The Six Types of Hypertension
The Six Types of Hypertension
Most people think that there is only one type of hypertension. They usually refer to it as high blood pressure. It has been called the “silent killer”. That’s because there usually are no symptoms to alert the sufferer. It is a good idea to have your blood pressure checked regularly.
The common type is known as primary hypertension sometimes called essential. Even though it is the most diagnosed type, there is no known cause.
Next, there is the type called secondary hypertension. It is usually caused by factors that are sometimes curable. Some of the causes are pregnancy related. It can also be brought on by thyroid dysfunction, tumors, sleep apnea, alcohol, and some medications to just name a few.
Malignant Hypertension is the worst type. It is very severe and it just keeps getting worse with time. It very quickly will lead to organ damage. If it is not properly treated, it will result in death in as little as five years for most sufferers. Intensive treatment can reverse the condition and prevent complications. It is not brought on by cancer. And, it is not caused by any malignancy.
Isolated Systolic type may be diagnosed in older folks. The systolic, which is the top number, stays above 160. And, the diastolic is below 90. This is caused by the stiffening of the arteries. And the loss of the elasticity in arteries like the aorta; sometimes diagnosed as arteriosclerosis. It is very important to receive treatment, because it can help prevent strokes and heart disease.
White coat type is brought on by anxiety. The individual’s blood pressure is high only when it gets tested by someone in a clinical environment, like a hospital. Here is where the term “white coat” comes from. It is then …
Is the Flu Shot Right For You?
Is the Flu Shot Right For You?
For several years now it has been encouraged that seniors receive a flu shot to help protect them from Influenza. Others may wonder how safe the flu shot really is and if it worth the risk to get the shot. You should always talk over your concerns with your doctor and they will let you know if the flu shot is right for you but it doesn’t hurt to do your own research online to discover the risks and benefits of the flu shot. First of all you should know what Influenza is. Influenza is a viral infection that starts in the air passage ways; lungs, nose, and throat.
Symptoms of the Flu
The severity of symptoms depends on each individual but sure signs of the flu include
• Sore throat
• Stuffy nose
• Cough
• Tiredness/Exhaustion
• Headaches and muscle aches
These symptoms can last for up to two weeks. If you begin to feel any of these symptoms you may want to call your doctor so they can monitor your progression. If the flu is left untreated it can turn into pneumonia and that is why it is important to get your flu shot if your doctor recommends it.
The only time you should not get the flu shot is if you have had a negative reaction from the flu shot before, If you have ever developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome right after taking the flu shot, or if you are allergic to eggs. Your doctor may still recommend that you receive the flu shot but they will monitor your condition more closely.
Alternatives
Besides the flu shot you can also receive a flu nasal spray vaccine. This is not for everyone but you may be a perfect candidate for it. There …
Risks For Heart Disease Indicated By Blood Pressure At Midlife
Risks For Heart Disease Indicated By Blood Pressure At Midlife
Another reason to know your blood pressure numbers. A new study finds that the ups and downs of blood pressure at midlife have a significant association with risks for heart disease later on.
This comes from an investigation of data from 7 different studies that included over 61,000 subjects – one of the largest research projects that’s ever been done on how alterations in blood pressure at midlife impact on the lifetime chance of stroke or heart disease.
The research team used the data to estimate the lifetime risk for both heart attack, stroke as well as other known heart events for both Caucasian and African American adult subjects.
Starting with the initial reading at 41 years old, researchers tracked alterations in blood pressure until the subjects were 55 years of age, then kept following participants until a heart attack or stroke or another similar medical event happened, they died or reached the age of 95.
When subjects were in their mid 50s, 25% of men, and 50% of women continued to have normal readings, about half the participants had readings that were above the normal range but not high enough to fall into the hypertension category. Interesting that women had bigger rises in blood pressure readings at mid life than men, African Americans had an increased risk over their lifetime for suffering from hypertension, heart attack or stroke than whites did.
The study confirmed that those with a normal reading at 55 have a relatively low risk of heart disease or stroke during their lives. But, those who already had hypertension at this age also carried an increased lifetime risk of some form of heart disease problem – anywhere from 42% to 69%.
Anyone who keeps their blood pressure …
Why a baby gender test?
During pregnancy, many parents have the question of what exactly is the gender of the baby. This can be very important to many parents, and often they want to have a quick answer to this. Nowadays, it is possible to find out the gender of your baby quickly, and you no longer have to wait for the 20-week ultrasound. In fact, during the 20-week ultrasound the gender is not always looked at either, the doctor does not take extra time for this. Fortunately, you can find out the sex of your baby with a baby gender test, which is of course very useful. Would you like to find out the gender of your baby? And would you like to know exactly how a baby gender test works? In this article, we will go into detail on this, so you can find out everything you need to know.
