Posts Tagged ‘High Blood Pressure’

Routine Tests – Pregnancy

Comments: 0November 9th, 2011 by admin



Blood tests

Complete blood count

This test screens for anemia, which is very common during pregnancy. Anemia may be due to low iron levels, or can be an inherited form, such as thalassemia.

Blood type

This test will determine your blood type

as well as show if you are Rhesus positive (Rh+) or negative (Rh-). If you are Rh- you will usually receive a medication called rhogam after medical procedures such as amniocentesis, or if you have vaginal bleeding. You will usually get an extra dose at around 28 weeks.

Antibody screen

This test determines whether you have antibodies that could cross the placenta and cause the baby to become anemic.

Hepatitis B

This test will identify women who are actively infectious with hepatitis B, a viral liver disease that can be transmitted to the baby during pregnancy and labor.

HIV

This test will identify women who have been infected with the HIV retrovirus.

Rubella

This blood test determines whether you are immune to rubella. If you are not, you will usually get vaccinated right after delivery. You cannot have the vaccine during pregnancy.

Syphilis

Syphilis does not always cause symptoms but can cause serious problems for the fetus.

Urine test

This test looks for extra sugar or protein in your urine, and for signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Extra protein can be a sign of kidney disease extra sugar may indicate diabetes. UTls will be treated with antibiotics to prevent a serious kidney infection, which can cause pregnancy complications.

Cervical smear

Unless you have had one recently, you may have a cervical smear (PAP smear).

Blood pressure

Blood pressure usually falls at the beginning of pregnancy. Women with high blood pressure or blood pressure at the high end of normal early in pregnancy are at increased risk of having blood pressure problems later.

Weight

This baseline value will let your care provider calculate how much weight you have gained as your pregnancy progresses, and guide how much weight you need to gain during the pregnancy.

If your are uncertain as to whether you have had chicken pox, a blood test will let you know whether you should stay away from people with this infectious disease while you are pregnant. If you are not immune, and do happen to be exposed, there is treatment to prevent severe chicken pox during pregnancy. If you are African American, Hispanic, or of mediterranean , descent you will have tests for blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia or thalassemia, which are more common in these groups.

Last but not least, you will be given your due date at this appointment (some times called the EDC – estimated date of confinement). Your due date is based on your last menstrual period. Even if you think you know the date you conceived, your last menstrual period is usually the most accurate way to estimate your due date. The exception occurs when you don’t remember when your last period was or if you have very irregular periods. In this case, an early ultrasound will be the most accurate way to date your pregnancy. Don’t get too attached to your due date remember, it is only an estimate.

Usually your care provider will see you again in 4-6 weeks to review your test results and discuss first trimester screening results. However, your doctor should call you before your second visit if any of the results are abnormal.

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Visualize to Heal Cancer and High Blood Pressure Naturally

Comments: 0June 18th, 2011 by admin



Detoxify, Decrease Stress and Relax

The mind has a large role in influencing our immunity system and empowering us to recover from cancer and other conditions such as high blood pressure.

This cooling qi gong visualization helps to promote healing of:

Issues involving struggle and resistance in our lives, said to create emotional heat in the Chinese medicine system. Health conditions that have a hot or inflammatory nature such as cancer, arthritis or certain forms of heart disease. High blood pressure.

To begin this visualization, find a quiet space.

Sit slightly off the edge of your chair and allow your back to slump naturally to relax the spine.

Take a moment to identify an issue that may involve struggle, resistance, or anger in your life.

Or you may wish to identify a health condition that may involve pain, inflammation, or discomfort.

Place your intention on using this visualization to soothe and balance the issue that you identified.

Inhale slowly for a count of five. Exhale slowly for a count of five.

Visualize a cool waterfall of energy:

Flowing over your head and down the neck. Soothing anger as it flows over the right side of your body through the liver and gallbladder (under the right rib cage). Calming any sensation of anxiety as it flows over the left side of your body through the stomach and spleen (under the left rib cage). Washing away any fear as the water flows down to the lower back and into the kidneys (in the lower back). Cleansing and healing as it flows down the legs and out the feet, releasing all heat, all worry, all anxiety and all fears.

