Blood pressure refers to the force of the blood flowing through your body which is pumped through by the heart. When this force exceeds the standard limit which is considered safe, the resulting condition is known as high blood pressure. There are varying levels of high blood pressure on a high blood pressure chart, and it is estimated that around 80 to 90 million people in the country suffer a variety of health problems due to this condition. These estimates are alarming because, among three adults over the age of 20, one of them is suffering from high blood pressure in the total count. Before we can try and understand how to read a high blood pressure chart, it is important to understand the five main types of blood pressure: It is important to understand the two categories of levels which indicate blood pressure, namely systolic and diastolic levels. Systolic levels are the numbers in the upper section which indicates how much pressure is being put on the walls of any artery when the heart pumps blood. Diastolic levels, however, are the numbers in the lower section which indicate the pressure on the walls in between heartbeats. So, both during heartbeats and in between, the upper and lower numbers together will indicate the overall blood pressure levels. Normal blood pressure: The standard range for blood pressure as calculated by medical associations is 120/80 mmHg. People who follow a lifestyle including a well-balanced diet and exercise will never have any problems relating to high blood pressure. This is the standard limit set for understanding the proper range of the analysis of a high blood pressure chart. Early stage high blood pressure: Also known as prehypertension, this field is constantly shifting from 120–139/80–89 mmHg. The first stage high blood pressure is a cause for concern since these are the initial indicators of a developing high blood pressure.

Caries, the other word for cavities, can be defined as the small holes or openings in the teeth that are a result of decaying tooth. To be able to know as to how to treat cavities, first, it’s important to know the causes of cavities. Cavities are a result of plaque and bacteria that builds its home on the teeth’s surface. Also, one who does not follow a good dental hygiene and does not have enough minerals in the diet is prone to having cavities in their teeth. When learning about how to treat cavities, it is important to note that most of them are irreversible and would require immediate attention. It is best to get cavities checked by a dentist and ask if you need fillings, fluoride treatments, or extractions. But, in some cases, cavities can be treated at home by using a combination of good diet and tooth re-mineralization. In this article we will discuss how to treat cavities at home along with some preventive measures that can be taken to prevent cavities in the first place itself. In order to be able to treat cavities, it is important to be aware of the signs& symptoms of cavities. Once you have recognized the following signs, commence the treatment without further delay. This will help you save your tooth and will also help get rid of the constant pain and sensitivity that one experiences if he or she has cavities. Following are the symptoms of cavities Be subjected to toothache or sensitivity. Experiencing mild to sharp pain while eating or drinking something hot or cold. Experiencing pain while biting food. Dark-stained pits and holes on the tooth/teeth. Breaking or chipping of the teeth, thus exposing a black inner surface. Bad taste in the mouth. Bad breadth even after brushing.

Every new parent can understand the agony of their baby falling sick, or experiencing discomfort. In the first year of life, your baby could fall prey to a number of ailments. A bloated or gassy stomach is one such problem that many babies face. Most parents are terrified about their babies falling ill, and the first few months of parenting, can be a trying time. Babies commonly suffer from digestive and intestinal issues. This is because their gastrointestinal systems are still developing, meaning they’re more prone to bloating and gas. Nearly any food is new and alien to a baby’s digestive system. So, bloating, or gas, is not uncommon. Baby gas relief not only makes your baby more comfortable, but also reduces the stress on new parents. There are a lot of options that can be implemented, by the parents themselves, for giving their baby gas relief. However, always consult a pediatrician before you take it on yourself to give your baby gas relief. Symptoms of Gas in Babies Some common symptoms of babies suffering from gas, or bloating, are: Burping Burping is a natural response to excessive gas in the digestive system. It’s normal for babies to burp or belch after meals, but excessive burping may indicate that your baby is taking in too much air while feeding. Spitting up Most babies will spit up a little after meals. Spitting up is often accompanied by burping. There are many things apart from gas, that can cause spitting up. Some of these are particles in the breast milk, eating too much or too fast, or the type of formula the baby is being fed. Bloating Bloating is commonly associated with gas build up in babies. The abdomen will appear swollen or distended. This is often uncomfortable or painful for the baby, and may be accompanied by stomach cramps.

