By Terry Edwards
What Is The Cause Of Low Blood Pressure?
While you may know and understand the health risks behind having high blood pressure, not too many people know that low blood pressure can be a serious health problem of its own. So, what is behind the cause of low blood pressure? Here's a closer look.
Low blood pressure, which is also called Hypotension, will be diagnosed whenever blood pressure readings remain below 90/60 on a consistent basis. Why is this a problem? We all want lower blood pressure. While that is true, having too low of a reading can cause dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting. In severe cases it can lead to low blood flow to the brain which in turn can lead to shock and heart attacks.
What Are The Common Causes Of Low Blood Pressure?
Antidepressants - Are you taking antidepressants? If so, different ones can cause all sorts of different reactions within your body. Talk to your doctor about any changes in your health when taking various prescription drugs.
High Blood Pressure Medication - This is a big culprit. When you're being given medications to control your high blood pressure, often times it can lead to low blood pressure. That is why follow up visits with your doctor are so important when starting any new treatment program.
Alcohol - If you're not aware, drinking alcohol can have a dangerous effect on your blood pressure.
Heart Medications - Diuretics - Anti-Anxiety Medications - All of these can lead to a dramatic drop in blood pressure readings and must be monitored carefully.
Some other causes of low blood pressure can be:
Dehydration - Heart Attack - Fainting - Shock - Low Blood Sugar - Diabetes
One of the more common causes is not related to having a medical condition, but it can be from getting up suddenly from a lying down position. This can easily happen quite often to anyone and is not in and of itself an area of concern.
If you do experience any of these causes of low blood pressure, call your doctor or health care provider immediately. Let them know what is going on as this can be a signal of more serious issues.
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Monday, November 27, 2006
Sunday, November 26, 2006
10 Ways To Get Rid Of A Headache
By Lee Dobbins
Headaches are common pains that anyone can suffer. They can be caused by many factors such as stress, working for extended hours in front of the computer to injury and migraines which may be triggered by allergies such as food. Whatever the cause may be, the fact remains that having a headache is very uncomfortable and may keep you from performing to your full potentials. One need not suffer so much because of it, especially if the problem is constant and may keep you from being productive. Headaches may come in different forms usually depending on the cause. So most definitely, before you could opt for any ways to get rid of your headache, you must know first what is causing it. The following are simple ways to get rid of headaches:
1. Maintain good posture and do some stretching. Poor posture while working can cause what are known as tension headaches. Staying in such a position for a very long time may cause the muscles of the neck and shoulders to tighten up. One way to get rid of this headache is to maintain a good posture while working. Every now and then or if you feel tension pains setting in, do some stretching to get rid of the headache before it gets worse.
2. Application of moist heat through a hot compress is also a good way to get rid of headaches. Get a towel and soak it in warm water and apply it on areas where you find pain and tension to rid your body of the discomfort.
3. In women, a common problem is headache that comes days before their period. This is usually felt as a pain directly behind the eyes. To get rid of this headache, women must eat foods that are rich in zinc, especially those that come from lean proteins such as lean meats.
4. Relax. The most common cause of headache is stress. Develop a healthy lifestyle which allows you to get enough sleep and rest. If you feel a huge headache coming in because of stress, get rid of this headache by taking a break from work and catching on some sleep.
5. Get a massage. Tension headaches, especially ones that come with pain that radiates through the neck and shoulders are extremely uncomfortable. A way to get of this headache is by getting some massage, especially on the scalp, neck and shoulder areas to release all the tension that have build up there.
6. Eat regularly. Do not skip meals because hunger and meal- skipping can also cause headaches. If you feel a headache about to start and you haven’t had anything to eat, take a break and grab a bite to prevent that headache from progressing further.
7. Drink lots of water. As much as possible, stick to the eight-glasses a day recommended amount of daily water intake. Water cools down the body and so when you feel a major headache, drink up to get rid of it.
8. Ice. Ice is known to be effective in relieving different types of pains, headaches included. So another option to get rid of your headache if to use ice. Lie down and have an ice pack placed on the areas where you feel pain and tension such as behind your neck, temples or forehead.
