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Five important parameters of Health

 

 

THERE ARE FIVE IMPORTANT PARAMETERS OF HEALTH

 

  • PULSE RATE
  • BLOOD PRESSURE
  • TEMPERATURE
  • RESPIRATORY RATE
  • WEIGHT

 

PULSE RATE

Pulse rate depicts your heart rate per minute. For a normal healthy adult in resting position the pulse rate should be 60-100/minute.

If the pulse rate is persistently less than 60 it indicates efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness as seen in trained athletes. But if the pulse rate drops suddenly it indicates some pathology e.g. drug toxicity, heart disease etc.

Pulse rate more than 100/min may be because of – anxiety, anaemia, metabolic diseases, heart or lung disease. But infants and children normally have irregular pulse indicates heart disease

 

BLOOD PRESSURE

Blood pressure is the pressure of the circulating blood against the pressure in the blood vessels. Usually we measure the pressure in the large arteries. Normal BP in adults is 120/80mm of Hg irrespective of age. If the systolic BP or the upper reading is more than 140mm of Hg it is called Hypertension.

If your BP is repeatedly high [>140mm of Hg] than you should be investigated thoroughly before starting the treatment. Some of the basic investigations  are –

  • Complete blood count
  • Urine examination
  • Blood sugar
  • Liver function tests
  • Kidney function tests
  • Lipid profile
  • ECG
  • X-Ray Chest

 

MANAGEMENT – Mild cases of hypertension can be treated with the following –

  1. Weight reduction
  2. Salt restriction
  3. Anxiety management

 

But you have to take medicines if all these measures are not able to control your BP uncontrolled hypertension can lead to –

  1. Heart attack
  2. Stroke
  3. Kidney failure

So, it is very important to maintain your BP within the normal range.

 

TEMPERATURE

 

Normal body temperature is 98.6°F [37 ° C]. but the range is 97-99° F

If the body temperature is high it may be because of certain conditions which are considered normal

1] After heavy exercise

2] Environmental- If the environmental temperature is very high then the body may show a higher temperature even without any disease. This is more common in children, the elderly and the thin built. Even over clothing can cause a rise in temperature in these people.

 

Medical causes of fever:

  1. Infection : May be viral, bacterial
  2. Metabolic: e.g hyperthyroidism , uncontrolled diabetes etc
  3. Malignancy : If no other cause is found then even malignancy should be ruled out.

 

 

RESPIRATORY RATE

                                               

It is defined as the number of times a person breathes in and out in a minute. Respiratory rate in a normal healthy out in a minute. Respiratory rate in a normal healthy adult is 12-16 / minute. It is higher in children. A respiratory rate of 40/min is normal in infants and children.

 

Athletes have a slower respiratory rate. Higher respiratory rate is also seen in anxiety and after exercise. This is normal but if higher respiratory rate is accompanied by difficulty in breathing then there may be a matter of concern and it is better to consult a physician. This may indicate a number of diseases such as-

  • Anaemia
  • Fever
  • Pneumonias
  • Asthma
  • Cardiac failure
  • Neurological diseases & Metabolic disorders

 

WEIGHT

 

Weight is a very important parameter of health. Many charts are available from which you can find out your ideal weight according to your height and sex.

 

Body mass index [BMI] is a better indicator of health as compared to weight.

 

BMI = Weight in kg /[ height in meters]²

 

As is well known higher weight/BMI is associated with many risk factors e.g. –

- Diabetes mellitus

- Hypertension

- Ischemic heart disease

- Osteoarthritis

 

They are also more prove to infections. Recovery is also slow.

 

So, weight reduction is very important in the management of these diseases and also to avoid having them. For this you have to watch your diet and perform diet management – for weight reduction you should reduce intake of fats, sugar and salt. This is because excess sugar is also converted into fats. And if there is excess salt in the body there is bound to be excess fluids which adds to the weight. You have to watch your portion size too. Gradually reducing the portion size helps shed weight.

 

- By Dr Harish Khurana
MBBS, DCH, MD

 

Sahyog Wellness provides Pulse Oximeter, BP Monitors, Weighing scales, Thermometers & Spirometers which are reliable & helps in measuring your weight, body temperature & blood pressure on timely basis.

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