Know What Hypertension Does To Your Body? By Ralph J. Greene

One of the most common causes of fatality in the growing population of the world is hypertension. There never has been an exception in terms of age, race and gender so as to speak. Anywhere in the world, what comes into reality is that day by day, the earth loses hundreds to thousands of lives because people tend to take their health for granted.

Lifestyle may define a person's state of health, and one must consider how great and essential it is to be particular with such. Hypertension, the significant elevation of the blood pressure, is a predisposed medical condition that greatly affects the middle-aged to old aged. But genetic factors have been said to be contributing some percentage of possibility for a person to acquire this condition. It may also be present to people having such factors as insulin resistance, mutation and low birth weight. This risk may be triggered or precipitated with the form of lifestyle that one have, sedentary that is. All others will include stress, potassium and other mineral insufficiencies, obesity. This is the characteristic of essential hypertension.

Secondary hypertension that is, is caused by identifiable conditions and it is important to recognize because of the course of treatment that may vary from the essential one. There are underlying medical conditions that lead to elevation of blood pressure. It is caused by the disruption of homeostasis in the pathophysiological mechanisms such as your hormones and the organs that are responsible in its regulation.

The diagnosis of such is readily done through thorough assessment and history taking to also undergo physical examination. Basically it will require three separate sphygmomanometer measurements at least one week apart. There will be laboratory measurements to create the baseline of the treatment and to help work on a plan of action in treating the condition. Creatinine and additional testing for your protein for your renal function to check if kidney problems are present, glucose sampling to check for the presence of diabetes, electrocardiogram or ECG to evaluate heart insufficiency and chest x-rays to ensure there is no enlargement or damage in your heart and tissues.

Since lifestyle is subjective, change is the best way to get through with this. There is a known guideline that suggests a good line of lifestyle changes, and these are the following:

Discontinuation and cessation of tobacco and alcohol consumption have been proven effective in lowering the blood pressure. Since these two stimulants have been constricting or narrowing your blood vessels and impeding the blood flow, the stoppage of such will lead to a better circulation of your blood.

Weight reduction, regular exercise and proper diet improves the heart flow and eliminates the storage of fats and cholesterol which leads to regulation of heart rate and blood pressure.

Lifestyle modifications, medications and maintenance will help save lives from throwing into waste resulting from negligence and failure to take better care of one self. Ensure your future and be very vigilant and critical when it comes to health care.

What Is Dengue Fever?

The tropical regions of our world are very beautiful. They have awesome beaches and scenery and the temperature always reminds you of summer. However not everything is bright and filled with sunshine.

The tropics are host to many diseases. Malaria is famous but it is usually found in the middle of the jungle. Closer to home and but not quite as dangerous is dengue fever or sometimes called dengue hemorrhagic fever. It is a life-threatening disease. It begins as a normal fever but it gets worse. The fever lasts for 2 to 7 days. There will be pain, behind the eyes, or in the joints or muscles. Skin rashes develop. Bleeding can occur in the nose, gums and the skin. Patients experience abdominal pain and their vomit turns into something colored like coffee and their stool is black. It is definitely not pretty.

The virus is transmitted by one particular mosquito, the Aedes. The mosquito is their means of transportation. Dengue cannot spread from one person to another.

There is no vaccine to the dengue virus. Finding one is complicated. There are four serotypes of dengue. None of which will provide immunity when infected by the others. Vaccines against dengue have also been known to make patients more susceptible to other more severe diseases.

Preventing dengue becomes an effort of controlling the population of the mosquitoes. Make sure that there are no stale water sources out in the open. In ponds or tanks, sometimes the natural enemies of mosquito larva are placed together with it.

A person can also try to prevent mosquito bites. Aedes mosquitoes are active early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Be careful during those times. Use repellents or wear long-sleeved shirts. However, there's not much to worry about if your environs are clean.

Most of the time, dengue fever isn't fatal. It's treated like a regular fever. Rest, drink lots of fluids and eat healthy food. Most of the time this works, however patients should be monitored carefully. If dengue progresses and the worst symptoms start to occur then they should be sent to the hospital as soon as possible.

Even if the fever goes down after 3 to 5 days, keep monitoring. This is actually the most dangerous period because they are not out of the woods yet. The symptoms could suddenly come back together with the bleeding and the vomiting. Proper hospital treatment is necessary should this occur.

For the casual tourist, dengue shouldn't be something to worry you unless an outbreak occurs. Most of the time just avoid dirty and moist areas and you'll be fine.

Jonathan Russell is an artist and blogger that has been writing articles on many different topics for the last 2 years.

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I Have a Fever - What Is a Fever and How to Treat It

Wake up and think to yourself "I have a fever"? But you're not entirely sure? Here is a clear, short explanation of what is a fever, including symptoms and treatment

When you have a fever, your body temperature is higher than the normal level. Your normal body temperature should be 37 degrees Centigrade or 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. A fever is one way the body responds to infection. Fevers may be caused by many factors. The most common include a viral illness such as a throat, chest infection or flu, or an urinary infection. It might be due to diseases, or caused by sunburn and heatstroke. Fevers may even be caused by a reaction to a particular drug.

As well as your body temperature going up, you might feel shivery and chilled. Or hot and flushed. If the fever continues, you might get dehydrated.

Although you might feel hot and you can compare your temperature with someone who feels healthy by feeling the warmth from each forehead, the only accurate way to truly check if by using a thermometer. There are aural digital thermometers, you put the tip of it inside your ear and wait for the beep and read the temperature display. For other digital thermometers, you put them in your mouth or squeeze in your armpit - again waiting for the beep.

You should see your doctor if you're feeling feverish and unwell, particularly if you have another specific symptom - for example you might have earache, or a rash or a bad cough including a cough with phlegm.

Go see a doctor immediately if:
- your temperature is over 39.4 degrees C of 103 degrees Fahrenheit
- You are confused or feeling drowsy
- If you are having trouble breathing
- If you have a headache, stiff neck, a sensitivity to light and/or a rash

There are painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol will can help to reduce fever symptoms including fever chills and headaches. Take the painkiller as instructed on the packet as soon as you are feeling feverish or have fever chills.

If the fever lasts more than two days despite attempts to bring it down - pay a visit to the doctor, and if you develop other symptoms.

You can also help yourself treat a fever by resting. Do not go to work and take it easy. Keep yourself hydrated - drink lots of water or diluted fruit juice. Caffeine found in coffee and tea can dehydrate you further so avoid this. The old housewives were right - chicken soup or broth can help too if you are off your appetite. Don't over wrap yourself - wear light, loose clothing and make sure the temperature in the room is not too hot (but not too cold too).

If you are feeling shivery or have the fever chills, there is a temptation to wrap yourself up in blankets and comforters. Don't do that as you might make your temperature rise even further - especially if there is a fever in children. Instead, use a sheet or light blanket as a cover. If you're all hot and sweaty, use a damp, lukewarm towel to warm down your face from time to time.

Jennifer Carver is a writer, researcher. Her latest topic is on the lot of confusing, vague and even bad information out there on taking care of leopard gecko pets.

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Vitamin B Complex - Benefits, Side Effects and Deficiency

We all need vitamins and minerals to keep us healthy and strong. These are essential to our overall well being and the state of our mind and body. This article provides information on the vitamins comprising vitamin b complex, their benefits to human nutrition, common side effects and the consequences of deficiency.

How Can This Vitamin Help Me?
Vitamin B complex, is a combination of several water soluble vitamins. The B complex group is made up of of eight B vitamins namely, B1(thiamine), B2(riboflovin), B3(niacin), B6(pyridoxine), B12(cobalamine), folic acid, panthothenic acid and biotin. Each of these vitamins has a distinctive function to perform in the body. Vitamin B complex helps in the healthy functioning of the immune and nervous system. It helps in the production of red blood cells and prevents anemia.

What are the Side Effects and How Much Should I Take?
Consuming more than 400 mg/day of vitamin B 6, which is 200 times the RDA, can cause difficulty in walking, some neurological disorders and numbness in the mouth and hands. An overdose of vitamin B 3 , also known as niacin may result in the following symptoms: faintness, pounding in the head, diarrhea, jaundice and impairment of liver function, low levels of glucose tolerance, other skin lesions and abdominal cramps. Most of the effects are reduced on withdrawal of the vitamin. The recommended daily allowance is 1.4 mg for Vitamin B1, 1.6 mg for Vitamin B2, 2 mg for Vitamin B6 and 1 ug for vitamin B 12. If you want to get your intake from food sources then plants are not a good source of Vitamin B. Most of it is obtained from animal protein.

What Happens If I am Deficient in Vitamin B complex?
Vitamin B deficiency can affect the nerve transmission and proper functioning of the brain. It increases the risk of heart disease. Deficiency of vitamin B12 can lead to the formation of abnormal cells called megaloblasts and result in anemia. It can also cause problems like depression and loss of memory. There are a number of reasons why many people suffer from a deficiency of this vitamin and a deficiency of the B complex vitamin might lead to a lot of health problems such as chronic exhaustion and fatigue, insomnia, lack of concentration and irritability. Should you think you are deficient, then the best course of action is to talk to your doctor or health professional who can advise you on supplementation.

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What Are the Symptoms of Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones can be described as frozen or firm deposits of mineral occurring either in the kidney or the urinary tract. More often than not it is formed of salt deposits which have accumulated as a result of poor absorption of salts. It is estimated that out of every twenty persons at least one suffers from this condition. the symptoms are shared and similar to other ailments and it may not be accurate to pinpoint which ones directly relate to this complication. However, there are unique complications that are tagged to this condition which are tell-tale signs that one has kidney stones.

