Tag: health

Week 45 of 2024

~ joannerambling ~ 3 Comments

Had a good night, Tim came to bed at around 4am I remember him saying he had only been home an hour, that was a long day.

It is supposed to be 29 degrees today at the moment it is 16 degrees and my BGL was 4.8

Kathy and family arrived around midday, Tasha had asked Michael if he could come and put the new TV on the wall for her.

Sue sent me a message asking who the two girls on the calendar for November she thought they were her granddaughters and yes, they are but it was upsetting that she had to ask.

Steps:8,885

Had a good night once I settled down and slept till the alarm went off, a warm start to the day has both front and back doors opened. It is 23 degrees and my BGL is 5.0 at 6am

It is the type of morning that makes one want to stay in bed, but of course I am up showered, dressed and doing stuff. It isn’t warm nor is it cold but if shut the doors I will get hot but with them open I feel a chill.

I walked down and posted some letters off just before Sam arrived home, not long after returning home it started to rain and there was some thunder. It didn’t rain for much and only a little thunder.

Steps: 6,642

Had an early night last night was in bed by 8.30pm got up once to pee and straight back to sleep till the alarm went off. I woke feeling unwell

It is 19 degrees and my BL was 5.0

No school for Sam today due to a doctor’s appointment.

It has been a cool day, I have not felt good all day, I ache all over and just feel unwell.

It is 6.30pm and I am ready for bed but will try and stay awake till 8.30pm.

Steps: 8,486

Had an early night last night was in bed by 8.30pm slept straight through to the alarm went at 5am.

It is 19 degrees at 6am and my BGL is 4.8. I am feeling great this morning and so happy that I am able to do stuff this morning.

A nice day morning but a bloody hot arvo. I turned the air con on around 12.30.

I walked up to meet Sam, and the heat drained me and left me exhausted.

Steps:8,882

I overslept this morning didn’t hear the alarm, turned out I l left my phone in the lounge-room. I woke up when Tim was getting up. So, it was only 15 minutes after my get out of bed I, slept all night.

I am dressed in shorts and have both front and back sliding doors open, it is a nice 20 degrees and my BGL was 5.0.

The temp reached 32 degrees, when it was time to go meet Sam it started pissing down, I was pleased when Jess rang and said she would go meet Sam. She called in sick due to a really bad headache.

Steps: 8,257

Another good night don’t remember getting up at all, it’s wet outside but not raining at this time. It is 17 degrees and is supposed to get as high as 29 degrees. My BGL was 4.8

By 8.30 it was 22 degrees

The calendars came for next year they are A3 size so much bigger than this years but that is good this year is too small for my liking.

I got my Christmas cards out and over the next week or so will make a start on them.

I am having a restless night.

Steps:12,542

After six good nights, I had a rotten night, I got only between 1 and 1.5hrs of sleep, I didn’t even dose I was awake. I got up a couple of times, I used the powerfit which helped settled the movement part down. When I was in bed there wasn’t much tossing and turning, mostly I just laid there at 4.30am I needed to pee, so I got up and stayed up. I had a shower and shaved my legs, applied moisturiser to my legs, arms, chest and face. It is 19 degrees and my BGL was 4.7

I was not good when we went to the shops around 1pm I had a 1hr nap and felt better after that.

By 6pm though I started to feel not the best again.

Steps:6,367

Insomnia

~ joannerambling ~ 4 Comments

This week I thought we would take a look at something I am thankfully I don’t suffer from, although there have been times when I felt like I do suffer from it. The condition is insomnia.

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep, even when you have the time and environment to sleep well. It can cause you to wake up too early or not feel refreshed when you wake up. Insomnia can affect your mood, energy levels, and daily activities. 

Insomnia can be caused by stress, physical ailments, mental health problems, or poor sleep habits. 

It can affect people of all ages, but teens may be especially susceptible.

In most cases it is related to poor sleeping habits, depression, anxiety, lack of exercise, chronic illness or certain medication.

Symptoms may include difficulty falling or staying asleep and not feeling well-rested.

Treatment for insomnia consists of improving sleep habits, behaviour therapy and identifying and treating underlying causes. Sleeping pills may also be used but should be monitored for side effects.

