Stress Reduction

<div style="float: left; height: 194px; width: 315px;"><a href="http://rx64.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/meditation_for_stress_relief-rx64.jpg"><img alt="Closeup of female face." class="size-medium wp-image-11862" height="194" src="http://rx64.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/meditation_for_stress_relief-rx64-300x194.jpg" width="300" /></a> </div><br/><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>What are sources of stress?</strong><br/>Stress is your body's way of responding to any kind of demand. It can be caused by both good and bad experiences. When people feel stressed by something going on around them, their bodies react by releasing chemicals into the blood. These chemicals give people more energy and strength, which can be a good thing if their stress is caused by physical danger. But this can also be a bad thing, if their stress is in response to something emotional and there is no outlet for this extra energy and strength. This class will discuss different causes of stress, how stress affects you, the difference between 'good' or 'positive' stress and 'bad' or 'negative' stress, and some common facts about how stress affects people today.<br/><br/><hr><br/><strong>Change of any kind can induce stress due to the following reasons:</strong><br/>* Fear of the new, the unknown<br/>* Feelings of personal insecurity<br/>* Feelings of vulnerability<br/>* Fear of rejection<br/>* Need for approval<br/>* Lack of tolerance for ambiguity<br/>* Fear of conflict<br/>* Fear of taking a risk<br/>* Fear of developing trust<br/>* Fear of inability to cope with changed circumstances <br/><br/><strong>Individual personality characteristics that can induce stress include:</strong><br/>* Low self-esteem<br/>* Feelings of over-responsibility<br/>* Fear of loss of control<br/>* Fear of failure, error, mistakes<br/>* Fear of being judged<br/>* Lack of belief in being good enough<br/>* Chronic striving to be perfect<br/>* Chronic guilt<br/>* Unresolved grief over a loss or a series of losses<br/>* Chronic anger, hostility or depression <br/><br/><strong>Interpersonal issues that can induce stress include:<br/></strong>* A lack of adequate support within the relationship<br/>* A lack of healthy communication within the relationship<br/>* A sense of competitiveness between the parties involved<br/>* Threats of rejection or disapproval between people<br/>* An inability to be appropriately assertive<br/>* Struggle for power and control in the relationship<br/>* Poor intimacy or sexuality within the relationship<br/>* Chronic conflict and disagreement with no healthy resolution<br/>* Over-dependency of one party on another<br/>* A troubled person who refuses to recognize the need for help <br/><br/><strong>System (family, job, school, club or organization) issues that can induce stress include:<br/></strong>* Lack of leadership<br/>* Lack of sense of direction<br/>* Uncooperative atmosphere<br/>* Competitive atmosphere<br/>* Autocratic leadership<br/>* Unclear expectations<br/>* A chronic sense of impending doom<br/>* A lack of teamwork<br/>* Confused communications<br/>* Developmental disability or chronic ill health of one or more members. <br/><br/><strong>Is all stress bad?<br/></strong>Not all stress is distress: a certain amount of stress or pressure is necessary and shows a positive adaptation being made by a person. This is called eustress.<br/><br/>Bad or negative stress is called distress: the negative physiological and emotional response when stress is intense and unresolved.<br/><br/><strong>There are three degrees of stress:<br/></strong><br/>Low: This is distress leading to boredom, fatigue, frustration or dissatisfaction.<br/>Optimum: This is eustress leading to creativity, problem solving, progress, change, learning and energetic satisfaction.<br/>High: Involves irrational problem solving.<br/><br/><strong>What is the definition of stress?<br/></strong>Stress is defined as a person's response to his environment. Stress is measured in terms of arousal or stimulation. As such, stress must be present for a person to function.<br/><br/>Each person has his own normal (homeostatic) level of arousal at which he functions best. If something unusual in the environment occurs, this level of arousal is affected. <br/><br/><strong>There are three phases of arousal:<br/></strong>Phase 1. Alarm phase: When an unusual (or stressful) event occurs, the output of energy drops for a short period as the event is registered in the person's mind.<br/>Phase 2. Adaptation phase: Next, the output of energy increases above the normal level; arousal is heightened as the person seeks to deal with the situation. Adaptation responses available to humans include physically running away, fighting, freezing (self immobilization), suppression emotion or learning.<br/>Phase 3. Exhaustion phase: Finally the person's available energy is expended and his capacity to function effectively is reduced.<br/><br/><strong>What is the stress/relaxation physical response cycle?<br/></strong>Signs of physical response include:<br/>Increased heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, perspiration, pupil dilation and muscle tension. In the state of chronic stress, heart rate, blood pressure and respiration are chronically elevated.<br/><br/><strong>The signs of relaxation response include: <br/></strong>Decreased heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, pupil dilation and muscle tension.<br/>A stress management strategy involves evoking the relaxation physical response on a regular, daily basis.