by Kristi Jain | Oct 19, 2022 | Uncategorized
Hello! Today is another great day and an opportunity to gain a bit of motivation, inspiration and a few ideas from today’s blog. It was inspired from recent interactions I’ve had pertaining to commitment, responsibility and accountability.
DIFFERENT
We deal with many souls having different issues, situations, needs and desires. How many of us have a less than ideal situation with hope and expectation of change, but the unwillingness to execute different strategies to achieve a different outcome?
SCENARIOS
Let’s take a few “For instances.” Do you desire a different body than the one you have created? You can’t take a 300 pound physique and convert it into a 175 pounder by wishing. Diseased lungs from hot smoke and nicotine will not heal on a 3 pack a day habit and a diseased liver can’t execute its intended purpose when occupied by processing a 12 pack of beer.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Habits and addictions are hard to break! I’ve read and wholeheartedly believe that you don’t stop a habit. You replace it. Once you make a decision, commit to it and start a new day with change in mind. You must hold yourself accountable. Easy to say, hard to do. If it were easy, there would be less obesity, addiction or destructive habits that lead to poor physical, mental and emotional health. The question is, do you have what it takes to hold yourself accountable?
ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER
I’ve recently stumbled across a great Podcast! It is called “The Mindset Mentor” by Rob Dial Jr. Each podcast is about 15 minutes long and has been incredibly enlightening. One episode discussed the importance of having an accountability partner. What a concept! If you “quit quitting”, backslide into old toxic habits and behaviors, have zero willpower or simply don’t have to tools to start, I highly recommend you listen to his podcasts. I especially appreciated his retelling of Portia Nelson’s poem about the way we perpetuate patterns in our life. It’s called “There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk.” Whatever your circumstance may be, do yourself a favor and Google it. The effort can be life changing if you’ll allow it.
SELF COACHING
If you haven’t yet acquired an accountability partner, Forbes.com has some wisdom in the art of self-coaching. Mental exercise and self-reflection can be useful. The following ideas are a brief synopsis.
- Identify your desired outcome.
- Cultivate some self-awareness.
- Brainstorm your options.
- Take action.
- Measure and celebrate.
HEALTH
Responsibility and accountability for your health should be a collaborative effort between you and your healthcare provider. You know your own body better than anyone else. Feed it properly, move it often, breathe deeply, expose yourself to some sunshine, and increase your awareness of risky behaviors. Involve your healthcare provider when there is an issue with your physical, mental or emotional health.
HDD
Put your health first. Don’t be a hostage to your fear of finding out. If we at HDD can be your accountability partner when diagnostic ultrasound is indicated, call us at 505-350-3397.
by Kristi Jain | Oct 5, 2022 | Uncategorized
Hello and thanks for reading today’s blog. As I was taking my daily journey through Pinterest, Google and e-mail, I discovered an article with an acronym that I was unfamiliar with. I decided to take a minute and look it up. Maybe I’m the last one to know however, I wondered what the heck is “FOFO?”
NO SPRING CHICKEN
Needless to say, I’m no spring chicken which means I’m not necessarily up on my slang, acronyms and abbreviations. Ask any millennial, Gen Z or newly emerging Gen Alpha. Our vernacular couldn’t be any different. Being a baby boomer, “Dope” meant something different than it does now, right? So, what is FOFO?
THANKS TO ABBREVIATIONS.COM
There are a few different definitions I found when I looked up FOFO ranging from describing a Magnum 44 Handgun to something fluffy, cuddly and cute. The acronym is used as a meaning for “Full on Freak Out,” “Find Out for Oneself,” and “Franchisee Owned Franchisee Operated,” but the one that interested me is “Fear of Finding Out.” The question is, do you have it?
FOFO
In the medical community, FOFO describes a psychological barrier that prohibits someone from seeking medical advice or attention. I have a friend who lacks the motivation to get checkups, screenings or routine tests. She actually said, “If I have something wrong with me, I don’t want to know.” Yikes!
FEAR
Fear and anxiety especially when it is health care related can be a huge obstacle to overcome. We understand that in many cases, early detection saves lives. Nobody wants the dreaded diagnosis, however delaying or avoiding seeking medical advice, or ignoring a symptom or concern can have detrimental consequences. Understanding, knowledge, support and planning are a few ways to ease FOFO.
