There is a correlation between hypertension and high cholesterol. Cholesterol deposits and calcium induce the hardening and constriction of the arteries. Therefore, your heart must work harder to circulate blood through them. As a result, your blood pressure rises to serious levels.

Diabetes:

Diabetes can reduce the amount of good cholesterol in the bloodstream and increase the amount of bad cholesterol that increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

How can you Control your High Cholesterol?

Changing your diet and exercise routine might have a significant impact on your cholesterol levels. You can do the following to help prevent high cholesterol:

• Focus on eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains on a low-sodium diet.
• Reduce your intake of animal fats and make moderate usage of healthy fats.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Quit smoking.
• Get at least 30 minutes of exercise.
• Avoid or limit alcohol consumption.
• Manage your stress.

Examine your Cholesterol Levels: When to do it

High cholesterol levels can develop at any age. Therefore, it is better to start screenings during childhood.

• Check your cholesterol every five years beginning at the age of nine. An infant too can have it if his or her parents have high cholesterol or has a history of heart diseases.
• Men, from age 45 to 65, should take a high cholesterol test every one to two years. After 65 get a check-up done every year.
• Women, from age 55 to 65, should take a high cholesterol test every one to two years. After 65 get a check-up done every year.

Changes in food and lifestyle are not always sufficient to bring cholesterol levels down. Sometimes high cholesterol levels have a genetic part, so your doctor may suggest using medication to lower your high cholesterol levels. So, we suggest you take regular check-ups with your doctor and follow the prescribed medication to keep your cholesterol levels under control.

Autoimmune Disorders (AID) are one of the most significant non-communicable diseases, and more than eighty autoimmune diseases affect approximately one hundred million people globally which include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis. So, if you are tired, have pain in your joints, or have inflammation, you should see a rheumatologist to rule out any underlying autoimmune disorders. 

Who is a Rheumatologist?

A Rheumatologist is a physician who has ability in internal medicine and has other training in the field of rheumatology. This branch of medicine specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal, autoimmune, and inflammatory conditions in patients of any age.

Conditions Treated by a Rheumatologist

Rheumatologists diagnose, treat, and manage a broad range of diseases which include:

• Inflammation of the muscles, joints, and bones (rheumatic) diseases.
• Diseases of the connective tissue primarily affect the body's supporting structures like the ligaments and tendons but can also have an impact on the skin and other organs.
• An autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system attacks healthy tissue, causing an autoimmune response.

They specialise in the treatment of,

1.    Complex and Inherited disorders, such as:

• Bechet’s disease
• Osteoporosis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Rheumatic fever
• Sarcoidosis
• Scleroderma

2.    Joint problems

• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Bursitis
• Gout
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

3.    Tendon issues

• Achilles tendonitis
• Patellar tendonitis
• Rotator cuff issues
• Tennis elbow

4.    Muscle conditions

• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
• Myopathies
• Myasthenia gravis
• Polymyositis
• Rhabdomyolysis

When Should You Consult a Rheumatologist?

Rheumatic disorders like rheumatoid arthritis can be chronic and have a significant impact on a person's quality of life, therefore it is important to get treatment as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to manage symptoms and prevent further damage to the joints and other organs affected by rheumatic disorders; thus, if you have joint pain and other symptoms such as dry eyes, dry mouth, hair loss, inflammation in the lining of the lungs, or weak muscles, you should consult a rheumatologist.

What Does a Rheumatologist Do During These Visits? 

During these visits, a rheumatologist will perform a physical exam, review your medical history, and evaluate results, and may recommend additional tests to help diagnose and monitor your condition, which includes:

• Tissue biopsy for analysis of autoimmune disease.
• Blood tests check the function of the liver and kidneys.
• Bone density test (DEXA scan).
• To view organs and structures, a CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound is used.
• Lung issues are evaluated via chest X-ray.
• Heart tests, like an electrocardiogram.
• Electromyography is a test that evaluates the health of a person's muscles and nerves.
• Endoscopy to evaluate gastrointestinal symptoms.

When you have decided to consult a rheumatologist, you could keep your earlier medical records, such as lab copies and imaging test results. Keeping a journal of your symptoms before visiting your rheumatologist will help you recall the full spectrum of your symptoms. 

There are several tiny passageways in your lungs that help to get oxygen from the air into your blood. Those air passages become narrow and causes inflammation and tightening of the muscles around the small airways, making it difficult to breath. Hence, it is important to understand who is a pulmonologist and consult them as earlier as possible if you feel the symptoms of asthma.

