Personal Energy Crisis? Try This Fix

Q: I recently went back to school (nursing school) and find that with the change in schedule and the stress of studying -- plus taking care of my family and living on a farm -- I'm tired all the time and feel bad about myself. Last summer, I was walking about 2 to 4 miles most days of the week, and now I can't fit it in. Can you give me some advice on how to fit exercise into my busy life?
-- Gail, Prairie Farm, WI

A: Before trying to do more, you need to think about doing less. True, exercise is energizing, and good long walks help your mood, but it's not a cure-all for a lack of sleep and having too much to do. You're in an energy crisis, so instead of squeezing exercise into an already crowded schedule, swap it for something else on your to-do list. Is there a chore you can delegate? Can you postpone some tasks or accept “good enough” instead of perfection?

If you don't feel better soon, ask your doctor to help you do some detective work, starting with some blood tests to rule out health issues like hormonal imbalances, anemia, or a low-grade infection. You shouldn't ignore fatigue for long -- you don't have to live with it or the bad feelings that hitchhike with it.

Q: I am trying to live a healthy lifestyle, though I know I could work harder on some things. My blood pressure is always 140/90. I've heard that if I start taking medicine to lower it, I'll have to stay on it for life. Is that true?
-- Anonymous

A: Most people who need medication to control their blood pressure do take it forever, but that's often because they don't make permanent changes in food choices and physical activity (or they may be unlucky, and their blood pressure just doesn't respond to lifestyle changes alone). If you take the pills AND start doing all the work you need to do (lose weight if you need to, burn off at least 3,500 calories a week, eat more potassium and less salt -- veggies and fruit fill this bill -- and manage stress, for starters), there's a 60% chance your doctor will need to lower the dosage of your medication, as long as your efforts lower your blood pressure and keep it there for a year. Yes, you may be one of the exceptional people who can stop taking blood pressure pills. Remember: Meds, food, and physical activity are like friends -- you'll love the company of some and have issues with others -- but keep trying new ones till you find those that make your life better. There's no compelling reason to abandon your friends if you need them; it's far healthier for you than going without.

Q: I recently found out I have a moderately sized hiatal hernia. I read that chiropractors have a massage technique that can help. Is that true?
-- Dee, Bluefield, WV

A: Some chiropractors believe they can correct a hiatal hernia, the problem where a little bit of your stomach protrudes through a hole in your diaphragm (that major muscle in your chest that pulls your lungs down when you breathe). This protrusion of your stomach allows acid to flow back into the esophagus, which creates heartburn for you. Chiropractors believe they can manipulate the stomach in a way that resolves the problem.

We're skeptical, since we haven't seen research confirming it. But what is confirmed is that you can get relief from feeling like someone is taking a lit match up and down your esophagus by taking drugs that reduce stomach acid and by eating smaller meals. Avoiding exercise for an hour or two after you eat helps, too. Since a hiatal hernia is really a structural problem, the only two permanent solutions are weight loss (the problem is usually solved when you get trim) or surgery to repair the tear and keep the esophagus, diaphragm, and stomach where they should be.