Although we’ve all known about blood pressure (BP) for more than a hundred years, it’s only in the past twenty-five that it has been taken seriously. Once considered “a nuisance,” we now know if left untreated, elevated figures called “hypertension” will inevitably worsen, and may lead to life destroying events. Like an enlarged weak heart, irreversible heart-failure, heat attack and stroke. As well as destroy other organs on the way through.
What’s normal? Once said to be 100 plus your age (eg 120 if 20, 180 if 80) that’s changed. Today, irrespective of age, BP in excess of 135/85 is now considered to be “high”. The upper or systolic figure occurs when the heart contracts, gushing blood into the aorta to oxygenate all parts of the body. The lower “diastolic” reading is between contractions when it momentarily drops. Some say this is the more relevant, but both are important. If consistently elevated, reduction is essential. Here comes the issue.
DO IT YOURSELF
Who measures it? Usually it is picked up by serendipity along with some other test by the doctor. However, we know the stress of being examined can often push up the figure dramatically. This is called “white coat hypertension” (Doctors once wore a white coat!) Many measurements were taken over many weeks to make certain true hypertension existed.
But in recent times, the “do-it-yourself” system is becoming more and more widely used. Patients are invited to purchase their own device (called a sphygmomanometer), take BP daily and record. In many countries, at least 10% do this regularly. In Australia, very few, as the gear (from pharmacists) is considered expensive, often around $150. However, they last a long time, are battery powered, and display both BP and pulse on a VDU screen.
Ideally, one sits for a few minutes, wraps a Velcro secured cuff around the upper arm, which is rested on an object roughly at heart level. Buttons pushed, and figures pop up within a few second. Some take it 1-3 times a day. Say before rising, at midday, and again at bedtime. But as some say this creates “over-medicalisation”.
MEDICATION
Nevertheless, it greatly assists the doctor in deciding effectiveness of medication, whether it should be increased, reduced, changed, or other tablets added. As medication is expensive, the devices can greatly assist to “get it right”. Very low BP may also occur. This produces dizziness, flashing lights, or temporary faint if suddenly standing. So getting it right is important.
MEASLES:
Q:
A friends son had measles at an early age and recovered uneventfully. But when aged 12 years, suddenly woke one morning partially paralysed and jabbering incoherently.
A:
The measles virus can yield terrible long term outcomes. Although usually a mild non serious childhood infection with fever and rash lasting a few days, the virus can silently invade the brain, causing sudden disaster 10-15 years later. The condition is incurable. This highlights, yet again, the absolute need for all infants be immunised against measles at an early age. The MMR vaccine has now been available for several years. Mothers, please do not let a few disillusioned people talk you out of it. (It has also been implicated as a cause of multiple sclerosis).
Is it possible for a child to receive a shock from a hearing aid battery? Granny occasionally drops them on the floor, where junior spends most of his time.
A:
As the voltage is extremely low, it will not electrocute junior. Nevertheless, little ones have a habit of placing things into the mouth – everything looks like food, and batteries are bright and shiney. This can cause serious damage in the gut, or even perforate as the contents are very caustic. Please ask granny to call for help when changing batteries, and dispose of discarded ones carefully. Incidentally, dogs love chewing up hearing aids if they fall to the ground.
Will the lungs of a “reformed smoker” ever get back to normal?
A:
The current short answer is “No”! Permanent damage has already occurred. It was once believed they reverted to normal after five years of abstinence, but this is now in doubt. Just the same, the sooner a person stops, risks also reduce dramatically. Ideally, don’t start in the first place. Girls in the 10-14 year age are at highest risk. They think it is “cool”, many of their peers smoke, and in most cases, so does mum, so why not? More and more stars now smoke in blockbuster films, so again, its following the role model. Kids …do not start.
A common cause is a foreign material shoved into the nostrils, and may work its way backwards leading to profuse and often yukky discharge. Bits of cotton, bits of gravel, tiny spherical bits of toys, wheat or rice grains. These are often found only with difficulty, and may require a nose specialist. Mild infections and allergies are other causes. Many resolve automatically. Some need allergy tests and “de-sensitisation” treatment to overcome the allergy (often grass pollen).
My bay often cries, frequently in the middle of the night. Which means I get up, and soothe and pacify, even though there is often no obvious reason.
A:
Wet naps, feeling cold, thirsty or hungry, in pain are the common causes. Check all. If there is no obvious reason, a short bout of cuddling and cooing works like magic. Which of course, can soon become self flagellation. Baby learns quickly that a cuddle is better than lying alone in a dark room. So yells – with the automatic comforter appearing like a magical apparition. “I love you mum”. Great, but don’t let him/her become too addicted!
Medi Aid Centre Foundation (mediaid.org.au) has lovely retirement accommodation in Eastwood and Epping in Sydney, NSW. The flagship is lovely Vimiera Village at Eastwood. Take a virtual tour (and I will be the guide). on vimieravillage.com.au.
But Medi Aid Foundation also has other offerings. Visit our website docwright.com.au and see what is available. This also includes units overlooking the surf on the lovely Gold Coast in Queensland.
Kooloora and Melaleuca at Epping
Medi Aid has Kooloora Village (30 units) and Melaleuca (after the melaleuca trees in the front garden) (18 units) at Epping, in Sydney. These smaller villages are more personalised. You can see them on docwright.com.au Then click Melaleuca or Kooloora. And up come the details and images.
Medi Aid Centre Foundation is a non profit Public Benevolent Institution and Charity established in 1973 in Eastwood, Sydney, by Dr John F Knight AM, (Aka Dr James Wright- media name.). ACN 001 131 853.
