#lower salt intake

[lifechangingtips]

8 Tips for Healthy Eating

8 Essential Diet Tips for Healthy Eating: A Comprehensive Guide Unlocking Wellness: 8 Diet Tips for a Healthier Eating Lifestyle Revamp Your Diet: 8 Tips for Incorporating Healthy Eating Habits Q&A Wholesome consuming is a basic facet of sustaining total wellness and longevity. This introduction will present an summary of eight important ideas for wholesome consuming. The following pointers…

[a-very-fond-farewell]

hi, Niki here.

so, my health is a bit on the ??? side as I try to understand what is happening to my right arm and my blood pressure (rude! I’ve survived on low blood pressure my whole life, what is this high blood pressure nonsense now??) which makes it a bit difficult for me to wake up at 4.45am every day in order to write, since that’s the only time during the day I have for myself.

so.. I regret to inform y’all that.. (*shudders*) I need to take a break. from writing ;-; and possibly from tumblr. you can reach me on here or ao3 no problem, I’ll reply when I can. there will be no new posts under the #lamb loose liveblogging tag for a while, I’m sorry. I still plan to post a new chapter for my evilive fic by the beginning of April nonetheless but.. yeah, no fun times for a while me fears.

to anyone who marginally likes what I make I want to say: *-* thank u for sticking around, ily, I hope you find money on the ground every day, and I will come back to you with more things to share, don’t worry. in the meantime be safe ok?

🦞u!

~Niki out!

[tj-crochets]

I gotta say on the one hand it's kind of frustrating that I can't get diagnosis or treatment for my symptoms disease*, and on the other hand it's more than a little funny that the medication that just so happens to treat my symptoms disease** is also the medication given to me by doctors for asthma or allergy flareups. Also, the medication that's been like "doesn't fix it completely but sure as hell helps a LOT" was not actually prescribed for my endocrine issue! It was prescribed for salt wasting syndrome, a thing that is not actually a diagnosis (because two opposite things are called that)*** I am not a medical professional do not take any of this as medical advice, I'm just venting

*aka whatever is wrong with my endocrine system. I don't have an official diagnosis, just many different specialists going "yeah that's...not supposed to happen. Sounds like something is wrong with your endocrine system and it might be autoimmune" **corticosteroids ***there are two things that can be called salt wasting syndrome: cerebral salt wasting syndrome, and SIADH. From what I've heard from various doctors, the treatment for the two things are pretty much the complete opposite, even though the symptoms present the same.

[300iqprower]

No offense to bitterrose but this is the same Nasu who does what he wants regarding fate. Also people have been making these jokes about him since the early 2000s. It started with Kiara specifically because Nasu made her so overtly horny and sexualized everyone said oh he's scared of women who are confident in themselves and sexually confident in themselves. Also, when you think about when almost every female character in fgo is either shy, meek or introverted maybe the jokes are right.

i mean i feel like "Nasu has an explicit fear of women that permeates every single thing he's written" and "Goetia was a well written villain" are statements that can coexist. It's not binary by any means, nor is FGO's female character roster. But i've learned better than to actually go in detail on how FGO draws a direct correlation between independence in women and original sin.

[suchaspookyginger]

so my increased heart rate isn't enough to be pots, apparently

this feels like the time i learned i officially have no allergies and that my sinuses are just whack

the changes in my diet have helped, regardless, so i'm going to be mostly sticking to it at least

[springtomorrowfoodtravel]

(via How to Reduce Sodium Intake While Dining Out)

Eating out has become a regular part of our lives, a cherished escape from the kitchen or a delightful indulgence in the company of friends and family. It’s an opportunity to explore new flavours, savour culinary creations, and relax without the worry of dishes piling up in the sink. But there’s a sneaky villain lurking on those restaurant menus, ready to sabotage your health journey: high sodium intake. Excessive sodium consumption has been linked to a range of health problems, including hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. But fret not! We’re here to guide you through the art of enjoying restaurant meals while keeping your sodium intake in check.

[sminiac]

hii can u write something for p1harmony members and how they act when they’re jealous? whenever ur free no rush of course thank u ^^

💌 — Hi sweets! I love this concept, I gotchu <3

⋆ Y. Keeho

He’s definitely comfortable in his own skin so he wouldn’t doubt for a second that someone else couldn’t snatch you up. Being the one to raise your standards by miles, years even, he’d be so offended… on your behalf, because no way is someone else getting your number with such weak game, the type to walk up to you when he picks up on what’s going on, his hand sliding it’s way to your lower back, “Mm- you should ask for her instagram instead, Snapchat these days is a little childish, right baby?”

When he’s jealous and you’re clearly not entertaining it nor instigating then he’s absolutely not going to be out for your throat, it’s the person pursuing you that should be worried. Purposely makes himself taller, bigger, probably even lets his voice drop a few octaves with direct and unwavering eye contact. He’s just so ‘mineminemine’ that suddenly he couldn’t care less about attracting the attention of any surrounding eyes.

It’s absolutely different when he sees you’re doing it on purpose, he knows right away that you’re just trying to rile him up, and fuck does it work. But through all of this I could only name one thing I’d see him doing, and that’s smirking, watching you with an entertained expression on his face that you know explains: “Keep going.” Because just wait and see what he’ll do when he’s got you alone.

