Health Matters with Nurse Betsy

Health Matters with Nurse Betsy UK Registered Nurse | MSc International Public Health Candidate | Digital Health Creator | Health Education Consultant

🚨 Why all this mattersHigh blood pressure is called the silent killer because you may feel perfectly fine — while damage...
20/01/2026

🚨 Why all this matters

High blood pressure is called the silent killer because you may feel perfectly fine — while damage is happening quietly.

Knowing:
✔ How BP is checked
✔ When and how often to check it
✔ What the numbers mean

helps you:
✅ Ask informed questions
✅ Advocate for yourself
✅ Seek care early
✅ Prevent serious complications

🗣️ Know your numbers. Check correctly. Track the trend. Act early.

Blood pressure (BP) checks look simple.But how it’s done, when it’s checked, and how you interpret the numbers can compl...
20/01/2026

Blood pressure (BP) checks look simple.
But how it’s done, when it’s checked, and how you interpret the numbers can completely change what that reading means.

As a nurse, I often see people shocked when they’re told their BP is “high” — without realising that technique, timing, and context matter.

Let’s break it down 👇

🪑 How your blood pressure should be checked

For an accurate reading, you should be:
✔ Sitting upright
✔ Feet flat on the floor (not crossed)
✔ Back supported
✔ Resting quietly for at least 5 minutes

Talking, rushing in, standing, or lying awkwardly can falsely raise BP.

💪 The cuff matters

✔ It should sit on bare skin
✔ Be the correct size for your arm
✔ Be positioned at heart level

A cuff that’s too small can give a falsely high reading.

⏱️ Timing matters

BP should ideally be checked:
✔ Before caffeine or smoking
✔ Not immediately after exercise
✔ When you’re calm and relaxed

Stress alone can temporarily raise BP.

📌 One reading is not enough
A single high BP does not automatically mean hypertension. Good practice includes repeating readings and looking at trends — often at home.

⏰ When should you check your BP?

You should consider regular BP checks if you:
✔ Are 40 years and above
✔ Have a family history of high BP
✔ Are overweight, stressed, or inactive
✔ Have diabetes, kidney or heart disease
✔ Have symptoms like headaches, dizziness, palpitations or blurred vision

🕰️ Best times to check:
• Morning (before food or medication if possible)
• Evening
• After resting quietly

🏠 How often should you check BP at home?

🔹 No known BP issues:
✔ Once or twice a month

🔹 New diagnosis or medication changes:
✔ Twice daily for 7 days

🔹 Known, stable hypertension:
✔ 1–3 times per week (or as advised)

📖 Always record your readings — patterns matter more than one number.

🛒 Where should you get a BP machine?

Choose a validated upper-arm monitor.

✔ Pharmacies (Boots, Lloyds, Superdrug)
✔ Online retailers (Amazon, Argos)
✔ Manufacturer websites (e.g. Omron, Microlife)

💡 Wrist monitors are more sensitive to positioning and may be less accurate.

🇬🇧The First NHS Shock Many Nigerians Face — And How to Survive ItOne of the biggest shocks Nigerians experience after mo...
15/01/2026

🇬🇧The First NHS Shock Many Nigerians Face — And How to Survive It

One of the biggest shocks Nigerians experience after moving to the UK is not the weather…
It is the healthcare system 🏥

Back home, when you feel sick, you go straight to a hospital, pay, and see a doctor.
In the UK, the NHS does not work that way.

Many Nigerians arrive, feel unwell, and go straight to A&E 🚑
They wait for hours.
They are told, “This is not an emergency.”
They are sent home with painkillers.

They leave feeling unheard, confused, and frustrated.

As a UK-registered nurse, I see this every day.

The shock is this 👇

> In the NHS, the hospital is not your starting point — your GP is.

The NHS is built around primary care.
Your GP controls:
• Referrals
• Scans
• Specialist care
• Follow-up

Without a GP, people move between A&E, pharmacies, and walk-in centres while serious conditions quietly get worse.

So what should Nigerians (and other migrants) do?

📝 1. Register with a GP immediately
Do not wait until you’re sick. Register as soon as you have an address.

🔁 2. Use the system correctly
GP → Referral → Specialist → Hospital
That is how the NHS works.

📞 3. Use NHS 111
If you’re unsure where to go, call 111. They can guide you and even book urgent appointments.

What if your GP gives you a far-away appointment and your symptoms are getting worse?

Please don’t stay silent.

In the NHS, worsening symptoms = urgent review ⚠️

📞 Call your GP back and explain clearly that things have changed.
📅 Ask for a same-day or urgent appointment.
👩‍⚕️ Request a clinician call-back if no slots are available.
📞 Use NHS 111 — they can help override delays.
🚨 Go to A&E if you have chest pain, breathlessness, collapse, severe pain, weakness, or confusion.

And yes — you can complain if delays put your health at risk. That’s how the system improves.

One of the biggest mistakes migrants make

Many people think:
“I don’t want to disturb them.”
“I’ve already been seen.”
“I don’t want to look difficult.”

But the NHS doesn’t work on assumptions — it works on what you say 🗣️

If you’re given:
• Test results
• Leaflets
• A diagnosis
• Treatment

📖 Read them.
❓ Ask questions.

A 52-year-old African woman felt dizzy, tired and breathless for weeks.She had headaches. Her feet were swelling.She sai...
14/01/2026

A 52-year-old African woman felt dizzy, tired and breathless for weeks.
She had headaches. Her feet were swelling.

