Coronary artery disease Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) continues to be the leading cause of death and a major cause of morbidity and loss of quality of life. It is evident that the growing cause of death and disability in South Africa is CAD – accounting for 10% of total deaths.
What is a Stroke? A stroke is often called a brain attack and should be treated as seriously as a heart attack. A stroke occurs when blood flow to a region of brain is obstructed, resulting in a rapid loss of brain function. Majority of strokes are ischemic, resulting from a thrombosis or embolism. Some […]
Diabetes Management and Medication Insulin is the main tool for managing Diabetes. Diabetes management depends on: type of Diabetes, presence and severity of complications, and blood glucose goals (aim to normalise blood glucose). Most diabetics die from cardiovascular diseases, thus it is important to manage this condition properly. Insulin can cause hypoglycaemia during and after […]
An overview of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Blood sugar, or glucose, is the main sugar found in your blood. It comes from the food you eat, and is your body’s main source of energy. Your blood carries glucose to all of your body’s cells to use for energy. High blood sugar is abnormally […]
Cholesterol and why you should know your levels. Cholesterol is essential for the formation of bile acid, which assists in the digestion of fat. Everybody needs to have some cholesterol to be healthy, however it is when you have too much cholesterol that problems start to occur. This is often termed as hypercholesterolemia. High blood […]
Life Changes You Can Make to Improve Your High Blood Pressure Risk factors for high blood pressure (BP) can be broken down into 2 categories: modifiable and non-modifiable. Your non-modifiable risk factors (risk factors that you cannot change) include your gender, age, family history and race. Your modifiable risk factors include your weight, diet, physical […]
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a symptomless condition which often results in cerebrovascular accidents, heart disease, and renal failure. Hypertension among adults is defined as a blood pressure greater or equal to 140 over 90 mmHg. 1 in 8 people in South Africa have hypertension.
Living with Ankylosing Spondylitis In November we did an overview article on AS, along with a follow-up article on safe exercises to do when living with Ankylosing Spondylitis. With that in mind, we asked one of our current clients, Petal Wainwright, to share her story. This is her account of her journey from her diagnosis […]
Ankylosing Spondylitis is an inflammatory arthritis. Also known as AS, Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory arthritis that predominantly affects the spinal joints. It can be subdivided into two distinct categories. Ankylosing spondylitis where changes to the sacroiliac joint and the spine can be noted on an X-ray. And non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, where no changes can […]
Post-mastectomy aqua-therapy and rehabilitation. Exercise is medicine, and the prescribed dose is more than 35 minutes per day… I read this in an article recently and it got me thinking. Exercise, whether it is water based or land based, has many physiological as well psychological benefits. It is an essential part of any rehabilitation program […]