It seems that more women than men have insomnia in the United States, more than one in four women experience insomnia, compared with fewer than one in five men. 

Also, a study found that women of all ages reported worse sleep quality than men. 

Women are twice as likely to have insomnia than men. 

This may be due to hormonal changes that women have during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause can cause or contribute to sleep difficulties. There are also physical symptoms that many women deal with during these times such as cramps or night sweats, that disrupt sleep. 

Caffeine can cause insomnia, especially if consumed in large amounts or close to bedtime, a study found that 400 mg of caffeine taken up to 6 hours before bed can significantly disrupt sleep, reducing it by more than an hour. 

Caffeine can disrupt your natural sleep-wake cycle, making it harder to get quality sleep. 

People with chronic insomnia may use caffeine to cope with daytime sleep deprivation, which can worsen insomnia at night. 

The exact effects of caffeine depend on the dose and an individual’s sensitivity. 

To minimize the risk of insomnia, it’s generally recommended to avoid caffeine in the hours before bed. People who regularly drink caffeine may be able to tolerate it better than those who don’t. 

Next week I will post the list of things that so called experts suggest to help with insomnia.

Week 44 of 2024

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Had a good night work twice but settled back down pretty quick it is 12 degrees at 5am and my BGL is 4.9.

Tim working today and he will not get home till around 11pm so a long day for him.

It got to 25 degrees, I had to turn the ceiling fan on.

Didn’t exercise much today, just did 20 minutes in the morning.

Steps:5,696

SUE’S BIRTHDAY SHE IS 55 TODAY

Had a good night didn’t wake at all, it is 14 degrees and my BGL is 5.0

It’s a really hot day, Tim home from 9.30 to 1.30. Tim turned the ceiling fan on, but I think it is making the room hotter. 

Around 2.30pm it started to rain and that cooled things down a lot. It didn’t rain for very long.

Got a text from Dawson with photos of mum & dad’s old house and how it looks now inside and out as it is up for rent and the photos are with the rental listing. It does look very different.

Slept all night waking at 4.30 to pee and back to be till 5am, up showered and dressed for the day.

It isn’t supposed to be as hot as yesterday at the moment it is 16 degrees with a top of only 20 degrees expected. My BGL was 5.0

A cool morning and a warm afternoon.

I am very dyskinetic this afternoon.

I am having trouble sleeping, got up at 11.20pm used the Powerfit for 10 minutes, then just sat for 10 minute now I am going back to bed.

Steps:8,120

Slept alright after going back to bed at 11.40pm, I was woken by the alarm. It is supposed to be a hot day at the moment it is 15 degrees and by BGL was 5.1.

Finaly order the calendars for next year only took me two days to do them. By using a Groupon voucher, I got 5 A3 calendars for only $45 and not the full price of $176.

I haven’t done much today just no motivation but that’s ok I can have such days.

Steps:3,905

DAVID’S BIRTHDAY HE IS 46 TODAY

Slept well didn’t wake at all it is a pleasant 15 degrees, my BGL is 4.0, I am hoping it doesn’t get too hot, but we will see.

Yes, it got hot, I turned the air con on for a bit but got cold so turned it off after 30 minutes, opened the doors and closed the curtains to block out the heat.

Tim had an early start and had to get up at 3am, he will be home at the normal time which around 5.30pm.

I went to at 8.30pm as I was so very tired, I woke at 10.10pm sweating and with jerky movements, so I got a read some blogs the jerking has got worse will use the powerfit and go back to bed as I am still very tired

Steps:7,173

After returning to bed last night, I slept through to the alarm went this morning.

It is 16 degrees and my BGL was 4.4

When I walked up with Sam it started to rain and of course I forgot to wear my raincoat.

It didn’t rain for long and turned out to be a nice day, not to hot just warm.

I slept for 90 minutes then had to pee, went back to bed and slept for 60 minutes woke up with uncontrollable moving so got up and used the powerfit for 20 minutes then decided to update this before going back to bed.  

Steps:9,261

After returning to bed last night, I slept through to the alarm went this morning. I didn’t get back to bed till 2am and was at 5am, I had to have a short nap around 8am. Why was I up so later Jess came over after she got home from work and sat talking with her dad and me. I left them talking when I went to bed.