End the visualization with inhaling slowly for a count of five and exhaling for a count of five.
Place your hands on your lower abdomen with palms facing inward and rest for a few moments.

You can also perform a shorter version of this visualization by breathing deeply and imagining cool water flowing from the top of head, down through the body and legs, and out the toes.

See, feel and hear the rush of this waterfall as a powerful and loving balancing force.

One client shared, “My co-workers know when I am doing the waterfall visualization. In the middle of a tense meeting, they will see me suddenly smile as if to say, ‘Ahhhhh.’ Oddly, after that, everyone around me seems calmer.”

When practiced regularly, cooling visualizations can help train the mind to heal manifestations of stress and imbalance to renew energy and inspire those around us to also feel more harmonious.

Please note that this article is for educational purposes and is not intended to diagnose, treat or serve as replacement for traditional western medical treatments for cancer.

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Kidney and Heart Disease – Consequences

Comments: 0August 30th, 2010 by admin



Heart disease itself is a serious medical concern. When kidney and heart disease occur in combination, the challenge is even greater.

Kidney and heart disease may begin separately, and then progress together, becoming one disease. Heart disease may also spark the beginning of kidney disease. Whichever occurs first, kidney and heart disease affect each other’s progress.

Since kidney and heart disease are so closely related, anyone who has heart disease, or is at risk for developing it, should ask his or her physician to order urine and blood tests that are designed to identify kidney disease.

Kidney Functions

Most people know that the kidneys remove wastes and fluids from the body. In addition to these functions, kidneys also perform other important jobs. Among them, several are vital to heart health.

* Regulate water in the body

* Regulate blood chemicals: calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium

* Remove drugs and toxins from the body

* Release hormones that regulate blood pressure and create red blood cells.

Kidney Disease Consequences

Kidney disease that is uncontrolled can become chronic kidney disease (CKD). As CKD worsens, the kidneys can not adequately regulate water in the body. The blood may become too thick, placing an increased work load on the heart.

At the same time, blood chemicals will go unregulated. If the heart lacks the important electrolyte chemicals, it cannot function efficiently.

CKD will also allow drugs, toxins, and other wastes in the blood to build to high levels. These high concentrations of toxic materials can take a toll on the whole body, including the heart.

High blood pressure and anemia (low red blood cell count) can be linked to failure of the kidneys to release necessary hormones.

Kidney and heart disease will then become a combined concern.

How to Prevent the Lethal Combo

Early detection of kidney and heart disease is important. Both can be treated more successfully if detected in their early stages.

Ask your physician about these three simple tests: blood pressure, serum creatinine test, and urine test.

If you have high blood pressure, be sure your physician tests for kidney disease. If you have kidney disease, insist that your physician test for high blood pressure. One can cause the other.

The kidney and heart disease combination is most likely to hit those with diabetes, hypertension, and a family history of kidney disease. If you are African American, Hispanic, a Pacific Islander, a Native American, or a senior citizen, you are at greater risk for kidney and heart disease.

Kidney and heart disease do not always go hand-in-hand, but if you have one or the other, you increase the risks of both.

CAUTION: The author is not a medical professional, and offers the information in this article for educational purposes only. Please discuss it with your health care provider before relying on it in any way.

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Herbal Treatments For Herpes

Comments: 0April 30th, 2010 by admin



The symptoms of herpes can be healed or prevented by using natural herbs. Some of the herbal treatments for herpes are essential oils, tinctures, and herbal teas. The herbal treatments can be used topically or orally and you don’t have to worry about any side effects. For decades now, these herbal treatments have been used by many people. Read on to find out what herbs are best used to treat herpes.

Melissa or lemon balm is quite expensive but you can easily find them in the market. To avoid oral herpes, add a few drops of the essential oil to the day cream you’re using. Lemon balm is also available in tea form and you can drink it everyday for more effective results. You can create your own tea by chopping lemon balm leaves. Use two teaspoon of lemon balm for a cup of water and boil it; brew it for another ten minutes.

Prunella vulgaris is another herbal treatment that you can use. This herb is also called ‘heal all’ or ‘self heal’. By mixing this herb with olive leaf extracts, lysine, and vitamin C. this mixture can suppress the outbreak of herpes.