When can you do a baby gender test?
During pregnancy, you naturally want things to go as smoothly as possible. This is why many mothers have questions about whether a baby gender test is safe. Fortunately, a baby gender test is and can be performed at any time. From 7 weeks of pregnancy, it is possible to say with 99.9% certainty what the sex of the baby is. In addition, the baby gender test poses no danger to the mother, but of course not to the baby either. This is of course a great advantage, and you can find more information about this on the provider’s website. This means that you do need to find a good provider, and it is best to compare these providers. It is always wise to look carefully at the information on the products so that you know exactly how it works and what the requirements are.
How
…2013 Strain of Norovirus Spreading Across the Globe
2013 Strain of Norovirus Spreading Across the Globe
A norovirus variant referred to as the Sydney 2012 strain (so called due to where it has emanated from) poses a significant risk to the people of not only Australia, but Japan, New Zealand, France, and now the United Kingdom where it has spread. So what is a norovirus and why does it pose such a health risk?
Norovirus is the term used for viruses that are the most common cause of gastroenteritis, often referred to as the “stomach flu” despite not technically being connected to influenza. Typically this virus is spread through the transmission or consumption of food or water contaminated by fecal matter, through person-to-person contact, or via the aerosolization of the virus contaminating surfaces.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States have found that norovirus accounts for over 21 illnesses each year, with approximately 70,000 of those cases requiring hospitalization and as many as 800 resulting in death.
This particular strain of norovirus has sickened many in Australia and New Zealand and spread to Europe where in the United Kingdom it has accounted for over 4,000 cases, up 63% over the previous year. Important to note is that for approximately every laboratory-confirmed case, scientists estimate that there are as many as 288 unreported cases, meaning that more people transmit the disease and suffer from the effects than can be properly tracked.
Norovirus proves more dangerous in some cases than just influenza due to the increased degree of dehydration that can result from the excessive and projectile vomiting and diarrhea. Additionally those stricken with norovirus experience stomach cramps, headaches, and fever, which many sufferers confuse with influenza.
So what is the difference between influenza and norovirus? In many instances symptoms can be similar although the …
Influenza From H1N1 Virus Compared to Other Strains
Influenza From H1N1 Virus Compared to Other Strains
H1N1 and the strains of seasonal flu may appear similar, but are most definitely not. Most impressively, they have different impacts: though a person won’t know if they have regular influenza or H1N1 unless detected by a doctor, it can severely impact unusual segments of the population and is more dangerous than the seasonal flu.
Typically, seasonal influenza infects between 5 and 20 percent of the population and is responsible for about 36,000 deaths each year, but swine influenza is projected to be much worse. It is said to be able to infect between 30 and 50 percent of the population, and cause 30,000 to 90,000 deaths in one year. Unlike normal strains of influenza, that mostly affect senior citizens, influenza from H1N1 targets young adults, pregnant women, teens and children. Children of ages 5 and under are most at-risk of getting swine influenza.
The strains of both seasonal and swine influenza have similar symptoms and are spread like most illnesses. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, body aches, chills, fatigue, sore throat, headache, runny nose, fever, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. Like with most illnesses, people who suffer from chronic disease are most affected by either strain of influenza. Swine influenza is particularly dangerous to vulnerable people because respiratory problems can occur without a fever after supposed recovery from the flu; the current leading cause of death from H1N1 influenza is respiratory failure. In addition, H1N1 circulates in the same way that seasonal influenza does. Influenza viruses are spread mostly from person-to-person, through coughing or sneezing people with influenza. People may become exposed to the virus from touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.
The swine influenza has one vaccination, while the seasonal flu vaccination …
Was the Media’s Swine Flu Coverage Justified?
Was the Media’s Swine Flu Coverage Justified?
For weeks, you couldn’t get away from H1N1 AKA swine flu. It was everywhere. There were deaths, Mexico was at a standstill and travel was restricted to parts of the Yucatán peninsular.
Everyone was worried. There was an air of inevitability to the spread of swine flu… or so it seemed. But it soon became clear that the current swine flu epidemic was not the same as the 1918 Spanish flu. Of course it can still prove to be as devastating as its early 20th century counterpart, but for now its threat level has abated… substantially.
Why did the media make so much noise about the of the threat of swine flu? Over the same period of time thousands of people died of the normal seasonal flu as well as a number of other persistent human diseases. Why didn’t these diseases get as much coverage?
Swine flu was new; we had no protection against it. Its potential was unknown, its capacity to cause devastation was a real possibility. But was this reason enough for the over-exaggerated coverage of the disease by the media?
