I was stunned upon hearing the sad news of actress Isabel Granada's sudden demise due to a brain aneurysm. She was a well-loved actress in the early 1980's and known for her long and thick eyelashes. She was 41. I thought she would recover because I can name few friends who are brain aneurysm survivors. After Isabel's death, an aneurysm awareness message circulated on social media. It says an aneurysm can be prevented if you will wash your lower extremities first before pouring water on your head. I also received a number of messages from my friends.

This is the message that I received from my friends:

    According to Dr. Kenny Seng of PGH, there is no scientific basis for this post. A brain aneurysm can not be base on symptoms and the only way to know that you have this is through MRI, CT scan, lumbar puncture, or angiography that focuses on the nerve cells.

What is a brain aneurysm:

    is a bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel in the brain. Most aneurysms remain small and are never diagnosed but some can leak or rupture that can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical help.

    There is​ ​no known cause of a brain aneurysm​. Isabel Granada was a fit and active woman who did exercise and also a player of volleyball but Doctor Seng has​ listed down some of the risk factors believe to contribute to the formation of​ ​a brain aneurysm​ and these are high blood pressure or hypertension, age 40 to 60 years old, person who smokes and with family history of a brain aneurysm​. In some cases, headaches, pain in the neck, blurred vision and speech​ change are often​ associated with a brain aneurysm. Some claims their "worst headache" experience when it ruptures.

PREVENTION

    Unfortunately we can not prevent brain aneurysm but we can lower the risk by NOT SMOKING and reducing high blood pressure.

HOW TO QUIT SMOKING

FIND YOUR REASON

    Have a personal reason to quit. In my previous post, I QUIT, my father's reason was to be with his grandchildren longer. It could be to protect your family from second-hand​ smoke. Any reason just to motivate you to stop. Look for it in you.

AVOID ALCOHOL AND THE TRIGGERS

    I smoked nearly a pack a day and it doubled if I drink. The moment I stopped drinking lessens​ my craving to smoke. Anger and stress tempt​ you to light a cigarette too. If this happens, divert your attention to work, talk it​ out with a friend, treat yourself to​ a soothing massage.

TRY AND TRY AGAIN

    You failed?Don't​ worry, you're not alone. Many people tried several times and failed. Use it as an opportunity to step up your commitment to quitting.

BE ACTIVE

    Walk with your dog or exercise with your friend to keep yourself busy. You will also notice that you breathe easier few days after you quit smoking. Enjoy that.

REWARD YOURSELF

    Imagine the money you save if you quit smoking. It is one of the perks of giving up cigarettes. I save 50 dollars monthly for quitting. We use it for​ booking a hotel for a day to relax.

HOW TO REDUCE BLOOD PRESSURE

EAT HEALTHY DIET

    Vegetables and fruits are your bestfriends. Cut down foods cooked in oil and limit salty foods.

EXERCISE REGULARLY

    Be active, have a brisk walk thrice a week. Taking regular exercise lowers blood pressure by keeping your heart and blood vessels in good condition.

CUT DOWN CAFFEINE

    There are other alternatives in your morning regime. You can have lemon and honey for the ​morning instead of tea and coffee.

MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT

    Shedding few pounds give a ​big impact on your blood pressure and overall health. Stay fit.

STOP SMOKING

    If you smoke and have high blood pressure, your arteries will narrow much more quickly. This is only one of the many health problems due to smoking.

GET A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP

    Try to have at​ least​ 6 hours of sleep every night. This is one of the reasons why my husband's blood pressure rises last year. No decent sleep because of our little one. By the time our son's sleep got better, my husband's blood pressure went back to normal too.

If you feel you fall into these categories of high risk, have yourself checked. Prevention is better than cure. Sadly for Miss Isabel Granada's untimely death, lives will never be the same for her loved ones she has​ left behind. Praying for her soul, and strength for her family.

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