Symptoms of asthma

A person who has asthma may experience,

• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain or tightness in chest
• Difficulty in sleeping
• Coughing, especially at night
• Fatigue

These symptoms vary from person to person, and you might not have all these signs at the same time. When these symptoms become severe, it leads to “asthma attack.” Attacks might occur at any moment and can range from being mild to even life threatening.

Causes

Although the exact cause of asthma remains unknown, we know that genetics, the environment, and the individual behaviour all play a role. Some of the plausible causes include,

Allergies

Allergies happen when a person's body becomes sensitive to a certain substance. Once sensitization has happened, the person will be more likely to have an allergic reaction every time they come in contact with the substance.

Most cases of asthma are due to allergies and these asthma attacks are commonly triggered by an individual inhaling an allergen.

Genetics

One can develop the risk of asthma or other allergic disorders if there is a family history of an allergic disease.

Environmental Factors

People can develop asthma after being exposed to materials that irritate the airways. Some of these are allergens, toxins, fumes, and second- or third-hand smoke. These can be especially harmful to babies and young children, whose immune systems are not fully developed yet.

Complications of asthma

While asthma can usually be managed, it continues to be a serious disorder with significant consequences.

This is why, if your symptoms are worsening, it is important that you stick to your treatment plan. The long-term complications include,

• Feeling exhausted all the time
• Stress, worry or depression
• Lung infections (Pneumonia)
• Puberty delays

Some of the serious complications are,

Medication side effects

In some cases, asthma medications can lead to:

• Increased heart rate
• Hoarseness
• Itching in the throat
• Insomnia

Asthma Attack

An asthma attack suddenly occurs when muscles around your airways constrict, leading to the sudden worsening of asthma symptoms. This tightening is called bronchospasm. During an asthma attack, the airway lining can swell or become irritated, and the body may generate more mucus than usual. All these factors such as bronchospasm, inflammation, and mucus production cause asthma attack symptoms like trouble breathing, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and trouble doing normal daily activities.

Treatment

There is no cure for asthma right now, but treatment can help you control your symptoms so you can live a normal, active life.

The most common treatment is using inhalers, which are devices that let you breathe in medicine. If your asthma is severe, you may also need pills and other treatments.

The main types of inhalers are;

• Reliever Inhalers – used to relieve asthma symptoms quickly and temporarily for a fleeting period.
• Preventive Inhalers – used in a daily basis to avoid the onset of asthma symptoms.

You may order any type of inhalers through online.

High blood pressure has far-reaching consequences throughout time. It can induce a heart attack, kidney failure, and even blindness due to the fragility of the eye's blood vessels.

For the most part, a blood pressure result of 130/80 mm is considered to be hypertension. The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology have defined blood pressure range into four different categories. In simple words, they are explained in the below table.

Approximately 1.28 billion adults (aged 30-79) globally have hypertension and are unaware that they have the condition.

Causes

The causes of hypertension have not been determined exactly but doctors have identified some possible contributors. They are 

• Obesity
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Increases salt intake
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Genetics
• Stress and
• Aging
• Pregnancy

Symptoms

Unfortunately, even when blood pressure levels are extremely high, most persons with hypertension will show no signs or symptoms and that’s why hypertension is called a ‘Silent Killer’. So, it is essential that blood pressure is measured regularly.

In rare cases, a few people may have

• Sweating
• Anxiety
• Sleeping problems
• Blushing
• Headaches and nosebleeds (A person may experience these symptoms when hypertension escalates into a crisis)

Uncontrolled high blood pressure might result in consequences like:

• Heart attack or stroke
• Aneurysm
• Heart failure
• Kidney problems
• Eye problems
• Metabolic syndrome
• Changes in memory or understanding
• Dementia 

And this burden of hypertension can be reduced by modifying our lifestyle, which includes:

• Eating more fruit and vegetables
• Lowering salt intake (to fewer than 5g daily)
• Regular exercise
• Quitting tobacco use
• Reducing alcohol consumption
• Reducing trans fats in the diet
• Managing stress by doing meditation
  

The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is suggested for persons with high blood pressure by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the US (United States) and it is a flexible and healthy eating strategy that has a strong scientific foundation. According to NHLBI studies, the diet reduces hypertension and decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering blood fat levels. To avoid compilations you may consult a doctor.

DECEMBER – “Constipation Awareness Month”

As we are all soaked in the merriment and glee of this festive month... Let’s also remember that we are observing ‘Constipation Awareness Month’ along with these festivities!

Well, “CONSTIPATION” a frequently heard word and a rarely discussed topic, is the term coined for infrequent/incomplete and difficult bowel movements and evacuation of small and hard stool. As many people feel difficulty in discussing or opening up about this condition and feel extremely shy and hesitant in voicing out their queries concerning constipation, we present you with this handy with “whats”, ”whys”,” and hows” and also to create awareness among folks who are silently struggling!!

