Show I I HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE HIGHER IN THE WINTER Did you know that blood pressure especially high blood pressure is apt to be higher in cold weather Dipping one hand handor handA A or foot in ice water and keeping it there for a few minutes will also cause the blood pressure to rise Mental and physical exertion I nervousness and I Ij t j excitement have Dr Nathan S. S this effect All doc doc- I Davis III tors know that the blood pressure reading obtained when a patient is first examined is often materially above that in in- individuals individual's individuals individual's individuals individual's average or normal blood pressure Many have had difficulty in in getting life insurance because nervousness at the time of the examination ex ex- examination examination caused their blood pres pres- pressure pressure pressure sure to rise above normal Did you know that high blood pressure in itself causes almost alm st no symptoms People who have it may have shortness of breath on slight exertion and tire easily but this is due to the associated scar scar- scarring scarring scarring ring and weakening of the heart Increasing Death Rate from Automobile Accidents per Population 1 9 i phi muscle Kidneys may become weakened and may cause constant headaches due to hardening of the arteries in the brain or to the de de- decreased decreased de- de decreased creased function of the kidney Dizziness Diz Diz- Dizziness Dizziness is due to hardening of the arteries to the internal ear or to the nerves supplying it Most of the symptoms are due to hardening of the arteries which is not the cause of the high blood pressure even though it IS is more marked in those who have it it Condition Often Found High blood pressures are almost invariably found in the course of routine physical examinations for insurance or for periodic health audits or when the patient has con con- consulted consulted consulted the doctor because he has hasa a cold indigestion or some other complaint that is not due to high blood pressure Not infrequently during the win win- winter winter winter ter months a patient who knows that he has a high blood pressure will consult his physician saying that he heis heis heis is not feeling at all well and is sure his pressure must be way up This usually happens after a sudden and rather extreme change in weather when after a severe cold snap with high barometric readings there fol- fol follows fol fol- follows follows lows an unusually warm spell with low barometric pressures The pa pa- patients patient's patients patient's patients patient's tient's blood pressure is probably much lower than it usually is If he had come in when he was feeling good during the sunny cold snap it might have been higher Such rapid changes in weather may cause serious seri seri- serious serious ous falls in pressure for at such times clots may form in the hardened hard hard- hardened hardened ened arteries of the brain or heart and cause strokes or coronary occlusions Under such circum circum- circumstances circumstances circumstances stances clots may also form in the arteries to the intestines or lower extremities Until more is known of the causes I of high blood pressure and of methods meth meth- methods methods for eliminating them treat treat- treatment treatment ment will not be satisfactory Treat Treat- Treatment Treatment Treatment ment directed only at lowering the blood pressure may often do more harm than good The blood pres pres- pressure pressure pressure sure is high to give a normal cir cir- circulation cir cir- circulation circulation in the presence of a a dis dis- disease disease dis- dis disease ease that causes a narrowing of the smaller arteries due to spasm or thickening of their linings An in- in individual in in- individual individual who has a high blood pres pres- pressure pressure pressure sure must learn to live with it and to avoid anything that causes it tp rise or fall from its usual level Prom from the medical viewpoint all men women and children are like the contrary women of whom the comedian sang You never see two tico alike at any anyone one time and never see one alike twice QUESTION BOX Send questions to Dr Nathan S. S DavIs III WInnetka Ill Enclose lose ap D s addressed U-addressed stam sampe stamped envelope tak tak- taking taking taking Q What What would you suggest ing for for gaining weight during the winter months G. G B. B A. A Your A.-Your Your regular diet plus nourishment nour nour- nourishment nourishment such as milk and cream bread and butter butler between meals and at bed time sitting in a theater I 1 get a dry burning sensation in my throat Would nervousness be the cause of this I. I F. F A. A A. A Yes |