IATROPHOBIA
My.clevelandclinic.org taught me something today. Iatrophobia which is a term that describes the fear of doctors or medical tests. The word originates from the Greek word “iatros” which means healer and “Phobos,” which means fear. In some instances, iatrophobia can cause extreme anxiety or panic attacks. We have often heard this referred to as “White Coat Syndrome.”
FEAR OF THE WHITE COAT
MedicalNewsToday says white coat syndrome or white coat hypertension can develop when a person is around medical professionals who often wear white lab coats. Even those with normal blood pressure find it spikes when a healthcare professional takes a measurement. This can occasionally make a person’s blood pressure read higher than usual potentially leading to an incorrect diagnosis. On the other hand, high readings at the doctor’s office may be a sign of an underlying blood pressure condition.
BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY
FOFO is a real thing. It is important to identify it and find a way to manage it. It is far better to be safe than sorry. Diagnostic ultrasound it an invaluable tool in helping your healthcare provider identify potential underlying conditions. Knowledge is power. It we at HDD can help, don’t hesitate to call us at 505-350-3397.
by Kristi Jain | Sep 28, 2022 | Uncategorized
As I type this week’s blog, beside me is my usual 24-ounce water bottle. While researching and typing, I will unconsciously reach for my bottle and sip until it is empty. Eventually I will get up and refill it. I am killing two birds with one stone. I’m able to churn out the weekly blog and get hydrated at the same time.
FAT VS LEAN
Studies show that the average adult body is 50-60% water. Apparently infants are more like 75%. Obviously body composition varies according to gender and fitness level. I read that fatty tissue contains less water than lean tissue. Who knew?
GANDHI
The human body can’t survive on love alone. It must have food and water. It can go a lot longer without food than it can without water. Mahatma Gandhi survived 21 days of complete starvation. The average human would only last 3-4 days without water. Every living cell in the body needs water to keep it functioning. Water acts as a lubricant for our joints, regulates our body temperature through respiration and sweating and helps flush waste from our system.
I’M NOT THIRSTY
Our bodies are constantly losing water. If the lost water is not replaced, you can run the risk of becoming dehydrated. No, I’m not talking about a glass per day. That is not nearly enough to replenish what you lose. What if you aren’t thirsty? Drink water anyway. Thirst isn’t always a reliable indicator of the body’s need for water. Some people don’t feel thirsty until they are already dehydrated!
HOW DO I KNOW
I don’t love drinking water. If I don’t make a conscious effort, I will forget. That is until I’m thirsty. The question is, “How will I know if I’m dehydrated?” Your first clue is thirst. You might notice less frequent urination, dark colored urine, fatigue, dizziness and confusion. Dehydration is serious. Get medical help if you have diarrhea for more than 24 hours, are irritable or disoriented, are sleepy, are less active than usual or have bloody or black stool.
HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?
Believe it or not, water intoxication is a real thing. It is called hyponatremia. Too much water can cause the level of sodium in your blood to drop too low and can be fatal! Don’t get crazy. Get reasonable. Although you will hear different opinions about how much to drink, health authorities recommend eight 8-ounce glasses per day.
ULTRASOUND AND WATER
If you have ever had an abdominal ultrasound, you’ll remember, you were asked to drink oceans of water prior to your exam and do not empty your bladder. Although highly uncomfortable, a full bladder actually helps the sonographer view the pelvic organs. The intention is not to cause you grief and discomfort. It is to get the clearest most accurate ultrasound study possible, which is our goal at HDD. If we can assist with any of your diagnostic ultrasound needs, call us at 505-350-3397.
by Kristi Jain | Sep 20, 2022 | Uncategorized
I’d like to share a little information regarding health and nutrition. In my youth, my friends and I were pretty concerned about fancy cars, designer handbags, pricy shoes and vacation destinations. Health and nutrition weren’t something we thought much about. We all took good health for granted, like it was our birthright.
MY HOW THINGS CHANGE
As the years ticked by, the conversations morphed. They no longer center around what money can buy. We now compare our coronary calcium score, blood pressure meds, where we purchased our compression socks, the acuteness of our gout attacks and the weekly status of our good or poor health. My how things change!