Anyone who is exhibiting this disease shows one or more of the following; firstly, a major symptom would be excruciating pain in the belly. The frequency of pain spasm attacks is different from person to person depending on predisposing factors like precautionary measures, type of foods taken, gender or age. At times the pain is severe and exaggerated such that it can cause fainting or inability to walk comfortably. in some cases the victim would be in excruciating pain such that he is kneeling down while squeezing the stomach in an attempt to distract the pain.

This disease is not necessarily hereditary but persons with a previous infection or those who have immediate ancestors with kidney stones are more predisposed to this condition. Thus this can be taken as a first clue to the symptoms of this disease and preemptive measures taken to prevent occurrence. in Severe cases, stones form blockages in the urinary tract. In a more serious blockage the victim finds difficultly in urinating or may experience tension since urine has accumulated past normal levels and cannot find an exit. A direct result of this will lead the urine to forcibly create a path way and a feeling of seepage can be experienced by the victim.

Blood in the urine is a shared symptom to many sub-complications associated with the urinary tract. Thus even though it is one of the symptoms,it cannot be used conclusively to diagnose this condition. Blood in urine means a broken lining in the tract and it follows that every time there is an urge to have bowel excretion it is accompanied by pain as the salted and concentrated urine passes through the tract.

The more generalized symptoms are of this disease are headaches, weariness, nausea and dizziness and Loss of appetite.

Learn more kidney stones symptoms, please visit Eliberta Aout's site: kidney stones treatment.

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Can Food Be Used As Medicine To Fight Disease?

Is food considered to be a medicine? Well that depends on a number of factors. The nutrients your body needs are obtained from the healthy diet of food and drink you consume. If a person eats well they may minimize or even prevent obtaining a number of serious medical problems including cancer, high blood pressure and heart disease.

In order to consider the various aspects, lets define how a food can be a medicine. In order for food to behave like medicine, the food should reduce the risk of a specific medical problem from occurring or cure the medical problem. Examples of foods that border on medicinal effects include:

• Beta carotene: Your eye vision is usually protected against degeneration by eating dark green and dark yellow vegetables and fruits containing beta carotene that is converted into vitamin A, vitamin E, zinc and vitamin C.
• Calcium: Strong bones are developed early in life by consuming adequate amounts of food containing calcium. It will also help to protect the bone density as the body ages.
• Beans: Cholesterol that circulates in the bloodstream will be reduced by the soluble dietary fiber contained in beans. Heart disease is reduced as a result of keeping the cholesterol from sticking to the internal artery walls.
• Wheat bran: Eating food that contains insoluble dietary fiber will reduce constipation and related problems. Food will move more quickly through the intestines and the undigested stuff will be converted into softer stools.

There are some diet plans and foods that are very good for your health. Your daily diet should make certain to balance the fats, proteins and carbohydrates consumed to help maintain your overall health. Some of the diet plans that help promote good health and reduce health-related problems include:

• Cholesterol: The low-saturated-fat and low-cholesterol diet will limit the amount of fat consumed to less than about 30 percent of daily calories and the cholesterol consumed to less than 300 milligrams. It also helps with weight reduction.
• High Blood Pressure: The sodium-restricted diet (low in salt) will lower water retention in the body. Benefits include help in treating high blood pressure, long-term liver disease and congestive heart failure.
• Digestion: The digestive tract will better enable processing of food with a high-fiber diet. It will help prevent constipation, reduce the possibility of colon infection and irritable bowel syndrome.
• Liver and Kidney: The low-protein diet will help reduce the protein waste products from body tissues. This in turn reduces damage to liver or kidney tissue.

Can food help fight off cancer? That's a tall question and the answer could be maybe. Cancer is the root of many diseases and not just one disease. No one food helps protect against all cancers but some foods help protect against specific cancers of the body. Here is a short list of such foods:

• Low-fat foods: A well-known fact is that cells will reproduce based on the energy they receive. Some out-of-control cells (i.e., cancer cells) will reproduce as a result of specific dietary fat ingested. Colon cancer appears to be receptive to meat fat.
• Dietary fiber: The body is not able to digest dietary fiber. For years it has been thought that consuming a lot of dietary fiber would reduce the risk of acquiring colon cancer. Even though dietary fiber definitely speeds up the processing of food in the digestive track, certain large medical studies confirmed that dietary fiber does not normally protect against the occurrence of colon cancer.
• Vegetables and Fruits: Antioxidants are chemicals that do not enable molecular fragments to link up and create cancer-causing compounds. Vegetable and fruit plants contain some of these antioxidants.

The benefits derived from eating a healthy diet on a daily basis are not the cure-all when a person has a life-threatening illness. Such a person with said illness should always listen and abide by their doctor's evaluation and prescription. Food and diet should not be seen as a substitute for anticancer drugs, antibiotics, vaccines or other drugs to fight body diseases.

Terry has been writing articles online for over 5 years. Not only does this author specialize in diet, nutrition, vitamins, fitness, weight loss and sports, you can also check out his latest review and tips on Customized Baseball Gloves and Spalding Baseball Gloves for the best baseball equipment and supplies.

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