Tim has gone to help Tasha return her TV which is playing up but covered by warranty, it will not fit in her car.

I asked if he could get a few things for me, he forgot somethings even though he had a note and what he did get wasn’t right. He doesn’t read I do not and have never liked coffee, so no I will not drink caramel coffee.

Steps: 4,808

Dystonia or Dyskinesia

~ joannerambling ~ 8 Comments

There are two conditions that are associated with Parkinson’s Dyskinesia and Dystonia, I am not sure which of the I suffer from.

Dyskinesia is the involuntary movement of a body part or the entire body that you can’t control.

Dystonia is the involuntary stiffening or contraction of a muscle.

It can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between the two, but dyskinesia more often looks like jerky movements of an arm, leg, or face.

The symptoms of dystonia are as follows:

Involuntary and rapid blinking that you can’t stop.

A sudden tightening or turning of the neck to one side, particularly when you’re feeling fatigued or stressed.

Difficulty speaking.

A tremor in your voice.

Symptoms that worsen with tiredness, stress, or lots of physical activity.

Dyskinesia can involve one body part, such as an arm or leg, or the entire body. The symptoms are as follows:

Fidgeting, writhing or wriggling

Head bobbing or body swaying.

It tends to occur most often during times when other Parkinson’s symptoms, such as tremor, slowness and stiffness, are well controlled.

Both conditions are made worse with stress, so when the uncontrollable movements start I try to take my mind off it by focusing on something, also I find using the powerfit helps why it helps I do not know but it does.

Week 43 of 2024

~ joannerambling ~ 3 Comments

Had a good night although when the alarm went off, I didn’t want to get up, but I did and after a wash and getting dress, I felt the same way nothing had changed.

It is currently 17 degrees and raining, my BGL was 5.5

At 7.30am the internet dropped out but after a while it was ok, and I managed to do the grocery shopping.

Tim is working this morning he should be home around 1pm

I am so very tired that even though it is only 7.45pm I am off to bed.

Steps: 5,830

Had a good night, even though I was in bed early I slept all through the night.

The temp is 16 degrees and my BGL is 4.8

I have had a decent morning did a load of washing and hung it out to dry, ran the dishwasher and unpacked it, vacuumed of course. I also wrote a couple of letters and did some blogging.

Both Sue and Tasha got me stamps

It has been a cool day the temp got up to 20 degrees.

It is 8.30pm and I am done, falling asleep so off to bed I go.

Steps: 7,108

Had a good night, woke once but settled back down pretty quick. It is only 14 degrees this morning and my BGL was 4.9

After a cool morning it warmed up nicely and around 9.30am I changed into shorts.

I felt like I did stuff this morning, like folding the clean clothes and putting them away, vacuuming, taking rubbish out to the bin, blogging and writing letters.

I am not as tired this evening so it

Steps:6,094

Had a good night, didn’t wake at all and was dreaming when the alarm went off, I wonder if that has anything to do with me having a headache and feeling heavy headed.

It, is 12 degrees and my BGL was 5.0

I finished answering the letters I had here and walked down and posted them myself. Haven’t done that in years.

Tim will be home later than usual he arrived home at 7.40pm.

Steps: 7,383

Had a good night, didn’t wake at all and was dreaming when the alarm went off, I wonder if that has anything to do with me having a headache and feeling heavy headed. This morning is a repeat of yesterday morning.

The temp is 17 degrees and my BGL is 5.0, I was reading that there is something called the dawn phenomenon which is when between the hours of 3 and 8am when someone’s blood glucose level rises why this happens, I don’t know and neither do the so-called experts.

A warm day it started to rain around 3.30pm

Tim later home again around 7.15pm, he is off tomorrow and Saturday but is working Sunday

Steps:6,781                   

Had a good night, didn’t wake at all, I do like those type of nights.

Tim is off today, so I was able to take my time in the shower this morning, which I liked.

It is 12 degrees and my BGL 4.9

Tim and I went to the shops; to pick up scrips and we have reached our safety net, which brings down our medication from $31.60 to $7

after that Tim went to a doctor’s appointment with the diabetes doctor.

