Page 16 - Florida Sentinel 1-4-18

Health
Your Heart Rate Feels Off
You may feel lightheaded
or dizzy with a racing, flutter-
ing, or slowed pulse. If it lasts
more than a few minutes or
happens often, it might be
from an illness or heart
rhythm problem. Serious
chest pain or trouble walking
or speaking could mean a
heart attack or stroke: Get to
a hospital. An easy workout
that suddenly seems hard and raises your pulse longer than usual may mean you’re overdoing it. Talk to a doctor about your symptoms.
Your body will often let you know if something suddenly goes drastically wrong. If
something feels really off -- like changes in being able to see, talk, walk, think clearly, or communi- cate, or having chest pain or shortness of breath -- call 911. Don’t wait to see if you feel better. If it’s a stroke or heart attack, you need medical care right away.
Do You Need A Rest Day?
You don’t feel up to your regular workout. Should you pass? Tune in. Do you feel sore and worn out? Then you may need a lighter day. Or are you feeling tempted by your favorite show and your couch? How often
you need rest depends on how hard you work out and what you do, and how you feel. If you’re not in pain, some movement is usually a good idea. A certified per- sonal trainer can give you a training schedule that builds in recovery.
Is It Aging?
Some pain
from wear and tear
on your body is
natural as you get
older. Or you may
notice that you’re
not as flexible or
strong as you used
to be. The cushion
at your joints and between the bones of your spine can start to break down. That could hurt and limit your movement. It helps to stay active, but when the pain doesn’t go away, your doctor might sug- gest a specialized “rehab” exercise routine to man- age it.
Burned Out?
If you’re under
stress that doesn’t
let up, it can really
get to you. You
might notice that
you’ve got less en-
ergy, headaches,
an upset stomach,
or other symp-
toms. Little things that you used to be able to shake off now bother you. These may be signs that you need to step up your stress management. What helps: exercise, positive relationships, meditation, smiling and laughing, and taking breaks from whatever causes you stress.
Mood Matters
Everyone has times when they feel down or anxious. But if you have depression or anx- iety, those conditions can af- fect you physically as well as emotionally. You might notice that you cry a lot, isolate your- self, avoid doing things you normally love, have tense muscles, find it hard to con- centrate, and sleep or eat more (or less) than normal. These are cues to talk to your doctor or a therapist to get help.
Trust Yourself
You know yourself inside and out: how you feel on a good day, what feels “off,” when you’re sick, when you’re rested. It can all show up in your body, from a clenched jaw from stress, to a sore calf muscle after hiking all weekend, to something serious. Sometimes it’s hard to tell on your own, so never hesitate to ask your doc- tor, who’s there to help.
PAGE 4-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019