Category: Medical News

High blood pressure is a common problem. About half of American adults have it. In fact, many people have dangerously high blood pressure and don’t even know it. This is because high blood pressure often has no symptoms and puts you at risk of having a heart attack, stroke or kidney failure.

What is high blood pressure?

When your heart beats, it pumps blood through the blood vessels. High blood pressure means the force of your blood against the blood vessels is too high. Over time, this strains the heart and damages blood vessels.

What the numbers mean

Blood pressure is measured in two numbers:

*  Systolic blood pressure is the upper number. This measures how much pressure the blood is putting against blood vessels when the heart beats.

*  Diastolic blood pressure is the lower number. This is how much pressure the blood is putting against blood vessels between heartbeats.

Both numbers are important signs of heart health. Normal blood pressure is less than 120 (upper number) and less than 80 (lower number). If either one is higher, you may be diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Can high blood pressure be avoided?

In many cases, a healthy lifestyle and medical care can control or prevent high blood pressure. This can lower the risk of a heart attack, stroke or other problems.

To keep blood pressure in check, follow these guidelines:

*  Lose excess weight if needed.

*  Don’t smoke.

*  Eat a healthy diet with vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean protein.

*  Get exercise regularly. A minimum of 30 minutes, 5 days a week is best.

*  Avoid too much salt in your diet.

*  Avoid or limit alcohol.

*  Manage stress and use relaxation methods if needed.

*  Manage other health conditions like diabetes.

You don’t have to do this alone. Your doctor can help you with a plan to lower blood pressure. He or she may help you find ways to lose weight, and may give you diet and exercise guidelines to follow.

Sources: American Heart Association, American Academy of Family Physicians

Drinking too much, even just one time, can harm your health. Take a look at what too much alcohol can do to the body.

Brain:Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication signals. This causes problems with thinking clearly and making decisions. It can also affect mood and behavior. These effects can be long-term.

Heart:Alcohol can cause an irregular heartbeat and can interfere with the heart’s ability to pump blood. Too much alcohol may increase the risk of stroke and high blood pressure.

Liver:Drinking too much can permanently damage the liver. In some cases, heavy drinking can lead to liver failure, liver cancer, and death.

A moderate amount of alcohol may be safe for most people who don’t have health problems. For people who drink alcohol, a moderate amount is:

*  Women: No more than 1 drink per day

*  Men: No more than 2 drinks per day

Drunk driving

Driving after you’ve had too much alcohol can be deadly for you and others. Just two alcoholic drinks can affect your ability to drive. One person in the U.S. dies every 53 minutes due to an alcohol-related car crash. Help prevent these tragedies by:

*  Choosing a designated driver

*  Calling a cab when you’ve had too much alcohol

*  Not letting friends drink and drive

*  Offering non-alcoholic drinks at parties and reminding guests not to drink and drive

Behavior Problems

Drinking too much can lead to violence, risky behavior, and even suicide or homicide.

Sources: National Institutes of Health, American Liver Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Opioid misuse is one of the biggest health problems facing the U.S. today. The National Institutes of Health says about 2 million people in the U.S. have an opioid misuse disorder.

Opioids are powerful medicines used to treat pain. They may be prescribed to people after they have surgery or get injured. Some of the most common prescription opioids are oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine and morphine.

Opioid medicines affect the brain and can make the user feel relaxed and happy. When used for short periods and as directed, they are considered safe. But sometimes, people can become addicted to them. They may also build up a tolerance over time, which means they need higher and higher doses of the medicine to feel its effects.

If a person builds a tolerance and/or becomes addicted, they can overdose on opioids. This can lead to brain damage, coma and death. About 30,000 people die each year from opioid overdose in the U.S.

Treating opioid use disorder

Help is available for people who are addicted to opioids. Two medicines, buprenorphine and methadone, work to lower cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Another medicine, naltrexone, blocks opioids from working and can reduce cravings for the medicine.

Behavioral therapy for addiction to prescription opioids can help, too. It works by changing people’s thoughts and behaviors about opioid use. Behavioral therapy is a proven treatment, especially when used with medicines.

Emergency overdose treatment

When someone overdoses on opioids, their breathing may slow down or stop. Their pupils may be small like pinpoints. A medicine called naloxone (Narcan®) can reverse an opioid overdose and save their life.

Naloxone is a prescription drug that stops opioid overdose if given in time. Paramedics, emergency room doctors and other first responders have naloxone available to treat people with opioid overdose. In some states, you may need a prescription. Other states will sell naloxone without a prescription. It is available in nasal spray and a shot (injection).

If you or a loved one has an opioid misuse disorder, don’t wait. Talk to a doctor today to get help.

Sources: National Institute on Drug Abuse, World Health Organization