Remainder of members under the cut!

⋆ C. Taeyang

Sassy, but he does it in a humorous manner, like he’s so “You want me to pass the salt? Mm.. I don’t know, are you sure you don’t want your other boyfriend to?” And the encounter would literally be from so long ago you don’t even remember it off the top of your head. Theo would also be someone who doesn’t take things directly to heart so quickly, so for the most part he’s only bringing up the encounter for a laugh, because I mean… he’s Theo.

He’d be more offended if someone wasn’t complimenting you, he takes your compliments as his own in a way. The person isn’t talking about how pretty your eyes are? He’s immediately pointing it out like someone kind of cliche TV game show, probably even makes the incorrect buzzer noise like “Eeeeh! Next feature, maybe try her lips? Or even her hair?” But when the compliments start getting a little too good then it’s suddenly not so funny and he wants to leave asap. If he could, he’d have it so no one else could admire you the way he can, because even the thought of it has him tweaking.

⋆ C. Jiung

The most open and communicative out of all of them. If the flirting is a little too serious, even touchy in the slightest he’ll admittedly have to walk away for a little while, but he’d take the time to explain to you why he needs a minute to himself. When he’s ready he doesn’t approach you with any biting accusations or a hostile edge to his voice, he’s so calm and responsive, the sour taste in his mouth still slowly easing away but he perseveres through it and any negative notions about the situation.

Once you fully explain to him what happened on your end he’s very understanding, even laughs a little if you admit you had no idea that what just happened was flirting. Calls you cute with a grin on his face as he rubs at the back of your hand.

“My sweet, clueless girl.” Kisses you in a way that speaks for itself.

⋆ H. Intak

I think initially he’d be very hesitant about vocalizing his feelings in fear of being laughed at, but you manage to work through it with lots of physical affection and reassurance! Once he’s settled he’s so. Loud. Like- y’all know how loud this man can be? He’s absolutely gonna be yelling his pretty head off if he sees something he doesn’t like. “What’s this?! What is he saying? That’s craaazy!” He’d love to embarrass the fuck out of someone if they dared come up to you trying to be all suave.

With this hopefully no one ever touches you in a way you didn’t permit because he’s also the most likely to start throwing punches without a mind for the repercussions.

He’s so confident that you wouldn’t start something with someone else that his immediate reaction is to always make fun of the person who tries to pursue you, becomes incredibly touchy and he makes sure that it’s perceivable. When he’s got you alone he’s so clingy, keeps contact with you in anyway possible, not afraid to start whining and complaining aloud with a pout whenever you pull away for even a second, “I wish my girlfriend wanted to hug me, especially after I saved her from being hit on by a creepy guy with a horrendous outfit on!”

⋆ H. Shota

Such a bitter person dealing with jealousy, it sneaks up on him easier than he can fully comprehend, leading the nasty feelings to fester into outwardly targeted spite nipped through laughter and teasing, like: “You look really good, you know who else thinks you’re pretty…?” He’d try to entertain it as him just being funny, but you can see the way his smile curls into a soft grimace at the thought of another person trying to hit on you.

You’d probably notice his discomfort before he does. Going out of his way to make as much contact with you as possible, the tips of his fingers creeping under your shirt around your waist/stomach, making the hand holding incredibly unavoidable from anyone’s eye, and if its really getting to him he’d start coming up really close to your ear just to talk to you, pushing your hair back, smiling through his words at the warmth you’re engulfed in by his closeness.

When it’s just the two of you his personality does a complete switch, he’s quiet, distant. Just needs time to think over why exactly he’s feeling this way. He usually comes to the conclusion that it’s in fact not that deep and reverts back to his normal self, it’s a paced transition but by the end of it he’s completely normal, maybe a little more affectionate but there’s never any sour notes strung in the air. He’s not confident in a lot of things, but one of them is that he knows he has you, I think it would be incredibly hard to not show the extent you’d go to for his love and time, and it’s very reassuring and stabilizing.

⋆ K. Jongseob

He would pretend to be nonchalant about seeing another guy who was clearly, very painfully and obviously into you + making horrible attempts at flirting, he’s no stranger to the eye contact, the excessive amount of times he’s said your name in his sentences, the fleeting touches- because that’s literally how he managed to snag you! How dare someone else try to pull the same moves?

His answers would be short anytime you ask him something after the horrendous loss at getting even so much as your number, his attention caught by whatever game he’s playing, refusing to look away from the small screen. Usually his intense focus would be something you’d brush off, but he wouldn’t so much as carry a conversation with you, he’d cut it short as fast as he could, choosing to instead sink further into his own jealousy, because if he looks at you now he knows all of his efforts will be in vain.

When he’s ready to stop pouting he’d silently decide to put aside his game, making his way to you, your arms, cuddling into your chest, his eyelids flickering shut as he explains that: “I didn’t like the way he was interacting with you, made me upset seeing someone else touch you the way I do.” The tender kisses pressed into his forehead as he explains to you the reason why he was ignoring you make his once tense body slacken, he’d be vocal whilst simultaneously figuring out his feelings, appreciative of your guidance and understanding, the validation of his feelings. Just wants to be held and loved on, keeps extending his neck out every time your kisses come to a stop, “Jus’ one more, then I’ll know you love me for real.” He’d say with the most unserious tone ever, a grin on his face that highlights his cute canine tooth that pokes into his lip.