<br/><br/><strong>Common stress-related illnesses include:<br/></strong>* Coronary artery disease<br/>* Peptic ulcer<br/>* Mental Illness <br/><br/><strong>Personal Life Events Analysis<br/></strong>To learn the level of stress (distress) in your life, circle the value at the right of each of the following events if it has occurred within the past 12 months:<br/>Event--Value<br/><br/>* Death of spouse--100<br/>* Divorce--73<br/>* Marital separation--65<br/>* Jail term--63<br/>* Death of close family member--63<br/>* Personal injury or illness--53<br/>* Marriage--50<br/>* Fired from job--47<br/>* Marital reconciliation--45<br/>* Retirement--45<br/>* Change in family member's health--44<br/>* Pregnancy--40<br/>* Sexual difficulties--39<br/>* Addition to family--39<br/>* Business readjustment--39<br/>* Change in financial status--38<br/>* Death of close friend--37<br/>* Career change--36<br/>* Change in number of marital arguments--35<br/>* Mortgage or loan over $10,000--31<br/>* Foreclosure of mortgage or loan--30<br/>* Change in work responsibilities--29<br/>* Son or daughter leaving home--29<br/>* Trouble with in-laws--29<br/>* Outstanding personal achievement--28<br/>* Spouse begins or ceases working--26<br/>* Starting or finishing school--26<br/>* Change in living conditions--25<br/>* Revision of personal habits--24<br/>* Trouble with boss--23<br/>* Change in work hours or conditions--20<br/>* Change in residence--20<br/>* Change in schools--20<br/>* Change in recreational habits--19<br/>* Change in church activities--19<br/>* Change in social activities--18<br/>* Mortgage or loan under $10,000--17<br/>* Change in sleeping habits--16<br/>* Change in number of family gatherings--15<br/>* Change in eating habits--15<br/>* Vacation--13<br/>* Christmas season--12<br/>* Minor violation of the law--11<br/><br/><strong>How to analyze your score:<br/></strong>Add the circled values. If your total score is more than 150, find ways to reduce stress in your daily life so that your stress level doesn't increase. The higher the score, the harder one needs to work at staying physically well.<br/><br/><strong>Suggested uses for personal Life Events analysis:<br/></strong><br/>1. Become familiar with the different events and the amounts of stress they promote.<br/>2. Put the list of events where your family can easily refer to it several times a day.<br/>3. Practice recognizing the stress level when one of these events happens.<br/>4. Think about the meaning of the event for you and identify your feelings.<br/>5. Think about the different ways you can adjust to the event.<br/>6. Take your time in arriving at decisions.<br/>7. Anticipate life changes and plan for them well in advance whenever possible.<br/>8. Pace yourself. It can be done even if you are in a hurry.<br/>9. Look at the accomplishment of a task as a part of ongoing daily living; avoid looking at such an achievement as a stopping point. Congratulate yourself and push ahead.<br/>10. Recognize that your internal mechanism of coping with stress is directly tied to how your health and well being will be influenced by it.<br/>Note: This scale is derived from the Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Scale. Holmes, T. & Rahe, R. (1967) "Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale," Journal of Psychosomatic Research, vol. II.<br/><br/><strong>What is personal progressive relaxation?<br/>Learning to relax:<br/></strong>You may have grown to accept a certain high level of stress and anxiety as "normal." You may be unfamiliar with what it feels like to be relaxed, calm and unstressed. With progressive relaxation you learn what it feels like to be relaxed, you learn to increase relaxation to a new level. By doing this you not only improve your physical well being by reducing hypertension, headaches and other physical complaints, but you improve your mental state by reducing stress, anxiety, irritability and depression.<br/><br/><strong>The physical setting:<br/></strong>Progressive relaxation should take place in a quiet, attractive room. You should be completely supported. There should be no need for exertion to maintain body support. You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing during the sessions.<br/><br/><strong>The process:<br/></strong>Lie on the floor or a bed and follow the directions of the relaxation technique in the following Relaxation Training Technique as you tense and relax various muscle groups. After the initial tensing of the muscles, release the tension instantly and completely. This is very important in order to get the "pendulum effect."' The muscles relax beyond the point of their normal relaxed state. You should then feel the important difference between tension and relaxation. You should concentrate on the feeling of relaxation, learn what it is to relax and how to increase it. Continually repeat to yourself, "Know what it feels like to be relaxed, deepen the relaxation, know what it is to be relaxed."<br/><br/><strong>Steps to relaxation:<br/></strong>Do: Make sure you have comfortable, loose clothing and proper back support.<br/>Don't: Put your self in an awkward position or in a position that will make it easy to fall asleep.<br/>Do: Allow your mind to quiet down. If tense thoughts enter while you are relaxing, let them pass out of your head.<br/>Don't: Think your way into tension. If you can't clear your mind, take a long, deep breath and let it out slowly.<br/>Do: Stay alert and conscious while you are relaxing. Pay close attention and note any changes in your body (feelings that stand out for you).<br/>Don't: Allow yourself to become groggy and sleepy. If you start falling asleep, open your eyes and sit up. When you are ready, return to relaxation posture.<br/>Do: Go at your own pace and let go of your muscles as your body decides to give up tension.<br/>Don't: Expect yourself to relax all at one. Like any other physical exercise, you must practice letting go step by step.<br/>Do: Give your body messages of appreciation for relaxing as you notice these feelings going through your body.<br/>Don't: Get down on your self for not relaxing. Your body should be trusted to go at its own pace.<br/>Do: Stay award of your breathing. Observe how much air you're taking in full breaths at regular rhythms.<br/>Don't: Smoke before, during or after relaxation as it tightens lung tissue and blood vessels. Let your body breathe.