by Kristi Jain | Jan 25, 2023 | Uncategorized
Today’s blog may seem a bit random but coincidentally, it is not. Have you ever noticed how certain things come to you exactly “at the right time?” Some call it coincidence. Others of us believe it is perfect vibrational harmony, synchronicity or divine intervention and has little to do with chance or coincidence. What do you think?
BITTERSWEET
There seems to be many well-known people passing away lately. John and I have attended more funerals and bid adieu to numerous friends, family and acquaintances in the last 2 years than we have in our lifetime. We weep for their passing yet smile and celebrate that we got to love, honor and respect them.
THANK YOU, DR. SEUSS
Today, I was reflecting on the whole death, funeral, and celebration of life experience. Interestingly enough, I came across a quote by the late, great Dr. Seuss, aka Theodore Geisel. It said, “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” How profound is that? I needed to hear that, and it came to me exactly at the right time which I believe was no coincidence.
COINCIDENCE
Dr. Wayne Dyer reminds us, “In mathematics, two angles that are said to coincide fit together perfectly. The word coincidence does not describe luck or mistakes. It describes what which fits together perfectly.” Is it any coincidence that you are in good health with a fit mind, body and spirit because you eat well, exercise, meditate, pray, take care of yourself and have a positive attitude? I think not. Nor is it a coincidence that you can be overweight, stressed and in poor health because of a poor diet, lack of exercise, indulging in vices and nursing a bad attitude.
CHANGES
With the passage of time, we need to come to grips with the fact that nothing is as it was. Our situations change, our surroundings change, our bodies change, our hearts change and our minds change. Accept what is. Many believe things happen in divine order and will happen when they should, as they should and there are no coincidences.
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” Those near and dear who have transitioned recently would have especially loved this Dr. Seuss quote and the synchronistic way it came into our reality at the time it did. The celebration of their life was not goodbye, instead until we meet again.
HDD
It is no coincidence that if you have the need for a diagnostic ultrasound exam, we have an opening in our schedule for you. In most cases, we offer same day service. If extenuating circumstances don’t allow same day service, we can see you the following day. The exception is echocardiograms which are scheduled on Tuesdays due to staffing. Your health can’t wait 6 months or until we get a cancellation. Our team of highly qualified and experienced staff are ready to take your call and get your exam done in the most expedient of manners. Call us at 505-350-3397
by Kristi Jain | Jan 18, 2023 | Uncategorized
We are only a few weeks into the new year and it seems like so much has happened already. Before we get into the meat of this blog, let me share my wish that you are happy, well and taking extremely good care of yourself by eating right, exercising and having your health checked regularly.
MEAT
Let’s dive right into the meat of today’s blog. We are aware that Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamil collapsed on the field recently suffering sudden cardiac arrest. Just last week the world was shocked by the loss of Lisa Marie Presley to cardiac arrest as well. What’s going on?
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
I overheard a conversation recently where a woman said she didn’t understand the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest. How many others don’t understand the difference?
HEART ATTACK
According to American Heart Association, people often use the two terms interchangeably but they are not the same. A heart attack is when blood flowing to the heart is blocked. When this occurs, it prevents oxygen rich blood from reaching a section of the heart. If the blocked artery is not reopened quickly that part of the heart normally nourished by the artery begins to die. The longer a person goes without treatment the greater the damage.
CARDIAC ARREST
Sudden cardiac arrest often occurs without warning. It happens when an electrical malfunction in the heart causes an irregular heartbeat also known as arrhythmia. With its pumping action disrupted, the heart can’t pump blood to the brain, lungs and other organs. When this occurs, a person loses consciousness and has no pulse. Death occurs within minutes if the victim doesn’t receive treatment.
LINK
These two heart conditions are linked. Sudden cardiac arrest can occur after a heart attack or during recovery. Heart attacks increase the risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Many heart attacks don’t immediately lead to sudden cardiac arrest, but when cardiac arrest occurs heart attack is a common cause.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
Call 911! Every second counts. Starting today, review your CPR so you can perform it when necessary. Begin CPR until EMS arrives. They are trained to provide resuscitation efforts if your heart has stopped. People with chest pain who arrive by ambulance could receive treatment faster at the hospital.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEART
I am not a medical professional. I am collecting important information in the aftermath of some pretty substantial public episodes and reporting it to you. That being said, John and I have a friend/colleague who is an expert in the field of cardiology. Dr. Harvey White is the founder of the Heart Hospital of New Mexico and now Vessel Health, which is dedicated to improving cardiovascular health and treatment but most importantly, focusing on prevention and a proactive approach to personal wellness.