You can also use Siberian ginseng or eleutherococcus to treat type 2 herpes virus. You can’t use this herb for treating the type 1 HSV though. Oftentimes, herpes and cold sores are due to stress. Ginseng helps in dealing with mental and physical stress due to exposures to viruses, physical exhaustion, pollution, noise, chemicals, and other things. Ginseng can also stimulate the immune system thereby preventing outbreaks. However, individuals suffering from apnea, narcolepsy, and high blood pressure should not use Siberian ginseng. Breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women are also not allowed to use such herb.

Some herbalists say that herbs are much more useful when taken in liquid form. Any kind of tea can ease the HSP type 1 symptoms since the falvenoids and polyphenols boost the immune system. Some studies also show that the HSV type 2 can also be suppressed by drinking tea regularly. Once the immune system is stimulated against viruses and bacteria, it will inhibit the occurrence of the two types of HSVs.

White and green teas are quite effective and you must take it regularly. Some individuals say that by applying the tea bags or brewed tea on the infected area, the healing process is faster which can only take 4 days.

Tea tincture is also good for healing herpes. It would be best to choose teas without caffeine for best results.

There is another herb that you can use, it is called thyme. This herb is an antiseptic and you can use it internally or externally. It promotes the production of leucocytes and can prevent herpes outbreaks. Each day, you can take thyme tea by boiling a cup of water with one tablespoon of thyme. You can even use thyme as a tonic and you must take it regularly. There are no side effects and it’s quite effective. Even pregnant women can use this herb. For those taking anti inflammatory medications, try to ask your doctor about it first.

As you can see, there are many herbal treatments for herpes. If you know how to use the herbs properly, herpes can be prevented. Use the herbs as instructed to see best results.

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Understanding High Blood Pressure

Comments: 0April 5th, 2010 by admin



Imagine a garden hose. If there is little water pressure as you are trying to wash your car, the hose is flimsy and kinks easily. However, if there is high water pressure, the hose is firm, the water sprays out in greater amounts, and the hose may even burst. Your body’s arteries and veins work in the same way. Blood pressure is basically the force exerted on the walls of your blood vessels. Typically, blood pressure is measure in your larger arteries, and it is measure in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg).

When you measure your blood pressure, you will get two different numbers, known as systolic and diastolic. The systolic number records your blood presure at its peak in the cycle (remember, your heart pumps in a beat, so blood flow is not consistant every single moment), while diastolic blood pressure measures your blood flow at its lowest moment in the cycle. A healthy adult’s blood pressure is usually around 120/80 mm Hg. Blood pressure varies slightly from beat to beat and can vary greatly over the course of the day, so to get an accurate estimate, you should measure your blood pressure at the same point in the day every day. Adults are considered normal if they fall in the 90 to 135 mm Hg range for systolic blood pressure and the 50 to 110 mm HG range for diastolic blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a common disease among adults. There are many causes of high blood pressure, but overall, long-term high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and diabetes. Because this is a serious disease, doctors and other health care professionals (or simply people worried about the health of themselves and their families) are taking great steps to prevent high blood pressure. However, it is important to remember that the first step to lowering your high blood pressure is to understand it in the first place.

To go back to the garden hose example, high pressure can occur in a number of ways. First, the pump could start pumping water through the hose at a higher rate. This will cause more water to flow through the hose, and put extra strain on the pump, or, in your body’s case, the heart. However, imagine trying to pumping honey through the hose instead of water. Even if you pump at a slower rate, you still need to have extra effort exerted from the pump. This occurs in the blood if your blood thickens, which can happen if you have high blood sugar or a higher than normal red blood cell count.

Now, imagine you hook up a skinner hose to the same pump–water pressure would be greater in this case as well. The same thing happens if your blood vessels are smaller than normal, which can be the case if you have fatty build-up in your arteries. Finally, the amount of blood flowing through your system effects blood pressure. Unlike with a graden hose, you blood is part of a closed system moset of the time–that is, it doesn’t leave the body, at least not in large amounts. When it does, the body quickly produces more to counteract the loss. However, if your body produces too much, this can also lead to high blood presure.

