Diagnosis | What Steven Cousley Does

Understanding High Blood Pressure readings

Oct 222009

Understanding High Blood Pressure Readings

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure you probably already know the importance of regular blood pressure monitoring but do you know what those numbers actually mean?

The device most commonly used as a blood pressure tester is known as a “sphygmomanometer”. These machines have been in use in doctors surgeries since the 1880′s. Early forms of the machine made use of a mercury barometer and were read in terms of how far the mercury rose in a column. Modern devices still use the same scale which is why the readings are given in terms of millimetres of mercury or mmHg.

Most forms of sphygmomanometer make use of an inflatable cuff that is wrapped around the arm. The cuff is inflated until the pressure is high enough to stop the flow of blood in the main artery of the arm. The pressure in the cuff is then slowly released until the sounds of blood rushing through the artery is detected, either by use of a stethoscope or electronic means in the case of a digital monitor. The pressure at which sounds are first heard is the systolic pressure and indicates the pressure in the artery while the heart is beating.

The pressure in the cuff is continued to release until no more sounds are heard. This is the point at which the blood is able to flow freely in the artery and is known as the diastolic pressure. The diastolic pressure indicates the pressure in ther artery beween heart beats when the heart is relaxed. The two pressure readings are recorded in the form systolic/diastolic, eg, 120/80, which is read as “one twenty over eighty”

Blood pressure readings vary throughout the day depending on activity and stress level and can be affected by many other factors as well, such as caffeine or tobacco intake. It’s best to actually measure blood pressure at a time when you are relaxed. Wait until at least 30 minutes after strenuous activity or consumption of caffeine. Try to sit in a relaxed position for 10-15 minutes before the pressure is measured.

Your resting blood pressure is a good indicator of the health of your circulatory system. If your readings are repeatedly at a high level it means extra stress is being placed on your heart and blood vessels. this condition puts you at high risk of serious damage to major organs. Your blood vessels may harden, a condition known as artheriosclerosis. Your blood vessels narrow and there is a greater risk of clotting. This can also lead to life-threatening conditions such as heart failure, stroke or kidney failure.

Generally speaking, blood pressure readings below 120/80 are considered to be normal. Between 120/80 and 140/90 is known as a high normal or pre-hypertension (pre-high blood pressure) range. Above 140/90 is a state of high blood pressure and above 180/110 is considered to be extremely high.

Your doctor would need to measure your pressure a few times over subsequent visits before confirming a diagnosis of high blood pressure readings. They will then suggest a course of treatment which will most likely include a healthier lifestyle and in more severe cases medication may also be required.

Kidney Stones Symptom Diagnosis

Health, Medical No Responses »

Apr 142009

What Are the Symptoms of A Kidney Stone?

Do you see blood when you urinate or do you have pain in your back or pelvis? If you answer yes to these two questions then you may have kidney stones. The only way to be really sure is to have yourself examined by a doctor.

The two symptoms mentioned are just some of the symptoms that tell you if you have kidney stones. Other symptoms of kidney stone may include fevers or chills, feeling or being sick, frequent urinating and a burning sensation when you urinate.

It’s hard to tell just by how you feel if you have kidney stones because these symptoms are also felt by those who have a urinary tract infection (UTI).

When you go to your doctor, they will have to do a series of checks to confirm a kidney stones diagnosis. This will include reviewing your medical history, conducting a physical examination and doing some tests.

To rule out UTI a sample of urine or blood is scanned using one or two machines that may be a computed tomography (CT) scan, intravenous pyelogram (IVP), retrograde pyelogram or X-ray.

To give you a better understanding of what these machines are;

The CT scan can be used for many purposes. In the case of kidney stones, the doctor will tell the technician to focus on your urinary system.

The problem with the CT scan is that it cannot detect small stones when these are located near the bladder. To be sure, an x-ray will be done to tell the doctor its orientation, shape and size.

The Intravenous Pyelogram or IVP is another option and for this test you will be injected with a contrasting agent. Once this is flowing through your kidney, it will be easy for the machine to see if you have a kidney stone blocking the ureter.

There are risks for conducting this test especially if you have a slight allergic reaction to the contrasting fluid that is used.

An ultrasound machine may be used to check if you have kidney stones located in your upper urinary tract or in your ureter. Unfortunately, it cannot be used to check for kidney stones in other areas.

Another test is called the retrograde pyelogram. This test is similar to the IVP in using a contrasting agent however instead of an intravenous agent the contrasting solution is introduced directly into the lower ureter. The contrast flow is opposite to the normal direction of urine, hence the “retrograde” part of the name. This test is normally done under general or local anasthesia.

In most cases, patients who have kidney stones do not need to undergo these more advanced tests because the others mentioned have already confirmed that.

Once the doctor is sure of the kidney stones diagnosis and determined the type of stone only then will they be able to treat it. The doctor may or may not have to give you medication. In extreme cases, surgery may be the best option.

Kidney stones happen more often to males than females. If you feel something wrong down there, don’t wait until it’s get worse before seeing your doctor.