9. Kill the pain with pain killers. There are many over-the counter analgesics that are known to work for many forms of headaches. However, it is still best to consult a doctor first before choosing a pain reliever to get rid of your headache most especially if the problem persists for a very long time. It is best to work out with your doctor first what is truly causing the pain.
10. Watch what you eat. Some headaches are triggered by food. This is most especially true for migraine sufferers. So if you feel that your headache was prompted by something that you ate, stop eating that food and consult your doctor to determine whether this is truly the source of your headache.
Having a headache is an uncomfortable experience. It keeps you from performing your task and is counter-productive. Headaches have many causes and so to successfully get rid of that headache, it is best to try to figure out first what is causing it in the first place. Lifestyle still plays a major role in determining whether you headache problem is just temporary or will pester you for a very long time.
Headaches are common pains that anyone can suffer. They can be caused by many factors such as stress, working for extended hours in front of the computer to injury and migraines which may be triggered by allergies such as food. Whatever the cause may be, the fact remains that having a headache is very uncomfortable and may keep you from performing to your full potentials. One need not suffer so much because of it, especially if the problem is constant and may keep you from being productive. Headaches may come in different forms usually depending on the cause. So most definitely, before you could opt for any ways to get rid of your headache, you must know first what is causing it. The following are simple ways to get rid of headaches:
1. Maintain good posture and do some stretching. Poor posture while working can cause what are known as tension headaches. Staying in such a position for a very long time may cause the muscles of the neck and shoulders to tighten up. One way to get rid of this headache is to maintain a good posture while working. Every now and then or if you feel tension pains setting in, do some stretching to get rid of the headache before it gets worse.
2. Application of moist heat through a hot compress is also a good way to get rid of headaches. Get a towel and soak it in warm water and apply it on areas where you find pain and tension to rid your body of the discomfort.
3. In women, a common problem is headache that comes days before their period. This is usually felt as a pain directly behind the eyes. To get rid of this headache, women must eat foods that are rich in zinc, especially those that come from lean proteins such as lean meats.
4. Relax. The most common cause of headache is stress. Develop a healthy lifestyle which allows you to get enough sleep and rest. If you feel a huge headache coming in because of stress, get rid of this headache by taking a break from work and catching on some sleep.
5. Get a massage. Tension headaches, especially ones that come with pain that radiates through the neck and shoulders are extremely uncomfortable. A way to get of this headache is by getting some massage, especially on the scalp, neck and shoulder areas to release all the tension that have build up there.
6. Eat regularly. Do not skip meals because hunger and meal- skipping can also cause headaches. If you feel a headache about to start and you haven’t had anything to eat, take a break and grab a bite to prevent that headache from progressing further.
7. Drink lots of water. As much as possible, stick to the eight-glasses a day recommended amount of daily water intake. Water cools down the body and so when you feel a major headache, drink up to get rid of it.
8. Ice. Ice is known to be effective in relieving different types of pains, headaches included. So another option to get rid of your headache if to use ice. Lie down and have an ice pack placed on the areas where you feel pain and tension such as behind your neck, temples or forehead.
9. Kill the pain with pain killers. There are many over-the counter analgesics that are known to work for many forms of headaches. However, it is still best to consult a doctor first before choosing a pain reliever to get rid of your headache most especially if the problem persists for a very long time. It is best to work out with your doctor first what is truly causing the pain.
10. Watch what you eat. Some headaches are triggered by food. This is most especially true for migraine sufferers. So if you feel that your headache was prompted by something that you ate, stop eating that food and consult your doctor to determine whether this is truly the source of your headache.
Having a headache is an uncomfortable experience. It keeps you from performing your task and is counter-productive. Headaches have many causes and so to successfully get rid of that headache, it is best to try to figure out first what is causing it in the first place. Lifestyle still plays a major role in determining whether you headache problem is just temporary or will pester you for a very long time.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Can Vitamins Reduce The Risk Of Heart Disease?
by Ng Peng Hock
The interest in Vitamins A, C, and E stems from their antioxidant properties. Antioxidants interfere with the complex process through which LDL cholesterol starts plaque formation. Some animal studies and at least one human study also suggested that Vitamin C can improve the level of protective HDL cholesterol.
Antioxidants are molecules that work to reduce the damage done to cells and to DNA by free radicals: charged particles found in the environment and caused by everyday biological processes. It is clear that foods with rich antioxidants can reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease, and scientists have been working to isolate the particular compounds responsible.
But, people who hope vitamins can protect their hearts actually need to eat healthy foods instead of popping pills, according to the statement made by the American Heart Association in August 2004.
A group of researchers, led by Professor Penny Kris-Etherton from Pennsylvania State University, had conducted a review of various studies on whether supplements can reduce heart disease risk. The results of the study, published in the journal Circulation, actually showed that vitamin pills have virtually no effect on reducing the risk of heart disease. There is little reason to advice individuals to take antioxidant supplements such as A and C to reduce cardiovascular disease.
Several research studies have also shown that people who took antioxidant supplements did not have a lower risk of cancer or heart disease, and one important Finnish study showed that male smokers who took supplements actually had a higher risk of lung cancer.
In another study conducted by the researchers at the Cleveland Clinic (CCF) had found that vitamin E did not actually provide any benefit in lowering mortality compared to control treatments, and it did not significantly decrease the risk of cardiovascular death or stroke. The lack of any beneficial effect was seen consistently regardless of the doses of vitamins used and the diversity of the patient populations. Therefore, the CCF researchers conclude that their study does not support the routine use of vitamin E.
All the studies mentioned above do not show any evidence that could support the fact that use of "vitamin supplements" such as A, C and E can benefit people with heart disease. Nonetheless, it is unarguable that the antioxidant properties of these vitamins do provide beneficial effect to reduce risk of heart disease.
Nutritionists and doctors now argued that it is probably a combination of compounds in foods that give the healthy antioxidant benefits. As such, the American Heart Association continues to promote a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, legumes, poultry and lean meats to derive antioxidant vitamin benefits.
The interest in Vitamins A, C, and E stems from their antioxidant properties. Antioxidants interfere with the complex process through which LDL cholesterol starts plaque formation. Some animal studies and at least one human study also suggested that Vitamin C can improve the level of protective HDL cholesterol.
Antioxidants are molecules that work to reduce the damage done to cells and to DNA by free radicals: charged particles found in the environment and caused by everyday biological processes. It is clear that foods with rich antioxidants can reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease, and scientists have been working to isolate the particular compounds responsible.
But, people who hope vitamins can protect their hearts actually need to eat healthy foods instead of popping pills, according to the statement made by the American Heart Association in August 2004.
A group of researchers, led by Professor Penny Kris-Etherton from Pennsylvania State University, had conducted a review of various studies on whether supplements can reduce heart disease risk. The results of the study, published in the journal Circulation, actually showed that vitamin pills have virtually no effect on reducing the risk of heart disease. There is little reason to advice individuals to take antioxidant supplements such as A and C to reduce cardiovascular disease.
Several research studies have also shown that people who took antioxidant supplements did not have a lower risk of cancer or heart disease, and one important Finnish study showed that male smokers who took supplements actually had a higher risk of lung cancer.
In another study conducted by the researchers at the Cleveland Clinic (CCF) had found that vitamin E did not actually provide any benefit in lowering mortality compared to control treatments, and it did not significantly decrease the risk of cardiovascular death or stroke. The lack of any beneficial effect was seen consistently regardless of the doses of vitamins used and the diversity of the patient populations. Therefore, the CCF researchers conclude that their study does not support the routine use of vitamin E.
All the studies mentioned above do not show any evidence that could support the fact that use of "vitamin supplements" such as A, C and E can benefit people with heart disease. Nonetheless, it is unarguable that the antioxidant properties of these vitamins do provide beneficial effect to reduce risk of heart disease.
Nutritionists and doctors now argued that it is probably a combination of compounds in foods that give the healthy antioxidant benefits. As such, the American Heart Association continues to promote a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, legumes, poultry and lean meats to derive antioxidant vitamin benefits.
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