If you’re an avid tennis player or a player of another racket sport, you may have heard the term tennis elbow. But what is tennis elbow exactly? Tennis elbow is a repetitive strain injury to the tendons in the elbow. It is a type of tendonitis that can be acute or chronic. It affects the extensor muscles of the forearm. Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis affects people who do a lot of striking motions with their forearm like playing tennis, using hammers, etc. Even activities that require excessive gripping motions can cause tennis elbow, like painting and hedge clipping. When playing tennis the following maneuvers can cause tennis elbow—one-handed backhand with poor technique, twisting the wrist while serving at full power, and a late forehand swing that causes the wrist to bend. Treatment of tennis elbow focuses on reducing the pain and inflammation. To protect the elbow while letting it heal, a tennis elbow brace is recommended. A tennis elbow brace will restrict movement of the elbow while also being supportive and protective. Signs And Symptoms The most common sign of tennis elbow is a pain over the lateral (outer) aspect of the elbow. The outer portion of the elbow can also become tender. Specifically, the pain and tenderness will be 1-2cm around the outer bony prominence. There can be a weakness of the muscles in the forearm, especially the extensor muscles. The extensor muscles help to extend the finger and the wrist upwards. The pain will be increased, with gripping motions of the wrist and with activities that require the use of the extensor muscles like— pouring from a jug, sweeping, lifting with the palm down, etc. An acute case of tennis elbow occurs immediately after the activity. The muscles get overloaded in a short period of time causing tears in the tendons.

Contrary to the previous belief that it is rare to develop both rheumatoid arthritis and gout, in recent years, it is observed that rheumatoid arthritis patients are at high risk of developing gout in the near future. Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is an autoimmune disease where the joints in your body suffer from chronic joint pain, swelling and stiffness. Gout is another type of arthritis where the uric acid level in a person’s body is alarmingly high, leading to the formation of uric acid crystals that cause joint pain and stiffness. Both the diseases are inflammatory diseases, and many times it is difficult for the doctors to deduce which type of arthritis you are suffering from. Also, men are more likely to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and gout together than women. Is it Gout or RA? Diagnosing the illness at the initial stage is very important. Though both the conditions have similar signs and symptoms, if you look carefully you can make out the difference. Here are some signs that differentiate the two: In most of the cases, gout occurs in the base of the big toe. Common areas that get affected by RA are the joints of your wrist and hands. You will always experience redness, swelling, and inflammation of joints when you are suffering from gouty arthritis symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis is painful, but it is not always followed by swelling and reddening of the affected area. In this article, you will learn about some common rheumatoid arthritis and gouty foot pain treatments. Treatment for Gout About 4 % of the population suffer from gout at some point in their life. This makes gout one of the most common types of arthritis that people suffer from today. There are two types of medication for gout foot pain, short-term medication, and long-term medication.

The most common disorders of the nervous system are headaches—especially migraine headaches. Statistics show that nearly 15% of adults in the US experience severe headaches with an overwhelming majority of the people affected being women. One in four households has a person who is affected by a migraine. Americans who were surveyed reported that their migraine symptoms lasted between one to three days. It runs within the family genes and 90% of the migraineurs have a family history of the condition. Migraines are not just a headache It is a neurological condition with distinct debilitating neurological symptoms. Throbbing recurrent pain usually on one side of the head but both sides can be involved. Accompanying disabling symptoms include visual disturbances, heightened sensitivity to sound, smell, light, touch, numbness in limbs and face, weakness, nausea/vomiting, dizziness. Attacks may last between 4-72 hours. Impacts the quality of your life. Might be undiagnosed in children. Can cause depression, anxiety attacks, dependence on painkillers. A migraine as a disability The World Health Organization has classified severe migraine headaches as comparable to disabling illnesses like dementia, psychosis, and quadriplegia. Since it affects people largely in the age group of 18-55, the impact is on the productive years of a person’s life. 113 million workdays are lost due to a migraine and employers lose more than $13 billion annually. The annual economic burden for migraine sufferers in the US is approximately $78 billion. This means that chronic migraineurs must spend between $8500-9500 and episodic migraineurs must spend at least $2000 annually on medication, treatments, and healthcare. This figure also takes indirect costs into account such as—lost wages, productivity, etc. Treatments Mild attacks can be addressed with OTC pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc. Drugs like triptans are used specifically as remedies for migraines. Ergotamine/Caffeine combinations are also effective.

