Archive for the ‘Disease’ Category

Blood Pressure Monitors

August 2nd, 2009

by: Jake Szarcosi

Blood Pressure Monitors, as the name suggests, medical instruments or device that are used to measure blood pressure. Having your very own Blood Pressure Monitor (also called tensiometers) at home, especially if you or a family member tends to suffer from regular high or low blood pressure conditions, can prove to be very handy and useful, hence the objective of this article is to guide you in making the right choice among the wide variety of Blood Pressure Monitors available on the market.

For those who suffer from the condition of high blood pressure, especially, their doctor may recommend that they check their blood pressure level on a regular basis, hence having a Blood Pressure Monitor at home would surely help them do their own readings regularly, without having to visit a doctor or hospital, thus saving on time as well as money. But the most important of all obviously remains the health, prevention and safety aspect that this small and inexpensive device implies.

Ideally, the varieties of Blood Pressure Monitors that are meant to be used at home should be digital. Digital Blood Pressure Monitors are in fact gaining in popularity. These types of Blood Pressure Monitors are equipped with automatic as well as manual control. The automatic control is important, given that you might be measuring your blood pressure on your own if you live alone or in an emergency situation.

Blood Pressure Monitors consist of an arm cuff and a monitor of energy, which displays the readings. Nowadays, There are also Blood Pressure Monitors that exist in very small sizes, and which look more or less like watches. These monitors can be worn on the wrist and are particularly useful to those who suffer from severe irregular blood pressure conditions and require closer monitoring of their level of blood pressure. Therefore, these Blood Pressure Monitors in the like of watches can be worn permanently. This would in fact also give many patients the required confidence, and a greater sense of control over their situation. Moreover, some people who suffer from high blood pressure may find themselves in a quite stressful situation and environment when they go to see a doctor, which can lead to a rise in their blood pressure level. The Blood Pressure Monitors that can be wrapped around the arm and worn all the time thus provides more accurate readings in the person’s daily environment.

In selecting an appropriate instrument, it is important to discuss options with your doctor to determine what is best for you and your lifestyle. However, you should not only select a device that meets your requirements but also one that meets the standards set by medical authorities. Your doctor should be able to share this information with you and guide you in making your choice among Blood Pressure Monitors. Do also carefully read all instructions before using the Blood Pressure Monitor and make sure that you have purchased a device which can provide as accurate readings as those of professional Blood Pressure Monitors used by medical practitioners. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain to you how you should use the Blood Pressure Monitor, but remember that you will still need to pay regular visits to a healthcare provider, even if you have your own Blood Pressure Monitor and can read your own blood pressure level. Blood pressure level reading at home is not a substitute for expert medical care.

Jake is a journalist with more than 12 years editorial experience. Jake is presently working as a national correspondent for the fuzing.com portal and is considered the local specialist on blood pressure monitors. Take the time to visit our very useful web portal for more information on Blood Pressure Monitors and Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor.

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Keeping An Eye On Your Hypertension With A Blood Pressure Monitor

July 20th, 2009

With the number of people suffering from blood pressure related disorders getting a blood pressure monitor for your home may be a life saving decision. If you are suffering from blood pressure related disorders or other ailments that may cause fluctuations in your blood pressure like thyroid problems, diabetes, anemia etc, a blood pressure monitor will help you to always keep your blood pressure in control without visiting a doctor.

There are two types of blood pressure monitors available in the market; the manual monitors that you would generally see in your doctor’s clinic or the electronic or digital blood pressure monitors.

When you measure your blood pressure you are essentially measuring the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure. These are the two numbers in any blood pressure reading the higher number is the systolic pressure while the lower is the diastolic pressure. The systolic pressure is the measure of your blood pressure against the arterial walls when the heart contracts while the diastolic pressure gives the pressure against the arterial walls when the heart is at rest or between beats. In the blood pressure reading the two pressures are written as systolic pressure/diastolic pressure- for instance 120/80. A normal blood pressure reading would be when the systolic pressure does not exceed 120 and the diastolic pressure does not exceed 80. Of course these reading will be more or less for patients suffering from blood pressure related ailments, diabetes or kidney diseases

Manual Blood Pressure Monitors: The components of a manual blood pressure monitor include in inflatable arm band/cuff, a manual gauge ( aneroid sphygmomanometer), a rubber bulb attached to the arm band for pumping, a stethoscope. To measure the blood pressure you will need to place the arm band on the arm at the same height as the heart, use the bulb to cut off circulation to the arm. The pressure in the arm band is then slowly released, with the stethoscope listen to the sound of the blood pumping back into the arm and read the systolic pressure on the gauge. As the cuff deflates more the noise will stop and you can read the diastolic pressure on the gauge.

Electronic Blood Pressure Monitors: An electronic or digital blood pressure monitor comprises of a cuff or arm band and a digital meter or gauge ( digital sphygmomanometer). This electronic version follows the same principle as the manual blood pressure monitor. The cuff is used to cut off the circulation to the upper arm. It’s powered by an electronic motor so you don’t need to use the rubber bulb. The digital gauge then measures the systolic and diastolic pressure by measuring the vibrations/ oscillations

It is important to understand that our blood pressure fluctuates through out the day and may be more or less than normal depending on the time of the day and what you were doing before you took the reading. For example your blood pressure is the highest in the morning because the body is just waking up. It will also be higher on a full bladder and after you have had stimulants like coffee or after smoking. If you are not sure the safest thing to do would be to take a second reading after 10-15 minutes to ensure the accuracy of the first reading.

