Swabeng Thoughts: Of Tooth Extractions and High Blood Pressure

Last Monday, I was supposed to have one of my tooth extracted. Unfortunately, the dentist wasn't able to complete the procedure as my blood pressure has shoot-up to 200. Initially, she declined doing the procedure as my initial blood pressure was at 140/100 (I never knew checking one's blood pressure prior to tooth extraction is a must) but went down to 130/90 so we did started eventually up to a certain point. The dentist warned me that I could have got a mild-severe stroke if she pushed through with pulling out my tooth. She had notice that my face turned red and I gave a loud noice of pain as she was twisting my dead tooth. Personally, I wonder how a dead tooth bring much pain while being pulled-out. Could have been more than a decade-old trauma has got back on me when I had a molar being pulled-out, screaming in pain even if more than 2 anesthesia was injected in my gums. When I got home that day, I'm thinking what if the procedure pushed through? I could have been paralyzed or few of my nerves could have probably snapped-out but somehow, I got to find a way. 

The next day (yesterday), I wanted to find out if maintaining a steady blood pressure has something to do with tooth extraction (or vice versa). Good thing I was able to find some answers with the help of Google. Here is one that I saw.

Taken from Google

Question: I have another question about my tooth extraction.  I was scheduled for this month, but I'm nervous about it and can't get my blood pressure under control.  I called the doctor and they are increasing my high blood pressure medicine.  I feel so mad because my tooth hurts, yet they won't extract it until the blood pressure goes down.  Any suggestions on how to relax in the dental chair.  I'm hoping they can just give me general anesthesia so I will be asleep through the process.  Any ideas you can give me would be so helpful.

Answer: Yes it is important to relax and yes anesthesia can assist the relaxation.  The high blood pressure you are experiencing is important to get under control before extractions or anesthesia.  The negative effects of high blood pressure on both can produce reactions that can be quite serious.

I, therefore, agree with whomever decided not to extract the tooth until the blood pressure is under control. So have your physician control your pressure and then the tooth can be removed without any major complications that high blood pressure can produce.

There are a lot of explanations and Q and A's that can still be found out there, but I'm happy with this one for the time being. I just hope my blood pressure goes back to normal (and stays normal) so I could have this dead tooth extracted and go on.

Going Bananas

 Taken from Google.

A few days ago, I stumbled on a blog on how she was fascinated with bananas. Back home in San Pedro, my mom always buys banana as a dessert after our meal or a snack. She believed that a banana packs a lot of nutrients that is beneficial to our health. 

I googled on banana and I got several links. One link that really got my attention was this.

I'll share to you some facts about bananas XD. 

Health Benefits of Bananas

Bananas consist mainly of sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and fiber, which makes them ideal for an immediate and slightly prolonged source of energy

Reducing Depression

Bananas contain tryptophan, an aminoacid that can be converted to serotonin, leading to improved mood

Anemia

Bananas are relatively high in iron, which helps the body's hemoglobin function

 

Constipation and Diarrhea

Due to their content in fiber, they help restore a normal bowel function. In addition, diarrhea usually depletes your body of important electrolytes (of which the most important is potassium, contained in high amounts in bananas). They also contain pectin, a soluble fiber (hydrocolloid) that can help normalize movement through the digestive tract.

 

Eyesight Protection

Research published in the Archives of Ophthalmology has proven that adults consuming at least 3 servings of fruit per day have a reduced risk (by 36%) of developing age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily.

 

Healthy Bones

Bananas are an exceptionally rich source of fructooligosaccharide, a compound that nourishes probiotic (friendly) bacteria in the colon. These beneficial bacteria produce enzymes that increase our digestive ability and protect us from unhealthy bacteria infections. Thanks to fructooligosaccharides, probiotic bacteria can increase both in number and functionality, increasing our body's ability to absorb calcium.  

In addition, green bananas contain indigestible short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that are very nutrient to the cells that make up the mucosa of the stomach. These cells, when healthy, absorb calcium much more efficiently

 

Healthy Kidney

About 190,000 cases of kidney cancer are diagnosed each year. Research published in the International Journal of Cancer has shown that daily consumption of whole fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, is highly protective to kidney health. The results show that, over a long timeframe (13.4 years), women eating more than 2.5 servings of fruits and vegetable per day cut their risk of kidney cancer by 40%. Among the fruits, bananas were especially protective. Women eating bananas four to six times a week halved their risk of developing the disease compared to those who did not eat this fruit. The conclusion of the study is that frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, cabbage and root vegetables, may reduce risk of kidney cancer. This is because bananas and many root vegetables contain especially high amounts of antioxidant phenolic compounds, while cabbage is rich in sulfur, necessary for effective detoxification of potential carcinogens.

 

Blood Pressure

Bananas are extremely high in potassium (about 4673mg), yet very low in sodium (1mg), thus having a perfect ratio for preventing high blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

 

Heartburn

Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

 

Morning Sickness

Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood-sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

 

Smoking

Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. They contain vitamins B6 and B12 they contain, as well as potassium and magnesium: these substances help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

 

Ulcers

This is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicle cases. It also helps reduce acidity and reduces irritation. Bananas stimulate the cells on the internal stomach lining to produce a thicker mucus (which protects against acid). Additionally, bananas contain protease inhibitors that help eliminate bacteria in the stomach that have been pinpointed as a primary cause of ulcers.

 

Nerves

Bananas are high in B vitamins that have been shows to improve nerve function

 

Mosquito Bites

Many people report that rubbing the inside of a banana peel on a mosquito bite is very effective in reducing itching and swelling

 

Stress Relief

Bananas are high in potassium, which helps normalize the hearthbeat and regulate the body's water balance. During periods of high stress, our body's potassium levels tend to be rapidly depleted: eating bananas is a healthy way to rebalance them without using drugs

 

Stroke Risk

According to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can reduce the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%

Bananas Nutrition Facts

Refuse: 36% (Skin)
Scientific Name:  Musa X paradisiaca
NDB No: 09040 (Nutrient values and weights are for edible portion)

Nutrient	Units	Value per 100 grams	Number of Data Points	Std. Error
Proximates
Water	g	74.91	20	0.286
Energy	kcal	89	0
Energy	kj	371	0
Protein	g	1.09	12	0.022
Total lipid (fat)	g	0.33	19	0.067
Ash	g	0.82	12	0.03
Carbohydrate, by difference	g	22.84	0
Fiber, total dietary	g	2.6	13	0.129
Sugars, total	g	12.23	8	1.034
Sucrose	g	2.39	8	0.546
Glucose (dextrose)	g	4.98	8	0.806
Fructose	g	4.85	8	0.658
Lactose	g	0.00	8	0
Maltose	g	0.01	8	0.014
Galactose	g	0.00	8	0
Starch	g	5.38	8	0.564
Minerals
Calcium, Ca	mg	5	45	0.047
Iron, Fe	mg	0.26	42	0.001
Magnesium, Mg	mg	27	45	0.475
Phosphorus, P	mg	22	45	0.171
Potassium, K	mg	358	45	1.911
Sodium, Na	mg	1	45	0.395
Zinc, Zn	mg	0.15	45	0.001
Copper, Cu	mg	0.078	45	0.011
Manganese, Mn	mg	0.270	45	0.007
Fluoride, F	mcg	2.2	1
Selenium, Se	mcg	1.0	31	0.289
Vitamins
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid	mg	8.7	8	0.434
Thiamin	mg	0.031	12	0.006
Riboflavin	mg	0.073	12	0.008
Niacin	mg	0.665	12	0.002
Pantothenic acid	mg	0.334	12	0.01
Vitamin B-6	mg	0.367	12	0.01
Folate, total	mcg	20	11	0.472
Folic acid	mcg	0	0
Folate, food	mcg	20	11	0.472
Folate, DFE	mcg_DFE	20	0
Choline, total	mg	9.8	0
Betaine	mg	0.1	1
Vitamin B-12	mcg	0.00	0
Vitamin B-12, added	mcg	0.00	0
Vitamin A, IU	IU	64	0
Vitamin A, RAE	mcg_RAE	3	0
Retinol	mcg	0	0
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)	mg	0.10	15	0.054
Vitamin E, added	mg	0.00	0
Tocopherol, beta	mg	0.00	15	0
Tocopherol, gamma	mg	0.02	15	0.015
Tocopherol, delta	mg	0.01	15	0.01
Vitamin K (phylloquinone)	mcg	0.5	6	0.075
Lipids
Fatty acids, total saturated	g	0.112	0
4:0	g	0.000	0
6:0	g	0.000	0
8:0	g	0.000	0
10:0	g	0.001	4
12:0	g	0.002	4
14:0	g	0.002	4
16:0	g	0.102	5
18:0	g	0.005	5
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated	g	0.032	0
16:1 undifferentiated	g	0.010	5
18:1 undifferentiated	g	0.022	5
20:1	g	0.000	0
22:1 undifferentiated	g	0.000	0
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated	g	0.073	0
18:2 undifferentiated	g	0.046	5
18:3 undifferentiated	g	0.027	5
18:4	g	0.000	0
20:4 undifferentiated	g	0.000	0
20:5 n-3	g	0.000	0
22:5 n-3	g	0.000	0
22:6 n-3	g	0.000	0
Cholesterol	mg	0	0
Phytosterols	mg	16	0
Amino acids
Tryptophan	g	0.009	0
Threonine	g	0.028	0
Isoleucine	g	0.028	0
Leucine	g	0.068	0
Lysine	g	0.050	0
Methionine	g	0.008	0
Cystine	g	0.009	0
Phenylalanine	g	0.049	0
Tyrosine	g	0.009	0
Valine	g	0.047	0
Arginine	g	0.049	0
Histidine	g	0.077	0
Alanine	g	0.040	0
Aspartic acid	g	0.124	0
Glutamic acid	g	0.152	0
Glycine	g	0.038	0
Proline	g	0.028	0
Serine	g	0.040	0
Other
Alcohol, ethyl	g	0.0	0
Caffeine	mg	0	0
Theobromine	mg	0	0
Carotene, beta	mcg	26	10	2.167
Carotene, alpha	mcg	25	8	4.438
Cryptoxanthin, beta	mcg	0	6	0
Lycopene	mcg	0	6	0
Lutein + zeaxanthin	mcg	22	6	2.52