A rare class of disorders called myelodysplastic syndrome prevents the body from producing healthy blood cells. It is also referred to as “bone marrow failure.” Although it affects people of any age, this rare type of cancer primarily affects the elderly, particularly those over 65. A blood test is usually used to detect or diagnose this condition. The symptoms are fatigue and shortness of breath. Some of the treatments for this condition are listed below. Treatment options for myelodysplastic syndromes The primary goals of myelodysplastic syndrome treatment are to reduce the illness’ progression, ameliorate its symptoms, and avoid complications. Since this condition has no known cure, certain treatments may limit its progression. Transfusion therapy Transfusion therapy (blood transfusion) replaces blood cells destroyed by illness or treatment by infusing red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. A red blood cell transfusion is administered when the blood cell count is low and signs of anemia, such as shortness of breath or fatigue, occur. A platelet transfusion is frequently given to a patient undergoing a procedure that may result in bleeding or a low platelet count. Besides, patients who frequently receive blood transfusions may suffer tissue and organ damage from excess iron accumulation. These patients may receive iron chelation therapy to eliminate the excess iron from the blood. Chemotherapy Chemotherapy is a method of eliminating damaged cells by preventing them from dividing and growing. A chemotherapy schedule, or regimen, typically consists of a set number of rounds administered over a set period. Conventional chemotherapy may help people with high-risk MDS subtypes. Depending on the patient and the dosage used, this type of therapy may cause fatigue, an increased risk of infection, nausea and vomiting, hair loss, a loss of appetite, and diarrhea. When the treatment is over, these side effects usually disappear.

Several people are looking for the most effective types of shingles pain treatments available. Shingles can be described as a viral infection that causes a painful skin rash. The virus known as Varicella Zoster is one that causes this skin condition. Chickenpox is caused by the same Varicella Zoster virus. If you ever had chickenpox, this virus remains dormant in the nerve tissues located near your brain or spinal cord, and after many years, it reactivates to cause shingles. They are usually found in a strip, band, or a small area on the face or other body parts. Older adults are more vulnerable to shingles; moreover, if you have a weak immune system due to injury, medicines, or stress, you have higher chances of getting affected by this skin disease. Shingles are not basically infectious Shingles are not a serious problem but the pain can be really severe. You do not need to worry getting this disease from someone else because it is not an infectious disease. Still, there is a small possibility of a virus getting spread from a person suffering from shingles rash to another person who has never got affected with chickenpox or who has not taken the chickenpox vaccine. The symptoms of shingles Only a smart part or one side of your body becomes vulnerable to shingles. You experience pain and burning sensation and a tingling sensation or numbness can also be felt. Another common symptom is the sensitivity to touch and after having started the pain, a red rash starts to appear after some days. Sometimes, fluid-filled blisters are formed and they often break and crust over. Itching is another tendency that many people feel. It has been reported that some other people experience fatigue, light sensitivity, headache, and fever. Of course, pain the first sign and it can become really intense.

What is Blood Pressure? Blood pressure is the force that transports blood through our circulatory system. It is a life force which pushes oxygen and nutrients around our circulatory system to feed tissues and organs. Blood pressure is also important because it distributes white blood cells and antibodies for immunity, and hormones such as insulin. The fresh blood that gets delivered also gathers the toxic waste products of metabolism along with the carbon dioxide we breathe out, and the toxins we clear through our liver and kidneys. The heart builds up blood pressure by pumping out blood when it contracts with every heartbeat. Biology Our blood pressure is highest at the commencement of its journey from our heart, and it is lowest at the end of its journey along smaller branches of arteries. That pressure difference is what causes blood to flow around our bodies. The condition of the arteries effect on the blood pressure and flow. What does Blood Pressure Values denote? Measurement of your blood pressure will give two readings. Your blood pressure will have two numbers, e.g., 120/80 mm. Hg. The number which appears on the left-hand side, being the highest number, is called systolic. The number which appears on the right-hand side, being the lowest number, is called diastolic. Systolic blood pressure denotes the highest pressure registered during the time your heart pushes the blood in your body system. Diastolic blood pressure denotes the lowest pressure registered, at the moment your heart rests between beats. Which number is more important? Typically, systolic blood pressure (the left side number) poses the main risk agent for cardiovascular disease for people over 50. In most people, systolic blood pressure rises incrementally with age due to the increasing rigidity of arteries. Blood Pressure Chart The blood pressure chart maps out levels of blood pressure at different times.

Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition wherein the skin gradually loses color or pigment. White patches, in particular, are a common warning sign of vitiligo. These patches result from skin depigmentation and can occur anywhere on the body, such as the face, hands, neck, arms, elbows, feet, wrists, ankles, and groin. Doctors may recommend several treatment options to manage the symptoms and ensure they do not worsen or lead to health conditions. 1. Topical creams Doctors prescribe topical creams or ointments with special ingredients to vitiligo patients for skin repigmentation. One can ask the doctor which cream would work best for their case and apply it as they recommend. 2. Light therapy With the help of light therapy, vitiligo patients can achieve repigmentation successfully. Here, patients are made to stand in a light box that directs UV rays toward the affected skin. These rays restore pigmentation and help prevent new patches from forming. Phototherapy exposure times can vary for each patient. The treatment is most effective for restoring pigmentation on the face and neck. 3. Oral treatment Some vitiligo treatments are to be taken orally to slow down the development of patches and spots on the skin and stimulate repigmentation. Doctors decide on a possible treatment after discussing viable options with the patient. 4. Surgery Vitiligo patients who do not improve with other treatments may be prescribed surgery. Here, a surgeon might perform a skin graft procedure by covering the patches with healthy skin from another region. Alternatively, a cell transplant surgery can be performed, where cells are extracted from healthy or pigmented skin and administered into the skin patches to stimulate repigmentation. Treatment results can take some time. Additionally, it is best for those with vitiligo to talk to their doctors before using any products. Some products may exacerbate their condition, so a patch test is always recommended.

Testicular cancer is a life-threatening disease. Early detection of the cancer results in a better prognosis. Watch out for these testicular cancer symptoms, and seek help if you notice them. Testicular cancer is a disease that is characterized by the growth of cancerous cells in the testes of the male reproductive system. The cancer is said to have metastasized if the cancer begins to multiply and spread to the other healthy organs of the body through the bloodstream. However, the good news is that unlike most cancer cases, testicular cancer can be cured even after metastasis. In general, testicular cancer begins in the cells that produce immature sperms in the testicle, these cells are called germ cells. . There are different types of testicular cancers, such as carcinoma in situ, seminomas, non-seminomas, stromal tumors, Leydig cell tumors, sertoli cell tumors, secondary testicular tumors, etc. Although it is curable, many people lose their lives to this cancer because the testicular cancer symptoms are not diagnosed early enough. In order to ensure early detection and treatment of the disease in time, it is essential to know about the various significant testicular cancer symptoms. Testicular Lump One of the early testicular cancer symptoms includes the development of a pea-sized swelling or a lump in either testicle. This lump or cyst also known as spermatocele develops in the epididymis. The lump may or may not be painful, however it may cause discomfort for the patient as the swelling increases. Pain in the Lower Abdomen Owing to the swellings and lumps in the testicles or in the scrotum, most patients experience pain in the lower abdomen and/or groin area. Shortness of Breath One of the common testicular cancer symptoms is the experience of shortness of breath also known as dyspnea, followed by excessive coughing and chest pains.

Colds and allergies are two extremely common conditions, somewhat similar in nature and expression, and affect both children as well as adults of all ages. According to a survey published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is not at all uncommon for an adult to suffer from cold two to three times a year. This survey also correctly concludes that children are more likely to suffer from more frequent bouts of cold every year immune system is still developing. Allergies as a condition are also very common in both children and adults. According to a survey, around 50 million people in the country suffer from allergies. Read on to know more about the symptoms that help provide a difference between these two conditions. Cold and allergies are not the same It is true that the symptoms of these two conditions are somewhat similar, but cold and allergies themselves are fundamentally different from one another. These two conditions have significantly different causes and outbursts and the cold and allergies symptoms vary in type as well as the duration for which they last. If the doctor correctly identifies the cause behind the symptoms, then appropriate and timely treatment can be undertaken. Symptoms of a common cold Despite the apparent similarities between cold and allergies’ symptoms, the essential differences between them would be best explained if one understands these conditions would be beneficial. A cold, which is also known as “the common cold,” is, more often than not, caused by a virus and its symptoms show that. There are many different types of viruses which are responsible for causing a cold. While the symptoms and their severity may differ from individual to individual, all types of cold generally share some of the same basic characteristics. Here are some of the most common symptoms of cold: