HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

                                   

Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries. Your blood pressure is highest when your heart beats, pumping the blood. This is called systolic pressure. When your heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is called diastolic pressure.

Your blood pressure reading uses these two numbers. Usually the systolic number comes before or above the diastolic number. A reading of

119/79 or lower is normal blood pressure

140/90 or higher is high blood pressure

Between 120 and 139 for the top number, or between 80 and 89 for the bottom number is called prehypertension.  Prehypertension means you may end up with high blood pressure, unless you take steps to prevent it.

             High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, but it can cause serious problems such as stroke, heart attack and kidney fail.

                 Possible Causes for High Blood Pressure

While the exact cause of hypertension remains unknown, a few facts have been identified by health experts are: excess consumption of salt, lack of exercise, an unhealthy diet and genetic predisposition. Other factors that increase the odds are: cigarette smoking, binge drinking, obesity and stress. A recent study pointed out that processed or canned food and drinks might also be contributing to this increase.

How to Control High Blood Pressure

Over time, unaddressed elevated blood pressure can have catastrophic consequences on your health. So here's a checklist of things you can do to keep it under control:

1. Eat less salt:  Too much salt can cause a spike in blood pressure. While a vast majority of research shows that with a drop in sodium consumption you may say a drop in blood pressure, it can differ from person to person.

2. Stressful situations pump up the blood pressure so keep calm. Stress does elevate your blood pressure and for those suffering from hypertension, stress can also cause some kind of cardiovascular damage.

3. Exercise to stay fit and to keep your BP within recommended levels. Indians are used to snacking, especially on fried food and. So some form of exercise is recommended. (Belly fat may trigger high blood pressure)

4. Sleep! If you don't want to lose sleep over high blood pressure, then get at least 6-8 hours of sleep every night. Studies have found that the fewer hours of sleep you get, the higher your blood pressure is.

5. Quit or reduce your alcohol intake. Quit smoking because nicotine is said to increase blood pressure.

6. Say goodbye to your caffeine fix. According to Mayo Clinic, caffeine can cause a short but dramatic increase in your blood pressure.

                              High Blood Pressure Diet:

High blood pressure has a lot to do with your diet and lifestyle. So besides reducing your sodium intake it's important you check what you eat. And that's where we come in. Healthy eating can play an essential role in warding off high blood pressure. But many fear that a blood-pressure-lowering diet involves bland, unseasoned foods and deprivation. That's far from the truth.

                10 Natural Foods to Control High Blood Pressure

Here's a list of the top 10 natural foods that should be included in a high blood pressure diet:

1. Banana:

Bananas easy-peel fruits aren't just sweet and low in sodium; they're also rich in potassium which helps lower blood pressure. To incorporate more bananas into your diet- add it to your cereal, cake, bread, smoothies and milkshakes. Or try grilling or sauteing banana halves, and then top it with a scoop of frozen yogurt.

2. Spinach:

This green leafy delight is low in calories, high in fiber, and packed with nutrients like potassium, foliate, magnesium - key ingredients for lowering and maintaining blood pressure levels.

3. Celery:

Medicine practitioners have used celery for reducing high blood pressure for ages! Research has shown that eating as few as four celery stalks a day can reduce high blood pressure. It contains photo chemical known as phthalates that relax the muscle tissue in the artery walls, enabling increased blood flow and, in turn, lowering blood pressure.

4. Oatmeal:

Eating a diet high in fiber & whole grains helps your body maintain a healthy blood pressure and oatmeal does just that! It helps reduce both your systolic and diastolic pressure. This low-sodium food can be prepared as a hot cereal and topped with fruit or used in pancakes. You can also add it to many baked goods.
  

5. Avocados:

The oleic acid found in avocados can reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Avocados also contain potassium and foliate which both essential for heart health. It is rich in vitamins A, K, B & E and is loaded with fiber.

6. Watermelon:

It contains an amino acid called L-citrulline, which has proven to lower blood pressure. Watermelon is a heart health promoting food loaded with fiber, lynchpins, vitamin A and potassium. All these nutrients have blood pressure-lowering effects. Add this delectable fruit to your diet and wait for the magic to happen!

7. Beetroot:

This crimson root veggie is rich in nitrates, which is thought to relax blood vessels and improve blood flow. Drinking glass of beet juice can yield a five-point drop in blood pressure, according to a 2012 Australian study. The effect might be even greater over the long term if they are drinking it day upon day. Yes, beetroot juice lowers systolic blood pressure in just a few hours.

