What Is Hypertension?
Posted on November 28, 2008, under Health.
Blood pressure (BP) is a pressure generated in the peripheral channels (arteries) during contraction of and relaxation of heart muscles (systolic and diastolic).Clinically, BP is measured by an instrument knows as Sphygmomanometer.It is measured at the level of the blood channel in the forearm and expressed as mm Hg systolic (upper) and diastolic (lower) BP.The average normal blood pressure is 120/80 in an adult.
When the pressure is higher than the upper limit of the normal range, it is termed as hypertension.It affects both systolic and diastolic blood pressure it is referred as systolic hypertension.
How to control hypertension?
There are various mechanisms responsible for regulation of BP such as neuro hormonal mechanisms.These are mediated by chemicals such as rennin and angiotensin which reduces the diameter of the arteries.There is aldosterone which retains salt and water.Catecholamines such as adrenaline and noradrenalin are the primary source of rennin and aldesterone which increase the arterial resistance consequently increasing the blood pressure.
Is there a fluctuation in BP during daily activities?
Yes.Blood pressure may be elevated with anxiety, hostility, anger and exercise or through excessive consumption of tea, coffee and tobacco, and also during sexual activity.
How common is Hypertension in India?
Hypertension is a common health problem, with 24% of people suffering after the age of 30, 50% after the age of 55 and 60% after the age of 65.Nearly 60% of people are usually unaware that they are suffering from BP and discover it during check-up.Hypertension has no symptoms in the early stages and is thus known as a silent killer.
What are the common causes?
Some of the common causes are negative stress, excessive consumption of salt, alcohol, fat rich diet, smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, oral contraceptive pills, environmental and uncontrolled diabetes.
Types Of Cancer And Preventions
Though there has been an increase in the life span of people, there has also been a corresponding increase in the prevalence of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension and heart problems.
Cancers in urology include those of the kidneys, ureters, urinary, testis and penis.While the cancers of the prostate and bladder are more common amongst older men and women, testicular cancers attack younger men.Kidney cancer too affects more often the middle and old aged people than youngsters.
Obesity has been associated with higher risks of causing kidney and prostate cancer.Those with a history of kidney stones have a higher risk of cancer, while smokers are prone to urinary bladder cancer.
Usually since the symptoms do not surface until the advanced stage, it helps to have a proactive approach to detect cancers and thus improve the success rate of the treatment.
Those with a history of prostate cancer in families are more prone to it and should go for an annual check-up after the age of 45.It would involve a blood test PSA, physical examination and an ultrasound scan.While appropriate steps may be taken to prevent lung cancer where the specific causative agents have been identified, the same may not be possible with urological cancers as no obvious agent is identifiable in most cases.Hence the importance of early diagnosis cannot be over emphasized.
If you observe any of the below mentioned symptoms, please visit a physician:
- Blood in the urine (even if seen only on urine tests)
- Persistent burning or discomfort while urinating
- Difficulty in passing urine or increased frequency or urgency
- Swelling or lump in the testis or abdomen
- Unexplained weight loss
- Any abnormal scan or other reports
Dose For Your Nose!
IF YOU HAVE A STUFFY NOSE, YOU NEED TO….
- Stem away stuffiness.For temporary relief, take a hot shower.
- Exercise, as it acts like a natural decongestant by releasing adrenaline, which narrows swollen blood vessels.
- Nasal decongestant sprays may provide temporary relief, but if you use it for more than 3 days, it can increase stuffiness.Don’t overdo it.
- Consider a decongestant/antihistamine combination.Some studies suggest that these combo medications may relieves congestion.But some other studies report no evidence that the medications are effective.Consult your doctor.
IF YOU HAVE A RUNNY NOSE, YOU NEED TO….
- Blow gently and often.For chapped nostrils, apply some petroleum jelly.
- Try an antihistamine, only if your symptoms are caused by allergies.
- Consider a decongestant/antihistamine combo if your symptoms are making you uncomfortable.
- To avoid spreading and picking up germs, wash your hands well and use tissues instead of a hankies.
TIPS:
- Drink plenty of fluids.It keeps the lining of the nose and sinuses moist and less susceptible to infection.
- Use a humidifier to keep the air and your nose moist.Make sure your humidifier is fungus-free.
- Avoid irritants like smoke, dust, pollen and animal hair.
- Consider using vitamins, minerals and herbal remedies.
Tensions Begone!
Being in a state of tension for a long time leads to an inner void similar to dust in your eyes.You try removing the dust, as it is alien to your body.Similarly, incompletion is alien to you and it is natural that you put an effort to remove it.You try removing the inner incompletion through indulgence.You feel different sensations would give you completion.
The desire for more and more makes you a wanting being rather than a complete being.During sleep there is no wanting, as you are complete.But that does not mean condemning your sense organs.Keep them alive.Sensations are fine as long as you do not get addicted to them.Addiction happens in ignorance.Such ignorance spills through sense organs too.
