My Health

You’ve made the choice to become more active with OOMPH! – well done! Now, with any good fitness programme should come good nutrition and a healthy dose of motivation. At OOMPH! you are given all the tools to ensure optimal results that will not only influence the quality of your own health but also those around you. Find out more about your health from the Topicse below.

BLOOD PRESSURE

Blood Pressure (BP) is the pressure of the blood against the walls of the arteries. When the heart forcefully contracts the presure is increased (systolic pressure – top value) and as the heart relaxes the pressure decreases (diastolic presure – bottom value).

A persistently raised BP is known as hypertension and puts you at risk for heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. Low BP or hypotension is not usually a sign of underlying disease and as long as it is not abnormally low, it does not pose any serious health risks. However, a persistently low BP may mean you’ll need to have a look at your lifestyle habits such as smoking, poor nutrition or lack of exercise.

Find out more about Blood Pressure by visitng www.heartfoundation.co.za

CHOLESTEROL

Why Is a High Cholesterol Level Dangerous

Excess amounts of fats are deposited on the inside of the arteries. This eventually restricts blood flow to the heart and other areas of the body. Over the years, as more build up occurs, the vessels become narrower which can eventually result in a blockage and a heart attack or stroke.

What Factors Influence Blood Pressure

  • Diet
  • Weight
  • Genetic factors
  • Alcohol
  • Gender
  • Age
  • Exercise
  • Stress

Cholesterol is one of the main risk factors for heart disease and should be tested regularly to detect any abnormalities. It is easily treated with a healthy diet and necessary lifestyle changes and can help to prevent any further heart disease from occurring.

Find out more about Cholesterol by visitng www.cholesterol.co.za

DIABETES

Are you one of the 1.5 million South Africans that have diabetes?

There are 2 Types of Diabetes

  1. TYPE 1 diabetes usually appears in younger people where the body stops producing insulin.
  2. TYPE 2 diabetes usually occurs in elder people or overweight people (even children) where the body either does not produce enough insulin or the insulin does not work effectively.

How Do You Prevent Getting Diabetes

Live a healthy lifestyle that includes eating healthy, not smoking, doing regular physical activity and not being overweight. Test your blood glucose (sugar) regularly!

Watch Out For The Warning Signs

  • Increased hunger
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Constant tiredness
  • Constant thirst
  • Urinating more than usual
  • Numbness / tingling in fingertips and toes
  • Blurred vision or visual disturbances
  • Skin infection due to slow healing wounds

Find out more about Diabetes by visiting www.diabetessa.co.za

OSTEOPOROSIS

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become porous, weakand more susceptible to fractures. Anyone can develop osteoporosis, but it is common in older women. As many as half of all women and a quarter of men older than 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis.

Risk Factors Include

  • Getting older
  • Being small and thin
  • Having a family history of osteoporosis
  • Taking certain medicines
  • Being a white or Asian woman
  • Having osteopenia, which is low bone mass

Osteoporosis is a silent disease – you might not know you have it until you break a bone. A bone mineral density test is the best way to check your bone health. To keep bones strong, eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, exercise and do not smoke. If needed, medicines can also help.

Find out more about Osteoporosis by visitng www.osteoporosis.org.za

HEART DISEASE

Men and women are at risk. Heart disease is common in the modern lifestyle.

Symptoms Of Heart Attacts

  • Tightness, discomfort or pain in the chest
  • Abdominal pain
  • Heart palpitations
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness and/or fainting
  • Referred pain in the left arm and jaw
  • Swollen feet

Prevention Of Heart Disease

A healthy lifestyle dramatically helps prevent heart disease:

  • Stay active and exercise regularly
  • Stop smoking
  • A healthy balanced diet is key
  • Maintain your ideal weight
  • Have your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose tested regularly

Take time at the end of the day to relax and de-stress, you owe it to yourself to take care of your heart and your body.

Find out more about Heart Disease by visiting www.heartfoundation.co.za

HYPERTENSION

High blood pressure is called hypertension. This means that the pressure, or tension, in your blood vessels is too high. High blood pressure is a silent killer because there are no symptoms until the pressure is too high.

What Are The Consequences of Uncontrolled Hypertension?

  • Strokes
  • Heart attacks
  • Heart and kidney failure

How Can You Prevent Hypertension

  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Be physically active
  • Follow a healthy eating plan
  • Choose foods with less salt and sodium
  • Drink alcohol in moderation

Remember, hypertension may cause no symptoms. You need to have your blood pressure measured at least once per year. Control of hypertension can add years to a happy life!

Find out more about Hypertension by visiting www.hypertension.org.za

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