<br/><br/><strong>Relaxation Training Technique<br/></strong>Record these directions for yourself by reading them slowly. Use the tape daily to practice the relaxation response:<br/><br/>Settle back as comfortably as you can and close your eyes. Let your self relax to the best of your ability. Now, as you relax like that, clench your right fist. Just clench your fist tighter and tighter and study the tension as you do so. Keep it clenched and feel the tension in your right fist, hand, forearm. Now relax. Let the fingers of your right hand become loose, and observe the contrast in your feelings. Now, let yourself go and try to become more relaxed all over. Once more, clench your right fist really tight, and notice the tension again. Now let go, relax; your fingers straighten out and you notice the difference once more. Repeat that with your left fist. Clench your left fist while the rest of your body relaxes; clench that fist tighter and feel the tension. Now relax. Again, enjoy the contrast. Repeat that once more. Clench the left fist, tight and tense. Now do the opposite of tension: relax and feel the difference. Continue relaxing like that for a while. Clench both fists tighter and tighter, both fists tense, forearms tense. Study the sensations. Relax; straighten out your fingers and feel the relaxation. Continue relaxing your hands and forearms more and more.<br/><br/>Now bend your elbows and tense your biceps, tense them harder and study the tension feelings. All right. Straighten out your arms, let them relax and feel that difference again. Let the relaxation develop. Once more, tense your biceps; hold the tension and observe it carefully. Straighten the arms and relax; relax to the best of your ability. Each time, pay close attention to your feelings when you tense up and when you relax. Now straighten your arms. Straighten them so that you feel the most tension in the triceps muscles along the backs of your arms; stretch your arms and feel that tension. Now relax. Get your arms back into a comfortable position. Let the relaxation proceed on its own. The arms should feel comfortably heavy as you allow them to relax. Straighten the arms once more so that you feel the tension in the triceps muscles; straighten them. Feel that tension relax. Now concentrate on pure relaxation in the arms without any tension. Get your arms comfortable and let them relax further and further. Continue relaxing your arms even further. Even when your arms seem fully relaxed, try to go that extra bit further; try to achieve deeper and deeper levels of relaxation.<br/><br/>Let all your muscles go loose and heavy. Just settle back quietly and comfortably. Wrinkle up your forehead now; wrinkle it tighter. Now, stop wrinkling your forehead; relax and smooth it out. Picture the entire forehead and scalp becoming smoother as the relaxation increased. Now, frown and crease your brows and study the tension. Let go of the tension again. Smooth out the forehead once more. Now, close your eyes tighter and tighter. Feel the tension. Relax your eyes. Keep your eyes closed, gently and comfortably, and notice the relaxation. Now clench your jaws, bite your teeth together; study the tension throughout the jaws. Relax your jaws now. Let your lips part slightly. Appreciate the relaxation. Now press your tongue hard against the roof of your mouth. Look for the tension. All right. Let your tongue return to a comfortable and relaxed position. Now purse your lips. Press your lips together tighter and tighter. Relax the lips. Note the contrast between tension and relaxation. Feel the relaxation all over your face, all over your forehead and scalp, eyes, jaws, lips, tongue and throat. The relaxation progresses further and further.<br/><br/>Now attend to your neck muscles. Press your head back as far as it can go and feel the tension in the neck now roll it to the left. Straighten your head and bring it forward. Press your chin against your chest. Let your head return to a comfortable position and study the relaxation. Let the relaxation develop. Shrug your shoulders. Hold the tension. Drop your shoulders and feel the relaxation. Neck and shoulders relaxed. Shrug your shoulders again and move them around. Bring your shoulders up and forward and back. Feel the tension in your shoulders and in your upper back. Drop your shoulders once more and relax. Let the relaxation spread deep into the shoulders, right into your back muscles; relax your neck and throat, your jaw and other facial areas as the pure relaxation takes over and grows deeper, deeper, ever deeper.<br/><br/>Relax your entire body to the best of your ability. Feel that comfortable heaviness that accompanies relaxation. Breathe easily and freely in and out. Notice how the relaxation increase as you exhale. As you breathe out, just feel that relaxation. Now breathe right in and fill your lungs inhale deeply and hold your breathe. Study the tension. Now exhale, let the walls of your chest grow loose and push the air out automatically. Continue relaxing and breathe freely, gently. Feel the relaxation and enjoy it. With the rest of your body as relaxed as possible, fill your lungs again. Breathe in deeply and hold it again. That's fine, breathe out and appreciate the relief. Just breathe normally. Continue relaxing your chest and let the relaxation spread to your back, shoulders, neck and arms. Merely let go. Enjoy the relaxation.<br/>Now let's pay attention to your abdominal muscles; your stomach area. Tighten your stomach muscles, make your abdomen hard. Notice the tension. And relax. Let the muscles loosen and notice the contrast. Once more, press and tighten your stomach muscles, make your abdomen hard. Notice the tension. And relax. Let the muscles loosen and notice the contrast. Once more, press and tighten your stomach muscles. Hold the tension and study it, relax. Notice the general well being that comes with relaxing your stomach. Now draw your stomach in, pull the muscles in and feel the tension this way. Relax again, let your stomach out. Continue breathing normally and easily. Feel the gentle massaging action all over your chest and stomach. Now pull your stomach in again and hold the tension. Push out and tense like that; hold the tension. Once more, pull in and feel the tension.<br/><br/>Now relax your stomach fully. Let the tension dissolve as the relaxation grows deeper. Each time your breathe out, notice the rhythmic relaxation both in your lungs and in your stomach. Try and let go of all contractions anywhere in your body. Now direct your attention to your lower back. Arch your back, making your lower back quite hollow, and feel the tension along your spine. Settle down comfortably again, relaxing the lower back. Just arch your back and feel the tension as you do so. Try to keep the ready of your body as relaxed as possible. Try to localize the tension throughout your lower back area. Relax once more, relaxing further and further. Relax your lower back, relax your upper back. Spread the relaxation to your stomach, chest, shoulders, arms and facial area, these parts relaxing further, further, further, ever deeper.<br/><br/>Let go of all tensions and relax. Now flex your buttocks and thighs. Flex your thighs by pressing down your heels as hard as you can. Relax and note the difference. Straighten your knees and flex your thigh muscles again. Hold the tension. Relax your hips and thighs. Allow the relaxation to proceed on its own. Press your feet and toes downward, away from your face, so that your calf muscles become tense. Study the tension. Relax your feet and calves. This time, bend your feet toward your face so that you feel tension along your shins. Bring your toes right up. Relax again. Keep relaxing for a while.<br/>Now let your self relax further all over. Relax your feet, ankles, calves and shins, knees, thighs, buttocks and hips. Feel the heaviness of your lower body as you relax still further. Now spread the relaxation to your stomach, waist, lower back. Let go more and more. Feel that relaxation all over. Let it proceed to your upper back, chest, shoulders and arms, right to the tips of your fingers. Keep relaxing more and more deeply. Make sure that no tension has crept into your throat; relax your neck and your jaws and all your facial muscles. Keep relaxing your whole body like that for a while. Let yourself relax all over.<br/>Now you can become twice as relaxed as you are merely by taking in a deep breath and exhaling slowly. With your eyes closed you become less aware of objects and movements around you, thus preventing any surface tensions from developing. Breathe in deeply and feel yourself becoming heavier. Take in a long, deep breath and let it out very slowly. Feel how heavy and relaxed you have become.<br/><br/>In a state of perfect relaxation you should feel unwilling to move a single muscle in your body. Think about the effort that would be required to raise your right arm. As you think about raising your right arm, see if you can notice any tensions that might have crept into your shoulder and arm. You decide not to lift the arm but to continue relaxing. Observe the relief and the disappearance of tension.<br/><br/>Just carry on relaxing like that. When you wish to get up, count backward from four to one. You should then feel fine, refreshed, wide awake and calm.<br/><br/><strong>A Full Breathing Exercise<br/><br/></strong><br/><strong>Step 1:</strong> Lie prone on the floor. Loosen your belt and restrictive clothing.<br/><br/><strong>Step 2:</strong> Relax and exhale as completely as possible. Begin to inhale slowly making your belly rise. Now move your rib cage. Now your chest. Hold it for a second. Now, exhale completely, getting all the air out of your lungs. Try it again. This is complete breathing. Breathe normally for a while, and in the next minute take at least one more complete breath. Pause for a minute.<br/><br/><strong>Step 3:</strong> You are still lying prone. As you lie there you will begin stretching muscles to achieve unblocked circulation. Bring your arms above your head and stretch them away from you fully. Now stretch your legs and feet downward, away from you, take a deep breath, let go and relax. Pause ten seconds. Feel the effects of the stretch on your body and on your breathing. Pause 15 seconds. Now sit up very slowly. <br/><br/><strong>Step 4:</strong> Stand up for this part of the exercise. There are three very basic stretching postures to increase flexibility.<br/>* backward bend<br/>* forward bend<br/>* side-to-side bend <br/>As you do your backward bend pay attention to stretching your abdomen and back muscles. Important: Go only as far as you can. Don't push yourself. Bend slowly. As you do your forward bend, pay attention to the stretch of your back muscles and backs of legs; blood in head and arms. As you do your side stretch, pay attention to stretching in your chest, sides and neck.<br/><br/><strong>Step 5: </strong>Assume a comfortable sitting posture, one you can hold for 15 to 20 minutes. This could be in a chair. Get comfortable and close your eyes when you are ready. Please note everything you are aware of: outside sounds, your bodily awareness, thoughts; note this awareness and do not change it. Then notice shifting from outside sounds to thoughts of bodily awareness.<br/><br/>After approximately 5 minutes of this, notice that breathing is occurring; again, not to change it but only to notice it. One can enhance this noticing by attaching the words "breathing out" to the breath as it leaves the nostrils and "breathing in" as the breath reenters. As awareness shifts from breathing to thoughts of external sounds, allow that to happen and the return to "breathing out-breathing in" (following the breath).<br/><br/>Continue this for 5 to 7 minutes. At this point, try to incorporate some visual imagery in the form of a golden light with the in-breath. See yourself breathing in this golden light and watching it fill the inside of your body. This could be in a particle, vapor, smoke or mist-like form, whatever is comfortable for you. <br/><br/>Visualize this light in your head, shoulders, chest and breath out any tensions in the form of a black color. Continue until you visually experience your whole body as being filled with this golden light. Experience that feeling.<br/><br/>Stay with this experience for another minute or two. Then become aware of your breath again, with your body sitting on the floor or chair (feeling grounded). When ready, open your eyes.<br/><br/><strong>Step 6:</strong> Try this breathing exercise for 15 to 20 minutes daily until you are able to achieve full breathing and stress reduction in a progressively shorter period of time.</p><hr>

Diseases amp; Conditions Stress Reduction

What are sources of stress? Stress is your body's way of responding to any kind of demand. It can be caused by both good and bad experi...

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Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure is the pressure blood exerts against the walls of the arteries. The extent of pressure depends upon the strength and the rate of the heart’s contraction, the volume of blood in the circulatory system and the elasticity of the arteries. Two measurements are taken, the highest and lowest values for pressure which correspond to the two main stages in the pumping action of the heart.<br/><br/>A healthy (normal) blood pressure reading varies with age, activity, altitude and from person to person. Bearing in mind these qualifications, values between 100/60 and 140/90 are generally considered normal. A single blood pressure reading, unless very high or very low, should not be considered abnormal. An average of several readings taken on different days is generally used.<br/><br/>Hypertension or high blood pressure, is a condition in which a person’s blood pressure is persistently above normal. Although blood pressure varies from person to person and from time to time, 140/90 or above is considered abnormal when measured while the person is at rest. Normal blood pressure is about 120/80.<br/><br/>High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is itself a major disorder that requires treatment. Untreated, this sustained rise in blood pressure can damage the heart, blood vessels and kidneys. Other serious disorders that cause blood pressure to rise well above the normal level include congestive heart failure and head injuries.<br/><br/>Hypotension or low blood pressure, is a condition in which the blood pressure is reduced or below normal. Hypotension is considered by many patients to be a disorder that can cause various symptoms, including depression, lethargy, and fatigue.<br/><br/><hr><br/><p style="text-align: center;">Conditions</p><hr><br/><br/><p><strong>What is Low Blood Pressure?</strong><br/>Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, and constitutes one of the principal vital signs of life, which also include heart beat, rate of breathing, and temperature. Blood pressure is generated by the heart pumping blood into the arteries and is regulated by the response by the arteries to the flow of blood.<br/><br/>An individual’s blood pressure is expressed as systolic/diastolic blood pressure, for example, 120/80. The systolic blood pressure (the top number) represents the pressure in the arteries as the muscle of the heart contracts and pumps blood into them. The diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) represents the pressure in the arteries as the muscle of the heart relaxes after it contracts. Blood pressure always is higher when the heart is pumping (squeezing) than when it is relaxing.<br/></p><br/><br/><p><br/><br/><strong>Measurement of Blood Pressure<br/> </strong><br/><br/>Blood pressure is usually measured by an instrument called a sphygmomanometer. To measure the pressure, an inflatable cuff or wide band is placed around the patient’s upper arm and a stethoscope applied to the artery just below the cuff. By listening for changes in the sound of the pulse, the individual measuring the blood pressure knows how much to inflate the cuff, in order to stop blood from flowing into the arteries of the arm. Air is slowly let out off the cuff until the blood begins flowing again. At this stage, the sphygmomanometer records what is called the systolic blood pressure. Additional air is let out of the cuff until the sounds become muffled. The instrument then indicates the diastolic pressure. The systolic pressure corresponds to the contraction of the heart muscle, and the diastolic pressure corresponds to a relaxation of the heart. The two pressures are expressed in the following way: systolic/diastolic–120/80.</p><br/><br/><p><br/><br/><strong>Hypotension</strong><br/> <br/><br/>Hypotension, or low blood pressure as it is essentially known as, is a very common condition. It is present in a lot of people without any tell tale symptoms and only gets discovered when a person starts to feels giddy as and when he tries to get out of bed or up from a chair suddenly.<br/><br/><strong>Causes</strong><br/>Low blood pressure (hypo tension) can result from shock and some diseases. It can also cause fainting.<br/><br/>Conditions<br/>Like hypertension (high blood pressure), slightly low blood pressure may be a particular person’s normal pressure. Provided there are no other symptoms and the individual feels well, the low blood pressure can be considered a chance variation from the average, probably associated with a prolonged life expectancy. But, if low blood pressure occurs in an individual whose blood pressure is normally higher, it may be caused by some recent illness. In this case, it should be only temporary and should improve spontaneously.<br/><br/>Disorders such as diabetes mellitus, tabes dorsalis and Parkinson’s disease may result in low blood pressure, more so on changing posture. This results from involvement of the nervous system which also affects the nervous supply to veins which do not contract effectively resulting in pooling of blood in the extremities. Patients who have had a heart attack also have low blood pressure.<br/><br/><strong>Symptoms of Hypotension</strong><br/>Frequently, there are no symptoms and the condition is found at a routine physical examination. The person may feel dizzy from a sudden change in position, such as standing up quickly may cause fainting. Serious low blood pressure may bring on the symptoms of shock, pallor and a feeling of coldness.<br/><br/><strong>Treatment of Hypotension</strong><br/>There is a spontaneous improvement in most individuals, although treatment of the cause helps the return to normal. Drug treatment that may cause the low blood pressure should, if possible, be discontinued. Patients with peripheral neuritis are more difficult to treat. An improvement may be made by an increase in blood volume achieved by additional salt in the diet and sometimes with corticosteroid drugs.<br/></p><hr>

Blood Pressure Diseases amp; Conditions Hypotension Low amp; High Measurement of B.P. Symptoms Treatment Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure is the pressure blood exerts against the walls of the arteries. The extent of pressure depends upon the strength and the rate...

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Chicken Pox

Chicken Pox or Varicella is an acute, highly infectious disease caused by the Varicella–Zoster (V–Z) virus. It is characterized by vesicular rash that may be accompanied by fever and malaise. It is found the world over due to various factors and occurs in both epidemic and endemic forms which has to be controlled. Chicken Pox and Herpes Zoster are now regarded as different hosts with the same etiology.<br/><br/><hr><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Prevention & Control of Chicken Pox</strong></p><br/><hr><br/><p><strong>Control of Chicken Pox</strong><br/>There is no specific treatment for Chicken Pox. The usual control measures are notifications, isolation of cases for about six days or so after the onset of rash, and disinfections of articles soiled by nose and throat discharges.<br/><br/><strong>Prevention of Chicken Pox</strong><br/>Chicken Pox Chicken Pox<br/>Varicella Zoster Immunoglobulin (VZIG).<br/>Varicella Zoster Immunoglobulin (VZIG), within 72 hours of exposure has been recommended for prevention. A dose of 1.25 to 5 ml given intramuscularly will modify or prevent the disease. The current recommendation is that it should be reserved for immunosuppressed contacts of acute cases or newborn contacts. It has also been shown to provide some improvement in high–risk children with Varicella.<br/><strong>Vaccine for Chicken Pox</strong><br/>No serious attempt was made in the past to develop a vaccine against Chicken Pox probably because the disease, in general, was not considered a health priority. A live attenuated vaccine (OKA strain) developed by Takahashi in Japan has been extensively studied in field trials. The frequency of mild local reactions at the site of inoculation is about 1%. A general reaction to the vaccine, mainly rash or mild Varicella may occur. Sero conversion, after vaccination, in healthy sero–negative children is over 90%. The vaccine has proved safe and effective in preventing the disease.<br/><br/>However, opinion is divided about the need for a vaccine against Chicken Pox. Some consider that since Chicken Pox is a relatively mild illness, there is little need for a vaccine. Further, it may be disastrous if Chicken Pox is postponed from childhood when it is mild, to adulthood, when it is more severe. One of the major objections to a live vaccine is the potential of the Chicken Pox virus to establish a latent infection; this may produce Zoster in later years more frequently or in a more severe form than the natural disease.<br/></p><br/><hr><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Symptoms of Chicken Pox</strong></p><br/><hr><br/><p>The clinical symptoms of Chicken Pox and Small Pox differ which may vary from a mild illness with only a few scattered lesions, to a severe febrile illness with widespread rash. Unapparent infection is estimated to occur in no more than 5% of susceptible children. In a majority of cases, the disease tends to be mild and typical.<br/><br/><strong>Laboratory Diagnosis of Chicken Pox <br/></strong>Laboratory Diagnosis Laboratory Diagnosis During the Small Pox post–eradication era, the diagnosis of Chicken Pox is of great importance because of its resemblance to mild Small Pox. Laboratory diagnosis is rarely required as clinical signs are usually clearcut. The most rapid and sensitive means of diagnosis is examination of vesicle fluid under the electronic microscope, which shows round particles (brick–shaped in Small Pox) and may be used for cultivation of the virus. <br/><br/>Scrapings of the floor of vesicles show multi–nucleated giant cells colored by Giemsa stain (not in Small Pox). Serology is used mainly for epidemiological surveys.</p><br/><br/><br/><hr><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Stages of Chicken Pox</strong></p><br/><hr><br/><br/><br/><p><strong>Pre–eruptive Stage </strong><br/>Pre-eruptive Stage Pre–eruptive Stage There is sudden onset with mild or moderate fever, pain in the back, shivering and malaise. This stage is very brief, and lasting for about 24 hours. In adults, the prodromal illness is usually more severe and may last for about two to three days before the rash comes out.<br/><br/><strong>Eruptive Stage</strong><br/>In children, the rash is often the first sign. It appears on the day the fever starts. The distinctive features of the rash are:<br/><strong>Centripetal Distribution</strong><br/>The rash is symmetrical. It first appears on the trunk where it is abundant, and then on the face, arms and legs, where it is less abundant. Mucosal surfaces (e.g. buccal, pharyngeal) are generally involved. Axilla may be affected, but palms and soles are not usually affected. The density of the eruption diminishes centrifugally.<br/><strong>Rapid Evolution</strong><br/>The rash advances quickly through the stages of macule, papule, vesicle and scab. In fact, the first to attract attention are often the vesicles filled with clear fluid and looking like “Dewdrops” on the skin. They are superficial in site, with easily ruptured walls and surrounded by an area of inflammation. Usually, they are not umbilicated. The vesicles may form crusts without going through the pustular stage. Many lesions may abort. Scabbing begins four days to a week days after the rash appears.<br/><strong>Pleomorphism</strong><br/>A characteristic feature of the rash in Chicken Pox is its pleomorphism, that is, all stages of the rash (papules, vesicles and crusts) may be seen simultaneously at one time, in the same area. This is due to the rash appearing in successive crops for four to five days in the same area.<br/><strong>Fever</strong><br/>The fever does not run high but gets exacerbated with each fresh crop of eruption.<br/><br/><strong>Complications with Chicken Pox</strong><br/><br/>In most cases, Chicken Pox is a mild, self–limiting disease. The mortality is less than 1% in uncomplicated cases. However, Varicella may be accompanied by severe complications, particularly in immuno–suppressed patients, and may also occur in normal children and adults. These include hemorrhages (varicella hemorrhagica), pneumonia, encephalitis, acute cerebellar ataxia and Reye’s Syndrome (acute encephalopathy associated with fatty degeneration of the viscera, especially the liver). Maternal Varicella during pregnancy may cause fetal wastage and birth defects such as cutaneous scars, atrophied limbs, microcephaly, and low birth weight. Intrauterine infection occurring near term may cause Typical Varicella in the newborn with varying degrees of severity depending on the transfer of maternal–specific lG antibodies.<br/></p><br/><hr><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Mode of Transmission of Chicken Pox</strong></p><br/><hr><br/><p><strong>Transmission of Chicken Pox </strong><br/>Chicken Pox is transmitted from person to person by droplet infection, and by droplet nuclei. Most patients are infected by “Face to face”, (personal) contact. The portal of entry of the virus is through the respiratory tract. Since the virus is extremely labile, it is unlikely that fomites play a significant role in its transmission. Contact infection undoubtedly plays a role when an individual with Herpes Zoster is an index case. The virus can cross the placental barrier and infect the fetus, a condition known as Congenital Varicella.<br/><br/><strong>Incubation Period of Chicken Pox</strong><br/>Usually, the incubation period is about 14 to 16 days, although extremes as wide as 21 days have been reported.<br/><br/></p><br/><hr><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Mode of Transmission of Chicken Pox</strong></p><br/><hr><br/><p><strong>Agent Factors for Chicken Pox<br/>Agent</strong><br/>The causative agent of Chicken Pox, V–Z virus is also called, “Human (Alpha) Herpes Virus 3”. Primary infection causes Chicken Pox. Recovery from primary infection is commonly followed by the establishment of latent infection in the sensory ganglia often for decades, without clinical manifestations. When the cell mediated immunity wanes with age or following immuno–suppressive therapy, the virus may reactivate, resulting in zoster, a painful, vesicular, pustular eruption in the distribution of one or more sensory nerve roots. The virus can be grown in tissue culture.<br/><br/><strong>Source of Infection Source of InfectionSource of Infection</strong><br/>Usually a case of Chicken Pox. The virus occurs in the oropharyngeal secretions and lesions of skin and mucosa. Rarely, the source of infection may be a patient with Herpes Zoster. The virus can be readily isolated from the vesicular fluid during the first three days of the illness. The scabs, however, are not infective.<br/><br/><strong>Infectivity</strong><br/>The period of communicability of patients with varicella is estimated to range from one to two days before the appearance of rash, and four to five days thereafter. The virus tends to die before the pustular stage. The patient ceases to be infectious once the lesions have crusted.<br/><br/><strong>Secondary Attack Rate</strong><br/>Chicken Pox is highly communicable. The secondary attack rate in household contacts approaches the 90% mark.<br/><br/><strong>Host Factors for Chicken Pox<br/>Age</strong><br/>Chicken Pox occurs primarily among children under 10 years of age. A few persons escape infection until adulthood. The disease can be severe in normal adults.<br/><br/><strong>Immunity</strong><br/>One attack gives durable immunity; second attacks are rare. The acquisition of maternal antibodies protects the infant during the first few months of life. No age, however, is exempt in the absence of immunity. The lG antibodies persist for life and their presence is correlated with protection against Varicella. The cell mediated immunity appears to be important in recovery from V–Z infections and in protection against the reactivation of the latent V–Z virus.<br/><br/><strong>Pregnancy </strong><br/>Infection during pregnancy presents a risk to the fetus and the neonate.<br/><br/><strong>Environmental Factors</strong><br/>Chicken Pox shows a seasonal trend in India, the disease occurring mostly during the first six months of the year. Overcrowding favors its transmission. In temperate climates, there is little evidence of any seasonal trend.<br/></p><hr>

chicken pox Complications Control of Chicken Pox Diseases amp; Conditions Health Mode Prevention Stages of Chicken Pox Transmission Chicken Pox

Chicken Pox or Varicella is an acute, highly infectious disease caused by the Varicella–Zoster (V–Z) virus. It is characterized by vesicular...

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Typhoid Fever

<style><br/>.collapse > * + *{<br/> display:none;<br/>}<br/>.collapse > *{<br/> cursor:pointer;<br/>}<br/>.collapse:focus{<br/> outline:none;<br/>}<br/>.collapse:focus > * + *{<br/> display:block; <br/><br/><br/></style><br><br><strong>Typhoid Fever</strong><br><br>Typhoid fever is more common in the tropics. It tends to occur in places where the sanitation standards are poor. Typhoid fever is caused by a bacterial organism called <u>salmonella typhi</u> . Salmonella paratyphi can also cause fever and abdominal symptoms. The disease caused by both these entities is called enteric fever. The disease presents with a typical, continuous fever for about three to four weeks, relative bradycardia with abdominal pain (due to enlargement of lymph nodes in the abdomen), and constipation.<br>Salmonella Typhi Bacteria Salmonella Typhi Bacteria<br><br><strong> Geographical distribution</strong><br><br>Worldwide, typhoid fever affects about six million people with more than 6,00,000 deaths a year. Almost 80% of cases and deaths occur in Asia, and most others in Africa and Latin America. Among Asian countries, India probably has a large number of these cases.<br><img alt="" height="200px" src="http://rx64.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/S.typhi_.Fla_.jpeg" style="float: right; padding-left: 20px;" width="300px"><br><br><strong>Indian statistics</strong><br>Typhoid fever is endemic in India. Health surveys conducted by the Central Ministry of Health in the community development areas indicated a morbidity rate varying from 102 to 2219 per 1,00,000 population in different parts of the country. A limited study in an urban slum showed 1% of children up to 17 years of age suffer from typhoid fever every year.<br><br><strong>Carriers of typhoid fever</strong><br>Typhoid infection is mainly acquired from persons who are carriers of the disease. Carriers are people who continue to excrete salmonella through their urine and feces a year after an attack of typhoid. A chronic carrier state develops in about 2 to 5% of the cases. The organisms in such cases make the gall bladder their habitat.<br><br><hr><br><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Expert Advice On  Typhoid Fever</strong></p><br><br><br><hr><br><br><div style=" class=" collapse" tabindex="1"><p><br><h2>Clinical Features & Treatment of Typhoid Fever</h2><br><strong>Clinical Features</strong><br>The classical sign of typhoid is fever. Fever is continuous and increases as the disease progresses.<br>A few patients may show abdominal discomfort associated with diarrhea.<br>Non–specific symptoms: Chills, sweating, headache, loss of appetite, weakness, sore throat, dry cough, constipation and muscle pains are often present.<br>Patients may lose interest in their surroundings.<br><br><strong>Physical examination</strong><br>Abdomen: On examination, the abdomen shows tenderness associated with enlarged spleen and liver.<br>Rosy spots may appear on the lower chest and upper abdomen. These may appear in the second week.<br>The pulse rate is generally slow (relative bradycardia).<br>Treatment and Prevention of Typhoid Fever<br>The carrier should be given an intensive course of ampicillin (4–6g a day) together with probenecid for about six weeks.</p></div>

bacteria disease amp; Conditions Diseases amp; Conditions fever spread in india Typhoid Fever Typhoid Fever

Typhoid Fever Typhoid fever is more common in the tropics. It tends to occur in places where the sanitation standards are poor. Typhoid feve...

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5 reasons why drinking water during your meals is bad for you

Drinking water with your meals Probably one of the most common sights you see on a daily basis is that tall glass of water next to your <a href="http://rx64.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/drinking-water-with-meal.png"><img alt="drinking-water-with-meal" class=" size-medium wp-image-11636 alignright" height="226" src="http://rx64.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/drinking-water-with-meal-300x226.png" width="300" /></a>plate of food. While some people think it is necessary to have a glass of water –especially cold water – with your meals, this habit could be highly damaging to your health. Here are six reasons why you should avoid drinking water along with your meals:<br/><strong>Dilutes gastric juices:</strong><br/>Your stomach contains digestive acids that help in the digestion and breakdown of food. Apart from this, these juices are also responsible for killing any infectious agents that might be ingested along with food. Also known as the ‘digestive fire’ (according to Ayurvedic texts) these digestive enzymes are essential for our overall well-being as they also allow the stomach to contract and pulverize the food we eat. When this fire is diluted with water, it not only dulls the entire system but may cause cramping of the intestinal wall in some individuals. This stagnation of the entire digestive process allows food to remain in the stomach for longer and slows the process of passing digested food into the small intestine for the absorption of nutrients. In a statement to TOI Shonali Sabherwal, Macrobiotic counselor said, ‘Our stomachs have a knack of knowing when you will eat and starts releasing digestive juices immediately. If you start drinking water at the same time, what you are actually doing is diluting the digestive juices being released to digest your food, thereby hindering them from breaking down food.’<br/><strong>Reduces the amount of saliva:</strong><br/>Your saliva is the first step to digestion. Not only does it contain enzymes that help break down food, but it also helps stimulate the stomach to release digestive enzymes and ready itself for the process of digestion. When you drink water during your meals, your saliva gets diluted. This not only sends weaker signals to the stomach but also stops the breakdown of food in your mouth – making digestion that much more difficult.<br/><strong>Causes acidity:</strong><br/>If you suffer from constant bouts of acidity, then this habit might be to blame. Since drinking water dilutes your digestive system, it leads to a chain-reaction of ill-effects. According to Shonali Saberwal, the stomach continues to absorb water till it gets saturated, after that, this water starts to dilute gastric juices; making the mixture much thicker than normal. This leads to lesser digestive enzymes being secreted, causing undigested food to leak into your system causing to acid reflux and heart burn.<br/>Increases the amount of insulin in your body:<br/>According to Shonali Saberwal, drinking water while you are eating  can also lead to a surge in your insulin levels, much like high glycaemic foods would. This is because when your body is not able to digest foods well enough it tends to convert the glucose filled part of that food into fat and stores it. This process then requires a surge of insulin in the body increasing your overall blood sugar levels.<br/><strong>Makes you put on weight:</strong><br/>Another common side-effect of drinking water with your meals is the fact that you do tend to put on weight. As explained earlier, there is a surge in insulin levels and food is broken down to make fat which is stored. Apart from that, in Ayurveda it is believed that a weak digestive fire is one of the leading reasons for obesity. Not only does this lead to an imbalance between the vata, kapha and pitta elements in the body, but it also leads to the disruption in the way your body works.<br/>While the practice is bad for health, there are a few ways you can overcome the need to drink water during your meals, here are some tips:<br/>Have meals with less salt. Since salt is a compound that does tend to make one thirsty it is best you lessen the intake of this condiment.<br/>Don’t gulp down food, chew it well. Chewing your food has a number of health benefits, and one of those is the fact that your saliva helps hasten the process of digestion. Moreover well chewed food is easier to breakdown and assimilate, allowing your digestive system to do its job well. Apart from all this, one great benefit of this practice is the fact that as you chew, the amount of saliva produced increases, beating the urge to drink water.<br/>Drink water 30 minutes before your meal. A person should ideally drink room temperature water before their meals if they wish to lose weight and have a healthy metabolism. This practice also beats the urge to drink water during one’s meals.

bad for health care Diseases amp; Conditions human Body water During Meal 5 reasons why drinking water during your meals is bad for you

Drinking water with your meals Probably one of the most common sights you see on a daily basis is that tall glass of water next to your plat...

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