8. Sunflower seeds:

Sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin E, folic acid, protein and fiber. Just a handful of sunflower seeds help to lower your blood pressure and promote your heart-health. They are also a great source of magnesium and they make a nutritious snack - but be sure to buy them unsalted in order to minimize your sodium intake.

9. Oranges:

This super rich vitamin fruit - is another food you must indulge in to lower your blood pressure. Opt in for glassful of orange juice or eat the whole fruit to load yourself with fiber and vitamin C. 

10. Carrots:

The cure for high BP might be one carrot away! Carrots are high in potassium and beta-carotene which have been shown to be effective in reducing high blood pressure. Carrot juice also helps maintain normal blood pressure by regulating heart and kidney functions.

BEST FOODS FOR HEALTHY THROAT

              

Throat infection is the most common kind of disease among all age groups. As it is a communicable disease caused by bacterial infection, sore throat is very easily caught. Inflammation of tonsils, epiglottis and uvula can occur during this disease. Itchiness and difficulty to eat can result due to it. Hot beverages, soups and broths are often recommended along with proper medication and care. Given below are the best foods for throat which can help you recover quickly from sore throat.

Food for Healthy Throat – Ginger

Health Benefits of Ginger

Its bitter strong taste soothes and relaxes itchy throat. It has antifungal properties that help in preventing microorganisms to enter the body. Cough can be restricted by its consumption as it aids in promoting salivation and mucus secretion. It has warming properties and provides heat to the body. Lemon ginger tea is often given to patients suffering from common cold and sore throat.  Ginger contains essential oils, antioxidants and oleoresin. Oleoresin is a mixture of essential oils which restricts and relieves coughing. Various chemicals like gingerols, shogaols and zinger one found in ginger are helpful for throat irritation.

Best Foods for Throat – Lemon

Lemon contains a high quantity of Vitamin-C (53mg for 100gms) which helps in preventing and curing a person with sore throat. It is a strong anti-inflammatory agent and even helps in the production of antibodies and WBC which help in fighting against the micro-organisms in the body.

Remedy for Sore Throat – Honey

Honey has anti-microbial properties. Consumption of honey while having throat infection can really be helpful as it reduces throat inflammation. Honey along with lemon and water has been found to do wonders against sore throat. Honey helps in inhibiting the cell mast deregulation and thus reduces various allergic reactions.

Banana for Throat

Banana is a throat soothing food because of its soft and tender texture. It is filled with potassium, Vitamin-B6 and Vitamin-C.

Cloves to relieve Sore Throat

Essential oils present in cloves help in preventing fever and sore throat. Cloves have anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties which help in keeping germs away from the body. Cloves aid in preventing phlegm from the respiratory system. Cloves are often slowly chewed to provide relief from sore throat and prevent cough.

Best Foods for Throat – Sage

Sage is a medicinal herb which is high in phonemic acid, falconoid and oxygen handling enzymes.  It has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and astringent properties. This herb can be added in soups and beverages to provide a warming effect. It can help recover quickly from sore throat.

Boiled Carrots for Healthy Throat

Boiled or steamed carrot is friendly to throat. Carrots are rich in Vitamin-C, potassium and Vitamin-A which can help recover from sore throat.

Licorice Root for Sore Throat

Licorice Root has anti-inflammatory properties. It helps in soothing the mucous membrane. Saponin present in licorice root aids in expelling the phlegm from the respiratory tracts.

Best Foods for Throat – Black Pepper

Black pepper has a warm and soothing effect on the body which can be helpful against cold and throat infections. It has got anti-bacterial properties and is rich in Vitamin-C, which aids in inhibiting the harmful microbes from entering the body. Consumption of pepper helps in relieving the phlegm. It can be consumed along with honey to get relief from itchy throat.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Throat

Apple Cider Vinegar can be consumed to reduce phlegm production and sore throat. It should be consumed along with honey and cinnamon to get best results. Its anti-bacterial properties scavenge the germs. It can be consumed by adding it to salads.

CONTROL OF BLINDESS

National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) is committed to provide the cure for treatable diseases and disseminate information about disease preventive methods to the general public, thereby creating the awareness for Eye related diseases.

The Main Diseases are:

1. CATARACT: Cataract is a major cause of blindness in India.  The condition is caused mainly due to ageing.  Cataract is the opacity of the transparent lens of the eye.  If clouded, it obstruct the passing of the light through the lens to reach the retina for image formation.  The factors responsible for cataract are old age, eye injuries, inflammation, diabetes, and prolonged use of steroids.  Children may also have cataract since birth, due to number of causes including infection passed on to them by their mother during pregnancy.

