Hypertension

I n early 2013, after Erin Consuegra gave birth to her second child at age 28, her health nosedived. She developed worrying symptoms, including extreme fatigue, fluttery heart beats, and high blood pressure. She said her doctor prescribed blood pressure medication and chalked it up to stress. But Consuegra, an elementary school teacher by training, didn't buy it. "It's like, you think staying home all day with two kids is causing these real medical issues?" she said. "It was offensive to just write it all off to stress and anxiety." Researching her symptoms online and through family members in the medical field, Consuegra learned of a little-known syndrome called primary aldosteronism, in which one or both adrenal glands, small structures that sit atop the kidneys, overproduce a hormone called aldosterone. Aldosterone increases blood pressure by sending sodium and water into the bloodstream, increasing blood volume. It also lowers potass...

(Sebastian Kaulitzki/Science Photo Library, Getty Images) Women with high blood pressure conditions during pregnancy may face double the risk for kidney disease within several years after giving birth, according to a new study that finds the risk climbs to nearly fourfold for women who already had high blood pressure before pregnancy. The study, published Friday in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension, found the risk was higher for Black women than white women. While previous research has looked at pregnancy-related high blood pressure and kidney disease, the new study's authors said those analyses did not include a diverse racial representation – even though Black women have higher rates of these conditions than their white peers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women also are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related problems than white women. It all underscores the need for good prenatal care, said study co-...

Sinus headaches are those that cause pain and pressure in the sinuses, which are a network of hollow cavities inside the skull. Migraine is a neurological condition that causes moderate to severe headaches, usually on one side of the head. Sinus headaches and migraine are different conditions with different symptoms, causes, and treatments. Knowing the difference between the two conditions will help people seek the appropriate treatment. This article outlines the differences between sinus headaches and migraine episodes, including their associated symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. We also list other types of headaches a person may experience and provide information on when to see a doctor. Sinus headaches affect the sinuses, which are a network of hollow, air-filled cavities inside the skull. The sinuses produce mucus and help moisten the nasal cavities. Sinus headaches often result from sinus infections, also known as sinusitis. Blockage within the sinuses can cause pressure, pain, ...

I'd argue health care workers have never been under as much strain, for as long a period of time, as they've endured in the current COVID pandemic. While more than 60% (roughly 200 million people!) of United States citizens are considered fully vaccinated, the emergence of new COVID strains and the rise of an anti-vaccine movement suggest that the health crisis, and in particular its physical, mental and emotional toll on health care workers, is not likely to subside soon. Even before the pandemic, health care was a stressful industry. According to a Medscape survey (registration required) from 2018, for example, 42% of more than 15,000 physicians surveyed reported feeling burned out. But stress within health care has taken on an entirely new dimension during the COVID-19 pandemic due to: • The physical and mental strain of adhering to biosecurity measures , including having to endure physical isolation on- and off-shift, wearing heavy protective gear and following strict infec...

Normal cholesterol levels can differ for adults and children, as well as males and females.  A chart with normal ranges can help you determine whether your cholesterol levels are healthy.  Your doctor may set a specific target if you have cardiovascular disease or are at risk.  This article is part of Insider's guide to High Cholesterol.  Cholesterol is measured with a simple blood test called a lipid panel or lipid profile. Lipids are fats and fatty substances, which include cholesterol, that you carry in your bloodstream to be used as a source of energy.  If your cholesterol levels are too high — as is the case for more than 12% of US adults and about 7% of US children — it puts you at an increased risk of developin...

Anxiety disorders Most people will experience at least one form of anxiety at some point in their life. If you often have intense anxiety about everyday situations and it's affecting your life, you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) Those diagnosed with GAD are likely to experience intense anxiety about situations, activities and events that they deal with every day. Worrying about these tasks and events can make it difficult or impossible to complete them. GAD can result in physical symptoms, such as insomnia, headaches and an upset stomach. Agoraphobia Agoraphobia is a fear of certain situations or places, usually, because they cause someone to feel powerless, trapped, overwhelmed or embarrassed. These feelings can become quite extreme and lead to panic attacks. Panic disorder If you regularly suffer from sudden panic attacks you may have panic disorder. It can cause severe anxiety and feelings of terror that can get worse ...

When you think of cholesterol-lowering foods, Cheerios or oatmeal may pop into your mind. Both boast the signature red heart on the packaging, along with the phrase "can help lower cholesterol as part of a heart-healthy diet." Both products can sport this claim because of the fiber content of oats. Research indicates that eating a fiber-rich diet can lower cholesterol levels and therefore support heart health ( 1 ). Here's what you need to know about dietary fiber and cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance that your liver naturally produces. Your body uses cholesterol to maintain the structure of cell membranes and to make vitamin D and hormones such as cortisol, estrogen, and testosterone ( 2 ). Cholesterol doesn't travel well through your blood, because fat and water don't mix. So your liver produces substances called lipoproteins to transport cholesterol and triglycerides — a type of fat — in your bloodstream ( 2 ). There are two main form...

Daniele Venturelli Getty Images Kendall Jenner is a supermodel. One of those rare creatures that the biggest fashion houses in the world fight over for their campaign shoots and book without hesitation for every runway show from Couture through to Cruise. She's walked for Fendi, Versace, Tom Ford, Giambattista Valli and in her skivvies for Victoria's Secret. And yet, for the last few fashion week seasons, the 26-year-old runway regular has been conspicuously absent from catwalk shows. She's made only a sprinkling of runway walks since 2017. But behind her glamorous exterior, Jenner also struggles with panic attacks, anxiety and some depression too, and by her own admission, has come seriously close to a complete mental breakdown. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians alum has even admitted to having a panic attack as recently as two nights ago, as per an interview with i-D. But it seems that, though her mental health s...

Normal cholesterol levels can differ for adults and children, as well as males and females.  A chart with normal ranges can help you determine whether your cholesterol levels are healthy.  Your doctor may set a specific target if you have cardiovascular disease or are at risk.  This article is part of Insider's guide to High Cholesterol.  Cholesterol is measured with a simple blood test called a lipid panel or lipid profile. Lipids are fats and fatty substances, which include cholesterol, that you carry in your bloodstream to be used as a source of energy.  If your cholesterol levels are too high — as is the case for more than 12% of US adults and about 7% of US children — it puts you at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). That's your risk...

If you're an introvert, your contemplative nature can make you prone to stress. Coping is possible by keeping your strengths in mind. Personality traits, like introversion and extroversion, can influence how you experience and manage stress levels. "Introverts may internalize stress to the point where those around them may not even know that they are feeling stressed," says Heidi McBain, an online licensed therapist in Texas. As an introvert, you may have to work harder at reaching out for help, says McBain, because you may not inherently share your emotions and thoughts with others. Often, avoiding specific situations is how introverts handle stress. Not doing so can result in overwhelm. Stress management is essential and possible if you're an introvert. You could begin by identifying the greatest sources of stress for you. What causes an introvert to stress may be the same things that cause anyone stress. But these three scenarios may be the greatest stressors when ...