiot for giving immediate attention to a health concern. You are an idiot if you don’t.

 

HDD

If HDD can help in the diagnosis of heart issues or any other health concerns you and your provider may have, call us at 505-350-3397.