The medical term for high blood pressure is hypertension. Blood pressure is the force with which the blood pushes against the walls of the arteries when it is pumped by the heart. Blood pressure rises and falls throughout the day. When blood pressure stays elevated over time, it is called high blood pressure.
Every blood pressure reading has two numbers. The number at the top (systolic) shows the force of the blood in the arteries as the heart beats. The number at the bottom…
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is the loss of brain function due to a sudden disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. As a result of the decreased blood supply, the affected area of the brain cannot function normally, resulting in some of the following effects: Inability to move one or more limbs or face muscles on one side of the body Failure to understand or formulate speech Inability to see clearly Dizziness or confusion A stroke can happen in an instance and is a medical emergency. Time is critical…
is a condition where the patient is unable to breathe out fully. There is limited airflow, which is the result of breakdown of lung tissue. This condition is commonly referred to as “smoker’s lung” as tobacco smoke is the most common cause of COPD. It is also known as Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COLD). The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates COPD to be at 4th place in the list of diseases causing death. It affects 9-10% of adults aged above 40. …
Abnormally dry skin? Change in hair colour or shape of your nails? Even simple changes in the body may signify an underlying problem that you need to get checked out. By Dr Gita Mathai, paediatrician and family practitioner, shares tips to help you stay vigilant. The Skin should be a healthy colour. • If it turns yellow, you may have jaundice. • If it looks pale, get checked for anaemia. Here's how to manage iron-deficient anaemia. • Excessively cracked and…
Chemotherapy can have different roles in treatment of cancer. It is important to understand the role of the chemotherapy prescribed for the patient. Dr. Kriti Mittal MD, MS Hematology and Medical Oncology explains the roles - curative, non-curative, palliative and adjuvant. It is important to understand the role of chemotherapy in the treatment of your cancer. In some cases of localized or locally advanced cancer that has not yet spread to distant organs, your health care provider may chose to…
The function of the kidney is to rid the body of toxins and to purify the blood. Diabetes can reduce the kidney’s ability to filter waste products, leading to build-up of waste products in the body. Anatomy of the kidney This is how the kidney works: The end functioning unit of the kidney is the glomerulus, which filters out ammonia, urea and other chemicals from the blood entering the kidneys. Blood vessels that enter the kidney are called afferent and those exiting are…
In the words of Kamini Pradhan, a featured Ovarian cancer crusader Family and friends have a major role to play in the treatment of a cancer patient. A cancer patient can be supported in the following ways :- MENTAL / EMOTIONAL SUPPORT 1. Acceptance – Do not be in denial mode. Know and understand the implications of the disease so that you can help the patient in getting the best treatment. 2. Positivity - Please remember in this…
Despite being insulin-dependent, Jayesh Shah (54) continues to globe-trot for work. All it needs is a little extra planning, he says. Here, he shares his top tips for travelling safely with diabetes. • Carry the doctor’s prescription with you • Inform airport security that you are a diabetic • When travelling across time zones, adjust your medication and food intake as per the time zone that you are currently in • Do not skip any meals; over eating is better than fasting,…
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Different types of arthritis Osteoarthritis (OA) OA is the most common type of arthritis. It involves wear and tear damage to your joint's cartilage — the hard, slick coating on the ends of bones. This wear and tear can occur over many years, or it can be hastened by a joint injury or infection. It appears most frequently appears in the weight-bearing joints like hips, knees and hands. Commonly seen in old age. Rheumatoid arthritis…