ᰔ sminiac’s P1Harmony M.list

[genderqueerdykes]

Feminizing HRT Overview, Guide & Information for All People Seeking It

we also have a version of this post for testosterone/masculinizing HRT as well. we wanted to write a companion piece as many folks have asked about this. it has take a bit of time, but here we are!

The testosterone HRT post is here.

Getting Your Prescription

To start taking estrogen, you will need to find a general practitioner, family doctor, endocrinologist or informed consent clinic where you can discuss gender affirming care with knowledgeable staff. Planned Parenthood is a good option for many trans people in general. Your mental health may also be evaluated, and your heart health and screening for a few other health conditions, as well as having access to your family health history if possible will be required.

Check to see if you have medical insurance, either through your family, your job, or if you are low income, a program like medicaid. Search for low income insurance plans in your area if it is needed, many places offer insurance plans for those who can't afford care on their own.

Here is a map of informed consent HRT clinics in the US.

You will discuss any gender dysphoria, gender presentation needs, if you have a support network, how you are impacted by your gender in your every day life with your provider and so on before being given a prescription. You will only be given a prescription after you discuss the risks of HRT and are screened for possible health problems and diseases or ways your body could react negatively to HRT. If you have needle trauma or phobias and can't inject hormones, it's best to bring it up before you get your prescription to save time and confusion.

The Medications

Treatment typically starts with spironolactone (aldactone), an anti-androgen that blocks androgen receptors ("male" sex hormones) for a few weeks, and then add estrogen, but many folks start with spiro and estrogen at the same time. Spiro will lower the amount of testosterone your body makes. For some people, spiro isn't necessary at all!

Some forms of spironolactone are reported to make folks pee like crazy, others do not have as bad of a time with it. Your mileage will vary depending on manufacturer. Spironolactone is intended to be a blood pressure medication, meaning it is a diuretic and is intended to help your body flush out fluids + salt. You will need to keep yourself hydrated if you notice this effect, as well as increasing electrolyte intake where possible.

Estrogen also lowers how much testosterone your body makes, and triggers changes in the body that occur during puberty in afab & adjacent people. Estrogen can be taken several ways, and is usually taken daily, and several times a day. You can take it in a pill or shot, and several forms of estrogen that can be applied to the skin like creams, gels and patches.

Make sure you thoroughly sanitize the skin of any injection sites or areas you will be applying gel or patches. If you are given topical estrogen, make sure you wash your hands after application and do not have someone else apply it for you. Make sure you do not go swimming or shower within several hours of application to make sure your skin absorbs the hormone.

You may not need to take anti androgens if you are doing estrogen injections, depending on how effective the estrogen injections are for you. Some people may not end up needing anti-androgens at all, and may be able to skip that entirely as spiro has unwanted side effects. Your natural hormone levels will dictate whether or not it's necessary, but it is not necessary for everyone.

You may end up being recommended to switch from one form of estrogen to another as your transition progresses, depending on how your body responds.

It's recommended to not take estrogen as a pill if you have personal/family history of blood clots in a deep vein or in lungs (venous thrombosis).

Some people also end up taking progesterone as well alongside estrogen. Progesterone is typically taken to encourage breast tissue growth, as this is the most prominent effect of the hormone. If sufficient breast tissue growth isn't seen from estrogen alone, progesterone can be added to your regimen, though this is only done later on into treatment, around a year or so in.

If you choose injectable estrogen, make sure to listen to your provider and ask for instructions about how to use needles and syringes, as well as injection angles, how and where you'll be injecting. Do not inject in the exact same spot every time, this can prevent the issue from healing properly and create scar tissue or cause infections or skin tissue necrosis (death). You also need a sharps container to safely dispose of your needle tips. Never re-use a needle, even if it was used previously on yourself. Always ask the pharmacy if you need more needles. A lot of places let you get them in bulk.

If you are going the injection route, make sure you know whether or not you are instructed to do intramuscular or subcutaneous injections. Intramuscular injections usually taper out of the system more quickly and need to be done more frequently, where as many patients find subcutaneous injections less painful and easier as they can be done less frequently.

For more information on safe intramuscular or subcutaneous injection for estrogen, please read here.

Another option for feminizing HRT is to take gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) analogs. They lower the amount of testosterone your body makes and may allow you to take lower doses of estrogen without using Spiro. Gn-RH analogs are usually more expensive, but are an option if for whatever reason the conventional route can't work for you.

DON'T GIVE UP IF YOU DON'T SEE THE EFFECTS YOU WANT TO SEE RIGHT AWAY! Many of them can take a long time to develop, often times patience is the key. If you wait it out and still don't see the results you'd like, you can try another route. Don't give up, a lot of people get deterred in the early stage of transition, you'll get there with patience and communication.

Stay patient, stay positive!

What to Expect from Feminizing HRT

Less facial and body hair growth: typically happens 6 - 12 months after treatment starts. Full effects within ~3 years on average.

Slower scalp hair loss: begins 1 - 3 moths after treatment begins. Full effect between 1 - 2 years on average.

