5538 articles for *
How blood pressure istested Blood pressure test
Blood pressure testAdevice called a sphygmomanometer will be used to measure your blood pressure. This usually consists of a stethoscope, arm cuff, pump and dial, although automatic devices thatuse sensors and have a digital display are also commonly used nowadays. It's best to sit down with your back supported and legs uncrossed for the test. You'll usually need
Controlling yourblood pressure Blood pressure test
Blood pressure testIf your blood pressure is found to be too high or too low,yourGP or the healthcare professional performing the test can advise you about ways to control it. This may involve: adoptinga healthy, balanced diet and restricting your salt intake getting regular exercise cutting down on alcohol losing weight stopping smoking taking
Introduction Blood transfusion
Blood transfusionA blood transfusion involves taking blood from one person (the donor) and giving it to someone else. You may need a blood transfusion for a number of reasons, including: to replace blood lost during major surgery, childbirth or a severe accident to treat Iron deficiency anaemia that has failed to respond to other treatments; anaemia is a
Patient story: "My diet and lack of exercise contributed greatly to my stroke." High blood pressure
High blood pressureAndy Jones liked to eat a lot of salt with his food. Whatever he ate, whether it was a Chinese takeaway or fish and chips, Andy would always add plenty of seasoning. Although he didn't consider himself to be unhealthy, Andy didn't exercise and was overweight, which earned him the nickname Chunky. The excessive salt Andy was adding to his food
Symptoms of low blood pressure Low blood pressure
Low blood pressureIf your blood pressure is naturally low, it's unlikelyto cause any symptoms orrequire treatment. However, low blood pressure can sometimes mean there's not enough blood flowing to your brain and other vital organs, which can lead to symptomssuch as: Lightheadedness unsteadiness fainting blurred vision heartbeatsthat suddenly become
Introduction Carbuncles
CarbunclesBoils and carbunclesarered, painfullumps on the skin. Boils Boils (furuncles)can develop anywhere on your skin, but they're most likely to occur at the site of an infected hair follicle (a holea hair grows out of). Boils most commonly develop on areas of skin where there's a combination of hair, sweat and friction, such as the neck, face or
Preventing boils and carbuncles Carbuncles
CarbunclesIt's not always possible to prevent getting a boil or carbuncle, but some simple steps can reduce your risk. These include: washing your skin regularly using a mild antibacterial soap always carefully cleaning any Lacerations , even if they look very small keeping cuts, wounds and grazes covered with a sterile bandage until they heal eating
Treating bone cancer Bone cancer
Bone cancerTreatment for bone cancer depends on the type of bone cancer you have, how far it has spread and your general health. The main treatments are surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Your treatment plan Your treatment should be managed by a specialist centre with experience in treating bone cancer, where you'll be cared for by a team of different
Introduction Blushing
BlushingBlushing is the involuntary reddening of the face, usually triggered by emotions such as embarrassment or stress. Other areas of the body such as the neck, earsand upper chest can also be affected. As well as causing redness, blushing can sometimes make the affected area feel hot. What causes blushing? "Normal" blushing occurs when a strong
Causes of blushing Blushing
BlushingBlushing is caused by the sympathetic nervous system the network of nerves responsible for triggering your 'fight or flight' reflex. The sympathetic nervous system is a series of involuntary physical changes to your body when faced with a stressful or dangerous situation. A sudden and strong emotion such as