HDD
We at HDD work closely with Dr. White using diagnostic ultrasound as a tool to diagnose heart conditions as well as cardiovascular health in general. If you have questions or concerns, make the call, run the tests and take preventive action. Take care of your heart!
by Kristi Jain | Jan 10, 2023 | Uncategorized
Hello! I’m glad you stopped by. We are a couple of weeks into 2023. How are you doing with your new year intention? Did those ubiquitous vices like tobacco, junk food, double martinis and couch surfing re-emerge as the rule rather than the exception? If so, take heart. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. It’s not to late for a re-set.
LET’S REVIEW
Speaking of vices and those things that are supposed to be both good and bad for you, let’s do a little review. Remember the olden days when eggs, butter and salt were supposed to be the evils of the nutritional world? That is currently old news. The aforementioned are now healthy dietary staples according to today’s findings.
CONSFUSION
Those of us who have had a few revolutions around the sun will recall the old fashioned “food pyramid” and the evils of certain foods. New studies has proven to debunk these antiquated ideas. Unless you do some research into the new findings, you may find yourself a bit confused and salty. What are we supposed to believe?
INTERMITTENT FASTING
Today is not the intermittent fasting blog. That will be the brainchild in the coming weeks, however I did want to mention it today. What John and I learned among myriad information is the necessity for a small amount of sodium consumption especially while fasting. Salt is not necessarily the evil it was once thought to be and actually necessary to replace electrolytes.
REVISIT
Too much sodium has been linked to conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. That’s the bad news. The good news is that is has numerous benefits. Saltwater rinses are a natural remedy for those with gum disease, mouth sores or infections. Folks require sodium in moderation to conduct nerve impulses, contract and relax muscles and maintain the proper balance of water. Salt deficiency is a real thing. Look it up.
CHOICES, CHOICES
Yes, there are many choices when choosing your preferred salt including iodized table salt, kosher salt, sea salt, black and pink Himalayan salt. Did I miss any? All types of salt are made of sodium chloride and contain minerals like potassium, calcium and magnesium. Try to opt for natural salt and avoid table salt as it is heavily processed.
BENEFITS REVISITED
Today, instead of harping on the deleterious effects of sodium, let’s tout the benefits.
- Helps you stay hydrated
- Promotes good vascular health
- Balances electrolytes and prevents muscle cramping
- Supports a healthy nervous system
HDD
In summary, it is imperative to do your research and check with your provider to determine what is best for you. Suffice it to say, diagnostic ultrasound cannot see nor determine your appropriate sodium level. It can however help diagnose heart and vascular disease, blood clots, abnormal growths, gallstones, aortic aneurysm, kidney or bladder stones just to name a few. If we can be of assistance with your ultrasound needs, call us at 505-350-3397.
by Kristi Jain | Jan 4, 2023 | Uncategorized
Today’s blog asks the question, “Do you ever have a gut feeling?” Of course you do. We all do. What we are now finding is that there is more of a gut/brain connection than previously thought.
DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY
The medical community is now realizing that gut health and its incredible complexity is more important than ever to our overall health. In the past two decades, numerous studies have shown links between gut health and the immune system, mood, mental health, autoimmune diseases, endocrine disorders, skin conditions and cancer.
WHAT’S THE CONNECTION?
Mercola.com suggests that your brain and gut communicate via the vagus nerve. Recently researchers have come to realize the gut serotonin regulates emotions in a much more complex way than originally thought. Not only can your emotions influence your gut, but your gut can influence your emotions.
PRETTY SIMPLE?
Our digestive system was once thought to be a relatively simple body system comprised of one long tube. You eat, it passes through, then comes out the other end. Simple right? Not so fast. According to Dr. E. M. Quigley, his study on gut bacteria says having a variety of “good gut bacteria” can enhance your immune system function, improve symptoms of depression, help combat obesity and provide numerous other benefits. Not as simple as previously thought.
COMMON SIGNS OF AN UNHEALTHY GUT
- Upset stomach
- A high sugar diet
- Unintentional weight changes
- Sleep disturbances
- Constant fatigue
- Skin irritation
- Autoimmune conditions
- Food intolerance
WHAT CAN I DO?
For one, you can try lowering your stress level which is hard on your body, including your gut. Try getting 7-8 hours of uninterrupted shut eye. Eat slowly so you can get full digestion and absorption of nutrients, which help reduce digestive discomfort and maintain a healthy gut. Drink up. No, not martinis. Staying hydrated has been shown to have a beneficial effect on the mucosal lining of the intestine as well as on the balance of “good” bacteria in the gut. Consult your doc before you try prebiotics. They can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, while probiotics are live good bacteria. Check for food intolerances. If you have abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, nausea, fatigue and acid reflux just to name a few, you may have a food intolerance and might want to consider changing your eating habits.
YOUR SECOND BRAIN
Can gut health be the key to happiness? Tone up your digestive system. Keep both brains happy and healthy and moving. When waste passes out of your body in an efficient manner, your gut will produce chemicals like serotonin that keep you feeling good.