If you want to know more, just click on the link above. XD

Liver Damage

The main causes of liver damage are:

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.
2. Not urinating in the morning.

3. Too much eating.

4. Skipping breakfast.

5. Consuming too much medication.

6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener.

7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.

8. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver.

Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.

We should prevent this without necessarily spending more. We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our bodies to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to "schedule."

Because:

Evening at 9 - 11pm: is the time for eliminating unnecessary/toxic chemicals (detoxification) from the antibody system (lymph nodes). This time duration should be spent by relaxing or listening to music. If during this time a housewife is still in an unrelaxed state such as washing the dishes or monitoring children doing their homework, this will have a negative impact on health.

Evening at 11pm - 1am: is the detoxification process in the liver, and ideally should be done in a deep sleep state.

Early morning 1 - 3am: detoxification process in the gall, also ideally done in a deep sleep state.

Early morning 3 - 5am: detoxification in the lungs. Therefore there will sometimes be a severe cough for cough sufferers during this time. Since the detoxification process had reached the respiratory tract, there is no need to take cough medicine so as not to interfere with toxin removal process.

Morning 5 - 7am: detoxification in the colon, you should empty your bowel.

Morning 7 - 9am: absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, you should be having breakfast at this time. Breakfast should be earlier, before 6:30am, for those who are sick. Breakfast before 7:30am is very beneficial to those wanting to stay fit. Those who always skip breakfast, they should change their habits, and it is still better to eat breakfast late until 9 - 10am rather than no meal at all.

Sleeping so late and waking up too late will disrupt the process of removing unnecessary chemicals. Aside from that, midnight to 4:00 am is the time when the bone marrow produces blood. Therefore, have a good sleep and don't sleep late.

So please do take good care of your liver. Otherwise, sabi nga ni Idol Robin Padilla: "Ang may latay sa Atay, Patay" 

Brain Damaging Habits

Just got this online and I'm guilty on some. Good thing my brains still intact. XD I will include some comments at the end portion. 

1. No Breakfast
People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration. --> This I never miss ^_^

2. Overeating
It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power. --> I'm guilty as charged.

3. Smoking 
It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease. --> Thank God I smoke on a case-to-case basis.

4. High Sugar consumption
Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.

5. Air Pollution
The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency. --> I live now in Sampaloc, Manila so go figure. XD

6. Sleep Deprivation
Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells. --> I'm beginning to lose some sleep =/

7. Head covered while sleeping
Sleeping with the head covered, increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.

8. Working your brain during illness
Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.

9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts
Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage. -->ADIDAS (All Day I Think About Sex) XD

10. Talking Rarely
Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain. -->Panis ang laway ko dito. XD

So make sure to take good care of your brain. got it? XD