The tonsils are small glands which are found at the back of the throat behind the tongue, and the infection of these glands is known as tonsillitis. Frequent recurring infections of the tonsils may result in an operation to remove them known as a tonsillectomy.  The infection is usually caused by bacteria or a viral infection and usually affects children from 5-15 years.  Tonsillitis can be passed from person to person through hand contact, airborne droplets or saliva.

The more common symptoms of tonsillitis include pain when swallowing, fever, coughing, tiredness, pain in the ear or neck, swollen tonsils, or swollen glands in the neck (lymph nodes).  Other less common symptoms of tonsillitis are constipation, bad breath, difficulty opening the mouth, vomiting or a ‘furry tongue’.  It can also cause abdominal pain in young children due to swollen lymph glands in the stomach.

Tonsillitis can be treated at home by getting plenty of rest and making sure to eat and drink plenty of fluids.  Painkillers and antibiotics can help to clear up the infection but it will clear up on its own over a few days.  There are also lozenges or sprays which can help to relieve pain in the throat.

The most effective way to avoid tonsillitis is to keep away from people who have the infection.  Do not use the same cups or cutlery etc as someone who has the infection and maintain good hygiene by washing hands frequently.

Tonsillitis

Bipolar disorder is more commonly known as manic depression and is actually a fairly common mood disorder. The condition can be characterized by alternating episodes of depression and euphoria and there are several symptoms associated with it that affect the daily functioning of an individual as well as the relationships they have with others. Some of these symptoms include depression and a feeling of despondency as well as irregular sleeping patterns, loss of interest in various activities which may have been pleasurable in the past and suicidal thoughts.

The difference between bipolar disorder and major depression is the instances of manic episodes, sometimes described as great emotional highs in between bouts of depression. When an individual goes through these manic episodes or states, the symptoms can vary greatly and include an increase in energy, restlessness, poor judgment, euphoria, lack of concentration and a less than normal requirement for sleep. The afflicted individual may also appear very irritable, speak rapidly and thing they are invincible, or at least have more capabilities than they actually possess.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder can fortunately be treated, and more often than not the people treated do achieve a quite substantial change in the mood swings they suffer, allowing them to lead an almost normal live. Treatment involves medication known as mood stabilizers.

Blood pressure is described as the pressure the force of blood applies to the artery walls as it flows through them. It is the pumping action of the heart that causes the blood to be under pressure. Normal blood pressure is an essential function in the workings of the body. Blood pressure is denoted by two numbers, 120/80 being an example (which happens to be considered an average blood pressure reading, by the way), with the first number being the systolic blood pressure, or the pressure when the heart is contracted while pumping the blood, and the second number is the diastolic blood pressure reading which is when the heart is at rest while filling with blood.

Naturally low pressure (usually thought of as lower than 90/60) doesn’t indicate any problems health wise. It could be normal for some people and indeed beneficial as it can lower incidences of stoke and coronary heart disease. It only becomes a problem if it is accompanied by symptoms such as fainting. This is normally caused by an underlying problem which would indicate that the blood pressure is not being regulated properly.

What to do in the case of Low Blood Pressure

If someone has constantly low blood pressure, then this could be classed as normal, however, if they have postural hypotension (blood pressure drops when standing up from a sitting position) or postprandial hypotension (blood pressure drops after eating), could mean there are underlying health problems. These could be taking drugs that are used to treat high blood pressure, illnesses that cause blood loss, diabetes, Addison’s disease (an adrenal gland disease), and early stages of pregnancy.

Treatment of low blood pressure normally depends on the underlying cause of the problem.