High blood pressure is unfortunately something that most people have to deal with as they age. This is especially true for the average person in the western part of the world. The national average for high blood pressure is approximately 24% in the United States with most other Western countries within close proximity of that number.
Medication is the most frequent form of treatment outside of individual lifestyle choices. However, there are a wide variety of drug types used to treat high blood pressure and they each approach the problem in a unique fashion. A physician will prescribe the type of drug best suited for the needs of the individual patient.
Diuretics
A diuretic is a medication that reduces the amount of water and sodium in the blood. The reduction in water helps to reduce the overall pressure on the walls of the blood vessels and as a result lower the overall blood pressure. A diuretic is usually prescribed in addition to another type of medication as opposed to being used a sole treatment by itself. Diuretics are often called “water pills” and the physician may refer to them as such.
Beta Blockers
Beta blocks work to reduce the heart rate and lower the blood pressure by inhibiting the bodies “fight / flight” response. Essentially a beta-blocker blocks the ability of epinephrine and norepinephrine to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system. This action prevents the increased heart rate and high blood pressure, which is a direct result of that stimulation. The beta-blockers prescribed for high blood pressure have a calming effect and give the person a greater tolerance for stress.
Ace Inhibitors
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, or ACE Inhibitors, as they are commonly known helped to reduce blood pressure by preventing the hormone Angiotensin II from forming. Angiontensin II normally constricts the blood vessels as well as acting on the brain to increase the need for salt and hydration.
Angiotensin Antagonist
Angiontensin antagonists target the same hormone as ACE inhibitors, described above. However, rather than inhibiting the production of Angiotensin II it blocks its effect on the cells of the heart and blood vessels. These medications are also referred to as ARB’s, which stands for angiotensin receptor blockers. This is a newer type of medication which helps to modulate the renin-angiotensin system which has a big role in maintaining the bodies overall blood pressure and the volume of blood in the body.
Calcium Channels Blockers
This class of medications reduce the overall level of calcium in the heart which in turn reduces the blood pressure since the level of calcium dictates the force with which the heart pumps blood. Individuals with a weak heart (cardiomyopathy) are advised to not take a calcium channel blocker.
Alpha Blockers
Alpha-blockers bring blood pressure lower by limiting the nerve impulses sent to the blood vessels, which allows the blood to pass more freely. Whereas the beta-blockers affect the heart to decrease blood pressure, the Alpha-blockers affect the blood vessels.
Alpha-Beta Blockers
The Alpha-Beta class of drugs combines the effects of both the Alpha-blockers and the Beta-blockers, and thereby bring about lower blood pressure. See the descriptions for both to understand how they work.
Nervous System Inhibitors
Nervous system inhibitors work at the level of the brain as opposed to the circulatory system. Essentially this class of drugs reduces the nerve impulses sent the blood vessels thereby allowing them to be more relaxed which results in lower blood pressure.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Avoiding Allergy Medications With Children
Childhood Asthma - Getting Your Child Off Allergy Medications
A child with asthma and allergies may not know that asthma and allergies is the number #1 chronic childhood disease.
He also may not know that asthma claims more lives every year even though more treatments are available. It is a fact that there are over 3 million more Americans with asthma than there were 10 years ago. Why the rise in asthma and allergies?
With todays busier society, our house-cleaning standard have plummeted. We also have become a generation of 'couch potatoes'...spending over 95% of our time indoors. Our homes are tightly insulated and limit ventilation of household irritants such as mold, smoke and chemicals.
This all results in increased exposure to allergens. And allergens are the number one cause of allergy and asthma attacks. Allergy medications are being used on a daily basis as a way to control allergies & asthma. With children prevention of allergies is far better than taking allergy medications.
There are five simple things that can be done to reduce allergy symptoms and possibly reduce the use of allergy medications.
1) Never allow smoking in the home. Smoke will remain in an indoor environment for up to 10 years, even though you can no longer see or smell it.
2) Shoes should be taken off at the door to prevent allergens from being brought in on the shoes.
3) Use non-toxic cleaning products instead of store bought chemical brands. All cleaning products are eventually inhaled or absorbed into the skin. Do you really want to clean with even a 'little bit' of poison?
4) Do not let pets into the bedrooms. All pets have dander and it can be an allergen. Children spend around 8 hours in the bedroom at night. Keep it as allergy free as possible.
5) Make sure humidity levels in the home don't go over 45%. Humidifiers attached to the furnace are more reliable than freestanding ones. Humidifiers with damp filters in them can be a mold breeding area.
It is important to try to create a clean healthy environment for your child so he can breathe easy and not have to rely on allergy medications which can have negative side effects.
Deborah Mumm has been in the Indoor Air industry since 1996. She has written various articles on asthma, allergies
A child with asthma and allergies may not know that asthma and allergies is the number #1 chronic childhood disease.
He also may not know that asthma claims more lives every year even though more treatments are available. It is a fact that there are over 3 million more Americans with asthma than there were 10 years ago. Why the rise in asthma and allergies?
With todays busier society, our house-cleaning standard have plummeted. We also have become a generation of 'couch potatoes'...spending over 95% of our time indoors. Our homes are tightly insulated and limit ventilation of household irritants such as mold, smoke and chemicals.
This all results in increased exposure to allergens. And allergens are the number one cause of allergy and asthma attacks. Allergy medications are being used on a daily basis as a way to control allergies & asthma. With children prevention of allergies is far better than taking allergy medications.
There are five simple things that can be done to reduce allergy symptoms and possibly reduce the use of allergy medications.
1) Never allow smoking in the home. Smoke will remain in an indoor environment for up to 10 years, even though you can no longer see or smell it.
2) Shoes should be taken off at the door to prevent allergens from being brought in on the shoes.
3) Use non-toxic cleaning products instead of store bought chemical brands. All cleaning products are eventually inhaled or absorbed into the skin. Do you really want to clean with even a 'little bit' of poison?
4) Do not let pets into the bedrooms. All pets have dander and it can be an allergen. Children spend around 8 hours in the bedroom at night. Keep it as allergy free as possible.
5) Make sure humidity levels in the home don't go over 45%. Humidifiers attached to the furnace are more reliable than freestanding ones. Humidifiers with damp filters in them can be a mold breeding area.
It is important to try to create a clean healthy environment for your child so he can breathe easy and not have to rely on allergy medications which can have negative side effects.
Deborah Mumm has been in the Indoor Air industry since 1996. She has written various articles on asthma, allergies
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
What if We Can Stop Malaria?
What if we could prevent Malaria? What if we could save the 1-million people who die every year from this disease? What if Malaria were no longer an issue? What if the Mosquitoes did not pass it onto humans? What if humans could become immune? What if the Malaria parasite modified into something which was not in any way harmful to people? We seem to be working on so many ways to stop diseases, pathogens, parasites and viruses of all types, but some of the very worst often go somewhat unchallenged. The Malaria parasite has been studied along with the DNA of a Mosquito and there must be someone way to stop this. We must do something to prevent all these deaths, many of which are young children.
One team is working on this and funding the research to end Malaria. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has poured an additional 284 million dollars to see this research through and solve this problem.
One team is working on this and funding the research to end Malaria. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has poured an additional 284 million dollars to see this research through and solve this problem.
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