Then at 4.15pm he had an appointment with our GP

Steps:7,159

Had a good night, woke only once and went straight back to sleep. It is 13 degrees and my BGL is 4.7

Tim is up at 7am which is early for him

Tim and I went for lunch at the Eastern Tiger all you can eat place with my sisters Sue & Jeannie and my brother Dave and his wife Leigh and their daughter Liarna as well as Dave’s son Dawson.  It was a good outing I enjoyed my self and there was a lot of laughing.

When I was getting ready to go, I realised I have only two decent tops and neither of them went with the skirt I was wearing.

We realised this afternoon that Tasha was driving an unregistered car, she was thinking it was due next month, we have paid the CTP but she still needs to get her rego check done.

Steps:7,082

Visual Snow Syndrome

~ joannerambling ~ 5 Comments

Hi all today we are having a look at something called Visual snow syndrome. This isn’t something I had heard off until recently. My grandchild Sam was telling me about it as apparently Sam has this.

Visual snow syndrome is an uncommon neurological condition in which the primary symptom is that affected individuals see persistent flickering white, black, transparent, or coloured dots across the whole visual field. Other common symptoms are palinopsia, enhanced entoptic phenomena, photophobia, and tension headaches.

It can also be referred to as Persistent positive visual phenomenon, visual static or aeropsia.

The cause seems to remain unclear, but it is believed to be due to a problem with how your brain processes visual images. The flickering tiny dots associated with the condition are typically black and white, but they can be flashing, colored, or even transparent.

It is not a disease that will just go away on its own. The visual disturbances are unlikely to just get better without treatment, which typically involves medications. The most regularly used medications for visual snow syndrome are antiepileptic and antidepressant medications.

Over time the condition may worsen and could become debilitating to the suffer at some point, although not a mental health condition over time someone with the condition may experience depression.

For many people, visual snow syndrome is a chronic condition, thankfully they will not go blind due to it. However, many suffers may also have migraines and anxiety.

People with visual snow may experience all or only a few symptoms, including light sensitivity and tinnitus. These symptoms range in severity from mild to debilitating. Living with this condition is a different experience for everyone.

Sam being young thought for a long time that they way he saw things was just the normal way and is for the large part kind of use to it.

Symptoms commonly appear during the late teenage years and early adulthood. In one study the mean age of onset of symptoms was 21 years old but it can occur at any age, in either gender, or in any race.

Week 42 of 2024

~ joannerambling ~ 7 Comments

I had a pretty good night, slept pretty much all night, although I had to use the powerfit before going to bed due to how restless I felt.

I felt cold and had to turn the heater on for a little bit.

The temp this morning is 13 degrees and my BGL was 4.9

The day has warmed up, Tim did more work in the back yard.

Steps: 5,196

SANDY’S BIRTHDAY SHE IS 47 TODAY

I had a really good night slept straight through only waking when the alarm went off.

It is a cold morning with a temp of 12 degrees, my BGL is 5.0

It has turned out being a warm day with a temp of 22 degrees.

I was waiting for Sam this afternoon and she didn’t turn up; I rang Jess who rang Sam, and it turned out someone told the driver she had already gone home. Thankfully a friend’s mother drove her home.

Steps:5,765

I had a really good night slept straight through only waking when the alarm went off.

It is a pleasant 15 degrees and my BGL is 6.8, a bit high for some reason.

It was starting to rain when I was going up the front with Sam and had to come back and swap from my scooter to the walker. The temp is still only 16 degrees.

Tim home at 9.30am to have something to eat before going to have his scans done. Then he will be going back to work.

Steps: 6,157

DAD’S BIRTHDAY HE WOULD BE 82

I had another good night slept straight through waking at 4.20am to pee then straight back to sleep till the alarm went off.

It is a cold 13 degrees my BGL was 5.0

I am having a lot of trouble walking this morning my right knee doesn’t feel stable and I am worried about falling.

Tim arrived home at 11am he has phone appointment at 2pm.

The day warmed up a bit.

The clothes I ordered from Millers arrived and both lot of pants fit well but the skirt is a bit too big. I have emailed to see if it can be exchanged for a smaller size, but I don’t it can be as I think it was off the clearance rack.

