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| Author |
Message |
keesan
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Law salt cooking
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Nov 19 20:58 UTC 2006 |
My neighbor has high blood pressure and can't afford his blood-pressure
medications. We suggested he cook without salt, and fed him two microwaved
potatoes with olive oil as a starter. He likes cooking and will try other
suggestions. What could he flavor foods with instead of salt? He gets
heartburn from lemon juice, he says. He thought vinegar had salt in it..
We are offering a bread machine.
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| 17 responses total. |
nharmon
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response 1 of 17:
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Nov 19 21:19 UTC 2006 |
A low sodium diet will help. But I would add that potassium and vitamin
C are important dietary nutrients that people with hypertension need.
Also, hypertension is linked to obesity as the added body weight
constricts blood vessels and raises pressure.
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cmcgee
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response 2 of 17:
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Nov 20 03:18 UTC 2006 |
You need to know whether your neighbor has high blood pressure that responds
to salt intake. There are two kinds, and in one kind salt intake has no
effect on the blood pressure.
There are many salt substitutes, some of which are spices and herbs, and some
of which are potassium chloride. You really need a much more detailed data
set about blood chemistry to know what foods might help or harm. If there
is any insulin-resistance involved, bread is exactly the wrong thing to add
into his diet.
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keesan
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response 3 of 17:
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Nov 20 04:40 UTC 2006 |
He is also diabetic and should be taking medication for that too. He does
not understand these things. I am supposed to help get him info about his
new county health plan, whether it includes drugs. Anyone know?
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cmcgee
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response 4 of 17:
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Nov 20 15:18 UTC 2006 |
Diabetes is an insulin-related disease that is often treated by severely
limiting carbohydrate intake, including complex carbohydrates like whole
grains and beans that are not a problem for people with normal insulin
production.
His doctor really, really needs to give him guidance on the proper diet
measures to take.
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keesan
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response 5 of 17:
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Nov 20 15:58 UTC 2006 |
In the meantime, can anyone suggest what he might cook without salt, while
he waits for his new health card to arrive in 10 days, and I call to find out
if it covers blood-pressure medication?
He is not taking insulin, it is mild diabetes and I think he takes some sort
of pill for it. Sometimes he can't afford those either. I am trying to find
him work - does anyone want any yardwork, housecleaning, snow removal...?
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cmcgee
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response 6 of 17:
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Nov 21 16:13 UTC 2006 |
Sindi, check his medications. There are oral forms of insulin, and he may
be tryng to keep the balance by watching carb intake along with insulin.
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glenda
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response 7 of 17:
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Nov 22 04:58 UTC 2006 |
If he has mild diabetes he is probably supposed to be taking Metformin. We
pay $17.50 for 180 pills, a 90 day supply at 2/day (STeve takes 2/day, I take
1/day). That is below our prescription co-pay. I have heard rumors that
Kmart and WalMart do generic drugs at somewhat less than that.
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keesan
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response 8 of 17:
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Nov 22 05:14 UTC 2006 |
I just lent him $15 to fill a prescription of something for diabetes at
half-price (with his county health plan number), from Village Pharmacy (plus
$1 for the bus). Where do you get yours? He will be paid Friday and pay me
back then, instead of waiting until then to buy the drugs.
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glenda
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response 9 of 17:
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Nov 22 11:04 UTC 2006 |
Unfortunatley for him, we get ours at the Olin Health Center Pharmacy on the
MSU campus. That is why I brought up the possibility of Kmart or Walmart.
Meijer is also filling anti-biotic prescriptions for free.
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jadecat
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response 10 of 17:
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Nov 22 13:56 UTC 2006 |
resp:9 I thought the Meijer antibiotic thing was for children only?
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glenda
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response 11 of 17:
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Nov 23 08:55 UTC 2006 |
I am not sure, I didn't check on it. The sign that I saw on the door said
"Free Antibiotics", I didn't notice any qualifiers.
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cmcgee
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response 12 of 17:
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Nov 23 13:32 UTC 2006 |
It's for everyone. There's a list of 4-6 antibiotics that they will not
charge you for.
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