Blood pressure is extremely important to regulating the overall health of our bodies. By understanding this concept, we can grasp how to better take care of our health. Although confusing at first, blood pressure is actually as simple as using a garden hose, so anyone can learn how to measure blood pressure to better take care of their body.

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Low Blood Pressure Can Be Serious

Comments: 0December 28th, 2009 by admin



When the blood presses against the walls of the arteries, it is called blood pressure. Blood pressure derives from two different things. The force of the arteries as they resist the blood and when the heart pumps blood into the arteries and through the circulatory system. Blood pressure readings can change very quickly depending on the time of day, what you have eaten and stress levels.

Many people are concerned with having high blood pressure but if your blood pressure is to low you may experience some scary symptoms such as blurred vision, nausea, dizziness and fainting. Doctors usually consider low pressure as having a healthy cardiovascular system so if you don’t experience any symptoms then there is usually no need to worry. It is not normal for blood pressure to drop suddenly and can be dangerous because it could indicate a serious problem.

The body has to have a certain amount of fluid to function normally. You can lose too much fluid from a stomach flu that causes severe vomiting or diarrhea. Taking diuretics can cause an excessive loss of fluid. Sweating for a long period of time can also cause fluid levels in the body to drop. If you don’t maintain enough fluid then dehydration can occur and cause blood pressure to drop too low. Allergic reactions to food, bees or medicines can cause a severe drop in your blood pressure as well. Anything that would cause an extreme loss of blood or infections that get into the bloodstream and produce toxins or form bacteria can make blood pressure plummet.

Anemia is from a low blood count that can be brought on by excessive bleeding or iron deficiency. Low blood pressure can accompany anemia especially when you change positions from sitting to standing. If you’re not eating a healthy diet, not only will your iron levels be affected but you may not be getting enough nutrients to maintain a normal blood pressure. Drugs such as heart medicines, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety and alcohol can also disturb your blood pressure by making it low. Tell your doctor if you experience alarming symptoms while on medicine. He might want to change your dose.

Low blood pressure without symptoms doesn’t need treatment. If is coming from a medicine and the adjusted dose doesn’t help you need to completely stop the medicine. In order for your doctor to accurately determine the exact cause tests will need to be done. Blood tests will identify problems such as anemia and low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. Heart tests can reveal any abnormalities with your heart and make sure your heart muscle is receiving enough blood and oxygen. Other tests are valsalva maneuver and tilt-table. One option to bring your pressure up is to increase the salt in your diet but don’t overdo it unless you talk to your doctor. There are some natural treatments you could also try if your blood pressure is mildly low and if you have moderate symptoms. Doctors usually agree that people with low blood pressure live longer then people with high blood pressure.

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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Comments: 0November 17th, 2009 by admin



The Polycystioc Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder affecting between thousands of women worldwide. Since some women are asymptomatic, it is particularly hard for them to detect the condition. Only when it becomes problematic, such in cases of disability to conceive women turn to their doctors to ask for their expert advice and seek treatment. On the other hand, some women have quite pronounced symptoms, including obesity, acne and/or skin pigmentation, hirsutism, male-pattern hair growth or baldness, weight gain and insulin resistance. In addition, records of high blood pressure have also occurred, as well as dizziness, exhaustion and depression. Extremely important are also the psychosocial effects of PCOS, as suffering women tend to have poor body image and low self-esteem.

While PCOS is not a rare health case, the causes of PCOS are unclear. Recent studies indicate both genetic and environmental/lifestyle links. Specifically, doctors attest that about 25 percent of women have ovaries that can be diagnosed as polycystic on an ultrasound examination. This condition is called Polycystic Ovaries (PCO) and it can occur for a number of reasons. But women with polycystic ovaries (PCO) do not necessarily suffer from PCOS. Those having the syndrome have cysts that actually contain small follicles, which have not matured to release an egg.

