by Kristi Jain | Jun 13, 2023 | Uncategorized
When was the last time you sat quietly and read a book? If I ever find time to read, I prefer to hold an actual book in my hands. I like the smell of a book, turning paper pages and anticipating the next chapter. I know there are Kindle or tablet fans who may disagree. It doesn’t matter which vehicle you use, the goal is to see a story unfold.
CHAPTERS
Books are one of the many things that has chapters. Life is full of chapters and transitions. Transition is often difficult. Whether it is the death of a loved one, the transition of a relationship or a changing situation, finishing one chapter then moving on to the next can be challenging. Remember, change is constant, growth is optional.
WHY SAVE THE CHINA?
This is random however, I am guilty of saving that special something for the “right time.” When special occasions approach, I’ll be digging out the china, silver and crystal. It will be dusty and tarnished since it rarely gets used. It makes me wonder why we save the china for only special occasions. Life is short. Break out the good stuff and celebrate today’s chapter!
IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES
At the expense of sounding grim, what if tomorrow never comes? Will you be pleased you resisted that slice of birthday cake, chastised yourself for your weight or appearance, deprived yourself of pleasure and joy, or stayed at work way too late as usual? Will you reflect happily about the guilt you felt when you didn’t do anything wrong, regretted something you said, did or didn’t do, or worried yourself sick over a situation that may never materialize?
STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES
Maybe it is time we slow down, stop and smell the proverbial roses. Life is short, make good use of it. Our days are numbered. Do your best to make each one count.
“The trouble is you think you have time.”
-Buddha
Spend time reflecting on the last chapter and anticipate the next one, but don’t spend excessive energy on anything other than now.
YOUR BOOK
What do the chapters in your book look like? Some are filled with happiness and health, while others are less promising. Whatever the pages in your chapters might say, you choose how you deal with it. Trust me, nothing on the planet hits you harder than when you or someone you love is given a devasting medical diagnosis. None of us can predict our health and happiness, yet it is our choice to live the best possible life, given our circumstances.
GET CHECKED
This serves as a reminder to get your health checked frequently. Early detection saves lives. Make your next chapters be filled with the healthiest and happiest outcome your situation will allow. If HDD can help with any of your diagnostic ultrasound needs, call us at 505-350-3397.
by Kristi Jain | Jun 7, 2023 | Uncategorized
I hope today finds you happy and well! A huge majority of the time, this is my circumstance, however some days I just feel old and tired. On those days, I look in the mirror to do my hair and makeup and wonder who that old lady is staring back at me. It might have something to do with the greying hair…ya think?
IT’S HAPPENING TO EVERYONE
Aging can be shocking and scary but if you look at it from a positive point of view, it is actually quite a privilege. Some didn’t or won’t have the luxury of growing older. Wrinkles, crepey skin and grey hair are all part of the glorious process. Embracing the process can make the journey a joy.
WHY GREY?
I read an article recently posing the question, “Why does our hair turn grey?” The answer if pretty simple and has to do with a group of natural pigments called melanin. The more melanin we have, the darker our hair. Less melanin means lighter hair. As we age, the cells slow down, hence producing less melanin.
I REPEAT…WHY?
Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, board-certified dermatologist says smoking, psychological stress, physical stress, and unhealthy diet actually contribute to greying hair. She believes one of the biggest culprits is sun. Who knew? Of course, if your mom or dad turned grey prematurely, chances are you are next. Heredity plays a role to some degree.
HOW ARE YOU AGING?
If you exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, get an adequate amount of rest, get your health checked regularly and keep stress to a dull roar, chances are the answer to that question is “I’m aging well.” Thedermgrouppartners.com gives us a few indicators that we are aging well.
- You have fewer wrinkles.
- You heal from acne quickly (yes we get it even if we are old.)
- You have minimal hair loss.
- You don’t have sunspots.
- Your skin stays hydrated.