The more cynical among us will be quick to point out that we are in the middle of 2009 and are currently undergoing a global recession. What could distract the masses more than the threat of a killer disease? What could invoke the fear of God more than the prospect of facing one’s own mortality in light of a devastating, indiscriminate, rapidly transmitted disease?
But could this be true? Could the media have deliberately stoked-up the threat of swine flu to distract, confuse and upset their audience?
Possibly… but not likely.
Firstly, why would the media take such a course of action? Who would benefit the most? Surely not the …
How to Prevent and Treat Swine Flu
How to Prevent and Treat Swine Flu
Back in 2009, most parts of the world suffered from the H1N1 influenza or the swine flu virus. It certainly caused a scare and thankfully, it was declared over in August 2010. Learn about what causes swine flu, the different signs and symptoms and how it can be treated.
Swine flu, also referred to as pig flu or pig influenza is an illness that is caused by the different types of swine influenza virus. The virus is prevalent in pigs, and it has several types with H1N1 as one of them. This is a very common infection worldwide, and is more common in people who are regularly exposed to pigs. Swine flu does not usually infect humans and the recent outbreaks are caused by a new flu virus. This virus has changed in certain ways that it can be spread among humans, even if these people do not have any contact with pigs.
The signs and symptoms of swine flu are similar to those that are manifested when suffering from other influenza infections. Fever is very common, usually 100 degrees F or even higher. This is accompanied by cough and nasal secretions. Headache and fatigue are also common signs and symptoms of this disease. For some, they experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea along with the other manifestations that were mentioned. You may also have a flushed skin, sore throat, watery eyes and severe pains at the joints and muscles.
Just like other influenza infections, prevention is recommended for swine flu. These vaccines are made from killed H1N1 virus which will trigger your immune system to produce the necessary antibodies to fight off any infections that you might encounter. These are available for those who are six months old to the elderly. The vaccines …
Now Arriving, The Flu Season – Treat It With Natural Remedies
Now Arriving, The Flu Season – Treat It With Natural Remedies
The flu season is upon us already, many health departments are confirming cases of influenza across the country. Flu shots are available just about every where these days. It use to be we never saw huge outbreaks of influenza until February or March, but these days it starts earlier and earlier.
Just how do you know if you have the flu or if it is just a cold or is it H1N1? With the flu you will have a fever with a cold you don’t, also you may have a severe headache with the flu and but not with a cold. With the flu you are going to have muscle aches, tiredness or weakness, extreme exhaustion, with your fever and headache. Some symptoms like running nose, sneezing and sore throat are typically a cold and not the flu, but can sometimes accompany the flu, along with a cough. The flu can last up to 2 weeks and bed rest and lots of fluids are important during this time.
H1N1 is an influenza virus strain, flu viruses are constantly changing from year to year and there is no way to predict which strain will hit each year. Severity of the flu strain can vary from person to person and can depending on whether the person has other health issues that may complicate the illness. Most physicians recommend people younger than 5, older than 65, pregnant women and those with other health issues should receive the flu vaccine. This years vaccine is a 3 in 1 covering the H3N2 virus, influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus.
Other than the flu vaccine there are ways to help prevent the spread of influenza to others. Covering your nose and mouth with a …
Who Should And Shouldn’t Get the Flu Vaccine?
Who Should And Shouldn’t Get the Flu Vaccine?
Ask any doctor in Australia, and he or she will tell you that the flu vaccine is a tremendously beneficial tool in the fight against the flu – for most people. However, there are a few exceptions to who can and should receive the vaccine. Before heading in for a flu shot, then, double check to make sure that you’re not on the “danger list” of those who should avoid it.
People Who Should Get The Flu Vaccine –
The flu vaccination isn’t just a good idea for some people – it should be considered mandatory. Scan the list below; if any one of the listings describes you or someone you love, make sure to make getting the flu vaccine a top priority. It is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) that the best time for Australians to get vaccinated is March through to April. Typically, these vaccinations take effect within two weeks.
The flu vaccine is highly recommended for:
==> Adults over age 65
==> Anyone over age six months with any of these conditions: cancer, diabetes, asthma, chronic kidney, heart or metabolic disorders or chronic respiratory disorders
==> Torres Strait and Aboriginal Islanders over age 50, due to their increased susceptibility to respiratory ailments
==> People who have a suppressed immune system because of HIV, or people who are taking immune suppressing drugs
==> Kids suffering from cyanotic congenital heart disease
==> Kids who are on long-term aspirin therapy
==> Outpatients and inpatients of public hospitals who are at higher risk for complications from influenza
==> Residents of chronic care facilities like hostels and nursing homes
==> Health care workers
==> Anyone caring for elderly people, or for people with any of the conditions listed above
==> Expectant mothers …