TO BID BYE TO TENSION IN LIFE, FOLLOW THIS:
- Learn the art of balancing life.Open your body centre through exercise, yoga and deep breathing.Tensions emerge from the way your mind interprets a particular situation.There is joy when you learn and keep your mind open to new possibilities.
- Observe a surfer….Stronger the waves, the more he enjoys it.When waves are strong, he is totally present in the moment.There are no interfering thoughts in him.In such space something in him makes him alive to the life around him.
- Live in the present.Do not get lost in the past or future.
- Live from the ‘higher self’ is filled with positiveness and encourages you.The ‘lower self’ is interfering and discourages you.
- Relax your body and mind.See the beauty of your thoughts.Do not fight with them.Slowly you create a synergy with your thoughts.
- Whenever possible, be without thoughts.Learn the art of being empty.Don’t verbalize an experience.It relaxes the mind!
Don’t Ignore A Troubled Stomach
The gastrointestinal tract is a very important organ-system in the body and is primarily responsible for intake, digestion, assimilation of nutrients and also excretion of fecal material.Because of its relatively large surface area cancers of the gastrointestinal tract are quite common.
Food pipe
Cause: Smoking, alcohol consumption and chronic heartburn due to reflux of acid from the stomach.
Symptoms: Difficulty in swallowing or feeling of the food being stuck in the chest while eating.
Stomach
Cause: Chronic infection by bacteria known as Helicobacter pylori.Other factors include smoking, alcohol consumption and family history.
Symptoms: Upper abdominal pain, anemia, dyspepsia or symptoms of vague indigestion.Though non-specific, these symptoms should not be ignored.
Large intestine or colon
Cause: Smoking, alcohol and more importantly family history.Also patients with any chronic inflammatory condition of the intestines often known as ulcerative colitis are prone to it.
Symptoms: Anemia, passage of altered blood in stool, acute constipation, weight loss and in case of cancer of the rectum, fresh blood in stool.Do not confuse the rectum bleeding with piles.
Gallbladder
Cause: Since gallstones and associated chronic inflammation of the gall balder are more common in women, hence the cancer affects them more.
Pancreatic
Cause: More common amongst elderly men, pancreatic cancer can be caused by alcohol consumption, smoking and family history.
Do not delay in seeking care of symptoms that are relatively new, progressive, not responding to usual home remedies and particularly if they are associated with weight loss or symptoms of anemia.
Move That Knee
Movement is life, and our joints are made to facilitate this. Joints can be become stiff if not moved adequately and the knee joint is no exception.It is critical to remember that the knee joint-the largest weight-bearing joint in the body-is most commonly affected in arthritis.
Almost 50 per cent of individuals afflicted with osteoarthritis, are over 65 years of age.Nearly 25 per cent of them need surgery.Nearly half consider themselves as “being in bed health”.So pretty much anything you can do to delay the onset of the disease, is good.And the this means working on strengthening the ligaments and muscles so that the joint is kept mobile.
Prevention
- Make exercise a routine.Regular walks and exercises not only improve mobility, but also strengthen muscles around the knee joint.
- Keep mobile.Movement in the knee joint stimulates the joint lining to produce adequate lubrication so that there is less friction within the joint.
- Watch those aches and pains.Some forms of arthritis affect the young.Early detection helps delay the progression.
- A high-calcium diet is known to improve the quality of bone.Include green leafy vegetables, milk, white of egg and fish.
Treatment
There are numerous treatments available to those suffering from arthritis.These include physiotherapy, aromatherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic therapy, reflexology, acupuncture and regulation of diet.
Medical treatments involves prescription of drugs and other non-invasive therapies.Surgical solutions can take many forms, starting from less invasive joint injection to a total joint replacement.
Surgery though must be reserved for only those whose quality of life has deteriorated by the disease significantly.If it could mean a major difference between leading a normal life or being wheelchair bound, you should consider it.The ultimate goal of any treatment is pain free movement.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Cancer of the ovaries is one of the top five killer cancers which plague women all over the world.All women particularly at forty, should undergo a good medical and gynaecological check up to prevent and detect early cancer.
Test for cancer for women
- Clinical examination by a gynecologist for genital tract cancer and teaching self-examination of breast
- Pap smear and/or HPV test for cervical cancer
- Ultrasound of the pelvis for ovarian masses and cancer
- Mammography and ultrasound of the breasts
There is a higher risk of cancer of the cervix if you have :
- First intercourse at an early age
- Multiple sexual partners
- Genital herpes or wart viral infection
- You smoke
- Any bleeding or spotting after sexual intercourse or in between periods
- Excessive vaginal discharge
There is higher risk of endometrial cancer if you have:
- Any unknown abnormal uterine bleeding after 40 years of age
- Bleeding or spotting after six months of menopause
- Infertility with failure of ovulation
- Obesity
There is a higher risk of ovarian cancer if you have:
- A family history of ovarian, uterine, stomach, colon or breast cancer
- Never had children
- An unexplained gastric(stomach) symptoms or backache
The earlier a cancer is diagnosed, the better the chance for a permanent cure.All women should consider the above tests to be a routine part of the annual physical examination.One can prevent the cervical cancer with HPV vaccine, since about 75% of cervical cancer is caused by a tumor virus known as HOV virus.Though ideally it should be taken by the age of nine, it is never too late.