BLOOD TEST REVEAL
A blood test recently revealed that my blood sugar was a bit high which was a surprise to me. The more I thought about it, my morning routine just may have been part of the culprit, when in reality, I thought I was doing my body good. Do we really know what is in the foods we eat?
SUGAR OVERLOAD
Typically, the morning meal consisted of a smoothie made from protein powder, raw oats, natural honey, chia seeds, hemp heart, peanut butter powder, almond milk, fresh fruit and Greek yogurt. It doesn’t get much healthier than that, does it? A blood test revealed my blood sugar was high. My nurse practitioner warned me that I might be pre-diabatic! It was suggested I change my breakfast smoothie to protein-based meal instead. Contrary to popular belief a few years ago, eggs are our friend. My next blood test revealed it indeed helped and suggested watching other things that might be high in sugar that we may not pay attention to.
UNPOPULAR
This next paragraph might contain a list of things you may not want to hear. I feel the need to share some sugar bombs that you may not even realize are loaded. They include bread, salad dressing, yogurt, condiments, juice, peanut butter, crackers, energy drinks, breakfast cereals including granola, granola bars, smoothies, dried fruit, lunch meat (really, who knew?) tomato sauce, barbeque sauce, Chinese takeout, body building supplements, soda and alcoholic beverages. If you find yourself with high blood sugar and you are sporting a few extra pounds, look realistically at your diet and see if the answer is right in front of you.
HEALTHFOOD STORE
Wait! Maybe you aren’t guilty as charged. What if you use sugar substitute like Agave? Your argument might be, “It has to be healthy, I got it at the health food store.” That doesn’t change the fact that agave is just dressed up sugar. It is 85% fructose and I actually read it is arguably even more damaging than cane sugar.
IN SUMMARY
Today’s blog shed a little light on some nutrition facts that we all probably already know but conveniently forgot. I imagine we can all stand to tweak our diets a little bit and focus on improving our health. If that shift to better health includes diagnostic ultrasound, don’t hesitate to call High Desert Doppler at 505-350-3397
by Kristi Jain | Sep 14, 2022 | Uncategorized
I hope today’s blog might interest you and make you smile. I enjoy writing and sharing my thoughts and ideas with you. If you could see me now, you would see that I love doing this kind of work. It makes me smile. I wonder what kind of expression you are wearing on your face right now. The blog du jour deals with the idea of expressions. See what you think.
WHAT PEOPLE FIND ATTRACTIVE
Although there is something to be said for a pretty face, it is definitely not the first thing I notice upon introduction. What makes them attractive is a genuine smile. Not a fake perfunctory smile, but a genuine smile that originates in the soul and shines through the face. Beautiful eyes, good hair or great teeth certainly don’t hurt, but a beautiful smile is always a winner.
RBF
I didn’t know what the acronym “RBF” stood for until one of my kids enlightened me. Warning… it stands for “resting bitch face.” I know, I know, a little crass but we all wear one at one time or another. Have you seen someone wearing a RBF? They look mean, grumpy or unapproachable. It may communicate absolutely nothing however, it may communicate some basic emotions.
THE BIG 6
There are six emotions that are easily identified on the face. They are anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness and surprise. A facial expression is motion or position of the muscles underneath the skin of the face that form non-verbal communication. They convey the expresser’s emotional state. When the emotion comes from inside you, your outward expression will be a natural one. What does yours say about you?
FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT
We aren’t always feeling happy and well. Smiling my not always come easy. If you are down, try to fake it till you make it. If it isn’t genuine just yet, see if this helps. Take a deep breath, lift your eyebrows and smile. No matter how grim your outlook may look at the moment, remember, there is always something or someone to be grateful for. Count your blessings. That ought to elicit at least a half grin, right?
NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Dr. Albert Mehrabian, author of “Silent Messages”, conducted several studies on non-verbal communication. He found that 7% of any message is conveyed through words, 38% through certain vocal elements and 55% through non-verbal elements like facial expressions, gestures and posture.
All this to say, be careful what you say and how you say it and be aware of that pesky “RBF!”
VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Suffice it to say, you must have clear verbal communication with your healthcare provider. They need to hear exactly what you are saying and vice versa. There is no amount of facial expression, gesture or posture that will communicate your medical concerns. We invite you to communicate with us. If we can help with any of your diagnostic ultrasound needs, call us at 505-350-3397.
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