It is important to understand the blood pressure range and ideal blood pressure as per age to keep a track of your health. Your heart beats and pumps oxygen and blood to the organs. The pressure with which it pushes against the vessels is called blood pressure. High blood pressure can be an early sign of a major disease such as heart attack or stroke. It is very important to gain a basic understanding of a normal range of blood pressure. It also helps in taking preventive measures and keeping diseases at bay. Here is the blood pressure chart as per different ages, with readings that you can refer to. Everyone, between the age of 17 years and 60 years, as well as those who are above 60 years, should show the following readings if their pressure is normal: Low systolic – It should be less than 90 Low diastolic – It should be less than 60 Normal systolic – It should be less than 120 Normal diastolic – It should be less than 80 Elevated systolic – It should range between 120 and 129 Elevated diastolic – It should be less than 80 The blood pressure readings will naturally be a little different in the case of hypertension. Stage 1 – Systolic is between 130 and 139, while diastolic is between 80 and 89. Stage 2 – Systolic is above 140 in this case, and diastolic is above 90. Understanding blood pressure measurements You can read the blood pressure by understanding the two numbers i.e., systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. The systolic blood pressure measures the pressure on the walls of the vessels as your heart contracts and beats. It is recorded as the upper number in your blood pressure reading. On the other hand, diastolic blood pressure is the pressure applied to the walls of the vessels when the heart is relaxing.

Tennis elbow is a painful condition in which the exterior of the elbow becomes painful and tender. Medically known as lateral epicondylitis, this condition happens when tendons in the elbow are overburdened by repetitive action of the arms and wrists. In such circumstances, the movement of the arms and wrists becomes difficult and there is a persistent pain in the elbows. However, elbow braces can go a long way to help you manage this condition. Read on to know more about the symptoms and treatment options for tennis elbow and how elbow braces can help the sufferer. Symptoms and treatment options for tennis elbow The usual symptoms include pain while extending the arms fully, pain on the outer part of the elbow which may become worse over a period if not treated, and pain while gripping things and movements of the wrist. A popular treatment method is going for physiotherapy, which involves progressive arm exercises. Rest, cold therapy, and medication are other ways to manage the condition. Wearing tennis elbow braces can be especially helpful. What is a tennis elbow brace and how does it help? Elbow braces are considered to be the most effective way of treating tennis elbow. It helps protect the damaged tendon during the healing process. The elbow brace is gentle and works on injured elbows by firmly compressing the upper forearm. It absorbs the forces spread through the soft tissues, thereby changing the force exerted on the tendon attachment, allowing the injury to heal better. Choose a well-fitting brace and wrap it on your arms properly to resume daily activities soon. How to choose the right braces for tennis elbow Choosing an elbow brace can be confusing as there are a plethora of options available. You can consider the following tips when choosing an elbow brace: Quality and durability –  This is the main factor to consider while buying elbow braces.

Non-small cell lung cancer or non-small cell lung carcinoma is the most prevalent type of lung cancer. There are mainly two types of lung cancers, which are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer. Lung carcinoma is a condition in which the lung cells become abnormal, as a result, grow out of control. These abnormal or cancer cells develop rapidly and spread to other parts of the body. Prevalence and causes of non-small cell lung cancer Among the lung cancer cases in the country, almost 80-85% are of non-small cell lung cancer type, and only about 10-15% is of the small lung cancer type. The symptoms and treatment for these two types of lung cancer vary. There are many subtypes of NSCLC, namely, adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and sarcomatoid carcinoma. The NSCLC type is a serious condition that cannot be reversed but prevented from getting worse. Majority of those affected by this type of lung cancer are smokers or have been exposed to smoke. Exposure to radon, asbestos, air pollution, metal or mineral dust, or radiation is likely to cause this disease. Symptoms of non-small cell lung cancer It is difficult to detect this disease during the early stages because the symptoms are not easily detectable. Often, the symptoms are confused with those of other illnesses like pneumonia or collapsed lung. However, common symptoms of NSCLC are as follows: A cough that worsens or a persistent cough : Continuous bouts of a cough or coughing symptoms that worsen with time may be a symptom of NSCLC. This type of cough may not be associated with a recent spell of cold or flu or other infections. Chest pain : Another classic symptom that is often confused with other diseases. Chest pain due to NSCLC may increase with cough or when one takes deep breaths.