Steps:8,204

Went to bed at 9pm last night as per usual around 11.15pm I woke feeling restless, so I got up and used the powerfit no issue there, however, when I bent over to unplug it, I lost my balance and fell banging my head hard against the lounge and yes it hurt I sat for about 20 minutes before going back to bed. For the next few hours, I dozed on and off before settling down at around 2pm. I got up at 5am a usual.

It is only 7 degrees my BGL was 3.6

It has warmed up to 21 degrees.

Both Sandy and Sue said I shouldn’t use the powerfit during the night.

I rang the Eastern Tiger and booked a table for 4 on the 26 then Jeannie said she would come, then Dawson said he would come so I rang back and changed the booking to 6. I then realised I hadn’t asked Dave, so I have texted him about coming and hope to hear back sometime tomorrow.

Steps:5,410

Went to bed at 9pm last night as per usual around 11.15pm I woke feeling restless, so I got up and used the powerfit went back to bed and straight off to sleep.

It is 15 degrees and my BGL is 3.4

Took Sam up the front and managed to just get home before it started raining heavy.

I have had another productive morning vacuuming and changing the sheets, washing the sheets and tossing them in the dryer to dry.

Steps: 10,445

Had a good night although when the alarm went off, I didn’t want to get up, but I did and after a shower I felt ok. It is 19 degrees and my BGL is 5.2, we are supposed to be in for a nice day.

I have felt fidgety as mum would put it this morning.

Tim and I went over to Lake Fair so he could cash in bottles while I went to see if I could exchange my skirt, but they didn’t have anything in my size.

Tasha bought me another matching top and pants set.

Steps: 9,410

Wellness Test Results

~ joannerambling ~ 3 Comments

I recently did a wellness questionnaire which can be found here: https://ezpzwellness.org/

These are the results.             

Personalized Recommendations

Physical Health: 48.0/100

Recommendations:

  • Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily
  • Improve your sleep hygiene by maintaining a consistent sleep schedule
  • Focus on a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables

Mental Health: 72.0/100

Recommendations:

  • Increase your mindfulness practice to 15-20 minutes daily
  • Try journaling to process your thoughts and emotions
  • Learn a new skill or hobby to keep your mind engaged

Emotional Health: 80.0/100

Recommendations:

  • Continue nurturing your emotional well-being
  • Share your emotional management strategies with others
  • Explore ways to give back to your community

Social Health: 40.0/100

Recommendations:

  • Make an effort to connect with friends or family at least once a week
  • Join a club or group related to your interests
  • Practice active listening in your conversations

Nutrition: 44.0/100

Recommendations:

  • Increase your daily intake of fruits and vegetables
  • Reduce consumption of processed and fast foods
  • Stay hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily

Sleep: 52.0/100

Recommendations:

  • Optimize your sleep environment (e.g., comfortable mattress, dark room)
  • Try relaxation techniques like deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation
  • Avoid caffeine and heavy meals close to bedtime

Stress Management: 72.0/100

Recommendations:

  • Learn and practice time management techniques
  • Try stress-reducing activities like yoga or tai chi
  • Set realistic goals and break large tasks into smaller, manageable steps

Epileptic Seizures

~ joannerambling ~ 3 Comments

Hello everyone, today I am going to tell you about the four main types of epilepsy seizures.

Starting with the type of seizure most people thing of when they think of an epileptic seizure.

This seizure is now called a Generalised tonic-clonic seizure, it was once known as a grand mal seizure and are the most recognised.

The seizure starts with a sudden loss of consciousness. The person’s body then becomes stiff, followed by jerking of the muscles. They also may turn red or blue, bite their tongue and lose control of their bladder.

When they regain consciousness the suffered may be confused, drowsy or agitated, it is not uncommon for them to not remember what happened and have a headache.

Next, we have absence seizures, these are the type of seizure my nephew Dawson suffers from. They used to be known as petit mal seizures they usually start in childhood but can happen in adults as well. They are brief and involve staring, loss of expression, unresponsiveness and stopping activity. Sometimes eye blinking or upward eye movements are seen. The person usually recovers straight away and continues their previous activity, without remembering the seizure.

