Health Essentials
Is broken-heart syndrome real?
I am sure Cupid is often amazed at the extent some of us go when it comes to the affairs of the heart, but maybe the adage “it is better to have loved and lost than to never love at all.” Love is a good thing but it may also come with its unique challenges.
When love goes bad or one’s expectations in a relationship are not met, some people may suffer what we refer to as broken-heart syndrome. We may think this is purely an emotional phenomenon BUT there is evidence that the heart literally breaks and even the best heart doctors may struggle to differentiate it from a Heart Attack.
The good news is that when your heart breaks from love gone bad, loss of a loved one, financial challenges and even strangely extreme happiness such as winning a huge amount of money or even a surprise mega party, all the changes are reversible from a few days to a maximum of two to three months. Women seem to bear the brunt of this syndrome especially after menopause.
I remember years ago whenever any of my team members at the emergency prompted me that a young lady had just been brought in with “hysteria” you could bet your last crumpled Ghana cedi that there was love in the mix. The story will often unfold slowly and the “unconscious” lady will promptly sit up in bed and spend a significant time being counselled; maybe we should have run more tests on their hearts at the time.
Broken Heart Syndrome may have symptoms that feel like a heart attack and may include chest pain and shortness of breath BUT unlike a heart attack it is not caused by clogged arteries, instead it may be precipitated by an emotionally stressful event such as hearing or seeing on social media that your ride or die partner has other plans.
It appears that stress hormones overwhelm the heart causing heart vessels to go into spasm and instantly reducing oxygen to the heart muscle and mimicking a heart attack. This “stunning” of the heart may be associated with dizziness, fainting, nausea, irregular heartbeat and low blood pressure. These symptoms may start from a few minutes to hours after the stressful event.
Fortunately you will rarely die from broken heart syndrome and you are not more likely to suffer from broken heart syndrome if you already have heart disease but some risk factors do exist:
• Being female
• Age 50 years and above for both males and females
• Your genes may predispose you
• Having a head injury or seizure disorder
• Having anxiety or depression
Some blood tests and ECG (not the company that plays games with our hearts through agonising dumsor) may show heart injury but other heart tests may make the picture clearer though the first few hours can be difficult to tell and one will need to be started on medication to protect the heart.
Fortunately the heart changes from Broken Heart Syndrome are easily reversible and people recover much quicker than someone who has suffered a heart attack. Rarely someone may have complications from this such as heart valve damage or heart failure.
Did we have a surge in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (aka Broken Heart Syndrome) about two months ago when we marked Valentine’s Day? “I cannot know, I cannot tell” but the emotional challenges people go through on this single day may be enough to precipitate Broken Heart Syndrome and taking care of our health holistically including mental, social and physical health will go a long way to speed up our recovery when we happen to be hit by this bug.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd/ Medics Clinic
(dressel@healthessentialsgh. com)
*Dr Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week – “For heart health you need to relax and have fun as well; schedule time for leisure, sing praises to God, laugh often, learn to breathe deeply and maybe get a pet. Avoid toxic relationships as much as possible.”
References:
1. Broken-Heart Syndrome- Mary Jo DiLonardo, WebMD
2. Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy – Harvard Health Publishing
By Dr Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials
Diet plan on the highway to destruction
The world wants everything “immediately” with no time to wait or take long-term realistic steps to reach our goals. This trend is evident in how we eat, especially when we want to lose weight or fat.
There are 1000s of diet plans and many of them certainly do not work but we are willing to take that path even if it will put our health and wellness at risk.
The Cotton Ball Diet is one of such fads that is gaining momentum. To help us understand what this trend means and how it is leading many people on the fast track to destruction, I have Carroll Owu, a registered dietician and an authority on what dietary plans are safe, healthy and sustainable to share his thoughts on this new craze.
“Fad diets are without number and time and again new ones seem to come up. I believe we should expect more of these as people become desperate to lose weight in the shortest possible time.
One of the latest eating trends for weight loss is the cotton ball diet. Some people add a topping or juice to cotton balls and swallow them in place of food. Several dangers are posed by this practice.
1. First, it is directly related to cotton balls. Most of what we have on the market have other components apart from cotton. These artificial components may affect one’s health and could cause organ damage.
2. Secondly because cotton cannot be digested, it could block the digestive tract. One may require hospitalisation when the blockage happens in very sensitive areas of the gut.
3. Finally, essential nutrients that are needed by the body for normal bodily functions will be lacking which may lead to deficiency diseases such as iron deficiency anemia.
Instead of going on a cotton ball diet, a dietitian will help you to:
1. know your ideal weight range and will work out with you a healthy time span within which you could lose weight.
a. A variety of weight loss meal plans exist. Basically, they target reducing the energy you derive from the food you eat (mostly from the starches, sugary drinks and low fiber pastries) and increasing the energy you burn by increasing your physical activity.
b. A good weight loss meal plan should be rich in nutrients (vegetables and fruits) and will prevent frequent hunger feelings.”
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Carroll Owu, Rd
Health Essentials Ltd (HE&W Group)
(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week (1) – the fact that there are 1000s of diets, some of which appear to work for people, may be a clue that none of them is universal or authentic. Speak to a registered dietician for an evidence-based healthy eating plan that will stand the test of time.
References:
The discussion on Cotton Ball “Diet” was provided by Carroll Owu, a registered dietician.
Health Essentials
The impact of air quality on health
Air quality plays a significant role in our overall health and well-being. The air we breathe can contain various pollutants, including particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide, which can have adverse effects on our health.
In this article, we will explore the impact of air quality on our health and discuss ways to protect ourselves.
The health effects of poor air quality
Poor air quality can have serious health consequences, including:
Respiratory problems: Air pollutants can irritate the lungs, exacerbate conditions like asthma, and increase the risk of respiratory infections.
Cardiovascular disease: Exposure to air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular conditions.
Neurological effects: Some air pollutants, such as particulate matter and ozone, have been linked to neurological effects, including cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases.
Who is most affected?
Certain groups are more susceptible to the adverse effects of poor air quality, including:
Children: Children’s lungs are still developing, and they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults, making them more vulnerable to air pollution.
Older adults: Older adults may be more susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution due to age-related declines in lung function and other health conditions.
People with pre-existing health conditions: Individuals with pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma or cardiovascular disease, may be more susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution.
Protecting yourself from poor air quality
There are several steps you can take to protect yourself from poor air quality, including:
Monitoring air quality: Check the air quality index in your area to plan your activities accordingly.
Reducing exposure: Avoid heavily trafficked areas, and limit your time outdoors when air quality is poor.
Using air purifiers: Consider using air purifiers in your home to reduce indoor air pollution.
Conclusion
Air quality plays a critical role in our overall health and well-being. By understanding the health effects of poor air quality of air, we can take steps to protect ourselves and reduce our exposure to pollutants.
By being aware of the air quality in our area and taking proactive measures, we can help to mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution and promote better health.
References
1. Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). Air Quality Index (AQI).
2. American Lung Association. (2022). State of the Air 2022.
3. World Health Organization. (2018). Air Pollution.