Curing Head And Neck Cancer
Head and neck cancers account for 23% of all cancer in males and 6% in females.They are lifestyle related and have a long latent period.However, if diagnosed early, they have good chances of being cured.
Tobacco and alcohol consumption are the culprits behind 85% of head and neck cancers, particularly those of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypo pharynx, and larynx.Symptoms can include a non-healing lump or sore, persistent sore throat, difficultyآ in swallowing, hoarseness in the voice, a white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth.Chronic sinusitis which does not respond to treatment, unusual bleeding or pain in the mouth, difficulty in breathing or speaking.Frequent headaches, persistent pain or ringing in the ears, paralysis of muscles of the face, numbness of the tongue or mouth.If the symptoms persist for more than two weeks it needs to be examined by an ENT surgeon.
Examination includes visual inspection of the oral and nasal cavities, neck, throat, and tongue using a small mirror and light.Lump may be palpated on the neck, lips gums, and cheeks.Endoscopy is essential to examine areas which are not accessible.
Further radiological investigations like X-rays, CT Scans and MRI Scans, PET Scans help to establish extent of the tumours.
Treatment depends upon the site, stage and type of cancer and includes surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.Surgery may be followed by radiotherapy which involves passing high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells or chemotherapy where medicines are used to control the disease.
Preventing is possible avoiding smoking, spirits, supari and spices.Awareness of the symptoms is important for early diagnosis, treatment and positive results.
Benefits Of Vibhuti And Rudraksh
Vibhuti is a tool to enhance receptivity.When applied at different points of the body, especially points of higher receptivity, one receives positive energy.
Vibhuti is always taken with the ring finger as that is the most sacred part of the body.Apply Vibuti to the following places for maximum benefit:
- Agna Chakra: Between the eyebrows to receive life as knowledge or wisdom
- Vishuddhi Chakra: Pit of the throat to enhance power
- Anahata Chakra: Center of chest, where the ribcage meets to receive life as love
- Just behind the earlobe is a solid bone which runs into a crevice.If one follows that crevice one can find a dimple where a little Vibhuti can be applied
- Men can apply a little bit of Vibhuti on their right big toe, while women should apply it on their left big toe
Another powerful tool to enhance one’s well-being is Rudraksh, the seed of a tree that primarily grows in the mountains.Rudraksh has a very unique vibration about itself and is worn for different purposes.
Rudraksh cleanses a certain amount of the aura.It can vary from pitch-black to pure white, depending on the person’s physical and mental health.The aura is the reflection of who one really is.
If one goes to a new place where the vibrations are completely different, the body may not be able to settle down.Wearing Rudraksh cocoons one is one’s own energies, preventing external energies from disturbing.
There are a variety of Rudraksh avaiable, each for a different purpose.Ekamukhi or single-faced Rudraksh is for power.However, it is not advisable to wear it without proper guidance.Dwimukhi or two faced is for wealth, while Panchamukhi or five-faced is for well-being.Panchamukhi can be worn by everyone, irrespective of age or gender.Apart from improving general well-being, it also reduces blood pressure and keeps the body calm and alert.Shanmukhi or six-faced Rudraksh is good for children as it attracts motherly love.
Clear Your Throat
Throat infections can strike anytime in this weather.It helps to be proactive!
- Beware of your toothbrush.Left overnight it can be a potential risk.Before brushing, soak it in a glass of hot water to which a teaspoonful of common salt has been added.
- Chew a clove every morning (after removing the ‘flower’) to ensure daily protection.
- Take half a cup of hot water, add a pinch of salt and five grams of turmeric powder to it.Drink this mixture every night during this season to protect your throat.
- Inculcate the habit of gurgling with a glass of lukewarm water to which a pinch of salty has been added every night before bedtime, after brushing your teeth.This will help disinfect the throat and mouth.
- People traveling on work can benefit immensely by wearing masks while on the move.
- Drinking a lot of fluids will help, but stay away from sodas and drinks that contain caffeine as these tend to dehydrate you.If swallowing becomes painful, sip hot broth through a straw.Certain kinds of gelatin, like Jell-O, may bring some relief.
- Getting some extra rest usually speeds up recovery.
To avoid s sore throat, or colds and flu, follow these rules:
- Wash your hands often.
- As much as you can, keep your distance from people who are ill.
- Don’t share eating utensils, glasses, napkins, food or towels.
- Don’t let your mouth come in contact with public phones or drinking fountains.
- Humidify your home if the air is dry.
- If you are going on an airplane, keep the air nozzle above you closed.Air circulating through the cabin can spread germs that cause infections.
- Regularly clean surfaces in your home: telephones, TV remotes, computer keyboards, and surface of sinks in the kitchen or bathrooms.
