Conjunctivitis, or pink eye as it is sometimes known as, is an inflammation that affects the outer lining of the eyes. The condition is caused by bacteria or virus’ but can also affect people due to allergies or exposure to certain chemicals. Anyone can catch conjunctivitis but those closest to a sufferer are more at risk of contracting it than others.

When someone has conjunctivitis, all the fluid in the infected individuals eyes are very contagious, therefore the condition can easily be spread from one person to another via contaminated fingers, towels or clothes and through items such as sunglasses and makeup.

Conjunctivitis

Symptoms of conjunctivitis include redness in the white areas of the eyes, a scratchy sensation in the eyes, swollen eyelids that often feel itchy and “heavy” feeling eyes full of tears. The symptoms usually occur from 24 to 72 hours after infection and can last for several days.

Treatment of the condition depends on the cause, but a severe or chronic cased should be referred to a physician immediately. Prevention of conjunctivitis is always the best cure, so washing hands frequently as well as keeping them away from the eyes, not sharing towels, flannels or handkerchiefs with anybody and using fresh paper toweling to wipe the eyes if necessary and then discarding straight away, are all things to do to help prevent the spread of the condition.

A condom is classed as a barrier contraceptive and its job is to block any sperm from fertilizing a female egg. Condoms can be made from latex, lambskin or polyurethane and are known to be approximately 98% effective at preventing pregnancy if used in the correct manner. It has to be pointed out that lambskin condoms have been around for a very, very long time but are still available; they are more expensive than conventionally made condoms and are not as good at preventing STD’s.

For efficient use of condoms, the penis must not touch the vagina before the condom has been applied. The reason for this is because a man does not necessarily need to ejaculate for any sperm to come from his penis; it can happen before as well. The best way to use a condom is to hold the bulb part between the figure and the thumb, ensuring it is the right way round. Make sure there isn’t any air trapped inside and then, while still holding the bulb, place the condom over the erect penis. Then it should be gently rolled down the shaft of the penis (if it doesn’t roll then it has been placed upside down). The condom should be disposed off immediately after ejaculation but before the penis becomes flaccid.

How to Use a Condom

The benefits of condom use include the fact that they are a reliable method to prevent pregnancy, there are very rarely any side effects from wearing one, a lowered chance of an STD transmission, they are easily available and they come in all shapes and sizes (and flavors nowadays).

Disadvantages of condom use include the fact that it can break during sex, they can tear while being taken out of the package and are not compatible with some lubricants.

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.