This condition usually occurs when the water content in food, in the colon, is enormously absorbed. As the food passes through the tract slowly, more water is absorbed, leaving the bowels dry, causing the feces to become hard in consistency and difficult to expel. Extreme pain is experienced by the individual as he/she attempts to manually facilitate the passage of stool. There also exist other underlying reasons which may lead to constipation in the following conditions:

Lack of fiber and water content, in the food taken.

Elderly people: they tend to have less physical activity, lesser muscle contraction in their abdomen region, and slower metabolism than when they were young

Women: Most women face the issue of constipation during and post their pregnancy. Changes in hormones and the baby present in the uterus squish the intestine, which leads to constipation.

Presence of certain medical conditions- neurologic disorders, Colorectal cancer, diverticulitis, Scleroderma, amyloidosis. Other gastrointestinal disorders, e.g. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Intestinal obstruction, outlet dysfunction constipation (defect in the co-ordination of lower abdomen and pelvis muscles, which helps in the release of stool)

Certain medications (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-depressants, narcotics, anti-allergens, anti-convulsant, antacids containing calcium, beta-blockers, etc.,) present with constipation as one of the adverse effects.

• Changes in diet/eating patterns, travel, and daily routine
• Eating disorders
• Sturdy diet - rich in meat and dairy
• Stress
• Misuse of laxatives
• Hormonal problems and underactive thyroid glands

Though an individual may experience constipation at least once or more in their lifetime, the intensity of the condition, i.e., occasional or chronic, may direct for proper evaluation and a suitable course of treatment to be taken. Though occasional discomfort may be caused due to changes in one’s diet or inactive lifestyle, recurring/chronic constipation (long-lasting/constant) definitely calls for immediate attention and the need to consult a physician.

What does one feel when constipated?

Whilst signs and symptoms vary from person to person, the most commonly observed ones have been listed below:

• Irregular to few bowel movements
  
• Trouble (strain) in expulsion of stool
  
• Hard and small stool
• Bloating
• Loss of appetite
• Pain and cramping in the abdomen region
• Sensation/feel of incomplete evacuation

What happens when left untreated??

Apart from the uncomfortableness, chronic constipation can result in varied complications, which include:

• Rectal prolapse – a condition where the intestine sticks out or protrudes out of the anus. Further strain to result in a bowel movement can cause stretching and bulging of the rectum.
  
• Anal fissure: Otherwise known as ripped or torn skin in the anus, occurs while attempting to pass large and hard stools, with a burning sensation and radiating pain, which can last from a few days to even years.
• Fecal impaction: known as stool that’s stuck or can’t be passed.
• Hemorrhoids: strain to induce a bowel movement causes swelling in blood vessels in around the anus area.

     How does one get relieved from this!?

Following are the measures taken to relieve an individual from constipation:

Tweaking certain changes in the diet and physical activity is one of the easiest way and fastest ways to treat as well as prevent constipation:

Consistent intake of 1.5 - 2 liters of liquid intake to stay hydrated. This may include water and unsweetened fluids.

Intake of fiber-rich foods- whole grains, beans, bran cereals, prunes, and adding probiotics in daily diet.

Limited or no consumption of caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, as they root for dehydration.

Dairy products, meat, and processed food consumption can be cut down, for they are low in fiber content.

Having a target of 30 minutes of physical activity, at least 5-6 times a week.

Allowing oneself plenty of time, to relax muscles when using the bathroom.

When feeling/sensing the urge to have a bowel movement, it is best advised not to delay it as this may lead to hardening of the stools.

Discuss with a health professional regarding bowel training and positions so as to adapt bowel movements at the same time, every day.

Medications: Healthcare professionals may usually recommend an over-the-counter laxative (listed below), in case home remedies fail;

• Fiber supplements
  
• Stimulants
  
• Stool softeners
• Lubricants
• Osmotic agents ( e.g. milk of magnesia)
• Prucalopride – helps in the movement of stool along the colon
• Plecanatide or linaclotide – regularises bowel movements for people ailing with chronic constipation
• A health care professional might also suggest other strategies- biofeedback therapy, which helps a person retain their muscles, or the use of an enema, surgical removal of a blockage in a long-term chronic condition, such as IBS.

And now, we may perceive, for this to sound like a common issue, but only to remind one that it is far from normal. All the same, it is a condition that can have a weighty impact on routine life and have an enduring effect on one’s general health. Hence, it is of utmost importance to focus on healthcare and lead a healthy lifestyle, which will benefit in refining the quality of life.