She said:
“I’ll just take paracetamol.”

She didn’t go to her GP.
She didn’t want to “claim” bad news.
She called a relative instead.
They said it was stress.

Two weeks later, she collapsed.
She had a minor stroke from dangerously high blood pressure.

This is not ignorance.
This is culture.

Many Africans are trained to:
• Normalise pain
• Endure discomfort
• Pray through symptoms
• Avoid bad news

So we wait.
We minimise.
We hope it will pass.

But disease does not wait.

High blood pressure, diabetes and cancer do their damage quietly — until it is too late.

If you are African and something in your body feels wrong, listen.
Early care saves lives.

Two months ago, I got my flu vaccine. Unlike some people who report feeling feverish or unwell afterwards, I felt nothin...
13/01/2026

Two months ago, I got my flu vaccine. Unlike some people who report feeling feverish or unwell afterwards, I felt nothing at all. 🙌 How about you? Have you gotten yours yet?

For many Nigerians living in the UK, winter brings more than just chilly days – it’s the season when flu and chest infections strike hard.

Why winter flu is common here:

🥶Cold weather plus indoor heating dries your nasal passages, making it easier for viruses to attack
👥Crowded public spaces like buses, trains, and offices spread germs fast
❄️Weakened immunity from travel, stress, and changes in diet can lower defenses

Early Symptoms of Flu to Watch Out For:

👀Fever or chills
👀Sore throat
👀Runny or stuffy nose
👀Body aches or fatigue
👀Persistent cough or headache

When to Escalate Early:

🚑High fever that doesn’t reduce
🚑Shortness of breath or chest pain
🚑Severe or worsening cough
🚑Symptoms that linger longer than a week

If these occur, contact your GP promptly or seek urgent care. Early attention can prevent a mild flu from turning into a serious chest infection.

Tips to Stay Safe This Winter:

1. Get your flu vaccine – it’s free for eligible adults on the NHS
2. Wash your hands often – avoid touching your face after public transport
3. Stay warm and layered – gloves, scarves, thermal socks
4. Boost immunity naturally – eat fruits and vegetables, stay hydrated, and get enough sleep
5. Limit indoor exposure to germs – ventilate rooms and avoid crowded areas if possible

Back home in Nigeria, a runny nose or mild cough isn’t usually a big deal. But here in the UK, these same symptoms can escalate quickly into serious chest infections, especially in winter. Let’s be smart – protect yourself and your family!

Does Flu Kill?

Yes, flu can be deadly, especially for:

⚠️Older adults
⚠️People with chronic illnesses
⚠️Pregnant women
⚠️Young children

Most healthy adults recover, but serious complications like pneumonia or worsening of chronic conditions can be life-threatening if ignored.

Holiness isn't musty 😅 — sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is wear deodorant. Even Jesus smelled good.      ...
04/08/2025

Holiness isn't musty 😅 — sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is wear deodorant. Even Jesus smelled good.

❤️

Dear pregnant woman, prioritize your life and health 🙏. You bear the pain the most, so make informed choices that put yo...
08/07/2025

Dear pregnant woman, prioritize your life and health 🙏. You bear the pain the most, so make informed choices that put your well-being first. Choose wisely 💕.

Dear men, take care of yourself early enough 🦻🩺🫶
17/06/2025

Dear men, take care of yourself early enough 🦻🩺🫶

Imagine what would have happened to Rachel if she had not met an angel in human form.
05/06/2025

Imagine what would have happened to Rachel if she had not met an angel in human form.

Does bleaching the skin beautify ?   #
17/05/2025

Does bleaching the skin beautify ?

#

As a nurse, I've seen firsthand how neglecting one's own health can have serious consequences. That's why I want to shar...
01/04/2025

As a nurse, I've seen firsthand how neglecting one's own health can have serious consequences. That's why I want to share with you the importance of prioritizing your own well-being, using the quote:

Putting Yourself First Isn't Selfish
Imagine you're on an airplane, and the oxygen masks drop down. What do you do? You put on your own mask first, before helping others. This isn't selfish; it's necessary. You can't help others if you're not taking care of yourself.

The Consequences of Neglecting Your Health
Neglecting your health can lead to:

- Burnout: Physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion.
- Chronic diseases: Conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
- Mental health issues: Anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.

The Power of Self-Care
By prioritizing your own health, you'll:

- Boost your energy: Regular exercise, healthy eating, and sufficient sleep.
- Improve your mood: Reduce stress, practice mindfulness, and engage in activities you enjoy.
- Increase your productivity: Focus on your goals, prioritize tasks, and take regular breaks.

Listening to Your Body
Pay attention to your body's signals:

- Pain: Don't ignore persistent pain; seek medical attention.
- Fatigue: Rest when you need to; don't push yourself too hard.
- Stress: Engage in stress-reducing activities like meditation or yoga.

The Ripple Effect
When you prioritize your own health, you'll:

-Be a better partner: More patient, understanding, and supportive.
-Be a better parent: More energetic, focused, and present.
-Be a better friend: More empathetic, reliable, and fun to be around.

As a nurse promoting health via social media, I encourage you to share this important message with your loved ones. Let's work together to prioritize our health and well-being.

Remember, taking care of yourself isn't selfish; it's essential. By prioritizing your own health, you'll become a more compassionate, empathetic, and loving person, with a deeper connection to yourself and those around you.

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Report it early!    #
29/03/2025

Report it early!

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