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High Blood Pressure and Diabetes

2008-02-08T22:45:00.000-08:00

High blood pressure occurs more often in individuals with diabetes than in individuals without diabetes. According to some study, 25-80 % individual with diabetes develop high blood pressure.

High blood pressure accelerates the complications of diabetes; heart disease,
stroke, peripheral arterial disease, heart failure.

The best treatment in controlling high blood pressure and diabetes are maximum diabetic control and high blood control. For example, low sugar diet, low fat diet, salt free diet, weight control, preventing stress, routine exercise and alcohol moderation

High Blood Pressure

2008-02-08T22:16:00.000-08:00

High blood pressure or hypertension means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from the pumping heart to all the tissues and organs of the body.
Blood pressure readings are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and usually given as 2 numbers. For example, 140 over 90 (written as 140/90)
The top number is systolic pressure, the pressure created when your heart beats. The bottom number is diastolic pressure, the pressure inside blood vessels when the heart is at rest. The diastolic pressure reflects the lowest pressure to which the arteries are exposed.
Normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg, blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called "pre–hypertension", and blood pressure consistence to 140/90 mmHg or above are called “hypertension” or high blood pressure.

Risk factors
There are many factors develop high blood pressure.
High salt and high fat diet, too much salt in your diet can lead to high blood pressure.
Obesity, most people with high body weight developing high blood pressure.
Family history of high blood pressure, if your family has a history of the disease, then you are at a higher risk.

How you can control high blood pressure?
Diet control, weight control, preventing stress, routine exercise and alcohol moderation are the best treatment which controlling or preventing high blood pressure. Beside drug treatments of course

Complications
The goal of treatment in high blood pressure is to reduce blood pressure, so you have lower risk of high blood pressure complications.
High blood pressure increases the risk of developing heart disease, kidney disease, hardening of the arteries, eye damage, and stroke. These complications of high blood pressure are often referred to as end–organ damage because damage to these organs is the end result of long duration high blood pressure. For that reason, the diagnosis of high blood pressure is important so efforts can be made to normalize blood pressure and prevent complications.
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Reference
medicine.net-What is high blood pressure (hypertension)?medlineplus.gov- High blood pressure (Hypertension)

Kidney Stone Symptomps

2008-02-07T01:31:00.000-08:00

As wealth increases in the developed world, so does the number of people presenting with the symptoms of a kidney stone. This is because -- like many other modern medical conditions, kidney stones are largely due to a more affluent diet, with high meat and salt consumption, washed down with colas and soda.

The world average for kidney stones is around 4%, but the USA leads the world in having the highest incidents of kidney stones, with 10% of the population currently destined to suffer at least one attack.

Whilst the cause of kidney stones is difficult to pin down exactly, a profile of the most likely victim can be generated. They will be a male, aged between 25 and 40, probably living in the southern USA and eating a diet with a large amount of red meat and beverages, such as cola, soda, tea and coffee. All these drinks are diuretic in that they actually dehydrate the body, which increases the chance of kidney stones.

Very often the stones will be "silent kidney stones", building up over many months -- years even -- without the sufferer even being aware of them. But when these, so called, silent kidney stones decide to move out of the kidney the stone is anything but silent! Once they start to move into the urinary tract, the pain will begin. The unrinary tract is a narrow tube, called the ureter, which links the kidney to the bladder.

Depending on the size of silent kidney stones, they can pass out of your body virtually un-noticed. But this only applies to stones smaller than about 1/4 inch (5 mm). Anything larger will stretch and even tear the ureter. On fact, one of the clearest symptoms of a kidney stone is bloody or dark-colored urine -- a sure sign the stone has entered the ureter and torn the delicate lining.

When the stone starts its passage, the pain can be excruciating. In fact, so bad can it be, many ladies compare it to the pain of childbirth. This usually starts in your back, above the waist and just below the rib cage, as a severe ache in the lower back on either or both sides. Later on, pain switches from your back to your front and, eventually down to your groin. That indicates the stone is managing to move along the urinary tract. During this time, you may feel the urge to urinate frequently and you can experience intense pain or burning when you do urinate.

The worst case scenario is if the stone is so large it gets jammed in the ureter, making a watertight seal.

That stops the urine passing out of the kidney and into the bladder. If the flow of urine is stopped, it puts pressure on the wall of the ureter tube, causing even more pain. Then the urine backs up into the kidney which can increase the chances of a kidney infection, if the blockage is not swiftly removed. You may find the pain is accompanied by the frequent urge to urinate, which may prove impossible, due to the blockage. This is when removal of the stone becomes a priority. Either by surgery, medication or by using a natural home remedy cure. So never ignore the symptoms of a kidney stone.

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source www.ArticleBiz.com by Paul Hooper-kelly

Kidney Failure

2008-02-07T01:14:00.000-08:00

Kidneys are a pair of organs located just behind the stomach. They filter bacteria and extra salt and water from the body. Healthy kidneys clean the blood by filtering out extra water and wastes. They also make hormones that keep your bones strong and blood healthy. Kidney failure is a serious disease which can have a major impact on life, and can ultimately be fatal. Kidney failure can happen quickly (days) or more slowly (months or years). The common causes of kidney failure are glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney) and diabetes mellitus. Other causes of kidney failure are kidney stones, kidney cysts, an immune disorder called systemic lupus erythematosus, uncontrolled high blood pressure and drugs. Most people with chronic kidney failure need to take medicines.

Severe injuries or burns to your body and difficult surgery increase your risk of acute kidney failure, as can an overwhelming infection. Sometimes, a person with a life-threatening infection who receives an antibiotic, such as streptomycin or gentamicin, may go into acute kidney failure. There are three options when treating kidney failure. Hemodialysis ,Peritoneal dialysis and Kidney transplant.Hemodialysis is a procedure that cleans and filters your blood. It rids your body of harmful wastes and extra salt and fluids. It also controls blood pressure and helps your body keep the proper balance of chemicals such as potassium, sodium, and chloride. Hemodialysis uses a dialyzer, or special filter, to clean your blood. The dialyzer connects to a machine.

During treatment, your blood travels through tubes into the dialyzer. The dialyzer filters out wastes and extra fluids. Peritoneal dialysis is another technique that replaces the work of your kidneys. It removes extra water, wastes, and chemicals from your body. This type of dialysis uses the lining of your abdomen to filter your blood. There are three types of peritoneal dialysis. CAPD is the most common type of peritoneal dialysis. It needs no machine. It can be done in any clean, well-lit place. CCPD is like CAPD except that a machine, which connects to your catheter, automatically fills and drains the dialysate from your abdomen. IPD uses the same type of machine as CCPD to add and drain the dialysate. Kidney transplantation is a procedure that places a healthy kidney from another person.

Kidney Failure Treatment and Prevention Tips;

Do not drink alcohol or use illegal
Do not smoke or use other tobacco products.
A low-protein diet may help prevent the progression of kidney failure
Immunosuppressive drugs is very helpful but,require very careful monitoring.
Avoid taking medicines that can damage your kidneys, like ibuprofen and naproxen.
ACE Inhibitors / ARB's medications have been shown to have some benefit for the kidneys.
When the kidneys can no longer remove enough toxins and extra fluid to keep your alive, you need dialysis.
Exercise may help you control diabetes and high blood pressure, which can lead to kidney disease.

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source www.ArticleBiz.com by Juliet Cohen