HDD
If you and your doc have a “gut feeling” that you may need an ultrasound exam, give us a call. Although we are unable to see much in the gut or intestines via ultrasound, there are many other things we can see. Our number is 505-350-3397. We are waiting to hear from you!
by Kristi Jain | Dec 28, 2022 | Uncategorized
The 2022 holiday season is history. I hope it was happy and healthy. It can be hectic yet magical, for some it can also be a lonesome time. This was a happy yet hectic time for me. So hectic in fact that New Year’s Day crept up when I realized I don’t have a fresh 2023 blog. A recycle from last year will have to do. I hope it gives you some healthy reminders.
2023
Happy new year!!! How many of us made a new year resolution for 2023? I for one, will raise my hand. Interestingly enough, they sound like some I’ve made in the past. Seriously, who doesn’t want to drop a few pounds, save money, plan a trip, get a job you don’t hate, work out more, and get it better health? Do you have the courage it takes to make a change?
RESOLUTION VS INTENTION
After the meditation portion of a yoga class I attended, the Yogi gave her thoughts about the new year and the idea of resolutions. She said, she prefers not to say the word resolution. It implies, what you were doing was not good enough. She prefers the word intention.
NO ONE IS PERFECT
If you live a relatively healthy lifestyle, but occasionally fall off the wagon I’d say you have good intentions. Keep up the good work. If you are a junk food junkie, lazy, with an addiction or two, look on the bright side, there is always tomorrow. Remember, no one is perfect.
COURAGE
Since we are on the subject of “no one is perfect”, I’d venture to say many of us lack the courage to be imperfect. Chew on that one for a minute. I listened to Brene Brown on YouTube this week, she is a research professor at the University of Houston. She has spent many years studying courage, vulnerability, empathy and shame. A question she asks is,” Do you have the willingness to step into the arena of vulnerability?”
JUDGEMENT
I imagine each of us has been afraid of the judgment of others at one time or another. Heaven forbid, what if we aren’t good enough, smart enough, thin enough, successful enough, important enough or attractive enough? Are we busy judging others as well as ourselves?
NUMB
Brene Brown goes on to say that we are the most in debt, obese, over medicated and addicted society in US history. I get it. Life is hectic. Is it any wonder we need to numb ourselves a bit, then end up with an addiction to something that actually made us feel good for a time? The numbing effects of substance abuse can be devastating on your mind, body and soul.
MAKE GOOD CHOICES
Make choices that will help make you happy, healthy and well. Not necessarily resolutions, but intention and courage could be the key to a better and healthier you. Today is a great day to start!
If we at HDD can help, as always, call us at 505-350-3397.
by Kristi Jain | Dec 21, 2022 | Uncategorized
It is finally here! Please allow each and every one of us at High Desert Doppler to wish you a very Merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali or simply another joyous holiday season. Whatever this season holds for you, make it a peaceful, healthy, memorable celebration!
CHILL
In the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle, slow down, take some deep breaths, chill and enjoy. I hope by now we have come to understand that it isn’t all about material gifts. Consider the gifts of health, love, kindness, compassion, patience, and understanding.
DR SEUSS
“It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ‘till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
-Dr. Seuss
DON’T LET YOUR HEALTH SUFFER
In pursuit of a happy healthy holiday season, the following suggestions from StayWell.com are not only good ideas to help you navigate the holidays, but every day.
- Don’t let a busy season or a stressful life compromise your health. It is suggested that you take a few minutes each and every day just for you.
- Make time to prepare family meals at home. During the holidays, it is easy to resort to restaurant fare, party platters, Uber Eats, Grub Hub or other unhealthy fattening fast food.
- Schedule exercise. It doesn’t matter how you move. Just move. Remember, motion is lotion for your joints.
- Avoid trying some new pre or post-holiday fad diet to shed those extra pounds. Be kind to yourself. Be sensible with your weight loss strategies and goals.
- Be sure to get 6-8 hours of sleep each day.
- Stay hydrated.
- Do less and enjoy more!
DON’T GET DISTRACTED
The holidays can keep us busy and can distract us from things that require attention. You are the best judge of your health and wellness. As the holiday season grinds to a halt, take time to relax. Be still and do frequent body scans from head to toe. Assess how you are feeling. Don’t ignore it. If something doesn’t look or feel right, concerns you or requires attention, make the call, schedule the appointment, get scanned and get tested. Get informed and get healthy.
HDD
At HDD, we celebrate Christmas. From the bottom of our hearts, John, myself and each one of our prized team members thank you for being an important part of our role in providing you with diagnostic ultrasound and x-ray. Allow us to wish you the safest, happiest, healthiest, and very merriest Christmas ever. See you next year!
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