Congestive heart failure is a disease characterized by a problem that affects the pumping power of the heart muscles. It is a chronic progressive disease and is also referred to as heart failure. Congestive heart failure (CHF) refers to the stage in which there is a build-up of fluid around the heart. This causes an ineffectiveness in pumping blood. The heart has four chambers. The lower half of the heart has two ventricles which pump blood to the body’s organs. The upper half of the heart, however, consists of two atria which receive the blood circulated back from the rest of the body. The ventricles cannot pump enough blood to the body due to congestive heart failure. This leads to blood and other fluids filling up the liver, lungs, lower body, and the abdomen. Treatment for congestive heart failure must be done immediately as the disease could be life-threatening. Causes Congestive heart failure may arise from other health conditions that directly impact the cardiovascular system. It is important to get check-ups on a yearly basis to determine the possibility of the onset of any such disease. Lowering the risks which cause heart health problems can go a long way in ensuring one does not develop the disease. Listed below are a few common causes of congestive heart failure. Hypertension leads to the narrowing of the arteries. This makes blood flow much more difficult and can result in the onset of congestive heart failure in the long run. Consider changing the diet if one is suffering from this disease to restore normality or to keep high blood pressure at bay. Valve conditions can directly impact the heart and could lead to its failure. The heart valves regulate the flow of blood to and from the heart by opening and closing the valves.

Occasional bowel movements that are watery and loose are not uncommon in most people. However, if this condition lasts for extended periods of more than a few weeks, it needs to be taken seriously and has to be treated accordingly. If left untreated, it can be life-threatening. Statistics show that at least two billion cases of diarrhea occur annually worldwide and it has been the cause of death of nearly 1.5 million children below the age of five. What is diarrhea? Frequently passing loose, watery or soft stools, with or without accompanying stomach cramps, flatulence, bloating, and stomach pressure, which is excreted suddenly is termed as diarrhea. This condition may also be complicated when there is blood in the stools, severe pain, fever, nausea, and uncontrollable urge to pass stools. It can happen to people of any age, but children and senior citizens are at a higher risk. Complications The most serious complication of diarrhea is dehydration—loss of water and electrolytes in the body—which happens because the water passes out from the body without getting absorbed by the intestines. Drinking copious amounts of water does not always compensate for the corresponding loss. Types of diarrhea The condition is classified into the following types: Chronic:  This typically lasts for more than two weeks Enteritis:  It involves the inflammation of the intestine Gastroenteritis:  It involves stomach flu, with nausea and vomiting Dysentery:  It involves loose stools with pus, mucus, and blood Common causes of diarrhea The most common chronic causes of diarrhea and acute diarrhea include microbial attacks by viruses, bacteria, or certain microorganisms that enter the intestinal tract. Viruses: They cause various mild to moderate symptoms. These may last for 3–7 days and comprise watery, frequent stools, stomach cramps, and a mild fever. Common viruses include rotavirus (common in children), Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, adenovirus, and hepatitis virus.

Your body consists of good bacteria and bad bacteria. When there is a balance between both, your body is capable of functioning at its optimum. But often due to the onset of an illness or other external factors, this balance gets disturbed. There are times when there may be a shortage of good bacteria in your body, also known as probiotics. These probiotics are important for one to stay healthy. For instance, when you take antibiotics, you may end up losing some good bacteria. Taking the best probiotics on a regular basis can help you to recover from the loss of good bacteria as it helps to replace them. What are the top rated probiotics? There are many different types of probiotics. Following are the top probiotics of 2017. Bifidobacterium There are four strains that come under this family. It is considered to be one of the best probiotics. B. Longum This strain can help in improving your memory power and are capable of increasing your retention power. These bacteria strains also help to relieve you from constipation. This strain can help you to decrease your stress levels as well. They can help with preventing the growth of any bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract that could harm you in any way. It helps to boost the normal functioning of your brain as well. B. Lactis This strain can help improve your immunity by aiding in the proper functioning of your immune systems. B. Breve This is particularly beneficial for children who face constipation issues. It can also be useful for people who are often exposed to the harmful rays of the sun. The reason is that it protects your skin from any type of damage. This is another bacteria strain that is helpful in relieving you from abdominal pain. B.