John Maltakiso is a journalist with more than 12 years editorial experience. John is presently working as a national correspondent for the fuzing.com portal and is considered the local specialist on blood pressure monitors. Take the time to visit our very useful web portal for more information on Blood Pressure Monitors and Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor.

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Terms You Need To Know When Buying A Sunscreen For Your Family

July 15th, 2009

by John Maltakiso

Protecting oneself from the harmful affects of the sun is one of the most important things to do in life. Sunscreen helps by reflecting, soaking in, and/or scattering harmful radiation the sun reflects down to us.

Sunscreen comes in many different forms: lotion, spray, gel, cream, and some brands provide it as makeup. Failure to use sunscreen can result in premature aging of the skin, and even worse – skin cancer.

When purchasing a sunscreen, it is valuable that you read the label and know what is contained in the bottle. There are some things that you might not know the meaning of; some of them are:

* UVA (Ultraviolet A) – This hard to sense ultraviolet radiation has a long wavelength that enters into the depths of the skin. These rays are very harmful because they can be working against the skin without you feeling it.

* UVB (Ultraviolet B) – This radiation is a variation of light that the sun gives off. The wavelength of this kind of radiation is smaller than UVA and is known to cause sunburn and other skin ailments.

* SPF (Sun Protection Factor) – SPF is the measure in protection that a particular sunscreen can give for someone. A number is labeled on each container of sunscreen indicating the strength of it. The higher types provides more protection than the lower numbers. It is suggested that people being exposed to the sun use at minimum, SPF 15 to the body periodically and reapply if needed.

* UVR (Ultraviolet Radiation) – This is actual radiation from the sun that can cause premature aging, spots, sunburn, wrinkles, and sometimes can cause cancer. Also, these harmful rays can reduce the effectiveness of one’s immune system.

* Water Resistant – Some sunscreens are good and water resistant in that they stay on the skin longer and are said to withstand water from the pool, ocean, or any other type of water source. Swimmers can continue to swim for longer periods of time and still be protected. But, it is very important to reapply sunscreen, even if it is water resistant, because it looses its effectiveness through prolonged exposure to water. Water resistant does not equal water proof.

Outside of the different terms on sunscreen labels, there are also two types of sunscreens: physical blockers and chemical blocks. Physical blockers like in the name, physically block hazardous elements of the sun by reflecting UVA and UVB rays back from your body. Chemical blockers though absorb some of the radiation; typically the ones with shorter wavelengths.

Whatever type you purchase, it is important to apply and reapply when needed. Sunscreens can only be as effective as much as you need them to be – one must lotion thoroughly and reapply every two or so hours. The sun can be a great and beautiful thing to be with outdoors. Though, it can be your worst nightmare if you fail protect yourself. Informing yourself on what to look for in a sunscreen can also help to reduce the chances of serious, permanent skin damage and other unwanted skin conditions.

John Maltakiso is a technical writer with over ten years writing experience. John is presently employed as a journalist with the fuzing.com portal and has become the local guru on skin care. Take the time to visit our great web portal for additional information on Sunblock and Sunscreen Lotion.

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Monitoring Your Blood Sugar With A Glucometer

July 15th, 2009

by Michael Skatoli

Diabetes is among the most widespread medical conditions in the western world. However, with the right management and the necessary equipment it is also one of the easiest to treat.

Diabetes occurs when the body fails to transform sugars and other foods into the energy that it requires to function normally. This can result in abnormal sugar concentration in the blood, which can often be dangerous. Diabetes is caused by the body’s inability to produce, or react normally to, the hormone insulin.

A staggering 7.8% of the US’s population suffers from diabetes – that’s 23.6 million men, women and children across the country. What is more, it is believed that almost 25% of this number are unaware of their illness.

So far, there is no cure for diabetes, but, thankfully, it is easy to treat using medical insulin. A healthy lifestyle is also a major factor. No smoking, no drinking and healthy eating can all help reduce complications caused by the illness.

It is vital that diabetics regularly check their blood sugar levels with a device called a glucometer. This is a compact tool that allows you to monitor the concentration of glucose in your blood and tells you if your blood sugar levels are high, too low, or about right.

Because of their convenient size and portability, glucometers can be used just about anywhere. Testing your blood sugar level with a glucometer involves putting a small drop of blood on a special test strip. Your glucometer should give you an accurate blood sugar reading in just a few moments and you can take the necessary action.

Glucometers normally have a small display that shows the levels of glucose in your blood. Also, they will record the day and time, and save previous results to help you and your medical practitioner monitor your condition.

The glucometers themselves are not very costly. In fact, a lot of manufacturers supply them for free. The glucometer test strips, however, can be costly. They vary in price from around thirty-five cents to one dollar. Some patients may use over 10 test strips each day, so the costs can quickly add up.

When choosing the right glucometer to help you manage your illness there are a a few things that you should keep in mind. These include:

* The size of the glucometer * The size of the testing strips * The price of the glucometer * The cost of testing strips * How quickly it returns test results * The amount of blood needed for a test * The glucometer’s memory and data capacity * The size of the unit’s display

Frequent blood tests with a glucometer aid in the prevention of a lot of the issues associated with diabetes, including eye, heart and kidney problems. Monitoring the glucose levels in your blood also helps you see how effective your medication is in treating your illness, and, crucially, helps prevent life-threatening emergencies.

Michael Skatoli is a freelance writer with more than 12 years writing experience. Michael is working as a columnist for the fuzing.com portal and has become the local expert on diabetes and hypoglycemia. Take the time to visit our web portal for additional information on Glucometers and Blood Glucose Test Strips.

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