Softer, less oily skin, and changes in general skin texture: 3 - 6 months after treatment starts, full effects within 2 - 3 years on average

Rounder, softer features including face and body, and more body fat: 3 - 6 months after treatment starts, full effects in 2 - 5 years.

Breast development: begins 3 - 6 months after treatment starts, full effects within 2 - 5 years on average or more, according to medical studies, but it can vary wildly from person to person, give dosage and hormones taken. If desired effects are not seen, progesterone can be taken alongside estrogen to help after around one year on estrogen. When breast growth begins, it starts with hard lumps under the nipples along with some soreness and itchiness. Some have sore breasts for a long time, and some may get scared and think they have cancer during this stage. Breasts will be swollen and tender for good while, and nipples may be especially sensitive to even light touch.

Reduced muscle mass/density: 3 - 6 months after treatment starts, full effect in 1 - 2 years on average

Potential decrease in libido if on estrogen alone, though not guaranteed: If it happens, it's generally within 1 - 3 months in and can last a while, but may even out over time

Fewer erections, decreased ejaculate volume, and erections that can become painful or uncomfortable if frequent erections are not maintained. This begins 1 - 3 months after treatment starts, and the full effect is within 3 - 6 months. Regularly maintaining erections and frequent ejaculation can ease some of these uncomfortable feelings in some people.

Changes in how orgasms feel, changes in texture and degree of sensation of penis and scrotum skin as well as changes in body odor: typically begins within 3 - 6 months, though it varies from person to person. Often times the way one's body responds to orgasms completely changes, many people find themselves experiencing full-body orgasms and more intense erogenous zones elsewhere in the body other than the genitals.

Smaller testicles, or testicular atrophy happens within 3 - 6 months and the full effects are usually seen within 2 - 3 years.

Increase in size of bladder and decrease in size of prostate over time which can lead to making one's gspot harder to find, and make prostate examinations more difficult, though they are still vital, as prostate cancer is still a possible factor.

Potential mood fluctuations while adjusting to the hormones, many report increased crying and sadness during the first 3 - 6 months with this tapering off after a full year at most.

Increased fatigue while adjusting to the hormones, sleepiness and becoming easily exhausted are common reports. This can vary drastically from person to person, ymmv.

If you have testicles and choose to have them removed, you may need to take testosterone as well as estrogen in order to have a healthy endocrine system. You will need to discuss the effects of this with your specialists if you want to go this route. If your androgen levels get too low because your body cannot synthesize enough testosterone after bottom surgery, you may need additional medication.

Potential infertility, though this is not a guarantee, and safe sex should still be practiced at all times. No timeline projected though the longer one is on E the more likely it becomes.

Monthly cycles akin to menstrual cycles: these are not present in everyone, but many people report entering a cycle of extreme fatigue, body aches, abdominal cramping in the approximate area where a uterus would sit, headaches, and more for around the duration of a menstrual cycle (4 - 10 days on average).

Progesterone inversely to estrogen can cause an increase in libido in most who take it, and is the primary hormone used for breast growth. Lactation may also occur while taking prog, if this happens, talk to your doctor right away.

Keep track of your progress when and where you are able, and don't be afraid to bring up any concerns you may have with your professionals or trans friends, or any other trans resource. Your transition is in your hands and you're allowed to modify it as you see fit. If you do not see the effects you want from traditional HRT, you may be able to seek the Gn-RH route, and if you aren't seeing the results you want from just estrogen, progesterone might be of use to you.

You will need to keep an eye on your bone health as high levels of estrogens can increase your chance to develop osteoporosis, and potential new cancers like breast cancer may arise, as well as heart problems. Getting checkups as frequently as possible and communicating with your doctor/s will be of great use when and where possible

Either way, we hope this helps in some way! We will add to it as we find/think of more information. Good luck to everyone seeking feminizing HRT, you deserve to look and feel like yourselves!

[pierrotdoesnteat]

NUTRITION JOURNALS: VITAMINS (PT 1/2)

HOW MANY VITAMINS ARE THERE?

- there are thirteen (13) essential vitamins; vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pathogenic acid (B5), biotin (B7), and folate (B9). these are the ones i'll focus on in this past, and it will be a longer post.

WHAT IS VITAMIN A?

- vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that supports your immune system, vision, reproductive health, and fetal growth. there are two forms of vitamin A; preformed vitamin A which are found in things like dairy, liver, and fish, and provitamin A carotenoids which can be found in fruits, vegetables, and oils. - The recommended daily amount of vitamin A is 900 micrograms (mcg) for adult men and 700 mcg for adult women.

WHAT IS VITAMIN B6?

- vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is important for normal brain development and for keeping the nervous system and immune system healthy. Food sources of vitamin B6 include poultry, fish, potatoes, chickpeas, bananas and fortified cereals. - vitamin B6 has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and helps your body to make DNA, hemoglobin, and neurotransmitters. - in addition to low iron, low vitamin B6 has been linked to anemia, which i dont imagine i need to tell yall is incredibly common in disordered people. - because B6 is connected to neurotransmitters, it can help regulate mood and even aid sleep. One study showed that higher vitamin B6 intake is associated with lower depression and anxiety risk in females, but not males. - vitamin B6 also helps your body maintain normal levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that helps to build proteins. - vitamin B6 supplementation specifically has been shown to improve body composition – your ratio of lean muscle to fat. it has also been linked with higher muscle mass and lower body fat levels. in particular, vitamin B6 supplementation has been linked to lower-body weight loss, with a reduced amount of fat across the hips and waist.