There is also something called focal seizures, previously known as ‘partial seizures’, these start in one area of the brain and affect the parts of the body controlled by that area of the brain. The seizure may involve unusual movements, feelings, sensations, or behaviours. People can have different levels of consciousness during focal seizures.

Lastly there are febrile convulsions are seizures are associated with an illness causing a fever, such as a viral infection. They are generally harmless and do not require special or long-term treatment. Febrile convulsions are common, happening in about 3 in 100 healthy children up to 6 years old.

If they don’t have any additional risk factors for epilepsy, children who have febrile convulsions have a similar risk of developing epilepsy to the rest of the population.

Sometimes people with epilepsy may have changes in their behaviour. They also may have symptoms of psychosis.

Most people with epilepsy tend to have the same type of seizure each time. Symptoms are usually similar from episode to episode.

Some people with focal seizures have warning signs in the moments before a seizure begins. These warning signs are known as aura.

Warning signs might include a feeling in the stomach. Or they might include emotions such as fear. Some people might feel deja vu. Auras also might be a taste or a smell. They might even be visual, such as a steady or flashing light, a colour, or a shape. Some people may experience dizziness and loss of balance. And some people may see things that aren’t there, known as hallucinations.

YOU CAN ALSO FIND A NEW POST HERE:https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2024/10/nuts-hodgepodge.html


Week 41 of 2024

~ joannerambling ~ 2 Comments

I slept well again, straight through the night till the alarm went off. A nice morning with a temp of 14 degrees, my BGL was 4.8.

Another warm day with a temp of 26 degrees.

Tim bought another whipper snipper.

Sue brought over some Kiwi fruit she bought and didn’t like.

Daylight savings will start tonight.

Steps:4,110

I slept well again, straight through the night till the alarm went off. I was a little confused as the clock in the bathroom said 6am but my phone said 5am and I thought I had set it to the right time before going to bed. I was wrong I put it two hours forward not one silly me.

It is a nice 11 degrees this morning I am in shorts and my BGL is 4.7.

Tim and I went to Lake Fair so I could go to Big W and the Reject Shop as well as Woolies. By the time I got home I was exhausted. I bought a pair of bike shorts, and a pyjama set both size 16 and both fit. I have asked Tasha if she could go and get me another set in a different colour.

I turned the air con on around 1pm as it was that hot and I was able to turn it off around 6pm.

Steps: 5,422 

I had another night where I slept through, I like those nights today is going to much cooler then yesterday with a temp of 18 degrees, my BGL was 4.9 this morning.

Summer walked down and posted my letters for me.

Micheal picked up Summer just before 3pm

I sorted out my Christmas jewellery and gave Sandy a bag of things I was only going to bin to see if her girls want any of them.

Stedps:4,496

I had another good night woke only once to go to the loo and straight back to sleep.

It is a coldish, wet morning with the temp being 13 degrees my BGL is 4.3

I am not doing good; my upper body will not stop moving and using the computer is difficult.

Tim home by 12.15pm, he had me order pizza and he picked it up on his way home. He also ate most of it.

It has rained on and off all day.

Steps: 5,102

I had another good night sleeping straight through, this morning Tim got up when I got up, he has a busy day ahead of him starting with work followed by two or three afternoon medical appointments.

Tim didn’t get home till 5.30pm. the diabetic specialist has changed his medication. He also has to have a blood test and a bunch of scans done oh is arm, thumb and abdomen.

I am having a restless night along with having a pain in the gut, so I got up to use the powerfit.

Steps:7,757

I had a rough start to the night took me a while to settle but once I did, I was ok and slept till the alarm went off. It is a pleasant 14 degrees, and my BL was 5.0

It turned out a pretty warm day, I changed into shorts after returning from the shops.

Tim and I went to the shops, he went and had his blood test and booked into to have his scans done. He has to go to Belmont as Warners Bay are fully booked for when he wanted.

Tim is working tonight and tomorrow night.

Steps: 6,472

I had a pretty good night, slept pretty much all night, I did wake when Tim got home and spoke to him for a few minutes before going back to sleep.

It is a cold and wet morning with a temp of 15 degrees.

Tim left for work around 11am he will not be home till after midnight. When it stopped raining, I walked up and checked the letter box.

Steps: 7, 598