Migraines are throbbing headaches that are normally very intense, occurring in just one half of the head. They can affect people of all ages and their cause is unknown. What is known is that during a migraine attack, blood vessels located in the brain dilate. This dilation causes the blood vessels to draw in on each other which stimulate the nerve endings near to these blood vessels. It is this that is thought to cause the pain.

Migraine

Migraines are fairly common occurrences, affecting nearly 20% of women and 6% of men during their lifetimes. Triggers for the migraine attack can vary, but some people are very aware that eating certain foods such as chocolates, cheese or citrus fruits can bring on an attack. Some other things that have been known to trigger migraines include anxiety, stress, exercise, loud noise, bright lights, traveling and the contraceptive pill. Many women appear to have attacks on or around the time of the menstrual periods.

When people describe migraines, they are commonly associated with headaches of varying degrees. These can include headaches occurring in bouts of approximately four to 72 hours; headaches on one side of the head; headaches throb and get worse with physical activity; nausea accompanied by vomiting; and other symptoms associated with sensitivity to light.

Migraines are treated by using painkillers. Which type depends on the severity and length of bouts being suffered.

Alzheimer’s disease is a physical condition that affects the brain and is the most common form of dementia worldwide. A German neurologist by the name of Alois Alzheimer first described the disease in the early 1900’s and was he who the condition was named after.

Alzheimer

When the disease is present in the brain, types of “tangles” develop in the brains structure which kills brain cells. Disease sufferers also have a shortage of a chemical in the brain which is responsible for the transmission of messages. As the disease progresses over time, more areas of the brain are damaged and any symptoms then become more severe.

Early stage symptoms include memory lapses and difficulty in finding the right words to speak or describe something. The progression of the disease brings confusion, forgetfulness, mood swings and frustration and withdrawal due to communication and confidence issues.

Up to the present time, no one has been able to pinpoint one particular factor that contributes to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease but it is widely agreed that it is probably a combination of factors including age, genetic makeup, diet, environmental factors and general health. Some people may even have the disease for years before any symptoms appear.

Unfortunately, presently there is no known cure for the condition, but certain drugs have been produced that can help alleviate some of the symptoms or slow down the diseases progression.

The heart is a pump that is designed to force blood through the body and as with any type of pump, it works by generating pressure. In the body, the blood is pumped through the arteries to all major organs, but if there is too much pressure it can put a strain on the heart itself or the arteries, causing all sorts of problems.

Blood pressure is dependent on two things. The first is the force with which the heart pumps the blood around the body, and the second is the narrowness of the arteries. Hypertension happens when the blood is forced with increased pressure through the arteries.

When blood pressure is measured, it is done so using two numbers, an example being 120 over eighty. The first number listed is the systolic blood pressure which is the maximum pressure exerted on the arteries when the heart beats, and the second number listed is the diastolic blood pressure, or the minimum amount of pressure on the arteries when the heart is relaxed. The example above is of a normal blood pressure reading.

Blood pressure can be considered high when the systolic blood pressure reading is constantly above 160, and/or the diastolic blood pressure reading is above 100. One of the biggest problems with high blood pressure though, is the fact that it doesn’t always cause any symptoms meaning it may go unnoticed until a later complication such as a heart attack or stroke.

Other complications arising from high blood pressure can be an aneurysm, heart failure, eye damage, kidney failure or atherosclerosis, which is the narrowing of the arteries. Some factors that could contribute to high blood pressure include hereditary reasons, obesity, kidney disease, diabetes, excessive salt intake, lack of exercise and high intake of alcohol.

High Blood Pressure