WHAT IS VITAMIN B12?

- vitamin B-12 (cobalamin) plays an essential role in red blood cell formation, cell metabolism, nerve function and the production of DNA, the molecules inside cells that carry genetic information. - sources of vitamin B-12 include poultry, meat, fish and dairy products. Vitamin B-12 is also added to some foods, such as fortified breakfast cereals, and is available as an oral supplement. - some studies suggest that vitamin B12 could affect body fat and metabolism. one review concluded that vitamin B12 plays a key role in fat metabolism, noting that a deficiency could be linked to increased fat accumulation and obesity. take this with a grain of salt, though, because there is limited research on the topic. - vitamin B12 plays a role in serotonin production, so a deficiency may be connected with clinical depression. this may feel irrelevant, but your physical and mental health are really complexly connected. taking care of one can help improve the other.

WHAT IS VITAMIN C?

- vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a nutrient your body needs to form blood vessels, cartilage, muscle and collagen in bones. vitamin C is also vital to your body's healing process. additionally, it is an antioxidant that helps protect your cells against the effects of free radicals- molecules produced when your body breaks down food or is exposed to tobacco smoke and radiation from the sun, x-rays or other sources. - vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, berries, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli and spinach. - vitamin C helps your body to absorb iron in foods like beans and spinach, who's bio-availability is lower. - although vitamin C doesn't necessarily cause weight loss, it seems to be related to body weight. getting sufficient amounts of vitamin C increases body fat oxidation during moderate-intensity exercise. - another critical function of vitamin C is synthesizing carnitine, which transports long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria that produce energy.

WHAT IS VITAMIN D?

- there are different forms of vitamin D, including ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). vitamin D is found in fish, eggs, and fortified milk. It's also made in the skin when exposed to sunlight. during periods of sunlight, vitamin D is stored in fat and then released when sunlight is not available. - your body can only absorb calcium, the primary component of bone, when vitamin D is present. Vitamin D also regulates many other cellular functions in your body. Its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuro-protective properties support immune health, muscle function and brain cell activity. - vitamin D might play an important role in regulating mood and decreasing the risk of depression, and some studies suggest there may be a link between vitamin D and obesity, though more research is needed to verify this.

WHAT IS VITAMIN E?

- vitamin E is a nutrient that's important to vision, reproduction, and the health of your blood, brain and skin. vitamin E deficiency can cause nerve pain (neuropathy). - foods rich in vitamin E include canola oil, olive oil, margarine, almonds and peanuts. You can also get vitamin E from meats, dairy, leafy greens and fortified cereals. - getting enough vitamin E may help prevent oxidative stress and cellular damage. oxidative stress occurs when there’s an imbalance between your body’s antioxidant defenses and the production and accumulation of compounds called reactive oxygen species (ROS). this can lead to cellular damage and increased disease risk.

WHAT IS VITAMIN K?

- vitamin K is actually a group of compounds, with the most important ones being vitamin K1 and vitamin K2. vitamin K1 is obtained from leafy greens and some other vegetables. vitamin K2 is a group of compounds largely obtained from meats, cheeses, and eggs and synthesized by bacteria. - vitamin K's key role is to help heal injuries through blood clotting and strengthen bones by making four proteins among the 13 that are needed for blood clotting (coagulation) and osteocalcin.

[ineffectualdemon]

So I've had a particular aspect of my regular blood test for methotrexate come back hinky

One of the tests for kidney function was off

So I had to have another blood test a month later

That also came back too high, even higher then the last time so I had to have another one Monday

Now they did warn me that it could be due to dehydration but that made no sense to me because I was drinking loads before the tests

Then I remembered a post reminding people they need electrolytes as well and started upping my salt intake

I don't tend to have a ton of salt day to do day anyway

So I did that and not only did that last blood test come back lower (still high but no longer concerning) but I stopped having constant headaches

So it wasn't my fluid intake it was my sodium intake

[babeilovemonsters]

It's incredibly rare for me to post twice in one day, but I can't get merfolk out of my head. This one is more self indulgent, but I still hope you enjoy!

You just love to collect seaglass and rocks. Who doesn't? Seaglass is so, so pretty, and soft, the result of something ugly and dangerous becoming delicate and smooth, while every single stone and rock is completely unique, with it's own story to whisper in your ear, as gentle as the lapping waves.

But the beach is connected to one of the most vast biomes known to us. Few people truly know what goes on in that place. What lurks beneath the surface, cleverly dodging our eyes and avoiding our traps. Yet from time to time, something is bound to slip up. Sometimes as small as a scale, and sometimes as big as a whale. Today, you found that something. A mer.

They were nothing like what you were maybe expecting. You'd heard tales of perfect, pale skinned models, with the lower bodies of beautiful fish. This merfolk was nothing like that. Their skin a dark green, like seaweed, with bumps and scrapes, freckles and spots. Their tail was a nice red, and looked to mimic the appearance of a red snapper in both colouration and shape. They were fairly small, only around 4ft long, and thick, with a soft, round belly and chubby arms. Their hair was a darker shade of green than their skin, but didn't look at all like hair, moreso like the tendrils of a jellyfish. They were... beautiful.

You weren't sure what to do exactly. It's not like this had ever happened to you before. It was barely out of sight of the public beach, half in the water, half out, bleeding out from several deep wounds all over their body. If you left them here, they'd likely die. But if they were a siren, they could kill you soon after rescue. You thought about it for a while, not even sure if they were still alive, before jumping back as they let out a sudden gasp. They appeared to be able to breathe air at least, blessed with both lungs and gills, so that's one less problem.

You decide to do the selfless thing, and gently wrap the mer in your beach towel, leaving room for them to breathe, but making sure to cover them from the masses. You hurry back home as quick as possible, checking for their pulse every now and then to make sure they're still kicking. Metaphorically speaking. Once home, you head straight to the bathroom, turning on the bathtub tap and carefully placing them inside, tending to their wounds as the tub slowly fills. You remember salt water fish can't really breathe in fresh water, so you just hope the air is enough intake for them, and leave to let them heal in peace.

In all honesty, you nearly forget about them. It isn't until a few hours later when you hear water splashing from the bathroom that you're hit with a sudden realisation. You quickly hurry to the bathroom, only to find your little catch very much awake, thrashing and panicking at the strange environment. You attempt to coax them down, but alerting them to your presence only startles them more, as they breach the water's surface, snarling like a feral animal, baring their jagged shark-like teeth. Their bold yellow eyes stare daggers into you, unblinking.

You take a few steps back out of the bathroom, holding up your hands in surrender. You speak gently, in the softest way possible, just hoping they can understand English. They don't back down at first, but eventually, they grow fatigued from their injuries, seeming to just give up and accept your words of reassurance. Worst case scenario to them, you eat them and their pain ends. But of course, you don't do that. You sit with them, trying to encourage them to talk back.

They certainly seem to understand, as they respond to your questions with a tired nod or head shake, but they only ever verbally respond with little chirps and growls. You realise they may not have the same vocal chords as you do. Shit. Scratch that plan. You then turn to sign, telling them how to sign certain things. They barely pay attention at first, but eventually begin to cooperate, copying your signs. Your praise seems to surprise them at first, like they don't fully get why it's a big deal, but by the early hours of the morning, you've taught them basic phrases and letters, and they've started to take this praise as something to work towards.

Of course you aren't immune to sleep, so after ordering some foods containing shrimp and seaweed from your local Chinese restaurant for them, you go to bed.

This routine keeps up for a while. You get some actual fish for them to eat, not just takeout, and try teaching them more sign, to make communication much easier. As the days turn into weeks, they begin to heal, until eventually, they're well enough to go back out there. Still not fully recovered, but no longer bleeding, and now strong enough to brace the waters.

You wait for nighttime before daring to take them back to the beach, and duck down in a small cove to release them. They dart off at first, leaving you a bit sad, as they didn't seem to bother saying goodbye. But they soon return before you can sulk off back home, offering you a fish they had caught in their jaws. You politely decline, but tell them you'd love to see them again, and teach them more sign.

And so you do. Nearly every day, you duck down in your little cove, and meet your fast healing friend, to catch up and Google new things to sign together. It becomes routine for you now. The mer even begins to bring you rocks, shells and seaglass every time you visit. You think nothing of it, of course. They're just being nice! Until one day, they get visibly fed up with this part of the routine, and use whatever signing knowledge they have to ask why you keep taking the gifts without accepting the request.

Request? You weren't aware. Was this gift giving actually a ritual in mer culture? You apologise profusely, asking what their request was, and offering to give back what they'd given. They decline that offer, but finally clarify, that's how merfolk request a partnership. They had been trying to court you for little over a month, and you hadn't noticed.

You at first decline, unsure if that's morally acceptable. But... you give it some thought. Actually, why would that be so bad? They're sweet, and cute. And you've always been a bit of a monsterfucker. Surely it's worth a shot!

... right?

Part 2 is in the comments now.

[macgyvermedical]

Read one of your posts, if salt drys you out why would you intake both salt and water to be hydrated? Unless its about the minerals?

A lot of things in the human body rely on small charges of electricity to work. These charges come from the elements sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and a few others. When dissolved in water, these elements become charged either positively or negatively, and create the voltage necessary for the body to do important things like send signals via nerves and coordinate the heart's beat.

The kidneys and endocrine system are responsible for making sure there is the right amount of these elements, called electrolytes, in the blood and tissues of the body. There are methods the body can use to excrete excess electrolytes or conserve scarce ones.

If you sweat heavily or have vomiting or diarrhea, you lose electrolytes. Some of them can be conserved by excreting less of them in urine, and some can be pulled out of bone, which acts as a reservoir. But there comes a point where these measures no longer work, and you have to get electrolytes from dietary sources.

The main electrolytes excreted in sweat and diarrhea are sodium and potassium, which is why sports drinks have a lot of sodium and potassium in them. Vomiting causes a lowered amount of sodium and potassium as well, but also chloride and bicarbonate. This can cause problems not only from the electrolyte loss, but in severe cases it can dangerously change the pH of the blood as well.

[aelianated-star]

Buckle up folks because this is a long post -

Tips for newly diagnosed dysautonomia patients:

- Drink a lot of water (so much water guys. Especially if you have hypovolemic types of dysautonomia, like hypovolemic POTS, it’s crucial)

- Keep up with electrolytes/ salt intake. Vitassium makes salt pills, chews, and tablets. I personally prefer the tablets because I can just suck on them for a while, but I know a few people who prefer the pills.

- Compression socks help, A LOT! One major component of dysautonomia, in general, is blood pooling (which can greatly increase your risk of fainting). The compression/construction helps blood flow and return back to your heart and brain

- Your disability(s) are valid, even if you don’t pass out/pass out a lot!! Only about 1/3 of people with POTS (one of the most common types of dysautonomia) pass out! And of those, few pass out regularly/daily (such as myself). No matter what, you are valid! Even if you’re undiagnosed, even if your case is “mild”, even if you manage it well without much help; you’re valid!

- Especially for those of you who are just being introduced to disability (likely because of long COVID), it’s okay to grieve the life you used to have/planned to have. You can live a wonderful, full life with these conditions (and other conditions), it just may require more accommodations than you anticipated!

- DONT BE AFRAID TO ACCOMODATE YOURSELF! Seriously, use mobility aids, get a 504/IEP, and make your space(s) accessible to yourself! I use forearm crutches for short distances, but because of how severe my dysautonomia is, I’m reliant on a wheelchair (with someone pushing me/motorized aid) to go more than a couple hundred feet/longer (or anything that requires standing for more than 5-10 minutes).

- Get a pulse oximeter or watch! Certain types of dysautonomia may cause lowered oxygen (hypoxia) because of a lack of available blood. It’s extremely important to monitor this and make sure you’re aware of your oxygen levels!

- Find community! I personally love using “stuff that works”. It not only lets you crowdsource for information about medications or treatments, but lets you message other people with the same condition(s) as you.

- If you feel like something is wrong, please talk to your doctor. I know it’s scary, especially if you have medical trauma/PTSD on top of these conditions, but it can literally be lifesaving. I noticed a sudden uptick in chest pain and casually mentioned it to my doctor. Sure enough, we found I have two types of arrhythmias (p-wave inversion and flutters) Now I’m pushing for genetic testing to see if my diagnosed EDS is vEDS/cvEDS

- Don’t be afraid to start and try medications! I’ve tried numerous medications and haven’t found anything that works quite right yet, but that doesn’t mean I won’t :). And some of you may not need medication! You may be able to manage with lifestyle changes, or IV therapy, which is great! Do what works FOR YOU. Everyone is different!

- Rest days are productive! Your body is working really hard to keep you alive, it’s okay to take a break! Take care of yourself, really, it’s okay to conserve spoons.

[breelandwalker]

Oh Here We Fucking Go....

Me: Okay, so I need one referral for a derm and one for ADHD meds.

Doc: Okay. In the meantime, your blood pressure's a little high and let's talk about your weight.

Me: .....I'm currently smack-dab in the middle of a move, a bereavement, a sick pet, and a mental health crisis. If my bp is high, it is likely because I am STRESSED lol.

Doctor: Yeah but still let's get you back in in a month for a bp check and talk about some weight loss goals. You need lower bp for the meds anyway.

Me: ....Fine.

One Month Later....

Me: -aces the bp check- I've been feeling better and things are calming down, so I'm way less stressed now. I cut my salt intake and added some daily fitness goals just in case.

Doctor: So let's talk about setting some weight loss numbers-....

Me: Wait, why are we talking about my weight? That's not what I came in for.

Doctor: Well you're forty now and your bp was high and you're over 225lbs, so you should really look into losing-....

Me: -not loudly, but firmly- I CAME HERE TO GET A MOLE REMOVED AND GET ON ADHD MEDS. NEITHER OF THESE HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH MY WEIGHT. CAN WE PLEASE FOCUS ON MY INITIAL CONCERNS. THANK YOU.

Doctor: Well geez, okay, no need to get upset....

Me: It is 930 in the morning and I'm missing work to be here, just to have you completely ignore my concerns about skin cancer and mental health in favor of focusing on the size of my ass. I will handle my weight on my own time and if I have further concerns that are directly related to a number on a scale, we can discuss them. In the meantime, can I PLEASE have the referrals I asked for LAST MONTH.

Doctor: ....I'll need to get you in next week, I honestly thought we were here to talk about your weight and your blood pressure.

Me: -Four Second Death Stare- I'd also like to be assigned to a different doctor for my next appointment.

[mariscandyheart]

Hi sorry to disturb you , but I need help and I don't whp to ask , so I've been restricting eating only 600 calories a day *MAXIMUM* , but I'm still not losing weight , I exercise too , i drink water , idk what else to do since I'm relatively new

since you said your new I didn't know if you meant to restricting in general or just new to the community, but anyways I would recommend if your new to up your cal intake. and I know it can be hard but your body will need to adjust before you start to lower your cals by alot, which could explain why your losing weight.

I would also note what kind of foods your eating and maybe that could also help to aid in weight loss.

obviously I'm not a health professional so it could be a number of other reasons so please take this with a grain of salt!

[yourgamemasterthewhiterabbit]

So to really oversimplify it, Calcium is what your body releases to signal your muscles and tissues to tense up, and Magnesium is what your body uses to tell your muscles and tissues to relax again.

An imbalance of these is BAD.

Too much or too little of either can stop your heart in extreme cases, and suddenly changing your serum/blood levels is particularly dangerous.

Part of why vitamin D is important but also why it's so fucked up supplements often contain magnitudes more than they claim they do, is because vitamin d so strongly impacts how much calcium -also iron- you will suddenly be absorbing from your food, which can trigger cardiac spasms [heart attacks with no clot].

This is why hard water causes muscle cramps and headaches, because it causes you to overdose on calcium, or alternately magnesium, depending on the hard water, location etc...

This is why "calcium channel blockers" relax heart muscle tension, lower your blood pressure and relax your muscles.

This is also why trying to relax your muscles more without lowering your blood pressure is fucking impossible. A problem for anyone with muscle tension but also low blood pressure. You literally cannot treat one without making the other a lot worse.

This is why magnesium supplements -IF YOU ARE DEFICIENT- can help with sleep, high blood pressure, pain and muscle tension.

This is also why -due to the physical feedback created by being physically unable to relax to your nervous system- magnesium can help with anxiety.

You need both for healthy bones too, btw, not just calcium supplements as you age.

Low calcium or too much magnesium can also cause slowed heart rate, missing heartbeats, dizziness, weakness and fatigue. HOWEVER, too much calcium can also cause skipped heartbeats and dizziness from a lack of proper circulation because your heart isn't relaxing enough between beats. Both are dangerous.

BOTH of these minerals can build up in your body and aren't like 'water soluble' nutrients in the body in the same way that vitamin C is for example where too much will just be flushed away, your body stores these bitches in your bones pretty obsessively, so it's a good idea to get your levels checked if you think supplementing either might help you. [Technically they are water soluble, but it's helpful to think of them as being like 'fat soluble' nutrients that your body will hold onto, just like, for bones and not fat... This is also why meat broth and meat in general is high in calcium, once life isn't holding the minerals in the bones it dissolves out into the meat.]

If you have problems with blood pressure, heart symptoms, tension or fatigue at all, it is a good idea to rule out low or high calcium or magnesium as a cause because it's a really simple thing to treat with supplements or dietary changes that doctors can't deny you once you have the information about your blood levels in your hands. You only need them to agree to check your levels here and there to make sure nothing is getting out of hand.

I'm not just saying "ask your doctor before supplementing" I am saying "Doctors are necessary idiots ask them to actually CHECK your blood levels before advising you on whether or not to supplement".

This is why I find it interesting that people with high blood pressure or chest pain or cardiac spasms are asked about their salt intake or told to avoid salt but aren't ever asked about their calcium intake. I'm kind of low-level pissed at all times that doctors don't check both of these mineral levels on a regular basis for everyone.

Having the right mineral levels, including these but also phosphorus and potassium and iron etc... has such a HUGE body-wide impact on things you would never guess they would impact so so badly, but they are like, the main components of the molecules your body uses to do everything, including like, signal nerves and move muscles. You use these things every time your heart beats and every time you breathe or have a thought, etc... They impact everything. Everything.

Hell a lot of lists of the minerals you need will straight up not even mention phosphorus, but your body uses phosphate groups to make ATP... You know, the molecule that is literally "energy" in your body at a cellular level. It is recommended that healthy adults get between 800 mg and 1,200 mg of phosphorus each day. And it's hard to source because most plant sources aren't bio-available unless you soak your grains [remember that trend of "activating" nuts and grains?... I like cokey-cola because is uses phosphoric acid in place of citric acid which gives it a dryer taste and helps my energy levels in ways not accounted for by the caffeine]. But also too much Phosphorus can pull calcium out of your bones and leave it free floating around your body to build up random places and cause problems!

Potassium is an important electrolyte in your BRAIN and without it you can't think critically and can be prone to all sorts of mental problems like confusion, depression, mental fatigue, running instinctively on autopilot and not engaging critically with ideas because you brain literally can't! Low Potassium makes you more susceptible to mental manipulation and lowers your defenses to negative thought patterns.

I know it can sound stupid and fake, but getting the nutrients you need really does impact your day to day health and specifically your energy levels and mood. Mineral deficiencies can cause depression, fatigue and anxiety and can make existing mental health problems so so much worse.

Kowing your micromineral levels is important! [I am sure trace minerals are important too but your body needs so little it's usually a lot harder to be deficient unless you have a very restricted diet or absorption issues].

Check your levels periodically with your doctor's help and make sure you keep them -not just- "in normal ranges" but have your doctor specify whether they are on the high or low end so you know where your wiggle room is to adjust accordingly depending on your symptoms and how those potentially reflect your personal body's needs. [ie: just because your iron isn't dangerously low doesn't mean supplementing it wouldn't help your energy levels, so long as you aren't getting too much, etc]

Btw this is also why starving yourself fucks you up. And it's why having a lot of food aversions gets tricky to manage. You need to eat. You need specific nutrients and not just calories [you need those too]. And by *need* I don't just mean you might feel slightly crappier in some vague abstract way, I mean you need it for your heart and brain to function correctly and for your muscles to move. [Your brain is you]