A blood glucose test is required to measure the amount of glucose (sugar) present in the blood. This is an important aspect of diabetes care since the disease essentially hampers the proper absorption of blood sugar by the body. Let’s look at some of the fundamental aspects of a blood sugar test: Blood glucose Glucose is a simple form of sugar that is present in blood in the form of blood sugar. It is a vital source of energy in microorganisms like bacteria, plants and animals as well as in humans, in different forms. In humans, it enables the working of all the major organs like the brain, heart, liver, kidneys, etc. by providing them with the necessary fuel. Glucose is essential for the functioning of the brain and lower than normal glucose level affects the mental and psychological functions. It can also be stored in the body to be used when required. Sources of glucose  Energy is released by the conversion of carbohydrates in our food into glucose. However, our food is a combination of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. All the carbohydrates we consume are immediately released into the bloodstream. Some of the proteins are converted into glucose and is stored in the liver for use later. Only very a very small quantity (less than 10%) of fats are converted into glucose and they are absorbed very slowly into the bloodstream. However, a diet high in fats results in the slower conversion of carbohydrates into glucose. That’s why many people who eat a high-fat diet may find their blood sugar levels spiking after several hours. Why is high blood sugar harmful? While glucose is vital for energy, hyperglycemia (excessive levels of blood glucose) or long-term presence of excess sugar in the blood can cause serious damage throughout the body.

No underlying disease triggers eczema. Eczema occurs when a patient’s immune system overreacts to some irritant. By taking some preventive measures, one can avoid or relieve the symptoms of this condition. Symptoms of eczema In most cases, eczema comes with itchy skin, irrespective of which body part is affected. One may also develop rashes on the face, behind the knees, hands, wrists or feet, and sometimes, this could be preceded by itching. The affected area has a dry, scaly or thickened appearance. Initially, it has a reddish appearance before becoming brown for people with fair skin. People with a dusky complexion may face a change in pigmentation. The affected area may either get lighter or darker. An oozing crust may also form on the skin, and in the case of infants, this symptom may appear on the face and scalp. Patches, however, can develop anywhere. Causes of eczema While the definitive cause for eczema is not known, it usually appears when the immune system overreacts to an irritant. People with a family history of allergies or asthma face a higher chance of developing this condition. Problems in the skin barrier allow germs and moisture to enter the skin, leading to eczema. Particular conditions or substances are also responsible for triggering itchy rash in some people. Itchiness can also occur when the skin comes in contact with coarse or rough materials. Other triggers include the feeling of excessive heat or cold, being exposed to harsh household items like detergent or soap. Animal dander can also lead to eczema flare-ups. An infection in the upper respiratory tract could also lead to rashes. These rashes could get worse due to stress. While there is no sure shot cure for eczema yet, patients can manage this condition with the help of medication as well as by avoiding irritants.

The most common disorders of the nervous system are headaches—especially migraine headaches. Statistics show that nearly 15% of adults in the US experience severe headaches with an overwhelming majority of the people affected being women. One in four households has a person who is affected by a migraine. Americans who were surveyed reported that their migraine symptoms lasted between one to three days. It runs within the family genes and 90% of the migraineurs have a family history of the condition. Migraines are not just a headache It is a neurological condition with distinct debilitating neurological symptoms. Throbbing recurrent pain usually on one side of the head but both sides can be involved. Accompanying disabling symptoms include visual disturbances, heightened sensitivity to sound, smell, light, touch, numbness in limbs and face, weakness, nausea/vomiting, dizziness. Attacks may last between 4-72 hours. Impacts the quality of your life. Might be undiagnosed in children. Can cause depression, anxiety attacks, dependence on painkillers. A migraine as a disability The World Health Organization has classified severe migraine headaches as comparable to disabling illnesses like dementia, psychosis, and quadriplegia. Since it affects people largely in the age group of 18-55, the impact is on the productive years of a person’s life. 113 million workdays are lost due to a migraine and employers lose more than $13 billion annually. The annual economic burden for migraine sufferers in the US is approximately $78 billion. This means that chronic migraineurs must spend between $8500-9500 and episodic migraineurs must spend at least $2000 annually on medication, treatments, and healthcare. This figure also takes indirect costs into account such as—lost wages, productivity, etc. Treatments Mild attacks can be addressed with OTC pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc. Drugs like triptans are used specifically as remedies for migraines. Ergotamine/Caffeine combinations are also effective.