Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

What is Blood Pressure??
Your heart pumps oxygen-rich blood through your body by a series of blood vessels called arteries. When blood is pumped out of the heart, it pushes against the walls of the arteries. This force against the walls is known as blood pressure.
What is High Blood Pressure??
Your blood pressure rises when blood presses against the walls of the arteries with too much force. If your blood pressure goes above 140/90 and remains there, you may have high blood pressure.
High Blood pressure is often called THE SILENT KILLER because there are usually no symptoms. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to serious health problems such as heart failure, stroke and kidney damage.
Controlling High Blood Pressure

• Take your blood pressure medication as directed.
• Begin a regular exercise program.
• Check your blood pressure regularly.
• Reduce stress in your life.
• Eat healthy and reduce your intake of salty foods.
• Quit smoking.

Provided as an educational service by Pfizer Laboratories Limited. For more information consult your doctor.

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FLU

Influenza, commonly known as Flu is a viral disease which affects millions of people every year. Influenza can spread as an epidemic and can take a fatal course in infants and old people.
What is Influenza??
Contrary to common beliefs, influenza does not only mean cold and running nose but it is a dangerous viral disease that affects the membranes of the airway.
The symptoms of persist for a number of days usually starting as high grade fever and headache. Your joints and muscles start feeling weak and fatigued alongwith which there is dry cough, irritation in the throat and itching and feeling of irritation in the nose.
Difference between Common Cold and Influenza
Cold starts gradually whereas influenza takes over rapidly when suddenly there is shivering. Patient complains of lose motions, nausea and vomitting but no fever during first 24 hours.
Complications
In diabetic people, people with heart diseases and those above 60 years of age might suffer from pneumonia as a result of Influenza. This maybe viral or bacterial. This is most common in people with weaker heart. Pregnant women and younger people may also get affected. Most of the people who suffer from influenza die of pneumonia.
Is Influenza Curable??
In otherwise healthy people influenza is a self-limiting disease. The patient is cured within few days. In uncomplicated influenza only supportive treatment like bedrest, excessive intake of fluids, medicines for fever, nasal sprays and cough syrups are required. There is no use of antibiotics.
Prevention is better than Cure
Severity of the disease, its spread, annual occurance, related complications and deaths is the reason why Vaccination should be carried out.
How long does the Vaccine work??
The vaccine works for one season. This is because of the continuous change in the structure of the virus, which means that in every season a new form of influenza virus borns against which there is no resistance among the people. It should be kept in mind that the influenza virus does not provide immunity against common cold or cough.
Which is the right time to get vaccinated??
This is just before the start of the winter season when there is a corelation between the prevailing virus and the virus used for vaccination. This vaccination prevents 70-90% people from influenza whereas 90% of the deaths from influenza can be prevented.
Who should get Vaccinated??
1-People who have low resistance especially elderly people, diabetics, those suffering from respiratory and heart diseases.
2-Medical and Paramedical people who are constantly in contact with patients.
3-Travellers and people going on Haj.
Courtesy:
Pakistan Chest Society (centre).