FUN FACTS
As we age, we naturally lose elastin, collagen and melanin to name a few. This in addition to years of chasing that deep golden tan along with hot showers that parch our skin, wrinkles are pretty tough to avoid. Alternatively, there are those who keep our plastic surgeons in business with an abundance of Botox, poufy fillers and tight shiny faces. More power to you if that is your thing. Others chose to age naturally and gracefully. Our body, our choice.
HDD
We at HDD can do nothing about slowing the aging process or the old lady looking back at you in the mirror. If you are in less than optimum health, a little grey hair and a few wrinkles are the least of our concern. Eat well, drink LOTS of water, move your body, rest, have a low stress existence, enjoy your family and friends and don’t waste your life worrying about things you can’t control. Live your life and enjoy the ride! If we can help in any diagnostic ultrasound exams you might require, call us at 505-350-3397.
by Kristi Jain | May 24, 2023 | Uncategorized
This week’s blog covers something most of us probably complain about at the end of each day. Even worse, some might complain about it at the beginning of the day after a full 8 hours of sleep. You might ask, what is the commonality we complain about? The answer is exhaustion. Are you exhausted?
BADGE
One of my favorite inspirational and motivational speakers is Brenee Brown. A quote from a talk she gave recently said “I no longer wear exhaustion as a badge of honor.” How important is it that we report daily about how overly busy we are? It certainly doesn’t warrant a badge and it may actually be putting your health at risk. Note to self. Slow down!
THERE’S YOUR SIGN
Psychology today gives us indicia that might reveal if you are exhausted.
- Minor tasks feel overwhelming and trigger procrastination.
- Psyching yourself up works temporarily but leave you feeling depleted afterwards.
- You eat only pre-packaged, fast food, or microwavable foods.
- You keep doing tasks in an inefficient way because organizing yourself is beyond you.
- You wake up feeling tired.
- You don’t have mental space to deal with other’s needs.
- You waste unfulfilling time gaming or on social media because you don’t have the energy to break the habit and plan an alternative activity.
- You don’t have the energy to plan or set goals because you can’t muster the energy to organize it.
As Jeff Foxworthy would say “There’s your sign!”
WHAT TO DO?
What should you do if you find your plate is too full? Try hitting the reset button. Reorganize and prioritize. Get to bed a bit earlier a few nights a week. Check for any physical causes for the way you are feeling. Are you low on iron, vitamin D or B-12? Is your thyroid low or are you suffering from sleep apnea? There could be a physical cause for your low energy.
SELF-CARE
This may a foreign concept for some, but perhaps you can try some extreme self-care. Are you getting enough uninterrupted sleep? Yoga and exercise help along with healthy eating, prayer and meditation. Reading or listening to self-help or perhaps therapy can be immensely helpful. Learn strategies that will break the cycle of being a the proverbial “Hamster on a wheel.” Stop wearing your exhaustion as a badge of honor!
SPINNING IN PLACE
Next time you get those familiar feelings of exhaustion, ask yourself the question “Are you are spinning in place or are you inching forward?” Don’t let that perpetual spinning take a toll on your health. See your provider for a yearly physical, get tested and screened. Make sure your mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health are all flowing in the same direction.
EISENHOWER MATRIX
Do you recall reading the “Eisenhower Matrix” blog? If not, perhaps you should visit our website and reread it or simply Google it. It is immensely helpful in prioritizing. If HDD can help with the physical aspects of your wellness, call us at 505-350-3397.
by Kristi Jain | May 17, 2023 | Uncategorized
Today’s blog comes to you with a few fine features such as education, inspiration and a dash of motivation. It, however, does not come with a lifetime guarantee. What does come with a lifetime guarantee? The question is, who’s lifetime?
IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK
A lifetime guarantee normally means the manufacturer will repair or replace a defective part for the lifetime of a product. Not your lifetime. Chances are if you’re 90 years old, you won’t get a refund on the defective fridge you bought in 1950.