• Cataract formation cannot be prevented by any means.  Cataract can be cured thorough timely surgical intervention.

2. REFRACTIVE ERROR: Refractive Error, when left uncorrected, is the most common cause of visual impairment.  It is caused due to abnormal suze and curvature of the eyeball.

• Refractive errors cannot be prevented.  However, they can be corrected with early detection and by wearing appropriate glasses regularly.  There are mass screening programmes for detection of refractive errors among school children.

3. GALAUCOMA: Glaucoma, known as a sneak thief of eyesight, is one of the most sight threatening condition of the eye.  It usually occurs among the people above 40 years of age especially who have a family history of glaucoma.  It is caused due to excess build-up of fluid inside the eye, which, in normal case, is drained in blood stream.  The fluid exerts pressure on vital parts of the eye like optic nerve and causes irreversible damage.  Initially field vision is affected.

• Glaucoma cannot be prevented, but blindness due to glaucoma can be avoided, if detected early and treated properly and regularly.
• Regular check-up and medications as advised by the Eye Specialist Doctor is a must for life time.

 4. DIABETIC RETINOPATHY: One of the major medical problems in our country is diabetes.  While diabetes itself is a problem, it causes damage to many parts of our body including the eyes.  Diabetic Retinopathy usually affects the retina.

• Regular check-up and medication to keep blood sugar under control is the prevention for diabetic retinopathy.  All those who have diabetes must get their eyes-checked from time to time to rule out retinopathy, even if their blood sugar is under control.
• For those who have developed diabetic retinopathy, Laser treatment of retina is required.

5. CORNEAL BLINDNESS: The cornea is the transparent tissue covering the front of the eye.  Vision will be dramatically reduced or lost if the corneal becomes cloudy.

To Keep Cornea Healthy:

• Prevent eye injuries; keep sharp objects away from the reach of children.
• Provide supplementary dose of Vitamin “A” solution to all children below 6 years of age.  Educate mothers on nutrition of children.
• Avoid self-medication.  Consult eye specialist.
• Prompt medical attention can prevent corneal blindness is most cases.
• Persons with corneal blindness can regain their vision by corneal transplantation only.

 6. EYE INJURIES: Most of the eye injuries are actually preventable (80-90%).  They occur frequently and can happen anywhere.  40-45% out of them occurs in and around the home.  In children, eye injuries can occur at home, school or play ground and also during the festivals of Deepawali, Dussehera and Holi.  Retinal burns can occur while viewing the solar eclipse with naked eye.  They should always beware of the best ways to protect their eye slight.  Hence, prevention is the first and most important step for avoiding eye injuries.

The following preventive measures can be taken at home, at play and during the festivals to save eye sight:

• Don’t give crackers to little children. 
• Don’t stand too close to the fireworks.
• Don’t ignite fireworks indoor.
• Adult’s supervision is essential.
• Wear eyeglasses or goggles for protection.
• Place a bucket of water nearby to put out fire.

• Use herbal colors.  Avoid use of chemicals during Holi.

• If a chemical falls in the eyes wash with plenty of water.

• Don’t let children play with toys or games that can be dangerous like bow and arrow, Cricket, compass, etc.

• Teach children the correct way to handle potentially dangerous items such as scissors, pencils, bows, blades and arrows.

7. VITAMIN “A” DEFICIENCY: Deficiency of Vitamin “A” in the body results in/

Causes, various diseases.  If left un-treated, the condition results in total blindness among children.

Expectant and nursing mothers should take adequate Vitamin “A” rich food like green leafy vegetables such as Palak, Methi, Bathua Saroso ka sag and yellow fruits like Mango, Papaya, Orange etc.

8. CONJUNCTIVITIS: Viral conjunctivitis, know as eye-flu, usually affects a large number of people at a time, particularly during monsoon.  It affects both eyes.  It causes itching sensation.  After a couple of days of itching sensation, eyes become red, sticky and swollen.  White yellowish discharge collects in the eyes.  Often, the patient recovers within a few days without any medicine.

General Instructions:

• Wash yours and eyes frequently with soap and water.
• Apply cold compresses to reduce discomfort.
• Avoid public places.
• Do not touch your eyes without washing your hands.
• Avoid using eye make-ups and dangerous facials.
• Keep separate towel lines etc., for each members of your family keep them clean.
• Conjunctives causes by Bacteria, Tric agent needs special treatment

      under Eye Specialist Doctor.

• Avoid self medication.
• Seek advice of an aye specialist immediately.