Welcome to May, the month when we celebrate National Asparagus Month, American Cheese Month, and International Drum Month.
How will YOU celebrate?
These may seem silly, and are, in fact, often made up by organizations to boost sales of this item or that. They are fun but have little impact on our lives (unless you are a dairy farmer or a concert drummer). But May is also National Blood Pressure Month, Bladder Cancer Awareness Month, Arthritis Awareness Month, Better Sleep Month, and Mental Health Awareness Month.
While there are no Hallmark cards for these celebrations, they are here for a reason – to remind us of serious health challenges or practices, and to remind us to get checked regularly for them. I, for one, feel every month is National Blood Pressure Month. Many of us with spinal cord injuries feel we are on a roller coaster of blood pressure readings. Often our doctors prescribe medications – to raise our pressure when we need it, or to lower it. If you have not had your blood pressure checked recently, this is the time to do so. If you are not already checking your own blood pressure periodically, I suggest you get a blood pressure monitor and start monitoring this important health indicator. The National Institutes of Health reports that each year, about 795,000 people in the United States have strokes, and of these, 137,000 die. When our spinal cords are injured, our body’s inner regulators just don’t work as well as most others’ do. So it is wise to consult the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation’s Paralysis Resource Guide to educate yourself on the dangers of high blood pressure and other cardiovascular health considerations.
Take time this May to engage and assess your own health. Spinal cord injury causes a greater risk of bladder problems, due to our lack of sensation or movement. And while moving around is a challenge for everyone, arthritis can further complicate movement for those with paralysis, especially as we get older.