High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer,” because it can cause damage to your internal organs before you have any symptoms. But you can take action to prevent and treat this condition.
Modifiable risk factors include eating a healthy diet that’s low in salt and fat, being physically active, avoiding smoking or vaping and drinking alcohol in moderation.
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A very high blood pressure reading can cause symptoms such as blurred vision and headache. If these symptoms are accompanied by nosebleeds, this indicates a severe hypertensive crisis and should be treated as a medical emergency.
Headache can be a sign of a number of disorders or diseases, including blood vessels in the brain and skull, a growing tumor or an infection, sinus infections, eye problems and temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). A headache may also occur from an overdose of painkillers.
The most common cause of a headache is stress. It is a good idea to try to reduce stress by exercising regularly, eating a well-balanced diet and avoiding food triggers that are known to lead to headache. If you suffer from chronic headache, it is important to seek professional help to improve the condition. Specialists who may be able to assist include ear, nose and throat doctors, naturopaths and physical therapists. In addition, a regular headache diary can help identify the factors that contribute to your symptoms.
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A common symptom of high blood pressure is shortness of breath. This is caused by having to work hard for your heart to pump oxygenated blood around the body. This can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), narrowing of the arteries that connect your heart to the lungs (pulmonary hypertension), damage to the lungs themselves or even a collapsed lung. This is a medical emergency and needs to be treated immediately.
Other symptoms of severe high blood pressure can include blurred vision, chest pain and dizziness. If you have these symptoms along with a headache, it is important to seek immediate medical attention as you may be experiencing a hypertensive crisis.
If you have a healthy lifestyle and take your medications regularly, you can avoid many complications of high blood pressure. However, it is important to know the signs of high blood pressure and have your BP checked regularly to prevent problems from occurring. This is why it is recommended to get your BP checked at all routine health visits and any other time that you feel unwell.
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Diarrhea is loose, watery stools that sometimes come with abdominal pain and weight loss. It’s a common symptom of conditions that cause irritation and inflammation in your digestive tract, like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or irritable bowel syndrome. You may also have diarrhea if you’ve recently had surgery on your bowels or are taking antibiotics.
Diarrhea can make you dehydrated, which can raise your blood pressure. That’s because your body needs more fluids to absorb nutrients and flush out waste. If you have severe diarrhea, your doctor may need to give you IV fluids at the hospital.
Your doctor will do a physical exam and ask about your health history to find out what’s causing your diarrhea. They’ll do lab tests to check your blood, urine and stool samples. They may also do a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy to look for the cause. They’ll ask about any recent travel and sick contacts. They may test for bacterial infections, parasites and lactose or fructose intolerance. They’ll also ask about your diet. They might recommend that you eat foods that are easier to digest, such as bananas and rice.
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Fatigue is one of the most common reasons for patients to visit their general practitioner. In fact, it is the main complaint in 5-10% of consultations. Fatigue affects the quality of life and is associated with reduced mental health.
Fatigue can be caused by viral infections, certain medications, a poor diet, chronic stress or depression, snoring partners or lack of exercise. It can also be a sign of more serious conditions like anemia, sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, diabetes or heart disease.
Those experiencing fatigue feel utterly exhausted with both physical and mental activity. They don’t feel refreshed after resting or sleeping and cannot carry out their daily activities despite making adjustments in lifestyle or habits.
To help diagnose the cause of your fatigue, your practitioner will ask you about your medical history, symptoms and current lifestyle, habits, and feelings. They will also do a physical exam and pay special attention to your heart, lymph nodes and thyroid. They may recommend a variety of tests depending on your particular situation. These tests might include blood work, urine screens, X-rays or other imaging studies.
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Heart palpitations (pal-pih-TAY-shuns) are feelings that your heart is beating too hard, fast or irregularly. These feelings may be felt in your chest, throat or neck. They are a symptom of an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia).
Heart palpitation usually isn’t a sign of a serious health problem, but you should tell your healthcare provider about them. The most common cause of heart palpitations is not drinking enough fluid on a regular basis or being out of shape. Sometimes they happen because of hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause, or when you eat foods that are high in caffeine, chocolate or salt. Some people have them because of thyroid disorders, infections or medicines.
Most cases of heart palpitations are caused by an arrhythmia that is harmless and will stop on its own or with treatment. But it’s important to talk with your doctor if you’re having frequent or long-lasting heart palpitations or other signs of a heart condition, such as breathlessness or losing consciousness (syncope). Your provider will do a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms.