Some Non-communicable Diseases

Low Blood Pressure

We have already learned that blood pressure less than 130 (systolic)/85 (diastolic) mmHg (according to American Heart Association) are normal blood pressure in adults. On average it may be 120/80 mmHg. But when the blood pressure decreases than the normal it is explained as a low blood pressure. Low blood pressure, medically known as a ‘Hypotension’ is generally considered as systolic blood pressure of 90mmHg or less in adults.

         

Blood pressure varies, depending on factors such as age, race, sex and environment. On rare occasions, individuals may have medical problems that cause low blood pressure.

Causes

       There are different factors that cause low blood pressure; some of them are:

.      Lack of balanced diet and nutritive diet.

.      Dehydration and abnormal decreases in body weight.

.      Fatigue for a longer duration.

.      Over exertion and physical work.

.      Excessive bleeding due to wound and other causes.

.      Heredity and racial factors.

.      Emotional stress and hormonal factors.

.      combination with Addison’s disease (pernicious anaemia) and alcoholism.

.      Medication for high blood pressure.

.      Environment or psychological dysfunction.

Signs and Symptoms

        Several studies suggested that low blood pressure may be associated with non-specific symptoms, such as:

.      Feeling or weakness and dizziness.

.      Decreases in diastolic and systolic pressure.

.      Headache referred to the back of head or neck.

.      Tiredness and fainting.

.      Swaying.

.      Focal cerebral ischemia (low blood flow).

.      Communicating difficulties.

.      Tunnel vision.

.      Uncontrolled body balance.

.      Emotional instability.

Prevention and Control

        Hypotension is a benign condition and is often attributed to psychological problems. So, the best ways of preventive measure should be:

.      Making healthy lifestyle.

.      Control of dehydration.

.      Changing the timing of meals.

.      Proper treatment of Addison’s disease.

.      Control on alcohol consumption.

.      Proper rest and sleep and physical work and exercise.

.      Proper balanced diet.

.      Maintenance of healthy recreation.

.      Control on stress and anxiety.

.      Regular health check-up.

Stone

      Stone or calculus is a disease in which an abnormal stone is formed in body tissues by accumulation of mineral salts. Stones or calculi, consisting chiefly of cholesterol, bile pigment and calcium salts, may form usually and are found within hollow organs or ducts and can cause obstruction and inflammation in persons of either at any age, but are more common in middle age. It may form at various internal organs such as bile duct, gallbladder, liver, kidney, urinary bladder, urethra and glands.

Causes: In the majority of cases, causes are unknown. However, excess salt consumption, increased amount of serum cholesterol in blood, which occurs in obesity, diabetes, inflammation of the biliary system, accumulation of bile pigment and calcium salts are some of the major causes known to be responsible for the formation of stones.

Symptoms: The signs and symptoms of stone formation may differ according to their nature and place. Still the formation of stone is accompanied by the following symptoms:

.      Tendency of nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite.

.      Severe pain at the affected area.

.      Radiating to the back and shoulder.

.      The dehydrated patient may have chills, fever and jaundice.

.      Inflammation of affected organs.

.      Obstruction in bile duct and urethra.

.      There is much pain in the back along with high temperature.

Prevention and Control

The following measures can be adopted for prevention:

.      Water and fat-free liquid should be taken as much as possible.

.      Regular exercise.

.      Regular periodical health examination.

.      If the stone cannot pass through a natural process, it should be surgically

       removed.

.      Doctors should be consulted about the treatment.

.      Intensive nursing care and support is required.

.      The patient should be given complete bed rest.