Health Briefs TV Explains How Sleep Prevents Strokes

People with high blood pressure are more likely to have a stroke than those who do not have high blood pressure, depending on how much sleep they get, Health Briefs TV learns.

Those who get less than five hours of sleep per night or more than eight hours of sleep are at risk of having a stroke, a new study found. Researchers found that insufficient sleepers had an 83 percents higher risk of stoke than those who got seven or eight hours of sleep. People who slept more than eight hours per night had an increases risk of 74%.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 800,000 people each year in the United States have a stroke. It is also the leading cause of disability in the United States. The most common type of stroke is caused by a blood clot in the brain. The other main cause is when a blood vessel bursts.

Health Briefs TV suggests the following to get a good night’s rest of seven to eight hours:

• Avoid alcohol or smoking or eating a heavy meal three hours before bedtime.
• Leave digital devices in another room.
• Be sure the room is cool and dark.
• Get some daily physical activity. Take a short, brisk walk after dinner to help digest food.
• Maintain the same sleep and wake schedule every day, even on weekends.

Sleep well.

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Health Briefs TV Warns Readers about E-Cigarette Dangers

Quitting smoking is one of the most difficult things to do. Breaking that nicotine habit is hell. There is no other way to describe it. Today, there are nicotine patches, nicotine lozenges and e-cigarettes to help people who want to quit smoking. As many could guess, some of these helpers are not all that good for you.  Health Briefs looks at the dangers of e-cigarettes.

Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are a popular option for people who are trying to quit smoking. Shaped like a long cigarette, the item can be loaded with flavored vapors and a heavy dose of nicotine. Newer models of the e-cig allow the user to adjust the level of nicotine they get. But along with that comes a higher amount of formaldehyde, which is a probable human carcinogen. Health Briefs TV notes that cigarettes also contain formaldehyde. Researchers found that the higher the voltage chosen on the e-cigarette, the higher amount of formaldehyde. They also note that people who vaped three milliliters of e-liquid per day would inhale 14.4 milligrams of formaldehyde. This can possibility increase the risk of cancer up to 15 times.

While there are many options today to help the smoker kick the nicotine habit, our best suggestion is to ask a doctor. Most of the products on store shelves are expensive. But quitting sure beats the high cost of healthcare that a cancer diagnoses will eventually bring.

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Health Briefs TV on How to Break the Nicotine Habit One Day at a Time

Some smokers we know have said quitting smoking is the easiest thing they ever have done – because they have done it so many times. Now that the New Year has begun, there may be readers who committed to break the nicotine habit once and for all. Health Briefs TV applauds you and shares some suggestions which might help make the commitment stick.

Whichever way you choose to quit, announce it to everyone you know. Post is on social media.  The more support you have behind you, the more successful you will be.

Replace the bad habit with a good healthier one. If the urge to light up strikes right after dinner, take a pleasant walk outside with a family member, spouse, and even the family dog.

Get rid of everything in the home that reminds you of smoking. This means all ashtrays, lighters and hidden cigarettes. Health Briefs suggests throwing them all in the trash and then throw that bag in the Dumpster. Out of sight out of mind.

If stopping at a favorite gas station or convenience store, just say no when the clerk automatically hands you a pack of your regular brand. The power of saying “no thanks I quit” will make you feel like you can quit for good.

If stress is trigger, if social drinking is a trigger or if there are any other triggers, find a placement for them. Take a 10 minute break from work and go outside and walk. Order a different drink at the bar and sit where no smoking is allowed.

Check out the timeline below to see how not smoking approves overall health:

• After 20 minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure drops.
• After 12 hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
• After two weeks to three months: your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
• After 1 to 9 months: coughing and shortness of breath decreases and lung functions improve.
• After on year: chances of heart-related illnesses are cut in half.

Quitting smoking is not easy. Get support from everyone you know. Take it one day at a time. After three months, the habit itself is broken.

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