Hypertension and sickle cell anemia

 BLOG  

Hypertension 

overview 

Hypertension is a common disorder in which the long-term force of blood on the  walls of arteries is high enough to cause health problems, such as heart disease. 

Blood pressure is determined by how much blood your heart pumps and resistance  to arterial blood flow. The more blood the heart pumps, the narrower the arteries  and the higher the blood pressure. Blood pressure readings are in millimeters of  mercury (mm Hg). Blood pressure above 140/90, which is considered severe if it is  above 180/120 

Organ system effects 

Arterial damage 

High blood pressure gradually increases the pressure of blood flowing through the  arteries. High blood pressure can cause: 

Damaged and narrowed arteries. High blood pressure can damage the cells lining  the arteries. When dietary fats enter the bloodstream, they collect in damaged  arteries. Eventually, the arterial walls become less elastic, restricting blood flow  throughout the body. 

High blood pressure can cause many heart problems, including: 

Coronary artery disease. Arteries narrowed and damaged by high blood pressure  have difficulty supplying blood to the heart. Too little blood flow to the heart can  lead to chest pain, irregular heartbeat, or a heart attack. 

Damage to the tiny blood vessels that supply blood to the eye 

Damaged retinal blood vessels, the blood vessels in the light-sensitive tissue at the  back of the eye, can cause bleeding in the eye, blurred vision, and complete loss of  vision.

Symptoms 

Hypertension is called the silent killer because the initial symptoms are very  inconspicuous. According to the survey, up to 70% of the public do not know they  have high blood pressure at all. 

What are the symptoms of high blood pressure? 

The symptoms of high blood pressure are not obvious, and even patients with  abnormally elevated blood pressure may not feel any discomfort. A small number  of patients may experience symptoms such as headache, dizziness, tinnitus,  palpitations, shoulder pain, nosebleeds, nausea, vomiting, and coma. 

Treatment/ Prevention 

I will explain the methods of prevention and treatment in a unified way: "Lifestyle change" 

A key step in preventing and treating high blood pressure is a healthy lifestyle. 1. If you are overweight or obese, you must lose weight 

2. Quit smoking. Tobacco can damage the walls of blood vessels and harden  arteries. Both need to be in good shape when it comes to controlling blood  pressure. 

3. Follow the DASH diet plan, focusing on vegetables, fruits, whole-grain fish,  poultry, nuts, and legumes. The plan keeps sugar-sweetened beverages, sweets,  fatty meats and dairy products to a minimum. 

4. Do regular aerobic exercise (eg, brisk walking for at least 30 minutes a day,  several days a week). Find activities that get your heart pumping, like biking or  swimming. 

5. Reduce stress. Think about stressful areas of your life and take steps to change  them. Learn techniques for meditation or anger control, or get regular massages. 

The premise is that maintaining a healthy weight for your age and height is key.

Statistical Description 

High blood pressure is affecting the health of one billion people worldwide,  leading to heart attacks and strokes. Researchers estimate that 9 million people  currently die each year from elevated blood pressure. But high blood pressure is  preventable. 

Global efforts to address the challenge of NCDs have gained momentum since the  2011 UN Political Declaration on the Prevention and Control of NCDs. A major  reduction in the number of people with hypertension was one of the goals set by  WHO members to establish a global monitoring framework to track progress in the  prevention and control of these diseases and their key risk factors.

Sickle Cell Anemia 

overview 

Sickle cell anemia is one of a group of genetic disorders. It affects the shape of red  blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of the body. 

Red blood cells are usually round and flexible, so they move easily through blood  vessels. In sickle cell anemia, these sickle cells also become stiff and sticky,  slowing or blocking blood flow. 

Most people with sickle cell anemia have no cure. 

Organ system effects

Sickle cells that block blood flow to organs deprive affected organs of blood and  oxygen. In sickle cell anemia, oxygen levels in the blood are also chronically low.  A lack of oxygen-rich blood can damage nerves and organs, including the kidneys,  liver and spleen, and can be fatal. 

Symptoms 

Signs and symptoms of sickle cell anemia usually appear around 6 months of age.  But it varies from person to person 

anemia. Sickle cells divide easily and die. Red blood cells typically live for about  120 days before needing to be replaced. But sickle cells typically die within 10 to  20 days, resulting in a shortage of red blood cells. Without enough red blood cells,  the body cannot get enough oxygen, which can lead to fatigue. 

Pain attacks. Periods of extreme pain, called pain crises, are the main symptom of  sickle cell anemia. Pain occurs when sickle-shaped red blood cells block blood  flow through tiny blood vessels to your chest, abdomen, and joints. 

Some teens and adults with sickle cell anemia also have chronic pain, which can be  caused by bone and joint damage, ulcers, and other causes. 

vision problems. The tiny blood vessels that supply the eye can become blocked by  sickle cells. This damages the retina, the part of the eye that processes visual  images, and causes vision problems. 

Treatment 

Take folic acid supplements daily and choose a healthy diet. The bone marrow  needs folic acid and other vitamins to make new red blood cells. Ask your doctor 

about folic acid supplements and other vitamins. Eat a variety of colorful fruits and  vegetables, as well as whole grains. 

Drink lots of water. Dehydration increases the risk of sickle cell crisis. Drink water  throughout the day and aim to drink eight glasses of water a day. 

Avoid extreme temperatures. Exposure to extreme heat or cold increases the risk of  sickle cell crisis. 

Prevention 

If you carry the sickle cell trait, consulting a genetic counselor before trying to  conceive can help you understand your risk of having a child with sickle cell  anemia. A genetic counselor can also explain possible treatments, preventive  measures, and reproductive options. 

Statistical Description 

Every year, around 300,000 babies worldwide are born with thalassemia syndrome  (30%) or sickle cell anemia (70%). Globally, the percentage of thalassemia carriers  is greater than that of sickle cell anaemia carriers, but due to the higher frequency  of the sickle cell gene in some regions, the number of affected newborns is higher  than the number of newborns with thalassemia . Hemoglobinopathies are becoming  more pronounced in many developing countries.