BREAK DOWN
As much as I like to keep things upbeat and report that we will always be happy, healthy, peppy, and bursting with life, I can report no such thing. The fact of the matter is, each day our bodies are getting older and just like the fridge, things break down.
YOUR BODY
Your body is truly marvelous. It has performed day in and day out from the minute you were born. It knows how to breathe, beat your heart, circulate your blood, think and move. The execution of these tasks are done largely without much thought from you. Many of us take for granted we will open our eyes in the morning, get out of bed and function optimally till it is time to count sheep. This is not always the case. As the minutes tick by, we are aging. What was once a youthful and strong physique may now be creaking, popping and in some degree of a degenerative state.
NORMAL
What is happening to us as the clock ticks. What is normal and what is not? Www.webmd.com reminds us that our heart works harder, our skin feels different, we find it harder to see and hear, your teeth and gums change, your bones become more brittle, you have to pee more often. It’s harder to get around and stay fit as well as our sleep patterns change along with our appetite.
SLOW DOWN
Although there is no way to stop the clock, there are a few things that we can do to make the wonderful process called life so much more enjoyable.
- Eat a healthy well balanced diet.
- Get adequate sleep.
- Exercise regularly.
- Maintain a healthy gut.
- Manage your stress level.
- Avoid risky behavior.
- See your healthcare provider regularly.
- Do for others.
- Have a positive mindset.
- Don’t forget to play!
HDD
Taking care of your physical, mental and cognitive health is imperative for healthy aging. You don’t come with a lifetime guarantee so while you are here, live your best life. If we can help if and when your provider determines diagnostic ultrasound is indicated, call us at 505-350-3397. Our guarantee to you is that we will always be ready, willing and able.
by Kristi Jain | May 10, 2023 | 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 | May 1, 2023 | Uncategorized
Today’s blog was inspired by an interaction I had with a sales associate at one of our local home décor stores. You may ask why this matters and what is this doing in a blog post from a diagnostic ultrasound practice. The answer is this. Some things are simply universal.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
The assistance provided by folks who represent a company, service or product is what we think of as customer service. We are pleased with outstanding service and infuriated when the opposite is true. Bad customer service can sour your taste for a product, practice or business for a lifetime.
MANY HATS
I was shopping one day in search of a specific item. A kind, efficient woman was helping me at the register, pondering a thief who had just bolted out the door and had a line of customers 8 deep. Despite the stress, she offered a contagious smile and efficiently wore one of the many hats expected of her. As if she needed more stress, I asked her if she knew about a specific item. She assured me she would keep her eye out and notify me if she saw it.
EPITOME
She remembered! Days later sent me a photograph of an item that was 100% spot on. She saved me many trips and lots of trouble. She listened closely and produced exactly what I needed. She is the epitome of excellent customer service. Well done Linette.
CATTLE CALL
Products, retail and restaurants are not the only places we expect excellent customer service. This is true in the medical field as well. Have you ever been to a health care facility where it felt more like a cattle call where you can almost hear “Next in line?” I have. The front office wears many hats. I understand how stressful that position can be however that is never an excuse to be curt, unkind or inattentive. The face you see behind the desk should be representative of the excellence you are about to experience. That is our objective at HDD.
JOHN JAIN
The CEO and president of our company is John Jain. He is a busy man who wears many hats and has multiple plates spinning at once. He is in charge of a large operation and the many souls that make this operation a success. Despite this, he has time for each and every patient and client who needs his attention and expertise. Today we were discussing how he is frustrated with the poor customer service he received from a particular vendor. He doesn’t have time for inept or inadequate. Customers, clients and patients have a choice depending on how they feel about the service they are provided with. If they are polite, conscientious and communicative, chances are you have a winner.
HDD
From Home Goods to High Desert Doppler, the goal is the same…excellent customer service. Some things are simply universal. Call us at 505-350-3397. Allow us to give you an example of great customer service.
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