Health and Wellness Review

The benefits of an appendix aren’t clear, but the dangers are

You can usually cut the appendix out of a scholarly paper and the paper will still read the same. It turns out that the human body is much the same! In the twenty-first century, we’re still not quite sure what the appendix is supposed to do, but we do know that we can live without it.

One out of every 15 Americans will get appendicitis. A major medical emergency, the condition requires surgical removal of the appendix. Without surgery, it can be fatal: the appendix eventually bursts, spilling toxic materials into the abdominal cavity.

What are the symptoms?

• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal swelling
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fever
• Gastric distress such as constipation or diarrhea

What do you do if you suspect appendicitis? Seek medical attention right away! Also, don’t eat or drink anything, and avoid pain medications or heating pads.

Knowing what triggers attacks is key to preventing them

Asthma is a very real problem; it affects 20 million Americans, and that number is only increasing. Though it’s the most common long-term disease in children, adults can also suffer from asthma. The disease causes wheezing, coughing, and dramatic attacks where the airways in one’s lungs become constricted; without medication, an attack can be fatal. The disease is often but not always hereditary, and environmental factors can play a critical (if unclear) role.

Inhalers are vital for people with moderate to severe asthma, but it’s also important for the asthma sufferer to avoid things that can trigger an attack. Here are seven things to watch out for:

1. Air Pollution
   Yes, it’s true. Smog is associated with asthma.
2. Secondhand Smoke
   Don’t be shy about asking others not to smoke around you.
3. Pets
   If your pet triggers attacks, keep the animal out of your bedroom and clean your floors frequently to minimize dander.
4. Dust
   More specifically, dust mites. Use hypoallergenic bed linens.
5. Mold
   Try to keep your house free of mold by keeping humidity low, eliminating leaks, and cleaning mold as soon as you see it.
6. Cockroaches
   Not only are they gross, but some asthmatics are allergic to them.
7. Other Stuff
   Everyone’s asthma responds to different triggers: foods, temperatures, even emotions. All you can do is learn your own triggers and try to avoid them.

High blood pressure is very common and potentially fatal

One-third of all Americans have high blood pressure, putting them at increased risk for health problems like heart disease and stroke. Many people with high blood pressure appear symptom-free and don’t even know they have it. However, checking for high blood pressure only requires an inflatable cuff.

Blood pressure is usually expressed as two numbers. The higher number (systolic pressure) represents blood pressure when the heart is contracting; the lower number (diastolic pressure) measures blood pressure when the heart is at rest. High blood pressure for adults is defined as a systolic pressure of above 140 or a diastolic pressure above 90, whereas normal blood pressure is no more than 120 over 80. (Anything in between the two is considered prehypertension.)

Treating high blood pressure begins with a healthy lifestyle: exercise, a good diet, a healthy weight, and avoiding too much alcohol. (Good choices for everyone!) However, some types of high blood pressure will also need to be treated with one or more medications. Talk to your doctor and make sure you’re doing what it takes to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level – because there’s no reason to rush to your deathbed ahead of schedule!

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10 essential facts about poison oak and poison ivy

1. Poison oak, poison ivy and poison sumac all contain urushiol, an oil that causes an allergic reaction in three out of four people. Within hours or days, a red, itchy rash erupts on the skin.
2. Poison ivy is most common in the central and eastern US. The plant can grow as a vine or shrub. Watch out for a reddish sheen and the characteristic three-leaflet shape.
3. Poison oak is most common in the western US. It grows as a shrub. Its leaves are shaped like oak leaves and have a hairy, pale underside.
4. Poison sumac grows in wet areas. It is a woody shrub. Poison sumac has clusters of green berries, whereas harmless sumac has red berries.
5. Some people are far more sensitive to urushiol than others. They will have a quick reaction after even small contact. Other people seem to be totally immune.
6. Most cases clear up within a week or two, but serious cases can last for a month or more.
7. Watch out for secondary exposure! You can get a rash from urushiol oil on clothes, pets, garden tools, camping equipment, etc. Wash anything that might have been exposed.
8. The smoke of burning poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac is especially dangerous. Call a doctor if you’ve been exposed.
9. There’s no cure. Cool showers and calamine lotion will help manage the itch. Severe cases or those involving the face or genitals may require a prescription medication such as prednisone.
10. Like anything else, watch out. If you get a fever, it doesn’t get better, it’s on your face or genitals, or it starts to smell funny, make sure to call your doctor!