In countries were special examinations exist, doctors are able to diagnose PCOS when other typical PCOS symptoms are present, but the ovaries appear to be normal. Most frequently, women with PCOS will have more than one of the following symptoms: irregular or only occasional periods, which may be very heavy when they occur; polycystic ovaries; difficulty becoming pregnant; problems with weight gain and increased upper body fat; excessive facial hair growth or occasional loss of head hair; acne or skin pigmentation; and increased blood lipids. As any one of these symptoms can be caused by other health conditions, it is important for women to investigate all the possibilities with their doctor before taking any form of medication.

Unfortunately, although research and knowledge is evolving rapidly, PCOS is not yet fully understood by practitioners. In particular, while doctors know that certain hormones are affected, they do not known where and how the changes begin or why some women will have different symptoms compared to others. In most cases, the hormones typically affected by PCOS are androgens-male-type hormones, such as testosterone-which are present in low levels in all women. But the women having PCOS have higher levels of androgens causing a variety of health problems like the ones mentioned above. Moreover, the hormone of insulin can be also affected. This is extremely serious, as women with PCOS may become insulin resistant, which can lead to weight gain and an increased risk of forming diabetes later in their life. Also, other hormones affected include the luteinising hormone (LH) and the follicular stimulating hormone (FSH). The outcome is that the follicles in the ovary do not mature and thus prevent the ovary from releasing an egg that will lead to a normal monthly cycle.

Oral contraceptives are usually subscribed by doctors since the chemical substances they release can be used to assist with irregular periods and will help protect women with PCOS against uterine cancer. But before taking any type of oral contraceptives, women found to have PCOS must consult with their doctor about the best form medicine for their specific case.

Finally, women with or without PCOS should focus on creating and maintaining a lifestyle that will keep them fit and healthy. Frequent diet changes and weight increase or loss due to irregular eating patterns, should be definitely avoided. Furthermore, exercising should be one of the first priorities women with PCOS should have, as regular exercise can help reduce the insulin levels in the blood and encourage weight loss. However, some women with PCOS will find it very difficult to manage their weight. But, even in cases where weight loss is not necessary, symptoms are improved via a healthier diet and an exercise plan.

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Your Menstrual Cycle Can Have a Big Impact on Your Exercise Regime

Comments: 0September 25th, 2009 by admin



Time your hardest workouts to coincide with the latter stages of your menstrual cycle as during this time levels of oestrogen and progesterone are at their highest. Studies have shown that you can exercise harder during this time and will be able to burn more calories!

Every woman should get their iron levels checked regularly as this has a serious impact on how able you are to be able to maintain an exercise program. Even if you are not anaemic having a low iron level can still make you feel tired and unable to workout to your maximum. Ask your doctor to prescribe a low dose of iron tablets to help get your body up to normal levels and monitor how much more exercise you can manage than before. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Seriously don’t bother buying the latest celebrity workout DVD. What benefit will you get from watching a well toned, attractive lady telling you how to get into shape? The chances are that she didn’t get fit by herself but instead was in a position to hire a full time trainer to keep her motivated and also didn’t use the exercises she shows you in the DVD. Very soon you will realise that the chances of actually getting the body and looks of a celebrity are slim and can quickly sap your motivation and make you self conscious. So you would be better spending the money on a session at the gym with a trainer who will work out a plan for you to follow and you will see better results too.

Some heavier women feel that they cannot benefit from exercise but this is totally untrue as even if you don’t lose lots of weight you will still be keeping the heart healthy and reducing this risks of high blood pressure and strokes in later life.

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Hypotension May Be Potentially Harmful

Comments: 0September 14th, 2009 by admin



Hypotension results from decreased arterial pressure subsequent to each beat of the heart. There are two essential aspects to blood pressure; arterial resistance to blood flow through the blood vessels and the force with which the heart ejects and circulates blood. There are also other factors which might alter blood pressure, such as emotional or physical stress, medications, alcohol consumption and whether or not the patient has recently eaten.

While most people are aware of the hazards of high blood pressure it is important to recognize that low blood pressure carries its own risks and consequences. Symptoms of low blood pressure may include light-headedness, blurring of vision, nausea, sleepiness, weakness or loss of consciousness. Sudden onset of symptoms might be an indication of serious health conditions such as heart attack, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, diabetes, dehydration or anaphylactic shock (severe allergic reaction.)

Dehydration may ensue following a lengthy attack of diarrhea and/or vomiting due to an illness such as the bacterial food poisoning or influenza. Still other possible causes of excess fluid loss include excess perspiration due to physical exertion or exposure to extreme heat over an extended period of time, and the use of diuretics. Exposure to substances, or ingestion of food to which one is hypersensitive or to which one has an allergy, may precipitate an anaphylactic reaction which may trigger a hypotensive episode. Severe or prolonged hemorrhaging and various viral or bacterial infections are also capable of sending blood pressure into a rapid and perilous downward spiral.

Extreme or prolonged blood loss or poor cause low red blood cell counts. The common term for a low red blood cell count is anemia. Poor diet might also be responsible for insufficient intake of other vital nutrients, resulting in hypotension. Orthostatic hypotension is weakness or dizziness that occurs when quickly changing from a reclining to an upright body position. Symptoms which occur after a meal might signal postprandial hypotension. Many pharmaceuticals used for the treatment of anxiety or depression and alcohol may also negatively impact blood pressure.

Asymptomatic hypotension in a generally healthy individual rarely requires treatment. However, it is essential to keep your physician informed of any symptoms you might be experiencing so he or she can investigate their cause and initiate any necessary treatments. If you are currently taking a prescription medication consult your health care provider for possible changes in dose or a different medication. Anemia and hypoglycemia can be detected with a simple laboratory test. Cardiac arrhythmia, heart failure and heart attack are diagnosed with more sophisticated exams and monitoring devices. Your physician may advise you to increase your salt intake. Simple dietary changes, herbal supplements, meditation and deep breathing exercises, and potassium drinks are all effective in normalizing hypotension. Ask your health care provider which ones he or she recommends. Though low blood pressure is not to be taken too lightly it should be some consolation to know that most physicians concur that patients with hypotension have a longer life expectancy than those with hypertension.

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When You Run Out of Options You May Want to Try Tinnitus Retraining Therapy

Comments: 0August 8th, 2009 by admin



You may be reading this article and be wondering what is Tinnitus? I too had that same question until I did some research into the condition and found out for myself. Both the Oxford and the Webster’s dictionaries define Tinnitus as a ringing in the ear. My research has shown that this phenomenon originates in the nervous system and directly connected to the ear.

Tinnitus is neither a disease nor a serious medical condition. Instead it is a symptom of a problem or a condition that is happening elsewhere in your body. The bottom line is that if you want your Tinnitus to go away then you have to fix whatever is causing it in the first place. Sometimes it is not so easy, since what may be causing it may be incurable and you will have to revert to Tinnitus retraining therapy.

There are literally hundreds of plausible causes of Tinnitus and I will list a few of them below:

A sudden loud bang or noise or repeated loud noise without any ear protection. Excessive Ear wax build up in the ears. Acoustic neuroma (a tumor of the cells of the vestibulocochlear nerve). High Blood Pressure. Severe anemia and renal failure. Loss of Hearing. Drugs: aspirin overdose, loop diuretics, aminoglycosides, quinine. Injury or trauma to the head. Temporomandibular ( a disorder in the joint between the mandible and the skull) and cervical spine disorders. Suppurative otitis media (an inflammation of the middle ear). Otosclerosis (an abnormal growth of bone near the middle ear). Impacted wisdom teeth. Meniere’s disease (a disorder of the middle ear). Arteriovenous fistulae (an abnormal connection or passageway between an artery and a vein). Stress and depression and anxiety. Obesity

As I mentioned earlier these are only just a few of the possible causes of Tinnitus, there are many more. Some of these causes can be treated while other are not treatable. For the untreatable ones you may just have to find other ways of blocking out the ringing in the ears. Having to live with Tinnitus can be very stressful and affect a person physiologically.

For those people there are some measures that can be taken in order to minimize the effect of the Tinnitus. In Tinnitus retraining therapy there are devices available that have the ability to generate artificial noises such as white noise that will mask the Tinnitus. This method is widely used as a treatment but it cannot make the noise disappear, it will only make it less annoying to the one that is affected allowing that person to lead a relatively normal life.

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